Raising a Farmer

For the longest time I have been fascinated by honey bees.  One of my favorite things is creamed honey on rye bread (both from Canada, it is so good).  For a couple years I have been debating the idea about getting bees.   If I was going to start beekeeping I needed to find a mentor.  I figured I needed a mentor because I know I will make lots of mistakes along the way.  If I can talk to someone who has bees I could possibly eliminate some of the mishaps and truly know what I was getting myself into.  I also needed to find out if beekeeping would be a good fit for me and if this was something I could do.

Setting up the hives April 2016

So last summer I asked around to see who had bees.  I made a phone call to a kind retired gentleman who is currently beekeeping.  I found my mentor in Roman.  He has been a wealth of information to me.  After every conversation I have with Roman I am more fascinated by honey bees.  At  our very first conversation, placing me where I belong (who I was married to) Roman asked me if I could name Nathan’s great-grandfather.  He asked me this because almost 50 years ago when he first started beekeeping Roman’s first set of bees came from Nathan’s great-grandfather.  I had no idea Nathan’s great-grandfather had bees let alone my new mentor had a beekeeping connection with Nathan’s great-grandfather.  When he told me this I couldn’t believe it.  If I was looking for a sign to start this new adventure I think this was it.

Bees officially came to the farm in April.  I enjoy my conversation I have with Roman.  He is teaching and guiding me not just about bees but about the extra little wonders God has created.  It truly is an amazing thing to watch.  Bees have opened my eyes to a whole other level of nature.  I continue to be fascinated by my bees

Everett and I spotted a bee this spring walking down the driveway

Dairy farmers are the most creative people I know.  Not like artsy creative but creative to make a job less work on the body.  There are some jobs though no matter how hard you try it just takes lots of back work and sweat.  That job for us is cleaning mangers.  When “We gotta clean mangers today”  is said you can hear the grumble.  No body likes to clean mangers especially when it is hot out.  We have tried and tried to figure out a way to make it easier but to no success.  Nate even at one time hooked up a street sweeper broom to the front of the lawn mower in hopes it would make the job easier.  It didn’t work.  The only thing that works is a broom, a shovel, a wheel borrow and sweat.  Lots of hard work.  Building character, right?

Building muscles

It was Everett and my turn to clean mangers.  Everett has not given in to cleaning mangers just being work.  He is looking to make it easier.  As I began sweeping and shoveling,  Everett proclaims “I’ll be right back.”  I’ve heard that before usually it is when the work is done he returns.  He came back shortly after, “Mom I need your help to hold the door.”  I followed Everett to the milk house.  Everett had hooked up his wagon to his bike.  The theory was it would be easier pulling the wagon than pushing the wheel barrow.  He didn’t take into account the dumping part and it was a little tight maneuvering in the barn.  It didn’t work as well as planned but I give him credit for trying.  Trying to think of a better way to clean mangers.  I give him credit for being creative.  For now we are going to continue to clean mangers with a broom, shovel and wheel borrow and lots of sweat.

Cut the corner to short & ran into the gutter

Nathan is a wonderful dad.  There are lots of qualities which make a good dad.  Dad’s teach their children to be kind.  Dad’s teach their children to be good stewards of the land and to love the outdoors.  Dad’s teach their children how to love.  There is one which always stands out the most and I notice it every time it happens.  He is always patient with his two children, Everett and Vivian.  He wants to be with them.  He wants to enjoy life with them.  Nathan knows as much as he teaches his children he learns just as much if not more from them.

Regardless of the stresses of the day, Nate always lights up when he sees Everett and Vivian.  When he is on his way back to the milkhouse in the barn on a mission, he always stops to say, “Hi Sweet Pea.” to Vivian playing in the pack n’ play in the middle of the barn.  When Nate is working in the shop and Everett’s bike needs a tune up.  Nate stops what he is doing and tunes up Everett’s bike.  Nate’s patience doesn’t stop with his own children it extends to all.  When his nieces and nephews come to visit he always has time for them.  He encourages them to ride in the tractor.  He takes them with him when he checks on cows.  When a new calf is born he encourages the kids to be part of the miracle.  Nate always gives his time.  Where every hour of the day is full, Nate still finds time for his children.  Happy Father’s Day Nate!

