New Mexico CowBelles Jingle Jangle

JINGLE JANGLE

Tis the season for gift giving. Have you ever thought about a gift that was given to you and lasted for generations? This is my story of a gift that has lasted me all of my life. It began with my grandma, Hattie Lacy. My grandma wasn’t the typical storybook woman. Not exactly affection nor the cookie baking grandmother when I arrived into this family. However, she did make a good apple pie. To the best of my knowledge, my grandma was 70 years old when I arrived. From family members’ stories, grandma did a lot of quilting, probably out of necessity, and she made ceramic pieces which was probably her real talent.

I do remember seeing her with a shovel digging up loco weed. Grandma lived in Bingham, New Mexico near the bombing range. She would come to town when they were bombing in that area because everyone had to be evacuated. Her old brown car was almost white due to the dust from the dirt roads around Bingham. Grandma was the last teacher in a one-room school west of Capitan. I recently met one of her students that told me a story of a tornado in that area. Hattie had all of the students hiding in a corner under a big wooden desk. I also recently learned that she attended Sul Ross University and graduated with BS degree in 1950. That meant that after her children were grown and out of the home, she went back to school to become a certified teacher.

Hattie’s famous gifts were the birthday cards she’d send each family member. Inside the card was always a one-dollar bill. It became a family joke that no matter how old a family member was, they would just get one dollar. That memory is a humorous one, but the gift that lasted me all my life was a little black heifer calf. Now this calf wasn’t the prettiest calf in the herd, but it was certainly the most different.

I could always find my calf/cow in the black herd because she had big, bulging eyes and a crunched up nose. I also have the memories of standing in the front seat looking for the cows. I knew I would recognize her. I remember gathering cows, branding, and I was responsible for vaccinating and branding my calves from that different looking black cow. I would get checks from the sales barn every time one of her calves sold.

My saving account paid off as I got older. I bought my first horse with some of that money, and I paid the dentist to pull my wisdom teeth. I learned the cycle of birth to the sale barn, to my saving account. I grew up knowing that the rain flowing into the dirt tanks meant more than finding tadpoles. I grew up knowing that during a drought cattle had to be fed and watered when there was very little grass and water. I grew up knowing that it was important to spend that money wisely from that saving account because the life cycle of one measly cow would soon diminish.

Not until later in life did I realize that the gift of one heifer was the seed to all the things I love. I love the open pastures, the sounds of an old windmill pumping water or trying to. I love to see cattle come out the trees on cold days to eat cow cake. I love watching calves running around with their tails in the air playing chase with the other calves.

Thank you Grandma Hattie Lacy (18951991) for giving me the Gift, my legacy in Agriculture, especially the beef industry. I wouldn’t trade that for a ton of Toll House cookies.

Wishing everyone the very best in 2022.

Sandra Lacy

NM CowBelle President

Chamiza CowBelles met on November 4 with eight members present and Vice President Sherry Ibarra presiding. Cathy read the invocation, all recited the Pledge, and Sherry read the Creed. There was no meeting in October because of the county fair. The minutes from the September meeting were approved. Nancy presented the treasurer’s reports for both September and October. These were approved as presented. Beef raffle tickets were in such high demand this fall that Nancy made a quick trip to Las Cruces, to have 300 more tickets printed. Sales for this year’s beef raffle totaled 7,300. Other merchandise sold at fair booth: 15 license plates, seven cookbooks, one T-shirt, one pkg of large napkins, and two brand throws. This year’s highticket seller was Janet Franklin who sold 900 tickets. Myra Tepper sold 820; Jodell sold 550; and Nancy, Tommie, and Cathy each sold 300. Being high seller, Janet was given first choice to purchase the other half of our raffle beef which she accepted. The beef raffle winners were 3rd prize of $100 to Lisa Bell; 2nd prize of $250 to Jim Smith; and the winner of ½ beef went to Joey Melton. However, when contacted, Joey Melton opted for the cash equivalent. Therefore, Nancy purchased the half of beef that would normally have been given away. Tommie Aber, volunteers every year to make English toffee candy to give to each member who sells at least 300 tickets. Because the cost of the ingredients has risen so much, it was decided to reimburse Tommie for her costs. Officers for the upcoming year were elected by acclamation. The officers remain as follows: President, Jeni Neeley; Vice President, Sherry Ibarra; Secretary, Cathy Pierce; and Treasurer, Nancy Phelps. Nancy announced she had assisted in auditing the books for the State CowBelles and reminded group of the upcoming annual meeting which will be held on December 16 in Albuquerque. She suggested group donate a brand throw to the silent auction. Sherry reported she received many requests at the fair for CowBelles to have large brand mugs made. Some discussion was held but no action was taken at this time. The December meeting will be held at Johnny B’s Restaurant. In lieu of gift exchange, individuals will be asked to bring either non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations to the food pantry. Sherry won the door prize of free lunch. Meeting adjourned at 12:57 pm. Submitted by Cathy Pierce

Powderhorn Cattlewomen met in September to bake cookies and prepare for the BBQ sack lunches for the Old Fort Days. Nine members participated. The BBQ was a success, and the group was able to promote beef in various ways. Quilt tickets were sold for the quilts made by Sandy McKenna and Kelsey McCollum. The group is excited for the drawing to be held at the November meeting. Tickets are $5 each or a book of 5 for $20. Each member was sent two books to sell. Any member can be contacted for a ticket. The group also voted to support the local FFA chapter with a donation for the Ft. Sumner State Floriculture Team to attend Nationals. Group was also reminded that dues are due. The October meeting was held with seven members present. Brenda asked for volunteers to be on the nominating committee for slate of 2022 officers. Ann Sleep, Nancy Schade and Joan Key will be on the committee. Members were saddened with the news of the passing of three members, Bea Killough, Bennie Jeanne Crist and Sarabel Key. A donation will be sent to the Pat Nowlin Scholarship program in their memory, along prayers for the families. The next meeting will be November 11 with the drawing of the quilts, as the main highlight.