Working Ranch Blog

Temple of the Cow by Brett Haas
Mar. 2 2010, 7:42 PM

As a cowboy, you learn to become resourceful. Duct tape and baling wire go a long way as multi-purpose tools. (And my dad always used to make fun of me 'cause I liked MacGyver. Showed him!) Sometimes you just gotta make do to get the job done. So when I got word a couple weeks past that HBO was showing a documentary based on the life of Temple Grandin, I made a quick call to the neighbors with the satellite and asked 'em to tape it for me. (To all of you under 25, you used to be able to tape shows on this device they call the VCR.) Well, Stan and Mary still had a VCR and they agreed to help a cable-challenged, young father of three money-eating kids out.

After a couple of trial taping runs and a visit from the cowboy cable guy, I had a tape of what I knew was gonna be one fascinating show. Claire Danes plays Temple and does a top notch job. She ought to get a Grammy as long as Jethro Tull doesn't steal the show. (No need for correctional e-mails. I know Grammy's are for musicians and Oscars are for actors. It's just a little joke for any Metallica fan who might be reading, so calm yourself.)

Anywho, I've yet to see Ms. Grandin in person, but thanks to YouTube, I've seen her speak. I tell you, Ms. Danes has her spot on. This is some good acting and a well told story. The movie takes you through Ms. Grandin's various stages in life from her childhood, but the main parts of the movie have to do with her high school, college, and the beginning of her career as one of the leading authorities on low-stress livestock handling and autism. The most inspirational part of the movie was her unreluctant drive to overcome the seemingly unrelentless obstacles that life threw at her. Not only did she learn to deal with her autism, she learned how to harness it, and to drive it like a team of Clydesdales over and around any obstacles that dared challenge her. I have to admit that I was a bit ashamed of my own lack of persistence after watching her story. I thought back to how many times I've gotten frustrated over a little bump in the road. I've often said that stress happens when life doesn't go our way. My dad drilled into me that the world doesn't owe you anything and that life is what you make of it. That's a good thing about learning to cowboy. There's not gonna be a whole lot of folks that'll R.S.V.P. to your pity party. Some may think this cruel and cold, but such is life. We can learn a lot from the animal kingdom. An eagle will give her babies protection, food, and shelter, but when it's time to leave, she'll give 'em a shove out of the nest. There is a time to nurture and a time give a good kick in the pants to those that need it. You just gotta ask the Lord to give you the wisdom to know the difference.

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