tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43257557086952398882024-02-06T21:02:18.515-08:00VerbosityBecause I always have something to say, but don't always have someone to listen...Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.comBlogger491125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-72246989597680266392023-10-17T10:24:00.003-07:002023-10-17T10:34:37.374-07:00A Lesson from Carpet<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3m2ghIXNwIl1qaJrCoeVydjS69wRlRNRXvkxxHyNMuGKy9hMZmAEPxncrX0DTSttBZf280H9xb-loV7VyDD4KWrPPH7dpCZdhgrpZFNtbBdGIqQsxvy2exfYTjErOKUEEhTqqFxjlMwGRFRyOA6jpqadrtagx2tJgurMRc8yTvsQ2ADclTCE4quqghY/s640/IMG_5928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3m2ghIXNwIl1qaJrCoeVydjS69wRlRNRXvkxxHyNMuGKy9hMZmAEPxncrX0DTSttBZf280H9xb-loV7VyDD4KWrPPH7dpCZdhgrpZFNtbBdGIqQsxvy2exfYTjErOKUEEhTqqFxjlMwGRFRyOA6jpqadrtagx2tJgurMRc8yTvsQ2ADclTCE4quqghY/s320/IMG_5928.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I called to schedule an appointment to measure our bedrooms
for carpet replacement.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a major victory for me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been researching and planning this since Spring. I’ve
had carpet picked out since August. But I just could not make the call that
would get the ball rolling. It filled me with DREAD.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve wondered about myself because of it. Why? Why does it
seem so dreadful, so unattractive, so fearsome to make the call to begin.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A couple of reasons have come to mind, the most significant
being:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And therein lies the problem. I look at opportunity as a
source of trouble and religiously assemble all the possible difficulties that could
arise with the certainty that there will still be one that I did not prepare
for. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It just seems the responsible thing to do. The Bible tells
us to count the cost before committing to a venture, right? Well, I’m just
trying to DO IT RIGHT.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I am not.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Instead of seeing opportunity <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- not just with carpets, mind you – as potential
blessing, I am certain it is so rife with the possibility of failure that I
would prefer to leave my precious grandgirls to play on 27 year old dirty carpet
than risk it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">THAT’S the failure. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s foolishly playing it safe and never reaching out to
grasp the goodness of life, embracing the risk in pursuit of better and best. I
mean, who gets stuck on buying carpet and makes it a problem when it is of little
or no consequence in the grand scheme of things?!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Me – I’m the problem. It’s me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m taking this lesson from a trivial circumstance and plan
to apply it to much more consequential subjects. A generous accounting of the
benefits of opportunity will be my new goal, with a reasonable estimation of
the cost. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I want to choose the bigger life and fill my mind with an innumerable
list of the blessings God provides. The older I get the more I see them, yet I
have work to do to fully appreciate the scope of what God is doing and what He
will do for me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“In youth I sought the golden flower<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hidden in wood or wold,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I am come to autumn,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When all the leaves are gold.” -- Gold Leaves – by G.K.
Chesterton<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I want eyes to see that all the leaves are gold.<o:p></o:p></p>Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-86003581936485576492023-09-21T12:09:00.001-07:002023-09-21T12:09:36.298-07:00September<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbJK4lXXHTDCCFpL5lv0BmL4ocrlmCWmdyZukcUs9m5x9AuVWoGz0wp2alJN0t0A48nQt2VwLOPaegyfrvMoowXRwCCKyFwrjIAW2aWAFrPORsQc7NeszhL4uVhfVfD_YLJVm4Mm3tHUmd0UroyJbQprBFGb3El5UtvNM9RsX07hIX4cDcyzya3llt2I/s2048/IMG_5824.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbJK4lXXHTDCCFpL5lv0BmL4ocrlmCWmdyZukcUs9m5x9AuVWoGz0wp2alJN0t0A48nQt2VwLOPaegyfrvMoowXRwCCKyFwrjIAW2aWAFrPORsQc7NeszhL4uVhfVfD_YLJVm4Mm3tHUmd0UroyJbQprBFGb3El5UtvNM9RsX07hIX4cDcyzya3llt2I/w379-h505/IMG_5824.JPEG" width="379" /></a></div><br />The old girl has given the confirmation of Fall. Streaks of
gold among the green.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In late August, I feel melancholy about all the summer
things that didn’t happen. Yes, every year. Being 62 years old, it has dawned
on me that perhaps I don’t care that much about doing the summer things since
this is an annual thought. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hmm. In pondering that, I had to admit to myself that I do
indeed enjoy the summer things but I expect them to happen easily. And they
don’t. I need to embrace the discomfort of planning and execution of summer
fun, or any seasonal fun. I have wrongly assumed that what I see other people
doing is effortless and since that wasn’t my experience, I was doing it wrong. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have an ongoing and wide-ranging problem with that
thought. Sigh.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, now that I know, or am reminded, that my success
depends on my willingness to embrace the discomfort of the work, I am enjoying
September with intent.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The weather has been mostly summery, with a few foggy
fall-like mornings, and now the temperature is cooling (Praise the Lord!) but my
house is already be-decked with fall leaves, the porch with pumpkins (that grew
unexpectedly on the compost pile) and I am anxious to wear sweaters while
drinking my chai with pumpkin cold cream. Soon I’ll be anticipating
Thanksgiving and preparations for that.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fall is my favorite season. I love to look outside and see
that there’s nothing that can be done out in the weather. Coziness, curling up
with a book, blanket and hot beverage makes a wonderful day.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I intend to do a lot of that, even if it's hard.<o:p></o:p></p>Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-65262229654092038652022-01-26T14:53:00.001-08:002022-01-26T14:53:18.833-08:00An Anniversary...<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6l17hYm2uCH3GwX_I1_qP3MQg3HwPvuReVhwkspXUCq2Nt9hW-Cvzmebfh7NxbAc6HQjuzkVlkIZ-5PoFJbz_NgNPqmCvxPIeNNb9c1oNHdFhpFBi1RKl1GsLdgT0EQoRO-8kkBQxiyGWIbT9vJpFErQHEXlmRAAY6fSpqj5AvfRnozoPUjcs5C3_=s2520" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="2520" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6l17hYm2uCH3GwX_I1_qP3MQg3HwPvuReVhwkspXUCq2Nt9hW-Cvzmebfh7NxbAc6HQjuzkVlkIZ-5PoFJbz_NgNPqmCvxPIeNNb9c1oNHdFhpFBi1RKl1GsLdgT0EQoRO-8kkBQxiyGWIbT9vJpFErQHEXlmRAAY6fSpqj5AvfRnozoPUjcs5C3_=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCTOeO6cc6brXvthaLtrpNDvDUq9e8JpJ7_cHmVCKYJTVcZnYclCGf6q0uLmP4TkKV0XSke7dbIoi6wpTyuOYLOdw45xY0sn1V1A8EjaivuDzcHFuBsX8nCM1nudNoGDOQkGxk5f7U9Wi-CezEHEiFE8UmVn_sIhP5eh-Xn2z61hSt4068SU_s6uij=s2520" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="1680" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCTOeO6cc6brXvthaLtrpNDvDUq9e8JpJ7_cHmVCKYJTVcZnYclCGf6q0uLmP4TkKV0XSke7dbIoi6wpTyuOYLOdw45xY0sn1V1A8EjaivuDzcHFuBsX8nCM1nudNoGDOQkGxk5f7U9Wi-CezEHEiFE8UmVn_sIhP5eh-Xn2z61hSt4068SU_s6uij=s320" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thirty-nine years ago today, we became parents. Best and most
difficult adventure of our lives.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have to admit that since I finished parenting I’ve
struggled to regain a sense of purpose in my life. Grandchildren have come
close.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I am Grandma, not Mom, which has taken me some time to
accept, so there is a limit to what I should do. Still, grandparenting is full
of meaning and joy, especially since I understand much better the long view of
raising children. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wish I could have had better perspective and a stronger
understanding of context back when my kids were little. But it seems that the
better part of parenting is not just how your children “turn out” but how you
yourself do. God allows us to fail at the most important job we could ever do
because it builds the character we need. The grace we need to negotiate the
vagaries of life wouldn’t come without acceptance of it for our failures, and
the extension of it because we know we too are weak.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God’s plan is good.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I thank Him for His grace in helping our children become
good people. I thank Him for the wonderful and terrible times of parenting. So
much good has come of it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And for you who are in the thick of it, when the terrible
times seem more than the wonderful, accept grace. It’s not supposed to be easy.
It is HARD and so much is unknown. And give grace. The accomplishment of this
adventure depends more on God than it does on you. So don’t be proud and compulsive
about getting everything right. God will use your kids to help you learn
humility. Remember that you need it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyway – Happy Birthday to our Firstborn. Thanks for the
taking the brunt of our inexperience and gracefully loving us in spite of it!<o:p></o:p></p>Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-67336302094373216142022-01-03T07:57:00.001-08:002022-01-03T08:03:22.557-08:00The Christmas Card Synopsis of the Last Two Years...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaoEmBWn5ORIMX_xbH-N1SZ0r4WysTrKhloTH17blhcfSbqdVNuyGzb29Bw--t6i9Oc_dQSCMMRBTFbBFBLZrEoNJruFRzSdgnExYT-_Nc5egvTUd-arNmU0r17oINfSZ7d0ggt7dalIjhENgl4oMXOzrmAi8tY-MmsXCkNUKNpZqWWdAbOG4LU9mp=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaoEmBWn5ORIMX_xbH-N1SZ0r4WysTrKhloTH17blhcfSbqdVNuyGzb29Bw--t6i9Oc_dQSCMMRBTFbBFBLZrEoNJruFRzSdgnExYT-_Nc5egvTUd-arNmU0r17oINfSZ7d0ggt7dalIjhENgl4oMXOzrmAi8tY-MmsXCkNUKNpZqWWdAbOG4LU9mp=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /> I've been quiet for a long time and a lot has happened. I never did write Part 2 about 2020 -- maybe someday I will. To suffice the Christmas Letter of 2021 should do. The last two years have taken away my voice with all the weird and unexpected changes in the world. But besides the bad things, really good things have happened -- and some of the bad things have turned out really well.<p></p><p>For better or worse, I am committed to raising my voice about life again.</p><p><i>Christmas 2021</i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>I won’t be able on this page to tell you all the things that
have happened in the last two years. God has arranged big changes and provided
for us in so many ways that it would take more pages than you would want to
read for me to tell the story in full detail.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>The short version is that we have retired from berry farming
– after 34 harvests and 35 years. Until a year ago, we were thinking that
retirement was a ways out. But then, weird and surreal 2020 came and with it a
nearly complete crop failure for us. Randy made an error when he sprayed a weed
killer and the rate was a bit too high. Making the consequences of his mistake
even worse was that it rained heavily the day after he sprayed, moving the weed
killer down into the root zone. This caused the fruiting plants to weaken and
eventually succumb as the roots were damaged and unable to support the plant.
Pretty humbling, after 34 years that one is not immune to catastrophic
mistakes.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>And yet, looking back, we know that God was using this to
prompt us to make changes. Fortunately, the new cane growth for 2021 was
sufficient for us to harvest some fields. (The new growth came on after the
influence of the weed killer had passed.) We salvaged 30 acres and took out the
rest.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>But what to do going forward? We would need to replant the
entire acreage for the farm to be sufficiently productive. We couldn’t afford
to do all the acres at once and a 5-year replant plan wouldn’t be feasible. Why
make that kind of investment in dollars and time only to retire soon after? And
frankly, every year the work seems harder and it takes us longer. We still want
to work, but not as hard as we have for so many years. Getting older! And maybe
wiser…<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>We knew that when we retired, a large farm would take over
the acreage, and would configure the replant to their program specifics. It
seemed that it made more sense for this to happen now. We decided we were ready
to let it go. We have no regrets. It has been a great ride! Randy got to have
his dream and farm his own way. We got to raise our kids here. It’s been a
great blessing. But we are excited and ready to have some new adventures.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>By God’s grace many things have fallen into place. We had a
decent last harvest with an amazing per pound price! That was nice! We are
dividing off 2 acres on which our buildings are situated and will continue to
live here. WSU would like Randy to continue to manage their research plots
here. A neighbor has taken over the remaining land and if you drive by right
now you will see acres and acres of winter wheat and not a single post or berry
plant on the farm. It’s a drastic change!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>For a year I have been working at a local furniture store
two days per week and enjoying it in many ways. Randy plans to try some new
things and right now is having fun delivering packages as a Personal Vehicle
Delivery driver for UPS. Who would have thought it? He also delivers for our
son-in-law’s hardware store and hopes to pick up other jobs helping at other
farms. Or who knows what he’ll try?!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>As if 2021 was not interesting enough, I struggled most of
the year with torn cartilage and arthritis in my hip until replacement surgery
at the end of August. Oh my! It is a great blessing to be able to move around
again without pain! I am so thankful.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>And especially because we have gained another granddaughter,
Olivia Jane who was born Oct. 26, 2020. Once again I am able to play with all 5
of these delightful girls! Of course, we are excited to have more time for our
family – and even go camping in the summer! What a concept! Our kids are doing
well in spite of the hurdles the last two years have thrown at them and we are
proud of them. The world continues in weird and sometimes disturbing ways but
what we have seen in our lives has grown our confidence that God is faithful.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>We hope you are seeing that too, and more so in the New
Year!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>May truth prevail in 2022!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>-- Leslie & Randy<o:p></o:p></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgidVNyR-ebH3rDHQ_akjjvSLW8rkOh86MRX_38j16NMor0AMsBHQE9d_rfGGNNKloyyp_obilyr62KmT9jzOCfWHBxZcp-aNBdTGB4WBOSbMMQiApRJsuTTwjbq6-W-Gy1LC_re7va_sAoOvxskAaACx9-_x6SqM_L8IJnHBb82HOTuujDGyYGxi4_=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgidVNyR-ebH3rDHQ_akjjvSLW8rkOh86MRX_38j16NMor0AMsBHQE9d_rfGGNNKloyyp_obilyr62KmT9jzOCfWHBxZcp-aNBdTGB4WBOSbMMQiApRJsuTTwjbq6-W-Gy1LC_re7va_sAoOvxskAaACx9-_x6SqM_L8IJnHBb82HOTuujDGyYGxi4_=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p></p>Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-51575244650997435512020-12-31T13:56:00.001-08:002023-02-15T13:13:11.450-08:002020 -- a year that will go down in infamy...<p>One of the last things I wrote on this blog was “The
raspberries don’t know there’s a pandemic, and they are just growing in the
usual way…”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, that didn’t turn out to be true.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The berries started out in the usual way and were looking
pretty good. There seemed to be very little winter damage. The buds broke out
well and the leaves were unfurling.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But as the weeks went by, the rate of growth slowed. They
leaves lost their lush green color and started looking a bit too yellow green.
