Cowdogs, Like Boy Scouts, are always prepared. Boy, is this the time to shine! 
Well, this is an interesting time of year. It has been hot and dry, but went from near 100 degrees to close to freezing, in about 48 hours! Now it’s back to nice September weather, although sometimes hazy from many fires raging in the west. Sure wreaks havoc on my arthritic old bones, never mind the extra sore I’m recovering from.
Our 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. 
And I’m not on full time guard duty anymore. This old Heeler sleeps inside at night. And yes, sometimes I sleep in the shower!
A Cowdog’s Job
Even with summer back , still turning easy day by day, it is cooler 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. Frost nipped a few squash and melon leaves, and even the newly planted fall garden will only endure for a short time; winter will come again.
Most of the cows have left summer pasture now, headed back to the homeplace
and winter haystacks.
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. Sprout has been helping pick tomatoes, cukes, and zuchini by the basketful, though he eats a lot while he harvests, 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/3eRmGTk
Little Sprout notices the apples when they come by the orchard, and reported today that it is near time to pick them.
Bushels of them will join piles of peaches,
tomatoes and beets in the kitchen. 
Soon I will help Sprout pick chokecherries, 
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/3qXKMyF
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/3eUutzu
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.
I may not be out there running behind the herd as much, but I still exercise my organizational skills from the porch.
Like the Boy Scout Motto which is taken, I think, from the Cowdog’s Code:
Be prepared.
