COWS ARE OUT!

Growing up on a farm there aren't many phrases that will get everyones attention like "Cows are out!"; and I do mean everyone.  Fortunately it doesn't happen very often, but when it does, there's a scramble to find a pair of shoes (any shoes usually) and we're out the door.  This can happen at the most inconvenient times to say the least.  It's like survival mode kicks in and we head out the door without coats in the winter, sometimes no shoes in the summer and occasionally half-dressed.

I know some might think this would be a fun prank to pull on someone, but it would be like yelling "fire" in  a crowded room of people.  It sends panic through a farmer when the animals get out of their secure environment and honestly, it's just not a joking matter.  We're talking serious stuff. 

One of our former feed representatives who retired from the dairy business loved to tell stories on his visits.  When his son was accepted as a full-time fire fighter for a fairly large city, he couldn't have been a more proud papa.  One thing that I will always remember is that one of the reasons his son got the job was because he grew up on a farm.  Apparently the fire chief (or whoever did the hiring) felt that this "farm boy" would do a good job because of the work ethics he'd learned growing up on a farm.  More often than not, farm kids find themselves in a situation that requires them to think fast, solve whatever problem they're faced with and get the job done...right the first time or your going to do it til you get it done right.  I just wonder if the fire chief knew the farm boy could already get dressed & on the scene in record time without additional training.  Hmmm...