Daddy with Calf. Art by Adam Bunting
It’s calving season on the ranch. This painting of my dad conveys the essence of his spirit and heart. Tears sprang to my eyes the first time I saw this piece. A surprise gift for my parents, Bunting conveys Daddy’s spirit and heart. A treasure. Artist Adam Bunting painted this portrait from a photo taken by Sherry Bunting.
It’s calving time on ranches all over the world right now. Not only do these calves represent life, they represent generations of bloodlines, untold hours of caring for their mothers, the mothers before them, and on and on… In honor of the heart, spirit, and weeks without sleep that comes with calving, art and poetry to honor all. In honor of the history and hope that is calving season:
Daddy with calf. ©Sherry Bunting
A Cowboy’s Work
by Tirzah Conway
A cowboy’s work is never done,
Like Sheppard’s among the sheep
No matter what, up with the sun,
Not really much time for sleep
You stay up all night to help out the weak
Even ones that won’t make it through
Let’s face it, that’s what makes you unique
Without it, you wouldn’t be you
You may not cry when you lose a calf
But it’s not because you don’t care
You hold strong for other’s behalf
And inside you feel only despair
You know deep down you can’t save ‘em all
And it’s not really up to you
It’s never stopped you from hitting a wall
‘Cause that’s what helps pull you through
But instead of giving in you move to another cow
It’s how you know calving season is here
You just step by her side, furrow your brow
‘Cause that’s life out on the frontier
You will always be there for her
That’s what being a cowboy is all about
Stay by her side till her calf is astir
No matter your fears or doubts
And seeing the calves running around
Was worth your all sleepless nights
You watch the play without making a sound
It’s what helps you keep fighting the good fight
I grew up watching Daddy bring calves in to be warmed, to be fed, to be cared for if their mother wouldn’t take them. On the prairie, this means calves in the kitchen, calves in the tub, calves warming in the oven, and calves in the mudroom. I see my dad, his Carhartt’s and cowboy hat dripping with snow, bringing Mom a calf to warm. In Cascabel, on the Arizona on the ranch of my childhood, this meant Daddy telling me to approach the cow slow and quiet, curling on my knees on the ground and remaining still. This meant trails of afterbirth glistening in the sun as I marveled at the intricacy of the colors.
In all places, the life blood of the ranch and of those who make their lives on this land, course through these newborn veins.
Me, Cascabel Ranch, 1978
Dawn Wink: Dewdrops 
April 27, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Can’t take my eyes off that painting – it stirs my heart and soul. Thank you!🌹
Marta Harrison
April 27, 2016 at 8:51 pm
Marta,
I love what you wrote here. Made me go back and look at the painting again with fresh eyes and heart. Thank you!
Dawn
April 25, 2016 at 7:18 pm
I do love that treasure of a painting of Dean showing his gentle and caring spirit. Precious are the lessons that come from growing
up in that environment and having Joan and Dean as parents.
Our granddaughter Jess has a job from midnight until 6 AM at Center Ranch watching and helping birth baby horses. I get to hear some of the details. Loving on the babies makes the hours bearable she says. Only 2 to go.
I love you all!
Cathy
April 27, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Dear Cathy,
I agree that this painting conveys the essence of Daddys’ gentle and caring spirit. Does that just somehow shine through? Oh, dear Jess! What a wonderful experience for her! Simply incredible.
I love you!
Dawn
April 25, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Dawn Dearest, What a wonderful post! Since we both grew up on ranches, I share your memories–from calving, branding, to licking he salt blocks when no one was watching! Thank you for honoring that way of life that did much to shape both of us. My dad was a championship roper, and I, too, have a wonderful photo of him (roping a calf on his horse Sleepy, which was painted in oil. OXOX Jann
April 27, 2016 at 8:45 pm
Dear Jann,
Here’s to our shared memories of calving, branding, and yes, licking salt blocks! I think I actually did that WHILE people were watching! I want to see the photo of your dad the next time we’re at your home. XOXO Dawn
April 25, 2016 at 4:42 pm
Great post. We occasionally had newborns in the kitchen on our Kentucky farm, usually lambs or goats. I really got hit with the reality of foster-mothering in my 25 years rehabbing wildlife — baby squirrels, possums, woodchucks, porcupines, bats all needing 2 AM feedings. And orphaned birds from hawks to hummingbirds fed every half hour sunup to sundown.
April 27, 2016 at 8:22 pm
Helen,
I loved reading of your 25 years of foster-mothering wildlife and all of the animals you tended. Porcupines? WOW. That takes a very special foster mother toehold them at 2 AM. Hawks and baby hummingbirds every half hour… this is amazing Helen. Brings all kinds of images to my mind. Thank you.
April 25, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Such a loving tribute to your dad and all the hardworking folks who live and love the ranching life. Thank you, dear Dawn!
April 27, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Liz, oh do my dad and other hardworking working ranchers deserve the tribute! XOXO Much love.
April 25, 2016 at 11:50 am
Reblogged this on Dawn Wink: Dewdrops and commented:
It’s calving season on the ranch again—eternal rhythm of life.
May 11, 2015 at 2:39 am
This came at a good time. My boyfriend spends to much time out there on the ranch and I was upset because sometimes I think he likes the cows more than me! lol… but now I know better. He is where he needs to be! Thank you, Dawn.
May 16, 2015 at 12:43 pm
Virginia, I chuckled when I read this. Oh, dear… 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with me!
