Interesting Week......

This is one of a thousand photos Marie and I took on our most excellent 10 year anniversary trip. We headed to Tennessee where we played in the mountains, and the valleys, for a week and we really had, as far as we are concerned, the best vacation we have ever had(thanks to the farm)!!! It is really a different world down there. Everyone and everything revolves around the tourist (that was us) and there is more to see and do than can be seen and done (cute huh) in a week so you (we) have to go back hopefully again and again. So, coming back to work after a week like that was to say the least different. The photo is a view from our room and that was really nice to wake up to every morning....:)

Today was Thursday and you know what that means, weaning day. Everything went rather smooth in that respect but Lori and I have done a little better job of getting enough sows bred than we should have and now our surplus has turned into a serious situation ( for you previous readers that means our goflow has turned into a great big flood) at least it was yesterday but we think we see the light (I hope it's not the wrong one) at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday we had 15 sows waiting to get in and due today. That doesn't sound too bad until you understand that those 15 and 13 more will fill the room we are washing. Good you say, but not so good when you realize that there are now 23 left with now where to put them and their due date is next Wednesday, bad you say, but not really cause we can usually make it work with a lot of running and moving and sorting, so good you say, but not so good when you have so many due so close!! Bad you say, but not really cause we got another room rented today and we will be moving them in shortly!! Good you say and we would agree....:) It sounds a little complicated but it really is.

We like to call it Maykinbaykin x 2!!!

That was pretty much the yukky part of the week, Eric and Lori had to go to the state house (no capital letters tee hee) to rub elbows with some of our elected idiots, Randy and Terry are getting planting in gear, Ronda is working on her Perry Mason imitation(jury duty), nobody knows where Lee is at any given time, and the rest of us are just maykinbaykin like a big dog, fast and lots of it and not only lots but the best money can buy to boot!!!

Well, Thursday went rather well for a Thursday and we got all the mommies in without a, you know, and for that we are thankful, and at this point in time everyone is home and tucked in for the day and all is well on the farm once again.....:)

Weeks Over.....

I am REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY glad this week is over and hopefully the cold spell along with it. This photo Marie took in Kim's yard does not do the miserable conditions justice at all. It looks so peaceful and quiet (because it is too darn cold for anything to be moving) and you can see the frost on the tree tops from the dampness in the below temperature air, looks about the same on your face when you are out in it a while. We dealt with the blizzard OK, as far as the snow went, except for some hairy moments trying to get the feed truck down the one lane roads without meeting another vehicle, that makes you sweat a little no matter how cold it is. If it hadn't been for Randy plowing the roads all the way to the highway we might still be waiting for the county to haul feed. Sometimes I think those county highway boys believe that everybody who lives on a county road just stays in the house when it snows and don't need to get out, I think we should send them a bill for plowing snow and see how that flies. Well, dealing with the snow was the easy part, there were a few days the some of the employees didn't make it to work so that put things behind about a day at least but then we added to that the high humidity and extreme cold and fans and feed systems started to freeze and break. The high wind and snow will blow against the fans and in extreme situations, like last week, will slow the fan down enough to allow the snow to accumulate around the blades eventually stopping the fan and burning out the motor. In the case of the feed systems moisture collects in the bottom of the boot and freezes to the flex auger making it impossible to run. Most of the time you can heat them up with a propane torch, clean out the bottom, and she is good to go, but sometimes, like last week, the motor kicks on and twists the flex auger into. We had as many as 6 down at a time, everybody ran there butts off last week, we all need a hug!!!! And to make matters worse worse (that's two worses) Steve gave Ronda, Lori, and myself what resembles bronchitis. Eric is getting the symptoms but so far just that, symptoms. It can't get anything but better!!!!!

Thanks to the most wonderful and unique healing powers of my environment I BELIEVE I have recovered most excellently from my brush with yuk so I am quite thankful for that!! Marie and I are on the verge of our Family Farm Fun Fest which hopefully will commence in about two weeks baring any unseen problems which I don't foresee or at least can't foresee at this time. I need to apologise to threecollie at North View Diary for not posting a comment on her site or at least responding to her comments, that was rather rood of me but I just haven't been spending as much time on this thing in the past few months as usual. I do visit your site and think it is great, you seem to have a great dairy, and I really like reading about it and I appreciate your comments on mine.

I need to take my leave now and progress to something else preferably something that doesn't require any effort physically or mentally (no, I'm not running for President) but I think I have snow to shovel again, you know, the best laid plans....

