Computers are marvellous things, but only when they work . . .

There will be a slight delay in any updates on EA for the next few days as all the info from our main computer gets transfered to a brand new version. Gulp! That was an expensive trip to the Apple Store.

Did you know that a six-year-old computer is considered "vintage" and unreparable? And it was very evident that the very young geeks at the Genius Bar could not believe that such an antiquated machine was still in daily use.

I'm also sure that the lucky person who transfers the data will have a hard time believing that anyone would want or need the thousands of cow photos the old machine contains. We live in a different world than most.

What was most incredible was the 20ish service person actually stating that it was "my choice" to live where high speed internet access was unreliable. His theory: people moved to cities to take advantage of all they offer, and one of the most compelling reasons for city life is the availability of the latest and greatest technology.

My response? He's damn lucky that city life is not everyone's cup of tea or he might go hungry. A statement of fact that made absolutey no impact. Apparently technology is manditory; food is optional.

We still have a lot of work to do on the education front.

JL

Now it's heck or high water

As of June 30th sales of  Calgary Stampede "Hell or High Water" t-shirts have raised over $500,000 for the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund (see Calgary Herald story). And now the "G" rated "Heck or High Water" version is available for kids. Available on the Stampede Store Website.

Hell or high water . . .

My favourite photo of flood rescue in Southern Alberta - trust a farmer to come up with an inventive use for equipment!

Thanks to all who enquired about our well being - other than a leaky basement (due to 14 inches of rain) all is fine. We're as green as Ireland and the lawn squishes when walked on.

Many, many others were not so fortunate with the welfare of affected livestock and crops yet to be determined, and no doubt the loss will be substantial. The BBC reported “One farm that we went to had 60 cattle drowned in the fields." (see Calgary Sun article).

Stay tuned for the story on Stampede - it will happen 'come hell or high water' . . .

Updated information at www.calgarystampede.com

FYI - If you are traveling to Stampede bring lots of spray - the number of mosquitos in Alberta now rivals Manitoba!

Calgary Bull Sale in the News

CTV News interview video from the Calgary Bull Sale.  Also a photo gallery in the Calgary Herald. You might recognize a person or two!

Farmer Style

The Peterson Farm brothers from Kansas are at it again with yet another parody - a sequel to "I'm farming and I grow it". According to their Facebook page, this latest offering received 150,000 hits in just over half a day.

Winter again . . .

First snowfall of October and the power has already gone off. Somebody please remind me why we live here again!!!

For all you NHL fans out there

A radio station in Winnipeg has used Taylor Swift's breakup anthem, "We are never getting back together", to lament the NHL lockout. The "official" lockout song.

How do we know it is Angus beef?

Interesting that the "Meat Men" LaFrieda Meats of NY (Food Network) boast they have the best Angus beef, but deliver it in trucks decorated with a Hereford head. Hmmm . . . maybe it is time to update their logo? Find out more on the series HERE.

The Incredible Dr. Pol - definitely worth a watch

Finally - something we cow people can relate to. Just finished watching my second episode of The Incredible Dr. Pol on Nat Geo Wild, and liked it even more than before. This Michigan rural vet is the all-around practioner we all wish we had (a few of us are lucky enough to already know someone like him). Dr. Pol's motto is: "the client has to make money; if he doesn't, I don't make money". To that end he uses time honoured methods combined with radical new techniques to treat everything from a cow prolapse to pet rat stomach problems - on farm, in the clinic, in the parking lot and even in a client's car. This guy is the real deal. He sometimes cries with clients, but is always professional and down to earth. Definitely worth a watch and what I will watching be Saturday/Tuesday night. Find out more at: Nat Geo Wild - Dr. Pol [http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/the-incredible-dr-pol/]

Yet another (excellent) parody - I'm farming & I grow it!

Three brothers from a Kansas beef farm are "Farming and I Grow It". Footage shot by their 12 year old sister has quickly gone viral.