August at Ogilvie Stock Ranch is full of early mornings working show cattle and getting ready for the busy fall season. I’ve come to embrace the rhythm of these days, where each sunrise brings a blend of routine and the unexpected. Let me walk you through what a day in my life looks like during this busy month.
Morning Routine and Ranch Chores
My day usually begins in the quiet before dawn, diving into social media planning and organizing beef orders. It’s a peaceful time that allows me to connect with our community and plan ahead for the ranch. Shortly after, it’s time to shift gears – laundry goes on, and yesterday’s load needs folding. It’s an everyday chore that somehow grounds me in the reality of family life.
As the household wakes up, we move together through our morning routines – making beds and gathering in the kitchen for breakfast. These days, our table sees servings of beef sausages, eggs, and pancakes – a hearty foundation for the day’s work.
Morning chores of feeding and grooming our show cattle is next on the agenda. This task is more than just a chore; it’s a labor of love, preparing them for future shows and ensuring they’re at their best. The process of rinsing and blow-drying each animal aims to train their hair and get them ready for the upcoming cattle shows.
Midday: A Blend of Play and Work
Returning to the house, there’s a window of time for the boys to immerse themselves in play while I tackle housework, rotating through rooms to attempt to stay ahead of the inevitable mess. Lunch is often flexible, often a mix of leftovers, sandwiches, homemade pizza and homemade Mac & Cheese.
The afternoon’s activities shift with the weather and ranch needs. This year’s dry conditions have added hauling water for our cows and sheep to our list. The boys sometimes join my dad in this essential task, other times we work on the garden or join Cody in the hayfield moving irrigation.
On other days, we move cattle to new pastures or move sheep fence.
Evening: The Heart of Ranch Life
As the day cools down, we wrap up with evening chores in the barnyard before settling into supper. I love fitting in a walk/bike ride with the boys when the evenings are cooler.
This month’s favourite suppers have been meatballs, steak and potatoes, tacos, and spaghetti.
Bedtime brings us together, either sharing a book as a family or diving into individual reading. It’s a cherished quiet moment after the day’s hustle.
The Unpredictable Rhythm of Ranch Life
While I’ve outlined what an August day might look like, the reality is that life on the ranch is beautifully unpredictable. From loads of hay arriving to planning and delivering beef, each day holds its own set of challenges and surprises. This month, preparing our show cattle is a key focus, but it’s merely one part of our broader ranch tasks.
In sharing my day with you, I hope to provide a window into the love and dedication that fuels Ogilvie Stock Ranch. It’s a life that isn’t always easy but is always rewarding in the connections we build, the lessons we learn, and the work we do.