Well, Randy is out moving snow again, 4 inches last night again, but everyone else including the little piggies is cozy and warm and tucked in for the day and all is well on the farm once again...:)

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD.........

Well, needless to say it has been an extremely cold week here. Lows below zero with wind chills WELL below zero. But despite Mother Nature's attempt to freeze us and all inanimate objects solid, I think we have fared quite well!!! To this point in time, all is well and warm with no major freeze ups. Had about 7 inches of snow yesterday that looked nice but it just added to the cold and we really didn't need it so actually we wish it hadn't snowed if you get my drift, get it, snow, drift, oh well. There is really not much new to talk about. Everyone is trying to get their tax's completed and just trying to stay warm, which actually they kinda go hand in hand especially if you itemize and you don't keep good records, that will keep you warm!!!!

Is this not the cutest darn little piggy you ever did see. I got him from a friend in an email and at this moment I haven't posted him on the blog yet so I don't know if he will be animated or not but if he is not the hoof he is holding up is waving, is that a stitch....:)

Well it is getting dark and I am gonna move on and start the end of another day. It is very cold and damp but all are home and tucked in for the day and all is well on the farm once again.

Baby "J"

Looks like he is contemplating something very serious like moving snow, cleaning off the truck or getting that new barn up and running, but I'll bet it's more like " I can't believe she put all this crap on me, it's gotta be 60 out here, I would walk now if I could"....all kidding aside, he is growing like a Chia pet so cleaning that drive ain't far off!

Our round table meeting went great yesterday although I must admit I was in a lot of pain after my pill started wearing off mid morning but that's just part of the recovery process. So far I haven't given Lori a heart attach at work, though she watches me like I am going to do something stupid or something, go figure, you know me. I will have to tell you later about her hitting me in my tummy, not once but three times.....I get no respect..........:)

Smile and have a nice day, somebody loves you......:)

Whataweeek.......

This is a photo of what was going on yesterday, as you can see, it was a beautifull day to work. Today, however, is a different story. It is snowing blowing and even a little freezing drizzle, go figure, hey, this is Indiana, if you don't like the weather stick around an hour and it will change...:)

I can't real attest to what went on at the farm last week cause my body had made plans for me not to be there but had failed to mention them to me until the last minute which by that time had changed from a casual mention to a full blown protest in other words "if you go to work you will die" kinda thing so needless to say I said okee dokee and went to the hospital emergency room where they said "dude, your whole gastrointestinal system is full of infection and has shut down, we think that little thingy on your right side has gotten sick and died, we gotta get that outta there" dude, hence the emergency appendectomy! The infection made the hospital stay longer and I am still on antibiotics and a lot of pain from the swelling but it will pass..(get it, swelling, pass, gas) Made a lot of new friends in the hospital, the last time I was there they were all very well poised professionals, now they seem to be more relaxed "care givers" and it suits them a whole lot better, I tried being professional once and I still went home with the same stain in my shorts they just cost 5 times as much....:)

Again, I would like to thank everyone at the farm (and a special thanks to Ronda) for all your thoughts and prayers and visits. It does speed the healing and makes the coming home a wondrous occasion (that's yee-ha for all you country folk) we love you one and all.

The only other spectacular news I have is that Eric and Lori (possibly the new "Snyder Family Pork") was given the go ahead by the zoning board on their quest to be family farmers in their community and we all wish them nothing but the best in the future!

Well, I have been up and down from this chair 20 times so I will rap this up for now. From what I can see everything has been taken care of, all are home and tucked in for the day and all is well on the farm once again...........:)

WINTER????

This is a photo taken in Dec. 2004. It was a pretty big snow storm, made a heck of a mess, nothing close to that last year, this year we have tulips 6" tall in the flower beds, that's not good at all, I don't know where winter is....YET!

Well 2006 is gone and a new year has begun. I hope everyone has made their resolution. Mine is to not make a resolution and just do the best I can and everything will resolve itself!!! Is that profound or what, I am just beside myself.

To recap December a little, the Christmas/Anniversary party at the cabin was a HUGE success, more friends, family and neighbors than you could shake a stick at and the food was sensational and the decorations were sensational and the atmosphere was truly a family affair. Thanks Kim and Susan, you really know how to throw a whing ding (that's party for you city folk)! Hopefully it will become part of the farms tradition cause it's a great way to keep the neighbors involved with the farm and our ta doos (that's business for you city folk)...:)

Shortly after Christmas, everybody but Marie and I shot off (like bang, they were gone) in all different directions for a little R&R (that's rest and recovery for you unknowing folks) Kim and Susan went West, Ronda on a plane to do the hula hoop, Randy to Fuji, wait that's a camera, maybe Fooge or maybe North Carolina, well, somebeach somewhere and Terry to the sunshine state (any but this one) and the rest stayed here with us and along with the pigs contracted the flu....bummer....it was more of a stomach flu, you know with the up....never mind. A bad time was had by all, but it is over now.