We wondered if the application of natural nutrients had been too late to be
fully utilized by the plants. Areas in the field that we had known to be weaker
in previous years, again began to look weak again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then, even the stronger areas started to show weakness. Many
buds that had leafed out and pushed out began to die, instead of lengthening
out and creating more fruit laterals.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUp9R7z2t2R406Lzhx34tHZUL95RbAyBMBd-fe5mdRzo9xfoxX-l-kcA5lPfhpPOZoMdOG9uMfncf1QVrQNsoJFvA_4vlulfU2JEf063oAWiesrmpEQ1XvzsSEVi0lYZGLKaLvAWrPMM/s2048/IMG_1582.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUp9R7z2t2R406Lzhx34tHZUL95RbAyBMBd-fe5mdRzo9xfoxX-l-kcA5lPfhpPOZoMdOG9uMfncf1QVrQNsoJFvA_4vlulfU2JEf063oAWiesrmpEQ1XvzsSEVi0lYZGLKaLvAWrPMM/s320/IMG_1582.JPEG" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As harvest time came closer, we could see that our crop was
dying – slowly but steadily.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Randy was disheartened, fearing that the soil pest he has been
battling for some years had grown exponentially and was overwhelming his
efforts. We had been so hopeful in the previous years that we were making
headway and finding a way to decrease and combat that perennial nemesis.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why were so many plants dying now…and why were they starting
out fine before slowly collapsing?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There was one 5 acre block that looked good. Why was it not
affected? What was causing the collapse which was now obviously wide spread in
the rest of the field?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Harvest time came and trying to pick the fruit became a
daily discouragement. On the weakest fields, very little fruit developed as the
fruiting canes died before setting fruit. Other areas had enough strength to
develop fruit but it was of smaller size, and tended to clutch the receptacle,
not dropping until the fruit was very soft and lower quality. Eventually,
little berries were set but dried up on the cane, becoming miniature fruits
that were rock hard. The collapsing plants added dry crunchy dead leaves to the
product we were trying to pick. The dried mini-berries and leaf and stem debris
made it hard work for the crew to create the high quality product we usually sell.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69GjgkZhyPeVkUyh9srAwgsoUIa8pJ1vVQxqDM-Xm0cE2lmD0-pqI63ylV7EFDX0XOOScg5yXERjI9spFJgz4QekF0hEso9ydQP7sgdb5WejqzJzGRuTZtGpz3bmzodLfR14jeceH2B4/s2048/IMG_1614.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69GjgkZhyPeVkUyh9srAwgsoUIa8pJ1vVQxqDM-Xm0cE2lmD0-pqI63ylV7EFDX0XOOScg5yXERjI9spFJgz4QekF0hEso9ydQP7sgdb5WejqzJzGRuTZtGpz3bmzodLfR14jeceH2B4/s320/IMG_1614.JPEG" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In the end, we abandoned most of the acres as the output of
fruit did not justify the cost of picking it and cleaning it up. We did pick 15
acres (instead of the hoped for 45 acres) for most of the season, though
eventually we could only make juice quality, which has the lowest return in the
market.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meantime, our researcher friends who have done so many
projects on our farm banded together to help us try to find a reason for this
disaster.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They first sampled to see if Randy was correct in his
concern that verticillium (the soil pest) was the culprit. Results showed no
significant presence. So that was good news – our soil was not full of
organisms that would kill our crop, preventing us from ever growing raspberries
again!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Other known raspberry pests: soil organisms, bugs, worms,
viruses, bacteria were contemplated. Soil, leaves, roots were sampled to test.
We thought we might have another soil problem with wire worms after our first
baits attracted a number of tiny white worms. The wire worm scientist came out
to verify – but found none. The worms we thought were wire worms, were actually
pot worms, and not a problem.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Any of the other pests were not proving to be of sufficient
population to cause the problems we were seeing. And still, there was that 5
acre block that was doing fine. What had we done differently there?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eR1_kUTygBBWzWCBbta4Xmbsj8GH0b6q7laNlNgbDdaWZJxZRHA3wPUBR3O_A9CPZbcDnht-16jp0uUcUsc2TFsttieiVz9J1kqnJrJ2e8h6ZDObm-o2LU_1rl348PnZJ_xVLEOcYOA/s2048/IMG_1588.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eR1_kUTygBBWzWCBbta4Xmbsj8GH0b6q7laNlNgbDdaWZJxZRHA3wPUBR3O_A9CPZbcDnht-16jp0uUcUsc2TFsttieiVz9J1kqnJrJ2e8h6ZDObm-o2LU_1rl348PnZJ_xVLEOcYOA/s320/IMG_1588.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 5 acre block that was fine...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM68q7_0Q8MDjWKRSZE5kMnKOcIAHIpR9lQxnM0A81ecRewOMPZt_-hqg4coudwT5GKpx7Y_vnK6SJOavmKPD0oNJB_Tps6YoWPgSRc0kEtKkS1IaKm9cPE3APpgnLqwHaO9qpsCzrBs/s2048/IMG_1580.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM68q7_0Q8MDjWKRSZE5kMnKOcIAHIpR9lQxnM0A81ecRewOMPZt_-hqg4coudwT5GKpx7Y_vnK6SJOavmKPD0oNJB_Tps6YoWPgSRc0kEtKkS1IaKm9cPE3APpgnLqwHaO9qpsCzrBs/s320/IMG_1580.JPEG" /></a></div><br /></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because it was a block of baby canes coming into their first
harvest, they had grown like a jungle so Randy had not applied the natural
nutrient to them. Nor had he done the first couple of spring time sprays on
them as they had not been completely tied up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was certain it was the natural nutrient (AKA cow manure).
We had procured the liquid gold from a different dairy this year, so I wondered
if there was some problem with it. It was the only thing that had been done
differently on that block.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But – if there had been some toxic component in the nutrient,
the grass between the rows would have been damaged. Nor would the grass be so
lushly green. This eliminated our concern that the nutrient perhaps had not fed
the plants well enough. Soil testing for nutrients also showed no deficiencies.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It wasn’t the cow manure – despite my insistence that it was
the only thing that was different.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another clue on our quest was that the damage, with the
exception of the 5 acres of babies, was widespread. EVERYTHING was dying. Pests
and diseases usually cause hot spots – areas where there is a lot of damage –
with other areas being only lightly affected. In our case, the damage was
uniform and devastating.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMzSsLG-P6Fjz5daeVAp8WbWnIlc90ELpBgxK4rESd0Yguxrw70ZC-QK_DVqSo5n0uV1kT3IcfXdPb77gaKvBZlbQBIc0rJfrP92Y-uvrTmQnXWsHIgtnUbEjisdsplzMYYtNFy9VIiI/s2048/IMG_1587.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMzSsLG-P6Fjz5daeVAp8WbWnIlc90ELpBgxK4rESd0Yguxrw70ZC-QK_DVqSo5n0uV1kT3IcfXdPb77gaKvBZlbQBIc0rJfrP92Y-uvrTmQnXWsHIgtnUbEjisdsplzMYYtNFy9VIiI/s320/IMG_1587.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We finished harvest believing that we had grown our last
crop of berries. Not knowing the cause of the death, we could not afford to put
more investment into the fields and risk the same result. In a matter of
months, (and in the middle of pandemic) we had gone from a hopeful start to a
devastatingly unexpected end.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, one day when Randy was out in the field with one of
the scientists working on some root sampling, they admired how weed-free the
field was. The scientist knew that in that area of the field there had been an
infestation of wild buckwheat, a tenacious, wiry, climbing weed that engulfs
the plants and smothers them. He admired what good control Randy had gotten
over it and wondered how. In fact, he noted that there were hardly any weeds in
the field. Randy explained that he had used a newly labeled weed killer and was
very pleased at its efficacy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Randy continued to ponder the extraordinary efficacy of the
weed killer. And then he recalled that he had not sprayed the weed killer on
the 5 acre of babies that had not collapsed. They had been too bushy to drive
through at that time. He went back to his spray records to check application
amounts and rates. He checked the calendar for the spray dates, and then the
weather calendar for the weather at that time. He did the math again, and again
--- You have to make adjustments for the width of the band of ground that is
sprayed to get the appropriate concentration of herbicide. He found that he had
done this incorrectly and had over-applied the weed killer. To exacerbate this
mistake, a day or so after he sprayed, we had a heavy rain – 1 ½” in one day.
Likely this moved the chemical much farther down into the ground where it could
affect the small feeder roots that were growing there.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We finally had our answer. The weed killer had damaged the
roots as they were forming the network that would sustain the plant through the
growing season. We had caused the devastation ourselves, with the help of badly
timed weather. Very, very humbling that even after 34 years of berry farming,
one could make such a consequential mistake.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But also very encouraging in that we feel reasonably
confident that our soil is fine for growing raspberries. No pests were found to
be probable cause of such damage as we experienced. <b>We</b> caused the
problem – and we won’t do that again!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So we are not done with the raspberries, and we are
grateful. The losses this year are going to necessitate us growing fewer acres
and doing things a bit differently.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3hQrl8ZA_v19g0f-9MC9-RlQf0EnhPyET4fJQoq2WsBMBPwFY7MPfdXdkFJ09FjPT5uvt_BcgvwUC2pJELt8nbH3QVFwybg3CLeovcTLAORATccEggrERcHbEu9LQHFO7bM3K_iYtg0/s2048/IMG_1616.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3hQrl8ZA_v19g0f-9MC9-RlQf0EnhPyET4fJQoq2WsBMBPwFY7MPfdXdkFJ09FjPT5uvt_BcgvwUC2pJELt8nbH3QVFwybg3CLeovcTLAORATccEggrERcHbEu9LQHFO7bM3K_iYtg0/s320/IMG_1616.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Good things have come out of this very stressful season.
It’s always good for us to be humbled and remember that it’s what God has done
for us that makes our worth. It’s been a time of having our standard modus
operandi shaken, and a new perspective gained along with refreshed convictions
about how we use our time on this earth. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One of the main reasons I blog is to tell our farming story. Our experience this year took my voice away for a while -- so much uncertainty and, frankly, trauma. I've told about our successes, but I want to be honest and tell about our failures too. We are not immune to mistakes, big and small. I had someone on social media suggest that God was punishing us. (This person disagreed with our conservative beliefs.) I know that is not true because we have not deserved any of the blessings He has been gracious to give. Neither would this year be adequate punishment for all the sins we have committed. No -- God is not petty. His greatness is seen in how all things are worked for good in our lives, even -- probably especially -- the very hard things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Currently, the existing fields are being pruned and tied.
Fifteen acres have been added to 10 that were previously fallow, and we are not
sure what we will do with them this coming year. Either way, hope for a new
growing year has returned and we continue on with the farmers’ mantra, “There’s
always next year.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So grateful that it’s still true!<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF9o96Hb5K8TLk5rb8ENit5-vjRGbMXYrC0apjM0Rs7qK8ZMZ18_oGe6DvGmOGSlVHWcu5fGSsJ0XiD6KjPTa8Se6JOngdr3TFotvFVDx-mIdirSHISPLEtS_tUl-ci2flj4FrkvQrMM/s2048/IMG_1677.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF9o96Hb5K8TLk5rb8ENit5-vjRGbMXYrC0apjM0Rs7qK8ZMZ18_oGe6DvGmOGSlVHWcu5fGSsJ0XiD6KjPTa8Se6JOngdr3TFotvFVDx-mIdirSHISPLEtS_tUl-ci2flj4FrkvQrMM/s320/IMG_1677.JPEG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-50626192600489007672020-05-12T17:13:00.002-07:002020-05-12T17:13:48.019-07:00The New Normal...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What? People are talking about the “New Normal” as if we have
reached a level of stasis in this pandemic situation. This supports a point I
made early on in this pandemic: People will get tired and will quit making the
effort pandemic panic requires – especially in the face of dubious cost vs.
benefit facts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One way to quit is to call this situation The New Normal.
Lower your expectations; stop grieving over the losses, and get on with living
despite the uncertainty of, well, everything!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are not close to a New Normal, and I am not willing to
capitulate to one. I will find routines and habits that sustain me during this
world-wide upheaval, but I will not call it Normal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not much of what is happening now is sustainable.
