How Great The Yield From A Fertile Field

Farrowing

2012-01-26T22:14:00.001-06:00

When I was a little boy, my dad built his own farrowing huts for a pasture farrowing system. Ever since then, we have continuously had a farrow to finish hog operation on our farm. When I was in grade school, he remodeled our old dairy barn into a farrowing house with 24 crates in it. That's when I started doing outside chores. We fed the sows by hand from 5 gallon buckets, and bedded the crates with fresh straw every couple of days. Then we cleaned them out by hand also (with pitchfork, scraper, and shovel), and "limed" the barn between groups.
In 1973 Dad built our first confinement hog house. It was a farrow/nursery building with a full pit and concrete slats. It was a great labor saver, but it wasn't the ideal environment for newborn piglets. After I came home from college and was farming full time, I designed a new farrowing/nursery building. An Ag Engineer did the specs and drawings, and we built it with the help of Vernon, Ted, and Myron Blunier. It was put into service in 1980. It has been remodeled and updated, but it is the building we are still using today.

I still believe that a small operation that utilizes family labor, grows its own corn, and uses modern technology and production practices can compete with the large operations.
But it takes desire, dedication to details, time commitment, and good animal husbandry skills.

Our crates, gestation feeders, and equipment are showing their age, and the next generation doesn't act enthused about raising hogs. It has become especially time consuming during planting and harvest to do a good job with the hogs as the grain operation has grown.
So my brother and I have decided to stop farrowing and switch to a wean to finish operation. We stopped breeding sows the end of December, and yesterday the first group of sows went to market.

We hope you enjoy the sausage and brats.

Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Isaiah 66:9

Aunt Freida

2012-01-18T22:54:00.001-06:00

Monday we drove to O'Hare to retrieve daughter #2. We are thankful to have her safely home from her 3 weeks in India. Her Flight was 3 hours late, so we did a little shopping at Oakbrook Shopping Center on the way up.

My Aunt Freida passed away on Saturday. Today was her funeral.
When I was growing up, and my family went to Lester, Iowa to visit my Grandpa and Grandma, I usually stayed at Andy and Freida's house. They lived in a bungalow style house, and they converted the attic into the neatest boys bedroom I ever saw. I loved to stay up there with their sons. She grew up one of 14 kids on a dairy farm north of town. She was about 12 years older than my Mom, so she had different experiences and stories to tell that we always enjoyed listening to. She had a pleasant personality and always seemed to have a positive outlook, even during disappointing situations. She was well known for her "Freida buns" (dinner rolls) that she baked and passed out to others. She bought her flour from the Butter Braid factory 50 pounds at a time. She spent her whole life in NW Iowa until they moved to central Illinois less than 3 years ago. She made literally hundreds of dozens of buns since she moved to Illinois until her health stopped her. A large percentage of the 84 nieces and nephews were able to come to the visitation or funeral. It was a cold day, but our hearts were warmed.
I was honoured to be a pall bearer.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:1-3

Snow

2012-01-16T10:45:00.001-06:00

Thursday we had our first real snow/snowstorm of the winter. When I went out to start chores at 6:00 in the morning it had not started snowing yet, but within 15 minutes it was. We spent the day at the Precision Planting Winter Conference in Tremont. We were saddened to hear that one of their dealers was killed in a weather induced car accident on his way to the conference. The first storm of the season always reminds us how our driving needs to change with the weather. I think we ended up with about 5 inches.

On Saturday morning our grain leg wouldn't start, so I climbed to the top to see if there was a problem up there. Everything was fine on top, and I enjoyed a beautiful view of the white countryside on a calm, peaceful winter day. Zeller Electric was called out on a Saturday, and we were thankful that Jon was available to immediately come out. The problem turned out to be condensation moisture had gotten into the starter contactors and frozen. After we thawed and dried them out, everything worked again and we were able to move the corn we needed for feed.

I was reminded in Church Sunday how blessed I am. This verse was in one of the scripture readings.
I am thankful and humbled

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
III John 1:4

Squirrel

2012-01-08T19:36:00.001-06:00

A local funeral brought some of my Lyon County, Iowa cousins out Friday afternoon. We kept them overnight and enjoyed some blessed Christian fellowship Friday evening/Saturday morning. It was bittersweet since this was the first time we saw a cousin-in-law since he lost his wife, but grateful that he came to stay with us. I wish we could spend more time with all of my Iowa relatives, because I always enjoy the times we do spend together. I always enjoy our visits to Northwest Iowa, and we are past due for a trip to visit there.

After all, they've got it made out there.

This fall, Son #1 eliminated the squirrel population here on the farm. We've had 3 carcasses waiting in the freezer for a feast. Tonight we had a squirrel stroganoff recipe from the L.L. Bean cookbook. I thought it was quite good. Tastes like chicken! Dark meat. I thought the old farmer's wife was quite brave to cook and eat it, knowing her mild dislike of rodent-like animals.

Daughter #2 is still in India. It sounds like she is having some great experiences so far. You can follow her journey here. We look forward to hearing all about it when she gets home. We are praying for safety and health on the rest of the trip.
Maybe she will bring us some monkey meat to try.

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Corinthians 1:9

The week

2012-01-02T20:51:00.000-06:00

The week surrounding Christmas brought us mild winter weather. Which meant we never had a white Christmas. We had an enjoyable week of food and fellowship anyway.
The marathon is over now. The usual number of books entered our house as gifts again this year, along with many other nice gifts, clothes, tools, and weapons. My wife and I bought each other Belgian waffle makers. Both were impulse buys. Everyone had a good laugh. In a couple of months we will be receiving a new puppy as a gift. It is still too young to be weaned. We've been dog less for a couple of years now, so it will be nice to have a dog again. Although I'm not sure I'm up to training a puppy.

Two days after Christmas we took daughter #2 up to O'Hare airport to fly to India. She will be there for three weeks in a Study Abroad program. The Mrs. and I shopped a while in Schaumburg as long as we were up North.

We again kept the nephews at our house for two nights during the holidays. They are easy, low maintenance guests to keep, but they seem to have their days and nights mixed up. It's usually entertaining (while we are still up), and the rousing games go late into the night. One "night" the last light didn't go off until after 6 in the morning, after I was already up for the new day!
I forget what it was like to be young.

I dropped a plastic cap down the drain of our basement sink Saturday night. This afternoon I took the drain apart to retrieve it. As is typical, the pipes were rotten and they broke apart during dis- assembly. Fortunately, this time I had all the parts I needed in my plumbing parts box, and all it cost me was an hour of time that I hadn't counted on.

Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
Zephaniah 1:7

Ready

2011-12-22T22:57:00.001-06:00

I think I am ready for Christmas. Earlier this week, I went on my last shopping trip. We even took a walk through the mall during the week before Christmas! Brave! And did some shopping there.

Our first Christmas is tomorrow night in Gridley. The California box is here. There will be gifts!

Last week, I went on my first Washington Christmas House Walk. The neatest house was the old mansion on Main Street that for many years was a funeral home. The current owners (only the third owners) have done an excellent job of restoring it back to its former glory as a home. I was in it years ago when it was still a funeral home and it was even impressive then.

Son #2 has finished his Mechanical Engineering degree and has left the hallowed halls and has moved back home. Along with all his stuff. Fortunately, he was offered a good job, and has accepted. I am not sure when they give him his "yellow blood" transfusion.

Tonight I helped decorate gingerbread cookies. The frosting wasn't cooperating, so the artistry is not up to our usual standards.

One of the Christmas letters that we received this week from our favorite nomadic cousins had this quote in it regarding health. "The older we get, the better we were!"

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 2:1,2

Twice

2011-12-13T22:20:00.000-06:00

We went to Abby and Tyler's wedding in Leo two weekends ago. We had a nice trip, but we had more deer cross the road in front of us than I saw from my stand during hunting season! Nate and John did chores for us so that the whole family could go. The church house was full, the service was nice, the vows taken (pay attention Tyler!) and they were married. The reception was in the historic Allan County Court House. It was the first time I had to pass security guards and go through a metal detector to get into a wedding reception. It is a working courthouse and all the courtrooms were open for us to tour. It is a very beautiful, ornate building.

This past weekend found us on the road again to Leo to take Dad and Mom to see their grand kids in their Sunday School Christmas program. We enjoyed a relaxing time of fellowship at my sister's house. Saturday night we shopped at Barnes and Noble (you shouldn't let me do that), then ate at the Flat Top Grill (my first time). We finished the evening with frozen yogurt at YoYo's. We came home on Monday, and thankfully we enjoyed good weather both ways.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalm 100:4

Trashed

2011-12-01T21:39:00.000-06:00

When I stepped into the hog house office/supply room this morning, I was greeted by a mess that looked a lot like a tornado had touched down. That was after I was able to get the door pushed open. It seems a pregnant sow had broken out of her crate and decided to nest and farrow in there. Now we had shut up the feed storage room just in case something like that would happen - sows do like feed, but the door to the office/supply room was left open. She had gone into one corner and rooted up in the air and snapped a water line on a wall so that the room was being flooded. She pushed our high pressure washer into the middle of the room and snapped that water line and ripped the electric cord apart. She overturned storage shelves, buckets of supplies, and spilled various jugs of liquids (oil, chemicals, disinfectant, etc.). There were spare parts all over the floor. Then she laid down in the mess and started farrowing. She had 3 pigs crawling around when I found her. One pig had crawled into the overturned waste basket and we didn't find her until it was emptied into the dumpster! I got her back in her crate and it took several of us most of the morning to clean up and repair the damage.
Not exactly the way we wanted to start our day.

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
2 Peter 2:22

Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T23:13:00.001-06:00

Sunday, several of us went to the Western Illinois Correctional Center to visit Phil. He seemed to be in good spirits and doing fairly well. Our visit helped me get my mind focused as we entered Thanksgiving week. It reminded me to be thankful for my Christian upbringing, my supportive family, and my Faith and Fellowship.

I chatted with a couple of the guards while they were searching our vehicle and again while being "patted down" about what some visitors try to sneak into the prison and how they do it. Everything from hiding drugs in their baby's diaper to weapons in their underwear. As one guard said,"There are a lot of stupid people in this world".

I am the 2%!
And I help feed the 98%.
I "occupy" a combine in the fall, a tractor in the spring, and a hog building much of the rest of the year. I am an American Farmer.
And I am thankful.

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God's banners are o'er us, His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light.

His law he enforces, the stars in their courses And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains, The deeps of the ocean proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a Song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
"To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!"

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
John 6:11

KC

2011-11-15T21:22:00.000-06:00

We spent a wonderful weekend of fellowship and worship in Kansas City. We made it a 4 day weekend which was a first for us in a long, long time.
On our way down, we stopped at the new Scheel's sporting goods store in Springfield. I was very impressed with the store and all they had to offer. They pretty much cover all of the major outdoor and indoor sports and activities. It is a huge place; it has a Ferris wheel in the middle of the two story atrium. Along with a stuffed animal mountain (like Cabelas and Bass Pro), walk under fish tank arches, and a stuffed grizzly bear that you can get your picture taken by. Being in Springfield, it has a Lincoln/Presidential theme with statues and wax figures throughout.

We made it to the KC area late afternoon, and Friday evening we ate out at J. Alexanders. I had their famous prime rib (with horseradish sauce). Very Good.

We spent Saturday downtown at the National World War I Memorial. It is a very nice museum that was updated a few years ago. Not much is taught about WWI in schools, the Civil War and World War II get most of the attention. So It was good to learn more about the war. You enter the museum over a glass bridge with 9000 red poppies "planted" underneath it. Each poppy represents 1000 combat fatalities. I think the world changed more because of the first WW than after the second. America entered the war as an insignificant nation, and left as a superpower. One of the main things I came away with, was how the conclusion of the first World War contributed to the causes of the second World War. From the top of the Liberty Memorial Tower we had a great view of the city including Union Station, Crown Plaza, and the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. We also saw some Occupy KC protesters camped in the park, but I didn't acknowledge them with a photo. We had lunch at Jack Stack at the Freight House.

Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2 Samuel 3:1

Finished

2011-11-05T20:46:00.000-05:00

The weather was so nice earlier this week that I really wouldn't have minded some more harvest. But we are finished.

(Children’s) Harvest Song
O'er our fields the frost has descended,
Labor is done, gone is the sun;
Safely stored, the harvest is ended;
All in a ring, dancing we sing.
She who leads is innocent Pleasure,
Ending the year, gladly with cheer;
Joy and comfort, barns full of treasure,
Everywhere health, Autumn's ripe wealth.
(french folk tune)

We didn't exactly dance in a ring, but we were thankful to be done.

When we started combining the last land in the last corn field, two coyotes came loping into the corn. They were looking for the pheasants and rabbits that they knew would be left without cover. The combine played hide and seek with them for the next few rounds. But on the last round, they bailed and took off across the field away from us. The 3 pheasants and 2 rabbits that I saw didn't flush until the very end and were thus safe from the coyotes.

Thursday it rained most of the day, so in the evening I finally got to go to the new Bass Pro Shops store in East Peoria. And I ended up spending more money than I had intended. I need to go back and spend some more time there because I know that I didn't get to see it all. Even the old farmer's wife enjoyed the visit. She said she felt like she was on vacation, because we like to stop at places like this when on vacation.

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
John 17:4

2011-10-30T22:44:00.000-05:00

My new little granddaughter came to visit me tonight (she brought her parents too). I got to hold her for awhile. She sure is cute!

How about those Cardinals! I see they just won their 11th World Series. I don't think that they were the best team in the National League, or the best team in the majors, but they must have "game". They kept playing hard and never quit. My condolences again go out to my Cub fan friends.
Maybe next year?