To love dairy cows you must be the daughter of a dairy farmer.  This is so far from the truth.  My niece Elyn loves cows.  She isn’t the daughter of a dairy farmer.  She isn’t even the granddaughter of a dairy farmer.  She is a niece of a dairy farmer.  She is my niece.  She is a little girl who loves cows.  Where little girls are drawn to baby calves and usually want to love on babies.  Elyn loves on the cows.  When she comes to the farm the first thing she says is, “When can we go to the barn?”  “Is it milking time yet?”  She is always the first to have her rubber boots on ready to go to the barn.  She has always and continues to want to be with the cows not the calves but the cows.  It is always the cows.  She walks the barn talking to each and everyone.  Loving on the dairy cows.

This smiling face proves you don’t need to to be the daughter of a dairy farmer to love cows.  

Last fall, Elyn named a calf.  On our farm our cows go by numbers.  Where Everett and I are unable to give names to calves.  Nate says to me,  “How can I say no to her?”

Last year Elyn said she would like to take a cow to the fair.  During the fair last year I had her come and spend time at the fair so she knew what she was getting herself into.  All year this is all I have been hearing,  “When is the fair?”  “I’m taking Ramora!”  Last night the kids and I walked the farm deciding what calves and cows Everett, Noah and Elyn would take to the fair this year.  Elyn has decided on 3.  When I told Nate at first he shook his head but then looked at me without saying a word I knew what he was thinking, “How can we say no to her?”

Elyn working with Everett’s calf 433 at the fair last year.  

Added a new YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFuughghIwNhJV5dX8wZtxA

Eva’s puppies are finding new homes.  Sad to see them go but happy for them to have new homes filled with love.  Happy to see how much joy they will bring to their new families.  Just like when Eva came to live with us and became part of our family.

I have a boy.  My first born is a boy.  “What is the baby? It’s a boy.”   I heard those words when the nurses and doctor gently placed him on my chest for the very first time.  I know Everett is a boy.  As Everett grew and continues to grow, he was my sweet baby boy who snuggled so close to my heart.  My sweet toddler boy learning to talk full of life.  He was my little kindergartner boy getting on the bus for the very first time, nervous and ready to start something new.  He was my four-year-old who loved anything with wheels (this still hasn’t changed) But something is happening.  Something is happening I can’t stop.  I can’t freeze time.  I knew this was going to happen but I was thinking it would happen later.  I think I was a little too optimistic it would happen much later.  I was hoping it would happen more like when he was maybe 10 but more like 15.  It isn’t him becoming more defiant.  It’s not pushing the rules.    Something is happening.  I can see it.  I can see it the way he talks to me.  I can see the way he tells me a story.  I can see the way he walks across the yard.  The way he rides his bike.  The way he explores the farm.  My Everett is turning into a-boy.  A boy who is confident.  A boy who is ready to take on the world that is his in the back yard.  A boy who is eager to help on the farm but always looking for his bike and BB gun.   My Everett is turning into a boy.  This is the only way I can describe what is happening.  “He is turning into a boy.”  My front window has felt Everett turning into a boy.           

I have been waiting for this day.  I might just be a little bit more excited than Everett!  Summer vacation.  Summer vacation has officially started for Everett today!  The day is chilly and dreary out but summer vacation has started.  The sun isn’t shining but summer vacation is here.  Dairy farming brings many many challenges but one of the best things is Nathan and I are able to be with both of our children everyday.  During the summer months we are able to be with Everett all day everyday.  I am thankful for the teachers and school staff this last year who nurtured and cared for Everett during the school days. They were there for him and called him by name.  They were there to help guide him in making good choices.  Everett’s first grade teacher created a wonderful environment for learning.  Each passing year I see Everett grow and become more confident.  When Everett got off the bus he proudly proclaimed, “I’m a second grader now!  I hope I have………next year!”  Everett has already filled his afternoon with playing with puppies, checking on the kitties, riding his bike, playing with Vivian and looking for his BB gun.  Everything a seven year old should be doing.

