Hot, Dry, Wet

I have the forge operating.  Now I need to find a place to buy coal.  And I need to find someone who has some old blacksmithing tools.

Due to oversupply and the restaurant, travel, meetings, fairs, sporting events, and all large groups activities being shut down, the hog price has been the lowest since I think, 1998-1999.  It will definitely not be a profitable year.

June was a drought in central Illinois.  Then, the middle two weeks of July produced about nine inches of rain on our farm.  We went from cracks in the soil to ponding in the low spots again.  Some of the pond areas that we replanted twice have been drowned out again!  We have had a lot of heat and humidity, which is typical for this time of year.

You know it's dry when the vultures move in and are circling overhead!

A few weeks ago, cousin Virg, Mary, and Darin moved from the suburbs to central Illinois.  We have been restricted by Covid from as much contact as we would like, but we are enjoying having them here and the little bit of time we have had to spend with them.  We look forward to many more opportunities in the future.

As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.
Ezekiel 22:20

Staycation

We have gone from too wet to too dry.  It's been hot also, and the wheat matured quickly and has been harvested.  The straw has been baled and moved home.  Because of the heat, I have been sprinkling pigs several times a day trying to keep them cool.  So far we have missed the little pop-up showers that occasionally pass thru the area.  The corn and soybeans are still uneven and growing slowly.  The early corn is just starting to tassel.  Summertime is in full swing.

I "attended" an online farm auction last week, and bought an antique forge.  It is missing a couple parts, but my blacksmith instructor says he has spare parts he will give me.  Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will be able to get it operating.

Angie and Roy Jr. brought Uncle Roy from Iowa out for a visit.  So we got a small family group together and went out to eat tonight.  It was the first time we went out to eat in a restaurant since the quarantine began back in March.  It was good to see and visit with the relatives.  And to eat out.

Last weekend we were able to get our whole family together for a couple of days.  All four children, spouses, and nine grandchildren were home.  Three states were represented.  So, it was like a mini family vacation at our house.

Food, family, fellowship.

Iced coffee on the patio.

Swim party.  Daddy pool (cow tank), Mommy pool, and baby pool.

Patio Karaoke.

All nine grandchildren not sitting still for a picture!

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3