Let me start off by saying that I love our cows…really, I do.
But tonight…
not so much.
Two hours of chasing them, mostly on foot. Hide and seek in our corn. Destroyed garden and sweet corn. More hide and seek. Nutso puppy. Ticked off children. Neighbors driving through the yard. Speaking to husband on cell phone. More hide and seek. Fence problems. Gate problems.
*sigh*
I’m enjoying my beef tacos tonight.
This "was" a seedles, almost ripe, delicious watermelon. Before a hoof decapitated it.
This morning has been an interesting one indeed…Boss Man and I moved cattle from the pasture where the plane crashed, to home. It’s less than a 2 mile trek, but there’s corn in between…lots of corn. And cows tend to like corn. (In fact, contrary to what some would have you to believe, cows do tend to prefer corn over grass, but these gals get both!)
The problem is, that cows, when allowed to move on their own, can destroy corn, and destroyed corn makes unhappy neighbors.
So off we were, moving cows, staying calm and everything going smoothly…until…(well, you KNEW there’d be an until, right?)
Let’s just say that Boss Man isn’t the greatest at communicating exactly where it is that he wanted me to be placed. His response was something along the lines of, “Well, let’s see how they go.” Which means??? Yeah, I don’t really know either…which was the problem.
But we made it home, I found out that our suburban can act a lot like a border collie and I’m still talking to my husband. What more can a girl ask for?
But now for the announcement you are all really looking for:
The winner of the new Crock Pot and prize package is…Rita Luri! Congratulations! Please send me your mailing information, so that I can get your package to you in the mail! 🙂
Today’s Thankful Thursday post wasn’t a planned post. Like most of life, we deal with the curveballs thrown us and work from there. Yesterday threw me a BIG curveball.
A local farmer, good friend, father of three young children and husband to an amazing woman was killed yesterday in a farm-related accident. I don’t know the details, but even if I did, it wouldn’t matter…the outcome would remain the same. There is a family hurting today…and the details won’t change that.
But what that accident has provided me, is an opportunity to appreciate my loved ones, just a little more. Hug my kids a little tighter. See my husband in a new light.
So today’s Thankful Thursday is dedicated to him…Mark. Most of you know him as Boss Man on Twitter, and occasionally on this blog. I don’t write about him a lot, because it was MY decision to start this blog, not his. I try to avoid involving him when I can, but anytime I do, I have him read the post and approve it first…except this one.
I would like to start off, by saying how thankful I am that he’s a wonderful husband, a caring father and an amazing farmer.
Mark...farmer, father, friend...mine.
He makes me laugh, he drives me nuts and he ticks me off…all at the same time. It’s amazing, but he’s talented like that. I think he took a class or something.
Whatever it is that he is…he’s mine. And tonight I will hug him a little tighter, hold him a little longer and try not to let him see my tears.
I would go on, but suddenly I have found that I can’t…
A few weeks ago, I was reading a newspaper when I read a letter to the editor about the downfall of society occurring at the hands of social media. At first I dismissed it as a lash-out from someone who kept getting rejected from Facebook friends, but then I realized that even I have family members that question the importance of social media. They wonder, “Why?”
Let me explain why it’s important to ME.
1) As a stay-at-home mom, I find myself needing adult interaction. Yet, living on the farm and spending a lot of time at doctor’s appointments and what-not makes it difficult to have actual playdates, coffee breaks and other get-togethers. Through my blog, Facebook and/or Twitter, I can chat with a friend for a minute or two, and feel caught-up in the world.
2) I have met some AMAZING people through social media…and some of them I’ve never seen in person! In fact, one of my dearest friends I met through Twitter, and only met her in person a year ago (she only lives an hour away!). She’s one of my Prairie Mama companions and a true friend, a sounding board, a ball of energy and an amazing mother. She has taught me that quality can mean so much more than quantity…and when we get together with our other Prairie Mama Sarah, we can spend 30 minutes and cover every topic from labor and delivery, to breastfeeding in awkward places, to the role that social media can play in connecting agriculture to the consumer. We may not see each other often enough, but I’m grateful every day that I met her through social media!
