Well, the day is almost over. When I get some more typing done, I’ll be able to head to my nice soft bed! As I look over the day, I didn’t accomplish all that I wanted to do, but I managed to get half the lawn mowed, my column written, the cows milked with JW’s help as all the rest of the family was at baseball practice and the heifers didn’t get out. All in all, I’d say it was a pretty productive day especially when you add in the fact that I also made a coffee cake to have with my afternoon cup of Joe. The sun is setting on the Knolltop, it’s time to relax!

I already know this day will not be long enough for all that I want to accomplish, especially since right now, I should be out feeding the heifers and bedding the cows. Today is column writing day too and I promised my son I would help type something for him. Jake is on me about the lawn being too long and ragged, so mowing is on the agenda too. Does anyone else face days like this? Better get on it!

I already know this day will not be long enough for all that I want to accomplish, especially since right now, I should be out feeding the heifers and bedding the cows. Today is column writing day too and I promised my son I would help type something for him. Jake is on me about the lawn being too long and ragged, so mowing is on the agenda too. Does anyone else face days like this? Better get on it!

You should always beware when you have teenagers in the house who are savvy on a computer! While I was out watching my two youngest kids at a church program this evening, my relief milkers (the older boys) felt they needed to do some editing to my blog. For those of you who saw the caption with my youngest son’s picture you noticed the insult that my teenage editors thought they needed to add. (I fixed it) There is nothing sacred with these boys! But at least they are keeping Jake “real” which he needs….being the baby of the family.

You should always beware when you have teenagers in the house who are savvy on a computer! While I was out watching my two youngest kids at a church program this evening, my relief milkers (the older boys) felt they needed to do some editing to my blog. For those of you who saw the caption with my youngest son’s picture you noticed the insult that my teenage editors thought they needed to add. (I fixed it) There is nothing sacred with these boys! But at least they are keeping Jake “real” which he needs….being the baby of the family.

It seems that’s what the heifers on our farm think they have, open range priviledges. Yesterday morning while bedding the stalls, a neighbor stopped by, not for a visit but to let us know we had some heifers out. We chased them through the freshly planted corn field and got them back in, fixed the hole and went on about our business. After an evening of chores and a double header that had a 45 minute rain delay, we dropped into bed later than normal only to hear the phone ring. It was another neighbor calling to let us know their were some heifers out! We rolled back out of bed, headed out in the pitch black darkness, of course it was cloudy, no moonlight to illuminate the cornfield and I drove the truck while Big Daddy got his exercise. When we got them back to the barn, I opened the door only to allow the rest of the heifers and the horse out. As I began to mutter bad things under my breath about how stupid those heifers were acting and something about wishing I had a shotgun, one heifer shot back through the barn door and all the rest followed her. A big sigh of relief came as I slid the barn door closed and headed back up to the house. My bed never felt better.

It seems that’s what the heifers on our farm think they have, open range priviledges. Yesterday morning while bedding the stalls, a neighbor stopped by, not for a visit but to let us know we had some heifers out. We chased them through the freshly planted corn field and got them back in, fixed the hole and went on about our business. After an evening of chores and a double header that had a 45 minute rain delay, we dropped into bed later than normal only to hear the phone ring. It was another neighbor calling to let us know their were some heifers out! We rolled back out of bed, headed out in the pitch black darkness, of course it was cloudy, no moonlight to illuminate the cornfield and I drove the truck while Big Daddy got his exercise. When we got them back to the barn, I opened the door only to allow the rest of the heifers and the horse out. As I began to mutter bad things under my breath about how stupid those heifers were acting and something about wishing I had a shotgun, one heifer shot back through the barn door and all the rest followed her. A big sigh of relief came as I slid the barn door closed and headed back up to the house. My bed never felt better.

On this beautiful Tuesday, I have the wonderful opportunity to teach city kids where their food comes from….from the ground up! I will be explaining to school children that pizza comes from the soil. I’m excited to have the chance to promote agriculture and to see what kind of goofy questions these kids come up with. After then it’s off to another double header, if it doesn’t rain. And somewhere in between I have to get replacement parts for my vacuum cleaner…then I’ll have to use it!

On this beautiful Tuesday, I have the wonderful opportunity to teach city kids where their food comes from….from the ground up! I will be explaining to school children that pizza comes from the soil. I’m excited to have the chance to promote agriculture and to see what kind of goofy questions these kids come up with. After then it’s off to another double header, if it doesn’t rain. And somewhere in between I have to get replacement parts for my vacuum cleaner…then I’ll have to use it!

It’s another beautiful morning here on the Knolltop and it’s promising to be a nice day. Before school this morning, I played catch with the kids. It’s amazing what great conversation can evolve from throwing a ball back and forth to each other. Connecting with our kids is so important, especially right before we send them into the world to fight another day.