We harvested our Panola farm this week. As I was finishing combining the corn, I kicked up 2 does and a fawn. They are a long ways from any woods, but must like our corn. We also saw a fox and several pheasants. In our last soybean field at home there were 4 pheasants and an owl that kept moving over as I made each pass. When I made the last pass they finally flew away. I enjoy seeing wildlife in our fields (as long as they don't do a lot of damage).
We only have one field of corn left to harvest, and it is at home so hopefully it will come out quickly.

Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well:
2 Kings 4:26

Unintended Travel

2011-10-23T22:50:00.001-05:00

All in all we had a productive week harvesting. A short rain delay and a breakdown with the platform did slow us down this past week. I now know where the John Deere dealer in New Holland, IL is. I had to run there for a part that our local dealer didn't have in stock. The previous breakdown, the serviceman brought parts from Minier, my wife ran for a part in Roanoke, and I drove to Lacon for another part! We've been getting around a lot more than we expected lately. As of Saturday night everything was operating normally.

We had some pretty chilly nights in the old farmhouse the last couple of weeks, so Tuesday night I started the furnace for the first time. Its a big, old, inefficient furnace that was installed in the '60s after the coal furnace and stoker were removed. But it still heats the house to our satisfaction, and only needs an occasional thermocouple and the filters changed regularly. It always smells of burnt dust for the first few hours after start up.

I haven't seen my grandchild all week.

I don't listen to the radio all that much anymore, except when I spend a lot of time in a cab in the spring or fall. This week I heard a new commercial that disappointed me but didn't surprise me. It announced that Sunday is for football and tailgating. No mention of church or worship or rest. And of course, you need Bud Light while watching football.
Sports have become America's religion.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Daniel 3:17

Grandpa Farmer

2011-10-09T21:08:00.000-05:00

Jenny and Bob officially made me a Grandpa this week. I am the proud grandparent of a cute little baby girl! I was fortunate enough to already see her and hold her twice so far. I love to see how tiny babies are - especially their little toes and fingers. I am continually amazed at how intricately God has created us. Pictures are available here.

What does it say about a man who comes out of Menard's with more groceries than hardware?

We finally were able to combine our earliest field of soybeans so we could get our wheat sown. We purchased a used no-till drill this fall so we could no-till the wheat in to save some time. It seemed to go in well, but there is a learning curve. The corn has dried down and is still standing well.

We had several breakdowns this week with our old combine. It gets to be a little frustrating, but so far we haven't lost too much time. Tomorrow morning we will be trying to put the unloading auger back together after replacing the horizontal drive gear case.

Above is an ash tree on the farm showing its fall colors. Below I took a of picture of a uniquely striped pig I noticed. Do horizontal stripes make it look fat?

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalm 139:14

Yellow

2011-09-27T13:57:00.000-05:00

Some friends brought us a lost/abandoned kitten a few weeks ago. We were unsure how our other farm cats would treat a newcomer, so we decided to put it in the shop. It would help eliminate any mice problems come winter.

Recent text exchange with Daughter #2:

Me: shop kitty has yellow face
D2: weird why?
Me: grandpa painting, cat curious
D2: hahaha :) aw kitty

At the time I didn't think to take a picture. It has rubbed most of it off.

Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean.
Leviticus 13:36

Lombardi

2011-09-25T22:10:00.001-05:00

Harvest was slow this week. The corn isn't drying down very fast, so we mostly just opened up fields. We tried at least 5 fields looking for harvestable corn (under 29%), but didn't stay too long in any of them. We also had dryer problems which kept us from filling bins at home. The fact that the corn is still wet should be a good sign; it didn't die prematurely, and perhaps will yield well. We have no soybeans ready yet either.

Our society has elevated sports above religion. It seems Sunday is no longer the Lord's Day, it is Sports Day. Especially in the fall during football season. I think it is a shame the importance placed on grown men (who get paid millions) playing games. The amount of time and resources wasted by our society watching sporting events is nothing short of hedonism.

I don't dislike sports or football, after all, I am an American male.
When I was in grade school, Bart Starr, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers was one of my heroes. He, along with legendary coach Vince Lombardi led the Packers to victory in the first two Superbowls. In an article this week in the paper about the new NFL season starting, I was reminded of some of Coach Lombardi's famous quotes. Most apply to many areas of life (even spiritual life) other than football. Here are some of my favorites.

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.

Winners never quit and quitters never win.

Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8

Grand anticipation

2011-09-18T20:24:00.000-05:00

The corn is not drying down very fast, so we have just been opening up fields and taking off the endrows. We did put some corn in our bins that was 25% moisture and we are waiting for the dryers to catch up. Our first day in the field, we had a flat tire on the combine from some fence wire that made its way into the field. The good folks at Midwest Repair had us fixed quickly the next morning. Wednesday night/Thursday morning the temperature dropped to 38 degrees. I did see a small patch of frost on the boat tarp in the morning, but nowhere else. Hopefully harvest will speed up this coming week.

I finished reading Brideshead Revisited this week. I didn't know what to expect from it and it didn't follow any formula, but I can see why it is considered Evelyn Waugh's magnum opus. I had a little difficulty following the British "English", and the names, places, and references, but I really enjoyed it. There is a lot of underlying theology and I believe one of its messages is that reconciliation and grace win in the end.

This week is the Grand Opening for the new East Peoria Bass Pro Shops (and there was much rejoicing). A long anticipated event by all the sportsman in the area. I usually prefer Cabela's merchandise, but Bass Pro is "The great American Outdoor Store", and I look forward to my first visit.

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:7

Ready

2011-09-11T21:51:00.000-05:00

We spent Wednesday evening in the hospital with my dad (the older farmer). Fortunately it was a false alarm. It was a lingering effect of dehydration from the heat the previous week (including the FPS). Ironically my uncle was in the hospital at the same time for the same reason.

The old farmer's wife made him a fresh apple pie this week with apples from our own tree. The Jonathon tree is loaded this year, so there will be a lot of applesauce made in the coming weeks.

The combine is ready for the harvest to begin. We are getting low on feed corn so we will be starting harvest early this coming week. The millwrights were here to finish up a few things on our grain system that were not finished last fall, so it should be ready also.

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Revelation 14:15

"Farm swag"

2011-09-01T23:09:00.001-05:00

I spent the day Wednesday at the Grandaddy of all farm shows; the Farm Progress Show. It was in Decatur this year which is just an hour and a half away. I went with Son #1, my Father, and my Uncle. It was a cool morning followed by a very warm afternoon, but it was a good day to be there. I was able to walk the entire show, but I could have spent much more time at some of the companies exhibits. You spend a lot of time running into and visiting with people you know from all over the Midwest, and that tends to slow you down. I was hoping to get to see the KSI drive-over conveyor that Son #2 helped design this summer, but it must not have been ready for the show yet. Lots of new equipment and technologies were being displayed and promoted. Its a great opportunity to learn and ask questions directly to the manufacturers This old farmer is having a hard time keeping up with the pace of change though. The price tags on new equipment seem to grow exponentially also.

I always manage to bring home a bag of gifts from the exhibitors and this year was no exception. It helps to know lots of dealers, reps, and DSM's. I got 4 new caps, 2 flashlights, 2 multi-tools, a pocket knife, aluminum water bottle, a collapsible water bottle, safety glasses, sun glasses, night light, soft cooler, 2 pair of leather gloves, a tire pressure gauge, quart of flower fertilizer, 2 sample bottles of Ignite Herbicide, can coolers, basting brush, rain poncho, and other misc. items. And cloth shopping bags to carry it all in. Along with free popcorn, peanuts, candy, snow cone, ribs, lemonade, and bottled water. The problem with all of this is that its a real pain to carry so much stuff around all day. You start looking like a pack mule.

We made it home in time for chores and church.

Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Proverbs 19:6

Double Duty

2011-08-25T20:04:00.000-05:00

My brother/partner is on vacation this week, as is our neighbor. Therefore with students back in school, I am doing double duty chores this week. It was going fairly well until last night. At the neighbors I walked into a nursery room to find that some starlings had found their way in. They panicked when I came in and one of them tried to exit through the large wall fan which was running because of the hot afternoon. As they say, it won't have the guts to try that again. The problem is, he broke the fan blade which caused an unbalanced, unstable fan which had to be shut down. That's not good on a 93 degree afternoon. After searching for spare parts, I made an emergency cell phone call to my neighbor somewhere in the mountains of Colorado, and he was able to tell me where he had spare fan blades. I was able to get it repaired quickly (which is amazing for hog house maintenance) and got the fan running again.
This morning I found a dead sow in a farrowing crate. The heat yesterday afternoon was too much for it. With no one around to help, I decided to try pulling it out myself. Fortunately it was still pliable enough for me to horse around, and with the help of a winch I got it out of the crate, down the hall and outside.

Tuesday night we went to Borders going-out-of-business sale. You shouldn't let me do that! We saved $98, but I won't tell you how much we spent. Books are definitely a weakness. I bought mostly classic literature.

We lost a dear cousin/friend/sister in the Lord this week after an 8 month battle with brain cancer. We really wanted to attend the visitation and funeral, but because of the chore duties we will not be able to. My heart will be in a familiar church in Lester, Iowa tomorrow morning. Our prayers go out on behalf of her husband and the whole family. Very thankful for the faith, hope, and comfort that we can have in Christ.

Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Genesis 50:21

Moving

2011-08-20T19:36:00.000-05:00

Most of the week we enjoyed warm days and cool nights. We are still very much in need of rain, but the pleasant weather makes it feel less urgent.
We call this kind of weather "camping weather".

Thursday, we took another load of daughter #2's stuff down to C-U. I think she's all moved in now. I attended the annual Agronomy Day at the South Farms - it was the first time I made it down for it in many years. The University is letting the South Farms deteriorate because they are planning to move everything south, farther out of town. There are lots of neat historic old farm buildings there, and I hope they save and restore some of them. Of coarse they haven't come up with the money yet to build all the new buildings, so its sad to see the current state of disrepair.

I was preparing to drive out of the yard yesterday, when I saw my wife frantically waving at me and pointing to the front yard. It seems that there was a skunk waddling around the landscaping in front of the house. I ran into the house and grabbed the first available gun that would be ready for action. It happened to be a semi-automatic rifle with a scope on it. I was stalking around in front of the house, gun ready, trying to spot where the skunk went just as the sheriff's car drives by. He didn't stop, so either he didn't see me or he thought nothing of seeing an old farmer in his front yard with an "assault rifle".
I never found the skunk.

When I had some free time this week, I tried to help at Jenny and Bob's house preparing for their move.
Today was the big moving day. But because they are coming out of a small duplex, and they don't have much furniture yet, and they've been moving little stuff all week, it was somewhat anti climatic. Which was OK. We enjoyed the day, and didn't have to overwork.
We wish them God's blessings as they make their house a home, and a haven in a fallen world.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15

Gas

2011-08-10T22:17:00.000-05:00

Monday, I hauled a load of furniture down to C-U for daughter #2 in preparation for her moving down for the fall semester. We got the truck unloaded and everything set up in her apartment just before a rain shower hit. So I took her out to lunch while it was raining. I think it was the slowest Taco Bell I've ever been to.

Meanwhile, on the other side of campus, the old farmer's wife was helping clean the "Salt Shaker". That was after they had to evacuate the house because of a gas leak. It seems the guys had been smelling gas for a couple of weeks, but thought maybe it was paint fumes. When the moms came down to clean they demanded that Ameren be called to check it out. The guys found the leak before the official showed up, but the official also found some code violations (no big surprise). The leak happened to be right over Jake's bed. But because of the heat, he had been sleeping upstairs on the couch were there is air conditioning. The gas was shut off, and an HVAC company was called in to fix the problems. The mothers were able to finish the annual cleaning.
I came over after lunch and helped them hook up their "new" gas stove (from ISU via AC World Relief distribution center). I believe that all is back to normal.

The temperature was very pleasant today, but we are still in need of a good rain. Preliminary yield checks in the corn are showing an average to below average crop.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Phillipians 4:18

Hot August Night

2011-08-05T21:16:00.001-05:00

Actually, the July nights were much warmer than August so far. In Central Illinois, July was the 7th hottest on record. Thankfully, the temperatures have moderated. The hogs and I are not terribly fond of high temps and humidity. It seems like I would spend 10 hours working to accomplish 8 hours worth of work. Now we will see what the dog days of August have in store for us. Hopefully, normal temperatures and a little more rain to help finish out the crops.

We finally got our new in-ground dump pit installed that will feed our new leg. Last year we used a portable drive-over pit, but we didn't like it. I think we will really like this pit. It will be easier, quicker, and safer to use.

We had the Young Group over for root beer floats after they sang at WCV tonight. We always enjoy having them in.

Many of life's circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to keep, the people you choose to be with, and the laws you choose to obey.
-Charles Millhuff

After dinner, rest awhile, after supper, walk a mile.
-Arabic Proverb

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 1:27

Hot Vacation

2011-07-25T21:55:00.000-05:00

It was a sweltering week at Kentucky Lake! But it was that way pretty much everywhere. It was the 25th annual Wyss Family Vacation, and everyone except one nephew and his family made it for at least part of the week. It is really amazing that we have been able to orchestrate this event for 25 consecutive years. A special thanks goes to my parents for making it all possible, and to the rest of the family for their commitment. Daughter #2 put together a power point with pictures from each year. We had special T-shirts to commemorate the occasion, and as usual there was lots of food, fun, and fellowship.
I took my kayak this year and enjoyed exploring the lake early in the morning before it got too hot. I saw lots of turtles, herons, an otter, deer, and a couple families of ducks. One morning I fished from the kayak and caught 2 striped bass. It's not easy fishing from a kayak, but it was fun.
I slept late a lot, and napped a lot. Because of the heat I spent a lot of time in the air conditioned cabin reading Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.

