My husband and I have had a joke for several years now. When I decide to ride the four-wheeler around the farm perimeter, which equates to several miles total, I always tell him "I am going to secure the perimeter". When I return from my ride, I then report "the perimeter is secure".
Quite honestly, if I should come upon a truly wild animal, intruder or emergency, I haven't a clue as to what exactly I would do besides have a panic attack!
In reality, when I ride the four-wheeler I do it for the pure enjoyment of being outside, viewing nature, breathing fresh air, watching the heifers in the fields, riding through the grapevine tunnel and allowing myself to think about absolutely nothing.
I check the progress of the deer food plots, examine the tiny purple flowers on the old railroad bed, check to see if any ducks have arrived on either of the ponds, sit on the porch of our rustic log cabin for a few minutes, or check to see if the blackberries are ripe enough to pick yet.
There are so many things that I can see and take time on which to reflect when I am alone and riding. Each season brings new visions and smells. I love to slow down when driving by the wrapped round bales and inhale their sweet scent. Driving close to a deer who suddenly jumps up is always a pleasant suprise. Watching the sun rays flow through the trees on a sunny summer day or seeing the leaves change color in the fall is a vision that everyone should be blessed to see.
I wish that each and everyone of you could enjoy the experience of "securing the perimeter" at least once in your life. It truly is a blessing.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Beginnings...
The summer of 2011 has brought many changes to our lives.
Those that know us, know that we are a very close family, and the decisions that we make involve all four generations that make up our family.
In the Fall of 2010 it was decided that Curly-Heits farm would again be a working dairy farm, made up of registered Holsteins gathered from several of our own stock, sales and auctions throughout the Northeast.Many changes to the existing farm were completed, including updating the milking equipment, adding a pole barn and repair shop, installing a new barn cleaner, and various other needed adaptations.
In early Summer of 2011 the cows that we purchased and owned arrived, and the daily life of dairy farming began once again. I added my own 'livestock' to the mix with several British White beef cows and 17 bantam chicks, as well as our raised bed gardens.
Everyone in our family has an interest in the farming lifestyle, along with responsibilities and personal pleasures as we go through our daily motions. There is nothing sweeter than seeing our three grandsons in the barn attempting to help 'Pappy' feed the cows, squealing at a kitten, or smiling at a baby calf. Watching our son and daughter leading and fitting animals for upcoming shows or classification brings back wonderful memories from when we made our living as dairy farmers many years ago. Seeing our daughter-in-law and son-in-law learn a new way of life and eagerly join us in our adventure is a gift of love that many parents-in-law will never be blessed to receive. Encouragement and support is given daily by both of our mothers who help us with prayer, love and wisdom every day of our lives.
And so, we begin. We begin to reshape our bedtimes, wake-up alarms, mealtimes, vacations and daily activities. We begin to learn the characteristics of new animals, new farming friends and new neighbors. We begin to watch the weather to plan our daily activities. We begin to change our pace of life to make it a better life for us all.
We begin to educate and raise our new generation to the ways of farming, in hopes that they can embrace it and appreciate it, as those of us in the generations before have done.
We begin to farm...again. :)
Those that know us, know that we are a very close family, and the decisions that we make involve all four generations that make up our family.
In the Fall of 2010 it was decided that Curly-Heits farm would again be a working dairy farm, made up of registered Holsteins gathered from several of our own stock, sales and auctions throughout the Northeast.Many changes to the existing farm were completed, including updating the milking equipment, adding a pole barn and repair shop, installing a new barn cleaner, and various other needed adaptations.
In early Summer of 2011 the cows that we purchased and owned arrived, and the daily life of dairy farming began once again. I added my own 'livestock' to the mix with several British White beef cows and 17 bantam chicks, as well as our raised bed gardens.
Everyone in our family has an interest in the farming lifestyle, along with responsibilities and personal pleasures as we go through our daily motions. There is nothing sweeter than seeing our three grandsons in the barn attempting to help 'Pappy' feed the cows, squealing at a kitten, or smiling at a baby calf. Watching our son and daughter leading and fitting animals for upcoming shows or classification brings back wonderful memories from when we made our living as dairy farmers many years ago. Seeing our daughter-in-law and son-in-law learn a new way of life and eagerly join us in our adventure is a gift of love that many parents-in-law will never be blessed to receive. Encouragement and support is given daily by both of our mothers who help us with prayer, love and wisdom every day of our lives.
And so, we begin. We begin to reshape our bedtimes, wake-up alarms, mealtimes, vacations and daily activities. We begin to learn the characteristics of new animals, new farming friends and new neighbors. We begin to watch the weather to plan our daily activities. We begin to change our pace of life to make it a better life for us all.
We begin to educate and raise our new generation to the ways of farming, in hopes that they can embrace it and appreciate it, as those of us in the generations before have done.
We begin to farm...again. :)
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