Marci Whitehurst

Researchers now say the attention span of the average American is eight seconds. When you are riding a bronc, eight seconds feels like a long time. An eight-second conversation, on the other hand, doesn’t last very long.

We’ve heard it repeatedly: The average age of the rancher is 68. Certainly, there is a necessary focus on encouraging younger generations in agriculture. However, did you ever stop to think about what else this statement means?

It is fall and most of us are getting pretty excited for a paycheck. Come November, we'll be selling calves and putting money in the bank for the rest of the year. We budget, like most ranchers do, but then the skid steer broke, our main truck died and one of the kids needed her wisdom teeth out.

We know the old sayings “opposites attract” and “let your spouse be your best friend.” These sayings are great. But when you look at cowboy attraction … well, the norm doesn't always apply.

Summer is a time when other professions take vacations, but universally, it's also the season of backyard barbeques – which means yard work.

Here's the deal with yard work to a cowboy: What's the point?

My idea of a risk is far different from my cowboy's. I take tiny, calculated risks. My idea of a risk involves trying a new recipe or taking an alternate route on a trip.

My hubby's idea of risk includes life-altering circumstances. It's not a risk to him unless someone might die.