I know this deal may seem a bit wrong.  But, it actually isn’t.  Livestock observation is a must.  Especially with bucks and then when you throw in an ET flush program, now you better pay attention.  

     I have programmed two donors for this next flush (hear that sound of money getting ready to leave my account–it is already circling like a turd that just isn’t ready to head down).  Anyways, these are two 8 year old proven Harley does.  Maybe we will get some embryos, probably not.  Obviously I am very optimistic, but yet we are going through the motions like it is going to work.  

     One of these does is getting bred to a buck that we call Joe Dirt.  The other is getting bred to a younger buck that is named Rumour Has It.  It is kind of fun to see these two bucks in side by side pens.  Yes, I am kind of partial to these two dudes. But, it is kind of fun to watch the differences between them.  

      As I walk towards the corral, Rumour is screaming like a gutshot comanche.  He knows it is there and ready and he wants it.  And he will let the whole world know about it.  Dirt, well he is just looking at Rumour like “WTH dude?  It will be there.  Just wait a minute.”

      The gates are opened and Rumour runs at his donor like a linebacker getting ready to blow up a running back behind the line of scrimmage.  As soon as he gets there, he yells at her, does the buck talk in her ear.  Yells again, tries to mount as he knocks her into the fence.  Then stands back and yells again.  Looks at Dirt, then realizes he better quit talking about it and do something.  

Dirt.  The gate opens, he waits for the donor to come to him.  She does.  She stops.  He mounts.  He dismounts.  She stands there with back arched.  He walks to the fence and looks at Rumour like “You need me to show you how to do this?”  Then he goes and gets a bite to eat.  

      At this point, Rumour takes care of business.  But now, he wants to know what Dirt is doing.  But, he is afraid to leave his donor, so he stands there and yells about it.  It is about this time that Dirt’s donor is starting to move again.  She isn’t locked up and her eyes aren’t as glazed as they were.  So, Dirt hits it again.  Walks off.  Rumour yells some more.  

      Last night, I watched as Dirt didn’t make any moves towards his donor.  If you weren’t aware of how Dirt works, one might be worried.  I also watched Rumour as he raised havoc and told the world that he was getting ready to get some action.  This morning and tonight–Dirt did what Dirt does–breed does.  Basically, one is like a high school kid while the other could work in movies.  

      We’ll see if this flush works.  Then we’ll see if the recips stick.  Then we’ll see what we get come February.  And if it doesn’t work–well, my recips are pretty high quality, so they’ll just get bred naturally.  It’s all just a big gamble and we’re rolling the dice.  Again.  I know.  I’m retarded.  I need some horseshoes and shamrocks for this deal.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

     There are two college teams that I keep up with–Oklahoma State and Notre Dame.  I like the Cardinals and Red Sox when it comes to major league baseball.  But, in reality, I just like going to MLB ballparks.  I have never been a big basketball fan.  Actually, that statetment isn’t true.  I spent a lot of time watching the Arnett girls play 6 on 6 basketball back in the late 80s.  I keep up with the Thunder.  I really don’t have a favorite NFL team.  I’ve been to Dallas and watched the Cowboys back in the 80s.  I like the Packers because of their history and the fans are the stock-holders.  I kind of keep up with the Chiefs because of geopgraphy.  

     I used to have a favorite NFL team.  When I was about Duke’s age, I really liked the Houston Oilers.  Bum Phillips as the coach, Dan Pastorini at quarterback, Robert Brazile (aka Dr. Doom) at linebacker (should be in the hall of fame ) but most importantly, Earl Campbell.  That dude was wicked good. The team name was perfect for the city/region.  The uniforms were cool.  They even had a crappy fight song.  

      Now, I watch ESPN for the highlights.  I almost never bet on an NFL game.  The athletes are unreal.  The injuries horrendous.  I can see why people get wound up with NFL games and the fantasy football leagues.  I just prefer college games. 

     However, I appreciate the amount of planning, foresight, scouting and preparation that goes into an NFL game.  There is lots of specialization at most positions.  Stock shows are similar.  You better know who is judging and their type and kind.  Rules and regulations regarding weigh-backs, tooth rules, testing, etc.  Goals–trying to place, make the sale, be in the hunt to win a division or trying to win it all.  Lots of factors to consider.  

      I smell a pulled pork roast coming out of the kitchen.  I think that I will hit submit, fill a plate and watch the Packers and Seahawks for a bit.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.  

“Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.”

“The truth is, most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive.”

“Our idea of relaxing is all too often to plop down in front of the television set and let its pandering idiocy liquify our brains.  The mind is like a car battery– it recharges by running.  You may be surprised to find how quickly daily routine and the demands of “just getting by” absorb your waking hours.  You may be surprised to find how quickly you start to see your politics and religion become matters of habit rather than thought and inquiry.  You may be surprised to find how quickly you start to see your life in terms of other people’s expectations rather than issues.  You may be surprised to find out how quickly reading a good book sounds like a luxury.”  

Take a minute or two away from your normal internet routine.  GOOGLE the author of these quotes.  

I’ll give you some hints.  

Hobbes

Comics

Bill

Author

Calvin

     I had plans on writing a really nifty piece of knowledge.  But, then, I made the mistake of clicking on a website that had a video of some chick that tricked Alex Trebeck, as in the long-time Jeaporday host, into reading the words “Turd Ferguson”.  Between the watching and the laughing, I lost the knowledge.  Yes, I admit that I can be immature.  But, Duke and I like to watch the SNL greatest hits of Will Ferrell and that sketch that had Ferrell as Trebeck, a fake Sean Connery and  Norm Macdonald as Burt Reynolds/Turd Ferguson always makes me life.  

       If we can’t laugh, well, then we have a problem.  Make sure that you laugh more than you complalin.  If you don’t?  Well, that would mean that you are doing it wrong!

     Yes. Yes, I will.  Got word today that the res. div. 1 wether at the Kansas State Fair was sired by Big Rumour.  I know some breeders get worried about letting “their” genetics out.  I understand and I can agree.  On the other hand, whoever is looking to buy a buck might as well buy a good one from me.  Last I checked Kenneth Helms and Joe Raff are still in businesss, even though they have sold some truly great breeding pieces.  

      I don’t know if, and or when, any Rumor Has It or Joe Dirt semen, breedings or flushes will hit the market.  Last I checked, my partners, as well as my self are content with these bucks and their progeny.  We don’t need to part with any of either.  But, when we do. It will be in a limited manner.  

     And here’s what I do know on this fine WINDY evening in NW OK.  It’s too bad that Tammy and I don’t like tomatoes as we have an ass load, or a crap load, whichever is bigger, of these red beauties.  I mean, a pile of grape, cherry, Roma, San Marzano and some kind of Ruby deal’s.  These things are scattered all over window sills, counter tops, in bags in the fridge, all over.  They look good.  But, I think that they would make a bunch of salsa.  

     Have a great day, a better tomorrow.  And here’s to nothing but horseshoes and shamrocks.  

     I like getting messages about Rumour Has It kids or grand kids.  I recently got a message that Rumour Mill sired the res. grand at the South Dakota State Fair.  Rumour Mill is owned by Peterson Livestock and was purchased in aour April Fool’s Day sale in 2014.  Congrats!

     Blood Pressure also sired a res. div. wether at the Kansas State Fair.  These young bucks are getting it done.  Congrats to all of our customers and I hope for continued success.

      I like to judge livestock.  I like to look, compare, evaluate and run reasons through my head or out loud.  I then bid, buy, agree or disagree with those that are looking at the same stock that I am.  Regardless of species, I like to look at good stock.  

     Which brings us to this evenings 2016 Miss America pageant.  Normally, I could give 2 squirts of goose crap about a beauty pageant.  But, the Dragon Lady told me that Vanessa Williams was going to be a judge.  WOO!  I’m in.  

       Rewind to 1984.  Vanessa Williams was stripped of the 83-84 Miss America title because of some nude pics.  This was big news to a 13 year old male in NW Oklahoma.  Somehow, Lance Helfenbein procured an issue of the magazine that had the nude pics in it.  I don’t need to look at that magazine to remember what I saw.  The images were forever-more burned into my cranium.  And the pics looked good.  At that time, it was disgraceful.  Now, those same pics are called art or an ad.  They really didn’t show much nudity.  But they didn’t hide it either. There-in lies the problem.  Some would say that they were “classical” nude pics.  Whatever?!  That chick was hot then and she is still hot.  

      Here’s the item that I had forgetten.  Vanessa Williams was the first black Miss America.  I still don’t think she is black.  Sure, she oviously has black features and ancestry.  She’s still hot.  In my reasons notes, I probably wouldn’t have jotted down that she was black.  Then or now.  Regardless of the nudity scandal, she has gone on to be the most succesful Miss America.  Movies, TV, Music and Broadway are all listed on her resume.  

