IT'S FUN, DAMNIT.

There are three types of fun.

Type 1: Fun now, fun later.

Type 2: Fun now, not fun later.

Type 3: Not fun now, fun later.

An example of Type 1 fun could be, dancing. It is fun while you're doing it and as a memory and endorphin rush later. Type 2, drinking. Fun while it's happening and no matter what hydration or moderation strategy you employ, it is not as much fun later. Type 3 is where that hard but ultimately rewarding stuff comes in, art, learning, arguing with your spouse, climbing mountains, growth, practice, baking. And I would argue that ranching is mostly Type 3 fun.

A lot of ranchers can relate to a day like this:

Saddling before daylight, fueled by black coffee and a stale biscuit when it's so cold your snot freezes and the tips of your fingers ache. Despite the hour long bumpy ride in the trailer, you can still see a large arc of daylight between your saddle and the back of your third best mount. That's a tell that he's going to need to jump around like a rabbit with rabies before he'll trot out straight with you. You do all this to find some cows, that despite all you have done for them this year, still act like they would rather not have your help at all. Your dog has lost her hearing, your hired man is taking selfies and your spouse can't read your mind. The kids are cold and hungry and by midday all they want to know is, when we will be done. There is yelling and stuff breaking and sick calves, dog fighters and mucked out ponds and rocky steep country. Then a horse shoe comes flying off, some luck. At the end of the day, cheap barely chilled beer in hand, we talk about being broke and the politics against us. And finally, we say, what a fun day we had. We sure do get to live a wonderful life out here.

This must look like insanity to our children.

All of the work we do comes naturally, as natural as change. It is the joy, romance and fun in ranching that takes an extra effort. It's putting a little cinnamon on your coffee and lots of butter on your biscuit. If we don't use our humor and curiosity to bring out the light in the day, why would we think our kids would want to carry on the lifestyle and tradition?

If I am being honest, I have always been a type 3 fun kind of lady. I like the pursuit, the grind and then taking a step back to see the reward. This has made me a good cowboy in the past. Now, as a mother and a rancher I want to see a little more of that first type of fun, fun now and fun later, in our day to day. What I have learned is that it has been there all along. You don't have to ride counterfeit horses or yell into the wind. You can dress your cowdogs up like dinosaurs, tease each other, laugh at your own mistakes, enjoy the immense amount of natural beauty around you and pack more snacks. You can bring your kids along with you and work next to your husband, never underestimating the ability or cuteness of either. You can dress sharp, sit tall and do your best, never stop learning and always remember to vote.