Rittman Trip

 I finished planting corn on April 29.  I planted most of it after dark, and it was a little damp, so I hope it comes up okay.  The next morning I planted our sweet corn.  After I finished, I realized the population was set too high.  I may have to thin the stand a bit after it comes up, and probably ran out of seed before the end of the patch.  A week later I was able to get my old tiller to run enough to till a spot for the green beans.  They are now planted and waiting for warmer weather.  We've caught some rains over the last couple of weeks, but in general we are pretty dry.

I am on the Board and Planning Committee for the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka.  We are looking into the possibility of building an Assisted Living building on our campus.  We have toured several local AL buildings that are recent, and were hoping to visit Rittman's new building.  I received a message on a Friday afternoon that there was a tour scheduled for anyone that could make it from Eureka on the following Monday morning!  We checked the calendar, and decided to make a road trip.  We drove separately from the rest of the group. We left for Ohio Sunday afternoon and drove all afternoon and evening in rain.  Not the most enjoyable way to travel.  We stayed at a nice hotel about a half hour out and had a pleasant drive to the Rittman Home Monday morning.  We had an informative meeting with their young administrator, several key employees, and a couple board members. They gave us a complete tour of their skilled nursing and new assisted living facilities.  After the tour we had some more discussion, they fed us lunch, and we bid farewell.  The reason we drove separately was because we decided to come home through Grabill and stay with Loren and Rita.  We had a nice visit, and Kray and Heather and new baby came over for the evening.  Tuesday morning we were back on the road for home.  It was a quick, but nice trip.

A few weeks ago Gus treed and I shot a raccoon.  Usually he won't let me near it for a couple days, and then I come get it out of the yard and make it disappear.  He hid this one in the landscaping, so we didn't find it for over a week when the smell became very obvious.  I carried it out of the yard and threw it in a pile of composting manure behind an old cattle shed.  The next day it was back in the yard.  It is now being consumed by maggots.  I hauled it out again.  The next day it was back.  The old farmers wife hauled it away this time.  The next day it was back.  We've been playing this game for a couple weeks now.  Not sure why he is obsessed with this particular raccoon.

I have been scouting fields and one day Gus followed me back our lane as I was checking a soybean field at the back of the farm.  On top of a hill at the end of the grass lane, there is a coyote hole that is sometimes active, sometimes not.  I noticed Gus staring intently into the den, so I walked over to him and heard his low growl.  From the inside of the den I heard a return growl.  Not knowing what could develop, I convinced Gus to leave and follow me back home.  I think that's the first time I actually heard a coyote in a den.  Usually they keep quiet.

We were saddened when we heard the news that my cousin Charlie and his wife Linda were killed in a tragic car accident after their grandson's graduation.  I had hoped to be able to go out to Lester for the funeral, but no one else was available to go.  I listened to the service online this morning.  I'm sure it was hard for everyone involved.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.                                                                  Psalms 90:12

 

Rocks

In the last two weeks we were blessed to partake of Holy Communion, Palm Sunday with two Sunday School programs, Good Friday services with a singing afterwards, and Easter Sunday services followed by a family dinner.  I am thankful for salvation and the spiritual opportunities we have because of Christ's sacrifice.

We haven't had a lot of rain this spring, so the fields have dried down nicely.  I did a little fieldwork the Saturday before Palm Sunday, and then on Monday started planting soybeans. We hit it pretty hard because conditions were good, and I finished Thursday.  I planted my first field of corn on Friday, and then we got a little shower Friday night.  It rained Sunday and Sunday night, and it rained again this evening.  I don't know when we will get back in the fields now.

I have had three repair projects waiting for me; bad wheel bearing on my seed tender, bad fan control board in my planter tractor, and bad tach sensor on my tillage tractor.  I was able to get two of the three fixed today.  I am waiting on a special tool before I can tackle the third.

We are blessed with good soil here in our area with few problems with rocks.  But, there are numerous old farmstead sites from many years ago where old foundations were buried.  In the old days they didn't bury deep enough, so over time with freezing and thawing, rocks, bricks and concrete chunks work their way to the surface.  Every couple of years we have to go over these spots and clean up the newly exposed trash.  I spent most of the afternoon on Saturday picking up from on old farm site that the buildings were gone before I was born!

