Easy, Cowboy!

July 13, 2010

A trip to the Hardee Livestock Market

Since our summer Mondays are limited in number and the cattle auction in Wauchula is held on Mondays Cindi and I decided to take our herd down there for a little field trip. They dusted off their boots - we wanted to fit in - and headed down to Wauchula to watch the cattle sale and have some lunch. When we arrived we were surprised to find a virtual petting zoo outside the market. Well, there were just goats, but they were very friendly and the kids loved the kids.

Once inside the auction the girls were mesmerized by the whole process of running the cows in, the sale taking place, and the next cows run inside in a continuous cycle. Benjamin sat for a few minutes taking it all in before he decided he needed a closer look. He scooted down to the end of the row, looked back at me a bit coyly, and eased down to the next row. Before I knew it he raised his hand and squealed. I'm not sure, but I think we may have bought a cow. She was one handsome bovine, but we left before they could put our name on her.

The cattle market has a cafe on site and many farmers and cattlemen, regardless of whether or not they are selling/buying anything at the auction, will stop by for an old-fashioned grilled hamburger. The regulars are easy to spot, and the limited dining space is almost always crowded. Fortunately we arrived a little after the lunch crowd had cleared out so we had the place to ourselves for a while. This is especially good considering that Benjamin is still learning that I mean what I say and that I am largely unaffected by his tantrums. This can be unfortunate for anyone else present, though. He bellied-up to the bar for his hamburger, right along with the girls, but it didn't last. He was too short to sit up there and reach his food and without a seatbelt and helmet I couldn't let him stay there anyway. Man, did he kick up a ruckus when I made him sit at the table with Aunt Cindi and me! Food soon won out though, and he decided to stop fighting me and eat. I should mention that he's a bit hardheaded. He was far more interested in his fries than in the hamburger, even though they were much too hot to eat. We kept trying to get him to eat the hamburger first, but he only wanted the fries. He'd take a bite and whine and whimper, saying, "hot, hot" and blow a little. Then he'd go back for more. Some of us just have to learn patience the hard way.

On our way out we stopped by the goat pen once again for another round of petting and nibbling. It was a great outing and except for lunch, a freebie. The girls are begging to go back next week and I know my little cowboy would love it, too. Heck, we just might.