01/05/06 Ranch kids

Ranch Kids You know ranch kids have it pretty lucky. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back right after this to explain. I was watching my twin niece and nephew help feed the cattle the other morning and thought how lucky they were to be able to grow up on the ranch and learn lessons that will help them later on in life and the great thing is they probably don't even know they are learning them. It's kind of like riding colts  the more colts can learn while you're just riding and doing work with them the easier the lesson is. It sure seems easier than making a point of actually trying to teach a specific job. Just feeding the cattle the twins learn that others depend on them. The cattle depend on them to get their feed and the rest of the people feeding depend on them to do their share so the job is easier for everyone. They learn that even though feeding might not go as planned some days, if we keep at it the job will get done. Now there are times when I know ranch kids don't feel all that lucky  like that morning call that comes way to early from dad or mom to start a harvest day or a real fun day building fence. Oh I remember those  but at the end of the day you could see that you accomplished something and there is probably a lesson in there somewhere that really didn't register with me at the time. Possibly the lesson was to really appreciate time that you do have to devote to your own projects and that your fun time is enjoyed more if you've finished your work. The one fact I have noticed is how many companies like to hire ranch kids that know how to get a job done. I'm Jeff Keane.