May 11, 2015 at 12:53 am
Darling and beautiful–thanks!
May 16, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Hi, Liz! Thank you and hugs!
May 9, 2015 at 6:19 pm
Lovely sharing of your experience…and many others experience. Never been around calving season, but did spend an evening in a U of Maryland sheep barn helping my date deliver a couple of lambs.
Can imagine the impact of calving and taking care to keep them warm. Thanks for sharing your experience…and the darling photo of you. Kay
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May 16, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Kay, I love the thought of you in that sheep barn helping your date deliver lambs. Now, there is a date! Thanks so much for taking the time to write and connect. That photo – Mom had made a postcard out of the photo and sent it to dear friends 40 years ago. Her friend just sent me. I love it, too. Such memories of our Cascabel years. Love to you, Dawn
May 9, 2015 at 3:10 am
Dear Dawn, Though the ether waves and youtube, I know you have sophistication and class yet being raised on a ranch, you are not a delicate flower! You’ve lived the rustic life and felt the sorrow of cows and calves not surviving the birthing process. Your dad is like the heroes in western novels, the gentle giant. You’ve had a wonderful upbringing and I know you are thankful for it……How did that go? Ah, Living Altars. Love and respect, Dan
PS Look at that, Dad has an iPad!!!
May 9, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Dan, definitely not a delicate flower! That made me smile. Thank you. Yes, I’ve been incredibly blessed with my parents and my childhood – this is never far from my mind. As with all things, I think, I become more grateful with each year. Thank you, thank you for taking the time to connect. Hugs from New Mexico! Dawn
May 8, 2015 at 3:43 pm
How beautiful is this tribute to your dad! The painting of Dad/calf is such a treasure. Oh and the picture of you is absolutely precious!
You are awesome. I continue to love and miss all of you!
Cathy
May 9, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Cathy, I knew you would love that painting and photo. I thought of you. 🙂 So grateful to share with you. We love and miss you! Dawn
May 8, 2015 at 3:03 pm
OMG Beautiful! Brought a tear to my eye. Thank You
Dad
Sent from my iPad
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May 9, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Love you, Daddy. XOXO
May 8, 2015 at 11:45 am
Beautiful tribute to your dad and ranch life, Dawn! Love those photos and painting.
May 8, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Thanks so much, Katherine! It’s a real privilege for me to share ranch life, the beauty of this art, and my amazing dad with you. Thanks so much for taking the time to connect.
May 8, 2015 at 2:32 am
Oh my dear Winkie, Reading that and seeing the photo of your dad and the calf, and hearing the stories of calves in your kitchen from your mom, I am so impressed….with all three of you!! That precious picture of you at Cascabel brings back so many fond memories for me as well….and the darling little girl you were back when I was young….and now the wonderful, amazing woman you have become!
Love you, Nancy “Yates”
May 8, 2015 at 2:36 am
Dear Nancy, oh, are you ever in my thoughts and heart! Thank you so much for taking the time to write. This is the time that you and Mom saw Daddy riding up with tiny. baby Jean in front of him in the saddle – with her little sun bonnet that he had tied under her chin.
Love and love you.
Please come to Santa Fe for some time together.
Love you,
Winkie
May 8, 2015 at 2:28 am
Friend, moved to tears to see and read this. Sure do love you and miss you,
Sent from my little device to yours
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May 8, 2015 at 2:34 am
Glenda, Friend – Sure do love and miss you, too.
Let’s make time for a lunch under the rose petals.
XOX
May 8, 2015 at 2:19 am
What a great painting and gift! I can smell the kitchen with the new baby calf or lamb wrapped in a gunny sack in front of the heater!
May 8, 2015 at 2:27 am
Charlotte, isn’t that painting just gorgeous? How I love that you know the smell of a newborn calf or lamb in front of the heater. Almost as much as I love that the new baby princess is named Charlotte.
xo
May 8, 2015 at 2:14 am
What a beautiful demonstration of love!! Your father is a good example of compassion and love!! Those animals were so blessed to grown and born there! Love the picture of you with your cute dogs! They look happy and attached to you!!!
May 8, 2015 at 2:20 am
Querida Edith, thank you so much for taking the time to write! I am still over the moon at las fotos tus gemelos tan divinos – Matthew and Ethan! Que hermosura! This photo is my dad at his core – such a blessing to receive the photo and the painting. Sheer beauty and gratitude. Love that photo, too. A gift from one of my mom’s dear friends.
Please hug those babies for me – and keep sending photos!
besos!
May 8, 2015 at 1:57 am
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this yearly event. Something I’ve never known but now can experience vicariously through you and your family.
Meredith Machen
May 8, 2015 at 2:05 am
Dear Meredith, so grateful to share this rhythm of the year with you! Thank you ever so much for the beautiful photo book of South Dakota that you gave to me through Colleen. A treasure! Deep gratitude.
May 8, 2015 at 1:24 am
Sherry, look at the magic you and Adam created! I still can’t look at your photo or the painting without tears – both convey worlds of emotions, experiences, and love. Thank you and thank you. P.S. One of my mom’s dear friends just sent me that photo. She’d had for the last 30 years! xo
May 8, 2015 at 1:11 am
Your words are equally beautiful in revealing the life, the heart of the rancher, the cowboy and how each new calf is heritage reborn. P.S. I love the photo of you in your pigtails!