Of more recent events, Purdue has spent most of last week here (they say we are the best teaching farm they have, ooora.) and intend on coming back next week so that is keeping us busy, not that we are not already, it just adds to the mix. They are an interesting group to say the least, and it is always very gratifying when us old farm kids can teach these professors a few things they didn't have a clue about.......:) This week is almost over and if nothing else has happened at least the 4-H pigs have started arriving (in rather large numbers) and at this point in time are looking rather well. Wilma had a great litter of Duroc barrows and is still nursing 11 which 9 are probably Grand Champions (dream I had) and if I am not mistaken, there was a high priced boar that we are the only ones to have a sow bred to him stick (that's conceive for you sity folk) so that could be a SUPER bonus so we need everyone to keep their fingers and toes crossed....:)

Well, it is getting late for me, I have to start a fast for DOCTOR tests, yuk so the day is almost over. It's cold, rainy and just plain yukky but everyone is home and tucked in for the day and all is well on the farm once again...........:)

P.S. Make sure when you see Lee Monday you wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, today he is, well it is his Birthday, he can tell you how YOUNG he is....Rock On "Masta Lee" UR#1.....

60 Year Aniversary For The Farm

This 1950s photo of the farm doesn't do it justice unless you blow it up and get a closer look at some of the amazing details that were ahead of their time back then but still going strong today. Family made it a special farm in those early years and Family is making it even more so today.

Remember, we are celebrating Monday night so don't be late and don't forget your appetite. I don't plan on eating all weekend so I can make like a Turkey and get stuffed. I have heard there is going to be quit a crowd but if it looks like they are running short on food, I believe I can take some of the old folks, maybe lock them in the rest room or outside.....hey, don't judge me, you go to extremes when food is a driver, I once walked 27 miles for a double cheeseburger, in a snow storm, uphill both ways, so I am not opposed to tackling an old lady for a chunk of ham........

I have to go now.......

It is dark, cold, all are home and tucked in for the day, and all is well on the farm once again...:)

Baby "J" is one year and one day today.....:)

Yep, he is the big numero uno, (that is one in french) one year yesterday, and it seems like only yesterday he was a year old, how time flies. And it was only a year ago yesterday that he got his first look at his mommy so it is only fitting that a year later he gets his first look like his mommy, yes, Lori gets the same look on her face when I tell her it is still two hours till lunch, go figure.....:) I think he looks a little worn out from all the partying, I heard from a reliable source (Mom) that he ate half a chocolate cake last night, GO BABY J!!!!!

Well, needless to say, everyone on the farm wishes him a most excellent happy birthday and many more to come.......:)

I'm back........

Well, it is dark, I can not do lights in the dark, do I look like a bat...(don't ask Marie that) and is that a statement or what "I can't do lights in the dark" but can I do dark in the light, go figure.......
Well, things have been a little, how do I say it, screwed up here lately. A lot of trouble with the curtain machines, mill, winterizing underway and today I had to go help get the water switched to one well cause the other died in the night leaving the sows without water. No worries but a headache nun the less. It just seems like when you get one thing fixed something else breaks or goes on furlow (that means not working). Harvest got kinda backed up but I think they are going full bore again so that is good. I don't believe this but I am being summoned again, yep, I'm a popular guy......
Buttttt......as of now, all are tucked in for the day (anxiously awaiting work in the am) and all is well on the farm once again..:)

Halloween is over and the cold commeth......

As you can see, "Baby J" had a fulfilling night trick or treating in his Superman suit, his first Halloween by the way, and I am quit sure he was only interested in ripping everything open Mom was doing the eating:)
Yes Halloween is behind us now which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner and yep, winter and Christmas, yes I said CHRISTMAS not "xmas" or "happy holidays" or "seasons greetings" I said CHRISTMAS, if you can't use the word CHRISTMAS in your stinking advertising then don't expect to sell me anything, sorry, got sidetracked.
I will have to add more later, I have been summoned by the almighty leader (Marie) see I was supposed to be helping her put up CHRISTMAS lights but I sneakeded away to play a little.......
Later Dudes.....:)