It’s a beautiful Saturday morning! It’s clear, breezy, sunny and going to be 75. But we still need rain.

The boys are down working for the neighbor cleaning out a grain bin and as soon as they get back I’m kidnapping them and taking them for haircuts. I told them this morning I felt like I was their dispatcher…every time the phone rings its someone to ask for the boys to work. I think I should get a cut out of their pay for that! I mean really, when I have to sit them down in the morning and say…okay…now when so and so calls, when are you available to work? Can you go to town with me at this time? When can you do this? When can you work for that guy? Really…that’s what I did this morning…I sat them down and went through their schedules for the day to make sure I could get everything done.

Well, now their back and I need to get them in the van and head to town before anyone calls! Be back later!

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning! It’s clear, breezy, sunny and going to be 75. But we still need rain.

The boys are down working for the neighbor cleaning out a grain bin and as soon as they get back I’m kidnapping them and taking them for haircuts. I told them this morning I felt like I was their dispatcher…every time the phone rings its someone to ask for the boys to work. I think I should get a cut out of their pay for that! I mean really, when I have to sit them down in the morning and say…okay…now when so and so calls, when are you available to work? Can you go to town with me at this time? When can you do this? When can you work for that guy? Really…that’s what I did this morning…I sat them down and went through their schedules for the day to make sure I could get everything done.

Well, now their back and I need to get them in the van and head to town before anyone calls! Be back later!

It’s another beautiful day on the Knolltop. The sun is shining, the air is cool, so cool in fact, I had to wear a sweatshirt to milk this morning. JW is gone to the neighbors to help with the hay and the rest of us are getting ready for breakfast.

Yesterday I felt like I had to put a rope around my boys to keep them from being taken. JW had committed himself to work for one farmer in the afternoon. That was great because we had a load of hay that needed to go in the barn in the morning. The hay unloading was scheduled right after I got done doing Rural Route. I was just about to go on the radio and in drove another farmer, the one they usually help out. Before he could even get on the porch I shouted out, “You can’t have ’em until they get done unloading that hay, and that won’t be til after 10:30, unless you want to do it right now, in that case, I can’t help! AND…JW has to be back at 1pm!”

I looked out during Rural Route and saw the hay being unloaded and a big smile came across my face….it was getting done….without me. It’s amazing what the smell of money will do for a teenager who’s saving for a truck!

Then Sarah and Jake went out to wash their heifers and to work with them. When I finished my column I walked out to the living room to see an 11 year old colapsed on a couch sobbing while mumbling…”She’s such a dumb heifer…she’s never going to keep her head up….no one cares about me and my heifer….all mom cares about is writing her column….no one understands me but God.” After a little pep talk, she was as good as new with a renewed ambition.

Much to my surprise, Jake didn’t have any troubles with his heifer…I’m not sure why, I guess God just figured I needed a break!

Today will be more washing, leading and yes probably some tears and pep talks. I’ve also got to write a story and try to get to town. This weekend will be a tough one…it always is right before we leave for a show. I wish I could blink my eyes and be driving the truck and trailer headed for MSU and just skip all the drama, breakdowns, disappointments and flare ups that go along with a family who loves to show cows.

It’s another beautiful day on the Knolltop. The sun is shining, the air is cool, so cool in fact, I had to wear a sweatshirt to milk this morning. JW is gone to the neighbors to help with the hay and the rest of us are getting ready for breakfast.

Yesterday I felt like I had to put a rope around my boys to keep them from being taken. JW had committed himself to work for one farmer in the afternoon. That was great because we had a load of hay that needed to go in the barn in the morning. The hay unloading was scheduled right after I got done doing Rural Route. I was just about to go on the radio and in drove another farmer, the one they usually help out. Before he could even get on the porch I shouted out, “You can’t have ’em until they get done unloading that hay, and that won’t be til after 10:30, unless you want to do it right now, in that case, I can’t help! AND…JW has to be back at 1pm!”

I looked out during Rural Route and saw the hay being unloaded and a big smile came across my face….it was getting done….without me. It’s amazing what the smell of money will do for a teenager who’s saving for a truck!

