For starters, I went to a cow branding my first week here and vaccinated baby cows. Though I didn't particularly like poking them with a 6-inch hypodermic needle, my other option was castrating. Needless to say, I chose the better. I'll admit it was pretty fun watching all the real cowboys and cowgirls roping and riding, but I couldn't eat beef for weeks after that experience.
I have also been learning the art of gardening. I mentioned the small farm before, I but I didn't mention that it's a family project. We all sow and we and we all reap the benefits. My back and arms were sore from hoeing for the whole first month I was here, and I'm pretty sure my aches and pains caused more grief than relief for that poor garden. But, we've all got to learn somewhere! So, I carry on in the hopes that someday my furrows will be as deep and straight as Blaze's.
Lastly, I have at long last entered the dark world of baking. This has by far been my greatest challenge. Hitherto, my utmost baking accomplishment was Chex muddy buddies. I'm the first to admit that's not saying much. Jeanne, my mother-in-law, has been kind enough to have me over a couple times while she baked so I could learn. However, it's a whole different world when you're trying it by yourself. One of these days I will grace you all with a summary of my (many) baking failures and (few) baking successes. But, for now, let it suffice to say that Blaze is either a very patient or very hungry soul.
