Highlander, by D. Avery
These green mountains had never held her the way they held him. She’d always chafed at the constrictions of hill farming, pined for open range. With dual citizenship his wife could be anywhere; Texas, Alberta, anywhere her wild western dreams led her. He wouldn’t look.
He was pioneering right here, innovating with heirloom breeds and traditional farming methods. He raised Highlanders for meat, but kept one as a milk cow, another tradition for this loyal breed. These Scottish Longhorns were hardy and independent, but also good-natured and reliable, good mothers.
He’d be here with his fold should she return.
From Carrot Ranch, May 25, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the word longhorn. You can go with any of its meanings or make it a name of a person or organization. Cheese or cattle, technology or place, what can you create from the western icon? Go traditional or new; go where the prompt leads.
ShiftnShake 
I hope she enjoys following her dreams.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well I guess I do too, but once again you give me pause. I hadn’t thought too much about her in these 99 words, as he was the hero, staying on in his homeland, making farming work. Now I am thinking she’ll be back and they’ll all be better off for her adventures, she, he, and the farm.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope so. 🙂
LikeLike
Even in travels, I think there is a need for creating the stability of home. The world calls, and home beckons. You gave me a great comparison of farming plains verses hills. Fodder for my reflecting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There has been a great local-vore movement afoot in the Green Mountain State, and a willingness to try old breeds and ways along with new efficient and environmentally friendly technologies and finding niche markets for the artisan meats and cheeses. Farmers have to be more adaptive than ever these days, but many are finding that simply biggering isn’t the answer. But at the core, there has to be that desire to remain on the land and for the husbandry a farm requires. I liked learning that groups of these Highland cattle are referred to as a fold, not a herd, and that in the old country (Scotland) they were often kept as a “house cow”, the milker that provides for the family’s needs. And that cow needs to be milked, everyday, twice a day. So, you can see that the wife here was only one of his loves, and not one that he could give chase to. Funny thing is, he loves the Highlanders for their wildness.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have such a heart for the locavore’s ways. Community food systems was my writing beat and marketing niche for nearly two decades. What I love most about the locavore movement is how it’s revived the old ways and wisdom and yet embrace modern systems. It reduces food production to sustainable levels and gives us regional varieties. I love learning new/old terms, too like fold and house cows. Ah, to grab a cider and a chunk of artisan cheese and discuss this and literary matters of the heart with you would be great joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: The Return | ShiftnShake