i guess this is the calm before the storm. it is close to 50 degrees outside and sunny. however, tomorrow we are supposed to get several inches of snow and temps in the single digits. we need the snow. next saturday is the northwest college rodeo team gala. always a good time in cody. i will be dipping several hundred strawberries in dark chocolate for the event.  the event features an auction, silent auction, huge sit down dinner and best of all, a bar. tickets are still available, and the money goes to offset the rodeo teams expenses. a good time for a good cause. nwc traditionally has one of the strongest rodeo teams in the nation. their alumni is a whos who of PRCA cowboys. things are quiet in meeteetse, for now. calving season is almost here. that means not much sleep for a lot of people. night calving is one of my favorite times of the year. at least until late march when it finally becomes my not so favorite time of the year. its always funny how i would look forward to calving season, and by the end of the season i was tired of it all. thats the nice thing about ranch work. its all seasonal. you look forward to the change in routine, and by the time you get sick of something, its time to work on something else. plus, its another year until you need to do it again. and time heals all wounds. for those who have night calved before, its all or nothing. if its calm, its quiet. if its snowing, windy, below zero etc. then all hell is sure to break loose. but that is also what makes it fun. the challenge, the cold, being out there in the middle of the night, the ranch to yourself. my dog loves checking out the new calves. he thinks they are more dogs for him to play with. however, the calves and their mothers dont share his view. some calves are okay with him, most run back to their moms. after a few days he ignores them and goes back to chasing rabbits. that is his true passion.