[YogusBearus]

The cattle are lowing

The poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus

No crying He makes

If you're like me, some songs from your childhood are just plain troubling. After years of research I was able to put "now I raise my Ebenezer" to rest. I haven't been as successful with Away in a Manger.

We all know from elementary school that cattle are known to low. We've seen the drawings of the cows on their bellies with legs stretched out in front and behind. Few, if any of us, have actually seen a cow perform this lowing feat. Here's what I have been able to establish to date:

• Lowing appears to be restricted to the last three weeks of December and the first week of January each year.
• Lowing is only known to occur when there is snow on the ground. There are no reports of Florida cattle ever lowing.
• A lowing cow actually creeps and slips across the ground slowly while keeping their profile as low as possible.
• Cattle are very secretive about lowing.

I discovered early on that lowing cattle will immediately get up and act nonchalant if they feel people are observing them. A field of lowing cattle will quickly move to the standard cow stance if they hear a car or truck approaching. Over the years I've been able to observe cow lowing by building a snow blind in a handy drift. It is truly exhilarating to observe a herd of cows lowing in unison. It's not unlike synchronized swimming. The most stunning lowing I have witnessed involved a herd of black and white Holsteins. It was like watching a swarm of disembodied black spots undulating across the snowy field.

The unresolved mysteries of lowing are still troubling. What exactly are they trying to sneak up on? Why are they so secretive?

I've recently set up a non-profit foundation to seriously study the lowing phenomenon. If you share my passion to get to the bottom of this lowing thing, please consider a tax deductible donation to this research. You can contribute on-line at SaveLowing.com.

[watchbird]

Well now isn't this interesting. And here all this time I've been under the impression that "lowing" simply meant the low "mooing" sounds that cattle make.. especially when in the stall and are either contented with their shelter or are getting restless waiting for that early morning milking time.

Also interesting that the dictionary confirms at least part of what I thought about it..... ......

but hey.... it was a good try.... I've been lonesome.... visiting the "lighter side" site and not finding any new thots.... especially nothing on Christmas. So thanks for the memories.... and for bringing to mind the lovely little carol ....

And now can we have more about Christmas? Funny, serious, inspirational, nonsense.... ANYTHING.... I'm a Christmas addict... I crave more and more and more and more about CHRISTMAS.... HELP everyone!!!





Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
lowe /loʊ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[loh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used without object) lowed, low·ing. British Dialect. low3.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This low 2 (lō) Pronunciation Key
n. The characteristic sound uttered by cattle; a moo.

intr.v. lowed, low·ing, lows
To utter the sound made by cattle; moo.


[From Middle English lowen, to moo, from Old English hlōwan; see kelə-2 in Indo-European roots.]

The cattle are lowing

The poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus

No crying He makes

If you're like me, some songs from your childhood are just plain troubling. After years of research I was able to put "now I raise my Ebenezer" to rest. I haven't been as successful with Away in a Manger.

We all know from elementary school that cattle are known to low. We've seen the drawings of the cows on their bellies with legs stretched out in front and behind. Few, if any of us, have actually seen a cow perform this lowing feat. Here's what I have been able to establish to date:

• Lowing appears to be restricted to the last three weeks of December and the first week of January each year.
• Lowing is only known to occur when there is snow on the ground. There are no reports of Florida cattle ever lowing.
• A lowing cow actually creeps and slips across the ground slowly while keeping their profile as low as possible.
• Cattle are very secretive about lowing.

I discovered early on that lowing cattle will immediately get up and act nonchalant if they feel people are observing them. A field of lowing cattle will quickly move to the standard cow stance if they hear a car or truck approaching. Over the years I've been able to observe cow lowing by building a snow blind in a handy drift. It is truly exhilarating to observe a herd of cows lowing in unison. It's not unlike synchronized swimming. The most stunning lowing I have witnessed involved a herd of black and white Holsteins. It was like watching a swarm of disembodied black spots undulating across the snowy field.

The unresolved mysteries of lowing are still troubling. What exactly are they trying to sneak up on? Why are they so secretive?

I've recently set up a non-profit foundation to seriously study the lowing phenomenon. If you share my passion to get to the bottom of this lowing thing, please consider a tax deductible donation to this research. You can contribute on-line at SaveLowing.com.

[YogusBearus]

Well now isn't this interesting. And here all this time I've been under the impression that "lowing" simply meant the low "mooing" sounds that cattle make.. especially when in the stall and are either contented with their shelter or are getting restless waiting for that early morning milking time.

Also interesting that the dictionary confirms at least part of what I thought about it..... ......

but hey.... it was a good try.... I've been lonesome.... visiting the "lighter side" site and not finding any new thots.... especially nothing on Christmas. So thanks for the memories.... and for bringing to mind the lovely little carol ....

And now can we have more about Christmas? Funny, serious, inspirational, nonsense.... ANYTHING.... I'm a Christmas addict... I crave more and more and more and more about CHRISTMAS.... HELP everyone!!!





Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
lowe /loʊ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[loh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used without object) lowed, low·ing. British Dialect. low3.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This low 2 (lō) Pronunciation Key
n. The characteristic sound uttered by cattle; a moo.

intr.v. lowed, low·ing, lows
To utter the sound made by cattle; moo.


[From Middle English lowen, to moo, from Old English hlōwan; see kelə-2 in Indo-European roots.]

Yes, this is a common misconception put out by folk not interested in the real truth. Not unlike the approach those sunday keepers take.

-bear

[PeacefulBe]

I'm going to have to go with bear on this one, WB. If you check Snopes you will find out that the commonly held definition of lowing is nothing more than an ancient urban legend gone horribly wrong and has resulted in a misconception that, with centuries of usage, has become accepted as fact.

Along with more common varieties of cattle here in Northern California, we have two special breeds known as Dutch Belted and Belted Galloway. These cattle have been raised specifically for their inherent love of lowing and are trained and exported to areas that have an appropriate level of annual snowfall. They, in turn, train other breeds upon their arrival.

Few know of this process, as can be noted in bear's post, but it has been a secret and benevolent partnering of man and beast in NorCal for decades. Sonoma County, known for such significant residents as Luther Burbank and Charles Shultz, has funded this project solely for the purpose of maintaining the art of lowing so that this tradition, such an integral part of the rich bovine culture throughout the ages, will not be forever lost.

Training begins early



This dedicated mother begins training her calf shortly after birth. This new baby is being carefully taught the first step in the specific art of 'Oreoing". In it, the cow must learn to completely tuck all four limbs, as well as the tail, under the body. The result, when performed properly in a snowy field, is a stunning display that looks as though such a cookie being dunked in milk. It is few herds who have successfully learned to do this particular manuever to perfection, but there are reports that it does happen on occasion. The resulting performance is breathtaking.

Practice, practice, practice



As the belted cattle grow to maturity, they must practice often as is the case with any craft. They may be seen, at times, going through the drills for a variety of lowing techniques, both in the barn and out in the field. They are particularly fond of practicing on beds of clover or mustard flowers.



It is rare that one is able to get a photograph of a cow actually going into a lowing dress rehearsal. There is only one dress rehearsal before the cattle are shipped to the appropriate areas. This photograph was snapped just as rehearsal was beginning. Note the position of the three standing cows. Someone had leaked information to the photographer, and rumor has it that it was the cow farthest from the camera.

Some have asked why cows do lowing. It has been quietly studied here, and there are only three answers that I am at liberty to share with you:

1. Cows enjoy the brisk chill of the snow on their udders.

2. Calves are very fond of ice cream.

3. They like watching the show.