Then Sarah and Jake went out to wash their heifers and to work with them. When I finished my column I walked out to the living room to see an 11 year old colapsed on a couch sobbing while mumbling…”She’s such a dumb heifer…she’s never going to keep her head up….no one cares about me and my heifer….all mom cares about is writing her column….no one understands me but God.” After a little pep talk, she was as good as new with a renewed ambition.

Much to my surprise, Jake didn’t have any troubles with his heifer…I’m not sure why, I guess God just figured I needed a break!

Today will be more washing, leading and yes probably some tears and pep talks. I’ve also got to write a story and try to get to town. This weekend will be a tough one…it always is right before we leave for a show. I wish I could blink my eyes and be driving the truck and trailer headed for MSU and just skip all the drama, breakdowns, disappointments and flare ups that go along with a family who loves to show cows.

I got to be on Rural Route this morning…how much fun. We talked about farm safety and I got to share my story about Jake’s accident. I’m so glad when I get to share about how God performed that miracle and I hope that others will hear that story and learn not to take their kids safety for granted and to make sure you know where they are!

I got to be on Rural Route this morning…how much fun. We talked about farm safety and I got to share my story about Jake’s accident. I’m so glad when I get to share about how God performed that miracle and I hope that others will hear that story and learn not to take their kids safety for granted and to make sure you know where they are!

Yes it can… we could have some badly needed rain. We are so dry I feel like I’m living in Arizona! My corn isn’t looking so hot, but I guess it’s good enough for those blasted coons! They’ve invaded but they quickly realize as they munch on the top third of the ear, it’s not quite ready yet, so they move on to the next immature ear and destroy that one and so on and so on. I hate them and I’m going to help them meet their maker tonight! Anyone who wants to steal food from my kids mouths is going to have to do battle with me!

Anyway…today is writing day. I’ve got a couple of columns to write and a feature story for the Agriview. My story subject is coming down tonight after chores so I can interview him and then I’ll write the story in the morning. Deadlines…I love ’em!

Yes it can… we could have some badly needed rain. We are so dry I feel like I’m living in Arizona! My corn isn’t looking so hot, but I guess it’s good enough for those blasted coons! They’ve invaded but they quickly realize as they munch on the top third of the ear, it’s not quite ready yet, so they move on to the next immature ear and destroy that one and so on and so on. I hate them and I’m going to help them meet their maker tonight! Anyone who wants to steal food from my kids mouths is going to have to do battle with me!

Anyway…today is writing day. I’ve got a couple of columns to write and a feature story for the Agriview. My story subject is coming down tonight after chores so I can interview him and then I’ll write the story in the morning. Deadlines…I love ’em!

The baseball season for the Hart family is officially over. Last night we went to the last game! Half of me is sad, but the other half knows that the work load will be lighter with all hands on deck every night in the barn!

To celebrate the end of the season, we had ice cream and a couple of friends spent the night. They watched the All-Star game until midnight, only to watch the National League lose….again. I hate that!

Today will be a day of washing heifers, working with heifers and running errands. All the straw is in the barn and now we can really work on getting ready for the show. We’re only taking three heifers, so this should be a cinch. But the last time I said that, I really paid for it…so I guess I should keep my mouth shut.

Better go cook breakfast for the gang. On the breakfast menu is blueberry pancakes, sausage and home made cinnamon syrup with perked coffee of course!

The baseball season for the Hart family is officially over. Last night we went to the last game! Half of me is sad, but the other half knows that the work load will be lighter with all hands on deck every night in the barn!

To celebrate the end of the season, we had ice cream and a couple of friends spent the night. They watched the All-Star game until midnight, only to watch the National League lose….again. I hate that!

Today will be a day of washing heifers, working with heifers and running errands. All the straw is in the barn and now we can really work on getting ready for the show. We’re only taking three heifers, so this should be a cinch. But the last time I said that, I really paid for it…so I guess I should keep my mouth shut.

Better go cook breakfast for the gang. On the breakfast menu is blueberry pancakes, sausage and home made cinnamon syrup with perked coffee of course!