April was a busy month for me and it will just keep getting busier as we head into the summer months. We had a cattle show, a cattle sale we consigned a bull to and my daughter and I ran the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon. There was very little running on my part and a lot of walking but I at least did 13.1 miles in one day. There are over 30,000 people that run over the course of that weekend and it is very impressive!
In May we will be attending 3 different cattle shows and we are taking a good size load of show calves to each one. I will be hauling 2 of my “show kids” with me, so it should be a walk in the park compared to trying to complete a half-marathon. Hauling kids and show cattle is easier and more relaxing to me than trying to prepare for a 13 mile run!
The last weekend of May we will be running a 5K race in Catoosa and it is to commemorate the opening of the ‘blue whale park’ on Route 66. I am really excited about this race since it is only a 5K and I can wing it when it comes to a 3-mile run, and all of the Route 66 activities we can check out while we are there. I have cousins in that area, and we are using this as an excuse to get together for some fun and eating afterwards.
The number of events this summer for the Route 66 festival is pretty impressive and I am a little sad that I didn’t prepare more for this. My daughter has suggested we fly to Chicago or to California and rent a car and drive home on Route 66 just so we can check out some of the fun events happening along the Route. Since I have never been to the West coast, I am thinking I would be more interested in that kind of road trip.
Speaking of road trips, I did find some interesting information from the Missouri and Oklahoma Beef council, and it had to do with eating and attractions along Route 66. If you check out either Beef Councils page, you will see the fun activities and how to participate. I like to eat and drive, so maybe this will be the trip to do instead of flying to the east coast, or maybe we combine all of it!
Although I have AGS, I will always be a supporter of the beef industry thru cattle sales and shows, or involving youth because that is my passion. Even if my diet consists of ‘fins and feathers’, the agriculture industry and especially the cattle industry, shaped me into the person I am. Unfortunately, AGS has impacted many within the agriculture industry and in this issue, we will be highlighting several people affected by AGS. AGS has come to the forefront lately and I am glad to see more awareness across the states and the medical community.
Missouri has designated May as Alpha-Gal Syndrome Awareness Month. Awareness is very important but let’s make sure we are also taking action and making sure we protect ourselves, know the signs and advocate for ourselves when seeking treatment or answers.
Debbie Elder is a native of Ottawa County, Okla. and lives on her farm in Webster County, Mo. To contact Debbie, call 1-866-532-1960 or by email at [email protected].
