Spring Is In The Air

Spring is once again renewing nature's life cycles as our first calf of the season was born and took its first wobbly steps on the morning of March 26th.  In the past two weeks, the calves have been coming at a manageable pace.

The above photo was taken by Kimberly

With warmer temperatures, the frozen ground is quickly changing to soft mud. With all the melting snow, the gravel roads were a disaster for a few days.  There's still a lot of snow around but the appearance of the fields are starting to turn fairly black. 

As mother nature starts shedding her winter layers, all life seems to be in celebration.  Birds are chirping, bees are buzzing and even the people around us seem to be frowning less and whistling more.  With the return of beautiful robins, the flocks of geese, the seagulls and hawks....Spring is definitely in the air.

Another sure sign that spring is on its way is the annual celebration of attending prom.  On the evening of April 2nd, we were honored to watch our son and his prom date walk down memory lane at the Grand March.

An Irish Friendship Wish

May there always be work for your hands to do

May your purse always hold a coin or two

May the sun always shine on your windowpane

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain

May the hand of a friend always be near you

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you

Happy Valentine's Day

2011 is an Unusual Year

This year, we will experience four unusual dates....1/1/11 ~ 1/11/11 ~ 11/1/11 and 11/11/11.  Now go figure this out....take the last two digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year and see what it equals!

When Farm Kids Get Bored

Who Is Watching

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake and I learned that the little things in life are the special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick and I learned that we all need to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that everyone can make a difference.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight and I felt safe and loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned there are things that are going to hurt, yet it's okay to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned the importance of family and we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you truly cared about people and I wanted to be everything that I could possibly be to follow in your footsteps. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking." 

Record Setting Harvest

This Record Setting Harvest which took place on August 5th, 2006 in Winkler, Manitoba, Canada still amazes me.  105 combines and several grain trucks harvested 160 acres of wheat in 11 minutes and 8 seconds.

Glass Winged Butterflies

The Glass Winged Butterfly, better known as the "Snow Fly" due to their fluffy white fur, is truly a beautiful insect. 

The Glass Winged Butterfly is an absolutely lovely specimen. This butterfly sparkles even in the weakest light. Although its wings are not literally made of glass per say, it could fool most into believing otherwise.

The translucent wings of the Glass Wing Butterfly shimmer and tinkle in the breeze like a natural wind chime. It "shivers" its brittle glass wings as it glides gracefully from place to place in order to achieve such sounds.

 

Mellow and generally comfortable in the presence of a curious person, this butterfly may even land upon a passerby for no apparent reason.

All things beautiful do not have to be full of color to be noticed in life that which is unnoticed has the most power of all.

It seems like yesterday that I just wrote the following statement, "There are so many stories just waiting to be told...if I would only take the time to sit down and share them."  How fast time passes as the first half of the new year is gone and in just days from now we will be celebrating the 4th of July.

Summer finally arrived and then life on the farm gets so hectic that I don't even know where to begin.

Crops are in the ground ~ cows and calves are out to pasture ~ spraying is finally complete ~ second cutting alfalfa is growing and the harvest of small grains will soon be approaching.

Everything is so nice and green and the fresh country air smells sooo good ~ that is until Ty decided to chop the first cutting of alfalfa.  His huge pile is now fermenting and the aroma is indescribable.

Last evening as the sun was beginning to set, Ty and I were checking the irrigation systems.  Grandpa Jerry called and stated that he spotted a moose making its way through the fields south of our house.  We stopped and picked up the kids and we were off on an adventure in hopes of witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  The moose appeared to be in no hurry to go anywhere as it was roaming the prairie ~ but the closer we tried to get the faster it wanted to run away.

March ushers in the time of year that most of us wait for with great anticipation ~ Springtime  ~ but on May 7th, we woke up to "Old Man Winter"

I kept reflecting back to a poem that McKayla recited to me in the month of March with hopes that Springtime would soon arrive. 

I've Got A Secret by Jean Soule

I've got a secret I'd like to share.  It's something I noticed in the air.

Something I saw and something I heard, something concerning a leaf and a bird.

When I was out in the yard at play, I heard a bird singing loudly today.

The bird was a robin, if you've not guessed.  And she's come from the south to build her nest.

The thing that I saw out under the snow, was a little green leaf beginning to grow.

Up through the dead brown grass and mud all by itself -- was a crocus bud!

So the secret I know you now know too.  Winter is leaving -- and Springtime is due!

Tractors with tracks make a big splash as they bring in the 2009 corn crop in the Spring of 2010.  These photos were taken in the northern Red River Valley.

The Pirate Boys enjoyed watching the Lady Pirates at state on March 4th, 5th, and 6th even with the hard fought nail biters they had the first two games.  The Kidder County Lady Pirates were the seventh place winners in the 2010 State Class B Girls' Basketball Tournament.

Then on March 18th, 19th, and 20th, it was the boy's turn to play and the girl's turn to cheer.  The Kidder County Pirates were the 4th place winners in the 2010 State Class B Boys' Basketball Tournament. 

