Thankful Thursday

After the chores were finished, our family  gathered around the table for

our traditional  July 4th picnic supper in the cool of the air conditioner and

then made our journey to the pond for a fantastic fireworks display.

We all have a few mosquito and chigger bites but it was worth it

for the fun we had.

I am thankful for the many July 4th  memories we have

 made in this pastoral spot on the farm,

for the curious guests that joined in the fun until the first 

fire cracker was lit,

for the two inches of rain we received that 

allowed us to plant  part of our fall crop,

and

 for the freedoms we enjoy every day!

                                                            God bless America!
 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We salute our Veterans.

Where would we be without their service to our country?

As we go about our daily work down on the dairy farm,

we celebrate our freedom to farm and live a most blessed

life in the United Sates of America.

Ryan's dad, Bill, served during World War II.

He was a medic stationed in Japan and returned

home to farm. The horrors of war were

too painful to talk about but you never questioned 

his love of country.

My Dad, Harral, served in the Navy

just as the war was coming to an end.

He was a man of few words but his devotion to

 our nation was unwavering.

                                             I'm thankful for the service of these two fathers who 

                         helped instill the love of country into their children and grandchildren 

                              and all Veterans across our nation that served to protect our freedom.

                                                     May God continue to bless our nation!

                                 

                                                          

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Voting is such a privilege.

Standing in line last week during early voting, I 

was inspired by the number of people that 

were standing in line with me to cast their vote.

Regardless of the outcome of any election,

I am thankful to be an American farmer that enjoys 

the freedom to live and work

everyday down on our Arkansas dairy farm

caring  for the land we call home

                                              and for the beautiful cows that provide healthy

                                                  nutritious milk for your family and mine.

           

Blessed Americans

Regardless of living in the middle of a pandemic and

the unrest in our country at this time,

we are blessed to live in this great nation and call ourselves 

Americans.

July 4th gives us the opportunity to celebrate all that 

we are as a nation and to appreciate all those that

have worked, struggled and sacrificed to bring us to this point in time. 

We are not a perfect nation because we are an imperfect people.

It is our duty to strive to be better on every level.

As we work today down on the dairy farm, 

we are celebrating the fact that we have the 

freedom to farm,

                                                   
                                     freedom to work everyday to provide food for Americans,

                                                       
                                                                                and
                                              the freedom  to  celebrate what July 4th means
                                                    with the next generation of Americans.

                                                           God Bless America!

A Tradition of Remembrance

As a child I only associated Memorial Day with

a holiday that brought our family together for a picnic or

 the beginning of summer with the first trip to  the swimming 

pool.  Perhaps I was born a little too close to the end of World War II

 for anyone ready to talk about our fallen heroes.

I can't imagine what our country would be like today were

it not for all the men and women that have served our country 

to protect our freedoms.

Memorial Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate

their devotion to our country.

Fortunately for our family, my father-in-law

did make it home from his experience in Japan during

World War II.

Because of men like Bill, 

we have the freedom to farm and  live free.

                                                               We pause on Memorial Day
                                           to give thanks for those who have given their all.

Memorial Day...a tradition of remembrance.

Thank a Veteran

Bill Anglin, my father-in-law, served in the Army during

World War II.  Part of his service time was spent in Japan

as a medic.  Bill never talked about his war experience but

we know that he witnessed much pain and suffering during his

time of service.  He was like many others that returned to their homes

and communities and went about living life to the fullest with

their families. Although  returning home was a victory ,  there was

a great awareness of and appreciation for those that gave all for 

the protection of freedom.

We continue to enjoy the freedom to farm and

live as we choose because of the brave men and women

who have served and are serving to protect our freedoms.

                                       
                                                           Many thanks to every Veteran!

Memorial Day Everyday

We might not be farming today if it were not for the

 brave men and women who sacrificed for our freedom.

