Chicken Pickin'

In our society today, we occasionally run across people who think that food comes from a grocery store. They think no further than that. It comes in nice convenient packages, often ready to serve. Very little realization of where food really comes from, and what it takes to get it to the store.
Today on the farm, we had our annual chicken butchering day. Family gathers together for a day of fellowship, food, and food processing. It starts with setup; chicken catcher, chopping block, tables, donuts, scalding kettle, plucker, singeing torch, cleaver, and lots of sharp knives. Then we proceed like our grandparents and generations before acquired their food. They started from scratch! In the eyes of the kids the highlight is seperating the chicken and its head(hence the need for a clever and chopping block). And many a practical joke was played with the unused feet. There are piles of wet feathers and buckets of offal. And each year you have to prove to the youngsters that yes, chickens can run around with their heads cut off! Butchering is not a clean job and it is not for those with sensitive natures. But the taste of fresh farm raised chicken beats those wimpy store-bought ones. And there is satisfaction in eating food that was raised, processed, and prepared right on the farm. And our children know where food comes from - it doesn't just magically appear on store shelves. Back to the basics.

Yesterday, my daughter baked us a fresh cherry pie with cherries picked from a cherry tree that I planted. I know Marie Callender makes good pies, but I wouldn't trade a homemade, daughtermade, our-own-fresh cherry pie, for any of hers! The way to a man's heart . . .

In America, we have the cheapest, safest, and most abundant food supply in the world!
I truly feel sorry for less fortunate people around the world who don't eat as well as the old farmer does.
Good food is a blessing!

Anniversary

Today the old farmer and his lovely wife celebrated our 23rd anniversary. 23 years of blessings from God. I am thankful! We went out to eat at the Fish House, and I had alligator, calamari, oysters, and halibut. It was my first experience with gator - - tastes like chicken!:)

Tips for a happy marriage? Start right!

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov. 3:5,6)

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. . . and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ec. 4:9,12)

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)

Simple Pleasures?

A farmer has lots of dirty, undesirable jobs that need to be done. So in those jobs its good to try to find little things to appreciate and be thankful for. Today while doing one of those jobs, I was reminded of one of farm life's simple pleasures. You can find happiness in something as simple as a sharp castrating knife!

Tips for castrating pigs(as if you wanted to know any).
-- Hold pig tightly - a moving target increases the risk of self-inflicted injury
-- Make a swift, aggressive cut - this is not a time for hesitation or indecision
-- Wear latex gloves - keeps your hands from being smelly and stained for the next 3 days(especially if a Sunday is coming)
-- Wear ear plugs - (optional) loud, high pitched squealing can damage hearing over time
-- Keep arms and legs away from sow - sows have sharp teeth, and those big old gals are faster than they look.

Have a nice weekend!

The trouble with kittens

A week or so ago, there was a cat on the road out front of the farm masquerading as a furry pancake. A few days later my daughter found two sickly, orphaned kittens in the haymow meowing and looking for food. We started giving them milk, water, and cat food, and they have adopted us. Their health has improved and they are getting playful. They are cute little furballs. One is black and the other is dark calico. We are taking suggestions for names.

We have many cats come and go around the farm. We have them in all colors, sizes, and ages. Most of them do not appear to be good mousers, which makes them basically worthless. The wild ones are the only ones that try to hunt. The males tend to like to fight(loudly), and bully the females around. At one time the population had built up to over 30 cats, but now we have about a dozen. It seems they are always in the way and always looking for a handout. I'm not sure what purpose they actually serve other than to have kittens. Kittens are playful, cats are lazy and often cantankerous.

The trouble with kittens is that they grow up to be cats!

An Evening at Home

After 15 consecutive busy days including Youth Fellowship Day, 10 nights of VBS, a trip to Kansas, and 2 weddings, finally a full day at home.
It was a warm summer day and a full day of work. The old farmer came in to a supper of grilled steak, fresh sweet corn, and stuffed mushrooms. Hats off to the farmer's wife! XO (blush) Life is good!

Reminder to self; Life is temporal and we are pilgrims here.

Reminder to others; The way to a man's heart, is thru his stomach.

Food

Luke's post on BBQ got me thinking about favorite places to eat. A few of my favorite places are no longer in business, but I will list them anyway. This list isn't in any particular order. Some of these restaurants have great or unique food, some great atmosphere, and some a combination of all good things. It is a rather eclectic list covering many years of eating.

Kathy's Kitchen - There's nothing better than good homestyle cooking around your own table with your family. I'd rather eat there than anywhere else!

Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbeque - Kansas City BBQ doesn't get any better than this!

Garcia's Pizza - If you went to the U of I in the 70's, Frank and Joe(the Flying Tomato Brothers) made the pizza.

Antlers - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The best taxidermy restaurant in Michigan, perhaps the U.S.

Moe's - Oregon coast. Great clam chowder with an ocean view.

Chart Room Restaurant - Land's End Resort at the end of the Homer spit, Homer, Alaska. Fresh Halibut doesn't get any fresher than watching the boats bring it in with the Aleutian Range for a backdrop.

Houston's at the Plaza - Great steaks, great food.

The Italian Village - Downtown Chicago. Quaint village atmosphere. They have a great seafood pasta with shrimp, clams, and squid that is my personal favorite. The squid are whole and bite size and really cool to eat.

The Original Jumer's - This was a classic! Great German food and great atmosphere. I haven't been back since it changed hands. It might still be good.