We enjoyed a blessed weekend in Gridley attending our niece's baptism (along with 4 other youth).

We were blessed with an inch of rain yesterday, which was sorely needed to help the crops survive the continuing heat.

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
Psalm 71:17

Outliers

2011-07-15T21:54:00.001-05:00

Earlier this spring, I read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. It was a very good book that helps to understand how epidemics/fashions/ trends/ popular new products start, spread, and grow exponentially. He explains and gives examples of how little things can make big differences.

I recently finished another of his books, Outliers (The Story of Success). He explores why highly successful people got that way. Yes, they need intelligence and ambition. The right family and cultural background is important. The opportunity for lots of practice is important. But summing up the most important reasons that highly successful people are successful is being in the right place at the right time!
But we should have known, Solomon told us that thousands of years ago.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Ecclesiastes 9:11

Reunion

2011-07-10T19:45:00.001-05:00

Last week was straw baling week. I say week, because it seemed to take all week. Tuesday afternoon, cousin Dale brought his baler over and we filled all the available racks. On Wednesday afternoon we unloaded the racks into the haymow. Thursday, we started baling again, but the baler broke down before we accomplished very much. It was not going to be a quick fix, so we lined up another baler. Jason came with his baler in the evening, but it started sprinkling on the second load and we had to quit. Friday afternoon, Jason came back and we were able to finish the 2500 small square bales we wanted. Cousin Lee came Friday afternoon also and baled 98 large round bales for us. We should be set for straw for the year. Daughter #2 posted some pictures of the process.

Saturday, the Illinois Metzgers hosted the Metzger reunion. We were grateful that so many traveled so far to attend. There were cousins from Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Kansas. It was a day of wonderful fellowship, good food, lots of reminiscing, and some Metzger appropriate entertainment.

Grandpa and Grandma were married in 1907. They had 14 children, whom with their spouses, all became born again Christians. They raised their family on a diversified dairy farm in the NW corner of Iowa/SW corner of Minnesota. There were 84 of us grandchildren (my first cousins). They passed on a strong family and spiritual heritage that is now affecting the fifth generation. In the 104 years since their marriage, there are 797 direct descendants and 1152 total descendants. Five of the 14 children are still living plus 7 inlaws; 9 were in attendance.
It was a Blessed weekend.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Psalms 16:6

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
Psalms 61:5

4th

2011-07-04T22:14:00.000-05:00

I watched fireworks from the top of our 108 foot grain leg. Clear night, beautiful weather, beautiful view, but a little too far away. I harvested wheat until the trucks were full (the elevator closed at 5), then went home to eat and finish chores. By the time I was finished, it was too late to clean up and make it to town. So the next best thing was the leg.

I am thankful for our freedom from tyranny and the democratic republic that we live under. But with freedom and liberty comes great responsibility, and I fear that too many in this great nation have shirked their responsibility, and become dependent on government and its entitlements. Too many look to government to solve all problems. That creates bondage to man, the opposite of independence. Being dependent on God gives us true independence, and submission to Christ brings true liberty and freedom. And God has answers to our problems.
"Ideas have consequences"
The ideas of the founding fathers have been tested by time and fire, and have been a great example for all the world to see. Imperfect, yes, but none the less the best application of government "of the people" in history.
My allegiance is to God, but I am grateful for our nation, freedoms, and blessings, and should be willing to support it any way I can.

And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Psalm 119:45

Waiting

2011-07-01T21:32:00.000-05:00

The wheat has turned amber. And so we wait for it to dry down for harvest. We've had an abundance of rain which slows the dry down process. I spent several days this week cleaning, inspecting, and servicing the combine. We harvested a neighbor's field for him today, although it was still too wet. He needed to haul manure, so he told us to take it out. We tried some in our field and at first it looked like it was ready, but the further I got into the field the wetter it seemed to be, so I quit. We won't know for sure what the moisture content was until in the morning when we haul the load to the elevator. Unless it rains, we will probably be combining on the 4th.

Wednesday night after church, daughter #2 had a trip reunion slumber party at our house. At one time there were 9 girls here. I went to bed and didn't have any trouble falling asleep. I was informed in the morning that there was a lot of hooting, hollering, and running around going on until the wee hours of the night. Thankfully, I slept through it all. And it was really quiet when I got up in the morning.

The boys are in Canada for a long weekend to camp, paddle, and fish. Hopefully they found the walleye honey hole that they are looking to find. You just can't beat shore lunch walleye. It almost makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24

A Day in Chambana

2011-06-24T21:06:00.001-05:00

Tuesday night we got 2.9 inches of rain in about 2 hours, which caused some local flash floods. We didn't need that, and we may need to replant some soybeans. Our area is already about 7 inches above normal for the year. But we have it better than many. I feel for the farmers (and others) along the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio river systems that have been flooding or threatening to flood all spring.

The golden slippers finally died and will be given a proper burial in the dumpster.

Thursday morning, we took daughter #2 down to C-U to register at the U. of I. She will be our 4th and final child to attend the old Alma Mater. I got to spend a lot of time walking around campus with her. I may have embarrassed her a few times.:) In the afternoon, Laura gave us a tour of the "Upper Room", where D#2 will be living this fall. We also got to shop at Champaign Surplus, one of my favorite stores down there.
In the evening, Son #2 gave us a tour of the engineering campus and buildings. It's a pretty impressive area and it's easy to see why they consistently rank very high internationally (in 2009, #3 in the world).
After a meal at Applebees we headed back home .

We should never forget that the greatest education comes from God through the Holy Bible.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Proverbs 9:9

Galena

2011-06-18T21:30:00.000-05:00

The old farmer and the wife of his youth took a R & R retreat to historic Galena this week. Daughter and Son-in-Law gave us a gift certificate at Christmas to the DeSoto House Hotel in downtown Galena. It is the oldest operating Hotel in Illinois. We enjoyed good rest, good food, and learned the history of this unique town. We took a trolley tour and did a lot of walking to see the old Victorian mansions, houses, and buildings. We shopped the quaint shops on Main Street, but only bought one book.

Lead mines and Mississippi River steamboat trade built the city up to a peak population of 14,000 people in the late 1800's. But the mines played out, steamboat trade decreased, and the river silted in. Now the town is down to 3500 people and the main industry is tourism. Galena supplied 9 Generals in the Civil War, the most famous being General U.S. Grant. And he went on to become the President of the United States.

Galena is proud of its heritage and is a great place to visit.

The countryside surrounding Galena is "dairy" country. Very picturesque.

Flag and cannon in Grant Park.

The DeSoto Hotel.

Main Street Galena.

Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
I Kings 8:56

California Guests

2011-06-10T21:25:00.000-05:00

We finally finished planting soybeans Monday afternoon. We had been at it for a while! As soon as a field would be dry enough, we planted it, but then it would rain again and we would have to wait on the next field. We would only get to plant one or two fields a week.  As soon as we finished we started side-dressing our corn with additional nitrogen. We needed to hurry that job before the corn got too tall to be able to drive through it without breaking the corn off. This afternoon the side-dressing was completed. I think maybe the stress level will decrease now and life may slow down a little.

Our California family was here the past week. It was great to see Ed & Peggy, Alan & Amy, Laura, and Jessica. It was great that their whole family could be here together. Alan and Amy came to Illinois from the National Small Bus Roadeo in Indianapolis. She came in 16th in the nation!
I would have liked to have spent more time with them, but our unfinished fieldwork kept me busier than I anticipated it would for June. But I did enjoy the time we had together catching up on what's happening in their lives. We did a lot of visiting with a lot of the local relatives with them.
Peggy brought her poodle "Ruby" with her. Normally I don't like house pets, including hyperactive little yappy dogs.  But Ruby was the calmest, best behaved poodle I have ever seen. You hardly knew she was around, and I never once heard her bark. And since we gave up our bedroom to our guests, Ruby slept in my bed for four nights! :) The old farmer and his wife slept in our "basement suite" on the sofa bed. It was cool, dark, and quiet, and I slept well. They left yesterday to continue their vacation.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.
Acts 15:36

Taps

2011-05-30T12:07:00.001-05:00

It rained again Saturday and Sunday. We won't be back in the fields for awhile. Yesterday on my way to church, I passed a corn field that had a large "pond" in it. Someone had waded out into it and stuck a bunch of those plastic, pink flamingos in it. I appreciated their sense of humor.

We had severe weather warnings again yesterday while we were in church. We have an Emergency Preparedness Committee that was monitoring the weather. After services they had the whole congregation walk through our tornado evacuation plan. It all went smoothly, but I hope we never have to use it.

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
Exodus 23:20

For Memorial Day:

Origin of "Taps"

During the Civil War, in July 1862 when the Army of the Potomac was in camp, Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield summoned Pvt. Oliver Wilcox Norton, his brigade bugler, to his tent. Butterfield, who disliked the colorless "extinguish lights" call then in use, whistled a new tune and asked the bugler to sound it for him. After repeated trials and changing the time of some notes which were scribbled on the back of an envelope, the call was finally arranged to suit Gen. Butterfield and used for the first time that night. Pvt. Norton, who on several occasions, had sounded numerous new calls composed by his commander, recalled his experience of the origin of "Taps" years later:

"One day in July 1862 when the Army of the Potomac was in camp at Harrison's Landing on the James River, Virginia, resting and recruiting from its losses in the seven days of battle before Richmond, Gen. Butterfield summoned the writer to his tent, and whistling some new tune, asked the bugler to sound it for him. This was done, not quite to his satisfaction at first, but after repeated trials, changing the time of some of the notes, which were scribbled on the back of an envelope, the call was finally arranged to suit the general.

"He then ordered that it should be substituted in his brigade for the regulation "Taps" (extinguish lights) which was printed in the Tactics and used by the whole army. This was done for the first time that night. The next day buglers from nearby brigades came over to the camp of Butterfield's brigade to ask the meaning of this new call. They liked it, and copying the music, returned to their camps, but it was not until some time later, when generals of other commands had heard its melodious notes, that orders were issued, or permission given, to substitute it throughout the Army of the Potomac for the time-honored call which came down from West Point.

In the western armies the regulation call was in use until the autumn of 1863. At that time the XI and XII Corps were detached from the Army of the Potomac and sent under command of Gen. Hooker to reinforce the Union Army at Chattanooga, Tenn. Through its use in these corps it became known in the western armies and was adopted by them. From that time, it became and remains to this day the official call for "Taps." It is printed in the present Tactics and is used throughout the U.S. Army, the National Guard, and all organizations of veteran soldiers.

Gen. Butterfield, in composing this call and directing that it be used for "Taps" in his brigade, could not have foreseen its popularity and the use for another purpose into which it would grow. Today, whenever a man is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony is concluded by firing three volleys of musketry over the grave, and sounding with the trumpet or bugle "Put out the lights. Go to sleep"...There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air."

This is from the Arlington National Cemetery website. To hear taps played, click here.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Revelations 1:10

the week

2011-05-27T23:07:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we were blessed by testimonies and baptisms at church. Niece Abby announced her engagement - to a farmer! This ought to be interesting! I think it will be fun having another farmer around at family gatherings.

Monday night we left the field early to attend a visitation in Iowa. We've been planting soybeans as soon as we find a field dry enough. The problem is, the rain returned faster than we can plant and faster than the fields dried. Maybe we'll get to finish next week.

Daughter #2 had her wisdom teeth removed this week. With my high deductible insurance policy, I will end up paying the full bill. I offered to remove them with my pliers, but she wasn't very interested. There are some funny stories being told of what happened while she was still loopy! :)

Wednesday night church was cancelled because of the severe storm warnings. The tornado damage in the southeast, and the recent Joplin tornado is still pretty fresh in every one's minds. Thankfully it was a nonevent.

The U.S. Dept. of Ag's Food Safety Inspection Service announced this week new cooking guidelines for pork. Research shows that pork can be safely consumed when cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees and held for 3 minutes. This is 15 degrees less than the old guidelines (ground pork should still be cooked to 160). Most people tend to overcook pork and it gets too dry. Fork more Pork!

Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
Psalm 58:6

Happy Birthday Old Farmer!

2011-05-17T07:29:00.001-05:00

Can't believe you're as old as Mike Huckabee!! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Love,
Your Wife

Marasprint

2011-05-15T20:37:00.001-05:00

I don't know if I would call the last week a marathon or a continuous sprint. Being about 3 weeks behind in planting corn, we needed to take advantage of the cooperative weather and get it planted fast. So, it was 16-18 hour days and 6 hours of sleep at night all week. The fields were in good condition and we had a very productive week. By Friday afternoon all the corn was in the ground. Now it is up to God to add the increase. The only minor problems included air conditioners that didn't work in 2 tractors, a flat tire on the field cultivator, and a blown O-ring on the planter hydraulics. Fortunately no major delays. By Friday morning the corn we planted last Friday afternoon was up, thanks finally to some very warm weather (hence the need for air conditioners). We switched to soybeans Friday night, but were rained out after 35 acres. And since we received over 3 inches of rain we will get a few days off.

We no longer have a teenager in the house. Our baby turned 20 yesterday! I bought her a tool set for when she moves to C-U in the fall :) Since we got a late start having kids (because we married older than average), she says I'm really old now! There was a time that we had 4 teenagers in the house. And we enjoyed it! Praise God!

Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD.
Exodus 30:14

Blogging

2011-05-14T06:29:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of the old farmer's blog. In honor of this momentous occasion, I share this demotivation poster from Despair, Inc.

