Food for thought

I know this is way off topic in regards to "Club Calf Paradise" but I think it's timely and a topic that I find important and interesting. After all, it is my blog and that makes is pretty much my right to write about almost anything.

If you haven't noticed it seems to be Breast Cancer Awareness week...or month. It would be almost impossible to NOT notice that something is going on with breast cancer. There are little pink ribbons adorning just about everything you see...or eat for that matter. Everyone seems to have picked up the "cause" and is trying to raise money for something that has gotten out of control and that our insurance/health systems have failed to support as a whole. It is difficult to go into any venue and not find something relating to breast cancer. I even found a tool collection at the hardware store dedicated to breast cancer...ALL PINK! Every time I turn around I see someone walking down the street wearing breast cancer attire, shoes, socks, t-shirts, earings...you name it. Even bottled water has pink ribbons. Yesterday I popped a piece of pink gum in my mouth that had a pink ribbon painted on it. Yum-yum.

Don't misunderstand. I am a strong advocate of breast cancer awareness. I have had many friends that have suffered the pains of breast cancer and/or lost loved ones. I have even dealt with my own "lumps". I just wonder how all of the money that is being spent on items of support are being paid back to finding a cure? A fortune has to be paid by companies that desire to adorn their products with breast cancer awareness logos. How much of THAT money is being paid towards a cure? And then what about the millions of products that are sold in the name of breast cancer awareness...how much of that income is spent for breast cancer cures? I am just saying, we are so willing to buy anything with a pink ribbon on it without even knowing what portion of our money is actually going directly to find a cure.

I think that we don't spend enough time questioning things in our lives. We just take them for granted. That is probably why breast cancer has gotten so out of control. We just take it for granted...until WE get it or one of our loved ones is afflicted. For example, I question why all this breast cancer awareness stuff has to be in pink! You know, breast cancer isn't just about WOMEN. Men are part of the fun as well. I suppose pink, like orange at Nelson Cattle Company, is an attention-getter. I'll give them that.

So what about the ribbon? Really, a ribbon? I seems to me that if you want to get everyone's attention in regards to Breast Cancer that you would use something that would SERIOUSLY get some attention; perhaps something that was more related to the topic. Now I am not a marketing genious but I have noticed in the course of my lifetime that one...or two things...that seem to get everyone's attention are breasts. So don't you think it would be more noticeable and make more sense if all of those Breast Cancer awareness items had a breast on them rather than a cutesy pink ribbon? I know that would get MY husband's attention! Are we simply just afraid to walk down the street with a pink t-shirt with a giant breast on the front? That really wouldn't make sense if we are truly trying to make people more aware of breasts and the fight to save lives from breast cancer why are we afraid to be candid about it? I find that odd.

I do suppose it would not be as easy to pop a piece of gum into my mouth with the picture of a breast stamped on it. In turn that would probably cut into the revenue/sales of the candy industry and other retailers that are making a HUGE profit from selling/marketing Breast Cancer Awareness products in the name of a cure. Personally, I would like to send my donations directly to the scientists and labs that are actually doing the work to find a cure. Does anyone really know who that is? Hmmm...new marketing idea. A t-shirt with a lumpy breast embossed on the front the the name/number of the research institute to DIRECTLY send your donations for the cure.

For all of my "sistas" and "bros" out there that have been slapped in the face (pun intended) by this tragic disease I salute you and send you my hugs. There is no reason we shouldn't have a cure by now. So I guess in the meantime we all need to do whatever it takes to support finding a cure. Let's just not become sheep and always ask questions. It might make things go a little faster. In the meantime...I am going to keep eating my "boobie-gum"!

Point taken!

This girl is Rocking the Win!! Love that t-shirt.

Not to be outdone!

Avery's sister, Trista, was rockin' her own bling! Oooo, I LOVE competition! Go get his sista!!

Win Pictures

You know what happens when you buy a calf at Club Calf Paradise? We get to post win pictures on our Blog! LOL!! I thought this lended an interesting twist to the win picture story. Avery Bates from Monatana is pictured here with his winning bling. I think the buckles weigh more than the boy but he will certainly have a nice time putting them on his trophy wall. Not bad for a years worth of work! Congrats Bates family!!!