 In soybean fields that were not tilled last fall, henbit is really coming up this spring.  We have a neighbor who has an entire field covered with the beautiful purple flower.  Unfortunately it is a weed and will need to be destroyed before planting, but it sure adds color to an otherwise drab look to the fields this time of year.  Actually, henbit can be eaten in salads or cooked.  It also supposedly has medicinal uses.  I snapped a picture while planting next to this field.

Some seed fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.                              Matthew 13:5,6

Sabetha

 At rotating potluck one evening, the question was asked; how many AC churches have you been to?  I had not thought about that in years so I really couldn't answer the question.

Rod and Arlene invited us to Sabetha for an invite-a-guest weekend.  As we were traveling west, the old farmers wife got out the Church and Minister Book and we started counting.  It turns out that I have visited 76 churches plus 3 that no longer exist for a total of 79!  The total number of churches I think is 92 (North America).  We had an enjoyable and blessed evening at the Fellowship Center with a meal, singing, and fellowship.  It was good to be reacquainted with many we know from Sabetha, and also many of the other guests that were there for the weekend.  Afterwards we got caught up on Rod and Arlene's family and happenings.  After a blessed day in church Sunday, they gave us a tour of Sycamore Springs Whitetail Ranch which their son and family owns.

Indian tribes knew of the mineral springs for hundreds of years.  They believed the water had healing properties.  In the 1800's as settlers moved west, the springs became one of their important water stops.  By the late 1800's it was developed into a health resort complete with picnic areas, hotel, and hospital.  The 60 room hotel and the hospital burned down in 1916, and a smaller hotel and hospital were built using the old stone walls in the 1920's.  A large swimming pool, the largest roller rink in Kansas, and campgrounds were added later.  This is a very condensed history!  

Sycamore Springs underwent many changes and owners over the years, but now the ten room hotel and the guest house (old hospital) can be rented,  there is a large campground, tennis court, pickleball courts, mini golf, playground, event center, event barn, fishing pond, splash pad, hiking trails, picnic areas, and the old roller rink has been restored to its former glory.  They also raise whitetail deer in several large pastures around the park and springs.

Upper Springs #2

The Hotel and Guest House

The Roller Rink

Rod and Arlene fed us a snack in their private family compound onsite, then we said our farewells and headed to KC to visit the Kellenbergers.  We were going to hit KC around 7:00 PM, so we agreed to meet them at the west side Jack Stack for a late supper.  We all love their BBQ!

 We appreciated our stay and visit with the Kellenbergers, but had to be back on the road by midmorning Monday.  

Last week was cousin Darin's 50th birthday! Mary and Virg had a big open house birthday party for him Saturday afternoon.  Many of the relatives from Sabetha were there, along with some from Lester, Elgin, Bloomfield, Indiana, and more local.  I think he enjoyed it!  He has two first cousins the same age.

Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.            Joshua 15:19

March Update

 The first week of March we headed back across the Mississippi River to see our new grandson.  We now have six male grands to nine female.  They are trying to catch up!  It was good to be back in Mediapolis and we enjoyed the visit once again.  Little Ivan Jacob is doing fine and growing normally.  The name has Slavic, Hebrew, and Russian origins and means "God is gracious". 

I have been going to farm meetings on a regular basis, so I have been eating well.  The meetings are over now as we all prepare for the new planting season.  I have been slowly and systematically going through the planter, making sure everything is in working order.  The problem is, you really don't know until that first day in the field!  It has snowed three times so far in March, but none amounted to much, and none stuck around more than a half day.

This summer, the township put two new layers of tar and chips on our road.  The problem was that they used a larger than normal rock for the chips.  It was 1/2 to 3/4 inch rock instead of pea gravel.  The snow plows this winter peeled a lot of it off and windrowed it into the ditch and our front yard!  I spent a half day raking and scooping gravel out of the grass.  I ended up with a skid steer bucket full of extra gravel.

We spent an evening at T-towns Jazz Coffee House.  It is Tremont's Jr. and Sr. High jazz night.  Our oldest granddaughter plays in the Jr. High jazz band.  We sat at theme decorated tables and were served coffee and dessert. It was a fun night with the K kids.