     Which now brings us to the next class of fine female evaluation.  I watched and wondered how some of them won their respective states.  Then, I heard one talk.  Then saw her walk and then she sang.  And the bubble note said, “Wants to perform on Broadway.”  I don’t think that will be a problem, as Miss Georgia can bring it with some serious vocal pipes.  I’m real sure that her agent is already in negotiations with people that do Broadway productions.  

      Personally, I thought that this was an easy class winner.  Talent, looks and could talk.  The officals got this class right.  Of course, I am kind of partial to a smoking hot fiery brunette chick.  

    I haven’t been to New York yet.  But when I do, I want to see the 9/11 memorials, the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, Yankee Stadium and then I want to see The Lion King on Broadway.  They say that it is better than the movie.  Personally, I consider that movie one of the top 10 of all time.        

     Here’s to remembering fond childhood memories and judging good stock.  Cheers!

     Congratulations are in order for the Foraker family in Kansas.  They have been real tough in the goat and sheep barn.  They have hung banners and are still striving to hang more.  They didn’t have they day that they hoped for, but they did have a day that will be hard to replicate.  To start this day at the Kansas State Fair, Kaci Foraker showed the res. div. 3 wether goat.  This was a Joe Dirt sired wether bred by Tyke Greer and sold at the Banners and Backdrops sale.  Then Kaci showed the champ Div. 4 wether.  This was a wether that her brother Blake had bought for her.  Then, in the sheep barn, Kaci showed the champion cross lamb.  Yep, that is correct.  Two species and she had to show in both grand drives.  

      Kaci ended up with the 4th overall lamb at the Kansas State Fair.  Then, her big goat was reserve grand, while the other was 5th overall.  People, that is a great day.  I don’t care what state fair it was.  There were 10 slots in the top 5 of 2 species at a big state show.  She took up 30% of those slots.  That’s big time.  

       This family works hard & shows hard.  I know that they wanted to win.  But this was a big time day!   Congrats to a job well done and well done as a family.  There are still more shows to win.  

     It is a common question that I hear, “How do you come up with blog topics?”  Here is my reply.  It isn’t hard coming up with topics.  They surround us on a daily basis.  The hard part is finding the desire to sit down and put thought to paper (or keyboard).  I have some moods that aren’t conducive to writing.  I have some moods that mean that I should not be allowed around…well, maybe, at that given time, I just need to find a place closer to GOD.  And I have some moods that are really good, but Duke found a way of upsetting his mother which in turn lit my fire.  

     There are some things that I would like to write about, but they just don’t translate well.  I’ve got lots of stories that are real good in real life.  But, if you don’t know the whole story, it could seem like an episode of Law & Order:SVU.  Even though it is all good.  I just have to leave it alone.  

      I try not to involve any negative vibes that come from work.  I will hit on some positives.  But, all jobs have a negative.  If you want to hear that part, catch me in the right mood. 

      The REALLY hard part is editing myself.  There is stuff that I would like to put on here, but shouldn’t.  There are things that need to be put out in front of the general public.  But I am enough of a lightning rod as it is.  So, I just walk away from the keyboard.  

      Here’s what I like to write about:  I like to write about the kid that works hard with help from his/her family to try to have an excellent show animal.  

I like to write about that lucky deal where a kid worked hard, with help, and they found that magical little nugget of an animal.  

I like hard work, good care, application of knowledge and those do good kind of stories.  

I like to write about good kids that want to do well.  Those are always easy to write about.  And if that isn’t your focal point in this industry, well, you need to go find a different industry.  I like to make money.  But, we need to remember what drives the money being spent.  And it is to improve our kids.  The drive to win and the corruption tied to it is, and always will be, fueled by adults.  The drive for the experience, the fun and the HOPE of a win is what drives the younger people.  

I like to write about friendships made and experiences told by various people in the industry.  I like a giant in the industry such as Judy Kaye coming to the house for the festivities as well as the sale.  I enjoyed explaining to people that yes, she’s been in this game for a bit and all of the big names know who she is.  I just hope that they get a rain in that part of the world.  

I like to write about good weather and the joys that go with it, such as good music, good times and big fun.  

