Sunset On The World

16 X 20 Oil on Canvas
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I thought I knew where this painting was headed when I started it. I was way wrong! I THOUGHT it was going to be one of my more photographic paintings. You can see I got distracted. The world as we know it is leaving - the new day's dawn will be exciting for some and scary for others. I find it a challenge and one that I know I will survive. As a result of feeling like this, my art is changing, too.

At any given time I have at least 5 paintings in various stages of progression. Some I complete in a day (the smaller ones). Most take 2 to 5 days to finish. Often I spend a half a day just researching, going through my photographs, sketching compositions and then finally putting the idea to canvas and laying in an under coating of paint. Then I have to wait until the undercoat dries to add the details. I did that with this one, but I did not like this painting after I started it. So it has sat in plain view, accusing me of neglect.

Meantime my friend, Laurie forwarded me an e-mail from a patron who wanted horses in a sunset. And that’s what moved me to “divert” this image to a more abstract image. It was definitely an evolution that I literally wrenched from my soul! I have a feeling there will be more like this in the future.

Proverbs 24:14
Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Media: oil
Size: 16 in X 20 in (40.6 cm X 50.8 cm)
Price: $200 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $200 USD
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Teton Color Study

8 X 10 Oil on gessoed masonite $100
Includes shipping and insurance in U.S.

This is a quick study for a larger painting which will have several horses in it, of course. The location is just north of Jackson, Wyoming where the big wild bison herd can usually be found. We went there again this summer looking for the herd - and all we found were a few scraggly old cows - not the huge herd we found the summer before. But that was OK because later we found thousands of bison in South Dakota. Hope they are surviving this rough winter....
Leviticus 27:32
The entire tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod—will be holy to the LORD

Smiling Jasper

18 X 18 Oil on Canvas Not For Sale

This lovely black Lab, Jasper, belonged to, or should I say, "lived with" my adorable brother, Boyd, and his even more adorable wife, Tami (he definitely married above himself!). Unfortunately Jasper died last month after a long illness and now romps and waits for us with my puppy Kibble and her sister Winkie. I actually have several more dogs waiting for me, but those are the most recent departures. Boyd sent me the poem Rainbow Bridge a couple weeks ago, and if you have lost a beloved pet and want a good cry, go here. Get a Kleenex first.
Jasper had a typical Labrador personality - never unhappy, always glad to see you and ready to chase her ball at a moment's notice. Even when she was loosing her sight, she made that effort to play - she was irrespressible. Our old yellow Lab, Casey, was the same way - you absolutely could not make him angry - one of the best breeds for a family dog and last count, at the top of the list in America for pet dogs. And justifiably. See you in Heaven, Jasper, 'cause Heaven would not be Heaven without our puppies, and I KNOW that's where I'm headin'!
Love you, Bro.
Psalm 115:15
May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
(Heaven is mentioned in the Bible over 600 times - must be something to it!)

Bay Horse

SOLD

My favorite horse color is palomino - I used to long for Trigger as a child. My second favorite is blood red bay - they are so sharp looking with those black legs and black mane and tail. This particular fellow was raised by my talented friend, Trista. She visited today to trim my horses' feet and coincidentally I was painting one of her horses. You might recall that Trista is multi-talented. Not only is she a farrier, but she is also an excellent trainer. Her colt, Gizmo, is one month younger than Dandy (we weaned him with Dandy), so we are sharing baby horse stories at this stage. She will also be the first person to ride Dandy, when the time comes. She plans to event on Giz, and since he is already a full hand bigger than Dandy, I suspect he will be big enough to do anything.

Psalm 131:2
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Media: oil on linen board
Size: 10 in X 8 in (25.4 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $115 USD

How To Purchase: SOLD

Future Fear

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There's flames on the horizon. Are they subsiding or getting closer? Our California friends are familiar with wildfires and so are we in Texas, but there may be even scarier things in our future...

I am praying for our leaders and the people in our community. We are a close knit group in Morgan Mill, Texas and I was honored with the privilege of caring for one of our newest members today - Marissa Gilliss. She turned 2 months old Thursday and is FINALLY staying awake long enough to smile and gurgle and flirt with us. Thank you, James and Krissi, for trusitng us with her - she is a pleasure and a reminder that God blesses is in many ways. Every time I see her, I am awed...Babies are God's assurance that this is a world without end. Amen.

