It’s another sunny Sunday here on the Knolltop.

Yesterday we junked a lot of stuff and got a lot of work done. We cleaned out some areas in the barn then we moved some cows around. We’ve got a lot of dry cows right now, so we kicked them out to pasture and moved the milk cows around. Big Daddy was so pleased with all the work we accomplished in such a short time he was feeling great….until ….one of the kids came in and said while they were taking a shower the other night when it was raining…they spotted the ceiling leaking in the bathroom. Like Bobby said, “One step forward, two steps back.”

I’m not sure how God is going to take care of that one….milk prices are up, but unexpected problems like that aren’t in the budget! But God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He knows our need and I’m sure He’s got a great plan, we just have to follow it.

In the mean time, those boys cleaned their tractor barn last night…they swept and got rid of a few things…it’s beautiful! I sat down there on the couch last night and it was so peaceful. I was waiting for Sarah to come back with the halter so we could catch Bud and ride. We rode and rode and didn’t get in the house until 9:30 pm!

Coffee is good this morning…it’s a bit cool and perked coffee is always better on a cool morning. Better get ready for church!

Good Morning from the sunny, clear, beautiful Knolltop!

Early this morning I had to quit milking and take Sarah to the neighbors so she could babysit. Then after chores, I took JW to meet a cohort so they could head up to MSU for their first Dairy Judging workout. JW was lucky enough to make into the top 25 at the state contest so he got an invite to compete for a spot on a 4-H dairy judging team. They will have several workouts at different dairy farms around the state and Ohio and then they will select who goes to what contest. He could go to Harrisburg, PA, Madison, WI or Louisville, KY. I hope he goes to at least one because I know they will need a chaperone……:)

Right now the kids I have left, Luke and Jake and I are headed out to the barn to move cows around with Big Daddy. Then we’ll continue to haul junk from every corner of the farm and fill the big dumpster we have. Then, hopefully I’ll get a chance to mow!

Last evening I played dispatcher again, dispatching my kids out to work…I really think I need a pay raise or maybe just a percentage of their pay, afterall, they get paid more than I do! What do you think?

The boys were called by another neighbor to unload hay…I think…and Sarah was called to babysit for Saturday. This morning Jake is the only one home and to his dismay he had to do dishes all alone. But I’ve heard no complaints from him, yet.

They say it might rain today…I’m not counting on it, I’m going to go out and roll my windows down in the van to see if I can bring it on.

Right now, I’d better get writing..so I can get back to cleaning, oh joy.

Last evening I played dispatcher again, dispatching my kids out to work…I really think I need a pay raise or maybe just a percentage of their pay, afterall, they get paid more than I do! What do you think?

The boys were called by another neighbor to unload hay…I think…and Sarah was called to babysit for Saturday. This morning Jake is the only one home and to his dismay he had to do dishes all alone. But I’ve heard no complaints from him, yet.

They say it might rain today…I’m not counting on it, I’m going to go out and roll my windows down in the van to see if I can bring it on.

Right now, I’d better get writing..so I can get back to cleaning, oh joy.

Today, I was listening to an audio clip on one of my newest favorite blogs done by Amanda Nolz called www.chewingthecud.org. Amanda, a college student from South Dakota State University and ranch kid who served as the National Beef Ambassador, is a wonderful advocate for the beef industry.

Recently, this young 19 year old had the priviledge of interviewing cowboy poet Baxter Black. I’m sure most of you know who Baxter is…he writes and recites cowboy poetry, writes a column about ranching adventures and is incredbly funny. The first time I ever heard of him was when he spoke at the National Block and Bridle meeting in Denver. I fell in love with his humor, bought one of his books and have been a fan ever since. His column appears next to mine in the Farmers’ Advance and every time I hear Big Daddy laughing I know he’s reading Baxter’s column. He usually feels compelled to share and he reads it to the rest of us. The next best thing to Baxter himself has to be my southern born husband reading Baxter Blacks stuff. We all end up in a giggling mess.

In the interview, Baxter was sharing a story from his childhood growing up on a farm, feeding chickens and milking an Ayrshire cow. Yes, mom, an Ayrshire. While I listened to him tell of his experience with a mean rooster, the thought occured to me that the story he was relating could’ve been told by countless farm boys all across our nation. That same story could’ve happened here on the Knolltop.