Corn

2011-05-09T21:56:00.001-05:00

Friday afternoon we finally got into the field and started planting corn. We don't want to have to buy corn for our hogs in September, so it was important to get some planted as soon as possible. We planted Friday afternoon and Saturday. Field conditions were one warm, sunny day away from being fit, but we pushed it anyway. Hope we don't get burned!
We don't work Sundays (all of our neighbors did), so today the conditions were almost ideal. We had a productive day planting. I had a 24 row planter to the South of me, a 24 row planter to the Northeast, and a 16 row planter to the North, so I felt small working with a 12 row! Rain is forecasted for most of the week, but we made it through today without any. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7

Ranch Romance

2011-05-01T23:03:00.000-05:00

I don't know if I should admit to this, but I just finished reading Black Heels to Tractor Wheels (A Love Story) by The Pioneer Woman. I don't normally read romance novels, but since my wife has followed her blog for a long time, and since I bought her the book for her birthday, and since it is a true story, and the story involves a real cowboy and cows and pickup trucks, and the fact that it's too wet to plant corn, and . . . well in a moment of boredom I picked up the book and started reading it. Ree, a country club, vegetarian, city girl, meets and falls in love with an Oklahoma cowboy, starts eating steak, marries him, and moves to his ranch in the middle of nowhere. Always having been a boy crazy girl, she's a little over the top at times, but it is a funny book and a nice love story. She has an expressive way of sharing some of the predicaments she encounters.

There are some sad stories as well that she shares. Which reminds me - we went to a visitation tonight of a friend who passed away at the age of 53, leaving his wife and three teenage children. Brad was my second cousin, and also a veterinarian. We have been friends since our youth, and further developed a relationship over the years meeting at pork trade shows, meetings, and seminars. We also spent time together when they lived in KC and we went to visit my sister's family. Our prayers continue to go out to his family.

Ree also shares the ups and downs of her first pregnancy. Which reminds me - I'm going to be a grandpa! I guess I'm old enough, because I have friends my age who have been grandparents for 15 and more years already. And I do have a few gray hairs, so hopefully I will be able to fulfill my role adequately. I can't wait to feed the little munchkin ice cream and black olives :)

And speaking of romance, congratulations Ellie and Troy!

And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
Genesis 24:67

Wet

2011-04-25T21:55:00.000-05:00

According to the calender, last week was the prime week to plant corn. Unfortunately, it was cool and wet all week. Very wet. About 3 inches of rain for the week. With a short crop last year and strong demand for corn, the market needs a large crop this year. So far, we are not off to a good start. It will take several days of warm, sunny weather to even think about getting into the fields. The markets will continue to be volatile this year, and it looks like it will be a very late spring.

We had a damp, dreary Good Friday which sure put me in the mood for the commemorative funeral service for our Savior in the evening.

We hosted our annual egg hunt in the yard on Saturday. It was the only day that didn't have rain forecasted.

Easter Sunday afternoon, we had all the local families at the farm for the feasting. The food was good (especially the ham) and the so was the fellowship.

And now more rain. And the forecast is for continued rain.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Luke 23:46

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
Mark 16:6

Carhartt

2011-04-20T21:59:00.000-05:00

I finally finished cleaning out my basement workbench/shop. I probably didn't get rid of as much stuff as I should have, but I did move everything around, cleaned, and it's more organized. I would actually be able to work on the workbench now. I wonder how long it will stay this way?

Sunday after church, we shot guns since it was a nice afternoon. A lot of targets were destroyed in the process. I taught daughter #2 how to shoot my "euthanasia policy". As a Certified Livestock Manager in the State of Illinois, we are required to have a euthanasia policy in place to humanely dispatch downer and terminally ill or injured animals. Currently, mine is a Ruger Single Six. It was the first time she shot a gun other than the BB gun I bought her when she was younger. Son #1 also harvested a squirrel before we put the guns away. He got another one this evening. We may have to try squirrel stew!

I have decided it is time to retire my old Carhartt coat. It is looking really scruffy, the pockets don't have bottoms any more, insulation is peeking through tears, and the red livestock marking spray on it makes it look like I've been gut shot. It put in many faithful years of service for me, but the abuse that it has taken from weather, machinery, hog buildings and equipment, and it's owner have taken a toll. It has been replaced by a much younger version.

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Zechariah 3:4

Project

2011-04-10T20:07:00.001-05:00

I was in the Walmart parking lot yesterday morning and my wife called and asked if I was on my way home. It seems a pen of sows had rooted their gate off its hinges and sows were wandering around the farmyard. I hustled home to find her rounding up sows with broom in hand. I dumped a bucket of corn in the gate opening and lot, and we got them all chased back in fairly easily. Just in time for lunch. My wife is handy to have around :)

I am finally getting to some of my winter projects - just in time for spring! We are cleaning out the basement storage rooms and now I am working on my workbench/shop area. It is a slow painstaking process. It's amazing what you find when you dig through all of the clutter. I'm trying to do a lot of pitching as I organize, sort and clean. Sometimes it's hard to get rid of "treasures" and stuff that is still good, but probably will never be used again. I found my old chemistry set, my microscope, lots of hunting and fishing gear, forgotten hardware and tools, model rocket supplies, rock collection, matchbook collection, trade show paraphernalia, and best of all, the top of my workbench! There was also lots of broken things set on my workbench by others for me to fix. Most of that got pitched.
I had to think as we approach communion, that we need to regularly do the same with our heart. Clean out the dirt, pitch the unnecessary, and organize/prioritise what we keep.

We traded tractors a couple of weeks ago. We got rid of a 1980 model and replaced it with a 1995 model. The "new" CaseIH 7240 has MFWD which we didn't have on our old tractor. That's the biggest reason for the upgrade. The primary responsibilities for this tractor are hauling liquid manure, pulling the grain cart in the fall, drilling wheat, and some light tillage.

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Matthew 12:44

Unsettled

2011-04-02T06:30:00.001-05:00

I was visiting with an older Christian man this week that we do some business with. The conversation turned to his family and he told me his daughter just left the church she had been attending. A group of people didn't like something that was going on in the church, so they discussed it with their Pastor. They didn't like the way he handled the situation, so they switched to another church. He said he hears this sort of thing in all churches and denominations. People are restless, discontent, and self seeking. If they don't get their way or if the church isn't perfect, they move on.

I told him that I have observed the same.
Decades of Humanistic teaching and New Age advertising have made inroads in church culture. Church has to be convenient for our lifestyle rather than us matching our lifestyle to church. Old is bad, and new, improved is better, and we are too impatient to think about the long term effect of changes. We live for the moment and want instant gratification. Many Christians have become egocentric and self reliant. Our needs and desires take precedence over our church family. It seems people rely more on education and intellect than Spirit, Word, the hoary head, and the multitude of counselors. Christians have become fad followers and popular preacher followers. Worship is being replaced by entertainment. Church tradition is being replaced by secular traditions. Many Christians believe they can blend worldliness and spirituality.

I am speaking in general, and I don't pretend to have the answers.
But it seems to be a sign of the times and maybe a sign of the End times.

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Judges 17:6

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
II Timothy 4:3

While waiting . . .

2011-03-21T22:04:00.004-05:00

. . . for spring to be here for good:

Peoria set a new snowfall record this winter. They recorded 52.5 inches of snow for the months of December, January, and February. That beat out the winter of 1978-1979, which I fondly remember.

The wheat crop appears to have survived the winter intact, and is starting to green up nicely. We were able to get the Nitrogen applied the other day ahead of predicted rain.

The new waterway I worked and seeded last fall has been damaged by the melting snow and late winter rains. It looks like it will need reworking and reseeding this spring.

We worked at the Mennonite Relief Sale Friday night. As always, I enjoyed seeing lots of friends that I rarely see. And eating some of Uncle Bob's homemade ice cream and buying homemade donuts for my Saturday morning breakfast.

I drove down to the Western Illinois Correctional Center Saturday to visit Phil. We were disappointed to learn that he was in a situation where he was unable to have visitors. But, it was a nice day for a drive through the country.

Daughter #2 is back from Nashville. It's not quiet around the house anymore.

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:43

Billfold

2011-03-15T19:20:00.002-05:00

Have I ever told you about my billfold? I show it to a lot of people, partly because I'm kinda proud of it. My wife and daughters are embarrassed by it, especially when I pull it out in a restaurant or store to pay for something. They say the cashier gives me strange looks. Maybe they think that I'm a hardship case.

I got my billfold back when I was in high school. I would need something to keep my new drivers license in when I turned 16. My high school locker combination is still written on the inside of it in case I would forget it. It was a good quality leather billfold and it has served me well all these years (~39). The women keep threatening to get me a new one, but I already have two new ones in my drawer. This one is an old faithful friend that has kinda molded a spot in my back side and it just wouldn't feel right to use anything different. It has traveled just about everywhere that I've traveled (although, it travels mostly in the dark). I have been fortunate to have never lost it, and it has done a great job of keeping its contents secure. It has a few holes in it, but so far nothing has leaked out. At one time the color was a rich dark brown, but now it is faded and almost a mottled gray. It may not look real pretty anymore, but I'm hoping it can stick around with me a few more decades.

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Luke 22:35,36

Florida

2011-03-03T19:40:00.005-06:00

We enjoyed two smooth, on time flights, an easy transfer in Atlanta, and we were in Sarasota airport on a warm beautiful afternoon. And that was pretty much how the whole past week went. Warm sunny days, with a slight breeze coming in off of the Gulf. We slept late, ate often, and stayed close to water. We took long walks on the beach, and we may have gotten a little sun burnt. Food included an Amish buffet, prime rib at the WaterfrontToo, Belgian waffle at Firstwatch, seafood at Red Lobster, liver and onions at Yoder's, and BBQ baby back ribs at Sonny's. We enjoyed the fellowship at Sarasota church, and the fellowship with Dad, Mom, Brent, and Beth in the condo. And we enjoyed the presence of two active young ladies.

The old farmer usually feels out of place on a beach, but after a few days watching the parade there, I think just about anybody could fit in! The next time I go down, I'm going to buy a shelling basket so I can spend more time hunting for shark's teeth. Along with my hiking stick collection, I think I am going to start collecting sand from each beach we visit. Nothing like adding more stuff to a full house. Oh, and we stopped at two bookstores and added to our book collection.

Here's a sampling of pictures from our trip.

This big old bird was in the parking lot of the WaterfrontToo restaurant.

The white sands of Siesta Key beach.

Some of the sailboats near Sarasota harbor.

Alligator viewed from the air boat in Myakka River State Park.

Alligators sunning themselves on the bank.

Grandma and Grandpa on the beach with Kami and Amor.

The beautiful water and sand of Venice Beach.

Seagull on the Venice pier.

Sunset on Siesta Key.

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Genesis 22:17

Knots

2011-02-17T22:51:00.003-06:00

We are enjoying the warm weather, but any longtime reader knows that I hate mud. This time of year on a livestock farm can be a muddy mess, which our farmyard is quickly becoming. The hog lots are soupy and it is hard to keep any thing clean. It is also a very ugly time of year. The landscaping is trashy, the lawn is filled with clumps of leaves, fallen branches, and debris left by the receding glaciers. Everything is drab and grungy. I think that I would like the winter/spring transition to take about 24 hours.

I spent the evening knotting comforters at church as part of my wife's World Relief comforter marathon. We finished 27 by the end of the evening. They will be headed to Zambia.

I attended a 2 day MS Excel seminar this week trying to refresh my memory and sharpen my skills. I like using Excel, but I don't use it often enough to remember all the tricks and features. It's an amazing program, I just don't take time to utilize it like I could.

Tuesday, I attended the Illinois Pork Expo at the Civic Center. It was cancelled and then rescheduled because of the blizzard 2 weeks ago. It continues to shrink as the industry consolidates. At one booth a vendor asked what type of operation we had, and I told him we had a small farrow to finish operation. In a world of 2400 sow farrowing units, he asked, "what's small, 500 sows?" "No I said, 150 sows." To which he replied, "you must either be doing something right or you are crazy!" To which I responded, "I think it is a little of both."

Actually, maybe a little more to the crazy side of the equation.

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
2 Peter 2:22

Ominous

2011-02-04T18:34:00.003-06:00

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Matthew 16:3

For once the weathermen were right! They all predicted a major winter storm with large amounts of snow. When the sun came up Tuesday morning I took this picture and knew we were in for something big. We finished our chores and made all the preparations we could. The snow and wind started after lunch and the rest is history. A good old fashioned blizzard. The wind seemed to start in the northeast then shift around to the northwest. This made for a lot of snow drifts in atypical places. Fortunately we never lost power. About 11:30 Tuesday evening (before I went to bed), I put on my down parka and went out for a stroll. The wind had blown open some hog feeder lids, so I had to find some concrete blocks to put on them to keep them closed. I almost worked up a sweat. It was kind of fun walking around out in the midst of the storm - knowing I could go into the warmth quickly.

It took me three hours to do chores Wednesday morning. It was hard to find a hog house door to enter, because most had huge drifts in front of them. I carried a shovel around with me all morning to get into doors, cross drifts, and check pigs. The snow had sifted into all the open sheds, hoops, and machine sheds. The sleeping pigs had a layer of snow covering them. In some of the lots the drifts were high enough that the hogs could walk over the fences if they wanted to. They mostly were just cold and hungry. We fed everything and in the afternoon bedded them all down good with extra straw. We also started the long process of clearing snow. It will take several days to get everything cleared, but we opened everything up that needed immediate attention. By evening the Township had our road open again.

After supper Wednesday evening, I put on my snowshoes and went out snowshoeing in the peace and calm of a crisp, cold winter night. There are not many years that I get to use them, but I enjoy the winter exercise and the ability to walk anywhere I want. The sunshine and calm today allowed us to accomplish much work despite the cold. It is a satisfying feeling to come into the warm house after a long day of winter work.
Despite the inconveniences, winter really is a beautiful time of year.