Rural mothers...fast friends.
3) I can connect through social media. It’s amazing to see the connections in action. For example…imagine a busy mom in the city, hearing all this garbage about “industrial” ag and how our food isn’t produced in ways that will be sustainable for years to come and how it’s HER fault for not making wiser choices at the market. Since she’s only hearing the story from someone behind a desk a few hundred miles away, what else will she believe? But now, thanks to other means of communication, she can locate a farmer’s market, contact a local grower, or talk to someone who may be hundreds of miles away, but is actually INVOLVED in agriculture, and ask the questions that she has.
She can find out from farms, like ours, that our cattle spend the summer in their pastures, but winter where there’s better protection from the elements; she can talk to farmers that raise pigs, and find out how their barns can be climate-controlled; she can speak with a farmer that raises chickens, and find out how their facilities keep the birds healthy and safe. All of that, without ever having to leave her home. But better yet, she can leave her home knowing a farmer, and can put a face to the product…and she can find a local farm to visit.
She can research the different farming practices, talk to different types of farms, and decide for herself what types of products she wants to provide for her family. She can be an educated consumer…and a connected one.
4) I’m connecting to family members that I had lost touch with…and classmates as well. And in my opinion, anytime you connect with an old friend, it’s a good thing.
5) There is strength in numbers. When I type something, and I know that someone else agrees, or feels strongly enough to disagree, at least I’m able to have those conversations with as many people as I like. And sometimes it’s comforting to know that when you’re going through a tough situation, that others have your back.
I could go on and on about how thankful I am to have these opportunities today…how has social media made a difference in your life?
A couple weeks ago, the readers at The Real Farmwives of America and Friends chose a cookbook from Gooseberry Patch for me to cook from. After I make 10 recipes from the cookbook, I’ll be giving a copy of the cookbook away! And the cookbook chosen was…”Dinners on a Dime!” Woohoo! What an appropriate title for me! 🙂
I took the cookbook with me to the hospital during George’s fiasco, and I had a lot of nurses asking about it! I can’t wait to share these recipes (and a chance to win the book), but I had to get home and back into the routine of things first.
So, yesterday I sent the boys off on the bus and I got to cooking…well, kinda. The first recipe I picked doesn’t take a lot of “cooking” expertise, but it’s just what I was looking for! Here we go:
Iowa Freezer Corn
You need:
Corn, sugar, water, salt...yummy!
Combine all ingredients in a stockpot; stir well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 10 minutes, stirring frequently to keep from sticking or scorching. Ladle into shallow pans to cool; do not drain. Pack corn and liquid in freezer containers; freeze. To serve, simmer frozen corn with a little water until tender. Makes 10 containers.
Water, check. Corn, check.
Sugar, check. Salt, check.
My corn bags!
Now, I used freezer bags, because my freezer doesn’t have a ton of room in it. This way, I could freeze my bags flat, then stand them up in the door! They take very little room, and I could put as much as my family would eat in a meal in one bag! Super easy, super delicious, and a great way to clean up our first batch of sweet corn.
Since an economical book was selected for me, I’ll break down the money spent on each dish, so that you can see just how reasonable each meal truly is!
Recipe #1 breakdown:
Corn – free (in our garden)
Sugar – on hand
Salt – on hand
Water – from tap
Total extra cost in meal??? Nothing, nada, zip. Just two hours of my time…and that includes picking, shucking and cutting off the cob.
So, during all this craziness, I actually got my Flipcam out again and shot some video of Wheat Harvest 2011. It’s not my best work, but at this point, I’m surprised it’s not just a video of me in the fetal position in the corner sucking my thumb and clicking my heels, saying, “There’s no place like home.” I think you get my point.
Enjoy!
Sometimes things that happen in my life are so far-fetched and crazy, that I’m pretty sure if I recreate the events on my blog, people won’t believe me. Actually, some days I think people would believe I should be locked away, before injury occurs! Yesterday was one of those days…but it was so unbelievable, that I HAVE to share it. I just do.
