I knew starting out I wasn’t a cowgirl – but I never claimed to be one, either. I knew the jokes around town about “the newbies that bought cattle.” I hope I don’t forget the comments because there are newbies out there who need to be welcomed into the ranching fold.

In Montana, there is almost always an abundance of snow at Christmastime. Our cows know how to find feed in the snow, though. We leave feed in the fields for them because we don’t have farm equipment and leaving grass for grazing is a better use of resources for us.

When I was growing up, we had a couple of dogs. Our first dog was named King. He was named this because my dad had a dog named King when he was growing up, and this dog was going to be every bit as wonderful as my dad’s childhood companion.

Wrong and right are not quantifiable. Believe me, I’ve tried. Doing it ‘right’ isn’t a status I’ve ever achieved. I’ve wanted to achieve it because in the moment it feels like if I could do it perfectly, then I’d never hurt anyone or waste money or time.