Proverbs 15:18 — "A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel."

A gate got left open this week, and about forty pair ended up where they had no business being. There was some hollering about it. Looking back, the hollering didn't move a single cow — patience and a slow walk did. I think that's most of what this verse is getting at. A temper feels productive right up until you notice it hasn't fixed anything.

It's mid-August and the grass is starting to cure out. We're watching the pastures south of the home place closely. The July rain came late enough that things greened back up, but it won't hold much past Labor Day.

We spent Tuesday and Wednesday fixing fence along the east line. Three posts had rotted clean off at the ground. Great-grandpa Selmer set some of that fence and it's still mostly standing, which tells you something about how he set posts.

We also started sorting pairs ahead of preg checking next month.

Ranch Hand Beef and Barley Soup

When you've been on horseback since six in the morning, you want something that has been cooking all day without anybody watching it.

Brown the beef hard in a heavy pot. Don't crowd it — work in batches. Add everything else, bring it to a boil, then turn it down and simmer for three hours. The barley thickens it on its own.

Makes enough for a crew, and it's better the second day.