Adjustments are still being made to supply us with what is needed for life and
health, and more will be as our states begin to let go of the powers they have
seized. Please God, they relent and release! And soon…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People like to predict that there will nevermore be
hand-shaking or hugs. There will be no church services, or large gatherings of
any kind. We will all be wearing masks whenever we are in public.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think it is far too soon to dump practices that have been
part of human contact from time immemorial. We are made to be together, to have
community, to express our respect, affection, camaraderie through touch and
presence. <b>That </b>is normal – and we will find a way to return to those
things that strengthen and sustain us. We don’t need to give up and accept a
New Normal that is devoid of them. We will innovate and likely return to many
former practices because every generation has had challenges to “normal” life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now is the time for us to work hard to incorporate our
timeless and precious values into what will become a new normal. We need to
discern the good and strive to keep them; and evaluate the new with clarity
before accepting them. This could be a great opportunity for us to define,
refine and communicate the beliefs behind our actions. And to know them for
ourselves…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s going to take patience and courage. It won’t be without
conflict, but I pray that when we are in a New Normal we will be able to say
the important things are still with us -- and are even better than before. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-42255540592620276492020-05-08T10:17:00.000-07:002020-05-08T10:17:49.167-07:00The Raspberries Don't Know There's A Pandemic......and they are just growing in the usual way.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-Pn0AchW1_bLlxMpbZ6Ovv7iOJvXSym-vhlG78-DYg8Mso1ofwdHVLyqE4uX9HaXl8NQM64JCFl8g-JjDdaNIaORSoMAF7kXDob-vFVwNSZ251xhvjvtB-sGRQIeHZixlMW0FUGchnY/s1600/IMG_1352.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-Pn0AchW1_bLlxMpbZ6Ovv7iOJvXSym-vhlG78-DYg8Mso1ofwdHVLyqE4uX9HaXl8NQM64JCFl8g-JjDdaNIaORSoMAF7kXDob-vFVwNSZ251xhvjvtB-sGRQIeHZixlMW0FUGchnY/s400/IMG_1352.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
They look very nice, by the way, which is a welcome change from last year.<br />
<br />
As we look through the baby field, we see some winter damage here and there but it is minor.<br />
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<br />
Quite different than last year when the babies had to be cut off because there was so little green.<br />
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<br />
Last year's babies have recovered. They look beautiful!<br />
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<br />
I'm not sure what to call them because they have never had a harvest -- but they are not first year plants. "Youngsters" might be an apt moniker, as opposed to "babies" which we also have.<br />
<br />
If it weren't for a global pandemic going on, we'd be feeling quite excited about the coming harvest. Unfortunately there are two big unknowns facing us now: Will there be a market for our crop? And what kind of constraints will be required to harvest it?<br />
<br />
We're starting to get some info on the constraints and it is worrisome. Social distancing requires more space on sorting lines, which means half as many people to do the work. It could take twice as long to get the fruit over the lines -- and we only have 5 weeks to get it done. It's not like the berries will wait for us!<br />
<br />
It's going to be another interesting season in ways we had never anticipated.<br />
<br />
Makes us even more thankful for lovely, normal growing conditions!<br />
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-56146670216193197812020-05-06T20:06:00.002-07:002020-05-06T20:40:21.530-07:00Snuggly, Cuddly Winston...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
…as he is known to my granddaughters, was born on April 20,
right on schedule. Indeed, Clemmie was pregnant. <a href="http://leslieisverbose.blogspot.com/2020/04/little-cheerful-farmmy-goat-raising.html" target="_blank"> Remember when I doubted?</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d been watching her closely for a few days and signs were
showing that it was close. I locked her in the pen overnight on the 19<sup>th</sup>
and checked on her during the night. She was indignant about the separation,
and nothing happened. I let her out the next morning, and soon, it was obvious
that the birth was imminent!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Birthing is such an amazing event, in any species, and I was
excited and nervous that it would go well. My first kidding had ended up at the
vet clinic, so I was hoping for a normal easy birth this time…like most of them
are.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But that was not to be. The first goat baby emerged, head
first (that’s good) but no feet. Its front legs were folded back, making the
shoulders and the body too large for moving through. When I confirmed that baby
was in the wrong position, I called the vet for help. Unfortunately, all the
vets were on calls at that particular time. Clemmie and I were on our own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I did the best I could, but the baby was very stuck but
alive. Clemmie and I worked hard and finally got the baby out – but it took too
long. The little doe was limp and would not be revived no matter how much I
tried to bring her back.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is the worst of animal husbandry. Having never dealt
with a stuck baby before, I know there are things that I did wrong. Whether better
choices would have saved the baby is unknown, and make no difference now, but I
wish I had done some things differently. The fact is that it was an unusually
large baby – over 4 lbs. – and those births tend to be problematic with mixed
results. After it was clear that the beautiful little doe was gone, I admit
that I bawled my eyes out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fortunately, I didn’t have much time to cry as, only a short
time later, Winston slipped right out into the world without a problem! He was
barely 3lbs -- tiny but full of spunk. Soon he was trying to stand and making
tiny goat bleats – littlest loud voice ever! Clemmie was cleaning him off and
nickering to him as she had the first baby. I was so relieved that we didn’t
have another problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or so I thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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These were Clemmie’s first babies, and the birth was
traumatic and after Winston was cleaned and dry, she then decided she wanted
nothing to do with the whole situation. She began to act very aggressively to
the baby boy, actually butting him hard and knocking him away from her! I had
to intervene to protect him. Spunky little Winston wasn’t deterred and kept
approaching his mom for a drink of milk and she kept trying to avoid him or to butt him into next week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Baby goats are so amazing! Tiny little things, in short
order they are acting like…goats! No sleepy eyes-closed beginnings for them
like puppies and kittens. Within minutes they are on their feet, heading to
their momma and butting her, looking for milk. But coupled with their amazing
innate ability is a real lack of good spatial relationship as they can spend a
lot of time butting momma not in the udder, but in the shoulder, or the chest,
or the leg – seriously pursuing that fountain of milk but not even close to the
spigot. It’s so frustrating to watch!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Babies do best when they get to eat colostrum in the first
hour of life. It can be maddening to watch them fumble around the mom, butting
and bumping and missing the nipple by a millimeter or a mile! Add to that a
momma who will not stand for it…well, it gets a little tense. You want that
antibody and nutrient rich colostrum in that baby so it does not get weak and
fade away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I needed to enlist some help. Caitlin came as did my goat
expert friend, Kat. It took the three of us – two to hold on to Clemmie and one
to get Winston on the nipple. When we finally got him there, he wouldn’t nurse!
Could we just have ALL the problems please? Nothing was coming easily for this
birth!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We spent the rest of the day struggling through nursing
sessions. On the positive, Clemmie kept getting less aggressive and more
accepting – but no milk seemed to be consumed. Late in the day, with Winston’s
tummy feeling flat and empty, I finally called the vet to come check if he
needed a tube feeding. Might as well not wait until the middle of the night. It
had already been 5 hours with little to no food for him. We left the two alone
while we waited for the vet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Dr. Holly came, it seemed that Winston’s tummy was not
as flat. We tried again to help him nurse and though Clemmie was still not keen
on it (think kicking the leg I was holding onto with great vigor!), Winston was
sucking and getting some nourishment! Hurrah! Dr. Holly said it would be a
detriment to tube feed at that point, and that she thought they had turned a
corner. The recommendation was to hold momma down for nursing every couple
hours through the night. “It will be hell for the next 12 hours,” she said,
“but I think they are going to be fine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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We separated them from the other goats and they relaxed and
bedded down together. A few hours earlier, I didn’t know that I’d ever see
that! It was hopeful. Thankfully, Winston’s spunk kept him strong until he finally got some
nourishment. When I went to attempt the next forced nursing, I found him with a
nice round little belly and realized that it was no longer necessary! He and
momma had found their groove…and not a minute too soon for me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The next day I found an attentive mom and a feisty little
buck in the pen, and I almost cried to see that everything was normal. Now I
could be glad that I had embarked on another baby goat adventure. The previous
day, I had been thinking NEVER AGAIN!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I still feel badly about the beautiful little doe that
didn’t make it. Losing her left me undone for the next several days. Even
though I understand the risks that come with animal husbandry, it’s still very
hard to go through when you love your animals inordinately much, as I do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m so glad we have Winston, so named as the Churchills were
Winston and Clementine! He is doing very well. He does all the things the big
goats do, just in a miniature version which is adorable and comical. Today he became
strong enough to jump up on the lowest of the spool tables we have, and now has
access from there to the highest ones. So much fun to watch!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Emma and Kit cannot wait to hold him each time they come by
and it’s my delight to watch them enjoy! They both had decided on names for him on their own: Snuggles & Cuddles. Their moms told them that Grandma was going to choose the name but I allowed that we could combine. Thus the long moniker "Snuggly Cuddly Winston".</div>
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Watching them learn to hold him properly, and have them ask questions about him is why I’ve gone to the work of
goats. I want my grands to learn to care for animals and love them and be able
to learn all that I did from my early years on a dairy farm. My plan was for cows,
originally, but The Farmer said they would take too much room. Plan B was
goats, and I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know these lovely little animals!
Personality plus, and easy to work with…well, most of the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe the third kidding will be charmed…<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-37983298231659040722020-04-16T09:28:00.000-07:002020-04-16T09:29:06.865-07:00Impromptu Field Trip...<br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sooooo...When I took
Rosie out for her morning duties today, I decided to trust her. Bad choice.
She's been doing so well with coming when called and sticking around me while I
walk. I felt safe to take her on a quick walkabout to get the duties done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
I don't know if it was the wind, or that she figured out I didn't have nibbles
of cheese in my pocket, or if she saw the empty parking lot and thought it was
a great time to visit the casino -- but she took off. You can tell right away
when she is not going to hear a thing you say just by her gait...and her
increasing speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do not run unless I
am being chased but I did quicken my pace and began to holler and then wheedle,
trying to get a response. As I crossed the road into the parking lot, a Border
Patrolman passing by decided to pull into the lot. He parked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He must have been
wondering why I was there. He couldn't see the little red streak that was
fiendishly flying around the building to the back. He just saw a lone woman
walking up to building that has been closed for weeks. Hmmm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Rosie continued
around the west side and I hurried – but not when she was looking because that
would turn into a highly desired chase which she always wins. Already, I was
losing sight of her. Perhaps, the Patrolman would see my distress and as part
of community service help me catch the dog. Or not. I didn't want to ask and I didn't have time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I caught a
glimpse of Rosie headed north and then east so I decided to take a chance of
intercepting her on the opposite side of the casino – where the garbage cans
are . I actually JOGGED (huff, huff) back the way I had come and made it to the
east side before she did. This had everything to do with Rosie’s investigation
of said garbage cans, not my speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">When she
rounded the corner, I squatted down and said in my happiest voice, “Rosie!
There you are! Here you go! Good girl!” (Oh the hypocrisy!!) She came flying to
me and passed right around, out of reach. Of course. She is not dumb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I knew it was
time to employ The Move and not much time to do it – despite the humiliation of
having a Border Patrolman witness it. It was the only way I might get the
dog<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>before we traveled into residential
areas.(More humilitation!) I fell to the ground, arms in front of me, and started
to make slightly convulsive movements, while saying “Rosie, Rosie!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Desperate times
call for desperate measures. I have no shame…or rather, I knew more shame was
possible if I didn’t do The Move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And, she fell
for it! She rushed to me, full of concern and ready to lick my face. I nabbed her by the collar.
IN CUSTODY!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Then I hoisted her
up, huffed my way through the parking lot, smiling and waving to the Patrolman. Might as well be friendly as well as entertaining. Because of my foolish trust, I had no leash with me and had to carry the 28lb
Rosie all the way back home. There was no way I was going to risk putting her
down and having to do it all over again especially in front of that Patrolman. Ohforgoodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I should be
thankful that the casino was closed. Otherwise there would have been many witnesses.
And I should be thankful for garbage cans. And that I learned The Move and it
worked. And that I don’t have to work out again this week. And for ibuprofen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And for leashes,
which furthermore are mandatory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-55067159231932153302020-04-07T18:12:00.000-07:002020-04-07T18:12:27.458-07:00Some Encouragement for Unexpected Homeschooling...<br />
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Now that a version of homeschooling has been forced upon so
many, I thought I would share with you some of what I learned as a
homeschooling mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We homeschooled our kids for 5 years. Homeschooling was a pretty
fresh concept at that time – late 80’s, early 90’s. I thought it would be a
good fit for our farming lifestyle, which consumes all of our summertime. I
wasn’t ready to send my kids away for the best part of their day. I had a
strong-willed kid who I was afraid would be categorized unfairly for his…uh…individualistic
way of approaching life if he was in a classroom. I love learning and wanted to
share my kids experiences of discovery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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These were mostly good reasons – but as it turned out, I
wasn’t very good at homeschooling. And I didn’t like it either.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Don’t get me wrong – we did have a lot of good time together
for which I am grateful. Seeing my kids learn to read, and love reading, was a
highlight. Having time throughout the year, not just summer, to do things together
was a great blessing. And I loved seeing the kids integrate academic learning
with life experiences on the farm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But daily, it was a struggle. Finally, I was so burned out
that we decided to end our homeschooling efforts. The kids went into school all
at once – a fifth grader, fourth grader and second grader. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And you know what? They were all okay. They were ahead in
some areas and behind in others but by the second semester, they were pretty
much where they were supposed to be. Academically, they were just fine. Socially,
they had to learn courage to be the new kids in an environment that was
familiar to everyone else – but they did it. And we all grew.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I say this first so you know that as long as you’re trying,
you’re not going to wreck your kid’s life by being a less than stellar
homeschooling parent. So just put that fear away for good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now let me share some things with you that I discovered would
have helped my schooling at home experience had I understood them back then:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>If
there are deficiencies in your parenting, schooling at home will reveal them</b>.
Because I was inconsistent in training our kids, I got inconsistent obedience
and respect. Just what I earned. If your kids take your words as a suggestion,
rather than an instruction, you’re going to have a lot of trouble homeschooling.
I was mostly concerned that everyone was happy and based my leadership on achieving
that. You can’t make everyone happy all the time. Duh. But oh how I tried! I
didn’t recognize the value that feeling bad can have on building our character.
