Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It's a dreary, chilly last day of 2020. Today we received a load of oat hay from

somewhere in Kansas to add to the dairy cow ration.  We still have plenty of hay that 

we have raised on the farm but with the drought we experienced in the late summer and

early fall, it was decided to purchase hay to stretch our supply.  No matter how

well you plan, the plan seems to always change !

The hay has been sampled and will be sent for a lab analysis

to give us the best information on how much hay to include in the daily diet.

We're hoping the milking cows are going to appreciate this addition by

producing a little more milk!

In the last few weeks, 2020 has brought us some very sad experiences.

We have lost several friends in our community due to complications of CoVid.

I am thankful for each of these special friends that made such an impact on 

my family and our community.

Intertwined in our sadness, I am thankful for those

that we have celebrated in a big way when you turn 2,

family time that we 

enjoyed during the Christmas holiday,

and 

for Mac that was 

added to our family roster!

                                                  

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                       It's obvious from looking at the relaxation of our farm dogs,
                                       we need a little more excitement in these crazy COVID days!
                                       Feeding the baby calves twice a day has just worn them out.

  I'm thankful for these three dairy farm dogs that 

                                        do nothing but bring us joy on the gloomiest days,

the laugh from the son who put up with the wrong candles on 

his birthday cake,

                                         

for the opportunity to celebrate a belated birthday and 

Mother's Day with most of my family 

and

the beauty around us during these challenging 

days down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                                 Due to the social distancing of COVID-19,
                                            we have been postponing our family celebrations.
                                        Even so, that doesn't stop me from being thankful for
                                      these 32 years that we have watched our oldest son grow
                                                 and mature into a fantastic human being!
                                             

I'm thankful  for all of our special memories

down on the dairy farm,  

for the opportunity to see the next generation 

explore life on the  family farm,

                                                    and for the time we are looking forward
                                       to celebrating with the 32nd chocolate birthday cake!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Yesterday we provided a dairy farm tour for a kindergarten teacher

wanting  to share an adventure with her students   via phone video. 

Our social distancing was maintained as we fed baby calves, 

observed milking and feeding of the cows.

The farm tour provided fun for both visitor and  farmer

as we shared our passion for everyday life on the farm that 

brings  nutritious milk to everyone's table. 

                                   
                                         I'm thankful for the joy in sharing  our love of dairy
                                          with others and for dedicated teachers  seeking
                                         creative  ways to keep our children  involved in the
                                          education  process during the challenges provided
                                                                     by COVID-19.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

 

      Although life on the dairy farm this week  has been much the same with

milking and feeding the cows and performing the daily chores 

 required in caring for our animals and the land everyday,

we have all been impacted personally by the impact of COVID-19

on our families and communities.

As each day this week has unfolded with a new request to 

change our schedules or conveniences to protect our 

families and communities,a new awareness for what we 

 easily take for granted has been exposed.

Change can create a lot of chaos but it also brings to light 

those things we hold most dear.

I'm thankful for the opportunities during this stressful

time of change like  the moments of fun and silliness

with my grandchildren

and 

the joy  in  celebrating  my very sweet and special

Mother's 89th birthday!

                                   "whatever is true, whatever is honorable,whatever is right,
                                  whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,
                                  if there is anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these                                                          things."
                                                                                         ---Philippians 4:8