Ordinary

2011-01-26T21:52:00.002-06:00

I ran across this quote the other night in a book that I was reading:

"The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children."
G. K. Chesterton

The more I thought about it, the more I liked it. I don't know exactly what he had in mind when he penned this quote, but I feel that I am an ordinary man that God has blessed with an extraordinary family. It's humbling and I am grateful.

A few more Chesterton quotes:

"Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions."
"Customs are generally unselfish. Habits are nearly always selfish."
"To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it."
"Once abolish the God, and the government becomes the God."
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried."

The old farmer asked his wife to help him load hogs today. There was no one else around to help this week. This may have been the first time in our marriage that she had to help with this job. We got the hogs loaded and shipped, and I appreciated her help.
There will be no further comments on her participation.

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matthew 7:6

Winter Week

2011-01-18T21:24:00.002-06:00

Another typical winter week has passed.
A few inches of fresh snow.
A few hours of fresh snow removal.
Daily chores and some maintenance work in the shop.

We took an afternoon off to attend a visitation. This seems to be too common this winter.

I finally installed the new toilet in our remodeled bathroom. I thought I had all the parts that I would need. But I still had to make a run to the hardware store for a part to adapt the new toilet to the old plumbing. Then I started on the sink installation. I thought I had all the parts I needed for that job also, but I had to make a trip to the hardware store, and my wife made a stop at Ace Hardware for me.
The sink still was not functional. It would take one more trip. I even try to keep spare plumbing parts on hand, but it seems that it is rarely just what I need.

Sunday the whole family went to T-town for church, followed by a lunch call at Bob and Jenny's. They had a full house. Family birthdays in the evening followed by a taffy pull. We enjoyed the day.

Monday I spent the day at farm meetings(in two different hotel conference rooms in two different cities), so I stopped for the last plumbing parts on my way home. The sink is now functional! We have a second bathroom again.
This little bathroom will be the nicest room in the house.

So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.
Exodus 30:21

Foolish

2011-01-04T22:21:00.002-06:00

One cold day last week, I came in from working and showed my wife my cut and bleeding hand. "I guess a person shouldn't use his fist as a hammer," I said.

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29

Update

2011-01-03T20:20:00.003-06:00

Our snow is all gone. Last week we had two days of spring, but then it was back into the deep freeze. I took my long johns off for two days, then forgot to put them back on for work Saturday. Big mistake.

We had the Young Group in New Year's Eve. I stayed up past midnight, but was in bed long before the youngsters left.

We drove to Champaign Sunday morning for Hannah's wedding. It was a blessing to be there and we were honored to be invited. The reception was in the pavilion at Lake of the Woods Park. Our family used to picnic and swim there when I was in grade school. I think my eighth grade class trip was there also. It had the only water slide that I remember seeing back in those days. I think you rode down the slide on a little wooden sled and skimmed across the lake until you lost velocity.
We had to rush back after the reception for our last holiday family gathering, which we were hosting. About 40 people showed up for the evening and my wife's baked potato bar. Our cousins from Alaska were here again and I enjoyed their stories and their take on current events. Uncle Bill told me a joke which I promptly forgot. Lots of food and visiting. It was a good day.

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Matthew 22:10

Holiday Food

2010-12-28T19:28:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was our all day Christmas marathon. So, our Christmas is officially over now. Except for one family Christmas that is more like an annual reunion that will be held after New Year's.

Food, as always takes a prominent role in our Christmas gatherings. We were again blessed with an abundance of tasty feasts.
Friday night was oyster stew and tortellini soup.
Saturday was seafood night with shrimp, scallops, and King Crab legs.
Sunday was our fowl meal; Cornish hens.
Monday started with breakfast casserole brunch, followed in the evening with shrimp cocktail and crepes.
Each meal included all the 'fixins' and was followed by cookies, candies, and other deserts.
It is hard to comprehend how blessed we are compared to the majority of the people in the world. I hope I don't take too much for granted, or set my affection on the abundance available to me.

No doubt weight was gained over the weekend which should prompt budget cuts in the coming weeks.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Isaiah 55:2

High View

2010-12-23T19:37:00.003-06:00

The kids and I climbed to the top of the grain leg to take our Christmas card picture for the year. While up there, I decided to snap a few shots of the farm and the surrounding countryside. The snow has a nice sanitizing effect on parts of the farm. The view from up there is certainly impressive, but is hard to do it justice with a camera. We got a good picture for the cards and they were mailed out today.

From "Random Kinds Of Factness": More people are killed by pigs than sharks each year.

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.

2 Samuel 22:34

Bathroom

2010-12-18T20:01:00.003-06:00

The women of the house decided that the first floor bathroom needed an upgrade. They started tearing down the wallpaper so they could paint it, but some of the plaster came off with the paper. The walls had a thin layer of plaster applied in a remodel years ago, and it was now flaking off. Our carpenter suggested it might be best to have the room replastered. All of this old layer had to be chipped and scraped off. This led to the decision to remove all of the old fixtures and buy a new light fixture, medicine cabinet, vanity, and faucets. To do a good job with the plaster, the woodwork had to come off, as well as the window trim. The door was removed. And the toilet was removed. So now we had a totally empty room. Well, we might as well get a new toilet while we are at it. And get rid of the old built in soap dish. And do a little upgrading of the wiring.

This was over a week ago. We are down to one bathroom on the second floor (yes, we are spoiled). The plasterer came this week and did a good job with the recover layer, but he told us we could not paint it for two full weeks. Which means we can't do any reinstalling.
How do we operate with just one working bathroom over the holidays? Especially with guests coming!

The decision was made to reinstall the old toilet so that we at least had two of them available. Then take it back out to paint. Tonight the boys and I put it back in. With all the high-tech construction and plumbing materials out there, we still owe a well sealed toilet to a bees wax gasket!
There is no light in the room, so a candle will have to provide light after dark. A container of wet wipes will have to take the place of washing hands in a sink for a while. And I guess maybe I should rehang the door.

There is still an argument as to whether or not the flooring should be replaced also. Of course there is nothing wrong with the old floor. But while the room is empty, now would be the best time . . .

This bathroom is the smallest room in the house but it is starting to be pretty costly.

But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
Nehemiah 3:14

Scrapbooking

2010-12-12T19:42:00.002-06:00

Church was cancelled today because of the blizzard like weather. Not much snow, but strong winds causing whiteout conditions and frigid temperatures. I caught the morning service (live streaming) from Francesville (eastern time), and the morning service from Tremont. If Phoenix would have been live, I could have listened to their morning service also and then caught San Diego or Altadena's afternoon service. But I didn't - that might have been overload.

I then spent the rest of the day scrapbooking. Yes, I said scrapbooking! I was a scrapbooker when scrapbooking wasn't cool. I started when I was in early grade school, and have kept it up ever since. My scrapbooking is not the contemporary designer pages that are currently in vogue. Mine are a simple, basic record of the history that affected my life and my family. I saved Sunday School and school papers in the beginning and then included newspaper clippings, obituaries, memorial cards, wedding invites, wedding napkins, ticket stubs, programs, vacation itineraries, meeting agendas, and various other things that I think might be interesting to be reminded of some day. I usually let my material clutter up my bedroom, and then in the winter I spend a day affixing it all in the big book. This time I was about five years behind! Fortunately I made great progress today.

On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
Esther 6:1

Winter

2010-12-08T21:45:00.003-06:00

After 4-6 inches of fresh snow blanketed the farm last weekend, the temperature has plunged into the single digits. This year we were somewhat prepared for it. I say somewhat, because after the cold settles in we always find something we wish we would have gotten done earlier. Darkness comes early now, so our outside work becomes more of a challenge.
Already my lips are getting chapped, my face is wind burnt, my fingertips are cracking, and the skin on my heels is splitting open. These little problems can be as painful as some big injuries.

Winter is settling in.

We started noticing our water pulsating last weekend. We had volume and pressure, but pulsating flow. A great time of year to have well problems. Monday morning I checked our pressure tank and found that it was full of water. The rubber bladder in it is leaking, and water replaced the air behind it. The well repairman is supposed to be bringing us a new one soon and hopefully it will be an easy fix. Working with water in the winter is not a fun job.

The old farmer's wife went and picked out a Christmas tree the other day (because I'm too lazy to help), and she picked a straight one! Usually it gets home and won't stand up until major surgery has been performed. Sometimes we still have to keep rotating it to find the right side to display that is full and looks straight. But this year it is a good one with no modifications needed. I've been out shopping once already and am assembling the lists that are my responsibility and getting ready for the all out assault.
And I'm already starting to enjoy the cookies and candy that accompanies Christmas.

And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Mark 13:18

Firewood

2010-11-28T21:33:00.003-06:00

Friday morning I was back in the woods. On the farm where we hunt deer, they have two houses that they heat with wood. So for the privilege of being able to hunt on their property, we help them cut and split firewood each year. It was a cold, crisp, sunny late fall morning when about eight of us gathered around three log splitters and went to work on some trees that had fallen in the woods. Oak and locust logs had been cut into sections and dragged into the pasture earlier and were waiting for laborers. Some of the sections were three to four feet in diameter. It took a tractor to get them positioned so the splitters could do the splitting. I had dressed warm, but it wasn't long before I started shedding clothes. We got a lot done fast, filling 2 tractor draw trailers and a pickup bed full of firewood. We moved to another spot in the woods and split another large pile before finishing the morning with a bowl of hot chili and a turkey sandwich. All the while the all male group is telling hunting stories and discussing various hunting equipment and ammunition. It is always a positive to be on good terms with the local Sheriff, who is a bow hunter and was included in the group.
We don't have a fireplace or a wood burning stove, or I could have brought some home for ourselves. I enjoyed the day and I enjoy a fireplace fire on a cold evening, but I'm not sure that I would want to work that hard to heat our house. I remember as a little boy, we heated our house with coal. I would ride in the truck with my dad each year to get a load of coal. We scooped it down a chute into our "coal room" in the basement, and then each morning and evening in the winter, Dad would make sure the stoker was full. It would auger coal into the big old furnace as needed to keep the fire going. On a regular basis he would have to clean out the cinders. He would carry them outside and use them to fill holes in the road or driveway. Heating with coal was a dirty job.

I think LP gas works just fine to heat our house.
A big white truck pulls in our yard a couple times a winter and fills our tank. All I have to do is make sure the pilot light is lit.

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 26:21

Opening Day

2010-11-19T20:00:00.005-06:00

It was a nice crisp late fall morning with a stiff breeze from the SSW. But this year on opening morning of deer season I was in a tree stand and not in the combine (like last year). At about 7:00 a Doe walked past out in the grassy field in front of me. I decided to pass on taking a shot. But then she turned into the timber and walked at an angle right towards me. I decided she would be meat for the winter.
I rested in the truck until the other hunters came out of their stands at about 8:30 and we delivered the deer to the locker.
I went back out in the afternoon just to sit in a stand and enjoy the day. I do have another permit, but will only use it for a trophy buck or if the boys don't get anything. About 4:00, a doe and two fawns came browsing through the area near my stand. They would nibble on twigs here, then reach for some green leaves over there, and then search through the dry leaves on the ground and munch on acorns. All the while Momma would be alert for danger, eyes always scanning and radar ears tuned in to the sounds of the woods. I watched them for a half an hour until they were out of sight, blending into the woods. A while later a fawn came through from the other direction. Fifteen minutes later Momma came, bleating for her wayward child. There was a pair of squirrels that spent most of the afternoon chasing each other around through the dry leaves, making an awful racket. As dusk came, a couple of raccoons started making their rounds. I climbed out of the stand and started walking through the pasture to the lane and saw several deer in the fields silhouetted against the sky with the dark red/purple sunset as a backdrop.
I love the woods. It was a good day to be out in them.

Our credit card security division called because they caught some odd transactions coming through on our account. Someone got hold of our account number and was making charges in Fresno, CA yesterday. We immediately closed the account, so now we are without our VISA card until we can get a new card next week. The old farmer had to call his wife, who was in the middle of a shopping trip, and tell her she could no longer use the card. Perhaps this saved me some money! I imagine they phished the number off of some Internet transaction. Its amazing how quickly security caught the problem, and how much they know about our spending habits.

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
Proverbs 12:27

Starved Rock

2010-11-06T06:19:00.003-05:00

Earlier this week, we took a short retreat to Starved Rock and did some relaxing, hiking and eating. The waterfalls were not flowing this time of year, and we were late for the best fall colors, but we enjoyed our time there anyway. And rates are reduced this time of year! We were spending a gift certificate to the Lodge that we received for Christmas last year from Bob and Jenny. We thought we better use it before Christmas rolls around again. It was a sunny, crisp fall day, as we hiked the trails through the woods to overlooks, into canyons, and along the river. We hiked into St. Louis canyon, home of the famous Starved Rock murders. A little creepy since we were the only people in the canyon at the time.

The old farmer's wife is the grammar/spelling/punctuation Nazi in our household, and she tells me that Starved Rock is a misnomer. The rock is not and was not starved. Perhaps a better name would be Starvation Rock or Siege Rock. This of course refers to the legend that a band of Illiniwek Indians took refuge on top of the rock formation because bands of Potawatome and Ottawa Indians were seeking revenge for the killing of Chief Pontiac. The Illiniweks were unable to escape and ended up starving to death.

Something I didn't know was that in 1682 the French cleared the top of the rock formation and built a fort on it. It offered a strategic position above the last rapids on the Illinois river, and protection from small parties of marauding Indians. They named it Fort St. Louis, and it became a haven for traders and trappers. They later abandoned the fort and moved to Peoria and established Fort Pimitoui. By the early 1700's, the fort had disappeared.

