Good morning friends. This past week we in Iowa were told our kids will not be going back to school this year. When school stopped a month ago it felt like a vacation to students. Now reality is hitting home. Gideon is our oldest grandson. He is a senior this year and is missing out on many senior activities. Yet his positive attitude has been a joy to be around. He is shining in a dark situation. He took a day off his truck mechanic job to help Grandpa on Monday. We had a good time.
Gideon's brother John was working one on one on-line with his teacher. Jana could tell he was suddenly distracted and asked him what was up. John told her a turkey was walking by the house and he had a turkey tag to fill. His teacher told him to go shoot the turkey and then come back to his computer. Thanks for being a great teacher Jana. Below John and Devin are sharpening Jan's mower blades.
In our past visits I've been describing our current situation as change and uncertain. The unknown. Uncharted territory. While all these descriptions are accurate I'm becoming more and more convinced that because of the effects and not the cause, we are approaching perilous times.
This pandemic scare is beginning to show it's dark side. China officials have and continue to lie about this virus's origin. We have politicians sticking up for China and dissing our own country. We have a media that is fear mongering and vilifying our culture. We have folks demanding we don't start this country back up for 12 to 18 months. Because of financial incentives hospitals are assuming all deaths are a result of this crisis when in fact they are not.
We are in a situation where the cure is far worse than the cause. It's time to get back to doing life folks. Folks across the ocean are starting to get hungry. Not because they are sick, but because their third world governments are following America's lead in shutting down. I had a WhatsApp conversation with a farmer friend overseas. He says it's starting to feel like end times.
So how are we as a generation handling this as compared to generations in previous crisis's? I feel less than stellar. Decisions are being made reactively rather than proactively. Based on pleasing the crowd. Maybe my friend is right. Life is finite. We're not here forever. It's time to make the most of the days we're here. It's time to face our situation head on and not hide from it. Come to think of it, we are between the cross and the second coming. How does God define good? Love the Lord. Love your neighbor. Shine through the cracks.
We've had two snow events in southern Iowa this past week. One was about four inches and the other a couple of days later was five. Thanks for the picture Glenda.
Yes, we do have a fair amount of corn and soybeans planted. How is it doing? Stay tuned. We'll watch it together. Thanks for the picture Alex.
On one of those snowy days we decided to do wood fired pizza for lunch. Jan put together all the ingredients. Kurt went to Breaddough and purchaced pizza dough.
Kurt did an excellent job of cooking them in a woodfired oven that Jan bought on an on-line auction.
Gideon and Ethan stopped by during their lunch break from fixing trucks to try it out.
Jan also put together a dessert made from rhubarb, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries all in a cobbler with whipping cream on top. The backbone of our country is family and small business and I feel blessed to be part of both.
I love production agriculture. The freedoms we have to succeed or fail. Being part of the responsibility of helping feed the world.
The strength we have in rural America is taking care of each other in tough times. A work ethic that says we can do this. And an understanding that God is our strength. He knows what is happening. He knows what is going to happen. He is in charge and will work things out for His glory and our good. Below Rachel is at her part time job at H and S Feed. Thanks for allowing her to work Byron.
Agriculture is on a slippery slope. The livestock business is in a bloodbath right now as far as prices. There are folks wanting to shut down meat packing plants. I have friends who have sold cattle and yet are continuing to feed them for a loss because they can't get them slaughtered.
The cull market in the swine industry has dried up. Cull hogs are the slow growers. Since pig space is at a premium most times producers sell culls rather than holding up buildings for the next batch. Culls are being given away or euthanized. Karl tells me there are a million hogs on wheels every day. When plants close it plugs the funnel of food to our grocery stores.
Crop prices are not far behind. The ethanol business is busted right now. Feed usage to livestock has dropped dramatically as producers try and slow down. I'm concerned getting our economy going again will be like trying to push start a train.
Yes, we need to take good care of our aged and vulnerable and take precautions. However remember, with the life expectancy in our country of 80 years old, 77,000 folks die every week. I'm not being rude. Just saying we don't live forever. These are my wonderful parents. Thanks for the picture Doug and Ginger. And Happy Anniversary a day late.
Wrapping up, I do hope, pray, and work, toward our grandkids having the same opportunities we've had in this greatest country in the world.
I continue to have more to learn. This mornings thoughts are only my modest opinions. The Bible describes me as a weak vessel. Actually a broken clay jar because of my sinful nature. Christ's gift on Easter put me back together. However as many of you can attest to I still have cracks. My goal as a Christ follower is to let Christ's light show through my cracks. We hold a treasure. We need to let that treasure shine through our lives in a dark world right now.
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