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Be Prepared
Cowdogs, Like Boy Scouts, are always prepared. Boy, is this the time to shine!
Well, this is an interesting time of year. After the one glorious rain after another, my world stays green and growing. It was getting that late summer desperation, dry and crispy. But with just a little water the grass grows, the horses and cows are grazing again, the smoke has cleared from the sky and at least some of the fires are out. And today, rain again!
Welcome Summer Still
Summer is given an optimistic reprieve; the world is more agreeable. But every critter is hitting the gardens, as if we planted it all for them. Sharing is one thing but the bounty is stolen nightly by deer, and squirrels, chickens and rabbits are determined to fight their way in if they can, too. No matter how well fenced, or how generous and reasonable we are, something is always trying to steal our way of life. No matter if there is still plenty of other things to eat, some creatures just want what is not theirs to take.
I do my best to keep the larcenous critters away but cooling nights are hard on my bones.
Old Lady told me about sleeping in the shower – it is quiet, serene, and cat-free!
A Cowdog’s Job
Even with summer back , still turning easy day by day, it is cooler at night now, dark longer in the morning and earlier in the evening. A cowdogs skills to herd and organize are in high demand, as we are doing, finishing, looking ahead without the luxury of warm days stretching out ahead like the sunlight of mid-June. Around here, frost may be close by, even the newly planted fall garden will only endure for a short time, winter will come again, soon.
The cattle are gradually leaving the hills, headed back to their homeplaces for the winter.
Hay is coming in, stacked and ready to keep the livestock happy and fed all through the cold months.
So for now, we keep working and prepare. I helped mom plant fall crops of lettuce, kale, carrots and beets, hoping against hope that the fickle weather of Montana won’t be cruel too soon. We planted iris, daffodils and tulips, too. And we consider an indoor garden, although the crazy young cats would probably destroy that too. I like the idea of fresh greens while it is snowing, maybe little tomatoes for Christmas? What a welcome treat that would be! Maybe I will get this for mom for an early Christmas gift: https://amzn.to/3yntdsI
Little Sprout notices the apples when they come by the orchard, and reported today that it is near time to pick them.
I will help Sprout pick apples, and this year his little brother helps some too. We always sample our work, to make sure we get good ones, but will have lots of goodies later, too – chips, sauce, jam and more!
Bushels of them will join piles of peaches,
tomatoes, beets and more.
I helped Sprout pick chokecherries this week,
and we scouted out Rosehips for later.
In the kitchen, I will help turn the bounty into everything from dry chips, jam, and jelly, to salsa, pickles and pocket pies [my favorite are beef or venison, but I guess I have to wait for those until later]. 
Old – time Tools of the Trade
Mom still uses an old pressure cooker that belonged to her grandmother. The neat thing about those old pots is that they are simple and still make all the parts to keep them working. Useful and made to last. Of course there are fancy new ones, but also ones that are the same, old-school technology that just plain works. We use it to can certain things like meat, and mom tells me she used to can hundreds of little brookies after they were smoked – talk about a real treat at Christmas! Here is one that looks just like moms: https://amzn.to/3DpvFCQ
She also has an assortment of specialized tools that come out at canning time; they look a lot like chew toys to me. She has a good old recipe book to follow, but if you’re new to canning, here is an updated one that comes in many versions, including Kindle: https://amzn.to/3sPl53c
Always Repairs and Maintenance
At the worst possible time, our 4-wheeler broke down. I think it’s the ignition, but hopefully we’ll get that repaired soon. Mom and I depend on that old machine to help us out around here.
Keep Herding
This is my kind of season to be sure. There is a lot to be done, planning and preparing, working toward a goal shortened daily by early dusk and cooler weather. It requires a good cowdog to herd everything together. There is not panic or pressure, just the common sense to plan.
Like the Boy Scout Motto which is taken, I think, from the Cowdog’s Code:
Be prepared. 