Eventually, after many frustrations, fears and tears, I learned that I should
be more concerned with feeling RIGHT than feeling GOOD – for myself <b>and</b>
my kids. Homeschooling is a hothouse that causes bad parenting habits to
explode. And for me, they did. If I had a better handle on parenting,
homeschooling would not have been such a struggle. So if you are struggling,
honestly assess your parenting. Are you inconsistent? Unclear on what/when you
expect your kids to do? Do you let things go because you are doubtful that your
expectations are reasonable? Or because it feels like a lost cause? <b>The best
thing you can do to make homeschooling better is to work on fixing the
parenting issues you discover. </b>And even if that’s the only thing you get
out of this distance learning experience, it will be the best thing you could
do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Forget
about the fear that your child will not perform well enough and get far behind</b>.
Unlike a homeschooling parent who has the sole responsibility to meet the
requirements of their child’s academic results, you have an expert to help you.
Your child’s teacher can give you a big picture assessment of how he/she is
doing. And if they get behind, next year you will have another expert teacher to
help them catch up. So just stop worrying about that. Academic progress often
has different speeds as kids grow up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Don’t
fall into the black hole of perfectionism</b>. It is so easy to start looking
at every little thing the kids do for schoolwork and try to micromanage every
answer. I had to admit that my pride was all wrapped up in their daily work. If
they didn’t get it right, I felt it was a reflection of my ability as a teacher
and parent. Your kids’ schoolwork doesn’t prove or disprove your worth as a
human being…or theirs either. Look at the wrong answers just as a measure of what
is learned, and what still needs to be learned. That’s really all it is.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>If
you get caught in the trees, try to back up and look for the forest</b>. Discern
the principle that is being taught in the lessons and strive to make progress
toward that end. Don’t put too much importance on each individual worksheet! Sometimes
comprehension won’t come just by doing worksheets. Don’t be afraid to use other
methods and again, measure your progress against the principle, not the pages
accomplished. Is the reading getting better, even if in small increments? Is
math understood a little better than last week? Pat yourself on the back;
progress is being made!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Read
lots</b>! My oldest loved to read the Readers Digest and learned a lot of stuff
that way. Have a lot of different things available to read – we always had Popular
Mechanics and Horse magazines, even Lego and Playmobil catalogs, along with
books of all sorts. Read aloud to them an ongoing story instead of watching a tv
show together. So much language and vocabulary is learned just by reading,
reading, reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Be
flexible</b>. Not all school activities translate well to a home environment.
It’s okay to improvise to make things work better for your learners. And when
we had a day where we were all on the struggle bus, it helped to break out of the
rut by going outside, creating with art supplies, doing a work project, or
reading aloud. Some days it was better to do math by measuring stuff for a
project. Doing life skill activities can jolt kids out of a bad attitude, and they’re
still learning academic principles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Have
grace for yourself and your kids</b>. You <b>will</b> butt heads. You <b>will</b>
have kids with bad attitudes, and maybe a mom too! But it will pass. Deal with
the character issues as best you can, then forgive each other and move on. And
with distance learning have grace for your child’s teacher. They don’t know how
it’s going at your home, and they’re trying to do something they’ve never done
before either. Don’t resent the expectations they have and the work they have
sent – but give yourself the flexibility and grace to adjust as needed. After
all, everyone involved is just doing their best to redeem the opportunities for
learning out of this unforeseen circumstance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Lastly, try to make the most of this opportunity of
having more time together</b>. It will never come again. From my perspective as
a grandma, that time of my life now feels like it flew by. Don’t think it’s a
fail if you’re feeling like it’s a struggle. Likely, there will come a day when
you look back and see just why God allowed it and you’ll be grateful for it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s how I feel about my years of homeschooling. True,
they were not a great success, and it <b>was </b>a struggle – but it led me to
some painful discoveries that became great blessings to my life. <b>The most
important tool you have for these hard times is the way you choose to look at
them.</b> I encourage you to expect that there is a diamond under the rock God
is tumbling in our lives right now.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Someday soon, you can pass the teacher hats back to the
experts, God bless them! And you can just be Mom again – but with a new
appreciation for what it means to get an education!<o:p></o:p></div>
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**Please understand that sharing my less than successful experience with homeschooling in no way detracts from the amazing opportunity it can be.Nor does it diminish the many wonderful families I know that have done an excellent job. I write from the perspective of encouraging those who have had it thrust upon them and are struggling with the responsibility.</div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-6679178624352471162020-04-06T22:10:00.000-07:002020-04-06T22:17:03.416-07:00Little Cheerful Farm...my goat raising hobby...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWBx9W5n0pe3ZwqlMyc5oEJm-9a0_At6T2bOdUBn6giR_cfy_jfnyd7aOfdZFa1o8rv9oLd6-I9jK9HwGYDh0HAyQYvekkwqzQN4cuAnpFnw7j-jqekb-1ubGeuEOwfRg6irKmTJPScM/s1600/IMG_0259.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWBx9W5n0pe3ZwqlMyc5oEJm-9a0_At6T2bOdUBn6giR_cfy_jfnyd7aOfdZFa1o8rv9oLd6-I9jK9HwGYDh0HAyQYvekkwqzQN4cuAnpFnw7j-jqekb-1ubGeuEOwfRg6irKmTJPScM/s400/IMG_0259.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Sweet Clementine! </div>
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<br /></div>
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So back in November, I told the story (on Instagram) of my
adventure bringing my girl goats to be bred. It was 2 days before Thanksgiving,
and instead of cleaning my house and preparing for twenty-some guests that would be coming, I was bringing
goats on a date. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And it ended up being only one goat because once I lifted her
into the crate in the back of the pickup, I didn’t have enough strength to
fight the other one and get her in. So Clementine and I went off to meet
VooDoo, the moon-spotted buck.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They seemed to get along famously. I visited with Kat, VooDoo’s
owner and goat expert. When Clemmie and VooDoo seemed to tire of each others' company, Kat and her husband, Chris, graciously helped me load Clemmie
back into the truck. If they hadn't, I might have had to leave her there until my strength returned. We drove the 40 minutes to home. Clemmie went back in the
barn, and I took some ibuprofen and got to work preparing for Thanksgiving. It
takes 5 months for goat babies to be ready so I just let myself forget about it
for a while.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As time went by, I was not seeing any definite signs of
pregnancy, and occasionally, I saw things that made me doubt there was one. I
will spare you the details. Goats, because they are ruminants, always look
quite wide, with large bellies. That’s a sign of a healthy goat. So I knew that
it would not be until the last month of gestation that I would feel more
certain that babies were on the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGNUsKgbIf7QO-mxttvYfpWSV1nPPEZzB65QsDbQeXZfGKi3nwsu_KsDMvbPz9rgI1lCYTbLctBYhMs9ynF70gmi2hK7cInFj3z8TtgmjlKxw2L-yldpU_SatI45JEEIM_E7sVe_qnqs/s1600/IMG_0261.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGNUsKgbIf7QO-mxttvYfpWSV1nPPEZzB65QsDbQeXZfGKi3nwsu_KsDMvbPz9rgI1lCYTbLctBYhMs9ynF70gmi2hK7cInFj3z8TtgmjlKxw2L-yldpU_SatI45JEEIM_E7sVe_qnqs/s400/IMG_0261.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Fluffy winter hair...wide belly!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKtSp1xFHm70k2W9DvfWeTBqe1iqbLxo6kpw0ifIKN5WmIAsOUs7Qd-oyqN_YHVHrDoe0y0v8q9mvMWh6TeJqTt52A-keLbCMp-2oBEr-jWJM9QxqvT2jicoxd3wNZilgYfilLQJpD5A/s1600/IMG_0260.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKtSp1xFHm70k2W9DvfWeTBqe1iqbLxo6kpw0ifIKN5WmIAsOUs7Qd-oyqN_YHVHrDoe0y0v8q9mvMWh6TeJqTt52A-keLbCMp-2oBEr-jWJM9QxqvT2jicoxd3wNZilgYfilLQJpD5A/s400/IMG_0260.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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...But her brother, Bo, is even wider!</div>
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A couple of weeks ago, I was hanging out in the goat pen
trying to get samples of poop from each one of the goats. Yes – that is one of
the things I do for fun. Actually, this is not my favorite animal husbandry
activity, but a necessary evil as we need to periodically check them for
parasites. (And no one had any! Yay me for being a good goat mom!) Anyway, I
was waiting, and waiting, and waiting to pounce when someone produced.
Most of the time if you just look at them, they poop – but of course, not that
day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The goats started in on the usual heat butting and strutting and I was shocked to see Clemmie displaying some highly flirtatious behavior.
{GASP!} <b>Pregnant</b> goats don’t have the need or desire to be flirtatious – but there
was Clemmie doing the goat version of the JLo halftime show! {GASP AGAIN!} <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My heart sunk as this seemed to confirm my doubts about the
presence of baby goats. I was quite disappointed. I really could have used the
good cheer and excitement that baby goats would add to life – especially this
year! Now I’d have to wait another whole year! I consulted with Kat, my goat
coach, and she said it did seem unlikely that a pregnant goat would act that
way…or a decent one, in my estimation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So I quit worrying about preparations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then, last Sunday, Kit wanted to go see the goats and we
all traipsed out to watch them. Imogene & Bo were head butting, and Clemmie carefully jumped up on the big wooden spool… and she did it kind of slowly,
like she felt heavy or something…I said nothing, but later that night when I fed
the goats, I caught Clemmie and checked her over.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I found that Clemmie has a little udder! Which means she’s
getting ready to make milk --- because SHE’S GOT TO FEED SOME BABIES SOON!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh Joy, Oh Rapture unconfined!!!! Hope has returned for baby
goat fun this year!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And today I spent the day thoroughly cleaning the goat pen
and the barn. I have a shopping list of supplies to acquire! I can’t believe
that we WILL have babies here by the end of the month!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not sure how I’m going to let you all in on the
enjoyment what with quarantining and social distancing…Maybe a drive-by goat exhibit?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll let you know!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwKlYZcKHlhtT1udSP7t5taN_W1Gl7o31iG5q_QyDjVJ5RSJwA9yWuA56E1mS2AL2zx-C4Lucn3XCDW5Ldur8YcdIIjhJrPKoPI-ons_eWN6GFkCpGG6Q1I3G1Iizbuj97YulEZTsF0E/s1600/IMG_1113.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwKlYZcKHlhtT1udSP7t5taN_W1Gl7o31iG5q_QyDjVJ5RSJwA9yWuA56E1mS2AL2zx-C4Lucn3XCDW5Ldur8YcdIIjhJrPKoPI-ons_eWN6GFkCpGG6Q1I3G1Iizbuj97YulEZTsF0E/s400/IMG_1113.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tidy little barn...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EqAMWQGDdkbYdvm88YDomAFcxxZl66i7pPCJdUQLQ1KQ-KoRE4brnbAvOq97fxlwerWtXMWfPsmSrdDEIBqMJkGmFBgk4jBCK9Nv2mPaM4371v-UkZwHNMcmczU9n8OneBUXqK0PqPg/s1600/IMG_1114.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EqAMWQGDdkbYdvm88YDomAFcxxZl66i7pPCJdUQLQ1KQ-KoRE4brnbAvOq97fxlwerWtXMWfPsmSrdDEIBqMJkGmFBgk4jBCK9Nv2mPaM4371v-UkZwHNMcmczU9n8OneBUXqK0PqPg/s400/IMG_1114.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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...fresh fluffy shavings...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5iVZj1_6yBD6ZEqt9tqWr2K0tlvaOdXZ_IVUslFZQIAZcp97aCx3yjkC-X7DdUA7zsrtcI-W0M2lC4G6NXsLJ2_3ExYwHnQKkTnBVa5IOpmEQcViYd3WRqPf6qtONt413NI_arPYAF8/s1600/IMG_1115.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5iVZj1_6yBD6ZEqt9tqWr2K0tlvaOdXZ_IVUslFZQIAZcp97aCx3yjkC-X7DdUA7zsrtcI-W0M2lC4G6NXsLJ2_3ExYwHnQKkTnBVa5IOpmEQcViYd3WRqPf6qtONt413NI_arPYAF8/s400/IMG_1115.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Clemmie and her mom, Imogene,</div>
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enjoying their pedestals.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-65135599876448259782020-03-26T10:21:00.001-07:002020-03-26T10:21:27.034-07:00I'm trying...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFNcdcy-HZhxMiBCuVA96UN_UkDaAdVWpBEqpRgSDiM2iM_0SiBev0d8WgL5BKPWnl2kA3aGoMzZiATEDnQIUfnKUGfBzLVfpURjxhii_sQFxrAsdE1rfdmtmuljEwf4i0k3Sah0ExlQ/s1600/IMG_0152.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFNcdcy-HZhxMiBCuVA96UN_UkDaAdVWpBEqpRgSDiM2iM_0SiBev0d8WgL5BKPWnl2kA3aGoMzZiATEDnQIUfnKUGfBzLVfpURjxhii_sQFxrAsdE1rfdmtmuljEwf4i0k3Sah0ExlQ/s400/IMG_0152.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
I really have plenty of things that I could be doing...<br />
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But none of those things seem to be getting done. I tend to keep checking my phone, for what, I don't know. Well, I suppose I'm hoping for some sign that this weird interval in 2020 is coming to an end, and a good end. Haven't seen that sign yet.<br />
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And then there is the pursuit of things that will make me feel better -- but you can only eat so much food, escape in so much TV and reading, and crafting seems a little taxing to my overly distracted brain.<br />
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Finally disgusted with myself, I decided to take myself in hand and get a project done that I have been putting off for a couple of years. Time to maintain the beaten up baseboards in this house. The trim in the utility room gets a lot of wear as that is the room we come in and out of the most. Being a farm house, there are lots of heavy shoes and boots, less than clean hands and tools that make contact with the baseboards and door trim. Paint was missing, dings were obvious. I determined to make a great upgrade on Tuesday afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zdbBuqJv1Zl3Xc4n726cG57cPBlGUyhczjBVQRWUL08xOBzKSt-o_KIXmNlBtz3Ypze7TbmRVmQNE98-bFmfroU0okY7Zs3_wUI7KWbnTJD0l2a1DZHnNKN3Yn9e-E5btsWi03YeNVo/s1600/IMG_0231.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zdbBuqJv1Zl3Xc4n726cG57cPBlGUyhczjBVQRWUL08xOBzKSt-o_KIXmNlBtz3Ypze7TbmRVmQNE98-bFmfroU0okY7Zs3_wUI7KWbnTJD0l2a1DZHnNKN3Yn9e-E5btsWi03YeNVo/s400/IMG_0231.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I was sure this would make me feel accomplished and motivated for further projects of improvement, and future days of quarantine fulfillment.<br />
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So I washed all the trim down, made sure that areas where the paint was flaking were unflaked and smooth, mixed the paint well, and then began to apply.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOnuX_0gtd-YWo4Z56jNYlN6LqDEe7g18gpvSVaAjQ90BC6kFPdHihT1CVkCeoeHy1s3icYhgdsjRslnO4HpVNub0qjM6GIm198O0jd_vpjWOzkVz5DEUX_vB4Yx7Z76zXFYiHMFVHG4/s1600/IMG_0277.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOnuX_0gtd-YWo4Z56jNYlN6LqDEe7g18gpvSVaAjQ90BC6kFPdHihT1CVkCeoeHy1s3icYhgdsjRslnO4HpVNub0qjM6GIm198O0jd_vpjWOzkVz5DEUX_vB4Yx7Z76zXFYiHMFVHG4/s400/IMG_0277.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Of course, it took more time than I expected. It requires a lot of time on your knees. And a steady hand to keep the paint from the floor, or the wall, or the cabinets...which, for me, means it also takes a lot of wiping up, and trying to get paint off surfaces that weren't intended for paint.<br />
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It became obvious that a second coat was needed, as painting white on even worn white is hard to see. Greaaatttt...<br />
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I began to notice that my back was not happy with getting up and down, and the knees were starting to burn a little. I didn't get finished in time to fix dinner, so had to return to painting afterwards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxz_pgcpiqIC1ERnH10-1RQzKSWS23G6yyrhY2nuPzMbd6f_NoZw3JCAcOXqYnusiOKKhTKJ1mGMgGmsmS8Ml4sAv9bsRPIsWSvVpa61OhUMFW0JhLUZ9ERWGbt4GdZz5Hdf8uxCzbJE/s1600/IMG_0289.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxz_pgcpiqIC1ERnH10-1RQzKSWS23G6yyrhY2nuPzMbd6f_NoZw3JCAcOXqYnusiOKKhTKJ1mGMgGmsmS8Ml4sAv9bsRPIsWSvVpa61OhUMFW0JhLUZ9ERWGbt4GdZz5Hdf8uxCzbJE/s400/IMG_0289.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The day after, my knees, back and hands were so sore, and a day of recuperation was in order. A sunny day allowed me to inspect the results of my efforts with a clarity not available while I painted.<br />
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The conclusion is that the trim in my house needs to look very bad before my painting it is an improvement.<br />
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This has freed up my time for more TV watching, reading and eating because 5 more rooms of trim no longer look like they need maintenance. #tookcareofthatproblem #goodbyeprojects <br />
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And that's the news from the Northwood Ranch, where the people are few, the goats are fluffy, the dog is bored and the raspberries are growing.<br />
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<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-21793553912435920582020-03-23T10:09:00.003-07:002020-03-23T10:09:51.474-07:00Flummoxed...<br />
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Flummox: 1. To bewilder; confound; confuse<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll admit that I expected this to be a media only crisis. I
thought the mainstream media started the hype to change the subject to distract
from other issues that were turning into a detriment to their usual agenda. I actually
said to my husband, (and I know this sounds heartless – but I’m not, really) “One
thousand deaths in China is not that big a percentage over there. Why is this getting
blown up?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Pursuing more information, and putting it into the framework
of what has happened in the past, my conclusion was that, indeed, we should be
careful about exposure just like we are when there is a particularly nasty flu,
and it is widespread in our community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then, I heard that the NBA was suspending their season.
