Been awhile!

Been awhile, as basketball season got in the way.  It's amazing how much of my time it actually takes up throughout the year, even though our season is only runs from November to February.  How ever back to farm life. 
Many of you know or will find out on your own that there are many different struggles you may experience as you parents age.  This is definitely true of older or retired farmers!  After all they are a very unique breed, often set in their ways (because they are use to getting stuff done on their own), and have some basic routines.  Two years ago Pops somewhat retired from farming, meaning he quit with the field crops and now just has cattle to tend throughout the year.  He now knows this as well, but it took some time to realize as we age how much we might lose in some of our abilities we use on the farm daily.  For example, backing up the livestock trailer, hooking up to equipment, space judgement, etc. Random dents showing up on the farm truck that if we had ever done that, there would have been hell to pay!  lol  None the less it has been a learning experience and one that we as a family have been growing with and completing. 

Tree Trim

Sometimes on the farm there are things you just need to get done!  Well this last weekend it was trimming trees at my brother's farm!  He has a great place with lots of trees, however the catch is that all of those trees require maintenance from time to time.  You have to have the lane going east opened up enough for a cab tractor and sickle mower.  The lane heading west and north needs to be opened up enough for combine, cab tractor, truck, and auger wagon.  Not a big deal but it can take a while and yes we did this all day Saturday.  Couldn't hardly raise my arms come 5 o'clock because they had been running a chain saw all day!  Either that or I need to work out some! 

You see how this works is with one person on the 520 John Deere running the loader, while the the other person is in the bucket, with the grapple on to run the chain saw!  Some event --- although one my wife is not a fan of, but she understands that it is just something that has to be done! You can see below my view from the bucket! 

Saturday

Just another Saturday out on the farm, although this Saturday was a bit different because there wasn't as much typical farm work.  Pop's is a retired farmer, although for all you that know "retired" is just a word and that they really never do quit.  He has slowed down and doesn't run the farm ground, but still puts up hay and has cattle.  My sister and wife often wish dad would just stop, but they also realize that having stuff to do on the farm is also what keeps him going.  Pop's is a little busy with hay this time of year and in his mid eighties, doesn't have a whole lot of energy, so the yard work got a bit behind.  We were able to get some of that caught up for him on Saturday, as he is usually on top of things, he really likes driving his JD riding mower.  Got must everything mowed up for him, did a lot of trimming, hauled out a trailer load of branches. Moved a few cows, changed a couple of tractor tires -- tossed some burgers on the grill --- may seem like little things, but often it's that type of thing that Pop's appreciates the most because it just helps him out.

Until next time!

Farm and Ranch Expo

Been gone awhile!  Went to the Sandhills farm and ranch expo yesterday up in the metropolis in Bassett NE!  Now if you haven't ever been to any type of farm expo, it is a great experience, especially if you work, live, or grew up on a farm or ranch.  There are many across the U.S., with some of them being very large.  The biggest in my area and one of the largest is Husker Harvest Days located just west of Grand Island Nebraska and hand in September on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

The Sandhills Farm and Ranch expo is just two day in June, usually a Wednesday and Thursday.  This year it was June 14th and 15th.  We went up on Thursday the 15th and we I say we, I am referring to my brothers, we went for the first time last year.  We all enjoyed it so much we went back again this year, just something we enjoyed during together as brothers.  We all live in different places, so it is one of those things we can do together and shoot the breeze on the drive up and back!  

Below I have attached the link to their website!  Now if your not into agriculture, will this isn't the thing for you.  However if you are, you have businesses that represent feed, equipment, (mostly hay), cattle handling, storage, buildings, trucks, financial, insurance, physical and mental health, and of course great food!  I recommend Papa Tom's for the great food, although there are many more.  

https://www.sandhillsranchexpo.com

Until next time, enjoy the sunsets! 

God's Country!

Having grown up on a farm, it seems that most folks would refer to being outdoors as being a part of God's country, which I believe to be true (and yes I could really care less about whatever your religious affiliation is). This week I have found myself in what I again would describe as God's country -- in the middle of Montana! It truly is big sky country where you can see things from door to door at 9:45 at night with no problem. So I will be officially changing my blog to more of what I know, which is the country and the ins and outs of life and funnies on the farm! After all this is what makes America turn --- don't believe me? -- when is the last time you ate?? Yeah that's what I thought!

woohoo!

Bout to take a trip, however I really wonder how well things have changed since I last flew!! After all, not airports, airlines, etc are built for bigger people -- basically someone who is vertical enhanced!  We will see if things have changed much or not!

Woohoo!

Interesting day!  Found out we got approved to go to Philly!