And so it ends

Another year in Paradise has drawn to a close and happily many families and cattle buyers have picked up their new purchases and are making plans for the coming year. It is always exciting to see where the calves go and follow what the new owners are doing with them. We had so many people visiting Paradise this year from all over the U.S. and Canada. We had buyers represented from coast to coast and several from two provinces in Canada. Texas, New Mexico and Montana were also represented as well as many states in between. I think that just goes to show that Club Calf Paradise has something to offer for everyone's needs.

In a nutshell I would have to say that this was one of the most relaxing years for our sale and I would have to attribute that to the wonderful support from all of our consignors and hired help. I will be posting some pictures because you have to see the incredible fire ring that the Bate's family hauled from Montana as a gift. It is the inside of a rock crusher and it is fascinating to say the least. What was really the icing on the gift was that they also hauled a load of giant rocks...BEAUTIFUL rocks...to stack around the ring and to also serve as seating. The entire gift was breathtaking and the gesture touched my heart. I will cherish it forever.

And what about the food?! I am officially starting a diet on Monday which will include a healthy exercise plan. I have NEVER eaten so well during a sale in my LIFE...with the exception of the Doug Steele sale feeding frenzies. It confounds me how Barry and Susie Maass manage to stay so tiny when they obviously enjoy feeding people so much. I am going to have to watch them for eating disorders! Susie's ham balls were a huge hit as well as her cranberry spread. OMG...they were KILLER!Karen Anderson showed up several times out of the blue to bring food for the "gang". And even if you hate blueberry muffins you would cross over for Karen's! They were incredible and the bag seemed to remain bottomless. Chris and Kareen...all I can say is that your "apple pie" warmed the cockles of my heart. Nothing like a belly full of apple pie to make one sleep like a baby! PLEASE please remember me when you make THAT again. Also love the Postal Express cookies. They don't call it Snail Mail for nothing!

Ryan Gotto...my husband will completely support me when I say that I love you! Please make your vacation plans for next year the same as this year. You are now in my will and we are officially working on the adoption papers which include your lovely wife (yeah, we really thought you were kidding) and your son. Don't EVER use me as a reference. I will LIE LIE LIE so nobody else can have you! I would trust you with the care of my cows and my dog ANY TIME. That is saying something. You will always have a place at Paradise.

So I will stop rambling for the moment. I am taking a brief sobatical (sp) with my kids and will be back with pictures and stories very soon. Keep in touch! Luv ya'll!

There is always help in Paradise

I can't believe how helpful everyone has been this year. Many of my consignors have turned out to lend a hand. I am blinded from time to time by the work and being focused so much on the job that I forget how much fun we really have during the sale. It shouldn't be hard to understand that everyone wants to be part of it. I caught my father at the end of our driveway today staking up our Club Calf Paradise sign which marks the entrance to the farm. I was happy to see that he liked chipping in as well.

The problem is that I am enjoying the company so much that I don't know what it's going to be like when the sale is over. I guess that is why I am always just a little melancholy when things come to a close at Paradise.In the meantime we will just soak up the fun and look forward with anticipation to seeing all of our old friends and meeting the new faces.

THANKS EVERYONE!!

Today in Paradise

The front finally pushed through and the weather has taken a turn for the FABULOUS! Cam S. and Ryan G. are busy rinsing the calves and getting them in their fancy pants for the weekend. Knock on wood but everyone has been very happy and healthy in the calf pens.

Bidding is off to a great start. Most of the calves are started already which is really exciting. I guess when the quality runs as deep as this set of calves it is not a surprise to see that people are happy and willing to get the bids rolling. I hope that if anyone has any questions you will feel free to give me a call. I would love to talk about the calves with you. There is nothing like a chat to help get yourself centered on what you would like to bid on.

Some people have asked about registration papers on some of the calves. Most of them can be registered but we didn't list them as a breed unless we had the application or actual papers in our hands. We thought that would eliminate any issues.

Hope you are all making plans to join us this weekend. We are anxious to see everyone.