Summer Reading Recommendations

5/30/2017

This week marks the unofficial start to summer.

There is nothing I like to do better than find a quiet spot and read a book.

Warm, sunny days make the back patio so inviting.

A good book, the back patio and a view of cattle grazing is my idea of a perfect summer afternoon. It is my motivation to get the work done quickly, so that I can move on to the relaxation.

Not everyone loves to read.

Especially, if you are a male with the last name Wiley.

It can be difficult to get my men to read a book, but once started, a good book will keep them captivated.

The mere brute pleasure of reading - the sort of pleasure a cow must have in grazing.
~Lord Chesterfield

Doesn't Daisy look like a good place to lay your head and read a good book? Too bad she is dirty, smelly and gross...typical farm dog.

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Already Finished

Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow: My Life as a Country Vet. To be completely fair, I haven't read this book. Isaac has read it. We love to watch Dr. Pol on TV, so it is only natural that Isaac enjoyed this book. Dr. Pol has a great sense of humor and makes everything funny.

Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World. So many times we skip over the blessings in our lives. We are looking for all the big things, but joy usually comes from the small moments in our every day lives. This is a reminder to stop and look around you and be thankful for all the ordinary things in life.

You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start & Succeed in a Farming Enterprise. I always enjoy Joel Salatin's books. He has a very conversational, easy to read tone that makes the thick books go very quickly. This is a great book for the beginning farmer or someone looking to change things up. Joel's techniques are so simple and just basic common sense. We have tried several of his methods and some have worked great for us and others have not. The best thing we learned from this book was the rotational grazing system with portable fencing. Even if you don't implement his ideas, this is a great book to re-motivate you and recapture your love of farming.

The Boys in the Boat. I listened to the audio version of this book as I was taking my evening walks. On the days that I wasn't very motivated to walk, I wanted to listen to this book badly enough that I went on my walk anyway. This is a great book for all ages and will keep adults captivated as well kids. It is the story of the 1936 Olympic rowing team. This book weaves the history of the Great Depression as well as the rise of Nazi Germany into the story of a group of boys who overcame great obstacles to become the greatest rowing team in the country. It is a captivating story that shows today's youth how fortunate they are. Life doesn't have to be handed to them on a silver platter, but the things you work the hardest for have the most meaning.

Hands Free Mama. As a full-time working mom, I tend to focus on my to-do list at the cost of those around me. This book encourages you to put the phone down, the lists away, and give your undivided attention to your kids and family. We only get one chance with this family and I don't want to look back and realize that I let precious moments slip through my fingers.

On My List

No Risk Ranching. We are going through some growing pains right now. Too many cows or too little land. This book shows how you can have a farm by using other peoples land. Land is the most expensive and hardest to find aspect of farming. The challenge the next generation has in finding farm land will only be greater. This book details land leasing and how to make it work for you and the land owner. We are contemplating leasing some properties to be able to expand our herd. There are so many parts and pieces to the puzzle and we don't want to make decisions that we will regret.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption. I loved The Boys in the Boat so much, that this seems like a good follow-up. I downloaded the audio version of this for my evening walks. This story details the life of a former olympian as he fights in World War II. This time in our country's history produced many heroes and great role models for our young people. The personal stories and struggles from this era keep the history alive for today's youth.

Fields of Farmers: Interning, Mentoring, Partnering, Germinating. Our boys are spending their summer days helping several local farmers and neighbors. In this book, Joel Salatin discusses farming internships to help the farmers with much needed work while teaching the next generation. Internships can be a good thing for both sides if managed properly. Any insight we can gain into teaching our children to be better learners and workers will only help them in whatever they choose to do later in life. As parents, our children are our interns. We need constant reminders to slow down and teach...even when the hay is laying in the field and the storm clouds are approaching.

Whether running through hay fields, grilling some good food, napping in a hammock or just working around the farm, take some moments this summer to rest, relax, learn and motivate.

Read a book!

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