Memorial Day Branding

Ever since I was first introduced to the Swan family activities three years ago, I've learned to look forward to Memorial Day. Traditionally, their entire family--grandkids and all--goes on a big camping trip over that weekend near their old family cattle ranch. But due to the whining of certain family members--who shall remain nameless for their own protection--the camping trip has been put on hold for the past two years and they have started branded their calves over the holiday instead. (Okay...the cancelled camping may have had something to do with the weather too...) But it's all good because branding is always a fun occasion as well. Did I just say fun?! Perhaps I should clarify...it is usually fun to watch the following things:

1. John Swan (aka Pack Mule) haul everything out, get things set up, and to rig everything that breaks with a piece of twine and his yellow knife.

2. Vinnie (Double D) Collins stoke the fire with anything and everything in reach that will produce a flame.

3. Marlene (wife of a rancher) shudder in terror at the fact that her husband, daughter, and sons (including in-laws) are kneeling on the calves and possibly "hurting" them while they are being vaccinated, castrated, and branded.

4. Colton cussing at the cows and calves like it might really change their behavior and stubborn stupidity.

5. Heather and E'lise clicking away on the cameras with the same tenacity that the actual paparazzi possesses.

6. Buckaroo Biff get all chinked up and claiming that he has to "do all the work 'round here."

7. The ensuing rodeo that occurs because they all rope calves on half-broke horses.

But last year was NO fun at all. In order to brand we had to herd the cows & calves into the arena so we could separate them into calves and mommies. Well, the Swan's have this RIDICULOUS horse named Utah Red who is the absolute dumbest horse alive. Needless to say, he broke my foot by kicking me while I was riding another horse during the herding process last year. Absolutely mortifying. No one believed me when I said that I thought my foot was broken because I could still walk on it. I heard at least three times--"you gotta get back on the horse Melissa." Wrong. I hadn't been on a horse since--until Friday night. And that's when Colton convinced me that I should try roping this year. Now I have never roped ANYTHING in my life. I've taken my turn trying to head the Fast Lane with my little brother, STANDING ON THE GROUND, but it is not the same as an attempt from horseback. But Colton gave me a crash course on Friday night and I roped some sage brush and hauled around a railroad tie for about 45 minutes in preparation for Saturday morning. This in itself was a huge accomplishment for me because I vowed I would never get on a Swan horse again.

Saturday morning came and after the usual later than planned departure, we set out for the Shoshone Unit (John's nickname for the ranch) to get things situated and set up. Now, I was nervous to go out and herd the cattle into the arena after last year's experience but because Jason Slack is such a good sport, I had to be too. So far, so good.

Now I had dreamt all night along about the things Colton told me. Keep my elbow up. Bring that rope in and around. Keep an overhand grip when I pull my slack. Dally and turn. Face my horse. Ride forward & pick up my coils. Then back up and get rid of any slack. So you can imagine my disappointment when I was assigned to cut and spray. Now ordinarily, I would've been elated for this job because it's a pretty big deal. But not this time, I wanted to try to rope. But Colton was looking out for me and when we were about 3/4 of the way done, he told me to go get on Macho and come out and try. Oh and try, try, try I did. I don't even know how many loops I threw, but I somehow managed to rope two calves. (One of Colton's famous quotes comes to mind: "Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every now and then.") This is one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had--because I am as city slicker as they get when it comes time to riding a horse and twirling a rope at the same time. And now I'm addicted. And I can see why Colton wants to spend five hours a night, three times a week throwing a stupid rope at some running animal. And I can see why he gets so ticked when he misses!

So chalk another great weekend up to the Swan family...thanks guys!