As I walk by the old hay barn everyday where Ryan's Mother

 milked cows during World War II, I can only imagine

the pain and suffering of our friends and neighbors who 

endured the loss of their friends  and  family members during 

times of war.

I can never repay them but I will never forget them.

Memorial Day is not just a day...

it is everyday.

Salute to Veterans

Thank-you to all veterans who have served in the military

in wartime or peacetime.

Your dedication to country is what allows the rest of us

 the freedoms that we enjoy everyday and often take for granted.

Veterans Day began as "Armistice Day" on November 11,1919, 

to commemorate the end of World War I.

President Eisenhower officially changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954.

According to Veterans Day Facts at www.history.com:

-16.1 million living veterans served during at least one war
-5.2 million veterans served in peacetime
-2 million veterans are women
-7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War
-5.5 million veterans served during the Persian Gulf War
           -Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II,
 about 558,000 are still alive

Ryan and I appreciate the service of both of our fathers.

They were proud to serve  and instilled in us an appreciation

for all those who continue to serve our country.

                                                       Happy Veterans Day!

Happy July 4th!

We've got the best of both worlds...

the freedom to farm 

and 

to celebrate our freedom and love of country

all in the same day on this July 4th!

                                                           
                                                              Happy July 4th 
                               from down on the dairy farm!

Freedom to Farm

My Country,'Tis of Thee

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing: 

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the Pilgrims pride.

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring.

                                          --Samuel F. Smith

                                                                   
                                     Words are inadequate to express my thanks and gratitude
                                       for the men and women who have given their lives to
                                                          insure our  American freedoms.
                                         

May we never forget.

Happy Veteran's Day

As I traveled to the monthly Benton County Farm Bureau board meeting tonight, I tuned into a special KURM  radio broadcast of a Veteran's Day assembly at one of our local schools.

Students were singing the most beautiful  arrangement of America the Beautiful.

Listening to the music reminded me of all the blessings of freedom 

 we enjoy daily thanks to the service of  our Veterans.

May we never take our freedom for granted.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Memorial Day

Even though we're working down on the dairy farm today like every day,

it's a special day...Memorial Day.

It's the opportunity to pause and  celebrate those who have given the 

ultimate sacrifice that has provided the freedom we enjoy each day.

"We don't know them all, but we owe them all."

That sentence says it all.

Happy Memorial Day!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

At last month's Quorum Court meeting, Benton County received

 the designation as a Purple Heart County.

We're now honored to be  on the list of counties and cities that participate in 

honoring our veterans that have been wounded or killed by 

enemy forces while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

I'm thankful for the men and women who have made

 the ultimate sacrifice to insure our freedom.

                                               

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Veteran's Day reminds us of the sacrifices being made

 today and in the past to provide the freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis.

I love this 1944 picture of Ryan's dad.

Bill and Bonnah Lyn were married in  Tyler,Texas 

before he was sent to Japan during World War II.

We can only imagine what he experienced as an ambulance driver and medic.

because he  never talked about the war when he returned  home.

I do know that we can never say thank-you enough to all those

 who served in past wars and those who are serving today.

I'm thankful for the  recognition given to all veterans on Veteran's Day

and 

to live in the United States.

                                                                God Bless America!

Freedom Rings Down on the Dairy Farm

My Country,'Tis of Thee

My country,'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing:

Land where my fathers died, 

Land of thy Pilgrims' pride.

From every mountainside,

Let freedom ring!

                             ---Samuel F. Smith

                                                     Freedom rings down  on the dairy  farm!
                                  Like dairy farm families across America, we'll be working today to
                                               care for our animals and  provide high quality milk.

                                       At the end of the day, we will be enjoying a picnic supper and
                                              the fireworks display from surrounding communities.
                                                              From our family to yours,

                                                             Happy July 4th!

Freedom to Farm

We'll be milking the cows, feeding the calves , baling hay and planting a crop before  we pack up our traditional  picnic supper, load the lawn chairs and head to the pasture where we watch the July 4th fireworks provided by the communities that surround our farm property.  

