Talk of the West » Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog The Cream of the West Blog Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:54:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Richard and Siri http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/28/richard-and-siri/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/28/richard-and-siri/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:58:07 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=685

Richard, my husband, is a late arrival into the cell phone age. Among his many reasons for refusing to use a cell phone were: they don’t float in irrigation ditches; there’s no reception on the ranch; he couldn’t hear on it; and the tiny keyboard didn’t fit his fingers. All that changed when iPhone 4s and Siri entered [...]]]>

Richard, my husband, is a late arrival into the cell phone age. Among his many reasons for refusing to use a cell phone were: they don’t float in irrigation ditches; there’s no reception on the ranch; he couldn’t hear on it; and the tiny keyboard didn’t fit his fingers. All that changed when iPhone 4s and Siri entered his life. He totally fell under her spell. Before I knew it, she was going everywhere with him as his personal assistant. But, even Siri has a learning curve. For example Richard took her with him to check on the cows the other day. When he spotted a sick cow who needed doctoring, he said: “Siri, make a note to doctor Green 2.15.” And, Siri dutifully wrote: Dr. Green 2:15.  Obviously, she’s a city girl who doesn’t  know about cow’s ear tag identification. Lucky for me, she too has a thing or two to learn about agriculture.

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/28/richard-and-siri/feed/ 0 Government “Helicoptering” Creates a Wii Farm Generation! http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/19/government-helicoptering/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/19/government-helicoptering/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:37:04 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=674 Along with a roomful of friends and neighbors, I attended the Agriculture Appreciation Days dinner sponsored by the Harlowton Chamber of Commerce. The speaker raised some issues and cited statistics that left us all disheartened. While there were plenty of boots under the table and cowboy hats on the rack at our dinner, we were told [...]]]> Along with a roomful of friends and neighbors, I attended the Agriculture Appreciation Days dinner sponsored by the Harlowton Chamber of Commerce. The speaker raised some issues and cited statistics that left us all disheartened. While there were plenty of boots under the table and cowboy hats on the rack at our dinner, we were told that less than 2% of Americans are engaged in agriculture production. This translates to fewer and fewer adults and children with any first-hand knowledge of where their food comes from or what it takes to produce it.

When the speaker told us about the The Department of Labor’s proposed regulations limiting the kinds of work children can do on farms, I became truly concerned. As proposed, any children under the age of 16—unless they live on an unincorporated family farm—can not work around livestock or operate any farm equipment.* While the Department describes these regulations on kids and agriculture in terms of safety, farmers and ranchers view them as an attack on the rural way of life.

The result—whether intended or unintended—would drastically alter a farmer’s ability to pass on his store of knowledge and passion for the farming/ranching lifestyle to the next generation. Under the guise of safety, the ‘hands on’ learning–so essential to becoming a farmer or rancher–would be taken out of the farmer’s hands. “We taught these children to be safe,” stated a farm wife and mother. “We taught them … how we did things on the farm, and we also instilled the passion for the farm. So the family farms are not dying, that we would continue to pass them on.” *

I left the meeting very worried about this misguided regulation. Will an over-zealous governmental concern for safety, coupled with a lack of understanding of farm culture, rob our children of the chance to fully experience farm life? Will our extended family be excluded from spending summers working at the ranch? My concern was underscored when the following email hit our ‘InBox’. It was sent by my husband’s ‘city cousin’, now in his seventies:

“Tonight I somehow was led to describe for Chris the root [cellar], across the alfalfa field from the Moe Ranch- a memory from my childhood. Then my first arrival on the train in the middle of the night, probably in 1945. The milking of the cows, the shearing of the sheep at the Vestal place in the mountains. Big breakfasts, I was forced to eat liver. Riding horses with a purpose. Fishing in the river. I googled. Amazingly here it is together with this beautiful picture of Audun and Carol and the Stone House itself. I am in tears, good tears..  J.”

The Moe Ranch, thankfully, is still intact and being operated by my husband, who learned the rudiments of his profession at his father (Audun’s) side. Soon, his son will take over, having learned in the same way. But what of the city cousins—the 98% who don’t live on a family farm? The experiences cited in the above email, plus many more, would no longer be allowed under the proposed regulations!

What a shame if a Wii farm simulation becomes the only way that our next generations can gain an understanding of agriculture and the rural way of life!

*For complete text, go to: http://www.npr.org/2011/12/28/144385356/proposed-child-labor-rules-could-alter-farm-life

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/19/government-helicoptering/feed/ 0 2012 Resolution http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/14/692/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/14/692/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:21:07 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=692 Off to a healthy start in 2012!