Psalm 9:8
He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice

Media: oil on stretched canvas
Size: 20 in X 16 in (50.8 cm X 40.6 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Your Turn or Mine?

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Each one of these images came from a different photo. I couldn't decide whose turn it was to be painted, so I painted them all! As a result, the title has TWO meanings!

You may have noticed a change in my style and palette lately. I am trying different techniques and colors - less white and more color that is undiluted and more saturated. I have no idea if I will settle into one format more than another. Sometimes change needs to happen just because - and I'm not talking politically.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Media: oil on gessoed masonite
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)

How to Purchase:

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Real Cowboys Still Exist

30 X 40 Oil on canvas done in 2006
Not Available

I attended a "mugging" several years ago and got some wonderful photos of cowboys having fun. It was my first such event and I didn't know many of the folks participating. One of the images that resulted from that day was this very large painting of a cowboy who impressed me - not only with his capabilities, but also his demeanor with the other cowboys, his animals and his children who were with him. That painting went to a show in a New York gallery and has been on display in a number of different places. It has been hanging in my studio for several months now, and it's been odd how a number of people claim to recognize the cowboy.
Last Wednesday we were hosting a Bible study and one of the attendees saw the painting and declared "I know that feller. He's helped me with my cattle. Bary Clower is his name and he's a fine Christian man with a reputation for being true to his word". I instantly decided that Bary needed to own this painting so I asked Bill to get a hold of him, and tell him to come by my studio, but don't tell him why. Well, to make a long story not quite as long, Bary and his daughter, Courtney, came by last night and viewed his painting, declaring "That's me on Dunny". Over his protests, I gave him the painting and I hope to be able to get more images of this "real cowboy". There's not many of 'em left.
John 12:47
As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.

Rope Halter

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A rope halter is really one of the best tools a horseman can have. It's extremely versatile - fitting a variety of horses - including yearlings. This one is being used like a hackamore for training. And making one is an easy, handy craft to learn.

I made my first rope halter years ago - following the "recipe" in a Western Horseman's magazine. It was the handiest and most effective halter I ever owned - and safe. Made of cotton rope, if the horse ever got it tangled in something, it was much more likely to break than a nylon halter. And that was a GOOD thing. I actually know someone whose horse died because he got his halter tangled in a farm implement and choked himself. I never leave halters on my horses, but if I had to, one made of cotton rope would be my first choice.

Psalm 119:61
Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.

Media: oil
Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)

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Is That REALLY Your Calf?

SOLD to a California sitcom set designer
About This Painting:

It was a surprise to see this solid red heifer calf beside her almost all white Momma. Cow genetics, especially in Longhorns, are highly unpredictable - which is part of what makes them fun to raise.

I am a great admirer of the artist, Xiang Zhang. It would be highly presumptuous of me to even presume this painting looks like something he would do, but he truly does influence my work. His rich, imaginative use of color and fabulous brush strokes are worth studying - and I have. I guess we all have idols and he is one of mine. Perhaps "idol" is too strong a word - "mentor" is better!

1 Samuel 12:21
Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.
Media: oil on canvas board
Size: 12 in X 9 in (30.5 cm X 22.9 cm)
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Old Number 49

About This Painting:

All cattle people have a "favorite cow". She may not be the prettiest, but she always calves unaided, on time, and takes good care of her baby year after year. She deserves an award...a certificate of merit for being a good cow.

We had a cow like that over 27 years ago. Her name was simply "Red Cow". She was a milking shorthorn cross, and I milked her every morning. Then I would turn her out with her own calf and 2 "extra" calves that I bought from a dairy. I would separate her from her calves overnight so the routine could start again in the morning. We did this for several years - I could always count on her to not only supply milk to us, but raise her baby and any others that needed help. I remember that I could even milk her in the pasture, if I wanted to. My kids started out life drinking "raw" milk and were none the worse for it. Now we drink 1% milk that tastes like water, and whole milk tastes too "rich". Kinda funny that only 27 years ago is the "olden days"!

1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Media: oil on gessoed masonite
Size: 6 in X 8 in (15.2 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $115 USD includes shipping and insurance

How to Purchase:

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Price: $115 USD
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Art is Thirsty

Price includes shipping and insurance in U.S.

