The 117-Year-Old Door

A few mornings this week actually felt like fall.

 

For a day or two, we reached for sweatshirts before heading out to check cattle.

 

By Thursday, summer reminded us it wasn't finished with Montana just yet.

 

Come along and see.  Better bring a sweatshirt just in case.

 

Some things deserve to be replaced.

 

 

This week we had a carpenter from Home Depot out to measure to have two doors replaced for our ranch house.

 

That might not sound very exciting...

 

Until you know the story behind one of them.

 

For 117 years, this old front door has welcomed people home.

 

Nathan Nordahl built this house in 1909 for his bride, Theoline Johanna.

 

Her initials became the inspiration for the T Bar J brand that still represents our ranch today.

 

Since then, this old door has welcomed Al's dad and his brother as little boys...

 

Later, Al and his sister, then our two boys, Zach and Eb...

 

And now, it's beginning to welcome six more little Nordahls—our grandchildren.

 

It still locks with the very same skeleton key.

 

 

After 117 Montana winters, though, the wind is finally winning.

 

The old door has become drafty, and because doors weren't built to today's standard sizes back in 1909, our new one has to be custom-made.

 

Truth be told, it probably should have happened years ago.

 

But around here, tractor tires, well pumps, and cattle usually come first.

 

The house has simply learned to wait.

 

Meanwhile, Tuesday was "Game Changer Day."

 

 

We took our herd bull, Game Changer, back to the veterinarian for his second breeding soundness exam.

 

This time he barely passed.

 

"Barely" isn't the standard we're willing to accept.

 

He had also become more interested in fighting the other bulls than settling into breeding season.

 

So instead of bringing him home...

 

We took him to the sale barn.

 

At 2,020 pounds, he topped the sale for bulls in his weight class.

 

It's never easy saying goodbye to a bull you've admired.

 

Game Changer was born right here on the ranch. 

We bought his mother because we liked the calf she was carrying. That calf turned out to be him.

 

But our first responsibility is always to the future of our herd.

 

The next morning everyone was ready to move again.

 

Maybe a little too ready.

 

Seven calves somehow missed the gate and decided our neighbor Weston's wheat field looked like a wonderful place to spend the afternoon.

 

Let's just say, they eventually agreed with me.

 

After a little extra encouragement...

 

Everyone ended up exactly where they belonged.

 

Thankfully, Weston has now finished harvesting his wheat. That is good timing for everyone...especially us.

 

We also treated a limping heifer and Slinky this week.

 

Around here, dry ground and sharp rocks can leave little cuts between their toes.

 

Catching those sore feet early usually saves a much bigger problem later.

 

Thankfully, they're already moving much better.

 

💕💕 
Through all of this our hearts have also been in Denver.

 

Our granddaughter, Ayla, began her bone marrow transplant work-up this week at the Children's Hospital.

 

Our son has faithfully called us every day with updates, and we're grateful for every prayer, kind word, and encouraging message they have received.

 

Those have meant more than you know.

 

Looking Ahead

Next week, our first group of fall steers heads to the butcher.

 

Another group follows later this month.

 

Before long, those beef shares will be making their way to families across the country for winter meals.

 

Just like every family has walked through a different season...

 

Every family fills their freezer a little differently, too.

 

Some need a Half Beef.

 

Some a Quarter.

 

Some an Eighth.

 

Others simply want enough healthy beef to make supper easier.

 

If you've been thinking about filling your freezer this fall...

 

I'd love to help you choose the beef share that's right for your family.

 

Let's Find the Right Beef Share for Your Family

 

Whether you've been reading these Ranch Roundups for years or just found your way down our dusty road...

 

We're glad you're here.

 

Thank you for supporting a local ranching family.

P.S. 

I'm curious...

 

How old is the oldest thing still being used every day at your house?

 

I'd love to hear your story.