Good Bye January!

I am so glad that January 2014 has gone.  What a cold miserable month.  Thank goodness we did not have snow as the misery would have been worse.

 The cold polar vortex arrived on January 6 and this was the temperature as of 9:39 p.m.   And we still had to go through the dark hours of the night.

 This was the temperature a few minutes past midnight.  -1.5 F.  Coldest night in a number of years.

Awoke to find this temperature.  -4.8 F.  Oh for the warm days of spring. 

Now anxiously awaiting warmer days.  Goodbye January 2014.  You will not be missed. 

Standing the Test of Time

It is amazing that some old farm structures can stand  after years of abusive weather.  Built with wood and by men who are long gone, barns still stand.

This old barn has been standing for over one hundred years.  You can see the steam coming off of the roof as the sun warms the tin roof and the frost begins to melt.  The key to keeping an old structure standing is a non-leaking roof.

This square, flat roof barn is also over 100 years olds.  It is beginning to show some wear and will need to be repaired but the roof is still solid.

 This elongate barn was once used as a milking barn.  The roof has been repaired and is now keeping the weather out.

This structure is a bermed structure.  It is used to store propellant manufactured for the Army.  It was built during World War II.  It was built so if the propellant exploded it would blow up and out the front.  These structures are well maintained and are weather tight.

Old barn structures come in all shapes and sizes.  The well built ones that are still standing are a true testament to the men that built them long ago.

Goodbye 2013!

This has been an unusual year for this family.  It has had it ups and downs.  We moved into our new home, and a granddaughter was born. We had seven family members that died this past year.  Four uncles, one aunt, one cousin, and my mother the week before Christmas.

My mom came from a  family of twelve, six brothers and four sisters.  There is only one sister still living to represent the family.

This is a photo taken in 2008 at the last family reunion. Dick, the last surviving brother, died in January.  Ruth, in turquoise top, died in November.  Woody, my mom in denim , died in December.  Billye, in pink top, is the only surviving member of the family.

Hopefully 2014 will be a better year as we have two young family members that are ready to take on their roles in the family..our precious grandson and granddaughter.

A farm boy's perception of things in life

A friend of mine shared this with me via e-mail so I just had to share.

                                               

Only a Farm Kid... When you're from the country, your perception is a little different.......   A   Missouri farmer in his pickup, drove to a neighbor's, and knocked at the door. A boy, about 9, opened the door "Is your Dad home?" "No sir, he isn't; he went to town." "Well, is your Mother here?" "No sir, she went to town with Dad." "How about your brother, Howard? Is he here?" "No sir, He went with Mom and Dad." The rancher stood there for a few minutes, shifting from one foot to the other, and mumbling to himself. "Is there anything I can do for you? I know where all the tools are, if you want to borrow one, or I can give dad a message." "Well," said the rancher uncomfortably, "I really wanted to talk to your Dad. It's about your brother Howard getting my daughter, Suzie, pregnant."'  The boy thought for a moment. "You would have to talk to Dad about that. I know he charges $500 for the bull and $50 for the hog, but I don't know how much he charges for Howard."                                                                           Yes sir. It is all about how you are raised and look at things in life.

Planting Daffodil Bulbs

Since we moved into our new house, my wife has bought three big bags of flower bulbs.  She had asked me to dig holes for the bulbs a couple of weeks ago but the ground was hard as concrete.  

This week she asked me again about getting the bulbs in the ground but the ground is still like concrete.  Then it dawned on me how to get them into the ground.  We have the bulb planter that digs the holes to the correct depth but getting it in the ground is a problem.

So I had a better idea.

The posthole digger that I had bought at auction last spring would dig the holes.  I used the pilot hole auger and it was perfect.  We planted thirty-five bulbs in less than an hour.  Success is sooo sweet.

2013 Potato Dig

The end of September arrived and it was time to dig potatoes that were planted in mid-April.  The youth from the church came to gather and bag the potatoes for the local Daily Bread soup kitchen.

The morning of September 28, the youth arrived, and after having donuts and milk prior to working we headed to the garden.

It would be a shot in the dark this year as to how many bushels that would be collected.  Once the potatoes were planted, with all the rain it was difficult to get in the garden to weed and hill the spuds.  We were placing our faith in the good Lord to yield a bountiful harvest.  

We found a good crop even without the tilling that should be required.  This is one rather large potato discovered.  

Lugging the tote to the wagon for bagging.

After about ninety minutes the potatoes were bagged.  This year eleven bushels were taken and given to the food bank.  After their hard work the youth celebrated with pizza.  

Now to rest and start the process all over again in April.

Almost move in ready

We have scheduled moving day for September 13.  Yes that is Friday the 13th but that seems to be our good number as both our daughters were born on the 13th.  It is just the little last minute finishing details that drive you nuts.  Touch up painting, install the range, spread gravel on driveway, etc.

Grass seed and straw spread on lawn

Long porch with railing installed

Garage view  on west side of house

Den with bamboo floors.  

Front Door entrance

Black and White kitchen

I had wanted to be the contractor and sub this project out but in the end I am much happier that we had a contractor do the job.