The mannequin's name is "Art". Still lifes are a good way to reconnect your brain with drawing skills. I need to go in a new direction for a while - I guess my brain is thirsty, too.

I'm a bit tired of the horses and cowboys and Indians - brain needs rest, I guess. Or I need to try a new direction. I'm also wishing for Spring and a chance to get the garden planted. Dandy is needing a bit of attention, too. Friend, Trista will be out next weekend and hopefully will give me a lesson in hoof trimming. Last time she was here, she left a couple books on "natural hoof trimming" and I am now convinced to let my horses go barefoot. All three are really easy to trim, too, so I should have no problem doing it myself with the proper equipment. Never too old to learn new tricks.....

Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)
Price: $115 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $115 USD
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Surprised

8 X 10 Oil on gessoed masonite $125
Includes shipping and insurance

Life has a way of sneaking up on us. It's hard to imagine being surprised by a wagon. They make a lot of noise as they roll along. Perhaps the young man was napping? Or just not paying attention.

This is from some of the photographs I took this past summer in Pine Dale, Wyoming, during the Rendezvous Pageant. This young man was an excellent horseman and the mare he rode was really nice. The mountains in the background are actually patterned after the Spanish Peaks in southern Colorado.

I think I will do this portrait again - next time without the wagon and with a different color background. Maybe nighttime....overlooking a little cabin with a light shining in the window....so many possibilities and so little time!!!

Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Media: oil on gessoed masonite
Size: 10 in X 8 in (25.4 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $125 USD includes shipping and insurance

How to Purchase:

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Price: $125 USD
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Celtic Warrior Scouts Commission

Celtic Warrior Scouts SOLD

About This Painting:
A commissioned piece for Richard Dorsey's novel, The Sword Fighter.

Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)

How to Purchase:
This painting is sold

Challenge Painting: Jefferson Memorial

SOLD to a collector in Maine

5 X 7 Oil on gessoed masonite $100

Includes Shipping and Insurance in U.S.

This is the "challenge" painting from the blog "Different Strokes From Different Folks". A photo is posted every 2 weeks and participating artists paint it and the blog hostess displays it with links. It's quite a bit of work for her to keep this blog up, and I have been mightily impressed with the quality of painters participating. Check it out at the link above.

Exodus 28:29
"Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD.
Media: oil
Size: 7 in X 5 in (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm)
Price: $100 USD SOLD

Show Me The Way

SOLD to a collector in Colorado
8 X 6 Oil on Canvas board $115
Includes shipping and insurance in U.S.

This is another deviation from my usual palette. Despite the purple, this painting is a little warmer than the ones where I use a lot of blue and green. Which is nice since we are expecting a cold night in the low 20's. There goes my spinach.....
Genesis 8:22
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

Change Direction

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas Board
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You've got your head in the clouds and suddenly you're blindsided by a ---- health issue or a job change or whatever. Time to shake the sleep from your eyes and change directions, huh?
I attended a meeting of the Lake Granbury Art Association last night and was treated to a demo by artist, Linda Schindler. She made a comment about "painting planes". By that she meant painting the shapes of objects by painting the angles of the planes in the different correct values according to how much light they reflect. I do that subconsciously anyway. but I paid attention to it while I was painting this today. A new direction for me....
Genesis 9:13
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Visions of the Future

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas Board
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A fellow artist friend wanted a photo of men and mules, and while I was searching through my photos from last summer I was reminded of all the great shots I took of kids on horseback. One of the staged scenes at the Rendezvous Pageant in Pine Dale, Wyoming was Indian kids racing their horses bareback. I can't remember how many participated, but it was at least a half dozen and every one of them could ride like, well, an Indian. I used to could ride a horse bareback, and I still do occasionally - but not at the speeds I used to enjoy. Old bones don't heal very fast, and I don't bounce as well as I used to!
This title refers to the visions that youth have about their future - hopefully they are taught that the sky's the limit. At least that's what I taught my kids....
Genesis 15:1
[ God's Covenant With Abram ] After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. "

Today was a clear, crisp winter day - with very little wind and wonderful light. I took advantage of the glorious weather and took my camera out to get a few more pictures of the horses (I only have about 50,000!). They came running up for their feed, but when Easy realized that it was only another photo shoot, I got this expression of disgust from him as he returned to where he was grazing. You can't tell me that horses don't have a sense of humor.

