Member-only story
How Old is Too Old to Work?
Aging and working.
Originally posted in Grit Blog Ranching With Jonica
J.J. took a running leap, planted her feet in the middle of my back and launched herself into the air. My hands were full. I was fumbling with the gate latch and all I could think was: Please don’t throw out your back! Please, please, please.
J.J. is a sixty-pound dairy goat kid. She is four months old and incredibly playful. A decade ago, I would have been able to take that hit without pain or worry.
Today, I worry. Today, I hurt. I didn’t throw my back out completely today. But what about tomorrow? What about a decade from now?
In ten years, I will not yet be eligible for retirement benefits. I need to work another fourteen years for that. Will my body hold out that long?
Ranching is hard work.
Operating a working sheep and goat ranch takes its toll on my body. Twice a year we run all the animals through a shoot to give them vaccines and de-wormer medication.
The sheep can be skittish and will try to escape. Sometimes, right over my head. Sometimes, right into me.
The goats are stubborn and may need encouragement to get into the shoot. I have to pull or push 100- to 200-pound animals.
