A refrain I’ve heard often from temperate climate dwellers is that they wish they lived in a place with seasons. I suppose we often yearn for what we don’t have, as I also dream of the continual warmth of mild days in San Diego.

The cowboy is one of the most romantic, enduring figures in the American consciousness, right up there with astronauts, muscle cars and George Washington. However, somewhere along the line, a disconnect grew in the minds of the public between the 1,000-mile cattle drives of the 19th century and modern beef production.

Tyrell sits down with John R. Erickson, author of the beloved Hank the Cowdog book series, for a meandering and insightful conversation about the animals we live and work with, recovering after wildfires and educating the public about livestock agriculture. 

With winter just around the corner, are you prepared for the upcoming time change? As we prepare to "fall back" with the end of daylight saving time on Nov. 3, many of us have already noticed the earlier arrival of evening darkness.

Wildfires were a fact of life growing up, especially out West. I’d see bulletins come across the news – 50,000 acres, 100,000 acres, gone. I’d shake my head, think “That’s too bad” and go about my day. I think, from now on, I will view these events with a little more compassion.

Mine is a horse-poor outfit. I’m aware that the term “horse-poor” is subject to interpretation, and I’ve seen it thrown around and used in a variety of ways in the ranching world.

Working hard works, well, until it doesn’t. And it doesn’t always work when my girls enter the show ring for the market judging class during the county fair.

I’m reminded every so often of a conversation I had with a friend of mine over 30 years ago. The memory is usually triggered by some random comment or event, but it’s one of those memories that seems to always linger near the surface of my thoughts.

“Sis, the horses are saddled. Get your boots on and meet me outside.” They are going to check the cows.