Easy Eye

SOLD to a collector in Maine
5 X 7 Oil on gessoed masonite $115
Includes shipping and insurance in U.S.

Not my usual offering - huh? Horses' eyes are so revealing about their personality. All three of mine have kind and gentle eyes. I have had horses that didn't possess such though. One of PJ's little sisters was one such horse. We called her Baby Jack and from the day she was born, she had a suspicious, wild eye. Despite the fact that she was drop dead gorgeous, I suspected from the beginning that she would not make a good riding horse, and I was right. Two different trainers gave her a chance to learn and behave, but she just wasn't having any of it. She is one of the few horses I have raised that I never rode - too risky. Ultimately I donated her to the Tarleton State University Bucking Horse string. A good place for an athletic, wild minded horse. Not every horse is meant to be ridden and beauty on the outside does not necessarily go all the way to the soul. Sounds like some celebrities we have read about....
Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Better Days Ahead

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas Board
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In the winter, my benchmark for when I need to start giving the horses more feed is Easy's rib cage. When I begin to see it a bit, it's time to up his hay rations. PJ stays fat year round, even on dead winter grass. And Dandy gets fed separately because she is still growing. Easy is an ex-racehorse and tends to stay on the leaner side naturally - even while PJ stays fat - so I need to moniter him a little more closely. He really isn't too thin - he actaully looks quite fit at this body weight. But it is still an indication that I need to try to get him a little more and/or make sure he's covered if the weather turns nasty.
This painting is in my more painterly style, and I kinda like it. My pasture really looked like this this morning - cold, damp and dark, yet lit by the promising morning sun. The title reflects my continuing feeling of optimism as the days get longer toward Spring. Now if it would only rain....
1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Dandy Dandelions

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas Board $115

Includes shipping and insurance in U.S.

I couldn't resist painting green grass today. It's winter outside, the pasture is dead, but I had this great photo of Dandy hanging around and begging to be painted. Think Spring.
We have passed the Winter Solstice, so the days are (theoretically) getting longer. That's the only thing that gets me through these winter months - knowing that tomorrow I will have about 2 more minutes of daylight. We lived in northern Illinois back in the early 70's and I remember the REALLY dark winter days - getting up and going to work in the dark and coming home the same way. REALLY depressing. And we weren't all the far north. Poor Canada! How do they endure it? Just knowing that summer WILL follow. Faith. It's how we all survive, isn't it?
Matthew 8:26
He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

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Price: $115 USD
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Time to Play

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas Board $115

Includes shipping and insurance in U.S.
This painting was donated to "Walk for the Cure" and is no longer available

I think I will stick to this format for a while. Mike cut me a bunch of 6 X 8 panels, to which I glued canvas that was already gessoed. I then primed them again with gesso that was tinted either warm or cool and painted from there. I use an archival, water based glue and a quality cotton duck canvas. The panel board is quite stable and doesn't warp ike masonite does. PLUS it will fit into frames designed for watercolors as well as canvases. This year I may spring and buy a roll of linen, but for now I have enough cotton canvas to last a long time, and I like the tooth of this fabric.
Yesterday was icy and miserable - temperature never rose above freezing. Today the sun has shone, the wind blew hard and temperature is around 60 F. Crazy Texas. I have stayed indoors both days trying to get over this cold. This too shall pass.
I may paint flowers tomorrow and think of spring.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

Self Portrait - PJ and Me

5 X 6 Oil on Canvas board NFS

The Daily Painters are featuring a "theme day" once a month (the first Wednesday) on the Daily Painters Website. The first one we did was in October, and was "Orange Day". The assignment was simple: paint with orange. About half the daily painters participated making for a very colorful home page.
The theme for January is a self portrait. I have very few pictures of me alone - I am either with Mike and Georgia on a mountain top or with one of my horses. Technically, I guess the painting should be only of me, but I had to include at least one of my "loves" - and Mike and Georgia will forgive me for leaving them out, I'm sure!
February's theme will be "Valentines" and March is tentatively "Reflections". Personally, I like being forced into doing something artistically that I would not ordinarily do on my own. Sometimes I like the results, and sometimes I don't. I am just learning to do portraits, so this was a good challenge, though I am less than happy with me - the horse I like, though!
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

Afternoon Ride 2

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas Board $115
Includes shipping and insurance within U.S.

