top of page
All Posts


It Takes A Village
One of my very favorite things about living where I live is the community that is built up around my kids. It's the same community that...
Tara Smith
Mar 21, 20232 min read


Update at 728 Weeks Pregnant
I am 728 weeks pregnant, and I feel like I should come with a warning: proceed with caution. Everything I say, write, or do should come...
Tara Smith
Mar 21, 20231 min read


Candle Blower Outers
Sometimes your biggest critics, the people who support you the least, the ones who tear you down to others, come from within your inner...
Tara Smith
Mar 21, 20232 min read


Be A Good Human
Be a good human. I mean a truly good human. Live with integrity. Treat others with respect: not just the "cool kids", but everyone,...
Tara Smith
Mar 21, 20231 min read


Sometimes Ranching Is Romantic
Sometimes ranching IS romantic. Tall green grass. Sunshine. Blue skies. Cattle grazing. Sweet smells of the prairie. To me, it is THEE...
Tara Smith
Mar 21, 20231 min read


Rolling With The Punches
MDH and I may have bitten off more than we can chew this year, but we are going to give it our best attempt. We are changing up our...
Tara Smith
Mar 21, 20232 min read


She Decided Today
She decided today to take full responsibility for her life. She stopped blaming others for her problems. She stopped feeling sorry for...
Tara Smith
Mar 21, 20231 min read


The Calf-Path by Sam Walter Foss
The Calf-Path by Sam Walter Foss I. One day through the primeval wood A calf walked home as good calves should; But made a trail all bent...
Tara Smith
Feb 13, 20232 min read


Navigating Family Ranching Relationships
Sometimes the hardest part of ranching is working with family. Nearly every ranching family I visit with has some sort of resentment...
Tara Smith
Feb 9, 20232 min read


The Great Skunk Debacle
MDH got sprayed by a skunk yesterday. I wish I was kidding. He set a live trap to try to catch it overnight, and was successful. But then...
Tara Smith
Feb 9, 20232 min read


The Outlaw by Charles Badger Clark
The Outlaw by Charles Badger Clark When my rope takes hold on a two-year-old, By the foot or the neck or the horn, He kin plunge and...
Tara Smith
Feb 4, 20232 min read


Markuson Ranch Mission and Vision Statement
Do you have a mission and vision statement for your ranch operation? I have found that this is key. I will share ours, so you have an...
Tara Smith
Feb 3, 20233 min read


The Curse of Growing Up Under a Magnifying Glass In a Small Town
One of the downsides of growing up in a small town is the magnifying glass that kids are under. I acknowledge that this is both a...
Tara Smith
Feb 2, 20233 min read


So We Laugh Together
When MDH and I were first dating, he came home with me one weekend. We were putting bulls out. He got in one pickup and backed his...
Tara Smith
Feb 1, 20233 min read


Finding Gratitude at 20 Below 0
On these cold mornings, I remind myself that there are no snakes or grasshoppers out and about. I hold on to that thought, embracing my...
Tara Smith
Jan 31, 20231 min read


"Promise Yourself" by Christian D. Larson
“Promise Yourself To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person...
Tara Smith
Jan 31, 20231 min read


Here's To the Ranch Mama's
Here’s to the Mom’s out there trying to balance ranching, raising kids, and trying to be entrepreneurs on the side. I had someone tell me...
Tara Smith
Jan 31, 20232 min read


A Lot Can Be Learned From Older Generations
There is a lot that can be learned from older generations. Sometimes I think the younger generation creates a bit of a barrier between...
Tara Smith
Jan 31, 20231 min read


Your Youth Education Program
What do you do on your ranch to support the youth of the team? Sometimes, it’s harder to do the job when kids are involved. This makes it...
Tara Smith
Jan 31, 20231 min read


Friendship Goals
I hope that throughout my life, especially since becoming a mother, I have nourished the type of friendships in which my girls will know...
Tara Smith
Jan 31, 20231 min read
bottom of page