I don’t even watch the NBA and it’s weird that this was the event that startled
me but when I thought about the millions of dollars they were ceding to an
intangible threat, I was incredulous. What was going on?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As well, Seattle seemed to be the “epicenter” for the
American landing of the coronavirus. Usually, our west coast is the last to such
an event. Surreal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A day later, my husband flew to Washington DC for his annual
trip as liaison for the Northwest Center For Small Fruit Research. There was
nothing to indicate that this was an unwise decision but he reported that the plane
was unusually empty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then I was gob-smacked to hear that ALL the schools were
closing for 6 weeks. The threat had passed from hypothetical to existential.
People started stockpiling goods; new closures every day, all events cancelled.
It was bewildering! Confounding! Confusing!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Randy returned from DC and we decided that we needed to live
as if he had been exposed. He had been with crowds in the Metro, at the
Capitol, in restaurants, airports, the plane…Though the plane was so empty for
the flight back to Seattle that no one had to share a row unless they wanted
to. No visits with parents, grandkids, even distancing from each other as much
as possible for two weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve spent the past week flummoxed, muddling through the day,
distracted by my thoughts and discomfort at the threat of people dying, and the
threat of losing our freedom as opposed to giving it up for a greater good. Should we be giving it up? Where are the lines, the boundaries, the path to follow?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think I am so unnerved because this is a time where my
intuition, my conclusion about the circumstances is in total opposition to the course
that has been laid out for us to follow. The information we receive is at times
contradictory. I don’t know who to trust. I have come to distrust much of the
media as they always seem to have an agenda. I’m uncertain about the scientific
community as I see them also being influenced by the agendas of those who fund
their research. We need to government to help – but their track record for
efficiency and efficacy is abysmal at best.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so, I am flummoxed. But I am not overcome because I have
two things: My God, and my neighbor. I am to love them both – and I know that
they are there for me. If I need help, they will be there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We saw it right away. Neighbors helping neighbors. Caring
for the community. Making sacrifices for each other whether that means closing a
business for the time being, or staying away from each other, or risking
exposure to lend a hand. It’s leaving some toilet paper on the shelf for others.
It’s buying takeout and leaving a big tip. It’s visiting through a window to
make sure someone feels loved. It’s creating special shopping hours for the elderly.
For some, it’s working less, and others – working much more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And I know that while there is pain, and probably more
ahead, God will use it to bring us to a better place than before. He always
does, if we are willing to lean in and learn. Who knows what good thing may
grow out of these circumstances?<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, bewildered, confounded, confused, I carry on. More confounding
decisions are in the offing. More confusion, more hard work and conflict in discerning
the actions we must take. More reason to put our trust in God who says, “I know
the plans I have for you, plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and
a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you.
You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:11<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-44746680261914475192020-03-17T13:58:00.000-07:002020-03-17T13:58:32.011-07:00What the wind can do...I poked around the field of baby plants today in search of evidence of wind/cold damage...<br />
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...and I found some.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj2DNcwnxGu2sZLySUau9StTstpx7bZRWA_Qk_YFEc_fvx3Tj29XvzRxNIlLRxVtFG6HtUPcA907MRdoQbHosAPn-6QtKfYirT3Se115hJUcoUwpC20xLFvRtkC4HS0dvt8m4THezBGE/s1600/IMG_0270.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj2DNcwnxGu2sZLySUau9StTstpx7bZRWA_Qk_YFEc_fvx3Tj29XvzRxNIlLRxVtFG6HtUPcA907MRdoQbHosAPn-6QtKfYirT3Se115hJUcoUwpC20xLFvRtkC4HS0dvt8m4THezBGE/s400/IMG_0270.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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You can see some shriveled leaves on this bud.</div>
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Here is a bud with some green, and some drooping, dried out leaves.</div>
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Contrast the left spring green bud with the rest of the buds on the right, which are drooping and browning.</div>
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More of the same...</div>
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Close up.</div>
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I'm hoping that we have only lost a few early leaves, and not the whole bud. These buds lengthen out to become fruit laterals. The fruit laterals are populated with more buds that flower and become berries. Losing the whole bud on a cane means losing all the fruit.</div>
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The next pictures show that there are many buds that look to be just fine! </div>
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How I hope there will be no more NE wind and 28 degree nights!</div>
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Grateful for the upper 50 degree afternoons this week.</div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-45345999782838714702020-03-16T10:43:00.000-07:002020-03-16T11:52:10.603-07:00Three Ironies of My Current Situation...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The world is turned upside down with quarantines and social
distances. Frankly, I don’t know what to think about it at all. At first, I
thought it was overkill – surely the numbers didn’t speak to this being a
bigger crisis than the yearly flu! But then entities besides the government
started canceling things – in spite of the damage to their balance sheets.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It gave me pause. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What if what we usually do to avoid the flu will not be
enough? What about the immunocompromised people amongst my family and friends?
What about our parents, in the highest risk group? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My life, in normal times, is not highly social. I live and
work on a farm. Social distancing is not hard to accomplish for us…But as the
world around us shuts down, I’m feeling a bit off-balance. Not scared of illness,
but gob-smacked that our world can be so changed so swiftly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It makes one wonder about other crises that are possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I have to note three ironies on the timing of this
circumstance:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">1</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">. </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In
January and February, in the midst of holiday let-down, I contemplated a
serious commitment to being a hermit – to keep my world pretty small and not
get out in the community as much as previously. However, I had concluded that for
good mental health I really need to interact with people regularly and should
make a commitment to get together with people every week.</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2 2. <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I
realized that I was really overstocked in my pantry and supplies. I decided I
really needed to cut back and so have been living on my pantry, priding myself
on how it is emptying out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
3 3. Our family – kids, grands, parents, siblings –
have been plagued with many colds & viruses all through January and February.
We were finally healthy and ready to resume normal activities this week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
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So it is abundantly clear that I don’t have the gift of prophecy.
But I’m more concerned whether I have the gift of faith because this unusual
circumstance is certainly a test of my trust in God. I suppose that after a
week or so we’ll be more accustomed to the new feelings of limitation, but
right now isn’t it just disconcerting?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-2635889090419458882020-03-13T10:03:00.002-07:002020-03-13T10:03:37.161-07:00Farming Friday...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So Spring comes next week, but Winter decided to give one
last hurrah this weekend. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not great news.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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This year we have 5 acres of baby berries – just growing up
to have their first harvest. As babies do, they are leafing out earlier than
the rest. Right now they are at a very tender stage – stems out an inch or so
with tiny little leaves unfurling. They are quite vulnerable to damage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh83vhyphenhyphenxt4CXJcDHg2XxbRO6R26YqIzb7LEes-mZ5lVznF6PS_AOHUEXyuwvwVZznTYwrl-cojp2gxmJfj5-UPsd6jxs0bkLeGwdQOcWyUu7GuxqaipBS2cfczFErpFGVOZe2SXeiTMoM/s1600/IMG_0235.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh83vhyphenhyphenxt4CXJcDHg2XxbRO6R26YqIzb7LEes-mZ5lVznF6PS_AOHUEXyuwvwVZznTYwrl-cojp2gxmJfj5-UPsd6jxs0bkLeGwdQOcWyUu7GuxqaipBS2cfczFErpFGVOZe2SXeiTMoM/s400/IMG_0235.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Fortunately, we have continued to have cool temperatures and
cold nights so they have not grown quickly, and they have handled the hard
frosts alright. But a cold, hard northeast wind could really hurt them. Drying and freezing conditions are very unkind to tender shoots.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The mature canes have hardly started growing yet which is hopeful
for surviving the cold and wind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another positive is that the Artic Slap is supposed to be
brief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJKTbfYh9hYKPg6ktjBXLP878-Xh40ssP7rB__Bimc_wRqGRG5jwZRb1A6TymiJp3hyXftRcKPpoOmFLt2UfhZZdKgaqp4tYcZaoILJpbB8C6ZywJU95kO3ewnlHSvwv53e4q2F6uoiQ/s1600/IMG_0240.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJKTbfYh9hYKPg6ktjBXLP878-Xh40ssP7rB__Bimc_wRqGRG5jwZRb1A6TymiJp3hyXftRcKPpoOmFLt2UfhZZdKgaqp4tYcZaoILJpbB8C6ZywJU95kO3ewnlHSvwv53e4q2F6uoiQ/s400/IMG_0240.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I think the grownup canes will be okay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Hoping for the best. And if it does go badly, at least we
will only lose 5 acres this year – not 10, like last year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Good grief! I sound like Eeyore -- but I have to admit that today, I feel like Eeyore. Multiple years of defeats wears on you, I guess.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When the sun comes out, Eeyore will flee, and hope will revive. I'm ready for Spring on calendar, and in environment!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-34504519224092662212020-02-25T09:18:00.000-08:002020-02-25T09:21:54.870-08:00Winter's End...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLE37cIdaAref_ip-nnhQidrDt3aX0pGZVRpZHcMe3qDy8C_Rwj-iP02SdKC5N9nw5kdpqATRGpV_FdreHZsHxrwKT9skjGDxcEVkmChJxIvX3gPexdoXa10VoVJ1VvMRzHveMmo-ipk/s1600/IMG_0170.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLE37cIdaAref_ip-nnhQidrDt3aX0pGZVRpZHcMe3qDy8C_Rwj-iP02SdKC5N9nw5kdpqATRGpV_FdreHZsHxrwKT9skjGDxcEVkmChJxIvX3gPexdoXa10VoVJ1VvMRzHveMmo-ipk/s400/IMG_0170.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Winter is coming to a close soon, and we are finishing the
winter work out in the field.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The workers are still pruning and tying, a few acres to go.
