StillwatersIowa

Do you remember helping your dad or mom when you were young? I do. As I grew older it made me feel needed, taught me responsibility, and helped me be comfortable around other adults in our community.  Asking your children what they think when they are young and helping, and then listening is one of the greatest compliments you can give them. Then when they grow up you have to ask them all the time out of necessity. Mike, Mark, and BJ  worked for Joel and Hayley this past week getting a site ready for a new cattle building. Brad, Alex, Kurt, and I worked on some landscaping around our home. We have a long way to go. BJ, Mark, and Alex went to a couple of combine clinics for Deere and Cat. That's where you talk about monitor calibration, settings and adjustments, maintenance, and of course, lunch.   We had a landlord and neighbor have a close call with heart troubles and is recuperating in ICU at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. We ar...

We have had our share of clouds and rainy weather this past summer. Often it is followed by some of the most beautiful days. Silver linings are the good days that come after and as a result of the cloudy days.   Karl is doing well after being in the hospital. He is back farming, taking good care of his pigs, and enjoying his garden. Jan's Uncle Dave came from Colorado with his daughter Erin and his grandsons. Last Sunday we had a big get together. Dave, Frank Jr., Carolyn, Jean, Gloria, and Florence are the 6 siblings still living. My mother-in-law was their oldest sister. She, Harriett, Chet, and Ed have passed away. The grandkids are still enjoying playing together as cousins on Mondays at Grandma Jan's however school will soon be starting for the older ones. Ethan has his arm wrapped and will get a cast after breaking his thumb riding his motorcycle. Just in time to slow down and think about school work. :( We helped Karl again this week vacci...

Sometimes friends help out with those out of the ordinary jobs. Kurt is putting a rope through the top pulley of our 30 foot flag pole. Kipper likes to hang out where the action is and often runs over from Karl and Kristin's house. On his return trips back home he refuses to jump in the back of the truck and thinks he belongs in front. Early this week vaccinated 5000 head of pigs at Karl's shed.  On a recent visit to an elderly widow I saw this picture and remembered one just like it hanging in my grandparents house 50 years ago. Betty is 90 years old and said this pic was given to her by her parents. One of the first jobs in getting the shop ready for company is cleaning the washroom pit. Brad and grandkids are helping out. Our annual appreciation supper is really a friends gathering. Thanks to the girls for always serving a great meal and greeting our guests. Business associates become friends. Dana is my boss in the seed business and ...

Jim, an author, asks the question, "How will some peoples lives be better and different because you were here on this earth?" The folks in my visit this morning have helped move my life from good to great.   Mike, Suzanne, and Cody have had an eventful summer. Football camp was held last week at PC where Mike coaches. Mike hopes to start building a pond this week weather permitting.   Mark and Stacy have an active family. They enjoy riding and racing their dirt bikes. Mark has had a number of track hoe jobs this summer. The grandkids have been pretty good help this summer. We did three batches of sweet corn this past week. BJ and Cassia also have a busy family. BJ and Cassia delivered some big hydraulic drive motors off of their tiling machine to Michigan this past week to be repaired. The cows got what was left of the sweet corn patch. Becky and Brian stay busy to say the least with their responsibilities and young family. When Becky and Bri...