Bitter Sweet # 3

Well this past Saturday I was supposed to run in my third triathlon. However, due to thunder and lightening the afternoon section was cancelled. I was due to swim at 2:45 so around 1:45 Tim and I brought my bike in for registration. The first sign that wasn`t looking good was that we were able to park within a block of all the activity. That hasn`t happened before. We got to the corner and the finish line clock was being dismantled as well as several other things. One of the volunteers told us that the course for the run was mostly flooded as well so they cancelled the thing. But the registration desk was just shutting down so I got my goodie bag.

I was so nervous when I left mom and dad`s place. I had gotten myself so physicked the week before. But I have never had to run in the rain before, so I didn`t know what to wear. Do I where shorts? Do I put on a sweater? Do I put pants on? My mom gave me a good luck hug on my way out and commented that I was shaking all over. It reminded her of when I was at skating competitions. I always told her that I never got nervous, my knees just start shaking when I get on the ice!! Anyways, when I was told that it was cancelled I was kinda relieved that I didn`t have to do it in the rain. But I had nothing to show for all my winter training. Yes I am in shape still but it is really disappointing not being able to run.

So we were able to just rest with my family for the evening....and watched the rain. I looked into doing another one this year but they all cost $90 or more to get into them. I am not that die hard to pay that much for a triathlon. So I guess the training continues for next year.

100 years and still going

Well, this year the farm celebrates a 100 year brand. It is truly a Canadian brand-hard to write on the computer but it is EH with a bar on top of it. Great Grandpa Earle wanted his initials HE but couldn`t get it. Yesterday we had some wonderful neighbours come and help with the big day. We did about 220 calves yesterday and another 30 last Friday.

The rain clouds were threatening all day. So we put the calves that wouldn`t fit in the barn in the liner. Here they are entering the barn.
Our paster (left) and Oscar (from Finland) are waiting for Greg to start branding the heifers.
This side of the barn were the bulls. It will be nice in the fall cuz there were lots of bulls this year, but it made for a little longer day.
This bull has had it`s needles and waiting for his turn. In Tim`s words he is going to have the "Manliness taken from the man"
Tim and James are dehorning the bull and Tom and Richard are making it a Steer!!

James is branding him.