"Stop crying! We haven't even left yet!" I said with disdain. We were building a raft in my parent's basement and planning our escape. My cousin Linrae, got homesick just thinking about it! We were kids making a raft that wouldn't even get up the basement stairs let alone set sail. But, when you're a kid, every dream, every scheme seems possible. This picture was taken at our family's church were we spent a lot of time together. Linrae is in the middle holding hands with me on the right and our other cousin Donna on the left. I have so many shared memories with these cousins . Donna passed away a few years ago and when something like that happens you realize the importance of making an effort to see the people you love whenever you can. So on my way down to my 10 day artist's residency in Keuka Lake, I stopped in to see Linrae and her husband George. What I found was my cousin living her dream as a partner in the Rushford Livestock and Cattle Company. Linrae was always the animal lover in our little trio. Dogs, horses, whatever! She has the kind and compassionate soul that animals responded to. I wasn't so gifted in that area. Linrae was always trying to help me find my inner animal lover. We have a few unfortunate horse riding stories that prove her efforts to help me fell flat. The Rushford Livestock and Cattle Company have a herd of 400, GAP certified cattle. That distinction means they raise their cattle in a humane and natural way. Its something I know Linrae would do even if there was no such thing as GAP. I experienced her cattle raising style when I jumped into her 4 wheeler with her granddaughter Brooke. The morning's task was to move 75 head of cattle, "The Boys", to new pasture. When they saw Linrae coming, they started running after her with enthusiasm! I think they'd follow her anywhere. She told me she sings to them and I have no trouble believing it! She's the "cow whisperer" of Rushford NY. The ride was bumpy, there were cow droppings every where, I still don't want to own any animals but I loved seeing Linrae in her element. Keep singing Linrae, keep living the dream. PS Where were we planning to sail to on our raft anyways? Something tropical I hope, with lots of animals for you to love and for me to just look at.
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