Every morning since I don’t remember, I tell Everett this before school.  When he is trying so hard to open his eyes.  Stretching his arms high above his head.  Making his way from slumber to sort of awake.  We can do this.  I long for the days of summer where Everett is able to sleep in.  Three and half days of school.  Three and half.  We can do this.   Whether it be one more day till the weekend.  Or a couple more days of school to get through.  We can do this.  Or maybe it is so many days till something exciting is happening.  I tell him this but I am beginning to think I am saying it to myself.  No, I know I am shouting to myself now.  May has been and continues to be a whirl wind of fun and exciting times but also some stress.  Weddings, groom suppers, Everett’s birthday, preparing for a wedding in our backyard (we can do this), field work, taking 304 to school to share with Everett’s class, farm work, milking cows, low milk prices, laundry (folding clothes I don’t think has happened for a couple (no several) weeks now they make it clean in a laundry basket so I call that a win for now), adjusting to milking more cows than what we were used to, YC conference calls, we can do this!      

12 Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalists were chosen this past weekend during the May Event in St. Cloud.  Excitement always surrounds this time of year as we wait to hear who the finalists will be.  Will one be from your own county?  This year I wasn’t able to attend the banquet.  I follow along on social media as each finalist is announced, sadly our county wasn’t announced.  These wonderful young ladies work so hard but only 12 throughout the state continue on for Princess Kay.  During the May Event these ladies are given skills to help them tell their dairy story effectively and authentically.

Through out summer as I see our County Dairy Princess I am always excited to see them out and about.  They are our goodwill ambassadors for our county dairy farmers. When they come down a parade route, “Here come the princesses!”  We go and see them as they are working in the malt stand.  For some reason ice cream always taste better when it comes from a dairy princess.  As dairy farmers it is our job to encourage these ladies.  It is our job to thank them for representing us.  It takes a lot of work, dedication and time to be a dairy princess.  It is a huge commitment to be a dairy princess.  These ladies are working on their family farms or they are working on a dairy farm.  In between their responsibilities on the farm they are telling their dairy stories and they are telling it well.  It is our job to be their cheerleaders.  After all we are their #1 fans!

Every once in awhile life is perfect.  So perfect, it could be a scene right out of a movie. No, it could be an entire movie.  It doesn’t happen very often because life is never perfect but when it happens all you can do is sit back and enjoy it.  A couple weekends ago a perfect “movie weekend” happened.  My cousin Jenna’s weekend to celebrate her awesomeness.  Her weekend to relax and enjoy.  Her weekend.  I’m just excited I get to tag along as the “old married lady” in her posse.  

Friday evening the festivities were to begin roughly around 5ish at a resort north, about an hour away.  Well in true dairy farm life, the farm was fighting back.  Cows got out during milking, something else broke, I don’t remember the list all I know is the farm hated me that day.  A phone call and text from Jenna’s sister-in-law (my spirit sister).  “Brenda where are you?”  “I’m working on it!”  My phone battery died.  My aunt called around 9pm then called Nate’s phone, “Where is Brenda.  Have her call when she leaves.”  “Is she in the ditch with her old beat up truck?”  (Yes my aunt asked me this)  I’m on my way the farm just hates me today.  “Just come tomorrow.” Nope I am coming tonight because other wise I won’t get there till 6 the next evening.

I finally got there.  Ready to celebrate Jenna and the awesomeness that she is!  What a great weekend with some classy ladies.  Apparently my choice of jammies in my frantic packing, throwing things in a bag trying to get out the door, weren’t a good choice.  Mine were the only ones that actually looked like jam-jams and I wanted a waffle.  I guess it is a good thing I’m already married.