Patty's - Grand Rivers, Kentucky. Delicious, thick pork chops, bread baked in clay flower pots, and mile high pies.

Healy Roadhouse - Healy, Alaska. Just outside McKinley National Park. Prime rib with a view!

Hungry Tiger - California chain. Started by some former WW II "Flying Tigers" pilots. They flew in fresh seafood daily from around the world. I don't think they are around anymore.

Bar D Chuckwagon - Durango, Colorado. Cowboy food and cowboy music in cowboy country. Also similar is Bar J Chuckwagon in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

I'm making myself very hungry! What are your favorite places?

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. Psalms 22:26

And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full. Psalms 78:24,25

Kansas

We (W.A.C.C.) Bible Class teachers took our Bible Class to Sabetha, Kansas this past weekend. It was good to meet old friends, relatives, and make new aquaintences. Kansas is beautiful in the late spring. Green covered rolling hills. The crops off to a good start. The wheat fields starting to turn golden. Cattle grazing pastures. The weather was pleasant and they enjoyed an overnight rain.
The bus trip was relaxing and fun and the students seemed to enjoy the weekend and the activities that were planned for them by the Sabetha Bible Class. Christian fellowship is a wonderful blessing.
Our bus driver was a nice, middle-aged, black lady who has been driving a "coach" for 22 years. She was wearing her drivers uniform with pants. I invited her into church before we left to use the restroom, and we invited her to attend services with us in Sabetha. Her answer was, "No, I don't step foot in a church in pants." "I was raised in the old school of respect for God and Church." I told her she just earned my respect. She had her Bible with her and she worshiped on her own on Sunday. At the end of the trip, she complimented the behavior of our group. As an old farmer teacher, it has been a privilege working with co-operative, well behaved teenagers. God Bless you all!
Jenny, Heidi, Wendy, and some others went along to visit relatives and friends. I should have watched Heidi a little closer because she said she wanted to go back to Kansas before we even got halfway home!:)


Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds, Is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne, We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, Our comforts and our cares.
We share each other’s woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows, The sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part, It gives us inward pain; But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives, Our courage by the way; While each in expectation lives, And longs to see the day.
From sorrow, toil and pain, And sin, we shall be free, And perfect love and friendship reign Through all eternity.

A Moment of Hell

My Brother-in-law is an Emergency Room Physician. One of his recent quotes that we enjoyed was "My profession depends on people not following our advice!".

Speaking of taking advice.
Last Saturday night, a group of 17 year-old guys(including my son) went camping in the woods. They took the usual gear that 17 year-olds take camping; tent, sleeping bags, food, Mountain Dew, shotguns, and gasoline. Now you can warn your kids about fire, but teenage guys are generally pyromaniacs. There was an incident in the wee hours of the night/morning that involved 3 guys looking into a groundhog hole stuffed with newspapers soaked in gasoline. The ensuing explosion sent 3 screaming boys diving for cover, then running to a nearby lake to dunk their painfully burnt faces and arms. Then there was something in the story about using steel brushes to get the singed hair off their heads. They speak of the stench of burnt flesh and hair in the tent as they tried to sleep the rest of the night. Then coming home on Sunday morning and trying to explain what happened to their parents without sounding totally foolish.
As a Father, I had given the "be careful with guns" lecture when he left, but I guess I forgot the "be careful with gasoline" lecture.
Fortunately, the hair will grow back and the 1st and 2nd degree burns will heal - hopefully with minimal scarring. His Doctor is pleased with the progress and has been a great help - even making house calls. A very effective lesson was learned that will stay with them the rest of their lives.
A moment of Hell.

Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire. Deut. 4:36

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. Deut. 32:22

End of an Era

In March of 1976, I purchased a brand new 1976 Chevy Pickup truck. It had the latest accessories, including an 8-track tape player. The color was Spring Green, my favorite. I bought a topper for it right away so that I could camp in it and could haul my stuff to college out of the elements. I added a CB radio in the CB heyday(breaker, breaker good buddy, this here's the "Man of the Land" looking for a bear report, 10-4?). It saw the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. I drove it to Florida and to Alaska. It's been to the mountains of Colorado and on fishing trips to Canada. I dated with it B.C., went on young group trips with it A.C., and after marriage, my wife and I camped with it. After our first child was born, it was our "car" with the baby's car seat stapped in the middle of the wide bench seat. In later years, it was relegated to work truck status. It hauled seed to the fields, and feed for our pigs and chickens. It ran errands and picked up parts at implement dealers.
In 2001, the family threw a 25th anniversary party for my truck and I, complete with cake. My daughter drove it to High School some as a novelty. Most of her friends had never seen an 8-track player. It became a multi-media truck with AM/FM/8-track/cassette/and finally a CD player. But time began taking its toll, and the decision was made to stop spending money on maintenance, insurance, and license. It sat forlornly in the yard, dirty and rusting with weeds growing up around it. A far cry from its illustrious past! I advertised it, but it attracted very little interest(how sad).
Today, a young man who likes old trucks stopped by and was willing to give it a new life. He paid me $100 and offered me visitation rights. At 8:00 this evening, a dear old friend left the farm. The Old Farmer bid farewell with a hint of sadness on his face, but has many fond memories to cling to at this time of parting. On-line condolences can be sent in care of this blog.



Ecclesiastes 3
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.