Ending and Beginning

Our neighbor Paul, had a farrow to finish hog operation about the same size and age as ours.  He got out of hogs for a while, then turned his buildings into a wean to finish operation.  We started working with him in 2009 putting weaner pigs in his buildings.  He did the chores, we made and delivered the feed, and loaded the pigs out.  His buildings were not in as good of shape as ours, so last summer he informed us that he was retiring from the hog business as well as retiring his buildings.  Last week the last pigs left the farm.  He has already started dismantling the buildings and equipment so he won't be tempted to put pigs back in!    We've had a very good working relationship over the years and we will miss not working with him anymore.  I won't miss the extra work load though!

Last pig going down the aisle toward the chute.

Last load ready to leave Paul's farm.

Last weekend we had the oldest farmer and his siblings over for an evening meal.  Our house is where the three of them grew up, and they hadn't been together here for several years.  I believe they had a good time with us in the old farm house, and there was a lot of reminiscing.

The siblings and spouses.

We received this photo from son#2 and wife a few weeks back.  We thought it was a very clever way to make an announcement!

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:8