StillwatersIowa

I think as folks get older they think of the past better than it actually was, the present worse than it actually is, and the future more complicated than it actually will be.  I had my 57th birthday this past week. Years is just a measure of time on a calendar. Age is an attitude. That attitude can change based on circumstances. Last Monday we watched as the dark storm clouds rolled  and rumbled over us. Some days I feel too young to be a grandpa and can tackle the toughest of projects.  And some days I feel so old I look like and even act like a grandpa. You know your getting older when you start repeating stories from the past. Remember when your grandparents would tell you a story you had already heard a dozen times. No matter how old we are or feel throughout the ups and downs in life the key is not to quit. Remember no one can make you feel old without your consent. I'd like to share a portion of a poem I saw on the wall of an unfin...

Well yesterday the days started getting shorter. The corn is finally getting taller. The spring jobs are just about marked off the list. Summer must be here. Mike was in a bind. He had a set of terraces left to build with a June deadline and it's vacation time. Fortunately he asked for and received an extension into July. He, Suzanne, and Cody left for South Dakota where they will spend some quality time with Suzanne's extended family. Have fun. The workload is starting to get caught up enough that we are not meeting each other coming and going anymore. Brad and I stopped for some coffeetime one morning. Becky and her help just opened this little store a few months ago and always have a friendly smile and small town greeting. Karl, Kurt, and Alex have finished there day here and are hanging out. Gals, it's been a hectic spring. Us guys around here aren't wired quite like you gals are as far as coming up with a plan for spending quality time with our spouses...

In 1996 Hillary wrote, "It Takes A Village" to raise a child. Ten years later Rick responded to that by writing, "It Takes A Family". Although Rick is absolutely right I would like to add, "It Takes A Dad" to be invested, interested, and interactive in his children. Dads affirm their kids when they care enough to take the time to hang out with them.    Even though I helped my Mom when I was a kid, nothing helped me feel more important than when my Dad gave me a job. Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys.   We have all been influenced by our fathers who in turn were influenced by their fathers. The following pictures are old photos of our fathers and grandfathers.   This is Jan's grandfather Karl and his twin brother Kurt. Yes, our family also has a Kurt and Karl. They were born 100 years and 2 months later than these two. Jan's grandfather Karl was more quiet and thoughtful while h...

In life we are always measuring. We assign numbers to objects, events, our jobs, ourselves, and in this case, who has the most strawberries in their bucket.   Fortunately Grandma awards all participants with candy called, Color By The Foot. Fortunately I don't have to eat Zach's berries. His look pretty green. John decides to measure gravity while his Dad works on the chopper. Karl and Kristin's first batch of hogs are ready for market. They load out tomorrow night at 11 pm.  We helped Cargill, New Sharon treat some beans this past week. I can't decide whether we look like Veggie Tales or Bob the Builder.   A couple of weeks ago I mentioned in our visit that our family didn't have any additions on the way. Well I was wrong. Congratulations to Kurt and Emily who are expecting a baby in late December. This spring a lot of work has piled up because of all the wet weather. I am learning not to get stressed out by continually measuring that pile....