I try to write stuff that I would want to read.  And to be honest, about 3 times a year, while I am alone.  I will sit and read all of the crap that I have written.  I laugh a lot.  I sit and nod my head a lot.  And from time to time, I get upset with myself.  Maybe, that deal crossed the line.  Maybe I should have said more.  But, without a doubt, I would have always said more in person.  So, like I stated earlier, it is hard to edit myself.  

Now, how can I tie this blog back to the goat industry?  Simple.  There is a HUGE demand for high quality goats.  There is a high demand for highly publicized goats.  There is a demand for quality goats that just aren’t ready.  There are a lot of extra doe kids in the industry.  EVERYBODY seems to have donor does.  There are NOT enough good bucks available.  Everybody agrees that flushing is a crap shoot.  Oh, wait.  There was a Kelln family favorite clown at the cajun bawl on Sunday night that was wearing a Kohler t-shirt that read, “Trust the Flush”.  Obviously, this was a slogan for a porcelain throne and not some goat breeder that has to write fat checks for failed or successful flushes.  

And my other favorite topic, YOUR president is not my president of choice.  And, the next election options don’t look too good either.  

       I need to go buy a lottery ticket as today has been my lucky day.  How lucky you ask?  Late one night this weekend, the Dragon Lady asked me, “Is the A/C making a funny sound?  Do you hear that?”  Unfortunately, the answers were YES and YES.  Well, it made it through the big Labor Day weekend.  All the way to about 2:03 am on Monday morning and then I heard the bearing in the squirrel cage give finally give out.  

        This morning, I gathered up the model # and serial # of the unit.  Tammy called a repairman.  He came out today.  YES!!  But, the parts won’t be here until Wednesday.  Well, dang.  At least we still have those two rented travel trailers parked at the house.  I just need to get more gasoline to run the generators.  I got home and well, that won’t work as the rental company already picked them up. 

      Now, the luck kicks in.  Monday, it is was about 100 degrees PLUS!.  Then Tuesday afternoon, a quick cool front with just a sprinkle of rain to cool things off and entice us.  Now, it is 70 degrees out on this fine night in paradise.  How lucky can one get?  We don’t even need the A/C.  

      It was a big weekend of goats and dollars changing hands.  By all accounts, Pfeiffer sold a wicked good paint doe at the Fiesta.  Jamie Smith was the purchaser, so she will be given every chance to hit a big lick.  Several other really good does changed hands for fair money.  I wanted to go, but I am glad that I kept my donkey at home.       In all honesty, I am probably not ever going to win a lottery (and neither are you, for that matter) but I do feel lucky.  I’ve got a great family.  My hobby is pretty productive.  I have a job that has a few benefits, namely that there are bunch of kids that want to learn and do well.  I did have a moment or two today that reminded me why I decided to become an ag teacher the first time and why I decided to continue this second tour of duty.  

      I am going to take this moment to brag on Rumour Has It.  The proof of a true breeding piece is what their offspring produces.  Rumour has done well….real well.  The highest selling wether at our sale was a Seelke wether that was a Deuce (Rumour son) & back on a Rumour daughter.  Several have seen the Deuce x Rumour kids that still have their brains intact.  There is a pen at Seelke’s that will be heard from.  Barnthouse recently had the res. grand wether at the Colorado State Fair with a Blood Pressure kid.  He also had the grand doe at the Iowa State Fair with a Blood Pressure kid.  Now, the grand wether at the Nebraska State Fair was out of Big Rumour (Rumour son that Mock sold).  This wether was raised by Ron SImonson.  And Ron is one happy dude in that banner pic.  The first one is on me at KC.  Rumour bucks are churning them out.  Better yet, the Rumour daughters are producing.  There is longevity in these genetics.  We are lucky to have him.  

     One thing about it.  If I ever do win a big lottery, the world will know it.  There will be a large concert.  Something like Eddie Murphy as the MC with the Great Divide as the warm up band and then George Strait opening up for the Guns N Roses reunion.  

     All I have to conclude this bit with, is I hope that your days are full of horseshoes and shamrocks.  All of a sudden, I feel a craving for Lucky Charms.

p.s.  My lucky day continues.  I just found a pan of strawberry cake.  Hardly touched.  There is a strip of masking tape that reads Debbie Kelln on the lid.  Yes, it is a pan of my mom’s strawberry cake.  It is now my cake.  That is good stuff. 

p.s.s.  In reply to that text picture.  I do have some laundry that needs done.  Get bent!