Kate Sanchez
It happened just over a week ago; the mornings started getting cooler, the zest of the air was more crisp, and the common hot temperatures of summer quickly dwindled down. Fall was felt for the first time this year, and with it came the feelings of one of the ranch’s most important seasons.
For most people, fall seems to be a time of great transition. Kids are working back into their school routine, parents are adjusting as well, all the while preparing for the holidays and winter months that soon follow.
But for ranch wives and cowboys alike, fall is basically a holiday in itself- a month (or two) long season filled with familiar laughter, camaraderie, teamwork, and the utmost amounts of respect. This is “fall works” season, when calves are weaned and shipped. A time for closure, new beginnings, and tidying up before the cold months bare down on us.
For most ranch wives, one of the biggest jobs in this season is serving as the cook when the crew is working on her husband’s “country” or “camp”; that which he’s responsible for overseeing in terms of cattle, land management, horses etc. For us women, our days are filled with the aroma of homemade biscuits, fragrant vegetables, hearty meats and sweet desserts.
While we may find ourselves up at the same time as the rest of the crew, it’s never with a sense of resentment or out of obligation alone. For myself and other ranch wives there is a certain sense of pride and tradition that comes with cooking for the men. I can truly say it’s the least we can do for a crew that works so hard, day-in and day-out.
This time of year means a constant rotating door of dust-covered cowboys coming in for a good meal, cold sweet tea, infectious laughter, lots of “thank you ma’am’s” and big stories reminiscent of days gone by. Fall, for the cowboys, means reaping the rewards of lots of hard work and sleepless nights. This season brings us early mornings and late nights; but we’re thankful to be able to see God’s best artwork in the dawn of a new day.
Fall, for us, means that we’re reminded of what really matters; family, friends, hard work, and happiness. Fall means that we know we’re exactly where we’re intended to be!