And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

Exodus 33:21

Long Black Train

2010-11-01T22:06:00.002-05:00

Long Black Train
Josh Turner

There's a long black train,
Comin' down the line,
Feedin' off the souls that are lost and cryin',
Rails of sin, only evil remains
Watch out brother for that Long Black Train

Look to the heavens
You can look to the skies
You can find redemption
Staring back into your eyes
There is protection and there's
Peace the same, burnin' your ticket for that
Long Black Train

'Cause there's vict'ry in the Lord I say,
Vict'ry in the lord,
Cling to the Father and His holy name,
And don't go ridin' on that Long Black Train

There's an engineer on that Long Black Train,
Makin' you wonder if the ride is worth the pain,
He's just a waiting on your heart to say
Let me ride on that Long Black Train,

But you know there's vict'ry in the Lord I say,
Vict'ry in the Lord,
Cling to the Father and His holy name,
And dont go ridin' on that Long Black Train

Well, I can hear the whistle from a mile away,
It sounds so good
But I must stay away
That train is a beauty, makin' everybody stare
But its only destination is the middle of nowhere,

But you know theres vict'ry in the Lord I say,
Vict'ry in the Lord,
Cling to the Father and His holy name,
And don't go ridin' on that Long Black Train

I said cling to the Father and His holy name
And dont go ridin' on that long black train
Yeah, watch out brother for that long black train
The Devil's a drivin' that long black train.

I was reminded of this song Saturday night. We had the opportunity to hear the testimony of a 56 year old man who, as a teenager, started riding that long black train. He had been brought to church by his parents as a child, but stopped attending as soon as he was old enough to move out of the house. For almost 40 years, he lived a life of sin and crime. His lifestyle ruined his health and the doctors gave him less than a year to live. Finally he came to his senses and surrendered to God in repentance.
It was a pleasure to hear of (and witness) the joy and peace he now has, and to feel his love for Christ and the church. God still works miracles in the hard hearts of men! He has an eagerness to read the word, pray, attend church, and he has a concern for those like him who are still lost.

The shed blood of Christ purchased him a ticket on a train bound for Glory!
Praise God!

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Luke 15:24

Nursing Home

2010-10-27T22:23:00.002-05:00

Saturday night I helped at the Eureka Home Benefit Dinner. First I sprinkled slivered almonds on about 240 salads and then I worked the assembly line that filled and delivered 240 plates of food in about 15 minutes. My job was to place the dinner roll and the pat of butter on the far side of the plate away from the hot food.

I remember the first time I went to a Nursing Home with the Young Group to sing for the residents. I had just started my repentance and conversion (age 22), and it was very foreign to me. Satan kept telling me, "What in the world are you doing here on a Friday night. You should be out having fun."
But I quickly came to appreciate visiting with and singing for the elderly in the homes. We did regular rotation at 3 different nursing homes. By the time I left the young Group to get married, it had become one of my favorite and most uplifting activities. Even in their diminished capacities, many of the elderly residents still have a lot to offer. And they were always very appreciative of our visits.

I later had the privilege of serving 11 years on the board of directors for our local church nursing home. It gave me a whole new perspective on the care and needs of the elderly. And insight into some of the ridiculous laws and the delinquency of the State of Illinois.

May God Bless all those who feel it their calling to serve the elderly by working or volunteering at Nursing Homes.

Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
Psalm 71:9

Finished

2010-10-21T20:57:00.002-05:00

What a beautiful fall! A total contrast to last year. The weather cooperated with us and harvest is now finished. We finished corn last week after the new leg was finally put into service. We had stopped combining soybeans because they got too dry. But when several predicted rains never materialized, we decided to finish them even if they were too dry. Ideal soybean moisture is in the 12 - 13% range. But we were combining the last of them in the 7 - 9 % range. We were definitely losing yield because of the low moisture content. Even though we are the last to finish harvest in our neighborhood, it is not late.

We have been working on tillage, but that has been slowed while waiting on fertilizer. The distributors and dealers are having a hard time keeping up with demand this year because of the early, open harvest. Farmers are also trying to make up for what they didn't get done last year.

Our 4 wheel drive tractor is in the shop, so we are using a rental tractor for some of our tillage. Another unexpected expense on top of the tractor repair bill. We add this to the combine repair bill from the 5 day "hospital" stay it had this fall. It is a good thing that prices are going up to help cover the additional expenses.

And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Exodus 23:16

Chinese

2010-10-10T22:01:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we had a group of Chinese exchange students visit our farm. I gave them rides on the combine while we were harvesting soybeans. It was the first time most of them were on an American farm, and the first time any of them saw farm machinery. On the farms where they come from in China, the farmers do not have machinery, everything is done by hand or with animal power, and on a very small scale. Every facet is new to them, and it is fun to watch the expressions of amazement on their faces at the scale and technology of American farms. They were impressed with the size of a combine and the fact that it costs more than an average home. They took lots of pictures and videoed everything. They spoke very good English and I enjoyed our conversations. I explained to them that the growing Chinese economy and the increasing standard of living of the Chinese people is playing a large role in the current profitability of American agriculture.

Over the years, cousin Randy has brought numerous international students to our farm. We've hosted Chinese, Japanese, and African students, as well as visitors from Switzerland, Germany, and Eastern Europe.
This particular group of students were surprised when they got to central Illinois to learn that Caterpillar's world headquarters was in Peoria, and that Caterpillar was actually an industrial company manufacturing construction machinery. They told me that in China it is "cool"/trendy to wear Caterpillar shoes and clothing, and that is what they thought Cat's products were. The irony is that a licensee probably manufactures the branded shoes and clothes in China!

Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
Deuteronomy 33:25

Delay

2010-10-03T20:27:00.003-05:00

Because we doubled the number of hogs we are feeding last year, we are also feeding twice as many bushels of corn. Our old grain handling system became very inefficient and undersized. In March, we ordered a new grain bin, grain leg, and bought a used dryer. We made the down payment the first week of April, and our dealer told us the factory gave him a July 16 shipping date. Plenty of time to get it built before harvest.

In August, the dealer told us the leg still hadn't come in, and the company and factory personnel couldn't give him a ship date. The grain bin came and was built, as well as the used dryer was installed. We can't use the dryer or fill the new bin without the leg.

We learn patience.

On September 13, the leg finally arrives on our farm. The crew starts work immediately, but it is a tall leg and will take some time to assemble, erect, tie down, and place spouts. By now corn harvest is half over in our area.

Tomorrow, October 4th, we think the grain system will be finished and ready to receive corn. Our cornfields are the only unharvested fields in the neighborhood. The corn is so dry that we won't even need to run it through the dryer. And we are currently combining soybeans so it could be another week before we switch back to corn. Our corn fields will be the only corn standing in the county!

The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 28:8

Old and New/Used

2010-09-27T06:09:00.002-05:00

We hauled a battered canoe back from the BWCA on its roof. We hauled my red kayak on it. We pulled our camper around the Rocky Mountains with it and to upstate New York as well as other destinations. It hauled us to Canada and to Florida. We took countless weekend trips with it. Our kids learned to drive in it. At times it was used as a bus hauling Bandos and the Cross Country team. Sometimes it was used as a truck. But alas, retirement was approaching.

I still really like our old van. It was the perfect size for our family, it was great for traveling, and it could pull our camper with ease. The body is in great shape, and it still doesn't burn oil. But it is a 1997 model and it has 244,000+ miles on it. I'm not sure that I would trust it to go on a long trip anymore because at that age anything could happen.
So our transportation consultant brought out to the farm a couple of used vans for us to test drive over the last couple of weeks. We settled on a 2008 Chevy Uplander with 49,000 miles. It is very nice, but I worry about all the electric and electronic gadgets on it because I know they can be maintenance nightmares. It is a little smaller than the Astro, but is a more comfortable ride and gets better gas mileage. I wonder if it has another 200,000 miles in it?

The old Astro will be cleaned out and advertised for sale. It will be a bittersweet parting.

And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:

Exodus 14:6

Chaplin & Marx

2010-09-19T18:53:00.004-05:00

I was listening to the radio in the combine cab last week, and the announcers started chatting about Charlie Chaplin. Charlie was an actor/comedian from the early years of motion pictures. Another early actor/comedian from the early years was Groucho Marx. I thought of some of my favorite one liners attributed to them.

I remain just one thing, and one thing only, and that is a clown. It places me on a far higher plain than any politician.
Charlie Chaplin

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
Groucho Marx

One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know.
Groucho Marx

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.
Groucho Marx

I am at peace with God. My conflict is with Man.
Charlie Chaplin

To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune.
Charlie Chaplin

I intend to live forever, or die trying.
Groucho Marx

I must confess, I was born at a very early age.
Groucho Marx

Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him.
Groucho Marx

Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
Job 8:21

Saturday Evening

2010-09-12T21:46:00.003-05:00

The trough supper and grain bin singing for the young group seemed to be a success, based on the amount of food consumed and the favorable comments. The food was dumped on the tables into foil "troughs" and then everyone sat around the table and ate out of the troughs with their fingers. Some of the girls were a little tentative at first, but the guys dug right in. The food consisted of chuck roast chunks, sausage chunks, rolls, small potatoes, baby carrots, sweet corn, mushrooms, grapes, and watermelon.
After supper, the group strolled over to the new grain bin for a singing. The evening was beautiful and the hymns emanating from the bin added a special ambiance to the moonlit night. I did have to shut down the grain driers for a few hours to give them some quiet for the singing. The old farmer's wife and daughter did a great job hosting.
Tomorrow we will get our shop back.

And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Genesis 24:20

Clean Shop

2010-09-08T20:47:00.003-05:00

We have started corn harvest. About a month earlier than last year.

The women have been feverishly cleaning the farm shop in preparation for a "trough supper" and grain bin singing for the young group this Saturday night. There has been lots of scrubbing, window washing, sweeping, dusting, vacuuming and rearranging going on in there. I hope I can find all of my tools and parts when it is all over. Occasionally you can hear piercing, high pitched screams when daughter #2 finds (apparently) giant prehistoric arachnids.
I keep telling them that it is a farm shop and it doesn't have to be too clean. But it will indeed be much cleaner than it has been in years.
But what if some of our equipment breaks down and we need to use the shop for its intended purpose? Will we get kicked out?

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
Job 14:4

KC

2010-08-31T20:28:00.002-05:00

We enjoyed a quick weekend trip to Kansas City. It started with a Saturday evening supper of JackStack BBQ brisket at church. They know how to treat company! We were blessed by the ordination ceremony of brother-in-law Randy. There were five Elders and a retired Elder present. I was on my best behavior.
We also enjoyed the late night activity, food, and discussions at the K-berger Hotel afterwards. Always great hospitality there. It was good to see all the friends and relatives that were together for the weekend.
I also appreciate the cheap gas (relative to IL) in Missouri.

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Acts 14:23

Plowing Bee

2010-08-23T06:22:00.008-05:00

Because of the late, wet harvest last fall, very few fields of wheat were sown in our area. We were asked if part of our field could be used for a "plowing bee" for antique tractors and plows. We usually use the whole field to apply our natural fertilizer (manure) on until harvest, but we saved 30 acres for them to plow.
Saturday was the big day. We had .4 of an inch of rain overnight, so the ground was a little muddy on top. There was a lot of mud on the tires and a lot of wheel slippage. But the show went on and everyone seemed to enjoy it, and it was fun getting neighbors together. There were about 20 tractors plowing throughout the day, and the organizer brought extra plows to use. One problem is that not many in my generation and younger know how to set a plow any more. It's getting to be a lost art. When I plowed as a youngster, my Dad would set the plow.
Even our old Massey Harris 44 got in on the fun! We still use it every day, so we hardly consider it an antique. Maybe next year the JD 60 will give it a try.

Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1 Corinthians 9:10

Rejoice

2010-08-22T22:01:00.003-05:00

I believe that someday on my deathbed, there will be only one thing that really matters to me. That my children are all born again believers.

Today we had the privilege of attending the last baptism.

I am a blessed man.

I thank God for his great love, mercy, and for sending us Christ.
I thank Jesus for his sacrifice of life and blood.
I thank my wife for sharing my life and her faithfulness.
I thank my parents, extended family, and church family for their support, prayers, and heritage of faith.
I thank my children for their compliance, submission, and obedience to the Gospel.

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Peter 1:8

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Mark 1:8

Stroll

2010-08-15T20:12:00.002-05:00

We had a nice 1.5 inch rain the end of last week. It was just what the crops needed for relief from the extremely hot, humid weather we have been experiencing. The heat has really hastened the development of the corn crop especially, and an early harvest is probable. This rain should be enough to finish the crop.

This evening the humidity was much lower than it has been and the temperature was around 81 degrees. The old farmer took his wife out to eat at the Mexican restaurant in Washington and afterwards we drove to the town cemetery (Glendale). We had a very pleasant stroll around the paths looking at the old tombstones and stopping at the graves of old neighbors, landlords, and friends. We walked in the shade of the big old trees and enjoyed the slight breeze.

It was peaceful and beautiful out there this evening.

I thought of all the entombed bodies waiting for a resurrection, and wondered how many souls would be looking forward to judgement day.

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Matthew 27:52

Dog Days

2010-08-12T20:23:00.002-05:00

Its hot and humid here in central Illinois. Very hot and very humid. I seem to spend most of my time in wet clothes. We are upgrading our grain handling set-up and this week the bin erection crew were here building the new bin. Working on and inside of a metal grain bin has to be one of the hottest jobs to do in the summer. But they were all young guys on the crew, so they seemed to take the heat in stride. I seem to loose my desire to work by the middle of the afternoon. The hogs don't eat much in this weather. They just lie around panting. Ground feed starts setting up in the bulk tanks. The weeds grow, but the lawn and the crops dry up. Our road is a melted tar mess (although it's not hot enough to fry an egg on--daughter #2 tried it). The air conditioning in the cars and the house strain to keep up.
The dog days of August.

