Iron Rod Press Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 5

Cow Cuddling

February 3, 2026 - We all wish we could travel to where our ancestors lived, to experience the culture, breath the air, and walk in their footsteps.

But what if you could walk in the footsteps of a cow whose ancestors may have walked in the footsteps of your ancestors?

"What in the world is she talking about?!"

This is exactly the experience I had last fall. When I realized that I would not be able to go to either of the Scottish festivals held in my area, I googled "Scottish Events in Utah." That's when I saw a website with a most intriguing name: "Utah Cow Cuddle." I knew I had found my people.

But what I also discovered, which ties back to my enigmatic question above, is that the Scottish Highland cows at this farm are descendants of real Highland coos. So, it is entirely possible that one of my ancestors may have walked in the footsteps of one of their ancestors! How cool is that?

So, if you're wanting a similar hands-on experience with the culture of your ancestors, here are a few ideas.

1. My go-to answer - Google it! You never know what you will find.
2. Do what I didn't do - plan ahead to attend local festivals in your area. If you don't plan for it, it ain't going to happen!
3. Be open to new experiences. I never would have thought about cuddling a Highland coo. But why not?
4. Culture isn't just about critters or cuisine. It can also be about clothes. From the FamilySearch homepage, go to Activities then Picture My Heritage. Here you can upload a photo of yourself and see how you might have looked wearing traditional clothing worn by your ancestors.
5. And finally, if your ancestors spoke a different language, consider taking some classes, downloading the Duo Lingo app, or finding a friend or neighbor who speaks it. A phrase or two just might be useful for when you do get to visit.

Connecting to your ancestors' culture, whether through clothes, cuisine, or even a cow, can bring them closer than you could ever imagine.

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So until next time, always keep your eye on the One that loves you most. Ciao!

Janine

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