I believe in New Year’s Resolutions. In fact, 2012 marked our 20th year of writing a list of what we planned to accomplish in the coming year. Once the list is completed, we sign it, seal it in an envelope and store it until  the ‘grand opening’ on New Year’s [...]]]> Off to a healthy start in 2012!

I believe in New Year’s Resolutions. In fact, 2012 marked our 20th year of writing a list of what we planned to accomplish in the coming year. Once the list is completed, we sign it, seal it in an envelope and store it until  the ‘grand opening’ on New Year’s Day of the following year. We’re always surprised by how many of our resolutions reach the 100% accomplished status… and how many bog down at 10%.

That’s why, when  Lisa, a new customer/fan from Seattle, sent Cream of the West this  ‘Resolution’ email, it grabbed my attention:

“Like most embarking on a New Year’s resolution to lose weight through clean-eating, I know I’m supposed to eat oatmeal but don’t because it tastes like glue when prepared healthfully. So I hit the cereal aisle in search of something tastier – that’s when your nostalgic cowboy artwork caught my eye. Everything on your box sold me: the cowboy with a cup of coffee and the beautiful sunrise background. This is hot cereal? Really? Sweet! Oh, wait, is this actually healthy? I opted for the Roasted 7-Grain after being impressed with the ingredients list. I excitedly made my first batch (on the stove top with water, no salt). I knew instantly that it would be great by that toasted caramel color. And it was! Only added a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra antioxidants; but, the taste doesn’t need to be improved any!” Lisa added: “I enjoyed it so much that I placed an online order, can’t wait to try your other products and add your beautiful artwork tins … to my kitchen décor. Also ‘Liked’ you on Facebook and added your product information to the iPhone apps: MyNetDiary and Fooducate.”

Thanks Lisa for a great start to our new year! Cream of the West is ready and willing to partner with you in fulfilling  your ‘clean-eating’ resolution.

P.S.  If you give Roasted Ranch Oats a try, I think you’ll discover that healthy oatmeal can be delicious!

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/14/692/feed/ 0 Face2Face http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/09/face2face/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/09/face2face/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:37:23 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=652

FACE2FACE. Small, rural communities—here defined as those having populations under 1000 and located at least 100 miles from a city center—have their own form of social networking. The best way to ‘go viral’ is make your wishes known at the local post office or the coffee stop. For example, I expected a package delivery at the [...]]]>

FACE2FACE. Small, rural communities—here defined as those having populations under 1000 and located at least 100 miles from a city center—have their own form of social networking. The best way to ‘go viral’ is make your wishes known at the local post office or the coffee stop. For example, I expected a package delivery at the plant on December 23 and wanted to pick it up early before driving 20 miles home.

So, I stopped by the coffee shop to check on the UPS man’s whereabouts. “He’s not been here yet,” I was told. “I’ll let you know when he arrives.” Within the hour, I got a call from the coffee shop owner and the UPS driver informing me that my package was en route. Before long, my husband pulled up at the plant with my package. He’d been flagged down by the UPS driver and given instructions: “Your wife’s waiting for this…better get it down to her.”  The very next morning, Christmas Eve, our Post Mistress called: “You got a couple of packages here that I thought you’d want before I close for the day. Looks like they’re for Christmas!”  Face2Face ranks, on my list, as top-notch social network provider. To try it out for yourself, go to any small town. I guarantee you’ll be asked for Your Profile before long.

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2012/01/09/face2face/feed/ 0 Made My Day http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/12/12/made-my-day/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/12/12/made-my-day/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:47:10 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=627 Some days I really question why we work so hard (usually it’s right when I’m coming down with a cold). Then we get a “friendly reminder” that makes it all worthwhile.

Today’s came in the form of a handwritten letter from Oregon, which read, “Thank you for continuing the supply of Cream of the West!” Arnold, who is 96—just  two [...]]]> Some days I really question why we work so hard (usually it’s right when I’m coming down with a cold). Then we get a “friendly reminder” that makes it all worthwhile.

Today’s came in the form of a handwritten letter from Oregon, which read, “Thank you for continuing the supply of Cream of the West!” Arnold, who is 96—just  two years younger than Cream of the West—went on to describe how he and his sister would walk past the Cream of the West plant on their way to the Kate Fratt Memorial School in Billings in the 1920’s. Memories like that… and the people who take the time to share them… make me proud that we’re still a thriving Montana business. Thanks for the kudos and the memories, Arnold. You made my day!

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/12/12/made-my-day/feed/ 0 The Blokes Don’t Say Much! http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/12/05/blokes/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/12/05/blokes/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:29:56 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=622 Susan and Steve, Richard and I travelled to Helena, MT to meet with a trade delegation from the UK and Europe. En route we assigned tasks: Sue and I would do the talking; Steve and Richard would serve the cereal and flapjacks. All went according to plan. Afterwards one of the US organizers told us the Brits commented: “The Blokes don’t say much do they? D’yuh ‘spose they were told not to?” Didn’t take them long to size up the situation!

