Ranches keep records for three good reasons. First, tax season is upon us, and accurate records are important to the IRS.

I have a vivid memory as a small child. A rogue cow escaped into our lawn, and my dad zigged and zagged with the cow. She stopped, blew out her nostrils, leapt over the fence like the “Cow Jumping the Moon” in my storybooks.

Putting a rancher in the hospital is like trying to bag an angry tomcat to haul him to the vet.

Looking back, I ponder long-ago Christmas gatherings at Grandma’s house. A dozen cousins from across the country gathered for a week-long visit.