StillwatersIowa

  Good Sunday morning to you. Early last week we did kind of a mini crop tour checking out roots, soil compaction, plant health, and weed control. The number one thing the crop needs right now is a good drink. I'm pretty sure it might be Kurt and Emily's anniversary today. If you see them wish them a happy anniversary. Karl was spraying close to home this week so Kristin and Malaki rode along and kept him company.   On Monday Atalie, Natalie, and Allison helped Grandma out by picking cherries. We baled a little second cutting hay. BJ, Matt, and Isaiah are loading on the hay rack. Nephew Isaiah and Emily have three horses. One nice thing about being 60 is folks just kind of expect you'll drive tractor.   Last weeks picture of the old Christian Grade School caused me to think back in time. Which teachers do I remember really helping me out and having an influence on me? It was the ones that believed I had potential and told me so. The road below is...

Today is Father's Day. When you think of a father what comes to mind? A provider. The disciplinarian. Mom's husband. Someone strong enough to open new pickle jars. The one with the big wore out work shoes and favorite hat. You've heard the saying that anybody can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad. Dad's teach their kids to work but can make work fun by helping them. You have to be intentional to be a dad. That takes time and thought.     Being a dad is including kids in busy schedules. Children are affirmed when their Dad shows interest, teaches, and encourages. The more a dad has his kids with him the more they learn. Mom's have a huge place in children's lives however they can't replace a tough and tender dad. When kids are taught by their dad they end up not being scared of responsibility and are soon able to do projects on their own. All my kids have become better at things than I am. That's not a threat. That'...

Something that takes time but needs to be intentional these days is to encourage our kids to help out and pat them on the back when they do. Often Jackson is the last person at Grandma's on Mondays so Jan has him help clean up. When kids are included it's not as much about getting the job accomplished as it is about learning to work, accepting responsibility at an early age, and helping them focus on something other than themselves which will serve them well later in their lives. These young men wanted to go swimming so I told them if we picked up one big load of rocks I would take them. Often kids start out wanting to help when they are young but adults don't take the time or have the time to work with them. These little guys are "fenced" in because they want to go help Grandpa. Notice Amelia is in the background helping Grandma keep an eye on them. Little people need to be told "good job" when they help out. Big people need it too and Dana...