(UPDATE : Well, you see that I have two posts! I had tried to post the previous entry using TypePad's interface, but got hit by a temporary slow-down, server side. While I waited for them to resolve the problem, I decided to recreate the post - this post - in RocketPost. I've been having a little bit of trouble with some glitches in RPost, but I thought I could at least get a good draft saved. And then I thought, what the hell, and hit post. And thus we get two semi-duplicates!
Computers. Want to love them... Must snarl at them!)
Today the Beloved Husband was volunteering by helping out the local Rescue Squad with their fund-raiser at a local cattle Auction. I've never been to one before, so the Darling Munchkin and I drove over and enjoyed the new experience. We had a great time, and enjoyed the wonderful people we met.
Several things in particular made me very happy: before the auction began, the veterans were asked to rise so we could thank them for their service - the applause was thunderous! Then, we all recited the Pledge of Allegiance, including the words "under God." There were no grumbles. Finally, a prayer was said, requesting that God would bless the purchases, and that each one would be according to His will, and done in an open and honest manner.
I LOVE the real America!
The Munchkin had a wonderful time, and attempted to make friends with some of the bulls. She insisted on calling them cows, and wasn't too interested in my explanation that these were boy "cows," and therefore called bulls. They didn't seem too impressed with her overtures of friendship, but she did eventually get one or two close enough so she could feel their hides.
In her word: "Fluffy!" [I'm rolling my eyes, here]
She wanted to stay long enough to see one of her "specials" auctioned off (hey, #39, I hope you enjoy your new home!), but he hadn't come up before we left. Nevertheless, she enjoyed herself immensely... And I'm glad this was all breeding stock: I'm not sure how she would have taken it if #39 was a steer destined to become a hamburger!
We met a lot of lovely people - salt of the earth, friendly, full of humor - and it seemed almost that it was a roving Carhartt convention, because just about everyone appeared to be clothed head-to-toe in Carhartt products, LOL
They moved among the cattle before the auction started, carefully inspecting each animal they were considering, and conferring with each other about prices and bidding strategy. I don't know where everyone came in from, but I know that some were in from North Carolina.
The four farms which were participating (and some of my facts may be a little off - this is not a subject upon which I am an expert!), Locust Level Farms, Daltons on the Sycamore (our local farm, where the auction was held), Mt. Rush Farms, and Shelton Angus Farm (or this might be the local farm - they're both based in our town, I think)are all members of, or associated with a group called PerformAngus Breeders. Locust Level Farms, as you see, is the only one with a proper website, although you can google the others and get some sales information.
At any rate, they sold 63 yearling bulls, all "performance tested," which I assume had something to do with their, um, virility...?
Actually, they are really rather handsome animals, so long as you're looking at the right end 
Then the auction began: 
... You know, I think that I will never understand the auctioneer's "patter." They go so fast and go back and fourth between dollar amounts and people that I can't keep up.
To warm up, the auctioneer sold a bottle of Angus wine from Australia (I hope that's the right link), with all proceeds to go to the Junior Angus Breeders of Virginia, or something like that.
After a little bit of catalog error correction, a few jokes, and some thanks and introductions, off they went!
. ....
It was a load of fun! At any rate, we left at about 1 p.m., and they weren't quite halfway through all the lots for sale. The Beloved Husband got called out almost right away on a call for the Rescue Squad (his first), so we're waiting for his return, and hoping that it's not too terribly serious. My prayers are going out to whomever the Squad is helping.
After he gets back, we're hoping to go on up to Lynchburg and finally watch Narnia - but we may have to postpone until tomorrow. That's fine: helping someone out is more important than seeing a movie!