They need to get it done as soon as possible. Those rainy, rainy weeks of December
and snow in January were not conducive to field work, so we are a little
behind. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because we are a small berry farm, we usually hire just a few
guys to do the pruning and tying. This gives them work all winter and helps us
to get them to come back each year. A lot of farms have big crews in during the
fall and get it all done in a short time. Knowing they have months of steady
work is more attractive than working as part of a crew on a two week job – and
then having to find another job. And for us it’s not easy to assemble a big
crew for a two week interval, and then nothing more. The bigger farms have
plenty of acres to keep big crews busy for quite a while.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A last unpruned row...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But sometimes our guys decide to work in potatoes and let
the pruning sit. I admire them for trying to get as much work as they can. Potato
work is a short season in the fall. However, sometimes it backfires on them
when the weather gets bad. They spent a fair bit of the good pruning weather
working elsewhere; then couldn’t work in the bad weather and now we have had to
hire some extra people in to get caught up. So they lost some of the work that
we had kept for them. A calculated risk for them, I guess. A little nerve-wracking
for us when things are getting close to budding. You don’t want to be man-handling
the canes when tender buds are beginning to appear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately this winter we have not had any weeks of Faux
Spring. You know, those days where the temperature is up in the upper 50’s,
maybe even hitting 60<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">° </span>and
all the growing things believe it’s time. But it is really not and a week later
it is 20<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">° </span>and tender
shoots are getting frozen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Once pruned and tied, Randy takes the cane chopper down each row to make the old canes easier to decompose into the soil.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are very glad that hasn’t happened this year. It was
bitter cold that snowy week in January (9<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;">°</span>
the lowest) and that may have caused some damage, but it did not last as long
as last year’s February winds. We don’t expect a catastrophe of 2019 proportions,
where we had to cut down 10 acres of fruiting canes because they died.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has stayed nice and cool overnight, lots of frosts, 40’s
during the day – great weather to keep the berries from waking up too early.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But now it’s almost time, so the winter work needs to be
completed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We have a few acres of mature canes and babies left to tie.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s really satisfying to look at the field and see all the chaos
of canes has been put into order. Now we start looking for swelling buds and
tiny green leaves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Cane chopper in action</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-69307285079992519592020-01-17T13:43:00.000-08:002020-01-17T13:43:02.355-08:00My Hermitage<br />
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I love winter and I love the threat of stormy, snow weather.
I first heard predictions of our current weather back on December 27. It seemed
a long wait for it to finally arrive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Long enough for me to keep laying in supplies for any eventuality
to the point where I am stocked with food to last til March. Every day I
thought of items imperative to life that must be stockpiled, especially in case
of a power outage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Think of it! You don’t want to run out of eggs, bread, milk,
canned soups, toilet paper, CHOCOLATE, COFFEE, DIET COKE! When you are homebound,
you want to be surrounded by those things that bring you comfort. Including
macaroni & cheese, potato chips, mixed nuts, caramel corn and chili. And
baked goods. Keep the oven busy before the power goes out!<o:p></o:p></div>
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You wouldn’t want to run out of Kleenex, or q-tips, or nail
polish remover…because you will finally have time to do your nails. Pick up a
special new color for winter weather.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And craft projects! Better make sure you have glue sticks and
patterned paper. Because you can finally catch up all your scrapbook projects. Pick
up prints at Costco of ALL the photos because you will have the perfect time to
go through them all while it’s storming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Print out the knitting patterns you want to try before the
power goes out and make sure you have the right size needles. Stop at the Thrift
Store to pick up cheap yarn. It will be the perfect time to knit a sweater for the
dog – because she’ll need it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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And while you’re at the Thrift Store check for snow boots
and pants, gloves and hats for every member of the family – even the ones that
don’t live with you. If the weather is bad enough they’ll need more than one!
One to dry while they wear the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Buy extra dog food, grain for the goats and shavings for
deep bedding. Ice melt for the sidewalks. Gas for the generator. Extension
cords for…whatever, you can never have enough. Propane for the barbecue in case
you have to cook in the garage. Make sure the car is full of gas. I don’t know
why, just do it. It’s not like we will go anywhere but we don’t want to run out
of ANYTHING.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Toothpaste! I didn’t check the toothpaste. I don’t want to
be snowed in and have dirty teeth!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As it turned out, I was okay for toothpaste. I could not
have been better prepared for any eventuality of winter weather. I was ready to
make the most of being homebound. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, when the storm came I did nothing but drink coffee,
eat food, watch out the window, check the windchill hourly and take naps. Oh –
and make the heroic efforts required to get the dog to go potty outside. That
was draining. (See what I did there?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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And apparently, we will not be snowed in for 3 weeks. The
power never went out. I have a lot hardboiled eggs left to eat, and piles of
supplies to organize. No photos were put in books; my nails are unpolished. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But, I never ran out of a thing, and I thoroughly enjoyed
the hermitry, which, I believe, is the entire point of hyper-preparation. Something I might like to do more often.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-8719704469719847702020-01-08T12:49:00.000-08:002020-01-08T12:49:17.243-08:00Christmas 2019I think I like Christmastime too much. I look forward to it all year, as I do Fall, which is the beginning of preparations for December. It’s not just Fall, its Getting-Ready-For-Christmas season!<br />
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This year I wondered if I’m becoming like those who live all year for their vacation and don’t enjoy their real life, because throughout December I worried that I wasn’t enjoying it enough…which made me enjoy it even less. When Christmas passed, I was a little bit relieved, and a lot regretful.<br />
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I did hear from a number of people that it seemed Christmas went by so fast…still a good time, but here and gone. I suppose that the late date of Thanksgiving contributed to that. So I wasn’t alone, but I have to admit that my expectations could be a bit out of line with what is humanly possible… And put too much pressure on a few short weeks that can be lots of fun but shouldn’t be the measure of a good or not good year. Time to temper my expectations so that there is not so far to fall; there’s no pinnacle to reach, just a nice bump in the enjoyment of life as it comes.<br />
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Will you remind me of this next October?<br />
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Thank you…now here are a few images from my imperfectly good Christmas.<br />
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Christmas programs!</div>
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Extended family parties!</div>
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Creating gifts!</div>
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Fun with presents! Annie...</div>
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Allie...</div>
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Kit...</div>
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Emma!</div>
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Christmas Hats from Great Grandma Kay!</div>
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"Top o' the marnin' to ya!"</div>
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Great Grandma Kay reads Luke 2...tradition!</div>
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Allie loving her new baby!</div>
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Sisters...</div>
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...Sisters! (Sing it!)</div>
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The traditional hurried Christmas picture because only Mom wants to have it taken! ;)</div>
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Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-69603092210766327602020-01-01T20:01:00.002-08:002020-01-01T20:01:21.303-08:00Writer's Block<br />
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I think this is the longest period of time in my blogging life
that I have had nothing to say.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually, it’s not true that I have had nothing to say. That
would be a very rare occurrence in my life. More accurately, I didn’t know IF I
should say it, and sometimes WHY I would, or HOW.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But, in reality, what I have to say is not of a value so
momentous that you need to hear it. I think it more likely that the value of
saying it is for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So I plan to take up keyboard, and express my catharsis, or
sentiment, or rant, or observation for my own good. I do hope you might come
along for what entertainment it may yield.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And now I have kept my first goal of 2020. I blogged on
January 1.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Having failed to do so on October, November and December 1, I
feel quite accomplished.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-82729550951585168682019-05-16T11:21:00.001-07:002019-05-16T11:21:51.933-07:00Miss Annie Kay!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsPeVsuMx_7K7A_Xr3BZquX0wQg0LIGWMT8F6gA14MQvFayk4L9PJiPurdPDCh31IxYNDDehIXkHQKi7e91v3kT3HsUxpXIMoKHplf_Bu1AeOfUAzy68_9rCpoSw13BwQp1GbhFrssy4/s1600/IMG_3207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsPeVsuMx_7K7A_Xr3BZquX0wQg0LIGWMT8F6gA14MQvFayk4L9PJiPurdPDCh31IxYNDDehIXkHQKi7e91v3kT3HsUxpXIMoKHplf_Bu1AeOfUAzy68_9rCpoSw13BwQp1GbhFrssy4/s400/IMG_3207.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Miss Annie Kay joined our family already more than a month
ago! Oh! We are enjoying her, and marveling that we now have FOUR grandgirls!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unlike her cousin, Annie’s gender was unknown until she
arrived so there was a lot of guessing and claims of intuitive knowledge as the
due date approached.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the end, it was Kit who had guessed correctly (and I
think her mom & dad had agreed with her…) Jon and Cait had been talking about
the baby that was coming, but Kit didn’t really register any interest. We
thought it was all going over her head. Then one day when Caitlin had bought
donuts for the next day’s breakfast treat, Kit was running around the house
saying, “Donuts! Donuts! Donuts!” Jon arrived home at that time, and Cait prompted
Kit to tell Daddy what she was excited about. When Daddy said, “What do you
want, Kit?” She replied, “A baby sister.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jon and Cait were shocked! She had not said a word about the baby though
they had been prompting, especially after Baby Allie arrived. Then just when
you think she’s going to talk about donuts, she, matter of factly, says she
wants a sister.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When we were at the “any day now” stage of Cait’s pregnancy,
Jess called to say he was coming up to visit. I texted back that I would tell Caitlin
that she should have the baby the next day since he was going to be here. His
reply was that it would be most convenient for his schedule and to please let
her know. Ha!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We planned a pizza night for our family on the day Jess
arrived, and when Cait came she said she was having contractions…but they had
been coming and going for several days so she wasn’t concerned. However, as the
evening went on she kept getting quieter and more distracted, and finally
confessed that they seemed to be getting more serious. After a consult with the
doctor, they were on the road to the hospital. Kit was going to stay with us,
and Jess was quite pleased with their thoughtful consideration of his schedule!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Miss Annie Kay arrived the next morning, April 11, 8lbs. 20”
long, and a near carbon copy of her big sister! Her middle name is for Jon’s
mom, Kay, who, sadly, passed away only a month earlier. She had suffered from Alzheimers. So special
for Annie to carry on her memory! Annie also has a great-grandma named Kay – that
also adds to the special qualities of her name!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Great Grandma Kay</div>
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Great Grandpa Ivan</div>
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Ironically, Kit had moved into the more assertive stage of
being a two-year-old in the weeks before Annie was born, so she was pretty
vocal in her objection to the changes a baby sister brought to her life. She
was pretty sure she did NOT want a baby sister anymore – but of course, that
has passed. She now says to her sis, “Don’t worry Baby Annie. We will take care
of you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iPMzAAjySXyihohAfVGBl_faHe-Wc4rlUK12iiv45IXvr0ZkP2fU49QGF8WQakHHRmq4iT_Uy5kBYcmR9NjPLzi_5_hcVhaSRFrSF6xt2QYvyeb6SDlFfb2DjonU4pGKANFqs7dTjWY/s1600/IMG_3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iPMzAAjySXyihohAfVGBl_faHe-Wc4rlUK12iiv45IXvr0ZkP2fU49QGF8WQakHHRmq4iT_Uy5kBYcmR9NjPLzi_5_hcVhaSRFrSF6xt2QYvyeb6SDlFfb2DjonU4pGKANFqs7dTjWY/s400/IMG_3320.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Annie Kay is getting along in this world, getting more
settled day by day, and looking more and more like her big sister did…lots of reddish
hair, features so similar. In fact, Jon and Cait quiz each other comparing Kit
baby pictures to Annie baby pictures, and even they don’t guess correctly every
time!<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s pretty fun to have the two year old version, and another
newborn version to watch grow up into carbon copies. We can’t wait to see what
personality is in that little heart and mind that will set her apart from her
sister.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our 2019 baby girls, Allie and Annie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bBoIjXGYbRbPJmdJ9EeOQ7oWhk_FCUCSawJt56k9y2lNsIeNxo2tIARxdwE0n__nMNm0hNy9Sy0YAk-TDy0jDwwGYIWzfg_PiQ8J_Ja_7GqtXixCLEk33bTwPaAKwV7xrzSXC6lWD3M/s1600/IMG_3301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="960" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bBoIjXGYbRbPJmdJ9EeOQ7oWhk_FCUCSawJt56k9y2lNsIeNxo2tIARxdwE0n__nMNm0hNy9Sy0YAk-TDy0jDwwGYIWzfg_PiQ8J_Ja_7GqtXixCLEk33bTwPaAKwV7xrzSXC6lWD3M/s400/IMG_3301.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The whole gaggle of grandgirls! Emma, Allie, Annie & Kit.</div>
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We are loving this stage of life!</div>
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<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-1437989928290913792019-04-26T08:00:00.000-07:002019-04-26T08:00:06.053-07:00Farming Friday -- April 26, 2019<br />
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It’s the time of the year where I try not to look out at the
field. When the leaves start coming out on the berries, they develop at such
varied rates. One bush will be mostly green and the next, buds just starting to
push out, canes mostly brown. In the early years, I would be pretty nervous
that half of the bushes were dead, and we were going to have a very bad year. But
then by May they would have caught up to each other and the field would be a
beautiful uniformly arced green, at its prettiest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBBMlpyxoq5Ko0CKbdcLRrG90NskNYcgdleyzTH4FGsX9A5nAfMEULAlfWL19bwsnngZE6KxXqaGktOqpfeuE9f39h5Dqx7AvK2vk200iTE4X0xqXySYUZD_aDkYa5ZQIKRGWPAtoEc8/s1600/IMGP4586+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBBMlpyxoq5Ko0CKbdcLRrG90NskNYcgdleyzTH4FGsX9A5nAfMEULAlfWL19bwsnngZE6KxXqaGktOqpfeuE9f39h5Dqx7AvK2vk200iTE4X0xqXySYUZD_aDkYa5ZQIKRGWPAtoEc8/s400/IMGP4586+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Overlooking the field, you can see the variation in leaf development, and the areas where winter damage is greater.</div>
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This year, we know there are a lot of dead canes, and we are
going to be seeing many more brown canes than we’d like. We have a cooler
spring after the late winter, and all the growth is delayed. As the leaves started
coming out, the cane mortality seemed very high – but we have been surprised to
continue to see buds start to push out on canes we might have written off. It’s
quite heartening! And a little shocking that canes in the same bundle might
come to life at such varied times.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilEuIJ52B4ksgDfcjuG1r85oCF5agnXubbt2vehMvo75UzuogZMO73Ebp9R0Wh4L5HXgUofMecQyAnkMSCANkJFwoV_llbuTsyRcLAvg4OdFsYk1RgkRaGiI8G9C0y8yikLsrdv_nQaU/s1600/IMG_3236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilEuIJ52B4ksgDfcjuG1r85oCF5agnXubbt2vehMvo75UzuogZMO73Ebp9R0Wh4L5HXgUofMecQyAnkMSCANkJFwoV_llbuTsyRcLAvg4OdFsYk1RgkRaGiI8G9C0y8yikLsrdv_nQaU/s400/IMG_3236.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This row is well-leafed...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjIqtLGIHyrCFG75sWmWXqGhfof4mVrW0r-7BJQznB5LxqDTERK-Ol3fcsTfI_c64fxsyACH_1o5YhmHhZSLQX_hc0X_XqN9mtlmIRUo-W7wm7BGcZazGS9RWxHbjVKVAyXHXVuFpMH8/s1600/IMG_3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjIqtLGIHyrCFG75sWmWXqGhfof4mVrW0r-7BJQznB5LxqDTERK-Ol3fcsTfI_c64fxsyACH_1o5YhmHhZSLQX_hc0X_XqN9mtlmIRUo-W7wm7BGcZazGS9RWxHbjVKVAyXHXVuFpMH8/s400/IMG_3237.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...while the row next to it is much farther behind.</div>
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Winter damage is so unpredictable! Right now we are grateful
to see less mortality than expected. It remains to be seen if these little
buds, still pushing out, will have the vigor to come to fruit. At least we are
seeing the possibility!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRB4TVUpqgLCOuslaMbqOmrWkJ6X9Qf2s6zdWFVvzIuXc3gggJszMcjftUp34aQqH_VHrNvingYj4z-fhWMi7_GswE844LLZ_gDCsT6yI9tPF43ZNR_eDvm8ZH7SU0LyztiB1yMn3BtM/s1600/IMG_3277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRB4TVUpqgLCOuslaMbqOmrWkJ6X9Qf2s6zdWFVvzIuXc3gggJszMcjftUp34aQqH_VHrNvingYj4z-fhWMi7_GswE844LLZ_gDCsT6yI9tPF43ZNR_eDvm8ZH7SU0LyztiB1yMn3BtM/s400/IMG_3277.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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This little bud is on the brown canes below, on the left.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fQSp_n7g7kf1YrYWjU9c8D17GG4lDHAa1rtnqPzaJb1nBZ4U6gzOYyYb5jO7YaTnFdtzg_1ZiCHPNoUjZo3XLedLZ0ZiT1iKPtviRfWw8ZSwcMR8QdAYe8IhnYxNyfl-0Gpm1gh1SPg/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fQSp_n7g7kf1YrYWjU9c8D17GG4lDHAa1rtnqPzaJb1nBZ4U6gzOYyYb5jO7YaTnFdtzg_1ZiCHPNoUjZo3XLedLZ0ZiT1iKPtviRfWw8ZSwcMR8QdAYe8IhnYxNyfl-0Gpm1gh1SPg/s400/IMG_3278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The bush to the right is well-leafed.</div>
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Work continues in the 10 acres of planting that was cut
down. Randy is rolling out wire down each row, and the workers are stapling it
to the posts. Then the buried irrigation drip tape is pulled up out of the ground
and hung on the wire. Green is beginning to show where the plants were cut off.