Tuesday started off as a normal day. (I mean, as normal of a day as you ever have when you’re in the hospital for a week with a 2-year-old who refuses to drink.) But around 3 p.m. the nurse came in and said that the doctor had a plan. His plan was to have George go home for the night. He thought regular routine would maybe kick in his desire to drink. Although nervous about the thought of being home without him drinking, the appeal of sleeping in my own bed and seeing my boys was great enough to think it was worth a shot. And so we drove home.
After arriving home and realizing that I had a lot of work to get done, I started in with dishes. And then a phone call came. I didn’t recognize the number, but it was a local cell phone, so I answered. It went something like this, “Yeah, this is ____. My dad crashed his plane on your land and I need to know how to get to him.” WHAT?!? I had been home all of 10 minutes, and my brain couldn’t comprehend what was going on yet.
We ended up disconnected before I had too much information. So I called Boss Man, who told me that he had contracted someone to spray our beans east of the farm. At least now I had a clue as to which area we were talking about. I called the neighbor, who told me to call 911. I called 911, instructing them to the approximate area of where I believed the plane went down. And I also gave them the neighbors cell phone number, so at least they could talk to someone on the scene.
The man’s son called back, and I gave him directions to the area. All of this occurred, and I never left my office.
When I saw lights flashing, I stepped outside, in case there was confusion and they pulled into our yard instead. And the whole time I prayed, and prayed and prayed. It was so surreal, I was beginning to think I dreamed it all. And then I heard the chopper.
And it dawned on me that the pilot had survived the crash and was in dire need of medical attention.
Mark wasn’t home yet. (Did I happen to mention that he had taken our other 3 boys to an auction sale, the transfer case went out of his pick-up and hour from home and he happened to have a friend at the same McD’s as him, who pulled him the whole way home? Did I mention that?) But when he arrived home, he headed over there.
He helped with loading the fuselage…and today he will help with loading the wings. (Apparently the FAA, nor the towing company, has a loader tractor.)
I didn't take many pictures, but I did take one of the wing, so that I at least had physical evidence that I'm not insane...yet.
Today, I head back to the doctor with George to find out if his CO2 levels are high enough for us to stay home. (Did I also mention that while wrapped up in all this craziness, he helped himself to what was left of the sherbet in the freezer??? Yay!)
I just hope today is a slow day. I don’t think I can handle any more excitement.
Before I get to a farm update (need one of those!), I need to announce the winners of the two “Levi’s Lost Calf” books by Amanda Radke, illustrated by Michelle Weber. And drum roll please…
Congratulations to…
Renae G. and Robyn!!! Woohoo!
You will both receive a copy of Amanda’s book, complete with autograph from the wonderful author…lucky ducks! Thank you to all who entered!
And now, a farm update:
Last night, as we were finally rolling home for a bit, Boss Man suddenly looked at the south-bound lane of Hwy. 281 and said, “Hey, there goes my hay!” (Yeah, he’s poetic like that.)
The story goes something like this…a friend of Mark’s in LaMoure had a contact in Oklahoma that was in need of hay. As you’ve read in the news (or perhaps even experienced first hand), some areas in the south are going through catastrophic droughts right now. And this particular ranch was also hit.
In our area, the reverse has been true. Continuous badly-timed rains has made haying season difficult. Hay that is continuously rained on has a lower feed value (less nutrition to it) than hay that is put up with the right amount of wind, sun and magic pixie dust. (Just kidding on the pixie thing, no pixie’s are harmed in the production of our hay crop…at least, not that I know of.) Our hay this year is not of the quality that we usually strive for, but we have no control over that.
But good hay (instead of great hay), is better than no hay at all. And livestock need something to eat. Even if you live in Oklahoma and have to truck it from North Dakota.
You see, cattlemen are a lot like parents. It’s inconvenient and costly to travel that far for feed, just the same as its inconvenient and costly to drive a couple hours each day for medical care. But we both do it without batting an eye. It’s our responsibility and we will do what needs to be done, at whatever cost to ensure the health and well-being of those that we care for…even if they’re bovine.
George is having surgery today, so I’m setting up a few blog posts ahead of time. Any thoughts and prayers you can spare are gladly appreciated. He will have his tonsils and adenoids removed, as well as tubes put in his ears. We’re hoping this will help cut down on the number of strep infections and ear infectios that land him in the hospital.
