Believe it or not it's Thanksgiving week already. As I think back there have been days when everything went right and it seemed we were sailing down a 4-lane getting things accomplished. Then there were the slower days when it seemed we were riding in a manure spreader. On both occasions we have had so much to be thankful for this year.
We have had a warm dry fall which is good for field work. Our tillage is just about wrapped up. Over the years Thanksgiving week has often been the last week to get things done before the ground freezes.
This is the time of the year when machinery gets cleaned up and gets a list made of what needs replaced or repaired before next season.
We are still hauling our own and helping others with hog slurry. Karl had a tire go bad so we replaced it. It can be a challenge to get a tubeless tire this big to spread out to both sides of the rim and hold air. There is a very effective and unconventional way to seat the tire beads to the rim. You spray a can of either inside the tire, attach the air hose to the valve stem, and then throw a lit match in the tire. An exciting experience.
Sometimes days don't go as planned. We had a manure hose come loose one night. Thanks to an experienced crew who was helping us things were shut down quickly and the slurry was kept from getting into any water source. The proper channels were called, stopped a couple of times, checked things out, and were pleased with our cleanup.
If those of you that go to church with me see me walking like I have a sore back today, it's because on Friday we helped Karl vaccinate 5300 head of pigs. I think the bending over part Friday and the cold raw wind yesterday did me in.
We are still applying NH3 for ourselves and others. When I went to pick up Alex Friday night on this particular field he was replacing another knife bolt. He broke 18 knife bolts on this custom work field due to rocks.
Since the older kids are in school Jan is down to 3 little boys on Mondays. They are cousins who love to do everything together. So when one has to go potty, they all have to go. With a diaper on all Malaki can do is raise his shirt.
Whenever we do custom work for others there is always the possibility of a mistake even though we try our hardest and keep them to a minimum. Sometimes those mistakes can just be apologized for. Other times there is compensation involved. Obviously the tough part is coming up with a sum. I had one of those to resolve this week. Fortunately it was a Christian brother and I value people way more than things.
I so enjoy getting together and working with these folks. The Family Leader board and staff got together for a meal and board meeting. God is so in charge, even in politics. This organization's goal is to help transform the culture in our country. Part of the challenge is to get churches to engage.
What a full house last Friday evening at our local Christian grade school's fall music program. The teachers and kids once again did a great job.
Those of you that visit us have met our greeting committee. Kinze was friends with everyone. She thought she was a babysitter when the grandkids were outside and was especially fond of Jan. And yes, she gave new meaning to the term "dry mouth Saint Bernard" because she wasn't one.
Well, one morning she didn't seem to be around. Jan found her dead close to the cabin. We have no idea how she died.
It's sad to loose a pet. However the blessing is that I have not lost a spouse, child, or grandchild this year and I thank God for that every day.
Some of you have lost loved ones recently. Others of you are reminded of the loved ones you have lost earlier as you go through the holidays without them. The blessing there is as Christians, even though we miss them, we will see them again, in heaven, forever. Have you ever tried to get your mind around "forever"?
Forever is a really long time. It makes our time on earth look like a really short time. That's why we need to make every day count. As you count your burdens, blunders, and blessings this week remember, folks won't remember what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
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