Reflections Blog

 Wesley got an experience of a lifetime last week at the County Fair! I have become a regular customer to our local dairy and was delighted when she offered to include Wesley in showing the dairy division this year. He was very into the process (including the work of washing, practicing, etc.) and is very proud that he led a big heifer around all by himself. On top of that, they won a blue (first place) and purple (grand champ) ribbon! All of this is on facebook, but I wanted to make a post here about it as well. I'll attach more pictures here, too.  Other recent events include the birth of my nephew John Arthur!!! He is a sweetie pie and just the best little cuddle bug you can imagine. A blessed time, for sure. I don't remember life ever being so busy before and I am told that it just increases as time goes on. That is hard to imagine, but I'm just so thankful for all the Lord has done, John Arthur and Samantha (me)                 ...

Several weeks ago something in the air caused me to run up to the little hay meadow west of our house to photograph an old schoolhouse on our property. Little did I know the prudence of my timing: less than a week later the structure collapsed, along with my sad heart. I will be ok. I reserve grand plans for the rebuild and remodel of this building to model its former beauty. I have a special place in my heart for this structure since before I owned or even lived on the land on which it stands. I now have before and after pictures of this dear, sweet house, so if you scroll down you should see its current state. My dream was first to fix it up as a quiet chapel on our quiet bit of prairie. Now, I hope to someday (God-willing) restore it to be more true to its history and honor that history by giving her old books and beautiful art to protect and preserve. I think she will still be as quiet as an empty chapel and just as peaceful; happier too, serving a similar purpose to which she was ...

 Lovies have played a special part in our family over the years. Yesterday,  my sister called me to ask if I remembered any stories about her beloved Quack Quack who sadly went missing when she was probably about 5 years old. She has vivid memories with the darling stuffed ducky and he was doubtless an unforgettable character for the entire family, as she and her duck were not to be parted for the better part of two or three years. I couldn't recall much in the way of stories for I simply remember how attached they were. He even has a cameo in her "single" portrait on the family wall of fame in my grandparents house. And so the duck goes down in history.  I had my own "Quack Quack" I suppose, although he was a rabbit and his name was "Bunny". We were incredibly original thinkers, like most children, you can see 😉 Bunny is pictured below, much worn and mended by my grandmother at least twice, if not three times. I remember the sinking and abiding sense...

While I was driving home with the boys last night, I got to witness first hand the power of keeping silent. We leave the church around 8:40 which has made for some lovely sunsets so far this week. Last night, Venus was visible on the horizon before dark which was a first time experience for me. I actually didn't know it was possible to view it with the naked eye as a planet and not a "star" (after dark), appearing like a tiny moon. I was captivated and tried to direct Wesley's attention to it but I don't think he saw it. Simultaneously, I noticed a cloud that looked like a wolf, with open mouth, ready to chow down on some atmosphere. I didn't say anything about this, I just noticed it. Later on, farther away on the horizon there were two cloud formations opposite each other which appeared as two creatures with open mouths, facing each other. I thought this was a curious happening but was still mostly captivated with Venus until it got too faint on the horizon ...

 All of these subsequent pictures are from this past week, from newest to oldest.  Last Friday we (by we, I mean Josh) set up a temporary electric fence so that the horses could graze the brome meadow. It was a rare project that we could all come along with and the horses certainly appreciate the effort! The boys were content for hours just riding along in the ranger! We have visited the cornfield every day for 3 or 4 days now because the leaves are at just the right stage where you can walk (if you're small, or crouch/crawl otherwise) underneath them and they are not yet hard and scratchy so that they cut the skin upon contact. Once the leaves turn brown, it will not be good for exploring anymore, so we're getting in all the adventures we can until then. We have also visited the creek several times and are enjoying the water. The weather is only just starting to heat up, astonishingly! The day we put the fence up was incredibly nice and pleasant, even during the hottest part ...

Every Year I Forget I forget about the easy and the hard of harvest. "Easy, you say? What's easy?" My answer to that question is hard to put into words, and it won't necessarily apply to other farmers or families than our own, but for one, it is easy when you have a happy spouse; My husband comes to life during busy seasons. It is so good to see him happy and thriving at the work that is set before him each day. He becomes inspired, dedicated, and sets himself to being the most helpful and gregarious farmer you have ever met. He is constantly on the phone, asking questions or answering questions that other farmers might have. His perspective grows exponentially, way beyond the practical application of his skills to our own little corner of Chase County, and he shares himself without reserve to serve farmers near and far. It is life-giving and inspiring and it breathes a breath of fresh air into the atmosphere all around.   The boys and I ran into some friends at the s...