I spent an afternoon at the Deer and Turkey Classic at the Peoria Civic Center last week.  It was hard not to spend a lot of money there with all the hunting gear and equipment available.  But I restrained myself and just picked up brochures and business cards in case I want something in the future.  I have been considering hunting with a crossbow, but haven't made the decision yet.  That would lengthen my season and let me choose the days I want to hunt.  For $250,000 I could have purchased this all terrain vehicle, but I passed on it!

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

Proverbs 20:17

Florida 25

I was going to make reservations for Florida early (for me), late fall, but when the hurricane rolled through in November I didn't.  I assumed the resorts along the gulf would not be open because of the damage.  We thought about trying Ft. Lauderdale, but then didn't get around to finding a place there.  The first part of January I decided to call a couple of places that we have stayed before, just to see if by chance they had any availability. Most of the places were partially open, and as soon as a room was remodeled, they made it available.  We found a unit for the first week of February on Casey Key.

I was sick the week prior to heading south.  I spent a day in bed, and a day in a recliner.  I was mostly recovered when we left, but we decided to take our time driving down and we took the Alabama route that misses Atlanta.  We stretched it into a two and a half day drive.  We did stop at a state park to see some Florida wildlife, but weren't too impressed with it.  We made it to A Beach Retreat on a Friday afternoon.  We had a beautiful week weatherwise, and we definitely enjoyed relaxing. 

 

 We enjoyed the fellowship in Sarasota church on Sunday, and Glen and Joyce had us for breakfast one morning with John and Jeannie, and Marilyn.  We also stopped in to visit Max and Mary at their very nice, new place.  But mostly we relaxed.  I walked several miles on the beach twice a day, looking for sharks teeth.  I was pretty successful, but still haven't found the big ones.  Casperson Beach Park was closed, but if you were willing to walk (I was), you could get there by walking the beach from South Broward Park.

  As is our habit, we ate out every night at a different seafood restaurant. We tried two new ones this year, Pop's Sunset Grill and Pinchers. All of our favorite restaurants were reopened following the hurricanes, so we were thankful for them.

Being fully rested and feeling good, we got on the road early for our trip home.  We missed rush hour in Atlanta, and drove until we were beyond Nashville before we stopped for the night.  It made for an easy last leg home.  We got home in time to help D#2 and S-I-L serve lunch the following day.

The first week home I bought a new computer.  My farm software would no longer update on the old one.  I spent the week learning a new operating system and getting all my important stuff transferred to the new machine.  The second week was meeting week, which kept me busy.  Then on Friday we headed west to visit Son#2 and D-I-L in Burlington before the baby comes.  We had a nice afternoon, supper, and evening with them, then we drove to Ft. Madison for the night.  On Saturday morning we headed for Bloomfield to visit Uncle Russell.  We stopped in Cantril at the new Dutchman's Store, which is huge!  I enjoy the store, but didn't spend much money this time.

We got to Bloomfield midmorning and had a nice visit with Russ.  He has slowed down, and he will turn 100 this year.  I think he was still driving a year ago!  After our visit, Rog and Deanne took us to the Southfork for lunch.  After a huge lunch, they took us on a Davis County historical tour.  We learned where the early church members settled and saw where the first two churches were built. They are currently worshiping in the fourth church building.  They also showed us the earliest cemetery that was used by the church.  We saw the Troy Academy, the first "college" in the state of Iowa.  We also visited Brent's place, because I wanted to see the farm shop.  They certainly farm a much greater variety of farm ground out there than we do.  We had a leisurely drive home, stopping at the Milton Creamery to buy some specialty cheeses.

And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.                                   Genesis 49:15

Winter

 We spent the day in Morton for Cliff and Alyssa's wedding a few weeks ago.  It was a nice day and I got to visit with some old friends.  The couple is young, but they will do well!  On the previous night, we helped prepare and serve the food at the wedding supper at the Goodfield Fellowship Hall.  The steaks came from Trail's End, so it was a great meal.  Congratulations and God's Blessings to the new couple!  Most of the cousins that were in attendance gathered up for a quick picture.