My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.
Job 30:30

Vacation

2010-08-03T21:27:00.002-05:00

The first two days of work after vacation have been tough ones. The temperature and humidity make physical work almost unbearable. I spent the days drenched in sweat. Today I went through two sets of clothes. When I come in the house into air conditioning, it feels freezing. The good thing is that I think we are starting to get caught up with our work. The feed mill continues to give us problems, but we keep plugging along.

I spent my week at Kentucky Lake resting up from the previous weeks of work. I slept late every day, ate a lot of food, took naps every day, and ate more food. I got caught up on some of my magazine reading, and I made it to the beach a couple of times. We had Internet access, so I was able to keep up with the markets and my email. The fishermen weren't having much luck the first 6 days, so I didn't bother to buy a license. The old farmer's wife cooked our traditional meal of haystacks one night - always a hit. The other meals did not disappoint. Newcomer Ron made his special caramel corn one night, and grilled fish for us on the last night. The entire family made it for at least part of the week, except nephew Brent and his family. I believe a good time was had by most.

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Proverbs 6:10

Work

2010-07-25T13:42:00.003-05:00

Hot, humid, sweaty, and dirty pretty much describes my last 3 weeks. After the BWCA, we had much work to do before we could leave for our family vacation. Throw in the occational rain shower and I spend most of my days wet. My daughter and wife usually are quick to let me know how bad I smell. Hog manure + wet feed + sweaty body = some rather interesting odors. I was again helping daughter #2 build character - I had her walking beans and helping chase hogs.
The high humidity of summer always gives us problems grinding and mixing feed. Soybean meal doesn't flow well in humidity. Feed premix contains salt, which tends to draw moisture to it. This then gums up our mixer and augers. So we end up spending a lot of time babysitting our feed mill. This past week we had to grind and mix two weeks worth of feed in one week in preparation for vacation. I was in the corn crib (where the mill is) by 6 most mornings to get a batch started, and often was out there at 11 at night keeping the mill going.
The last 3 weeks I averaged 11 to 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. I would even go back out after Wednesday evening services to start the grinder. By Saturday at 2:30, we were caught up and I hit the shower and we were off for vacation. I'm afraid I'll spend my first few days just recuperating (also known as being very lazy).

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Straw

2010-07-11T19:22:00.004-05:00

Friday afternoon and Saturday we baled over 2500 bales of straw. It's always some of the hottest days of the summer when baling time rolls around. I seem to always end up in the haymow, making sure the help does the stacking job correctly. The hay mow is the hottest, dustiest place to work with very little air movement. It wasn't good for my lungs or my contacts. It seems like you can consume your weight in water, and sweat it out as fast as you intake it. I can still out work most the young guys we hire to help, but I sure felt my age Saturday evening when we were done. Uncle Roy ran the baler Friday, and cousin Dale ran it Saturday. They pull their baler with a cherry LP gas JD 3020.

Bob and Jenny got in the act also. Bob worked on the rack a while, and Grandpa taught Jenny how to drive the JD 60, pulling the racks in from the field.

The haymow where I worked with 2-4 youngsters.

Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.
Exodus 5:11

BWCA 2

2010-07-09T21:40:00.003-05:00

On our way north from Minneapolis, we stopped for supper at Gordy's old fashioned hamburger stand. Here is a picture of the girls in front of Gordy's.

While camping, a group effort produced a birch bark checkerboard for a checkers tournament. Wild blueberries were used to dye the dark "checkers".

Making popcorn on the campfire the old fashioned way.

Another beautiful evening at camp in the peace and quiet of the Boundary Waters.

Picnic lunch on the rocks during one of our day trips. Summer sausage and cheese, and peanut butter and jelly never tasted so good.

On a guys day hike, we ran across this old relic and we wondered how it got here since there are no roads anywhere near here. Someone probably drove it across frozen lakes during winter, but why?

The girls silhouetted in the setting sun.

Our first nights meal. Steak, hash browns, and green beans cooked over an open fire. Everything tastes better when camping!

The plastic stump latrine. It was quite out in the open. In the evening the mosquitoes really enjoyed the location.

Sunset over Fourtown Lake. Our home for the week.

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Mark 6:31

BWCA

2010-07-05T22:27:00.003-05:00

I had the privilege to spend last week in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with a group of 8 Dads and 10 Daughters. Most of whom I had never met before. The girls were between the ages of 16 and 20. We had a great time making memories, building friendships, and enjoying God's creation. We hailed from Congerville, Fairbury, Forrest, and Washington Illinois, plus Rockville Connecticut. Because there were 18 of us we split into 2 groups. After paddling and portaging into Fourtown Lake, we found an Island that had campsites on opposite sides that were connected by a trail through the woods. It was very convenient for our groups, so we base camped and did day trips and fishing trips from there. It was especially satisfying to watch the girls bond together and work together away from all the modern conveniences. Except for a 5 hour rain early one morning that flooded the girls tent, we had beautiful weather. I was afraid that maybe the old farmer was getting a little too old for this sort of thing, but I enjoyed it and managed it all quite well. I will try to post more pictures and commentary later.

The group of Fathers and Daughters in Minneapolis the day before.

Group 1 camp mates.

An after picture of the group, ready to head for the showers.

The BWCA is a 1.9 million acre wilderness area that borders Canada in North Eastern Minnesota. With hundreds of lakes connected by portage trails, there are a thousand miles of canoe routes throughout. There are no roads or services, and boats with motors are not allowed. The campsites are primitive, with just a fire grate and a "stump" latrine. There are bear, moose, deer, eagles, loons, and various other critters living here. It is the most visited wilderness in America.

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
Luke 8:22-24

Continued

2010-06-18T20:30:00.002-05:00

The prime rib I had at The Depot was very good, as well the turtle cheesecake I had for desert. Unfortunately, there had been a request by Ron for a quartet to sing "Bless Them Lord" after dinner. With full stomachs and no warm up the quartet (who shall remain nameless), didn't sound very good. Following introductions, speeches, a slide show, and the quartet, Eric capped off the evening with his rendition of "The Things You Don't Say To Your Wife".

Sunday morning we were a little worried if the wedding would go as planned. Ron was up most of the night very sick. Dr. Randy rushed to the scene and prescribed treatment. By noon he was feeling much better and made it to church in plenty of time to get married. There was Gatorade by his seat, and the best man was alert for any wavering.

The "middle-aged" bridesmaids all looked nice in periwinkle blue, especially the old farmers' lovely wife. No chuckles were heard as they strolled down the aisle. The reception was large and the food good; pulled pork sandwiches, pasta salad, and brownies and ice cream.
And then it was over.

And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
Luke 5:31

Busy Weekend

2010-06-17T20:19:00.004-05:00

Last weekend was a busy one for us. All the family was in town for the big wedding. We had 27 guests for supper in the old farm house Saturday night and we weren't even here! The daughters fed the crowd while we were at the Rehearsal Dinner. Then we had eight overnight guests. Grandma would have been proud to see her house full.
Saturday morning after chores I had to run to church to learn my ushering duties. In the afternoon we quit early so that we could attend Rachel and Austin's wedding. It was very nice, but unfortunately we couldn't stay for the reception. I would have loved to have shared that time with their family and friends. After the rehearsal dinner at Garden Gate, it was back to the fellowship hall to make sure everything was set up for the reception Sunday.

Growing up, Kary was like another little sister. Vernie worked late most evenings as a car salesman. Pearline would often bring the kids out to the farm, so several nights a week they were at our supper table. Sunday after church it was usually lunch call at one or the others' house. With Mom and Pearl being sisters from Iowa, we took many a trip to Lester together. Both families bought camping trailers, so most of our vacations were taken together. Canning, freezing, and butchering was done together. Holidays were spent together. After we married, Kary was like an aunt to our kids.

For the last 25 or 30 years, I have worked regularly with Ron. He is our fertilizer and chemical salesman/supplier, and he has been an asset to our farming operation. He has done most of our crop scouting, and in his younger days did a lot of soil testing and custom application for us. I trust his fertility, chemical program, insecticide, fungicide, and liming recommendations so much that I have become lazy in the agronomy department. I have admired his hunting, fishing, and musical talents. Ron has been a widower for over three years and has a neat family of five adult children.

Ron and Kary are both from big families, and they both made lots of friends over the years. Sunday, they were united in Holy Matrimony. It was one of the largest weddings we have ever had in our church.
Congratulations and God's blessings Kary and Ron!

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
Matthew 22:4

Flag Day

2010-06-14T14:45:00.003-05:00

Since today is Flag day, I thought I would post the lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner. The last three verses are rarely heard. I think the fourth verse in particular is often overlooked in our society today. Few of us have sacrificed to obtain the freedom that our flag represents. Many forget that God has the power to raise Nations or put down Nations. Too few are grateful for all that we have.
None of us have done anything to deserve the spiritual freedom that we can have.

The Star-Spangled Banner

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
Acts 22:28

Update

2010-06-09T21:35:00.003-05:00

Saturday night seven tornadoes touched down in central Illinois. One of them passed about five miles north of us. I spent most of today (along with about twenty-five others) helping clean up a farm that took a direct hit from the tornado. They lost the roof off of the house, many trees, a barn, two machine sheds, two hog houses, several grain bins, and a grain leg. Much of the machinery in the sheds was damaged. It was a huge mess and will take a lot more work to get it all cleaned up.
We lost power for 5-6 hours twice last week. Our flashlights and candles are getting a workout. It keeps raining, and we are about 5 inches above normal year-to-date already. We were able to finish planting soybeans last week and were able to replant the drowned out patches this week. Our custom applicator got into the wrong field last week, and before he realized it he had killed the end rows in one of our soybean fields. I replanted that on Monday. Hopefully they will grow.

I received a phone call from young man that was in the car accident. He thanked me for helping at the scene. He is back at work and says he has no permanent damage. The good Lord was watching over him!

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2

Wooden

2010-06-05T16:02:00.002-05:00

John Wooden, perhaps the greatest basketball coach ever, died this week. Here are some of his quotes that I like.

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think of you."

"Be prepared and be honest."

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

"Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights."

"If you don't have the time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?"

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

"Never mistake activity for achievement."

"The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones."

"Talent is God given. Be Humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful."

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
I Peter 5:6

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T14:25:00.002-05:00

I had planned on finishing planting soybeans today, but the Lord and weather had other plans for us.

I am grateful for the blessings and freedoms we enjoy in this country, and for those who sacrificed to make this all possible.

I am grateful for the spiritual heritage that has been preserved for this generation, for the spiritual sacrifices made on our behalf, and for the freedom we have in Christ.

And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices over your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God.
Numbers 10:9,10

And the blood shall be to you a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.
Exodus 12:13,14

Buckle Up

2010-05-28T21:54:00.003-05:00

We haven't been in the field for a couple of weeks and we still have soybeans to plant. Tuesday we got 2.4 inches of rain at home, so it will be a few more days before we can finish here. This afternoon though, we were able to finish a field south of Eureka that we had started before all the rain. On my last round, as I was heading front towards the road, I ran out of soybeans. I got out of the cab to check the boxes, then got back in to drive front to get more beans. As I started front I noticed a car out in our field. The closer I got I could see that it had rolled a couple of times and there were car parts strewn around. At first I thought it was Miss Syndram's little red sports car, and I was worried. Her family lives next to our field. Then I saw a young man milling around talking on his cell phone. "Good, I thought, he had his seat belt on and he didn't get hurt." But then I realized by his shirt that he was an employee from the business across the road, and there was a body on the ground. The young man driving the little red sports car did not have his seat belt on and he was thrown from the car (and out of his shoes).I ran up to the body and tried to assess his condition and keep him from moving. I was handed the cell phone and gave information about location and condition to the dispatcher. It wasn't another two minutes and sirens were coming down the road. The EMT's and police took over while we started picking up car parts. After the ambulance, police, and tow truck were all gone, I was able to finish the last round and head back home. I hope the young man doesn't have any serious injuries.

Fasten your seatbelts!

Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:1

B & N

2010-05-18T20:06:00.003-05:00

I took my wife and daughter out to Red Lobster last night. We dropped into Barnes & Noble afterwards to do a little shopping and I came out with no books! And it was my birthday!
But a couple days ago my son-in-law had brought me three bags of Louis L'Amour books to read, so I really am not lacking for reading material.

Daughter#1 made me a popcorn cake, my wife made me a cherry pie, and daughter#2 sprang for a quart of DQ ice cream to top the pie.
I am a happy man.

Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Psalm 144:15

Leak

2010-05-14T21:44:00.003-05:00

I was in the farmyard scooping up a pile of spilled corn that had gotten rained on and was rotting, when my cell phone rang. It was my daughter calling from the basement excitedly telling me that there was a water pipe that was spraying water all over. "There's a blue knob, but I don't know which way to turn it!"
I mounted my white steed and rode on up to the house in my shining armor, ready to save the day.

Well, maybe I strolled up to the house in my dirty work shoes.

Down in the utility room, water was running across the floor and everything that was on the floor (rugs, laundry, etc.) was soaking wet. How was I greeted? "You stink!"
Yes, I had the smell of wet rotting corn on my shoes.
Anyway, I shut off the water valve and stopped the flow from the culprit pipe that had corroded through. I collected my tools and started disassembly. After searching our shop for the fitting needed, I realized I would be making a trip to town. After all, what is a plumbing project without at least one trip to the hardware store? Thanks to the helpful hardware man at Ace, I was in and out of the store in minutes and back home to face the task. It took some filing and fitting work in the shop to get the new fitting to work with the old fitting and pipes, but I got it put back together again, and the repairs don't leak.
And the water is back on.