We don't take our freedom to farm for granted--it's an honor and privilege to be an American dairy farmer working to provide high-quality milk everyday (that includes weekends and holidays)  by caring for our animals and the land we call home. 

                                                                                 
                                                               God Bless America!

Memorable Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer but for me, it's a time to pause and remember those who have given their all so that we might enjoy the freedoms that are often taken for granted in the daily routine of life.

 

 

In church this weekend, we'll be singing My Country,Tis of Thee. It's such a simple song that I've sung since childhood but the words still ring true:

 

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing:

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the Pilgrims'Pride,

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring.

 

With a grateful heart, I say thank-you.

                                                                   
                                                                 God Bless America !
                                                        

Raw Milk Freedom

I've given up trying to understand how freedom connects with allowing the sale of raw (unpasteurized) milk in Arkansas but it has been the theme for a majority of the Arkansas House of Representatives this session. It shouldn't have surprised me after witnessing one of the committee hearings in Little Rock at the Capital last Friday when I was told that the legislators chanted "Freedom,Freedom,Freedom" inside the House of Representative chambers when they passed the bill to legalize the sale of raw milk. (I'd call that a chant of ignoramus!)

Although all Grade A dairy farmers work to produce safe milk by following proven production methods and caring for our animals to keep them healthy, pasteurization of milk is scientifically proven to be the key to providing a safe product for consumers. The reason we don't have raw milk illness very often is that out of all the milk produced in the United States, only 1% of milk is unpasteurized.

This new law does provide the freedom to sell raw milk but it doesn't offer any protection to Arkansas consumers or Grade A dairy farmers. Grade A dairy farms are permitted by the Arkansas Department of Health, inspected monthly to make sure barns and equipment meet standard and the milk is tested each time it is picked up at the farm.

A thirteen year study by the Center for Disease Contol and Prevention on Nonpasteurized Disease Outbreaks found that :

• Raw milk was much more likely to cause outbreaks than pasteurized milk.
• Outbreaks caused by raw milk tended to cause more severe disease.
• Younger people were affected more in outbreaks caused by raw milk than in outbreaks caused by pasteurized milk.
• States that allow the sale of raw milk had more outbreaks caused by consuming raw milk.

This new law increases the opportunity for raw milk illness by just legalizing raw milk sales. Raw milk illness can impact Grade A dairy farms because this damages the image of all milk. This puts Arkansas Grade A dairy farmers at greater economic risk even though we have produced safe milk because the public will have fear of all milk.

All this new law requires of anyone wishing to sell raw milk is to post a sign at the farm stating you know you are purchasing raw milk and accept the liability. There is no provision in the law for oversight by the Arkansas Health Department or any other state agency to provide any measure of protection to the consumer.

It's a food safety issue---not freedom. You can find more information about raw milk at Real Raw Milk Facts or Midwest Dairy.

Freedom

 

Senator John McCain was the guest speaker at the Bentonville Veteran's Day celebration. Words cannot describe the gratitude I feel for the men and women,past and present, who have served to make sure that we can enjoy freedom  that is too often taken for granted.

 

 

 

And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Live as free men,

but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;

live as servants of God.

                                                              John 8:32,36; 1 Peter 2:16

 

 

 

 

 

My Country,'Tis of Thee

I've been humming or singing My Country 'Tis of Thee since we sang it in church last  Sunday.   Written in 1831 by Samuel F. Smith, My Country 'Tis of Thee, was unofficially used as our national anthem before the Star Spangled Banner became the offical national anthem. As we celebrate the birth of our nation, it seems fitting to reflect on the words of this precious hymn and give thanks for the men and women that have served our country both past and present to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today.


My Country, 'Tis of Thee

My country, 'tis of thee,                       
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride.
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring.

My native country,thee,
Land of the noble,free,
Thy name I love.
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees.
Sweet freedom's song.
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our King!

                                        God Bless America!