Moo?

So, lately, I've been thinking a lot of deep thoughts, but for the life of me I can't think what any of them were.... If I shared any of them with you, please tell me!! There were quite a few that just made me stop and think "wow! This would make a really good blog!" But now.... *sigh* I'll just go with whatever pops into my head....

Let's start with silence.

And cows.

At our family ranch in Robertson, WY, we have a herd of about 2oo head of Black Angus cattle. There will be times when we are working the cows (herding, tagging, branding, giving vaccinations, etc.), when at the peak of all the ruckus, there is a moment of complete and udder silence. (sorry, bad pun there - couldn't help it) All 200 of them will suddenly stop mooing. This silence only lasts for about five seconds, but it's rather unnerving all the same. Is there some kind of disturbance deep within the earth that only cows can sense? What is it that creates this strange phenomenon?

I know I might sound a little weird, and a few of you may be wondering why I am not in a mental hospital. But I promise, if you have spent as much time as I have around cows, this would be strange and slightly creepy to you, too. Have you ever heard 200 cows all mooing at once? It's LOUD. It's so loud you can't hear yourself think. But just when you think you're going to lose it because it's so noisy, everything goes silent. It's almost as if someone pressed mute on the TV.

I still like my older brother's interpretation: He says the cows are in a movie, and all at once they forget their lines. The director reminds them, "moo!" and they all start up again. (the silence is usually broken when one rebellious cow moos really loudly)

I can just see everyone scrambling for the phone book, wondering where the nearest asylum is. But seriously, people, where's the fun in that? I want to know what everyone thinks about silence. I might make a poll about this, but if I don't, just comment and tell me what you think :D