They will need the irrigation as they regrow this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another chore for this time of year is cane-burning. We don’t
use fire, but an herbicide that desiccates the raspberry primocanes that have
started growing. As you recall, our Meeker variety of raspberries grows primocanes
one year, and those become the fruiting (floricanes) the second year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we did not burn back the primocanes, they
would be so big as to interfere with harvesting the fruit on the floricanes.
Also, they could become way too long for tying to our trellis. They could
possible double back down to the ground. Besides the difficulty of managing
that much cane, it is a problem for managing that much foliage in the floricane
year. The canopy gets so dense that air movement is hindered, making the fruit
more vulnerable to mold.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cane-burning is a fussy operation as you want to avoid burning
too high on the canes, or burning too early and having too much growth. We’re
always glad when its time to just let them grow unhindered!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fertlizer has been spread, both organic and commercial, on
the berries, and the grass roadways. Soon it will be time to start prepping the
ground for planting. Always much to do, and we are enjoying the glorious sunny
days full of spring work. We have to keep at it because you can also see that little bitty flower buds are showing up on those canes too! Harvest will be here before we know it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cBr6acvZaXDgujm18tSDJRjHpwAEOTDEZ5iwGGXAIvI8eO07z4eRw4AKwuv7QnT8Y5rpM1PvzUhYjNhmeupQ9UwNC20hpXohosamzGCLdN90_QaPRZN82gXgrO955AkpcFy6QvyeCvY/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cBr6acvZaXDgujm18tSDJRjHpwAEOTDEZ5iwGGXAIvI8eO07z4eRw4AKwuv7QnT8Y5rpM1PvzUhYjNhmeupQ9UwNC20hpXohosamzGCLdN90_QaPRZN82gXgrO955AkpcFy6QvyeCvY/s400/IMG_3280.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Center...a clump of tiny flower buds...future raspberries...God willing and the creek don't rise!</div>
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<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-9957350538170299832019-04-05T20:23:00.000-07:002019-04-05T20:23:35.464-07:00Farming Friday...What's New on the Farm...<br />
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When winter came in February, people asked us what we
thought would happen to the raspberries. Would they be damaged from the late
onset of cold and snow? We were optimistic in our responses, believing that there
had not been any awakening or budding on the canes previously. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But our optimism was misplaced. Now that the growing season
is finally here, it is becoming obvious that damage was done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The most vulnerable canes are those that will have their
first harvest – and we have 10 acres of these babies this year. Randy started
hearing reports of other baby fields that had suffered much damage. I pruned my
roses and was shocked at how many dead canes had to be cut out which caused me
concern about the raspberries. Unbeknownst to each other, both Randy and I were
out in the baby field checking to see if the buds there were dead. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And they were…most of them were dead. More than half of the
canes do not have leaves on them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjMeA1Iyc2gH4oRekn8uofTyLNunwcnjCT_u_hZW2WpeIBVaGReUTABiyAhtn8uMLXjghaUA7OvQ-yRn1jbqkEW47Of9OdJ2MmCiWoA7i7HhqJS7Lsax2uLaJyNwF6uMc_XKFiPCWV7E/s1600/IMG_3159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjMeA1Iyc2gH4oRekn8uofTyLNunwcnjCT_u_hZW2WpeIBVaGReUTABiyAhtn8uMLXjghaUA7OvQ-yRn1jbqkEW47Of9OdJ2MmCiWoA7i7HhqJS7Lsax2uLaJyNwF6uMc_XKFiPCWV7E/s400/IMG_3159.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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When you do the calculations of cost: pay for the second
tying, pay for sprays, pay for fertilizer, pay for harvest labor, pay for the
harvester to travel the rows for a quarter of a crop…Well, it just makes no
sense to keep them growing. So Randy made the hard decision to cut the canes
off, rather than tie them up and go forward. No fruit from those 10
acres this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0FVuSZePlUT-OJt43qPyooZyrQqyAPORKWRW_vnBB4n5Ik6bP0rNliVivcWhP8bKRjzlN0N4PaGKqwVwG7bT-c6BSkJVqCzuN0pPiHJ4OhpgsNJwU0eZQFUPQ8bfYMu2vBjdIryxee4/s1600/IMG_3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0FVuSZePlUT-OJt43qPyooZyrQqyAPORKWRW_vnBB4n5Ik6bP0rNliVivcWhP8bKRjzlN0N4PaGKqwVwG7bT-c6BSkJVqCzuN0pPiHJ4OhpgsNJwU0eZQFUPQ8bfYMu2vBjdIryxee4/s400/IMG_3183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pitiful amount of green...</div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKVcsr5hlhc_1E1LjwqfuWUen4cUp_FfPpvAUwumPqoAx6WKm7h6ZnK2HKZ3m_OxkMdxtTI95jdgvnBD7Ds5cYRGQ5PIJ6qEZ-AZBAFdfYh8v6a548xFH_081XZQsXKoH5oSR-RoQhAA/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKVcsr5hlhc_1E1LjwqfuWUen4cUp_FfPpvAUwumPqoAx6WKm7h6ZnK2HKZ3m_OxkMdxtTI95jdgvnBD7Ds5cYRGQ5PIJ6qEZ-AZBAFdfYh8v6a548xFH_081XZQsXKoH5oSR-RoQhAA/s400/IMG_3158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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What it looks like now...</div>
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The silver lining is that the primocanes are fine and will grow
well. We will have a crop there next year – barring any other weather fiascoes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadjswrn_HFvqN_-DnUHvdfqNsnL2wPyZNVlCrXZK8eY-W80fVItY2RPnABZtGwDqNS-WVmXS1-Ru7A4QwytMvIJqY2d6IFbmLN4vxEcN5NL8lVaqHlWun2-NY2GyQlV6L-lDG5jqNKI8/s1600/IMG_3162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadjswrn_HFvqN_-DnUHvdfqNsnL2wPyZNVlCrXZK8eY-W80fVItY2RPnABZtGwDqNS-WVmXS1-Ru7A4QwytMvIJqY2d6IFbmLN4vxEcN5NL8lVaqHlWun2-NY2GyQlV6L-lDG5jqNKI8/s400/IMG_3162.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The bright green is primocane growth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our raspberries are floricane bearing which means that each
year they are growing two types of canes: the canes that wintered over will
flower and bear fruit – floricanes -- and the canes that spring up
from the roots of the plant -- primocanes, bear no fruit in that year, but harden over the
winter to become the flowering, fruiting canes for the next year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to our overly optimistic assessment of what
the winter weather would do, I think we were not wrong that the canes were not
far along into the growing mode. It was actually the desiccating NE wind that
blew so strongly for a few days, and then continued moderately for so many
more. It just dried all the moisture out of the canes. You can see they are
wrinkled, almost shriveled, and break right off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99AD8Cmipvmjcxrry5A6dYHgA1VqXDXLRAKXhEE-b4xGxuwzSXzTYOtEsgs-iZoQCGkYFP7uZ2cBQ2IG8rtUAxg3x1j0yZ8DBjjMGmNfPRwP_RkWs-_OJ6UxpNF3dVCU4L4KpDjmOox4/s1600/IMG_3109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99AD8Cmipvmjcxrry5A6dYHgA1VqXDXLRAKXhEE-b4xGxuwzSXzTYOtEsgs-iZoQCGkYFP7uZ2cBQ2IG8rtUAxg3x1j0yZ8DBjjMGmNfPRwP_RkWs-_OJ6UxpNF3dVCU4L4KpDjmOox4/s640/IMG_3109.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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You can seen the wrinkling on these desiccated canes.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So far it looks like the acres of established canes fared better
than the babies. There will still be damage, but not to as great an extent. I
am relieved to see leaves pushing out all the way to the end of some canes. Winter
damage usually shows from the end of the cane down toward the ground. Leaves at the
end of the cane mean that the whole cane lives! Now we hope they just have the
energy to continue to grow until fruiting!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYQpFmdqUlARm2iCl8UpOeuZ8BG7oZibAQUksMGt7yesKVAWvAwCQaSoDJsjqqMOTr2Dyjy3S06J11SoN1n-MTaSCmV4cB0Ib5BZDfYTG-4xqVppa2z3d1VHx9Z71NZA-FSJXKqlGljc/s1600/IMG_3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYQpFmdqUlARm2iCl8UpOeuZ8BG7oZibAQUksMGt7yesKVAWvAwCQaSoDJsjqqMOTr2Dyjy3S06J11SoN1n-MTaSCmV4cB0Ib5BZDfYTG-4xqVppa2z3d1VHx9Z71NZA-FSJXKqlGljc/s400/IMG_3185.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that next year, the wind doesn’t blow so hard and so
long…and in February!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve said it many times before and thankfully, it's still true…For the farmer, there’s
always next year!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-74645142400508848322019-03-05T19:59:00.000-08:002019-03-05T19:59:17.845-08:00Winter-sated...I didn't think it could happen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEFarlDyK_4jEad1Hqjl08k9j8Y6fdPcC-XjXCxJuHslGvJTqmVgCA_DPgS4iWsKg4Jg-acB_u1p1-TBj66Q9L58z1QUMMLFAGjqtVlpbshBtggIKwqEsFq4OspGDU_0sgheHz6c_Cio/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEFarlDyK_4jEad1Hqjl08k9j8Y6fdPcC-XjXCxJuHslGvJTqmVgCA_DPgS4iWsKg4Jg-acB_u1p1-TBj66Q9L58z1QUMMLFAGjqtVlpbshBtggIKwqEsFq4OspGDU_0sgheHz6c_Cio/s320/IMG_2947.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not our current view, thank goodness!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gloriously, the northeast wind stopped blowing this
afternoon. Ah! It was lovely to wander outdoors and not have warmth whipped
from your person by the icy bluster! And it was so quiet. And restful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is March, and there are piles of snow still present
almost everywhere in our little community. Normally, piles of snow in March
come from an anomalous snow day. This year, they are the remnants of a winter
that came almost too late, in my opinion, and stayed a bit long.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January deceived me with its moderate weather. I had decided
that this winter was going to be a non-event. Whenever that happens, I remember
that year the local dealership, Snow Ford, decided they would have a contest to
award a prize to the person who most closely predicted the first day of snow.