He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
Psalm 78:16

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T20:50:00.003-05:00

I slept in yesterday morning! Until 8:00. That's the latest I have slept in since vacation last summer. I still took a nap after church. Life is good.
Our two daughters cooked our Mother's Day dinner for us. They did a great job. Grilled chicken breasts and two kinds of pie.

An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy. ~Spanish Proverb

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. ~Oscar Wilde

Women's liberation is just a lot of foolishness. It's the men who are discriminated against. They can't bear children. And no one's likely to do anything about it. ~Golda Meir

Today, I spent 5 hours helping fix broken field tile at our farm farthest away from home. Then we were rained out before we finished planting a field with soybeans that we had hoped to finish today. Soybean planting is going much slower than corn planting did.

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Matthew 12:49

Peace

2010-05-02T22:20:00.003-05:00

We received an email from son#2 this week that said:

"I have peace with God my Father."

What great news. What a wonderful blessing. We thank the Lord.

We finished planting corn on April 30, about ideal timing. It's been several years since we finished in April, and it is nice to have a "normal" spring. We were then blessed with a nice rain. The early planted corn is all coming up nicely. We started planting soybeans but quit as the next rain front moved in. As soon as it dries out now we will try to get a lot of beans in the ground.

What ever happened to modesty?
It's prom season and based on the pictures posted all over Facebook, a lot of dresses aren't all there. It's disappointing to see normally modest girls, some even professing Christians (and I'm not judging) displaying so much flesh. Wendy Shalit and others have written some good books on the subject, and Wendy has a group blog.

Therefore being justified by Faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1

Bankrupt

2010-04-25T20:27:00.002-05:00

I played John Deere Monopoly with my family tonight. I was the first one to go bankrupt! I wander what that says about my farming financial abilities?

We broke a spindle on our DMI field cultivator on Monday.
--DMI tillage tools are very popular in our area.
--Our field cultivator was manufactured 8 miles from our farm.
--There are several local dealers of DMI equipment (now a part of CaseIH).
You would think that someone would keep parts in stock or there would be some quickly available. But no, we had to order and then wait two days for it to be shipped in.
Never the less, we were able to plant all the corn we intended to plant until we received rain. We had tilled two fields early that had dried out too much to plant, so the rain that moved in for the weekend was very welcome. Once we can get back in the field, we should be able to finish corn planting in a couple days.

The early sweet corn is up in the garden and the first planted field corn is starting to emerge.

And every plant of the field before it was in the earth,and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
Genesis 2:5

Spring

2010-04-18T17:59:00.002-05:00

We enjoyed a beautiful spring week here on the farm. Warm days, cool nights, lots of sun, and dry conditions for field work. We never had these conditions at all last spring. Some local farmers started planting on Monday, a full month earlier than last year! We have been doing a lot of catch-up tillage (that didn't get done last fall) and leveling a lot of ruts made last fall. We waited until Wednesday before we planted our first field.
Three years ago we bought a new planter and partnered it with our old tractor(JD 4430). The planter uses vacuum to singulate the seed. Our old tractor barely had enough hydraulic flow to create the necessary vacuum to do the job, so we made a command decision after planting the first field to replace the hydraulic pump with a bigger one. Two days and several thousand dollars later, we were back in the field with all the vacuum we need to do the job well. We put in a full day planting Saturday and are prepared for a big week ahead.

On my office wall, I have a needlepoint plaque (that I think was a wedding gift) with the following saying:

Who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see believes in God.

So we begin another farming year in faith.

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper,either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
Ecclesiastes 11:6

Young Group

2010-04-09T21:45:00.002-05:00

It was our turn to host the Young Group after they sang at the Nursing Home tonight. Son #1 told us not to expect more than a dozen or so people. When I came in from my work, the yard was full of cars and the house was full of about 30 youngsters! A pleasant surprise. There are four young girls visiting from Phoenix for the weekend, and the neat thing is, I was in the young group with all of their parents many years ago. Some of the young men were singing quartet music together for a while. There are several games going on including "Settlers" and a noisy game of Foosball. The old farmer's lovely wife made a big lunch which disappeared quickly.

There are people milling all around the house visiting and I'm not sure when I will get to take my shower or go to bed. But I'm not complaining - this is a good thing! Many lasting friendships and ties are being made and strengthened.

And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:42

Plumbing

2010-04-01T22:13:00.003-05:00

While getting ready to settle into my basement recliner the other night to do some reading, I noticed water where water shouldn't be! Damp carpeting, wet books on bookshelves, wet magazines on the counter, and wet slide tray boxes in the cabinet. After dismantling the dropped ceiling, moving all books and magazines, taking down the shelves, and searching high and low, I couldn't find where the water was coming from. The next day, I discovered that we had sprung a leak in the copper drain line from our kitchen sink, which is above the basement ceiling. I had trouble finding it because it only leaked when the sink or dishwasher were draining.
Now generally, minor household maintenance jobs languish on the honey-do list for long periods of time (years), but when books are threatened, I take immediate action!

I called our plumber.

Now this part of our plumbing was installed in 1960, so when the plumber fixed the leak and tested the line, he discovered another leak. Which is typical when working on old plumbing. The mere act of messing with the pipes uncovers every other weakness. And of course that meant a trip to the hardware store (or supply house) because he didn't have the needed parts on his truck. We did without a kitchen sink overnight, and Kirk and Clint were back this morning to wrap up the job. They did their job well because there are no leaks and the old pipes have been replaced.
Fortunately, we managed to salvage all but a couple books and a pile of old magazines. It forced us to do a little spring cleaning and we found a few items in the back of the cabinets I forgot I had. And a lot of stuff I should probably get rid of.
Maybe.

I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 41:18

Potato Gun

2010-03-28T21:33:00.003-05:00

The potato gun that Son#1 built was active this weekend. It appears that 3 bags of potatoes met their demise as they were launched into fields, buildings, hog lots, yards, and anywhere else their trajectory carried them. The duds would dribble out, but the good shots would carry out of sight(1/8 mile?). The preferred propellant is AquaNet hairspray, so now our house smells like a hair salon for older women. The barrel gets sprayed with Pam for lubrication, and the potato must fit tightly to provide a good seal. After the chamber is filled with propellant and tightly capped, a spark igniter takes care of the detonation.
And potatoes fly.

And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
2 Chronicles 26:15

Trips

2010-03-20T19:04:00.004-05:00

I was supposed to work the 6:00 shift at the Mennonite Relief Sale last night, but I didn't get in from a busy day of work until 6:45, so I didn't make it to Bloomington. My wife brought home the traditional homemade donuts for my Saturday morning breakfast, so all was not lost. I did miss out on Uncle Bob's ice cream.
The cold weather moved back in today, after several days of warmth and sun. Snow is predicted, but so far just some rain and ice.
Yesterday, Son #1 left for Gridley/Lamont for an invite-a-guest weekend. He had spent the previous evening building an imposing looking potato gun from plans he found on the Internet. Son#2 left with the U of I young group for their spring break work team trip to Reynosa, Mexico. Everyone is a little worried about the instability down there right now because of the border drug wars going on. The group (and parents) would appreciate prayers.
Daughter #1 stopped by today to pick up some dead cow for their freezer. We bought a side of beef from "Barn Again Beef" to add to the pork and venison in our freezer.
A very tired but very excited Daughter #2 just got back from her spring break World Relief work team trip to Bastrop, Texas. She spent the week rebuilding wildfire damaged homes, learning all kinds of new skills ( tiling ,grouting, painting, caulking, etc.). Unfortunately she would like to try some of them out in our house. I think that there are a lot of people in Texas that found out she isn't as quiet and refined as they thought! She brought home lots of funny stories and dirty laundry. It sure was a quiet week while she was gone (and the house stayed clean).
Its getting harder for this old farmer to keep track of where everyone is and what all is happening around here these days. But life is still good and we are still blessed.

The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Ruth 2:12

Edison

2010-03-14T21:44:00.004-05:00

Another of my childhood heroes was Thomas A. Edison. He invented an amazing variety of products that are indispensable to us today. An inventor, scientist, and businessman, he invented the phonograph, motion picture camera, electric light bulb, many telecommunications advancements, and electric power generation and distribution. One of the most prolific inventors in history, he holds 1093 U.S. patents in his name. One of the companies he founded became General Electric (GE), the largest publicly traded company in the world.
When we were in Florida we visited his winter home and laboratory in Ft. Meyers. There he tried to find a domestic source of natural rubber. He planted all kinds of exotic plants on his estate to experiment with. He worked with his good friend Harvey Firestone and his winter neighbor Henry Ford.

Some Quotes from Mr. Edison:

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration!"

"Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits."

"You will have many opportunities in life to keep your mouth shut: You should take advantage of every one of them."

"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."

"Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can't afford to lose."

"Life's most soothing things are a child's goodnight and sweet music."

"Great ideas originate in the muscles."

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Shawshank

2010-03-09T21:55:00.003-06:00

The Menard Correctional Center is Illinois' largest maximum security prison. It was opened in 1878 and expanded in the early 1900's. It is a large, old, formidable looking place that houses about 3500 inmates, most of who are repeat offenders, gang members, and hardened criminals. This is no country club prison!
Saturday a carload of us drove down to southern Illinois to visit a friend imprisoned there. We waited in line, had a background check, showed 2 forms of picture ID, had to leave all personal items behind (handkerchief, mints, change, comb, billfold, keys), walked though a metal detector, got patted down, were escorted by guards through 7 or 8 locked doors, and finally ended up in the visiting room across the table from Phil. He shared his trials and struggles. He shared with us his routine and stories of life inside a maximum security prison. Visions of Shawshank Redemption flashed through my mind. What an awful life. But, I enjoyed the hour and a half visit and hope that we lifted Phil's spirits a little and were an encouragement to him.
After the reverse process to get out, I, as a free man, could walk outside into a beautiful sunny day and return to my comfortable life. I was reminded of the freedom and liberty we have in Christ when his shed blood released us from the bondage of sin.
And I accept the responsibility to submit to and obey God's laws and commandments.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1

Dichotomy

2010-03-02T20:44:00.002-06:00

The old farmer and his wife just returned home from a week in Florida. We spent the week with my snowbird parents in the condo they rent each year. The first Sunday there, we were in Sarasota church and as I looked around at a couple hundred hoary heads and realized I was one of the few people there below the age of 55, I felt very young! And yet, as the week went on and we spent our time going to buffets for breakfast and supper each day and fellowshipping and hanging out with the elderly, I started feeling old! One night after supper, we even walked the mall for exercise!
But we did enjoy meeting and fellowshipping with all of the snowbirds and eating out everyday at all of their favorite restaurants. They typically eat out mid morning for breakfast, and then just have a light snack for lunch. Then they go out for supper early so they can get the early bird specials and beat the crowds. I'm used to 3 squares a day at 6:45, noon, and 6:00, and snacks in between. So we would sneak out for fast food midday to tide us over.

We spent a lot of time walking beaches(it was too cold to swim!), including Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Long Boat Key beaches. We even picked up some nice shells!

I was very surprised to see a large concentration of Amish, Beachy Amish, and Mennonites in Sarasota. My wife didn't feel at all conspicuous with her hair up and a skirt on. Many live there, and many are snowbirds. There are several good restaurants operated and patronized by the Amish. They ride bicycles (and tricycles) around town. Their bikes all have baskets for carrying their groceries and stuff home. You really have to watch out for them if you are driving after dark. During the day, they would take the bus to the beach and walk the beach with the rest of us.

On our way home we stopped in Atlanta for church on Sunday. They have to have the narrowest sanctuary of all the A. C. Churches. There is one row of benches on each side of the narrow center aisle with each bench wide enough for two adults to sit on. For lunch they served grilled hot dogs, chili dogs, and cheesecake. We enjoyed the day of fellowship there.

At Chattanooga Tennessee, I-24 was closed for several hours because of an accident and they dumped the traffic into the downtown area without any info on detours (which seem to be non existent anyway). So we made our own detour through the hills of Tennessee, seeing territory that I have never seen before. And all the while the nice GPS lady was telling us we were on the wrong route, and we needed to make a U turn.

All in all it was a fun, relaxing trip.

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:31

Quotes

2010-02-24T15:25:00.002-06:00

I am currently reading Garrison Keillor's new book and I ran across a couple of quotes that I liked

"Life is complicated, so think small"

"You can't plant corn and date women at the same time. It doesn't work."

"The urge to be top dog is a bad urge. Inevitable a tragedy. A sensible person seeks to be at peace, to read books, know the neighbors, take walks, enjoy his portion, live to be eighty, and wind up fat and happy, although a little wistful when the first coronary walks up and slugs him in the chest. Nobody is meant to be a star. Charisma is pure fiction, and so is brilliance."

"The urge to perform is no indication that a person has talent."

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
James 3:1

Fresh Paint

2010-02-19T19:33:00.003-06:00

It is the time of year when the old farmer's wife (and daughter) looks around the old farmhouse and decides that it needs some redecorating. The old farmer sighs, rolls his eyes, and keeps his mouth shut. I didn't think that there was anything wrong with how it looked.
She spent a couple of weeks tearing down not very old wallpaper, moving furniture, cleaning, taping, and putting down drop cloths. And oh yes, a lot of painting. I did some plaster repair. Matt wired in new light switches and outlets (Hint: make sure that when someone tells you the light went out when that particular breaker was flipped, that they know which light you are referring to!).
So we now have fresh paint. We have an upstairs bedroom that is "river falls" (green gray or blue gray, depending on the lighting), a downstairs bedroom that is "spring view green" and white (the pottery barn look), and the entry/sun room is "sweet rosy brown"(basically the color of dried blood - that will make a statement!).
Which makes the whole house smell like fresh paint.
And by the time I get used to it all, they will want to change it again!
Ah, this old house . . .

That said, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
Jeremiah 22:14