An Electric Branding Iron

We finished up branding this year at Wayside.

We had a half inch rain, so it wasn't dusty and that made the day even better!

Pake did the "actual" branding.  We use an electric branding iron, therefore we need a generator.

In the old days, when I was a kid (lol), we used a butane bottle and fire blower.  

We're high tech now.... I guess that's what you call it!

Sometimes it's hard to get the brand on straight if the calf is kicking.

Pake didn't have any problems.

Look at that smokin' Byrd brand.

Branding can be a pretty smokey job... but there's just something about the smell of branding smoke.

Tate of course was on the sideline... and Tuffy was giving him a hard time.  I might add Mr. Thompson is very entertaining, and I just love listening to an ole timer!  But, I'm pretty sure he never used an electric branding iron.

Ewell dragging one, as they used to say, "to the fire" or now we would say "to the generator!"  lol

I'm so glad my boys get to experience the tradition of a good ole branding, 

even if we now use an electric branding iron ;)

We ended the day, hauling off the open cows.... there's just not enough grass to keep them!  We're very thankful for the moisture we've had, but we sure haven't recovered from this drought.... Pray for rain!