Winter has arrived with some snow and some cold weather.  I helped scoop snow off the ice at Nathan and Michelle's house one evening during the week.  The ice was a little soft around the edges yet, but by that Saturday the ice was good and the hill had enough snow to have a skating and sledding party.  It took me a little while to get some skating form back, but we all had a good time.  The local grandkids all made it for the party.

I found some recipes online for hot Dr. Pepper and dirty Dr. Pepper.  So, I have been experimenting lately.  So far, I like all of the drinks that I have concocted.  My wife was a little skeptical when she saw the bottle of coconut syrup that I bought, but I think I made a believer out of her.  Other ingredients I've used include lemon, lime, and cream.

Saturday, I had been hoping to go ice fishing in the morning and then another skating party in the afternoon.  It was to be a warm sunny day with perfect ice.  Alas, I started feeling ill Wednesday night.  I slept all day Thursday, and was only half functional on Friday.  I was really disappointed when Virg asked if we were going ice fishing Saturday and I had to turn him down.  And disappointed when the grandkids got together to skate again in the afternoon and I couldn't join them. We didn't make it to church on Sunday, so we had to participate online.  My symptoms were fever, fatigue, and nasal congestion and drainage. I'm still a little slow, but mostly back to normal.  I was glad I didn't have hog chores to do!

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.                                                          I Corinthians 11:30

Holidays

 Son #1 and I both went deer hunting this year.  Neither of us shot anything first season.  We both took one second season, so we will have meat for the winter.  There were a few more people than normal hunting on Uncle Dick's farm this year, but we stayed out of each others' way.  The farm is about 240 acres of mixed timber, lakes, CRP ground, pasture, and farmland.  Great habitat for a healthy deer herd.

We hosted Thanksgiving at the farm this year.  We cooked a large and a small turkey for the group of 30 people in attendance.  The job that I enjoy is carving the turkey.  All 14 of our grandchildren were here, as well as the oldest farmers widow (Mom) and Aunt Pearl.  The group ranged in age from 1 to 96!  It was a house full, and got a little wild at times, but it was a good gathering.  We  have much to be thankful for!

I went out Christmas shopping a couple of times and got most of what I was looking for.  Our first Christmas, the big family one, was ten days before Christmas day.  It was a large group at a rented hall that lasted most of a day.  There was lots of food and fellowship, some games, wild kids, and gifts.  The weather turned nasty while the party was in progress, but everyone made it home safe.

The annual Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren photo with Grandma and Aunt Pearl.

 Our Christmas with our kids and grandkids wasn't going to be until New Years Day.  So we had two quiet weeks.  I was able to finish up a couple books I had started reading plus read a couple more.  Christmas Eve, the old farmers wife made brisket plus the fixings.  We enjoyed our quiet evening together realizing that the storm of activity was still coming.  We spent Christmas day with my mom at the Condo's potluck Christmas meal.  It was a laid back mixed group which we enjoyed very much.  Also the food was plentiful and excellent.  There were two gentlemen from India invited who had recently moved to central Illinois.  James is here as a Christian missionary to the 6000 Indians/Southeast Asians living in the Peoria area.  His son is here to attend college. I enjoyed talking to and learning from them.

I attended a farm marketing meeting in December where a definition was included in the power point presentation.  I thought it was rather interesting!

Farming (Farm-ing) n.  The art of losing money while working 400 hours a month to feed people who think you are trying to kill them.

Family started rolling in the 30th, so our celebrations started early.  We went to New Years Eve church services, but we came home and all were in bed before midnight.  Our New Years day Christmas started with an early lunch.  After cleanup, the gift exchange started, the highlight for the kids (big and small).  The gift opening can get drawn out after the grandchildren are done, so they usually drift off to play.  One of my gifts was bees wax candles made by my daughter with wax from my own hives. Plus books!  Snacks, pop, games, Lego set building, general chaos, and naps round out the afternoon.  The evening meal consisted of soups, including Jake and Rachel's (now annual) turtle stew.  The house was trashed, but that is what we have come to expect.  It is good to see all the cousins playing together.  Six of them stayed overnight without parents for a slumber party, and the littlest ended up in bed with us at about 4 in the morning.  Last night, we had three more for another slumber party before school starts back up.

Grandma and her flock. (unfortunately the lighting was poor!)

We are blessed with the gift of God's son, and the gift of children and grandchildren!

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.           John 4:10