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/12/05/blokes/feed/ 0 Meet Sarah! http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/11/29/girl-power/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/11/29/girl-power/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:55:57 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=585 Although Rosie the Riveter doesn’t work at Cream of the West, Sarah the Forklift Driver does!

One of the newest members of our production crew, Sarah juggles her part-time work at CW with being a student, driving her 3 children over 30 miles to/from school and being a full-time ranch wife and mother.

Duty called at noon [...]]]> Although Rosie the Riveter doesn’t work at Cream of the West, Sarah the Forklift Driver does!

One of the newest members of our production crew, Sarah juggles her part-time work at CW with being a student, driving her 3 children over 30 miles to/from school and being a full-time ranch wife and mother.

Duty called at noon last week in the form of a Sysco driver who needed us to off-load a pallet of goods from his semi. We three woman–the only ones there at the time–had never driven a forklift. Declaring “it can’t be too different than driving a tractor,” Sarah climbed aboard the forklift, turned it on and headed into the bowels of the semi trailer. She picked up the pallet, backed out, whirled around and unloaded the pallet like she’d been driving a forklift all of her life.

Never underestimate the many skills of a Ranch Woman!

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/11/29/girl-power/feed/ 0 Gratitude and Appreciation this Thanksgiving http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/11/23/gratitude-and-appreciation-this-thanksgiving/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/11/23/gratitude-and-appreciation-this-thanksgiving/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:34:24 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=576 Jean—local author, friend, and one of the wisest women I know—reflected on gratitude and appreciation for Thanksgiving 2011. I asked her permission to share  parts of it with you…

“Gratitude is sitting in a space of acknowledgment. You look out from where you are and you see how lovely something is presented to you–gratitude for a sunset, a hug, a companion, a day, a blessing. Appreciation is both a physical feeling and a spiritual knowing. It is active joy in the moment, and can wash over you unexpectedly. Each of these requires a certain level of awareness, openness, and trust. Each is blessed and each leads to wonderment—the state of spirit.”

Wishing you opportunities for gratitude and appreciation this Thanksgiving.

Alicia

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/11/23/gratitude-and-appreciation-this-thanksgiving/feed/ 0 Red Hat Ladies http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/03/18/red-hat-ladies/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/03/18/red-hat-ladies/#comments Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:44:09 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=538 Red Hatters liven up CW’s St. Paddy’s Day!

Thought you would enjoy this picture of our visitors today. Ten Red Hat Ladies chose Cream of the West for their bimonthly outing.  Seven “Castle Mountain Red Hats” travelled 60 miles east from White Sulphur Springs, some ”Moore Red Hats” – two to be exact – drove 45 miles south from Moore, [...]]]> Red Hatters liven up CW’s St. Paddy’s Day!

Thought you would enjoy this picture of our visitors today. Ten Red Hat Ladies chose Cream of the West for their bimonthly outing.  Seven “Castle Mountain Red Hats” travelled 60 miles east from White Sulphur Springs, some ”Moore Red Hats” – two to be exact – drove 45 miles south from Moore, and one lone “Harlo Hatter” came from down the street. Bobby took them on a plant tour, Alicia answered questions about the operation and Liane sold them Flapjack Mix, Seasoned Breading Mix and Crunch. Before they left, Bobby got hugs from every one of them….which he secretly enjoyed. He declares he has a way with the young and old – it’s the middle that causes the problems!

The Hatters  were  delightful…and a good time was had by all!!!

…this blog comes to you compliments of Liane & Alicia :)

]]> http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/03/18/red-hat-ladies/feed/ 0 Rompin’ Runaway Rodeo – A Numbers Story http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/03/06/rompin-runaway-rodeo-a-numbers-story/ http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/2011/03/06/rompin-runaway-rodeo-a-numbers-story/#comments Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:25:46 +0000 Alicia http://www.creamofthewest.com/blog/?p=529

What’s it take to return one 2-day old Romping Runaway to his Moo-ing Mama?

2 cell phone calls 1 text message 2 4–wheelers 1 car 1 tractor 1 spotter 1 messenger 1 seeker 1 Border Collie 1 finder 2 hours

Which adds up to…

One [...]]]>

What’s it take to return one 2-day old Romping Runaway to his Moo-ing Mama?

  • 2 cell phone calls
  • 1 text message
  • 2 4–wheelers
  • 1 car
  • 1 tractor
  • 1 spotter
  • 1 messenger
  • 1 seeker
  • 1 Border Collie
  • 1 finder
  • 2 hours

Which adds up to…

One Happy Ending!


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