See what they did there? Snow Ford? Haha! Of course, it was the first winter in
several that it did not snow, not once. Oh the disappointment! Oh, the failed
marketing…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So I expected to feel that kind of disapointment for the
duration.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But February surprised us with bitter cold, icy, forceful
winds, and snow – everything but ice. (We had enough of that last year!) I was
delighted! I love winter weather – the drama, the cessation of activity, the
coziness inside. And we had plenty of that…plenty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcM3Pxs-D8Qs3ul5iA6-ITb9zMBJvEjm8wClhX9q8gzp9tGxzlvKJS3u1pJXcLW_cG2HEnmo6jpnLHm7LLkVAglu5OwiSq4u5z89cF_wVvWy6q9f33CiAPn6LJsuIvqWErYhCOhs8gtI/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcM3Pxs-D8Qs3ul5iA6-ITb9zMBJvEjm8wClhX9q8gzp9tGxzlvKJS3u1pJXcLW_cG2HEnmo6jpnLHm7LLkVAglu5OwiSq4u5z89cF_wVvWy6q9f33CiAPn6LJsuIvqWErYhCOhs8gtI/s400/IMG_2920.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The high winds before the snow kept the air clouded with blowing dirt!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9mKuf2I0KLupRQrMuYssoPp_2Zk0iOpqBMXLGtAPQVxOWKC-jCMYvdkDYFc4vl_A71JcWoiTNT6n7vMrsgNZptce7AJ3tU8QYY4_ujUoUtRnEW87QdAy4xtEpDKV1dxjWWc7fIlKI1s/s1600/IMG_2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9mKuf2I0KLupRQrMuYssoPp_2Zk0iOpqBMXLGtAPQVxOWKC-jCMYvdkDYFc4vl_A71JcWoiTNT6n7vMrsgNZptce7AJ3tU8QYY4_ujUoUtRnEW87QdAy4xtEpDKV1dxjWWc7fIlKI1s/s320/IMG_2928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The evening it started snowing we decided to go to town for dessert...not a great idea.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj0fOwNfpIyWNUCxAii52YN_DZn9npTCq939oe57UHYFEnmg2weogXcPefjfaNNOD0a7WOO0-lxudN9W5nCfItt_KaleoG0BjonyAKx60l7J6KjmO_mbwVe09stNuXRVuR4dgwhauu3Q/s1600/IMG_2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj0fOwNfpIyWNUCxAii52YN_DZn9npTCq939oe57UHYFEnmg2weogXcPefjfaNNOD0a7WOO0-lxudN9W5nCfItt_KaleoG0BjonyAKx60l7J6KjmO_mbwVe09stNuXRVuR4dgwhauu3Q/s400/IMG_2954.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The goats were confused: "We got locked in the barn overnight and now we don't even know where we are!!! What happened to our pen!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bzeN80guVhKqtJ1m-PV_m53M5l1jS35xx5w9eubPWMgTZuqg6qp1RiufzD6wz1Zu8JLTM4j-UvxiIKw9Q1BjNkQi1Si3ttAkDyTpFCHwLjVU1doWz_kR6qYKKgSRCgLTRo1iye3INcE/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bzeN80guVhKqtJ1m-PV_m53M5l1jS35xx5w9eubPWMgTZuqg6qp1RiufzD6wz1Zu8JLTM4j-UvxiIKw9Q1BjNkQi1Si3ttAkDyTpFCHwLjVU1doWz_kR6qYKKgSRCgLTRo1iye3INcE/s320/IMG_2917.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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When you have a little fur as Rosie and the windchill is 0, you have to wear clothes, even if you hate them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we still are having plenty of cold. It is March and we
have had wind chills of 17 degrees. We had a whole month of February winter
without one Chinook wind – the kind that quickly warms to the 50’s and you can
watch the snow piles shrink before your very eyes! In fact, the ground is still
frozen. As I said, the snow piles remain. You couldn’t work up dirt if you
wanted to. We could certainly use one of those Chinook winds about now.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCOVRS3RNyJKeojx0eWDaImxkfGh2KjcPm6OYNV-iQrpZRCSDDplMvzmR0-lilgWuWhpBagnLrsjM2cdZlDnlI4208nIlAWMZvh_qD86cVybjLOTPJstrvbb0K0V8_TeK-n94R8ALe6k/s1600/IMG_3037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCOVRS3RNyJKeojx0eWDaImxkfGh2KjcPm6OYNV-iQrpZRCSDDplMvzmR0-lilgWuWhpBagnLrsjM2cdZlDnlI4208nIlAWMZvh_qD86cVybjLOTPJstrvbb0K0V8_TeK-n94R8ALe6k/s400/IMG_3037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGGLiji6Hj8E07DKyIuMVq6IF4_Je4c3f6v9KMXbTfASF8BdBMawZ0v8BGIuyMwtbIknOO0AEfDLr14fPxgINjs5wtxoNcBqy00rOCDZ1tu1ZZ2bssT9927oKX3NK9YLVKeCNEVKVMFk/s1600/IMG_2913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGGLiji6Hj8E07DKyIuMVq6IF4_Je4c3f6v9KMXbTfASF8BdBMawZ0v8BGIuyMwtbIknOO0AEfDLr14fPxgINjs5wtxoNcBqy00rOCDZ1tu1ZZ2bssT9927oKX3NK9YLVKeCNEVKVMFk/s400/IMG_2913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The wind made a mess of the pruned out canes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLh56RdCqlc_ws2YwVCFpizXUVxOMFk6lB_UHraBRVBPKLIqq5qYQJDDNsHdc__FhpXRvGlFzJBKls_y0DQVbqw12nNmYJHf6ZFKcwDsakNOGukbIdOiTbb236cPlNGIXe1Z68XNCo2vY/s1600/IMG_3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLh56RdCqlc_ws2YwVCFpizXUVxOMFk6lB_UHraBRVBPKLIqq5qYQJDDNsHdc__FhpXRvGlFzJBKls_y0DQVbqw12nNmYJHf6ZFKcwDsakNOGukbIdOiTbb236cPlNGIXe1Z68XNCo2vY/s400/IMG_3058.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Once the snow melted, there were drifts of dirt left.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2gE6xXqkr9zZlWn4N_-8rRYR7Fg1M93dnPSJG3Vg_lw0yasO0Qd5Wr9lYGyZc1YaP4RsNjZlaIvrjMC8cPCZ8zlNJpv2GbBYTfuGcXXDiQCSjJVJKkgSwjfI693aHFe04BKkWhtCrTs/s1600/IMG_3070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2gE6xXqkr9zZlWn4N_-8rRYR7Fg1M93dnPSJG3Vg_lw0yasO0Qd5Wr9lYGyZc1YaP4RsNjZlaIvrjMC8cPCZ8zlNJpv2GbBYTfuGcXXDiQCSjJVJKkgSwjfI693aHFe04BKkWhtCrTs/s320/IMG_3070.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We might get another skiff of snow like this tomorrow...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t believe it finally
happened, but I am winter-sated and I have a little cabin fever. I’m actually looking forward to spring, and
outdoor activity – which is saying something for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Looks like it still may be a couple weeks off before
temperatures return to seasonal norms, with some messy rain and mud in between,
but for once I will say, I am ready for spring!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325755708695239888.post-78397376146935934102019-02-11T21:30:00.000-08:002019-02-11T21:30:58.929-08:00Miss Allie Eileen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWYGJQnd0nPuA_pYkwr9XvU6qinUjaN46gpYysZNoVCuVx3V_Ja2tcIO1mNUUtKZ2fTfZv8c2cEyIjyIMH0KrRwlwOCGX5k5PUBpRmg6YiX031Vxv2rzdjljRGwPDciHf6IBTM0hJawA/s1600/IMG_2938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWYGJQnd0nPuA_pYkwr9XvU6qinUjaN46gpYysZNoVCuVx3V_Ja2tcIO1mNUUtKZ2fTfZv8c2cEyIjyIMH0KrRwlwOCGX5k5PUBpRmg6YiX031Vxv2rzdjljRGwPDciHf6IBTM0hJawA/s400/IMG_2938.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, we went out in the windy, snowy cold because we just
NEEDED to see our newest little granddaughter, Allie Eileen! After all, it had been a couple of days!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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She arrived almost two weeks ago, January 30, to her proud
dad and mom, Dillon & Tiffany, and big sister, Emma Pearl.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGUiwX5hIQmedPKKA_brGnS3Y2gRtFURfFnT_1LdBLUudpQscH-D2MUc-cYoP8UhGrXNGHZJNKoDL_OoAUL315BHOb5TLY80FlQlUBdju8iiI14tqgJcDjxD9PE4Xpx5nRFypfpycDNw/s1600/IMG_2893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGUiwX5hIQmedPKKA_brGnS3Y2gRtFURfFnT_1LdBLUudpQscH-D2MUc-cYoP8UhGrXNGHZJNKoDL_OoAUL315BHOb5TLY80FlQlUBdju8iiI14tqgJcDjxD9PE4Xpx5nRFypfpycDNw/s400/IMG_2893.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3aXzp8xnUwrQ41Koi0r1BbIdrGrs8Idp-uexLjRFheZJFWbCMSrJ1x-jdeiHKUmOoUbr94df8Osd7c1lDgkr4gF1qHfE2tUNffF8HKcFpfDUAFgazCOWh2UBnoa7VWDOUNL2l6xZdYQ/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3aXzp8xnUwrQ41Koi0r1BbIdrGrs8Idp-uexLjRFheZJFWbCMSrJ1x-jdeiHKUmOoUbr94df8Osd7c1lDgkr4gF1qHfE2tUNffF8HKcFpfDUAFgazCOWh2UBnoa7VWDOUNL2l6xZdYQ/s400/IMG_2892.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve been waiting with bated breath for a few weeks as there
were signs that she was ready to arrive much earlier. But the signs would come
and go. We’d be certain that the day had arrived, ready to pick up Emma to stay
here, only to have to temper our excitement when everything calmed down again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so it went until the day before the scheduled c-section.
Emma came to our house the night before as Mommy & Daddy had an early
check-in at the hospital. We were so excited to meet her baby sis the next day.
We knew Emma would have a sister, but we didn’t know what her name would be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, we didn’t, but Emma thought it should be DeeDee.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpxemGCMEyVgQAbWB5NIG0T0FBs3VvUVm59b3wnARiTy9HxCP-d1MxbaT5Jhzc-Qlgsbat_8ncw6majD0nw-6CPqadPPWM3dvCtgUvkhc4LNcJPgx8g7bueivOA5YP5XE5aVFGDyE79w/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpxemGCMEyVgQAbWB5NIG0T0FBs3VvUVm59b3wnARiTy9HxCP-d1MxbaT5Jhzc-Qlgsbat_8ncw6majD0nw-6CPqadPPWM3dvCtgUvkhc4LNcJPgx8g7bueivOA5YP5XE5aVFGDyE79w/s400/IMG_2902.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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As God is so often gracious beyond our expectations, Tiffany
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">really did</b> go into labor at
midnight! The next morning when her doctor arrived to perform a c-section, he
instead got to deliver 9lb. 4oz. Allie Eileen. There were none of the problems
that led to the c-section with Emma, and a much, much better recovery for Tiffany!<o:p></o:p></div>
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If Allie had waited just 12 hours longer, they would never
have known that Tiff could have a birth without complications! God knows! She
came at JUST the right time!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9vZxTDXW36xIqls4putzd0uLZEEJDUxX_5LVqod-Qg1Px11Tl5MBdVxxKiVGXFHVNWalX9GfSjZtaZddtOsvpSI8eEhZ59tkuCoQbauUqY2B_54aiso-v4Y-NobIQFDS4uTSwdEzyHU/s1600/IMG_2909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9vZxTDXW36xIqls4putzd0uLZEEJDUxX_5LVqod-Qg1Px11Tl5MBdVxxKiVGXFHVNWalX9GfSjZtaZddtOsvpSI8eEhZ59tkuCoQbauUqY2B_54aiso-v4Y-NobIQFDS4uTSwdEzyHU/s400/IMG_2909.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And she is little sweetheart! I was surprised that she wasn’t
a carbon copy of Emma in her looks. Allie has dark hair, and quite a bit of it.
Emma was bald with blond fuzz. Allie’s eyes aren’t as round and wide open as
Emma’s. It seems to me that Allie looks more like her dad did as a baby. Though,
as the days go by, I do see more Emma, and Tiffany.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It doesn’t matter who she looks like! She’s going to be her
own little person – already is: content until she realizes that her tummy is
empty, and then it’s no holds barred expressing her distress. Oh, we can’t wait
to get to know her well!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Emma is pretty proud to be the big sister/helper. Apparently,
her favorite task to observe diaper changes and rate whether the mess is a “doozy”
or less. That’s our Emma! Initially, Emma would correct us when we called her
sister Allie, as she was quite committed to her chosen name of DeeDee. Fortunately,
it didn’t take long for her to realize she had no vote on it so she might as
well call her Allie!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYn8v1ZRXiQK0IH4J3fsAqaxUvQn5R4355e_9uMwjdR_rMUlgmmwjVtkyiGvi3GnaZIsZeM7ee9PkTVMMP4dd0ovcyPWTHHWnwVoCpEo1tCXKB3-6EET4Scbnz5jpmHYz6G25Zc0UQNw/s1600/IMG_2906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYn8v1ZRXiQK0IH4J3fsAqaxUvQn5R4355e_9uMwjdR_rMUlgmmwjVtkyiGvi3GnaZIsZeM7ee9PkTVMMP4dd0ovcyPWTHHWnwVoCpEo1tCXKB3-6EET4Scbnz5jpmHYz6G25Zc0UQNw/s400/IMG_2906.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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So we are blessed again with a granddaughter, who we love
dearly already. It will be wonderful to get to know her and enjoy her
contribution to the family. We are grateful, and thrilled!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Les Honhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17412507043700327345noreply@blogger.com1