Marci Whitehurst

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.

Current culture focuses on success. Topics ranging from successful parenting to business success to a successful marriage fill our headlines.

What is success? Money, fame, power?

Time. We all wish we had more of it. It slips through our fingers. We start a project and it takes longer than anticipated; the cows move slowly or the barn is dirtier than we thought. Now in springtime we're checking calves, building or repairing fences, and lining up irrigation equipment: We're busy.

Our oldest child is 17. What if she wants to come back to the ranch after college? What if our other kids do too?

Last week one of our cows died unexpectedly. Fortunately, we experience minimal loss, but when it does occur, we are sad. I’ve heard negative commentaries suggesting ranchers don’t care about the lives of their cattle, but those of you in the fields with us know that nothing could be further from the truth.