Friday, February 09, 2007

Cow Chasing

Phil: I just had a very Iowan experience.
Me:What do you mean?
Phil: So I am up in the loft of Mike's barn, working away at straightening it, and I hear some cows running around.
Me: Cows running around? Like in the pasture?
Phil: NO! Like through the barn...and into his front yard!
Me: Where was Mike?
Phil: He was gone! I was the only one there, and these 6 cows decided to LEAVE the PASTURE and trapse through the yard!
Me: What did you do?
Phil: I didn't know what to do! I tried to look big...and I don't know, corral them or something. Do you know how BIG cows are!?! Anyhow, they start eating the hay around his house, and then start to head over to the pasture across the street. I'm thinking, SURE, wherever you want to go, cows, head that way!
Me: Oh man, across the road?
Phil: They seemed to know where they were going...
But then! Another one comes running at me from behind, charging me or something! So I turned around and waved my arms- and thankfully she stopped. And all I can think about is how I am going to get all of these cows back where they belong? I couldn't just leave them to wander around out there!
Me: Of course not!
Phil: So up drives these two farmhands in a truck, and I start to wave frantically at them. Thankfully the truck slows down and stops. One of them starts to open his door, and the cows all turn and run back toward me. I'm looking around for a tree or SOMETHING to climb up- and there's nothing! But instead of trampling me they just head back into the pasture they came from.
Me: Oh man! What did the guys in the truck say?
Phil: They didn't even stop! They saw the cows head back into the pasture and then slowly drove by...I'm sure wondering what kind of crazy city kid was out messing with the cattle!
Me: You have to call Mike and tell him his gate was left open!

*Phil calls Mike*
Phil: So, some of your cows got out somehow. Everything's fine, and I chased them back in and all.
Mike: Well, shoot.
Phil: One big red one was charging at me or something...
Mike: Ah, those girls are really tame. She must have been looking for a treat, sometimes I give them carrots and such.

*Mike calls later and leaves a message*
Mike: Looks like you got a pretty good workout- there were hoofprints all over the front yard. Those girls must have gotten pretty hungry and got to pushing on the gate. Well, eat a big meal, you must be hungry, and have a good night.

6 comments:

Tifani said...

That is CLASSIC! "Those girls must have been hungry.." haha. Nice job, Phil. Next time they'll know who they're messing with!

Emily said...

"hoofprints all over the front yard"...hahaha

Good story, guys!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh Phil, Honey, where is your "Iowa farm stock blood"? You were letting "girls" chase you around Mike's yard? I told Grpa Borst your story, he was laughing so hard on the phone that he had to get off, to catch his breath. Don't feel bad sweetie, I still have this "thing" with "chickens", I swear to this day that one of my uncles was raising "killer chickens" that seemed to ATTACK only ME. Love you 3+. Stay warm!!

Tycen said...

"I tried to look big...and I don't know, corral them or something."

Good plan, Phil! :) That's a hilarious story!

Tracy said...

I was telling my dad this story - for those of you who don't know him, a completely straight-laced guy(ok, seemingly) who grew up in Seattle. He laughed heartily at this story and said "Oh, those cows are usually so tame...no need to worry, really." I was shocked- of all people I expected Dad would understand the fear, but no, he too knows how to deal with cows...ha! Did Phil and I miss an important high-school class or something?

Anonymous said...

Phil, I'm with you...I would have been terrified to see a huge bovine running towards me, too! So no, you guys didn't miss a class in high school...you just never had the chance to get to know cows up close and personal. (Tracy, your Dad spent many summers on his uncle's farm in Eastern Washington, where there were cows, horses, chickens, etc.)
Love you guys!