I have been thinking a lot about all the attention cows have been getting in the media lately. Unfortunately, it hasn't been much positive attention. From cow farts causing global warming to printing 3-D steaks, it feels like cows and those that raise cows are getting a lot of negative attention. It is also painfully obvious that what is front and center in the news is not always the most accurate information. There is always more to the story. I think that one of the big issues is people don't know where to get the other side of the story. From overhearing some of my kids remote learning classes this year, I am all too aware that the top Google search is the information that is presented and believed by many.
As someone who raises cattle, I am obviously slanted toward the side that cows are good for the environment and our health. It is also my responsibility to help others understand the other side of the story.
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The farm life is hard. Things rarely go as planned and we are always at the mercy of outside factors...and sometimes our own shortfalls. To be honest...our jobs are not just about farming...but about being master problem solvers and always adapting to new situations. Because...nothing ever goes as planned. Most of you know that on December 27th, we had a late Christmas present of a new little heifer...that we named Christmas.
Everything was going great until her momma stepped on her when she was three days old and fractured her toe. This started a whole chain of events that we thought we had all under control...until it all went south. I want a Miniature Hereford for Christmas Only a Miniature Hereford will do Don't want an Angus, no Scottish Highlander I want a Mini Hereford to play with and enjoy I want a Miniature Hereford for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you? He won't have to walk through our dirty mud room Just bring him through the barn door That's the easy thing to do The holidays will look different for a lot of people this year. This week, I will be having my company Christmas party via Zoom. I know...weird...but it is what it is. Daniel may be having a company Christmas party...but maybe not. The boys are now back to virtual school, so there won't be any Christmas parties or programs. So why will our Christmas be so much different this year?
As our boys get older and closer to graduation, thoughts frequently turn to what they want to do with their lives after high school. Isaac is a senior and is pretty close to pinning down a college and course of study. Isaac has always been adamant that he wants to be a farmer, but as he gets closer and closer to starting his future, he is realizing that it is virtually impossible to be a farmer without another occupation. So, his sights have turned to what he can do in life that he enjoys, but also earns enough to support his dream of farming. Walker, on the other hand, hasn't always been too focused on a career. He wants to farm, but just hasn't settled on that dream. Until one day...out of the blue...he said he wants to be a helicopter pilot.
This week marks the end of summer for our family as the boys head back to school later this week. We are thankful that the boys will get to resume a normal school schedule except for one day a week. I has been so long since we have known "normal" and it feels good...even though I am not ready for summer to be over. This summer has been far different for us in many ways, but it has been such a refreshing time. In so many ways, it reminds me of summers when I grew up. Granted, I didn't live on a farm, but we had a slower pace and time to just enjoy the sunshine and do things kids should do in the summer.
Last week we returned from a glorious nine day vacation to Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. Yes, we are one of those that traveled during COVID-19. Don't worry, we spent eight days on a boat with just the four of us, so we were more social distanced than we would have been at home. It can be difficult for farmers to take vacations, but if you haven't been able to tell, it is sometimes harder for us to stay home than it is to get up and go.
When we leave the farm, we don't just leave the dog behind, we leave a whole bunch of animals that need to be cared for. This week Isaac turns the Big 1-8. I know...he will officially be an adult. The good news is...he has one more year of high school so I don't have to give him up just yet. 2020 has changed us all. Isaac has lost out on a lot of opportunities, but doors have also been opened for him to do things he wouldn't have been able to do if this year had been normal. One big change is that he is now a working man. Isaac has always been a hard worker,,,he just gets an actual paycheck now. His eighteenth year will be one with lots of changes. He has one foot in his childhood and one foot inching toward his adult life. As I do each year, I sat down with Isaac to get some insight into what is going on in that head of his.
If you missed previous years 17th birthday 16th birthday 15th birthday I can't believe my baby turns 15 this week!
Time keeps flying by and he is making me feel older and older. I asked Walker if he wanted to do his birthday interview this year, and he said yes. He is definitely a teenager and had trouble getting past the one word answers, but I will take all the teenage conversations I can get. He may not let me do this next year... |
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AuthorHello! I am Heather... the city girl turned mom to manure loving country boys. My husband and I both grew up in the city, but spent weekends visiting grandparents in the country. We are first generation farmers who learn best by almost always doing things the hard way. I hope you enjoy following along with our adventures down on the farm. Archives
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