Does That Really Happen For A Reason?

You all know that saying "Everything happens for a reason", but in reality do you think it does? 

Its a matter of what you believe in, whether or not you believe in fate, or if its just a coincidence. Lets say you get a speeding ticket, obviously the reason you got it was because you got caught breaking the law. But did the universe just decide on that day that you needed to learn a lesson in life? Maybe you did. Maybe its a point where you have to learn from your mistakes. So whether or not you believe in fate, some things do actually happen for a reason. Life is all about learning. Its almost like a dance, sometimes you lead and sometimes you follow but at the end of the day you still know the routine. Life is funny sometimes but the choices you make and the opportunities that cross your path effect a reason as to why you did what you did. And if you get a negative answer then that should be a clue that you need to either try again or do something different. Not everything happens for a reason? Maybe it does, because for every action theres always a reason. 

Seven Wonders of the World

Here is something my grandma sent me that I found really inspiring.


A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of The World". Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes.
1. The Great Pyramids of Egypt
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. The Great Wall of China
While gathering the votes the teacher noticed that there was one student who had not yet finished.  When asked if she was having difficulty she replied "Yes, I am. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there are so many."
The teacher said, "Well tell us what you have and maybe we can help."  The girl hesitated, then read. "I think the seven wonders of the world are:
1. To see.
2. To hear. 
3. To touch. 
4. To taste.
5. To feel.
6. To laugh.
7. To love.
You could hear a pin drop in that classroom.

A gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be built by man or bought with money.

Got Beef? Grass Fed vs. Grain Fed

Before World War II, virtually all cattle grazed on grass. Postwar agribusiness, aided by federal subsidies, produced huge surpluses of corn, which found its way into animal feed and led to today’s feed lot cattle production. Grass fed cattle are free-range, pastured animals that graze on grass for most of the year, except during the cold winter months, when they are fed hay.

Grass-fed Angus cattle.

While some grass-fed cattle are fed grain during the winter months (better animals are corn-fed, lesser animals eat cheaper feed mixes), the American Grassfed Association (AGA) is working to standardize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for labeling meat. Their definition of grass-fed is “those food products from animals that have eaten nothing but their mother’s milk and fresh grass or grass-type hay from birth to harvest—all all their lives.” The issue is currently further complicated in that some breeders supplement grain with grass or hay year-round, and some meat is labeled “pasture raised,” that comes from animals that are not strictly grass-fed. Yet other animals are raised on grass yet finished with grain (i.e., fed a grain diet in the months prior to harvesting). So, standards are needed so consumers know what they are buying. The type of feed has an impact on the flavor of the meat: Grass-fed beef looks, smells and tastes slightly different from grain-fed beef, which has a nuttier taste from the animal’s corn diet. Grass-fed beef is healthier: It has about half the saturated fat of grain-fed beef and therefore is lower in calories and cholesterol. It also is higher in vitamin A, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, a potent anti-carcinogen) and omega-3 fatty acids (grain-fed beef has none). On the down side, grass-fed beef is more expensive; the animals take longer to come to maturity. Because it is leaner, grass-fed beef needs to be cooked more carefully. Less fat also means less marbling, so it is downgraded by USDA beef grading standards, which work in favor of marbling.

Sundre Rodeo Princess Farewell

As my year as the 2010 Sundre Rodeo Princess comes to a close, I cannot express how much the support from friends and family means to me, as well as the everlasting memories I have made. This truly has been an experience of a lifetime and I am so thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to represent the community of Sundre and most importantly the Sundre Pro Rodeo. From this encounter it has broadened my horizon on the rodeo world and how as each contestant start their 8 second ride or race against the clock they receive the encouragement and helping hand from fellow contestants. Over the course of the summer and into the fall as rodeo season begins to start up, Shelby and I have made a ton of appearances in parades and small pro rodeo’s as well as the Canadian Finals Rodeo. After a long weekend of being rookies at the Sundre Pro Rodeo, our queen coordinator Jo packed us up and hauled us to the Ponoka Stampede. Words cannot illustrate how wonderful the rodeo is as well as all the people behind it. Great thanks to Brenda Vold for housing us for the entire week, as well as the Butterfield family and many more who have made it a dream come true to herd cattle and take part in the parade and act as their very own royalty. I can’t forget to recognize all the sponsors who have made the rodeo and queen pageant possible. To name a few, Sundre Fish and Game, Gord Saunders, Mountain-view Credit Union, Sundre Livestock and Feed, Dori Westin and so many more and if I could I’d list all of you but Shelby and I want to say thank you, you mean so much to us and the rodeo. 

It has been such a pleasure to spend the past year with my Queen Shelby. She is so positive, caring, and always a happy person to be around and to put it into perspective she’s “No big deal”. I’m so glad to call her my friend and look forward to what she’ll accomplish next. Ooh and Shelby thanks for the ice cream! As well as Shelby theres one more person I’d like to acknowledge, and thats our Queen Co-ordinator Jo Lawes. She’s been there through the tears, the early mornings, the late nights, eaten every pancake breakfast with us that you can imagine, packed our bags around, waited in line, and did any final touch ups on make up and hair. Thank you so much for everything you do, words cannot describe how much I appreciate you, your truly an inspiration and I will take everything I’ve learned from you and apply it to my future endeavors. 

To the new Sundre Rodeo Royalty of 2011, enjoy your year, be yourself and don’t take anything for granted, your going to have some of the best times representing the sport of rodeo and the town of Sundre. It has been such a privilege and I can’t wait to see whats in store for myself and Shelby down the rodeo trail. 

Spring has Sprung

Recently Range Road 2.5 had some new additions to the farm. Once spring has sprung the babies started to arrive! No it's not just baby calves, but foals. If your confused on what a foal is that's just the correct terminology for a baby horse. They're have been four new little ones frolicking in the pasture. And they are so adorable! The purpose is to halter break them and eventually train them to be ridden and further on down the training trail they will be sold to a new home. Currently on our farm we have about 35 horses, some are clients and some we own. I have my own black 17hh Warmblood, Thoroughbred X that I ride as a hobby. Its nice to have more variety on the farm other than just cattle.

Helping Hands

Since being an avid 4H member, fundraising and helping within the community has always been a huge part of what makes up a club. As one of our last duties before our awards banquet, tonight the West Carstairs 4H Beef Club lent a helping hand at the annual Co-op Appreciation dinner. Where we all pitched in to serve supper and help clean up afterwards. The best part about doing this is really quite obvious...the free meal after! Beef on a bun rocks my world.
If your curious to know what else 4H clubs do its simple, I'll share some insight with you.

• Christmas Caroling at the Old Folks home 
• Electronic Round up (We collect used or unwanted electronics and recycle them)
• Tire Collection (Collect tires of all shapes and sizes to be recycled)
• Bottle Drive (Round up empty bottles and take them off the hands of lazy citizens then cash them in to go towards the club of course)

This is just some of the fundraising we do, but it's more too it then that. Being apart of a 4H club gives you many benefits that you can apply to everyday life. For example:

• Multi-judging (You judge a variety of animals and objects such as, Horse, Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Quads, Lawn mowers, which cell phone plan is best for you, etc.)
• Public Speaking (If you like to talk then this is right in your neighbourhood! You have the chance to stand up in front of friends and family and talk about anything you want for 5 minutes, or do a presentation)

If you get the chance check out this website   Alberta 4H   it will give you all the details on whats happening in the 4H community!

Welcome!

Fellow bloggers and readers,
Welcome to my first ever blog. By reading this I hope you get the most out of either our country's agriculture lifestyle or just everyday thoughts. Everyone has a voice, and if you have something to say then say it your opinion matters.