Please Read the Warning Label.

WARNING: I tend to talk about myself more than usual in this blog post. It is also abnormally long for a blog post. Please refrain from reading if you do not want to know more about me than you already do. I do think that this blog post is incredibly funny, entertaining and a bit educational for children and adults everywhere (well maybe).

Hello all,

I usually don’t brag about my grades or myself for that matter, or at least try not to, but I am very proud of myself this week and all of the accomplishments that I have achieved.

You did read the warning label, right?? I really wasn’t kidding.

For one, I was honored by having the privilege to judge a youth competition, the Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Contest. Which already struck a chord with me because it is put on by the Texas Cattlewomen organization; I was asked to judge the “Issues Response” portion of the contest. It was a real feeling of pride as I sat there and read the contestants entries. I even stopped and had a little pep talk with myself. It went along the lines of this:

Me #1: “I can’t believe we are actually judging this contest?!”
Me #2: “Remain calm. We have to focus.”
Me #1: “But aren’t you excited!?”
Me #2: “Yes, but we have a job to do. We can celebrate later.”
Me #1: “As long as you’re excited!!”
Me #2: “YES I’M EXCITED!! Better?”
Me #1: “Exceedingly. Uh okay. So what was all that grammar stuff we learned???”
Me #2: “That’s why we have to focus. I don’t remember anything!!”
Me #3: “I will take over as long as the both of you SHUT UP!”

(Insert uncontrollable laughed here. I really needed a good laugh. If you actually read that 3-way conversation I had with myself, I applaud your commitment to reading my blog. )

Although I was very excited I did have to remain calm and professional.

This week I was also overjoyed about a grade that I received on an assignment for one of my Agricultural Communications classes (AGCJ 203). We were instructed to write a profile story over anyone that has or had a news worthy life. An interview had to be taken place with that person and one to two other people that “know the profiled person well.”

I had a really hard time thinking of someone to write about, and I only had about two weeks to get all of this done. Of course, I called my mother to ask for her advice (this happens a lot). She gave me several ideas like professors, my boss at the time, or even my sister. My dad had ideas as well, like Temple Grandin. Yeah my father didn’t get the interview part?? But then he suggested I interview my grandpa (his dad), Mackie Lee McCullough. Perfect!

I was so thrilled and excited and to tell you the truth, NERVOUS!! Conduct an interview with my grandpa, and get a six to eight page paper out of it?! And of course being the Type A personality that I am, it had to be perfect.

It ended up being a great experience! I love my grandpa and respect him even more now. I have learned so much from him already. I owe him my livelihood. Without him, I would not have gotten the chance to grow up on a cow-calf operation and grow up to love the cattle industry even through the bad times. He is an incredible man and I look up to him and thank him from the bottom of my heart. He really couldn’t be a better person.

So without further adieu, an insert and of my ode to grandpa, “The Cattle Rancher: Mackie Lee McCullough.”

He takes a sip of coffee, black, and then adds two packets of sweet-n-low to the cup. Satisfied he leans back in his chair and pulls on his boots. He is dressed for his long day of work, from his red and green plaid shirt to his relaxed-cut wranglers.

They might come to town in their truck every once in awhile, maybe to check in at the bank or at the local feed store. They try to avoid the hospital at all costs. They might not say much, but they will share a story or two with anyone willing to listen about the days when life was harder, but a lot simpler and it’s guaranteed that those stories are worth listening to.

They aren’t many true cattle ranchers left in Texas. They have all died or have gotten out of the business when times got too tough. It’s a hard job. A cattle rancher has to have common sense and enough knowledge to know when to buy and when to sell. A cattle rancher has to know how to live and to have dreams, big or small.


Now, I received an A+ on this paper and I got called out in class for it being “an example of fine journalism,” (gasp, embarrassing!) but all in all it made it that more special.

I thank you for actually making it to the end. That means so much. And if you skipped things that’s cool too.

I promise to have a post this long never ever again.

Much love.