We could have . .

. . . planted corn today!  But the planter sat in the shed.
The weatherman was calling for heavy rains, possible thunderstorms, and cooler temperatures, so last night we decided we wouldn't even try to plant today.  It's usually not good to work ground or plant just ahead of heavy rains.  As it turned out, it was a warm, dry day with no rain until it started sprinkling at suppertime.
So no corn got planted today.
Our wheat didn't make it through the winter very well.  It looks like we will have to tear up at least half of it, and the other half still looks sickly.

We have made good progress so far this week despite electrical harness problems on our new (to us) planter.  Soil conditions have been good, and we have about 40% of our corn in the ground.  With cool, wet weather predicted for the next week, we don't know if that's good or bad.  Time will tell.

We babysat for Pete and Aria for a long weekend.  They are our parakeet grandchildren.  They make a lot more racket than Pete did as an only child.  And Pete isn't as friendly to me now that he has a playmate.
Fifteen day-old ducklings arrived on the farm on Wednesday.  We didn't order any chicks this year, so we decided to order some ducks.  It's been many years since we have raised ducks, but we enjoy the meat, so we will try it again.

And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
I Kings 4:22,23

Easter

We received a phone call from Tazewell County Animal Control.  A complaint had been filed against Gus.  The Lady was very nice and understanding, but had to warn us as this is her job.

There was an inch of snow on the ground Tuesday morning.  Hopefully winter's last gasp.
Today, five days later, we started planting corn.  It took about an hour to make the first round, making sure everything was set right (it wasn't) and getting used to the new planter.  There are still a few bugs, but for the most part we are off to a good start.
I quit early because of some small problems, and because tomorrow is Easter Sunday.

Here is the old farmer's talented wife's "empty tomb" Pinterest project.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:6

Close Call

My wife, sister, and nieces were in the house.  I was in the shop.  We heard a woman calling for help.  It took a few seconds for it to register in my mind, but when I stepped out of the shop, I could see a cyclist down on the road.  I ran to see what was going on.  My sister (a nurse) and my brother (a former EMT) were the first on the scene.  The woman was dazed and in pain.  We believe that Gus was involved somehow, as I thought I heard him bark from that direction just prior and my brother saw him run toward the road.  He is not mean or vicious, so perhaps he scared her or darted in front of her and she lost control.  There were no witnesses, and she couldn't remember what happened.

She landed hard on her hip and was in great pain.  There was no road rash apparent, and no broken bones.  She was wearing a helmet which was unscratched, but she went into shock and became confused and lost short term memory.  We helped her into our car and took her up by the house.  She was able to dial her husband's number and we explained to him what had happened and where we were.  Fortunately, he is an ER Doctor and he had the day off work, so he was able to come right out.  He told us she was training for an Ironman competition.  She would park her truck somewhere, unload the bike, and take off out into the country.  She was able to walk a little, but still confused and didn't remember where the truck was.  So, their first goal was to find it.  A half hour later, he called us and said that they found the truck at Five Points and would be out to pick up the bike.

When they picked up the bike, which was undamaged, she was doing a little better.  Though still in pain, and a little confused, her husband didn't seem at all concerned as he said he sees this type of reaction often.
He called again several hours later to let us know she was continuing to improve.

We are thankful that it wasn't worse, and are praying for a complete recovery. We hope she rebounds quickly and can get back to her training.

We don't know what to do with Gus, but if it was his fault we can't tolerate that behavior.  He will stay chained up for awhile.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 37:24