It’s always amazing to me that here we are miles apart, farm folk scattered around the country, down dirt roads and over vast prairies, ranging in age from ten years old to sixty years old all enjoying the same experiences we call farm life. There is just none like it.

Hey, I think I just wrote my column for next week! 🙂

Today, I was listening to an audio clip on one of my newest favorite blogs done by Amanda Nolz called www.chewingthecud.org. Amanda, a college student from South Dakota State University and ranch kid who served as the National Beef Ambassador, is a wonderful advocate for the beef industry.

Recently, this young 19 year old had the priviledge of interviewing cowboy poet Baxter Black. I’m sure most of you know who Baxter is…he writes and recites cowboy poetry, writes a column about ranching adventures and is incredbly funny. The first time I ever heard of him was when he spoke at the National Block and Bridle meeting in Denver. I fell in love with his humor, bought one of his books and have been a fan ever since. His column appears next to mine in the Farmers’ Advance and every time I hear Big Daddy laughing I know he’s reading Baxter’s column. He usually feels compelled to share and he reads it to the rest of us. The next best thing to Baxter himself has to be my southern born husband reading Baxter Blacks stuff. We all end up in a giggling mess.

In the interview, Baxter was sharing a story from his childhood growing up on a farm, feeding chickens and milking an Ayrshire cow. Yes, mom, an Ayrshire. While I listened to him tell of his experience with a mean rooster, the thought occured to me that the story he was relating could’ve been told by countless farm boys all across our nation. That same story could’ve happened here on the Knolltop.

It’s always amazing to me that here we are miles apart, farm folk scattered around the country, down dirt roads and over vast prairies, ranging in age from ten years old to sixty years old all enjoying the same experiences we call farm life. There is just none like it.

Hey, I think I just wrote my column for next week! 🙂

I just was notified that my mother in law and sister in law will not be arriving next week as planned. In her email she said that I could take a break from cleaning…oh no, that will not happen. I’ve got everyone in cleaning mode and that’s the way I’m going to keep them! (Can you hear the whip?)

Last evening we attended a birthday party for a new teenager. They are good friends of the family and we enjoy their fellowship. So of course when she invited us over for cake we had to say yes. This woman has a flair for baking and she loves doing it…so when she bakes she really goes to town! She had made Oreo cookie dessert with real whipped cream and homemade chocolate pudding in the middle. She had raspberry cheesecake, just a glance at it made you gain 10 pounds. And she had some St. Louis Butter cake with creamed blueberries for the topping. Oh my, I couldn’t decide so…..yes, you guessed it, just like with Thanksgiving pies…I had a little of each kind! Life is too short not to have some of each!

On to the Knolltop happenings. My baby calves have learned to do the dog paddle. Last night…someone…we haven’t pinpointed the culprit….left the hose trickling. So this morning, the area where my six calves live was flooded and they were paddling around…well not really, they were just kind of wading around. What a sight. I bailed them out and put down fresh shavings…they were so happy to lay down in dry bedding!

I just was notified that my mother in law and sister in law will not be arriving next week as planned. In her email she said that I could take a break from cleaning…oh no, that will not happen. I’ve got everyone in cleaning mode and that’s the way I’m going to keep them! (Can you hear the whip?)

Last evening we attended a birthday party for a new teenager. They are good friends of the family and we enjoy their fellowship. So of course when she invited us over for cake we had to say yes. This woman has a flair for baking and she loves doing it…so when she bakes she really goes to town! She had made Oreo cookie dessert with real whipped cream and homemade chocolate pudding in the middle. She had raspberry cheesecake, just a glance at it made you gain 10 pounds. And she had some St. Louis Butter cake with creamed blueberries for the topping. Oh my, I couldn’t decide so…..yes, you guessed it, just like with Thanksgiving pies…I had a little of each kind! Life is too short not to have some of each!

On to the Knolltop happenings. My baby calves have learned to do the dog paddle. Last night…someone…we haven’t pinpointed the culprit….left the hose trickling. So this morning, the area where my six calves live was flooded and they were paddling around…well not really, they were just kind of wading around. What a sight. I bailed them out and put down fresh shavings…they were so happy to lay down in dry bedding!