Winter is a season of dormancy, a time of slowing down and turning inward. The land, in its stark beauty, asks us to take a breath and consider what has been and what is yet to come. For many of us in ranching, winter is a time of planning, preparing, and contemplating what’s to come in the seasons ahead. At the Paintrock especially, our rhythm of work takes on a different cadence. As heavy snows pack the higher elevations of the Bighorn Mountains, we and the cattle bide our time on the valley bottom, waiting for the spring thaw that will open the mountains to us again. It’s a time to give attention to projects and ideas that have been pushed to the backburner during the busy months, do maintenance on our vehicles and equipment, and plan for the year ahead.