Here's a better rendition of yesterday's little painting, as I promised. I still like the other, kinda distorted, loosey little one. This one looks more like me, though.
As I enter this, freezing rain is falling outside, I am still in my PJ's nursing a head cold, and my little wood stove is glowing with warmth. The horses have been fed an extra ration of hay under the barn overhang. Georgia reluctantly ventures out to go to the bathroom and comes back quickly. She hasn't asked to chase the frisbee today. I can tell she's bored and restless, though. Bad weather is hard on an active dog.
I have drunk 4 cups of coffee and rescued 2 cardinals that knocked themselves out flying into the front glass door.
The bird feeders are standing room only today, and every now and then I hear a loud THWUMP either from the picture window or the front door. Most of the time the birds simply fly off, but occasionally they fall stunned to the porch. If I beat the cats to them and put them in a shoebox for a while, they usually recover. Guess I'm going to have to do something with my windows. I am open to suggestions....???? We have a million cardinals, so it's not like their numbers are seriously threatened, but I do hate to see them hurt - and this mostly happens in the winter when they are thick on the feeders.
This is one of my favorite verses and I have quoted it often. Birds are mentioned in the Bible over 129 times. I love birds. Mike has promised me a chicken coup, by the way.....more photo ops for the chicken painting collectors!
Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Afternoon Ride

5 X 7 Oil on gessoed masonite $100
Includes shipping and insurance

I am nursing a bad head cold and almost didn't paint this afternoon. But I like the colors of this little study and I think I will do it again bigger (and better drawn). There is something intriguing about silhouettes - undefined edges and faded outlines. Let the mind define the image rather than the pencil or paint brush. Sometimes it's hard to know when to stop adding details.
I have known people that do that with their lives - try to define and regulate and compartmentalize everything in their life. That's just too must for me to deal with. I take most people and situations at face value and worry later if there is deception involved. But then sometimes I still insist on details, and truth....
Jeremiah 9:6
You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

Three Friends

8 X 10 Oil on gessoed masonite
Check with me for availability

Mike and I went over to a friend's house last Sunday to watch the last Cowboy Football game fiasco. At halftime, it was evident that the Cowboys didn't show up to play, so we 4 girls went for a walk in Bettye's pasture. The sun was getting low, and I just knew there would be some lovely photo ops. I was right. I trailed along behind the other 3 and snapped away. Around every corner the sun played games with the foliage as it sank lower and lower. Despite the drought situation in this part of Texas, I still love where I live and actually don't NEED to travel anywhere to find plenty of things to paint. As Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz said "There's no place like home."
Proverbs 4:14-16
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go your way. For they cannot sleep till they do evil

Where Cows Are Happy

SOLD to a California Collector
8 X 10 Oil on gessoed masonite $125
Includes shipping and insurance in U.S.

I was searching for a barn to use in a background horse painting and came across the photos I took 2 1/2 years ago in upstate New York. This farm was right out of a movie set, somewhere in the Finger Lakes region. Grass so green my eyes hurt. Clear blue skies with just a hint of clouds. Cows so perfect, it looked they they had just been washed for show. Up there, the dairy herds are still small and managed by families - not like the 1,000+ cow herds in Texas and California. THESE cows are individually known and cared for. Some dairy farmers in Texas are still like that, but so many have turned to the mechanized processes and use a hundred hired hands, rather than family members to work the farms. They HAVE to when the milking is done practically around the clock.
We had a milk cow back in the early 80's when my kids were babies and I was still a hippy. They were started on raw milk and butter and never suffered from it. Knowing how to milk a cow came in handy later when we were raising the Simmentals. Occasionally a momma cow would reject a baby, and in the interest of getting colostrum into a calf quickly, we would catch the cow and I would milk her (unwillingly) and get it into the calf. Often that was all the incentive the cow and calf would need to bond. Momma cows were sometimes like people - they just needed a little instruction on how to care for their babies. Usually after a little help and a push in the right direction, they'd be just fine.
Proverbs 30:33
For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.