My hope and prayer is that the surgery goes smoothly, without complication, and the recoery is quick. High hopes, right? But with the short stick that George has been dealt with, I think he deserves a run of good luck and complication-free life! 🙂 So keep those prayers coming!
So here’s a replay on a post I did back in December…it rings true today, just as much as it did then:
2 Dec
I think the activities of the last few weeks are kind of catching up to me. That’s the only way I can explain how I feel right now. I was going through some of my e-mails and other “office” type stuff when a tweet came across Tweetdeck that had a profound effect on me.
Normally, I don’t let these kind of things bother me too much, because if I did, I’d be crazy. But this was a link to the article that Time did on the high cost of cheap food. Basically it was a piece written by someone who sits behind a desk, has food at their fingertips and never again thinks about where his next meal will come from.
Here’s my challenge, or perhaps an open invitation, to these types of people:
Come, spend 24 hours fighting the wind, snow and ice of a driving blizzard, while trying to carry calves or herd cows into a barn, just so that they are safe and protected in the storm. Then sit at the computer when you get in, while wondering if you should lay down for a few minutes, or just head back out, and while at the computer, read an article that claims that you don’t do enough to provide safe food. Then you can complain about where your food comes from.
Now THAT’s a snow bank!Spend countless hours, weeks, months preparing to put your crop in. Spend every dime you’ve made in the last year, in hopes that you will make that, or maybe even a little more, in the coming year. Plant your seeds, watch it start to grow, take care of it the best you know how. And then watch as Mother Nature decides that she wants your crop…and have it wiped out in the blink of an eye. Then read about someone who thinks you should be happy enough with the fact that you’ll get paid a portion of what your crop was worth. That even though you have nothing to show for all of your hard work, it doesn’t matter, because you chose that line of work. That if you really wanted to, you could always get a job in town, never worrying about where food comes from, because the grocery store never runs out. Watch that unfold before your eyes…then you can complain about where your food comes from.
Put in a 20 hour day, working from before sun-up to past sun-down, taking care of whatever comes up during the day. Spend countless hours outside, loading bales by hand, helping a cow deliver a calf, fixing fence, changing tires. Then listen as someone on the radio claims that the crops you raise are going to cause our children to die at a younger age. That our country is fatter because of the unhealthy food that is grown. All while the same people are sitting behind a desk for eight hours, children are in school longer and in activities less, homework consumes all available time after school, as opposed to activities outside, menial labor is seen as substandard employment and fast-food is the king of family meals. Listen to that all day…then you can complain about where your food comes from.
All safe and warm inside, no matter what’s going on outside.Watch your son’s first ball game from a video tape, celebrate your wife’s birthday two months late, walk into church while the second hymn is being sung…all because a cow was calving and needed help, you had one more round to make before the storm let loose, or the crop needed to be planted, sprayed or harvested. Have your life played out around seasons, weather and all things that you have no control over. Work in those conditions…then you can complain about where your food comes from.
My family strives hard every day to make sure that our work ensures that the food we produce is the safest, healthiest and cheapest it can be for the consumer, as well as for ourselves. If we abuse our land, our animals or our crops in any way, then not only is our bottom line affected, but our whole lives are as well.
Fortunately, we live in a country where people don’t have to do any of the things I’ve wrote above, and still be able to complain…loudly and publicly. People attack an industry they don’t understand, because it’s easier to lay blame than to accept it. But the ag-community is responding. Perhaps someday soon there will be more articles in the national news thanking our farmers, ranchers and those that work hard so we can provide for all. Perhaps.
A girl can dream, right?
Howdy, all! If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll remember that in May I did an Ag Book of the Day theme, where I picked a book a day to feature…it coincided with my sons’ school reading program. It was an amazing month, and there were great books featured.
And now, I’ve found our latest treasure, and I’m sure it’ll soon be yours as well! And if you’re lucky, you’ll win one of the signed copies I’m giving away!!!
Here it is:
A family favorite!
Wag'n Tales 