Kidder County won the Spirit Award at both tournaments.  The little older than average cheerleaders and fans could have just slept in on Friday mornings, but they didn't. 

Kidder County had a very successful season.  Eli Benz was named Miss Basketball and Adam Randall was named Mr. Basketball of North Dakota.

McKayla joined the 2009-2010 Little Lady Pirateers Dance Team.  This year's dance team consisted of 42 little ladies, grades Kindergarten through 6th and they were ready to strut their stuff.  They danced to Hannah Montana's "Hoedown" and they were lovin' it.

Ty decided to take our annual family vacation to Hastings, Nebraska during Christmas vacation instead of going during the heat of summer when things are really busy.  Our journey began on Monday, December 28th. After two hours of traveling, we needed to make two quick stops. First we needed to pick up a motor to take with us for yet another one of Ty's cheap projects and a good deal all in one transaction. Second, we needed to do an exchange for a pair of boots that McKayla received for Christmas that were too small. A RCC Western Store was located but they did not have the same style. Thank goodness the sales person found a pair that she liked. McKayla a happy camper. After many more stops for fuel, food and bathroom breaks, we arrived safely home Wednesday, December 30th.  We drove in a lot of fog, snow and ice. There was a lot of corn yet to be harvested along the way. The trip made us all realize that not only are we tired of these fast trips to Hastings, Nebraska but the 1475 odd miles and 50 hours of togetherness made us glad to be home.

Why We Love Children

A kindergarten pupil told his teacher he'd found a cat.  She asked him if it was dead or alive.

"Dead."  She was informed.  "How do you know?" she asked her pupil.

"Because I p.... in its ear and it didn't move," answered the child innocently.

"You did WHAT!?" the teacher exclaimed in surprise.

"You know," explained the boy, "I leaned over and went 'Pssst!" and it didn't move."

Once in a Blue Moon

Have you ever heard of the expression ~ Once in a Blue Moon?

Partygoers ringing in 2010 will be treated to a so-called New Year’s Eve Blue Moon. But don't expect it to be blue ~ the name has nothing to do with the color of our closest celestial neighbor.

A full moon occurred on December 2nd and it is going to appear tonight in time for the New Year's countdown. This New Year's Eve full moon is what's known as a Blue Moon, because it's the second full moon in a month. On average, Blue Moons occur about once every two and a half years, which is the origin of the saying ~ Once in a Blue Moon.

The last time there was a lunar double take was in May 2007. New Year's Eve Blue Moons are rare, occurring every 19 years. The last time was in 1990; the next one won't come again until 2028.

Historically, each full moon throughout the year was given a folk name to help people remember to prepare for the upcoming season. The 'Harvest Moon' is the full moon that occurred closest to the autumn equinox. It occurred at the peak of harvest and the light of the full moon allowed farmers to work late into the night.

If you can't stay up to watch the New Year come in, go out and take a peek at the Blue Moon.

Happy New Year

The Legend of The Christmas Spider

The Legend of The Christmas Spider

A mother was busily cleaning the house for Christmas. She swept every corner of every room completely clean, for she wanted everything bright and shiny in time for Christmas Day.

The spiders fled upstairs to the attic to escape the broom, for they knew she was far too busy to follow them up there.

On Christmas Eve, as soon as the house became quiet, the spiders slowly crept down for a peek. They scuttled into the living room and oh, what a sight they saw!

A beautiful Christmas Tree! In their excitement, they scurried up the trunk and out along each branch. They were filled with happiness as they climbed among its glittering beauty.

Alas, by the time they had finished climbing, the tree was completely covered with dusty gray spiders' webs.

It was midnight and Santa Claus came with the gifts for the children. When he saw the tree, he smiled to see how happy the spiders were but he knew how heartbroken the mother would be if she saw the tree covered with dusty webs. He then turned the gray spiders' webs to silver and gold.

The Christmas Tree sparkled and shimmered and was even more beautiful than before.

That is why we have tinsel on Christmas Trees and every tree should have a Christmas spider in its branches.

Author Unknown

A Little Sunday Humor

A mother was preparing pancakes for her preschoolers, and they began arguing over who would get the first one. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.

"If Jesus were sitting here, He'd say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.' "

Isaiah turned to his brother and said, "Aaron, you be Jesus."

Happy Thanksgiving from our Home to Yours

May your home be toasty warm inside and filled with memories as sweet as pumpkin pie.

Got To Love Those Trick or Treater's

A little boy and girl go Trick or Treating. They knock on the door.

The man who answers it says, "Well, you two are awful cute. Who are you suppose to be?'"

"We're Jack and Jill" replied the little girl.

The man says, "You can't be Jack and Jill, you're black."

Off they go and a while later they came back dressed differently. They ring the doorbell.

Once again the man opens the door and says, "Well now, that is just too darn cute. Who are you this time?"

"We're Hansel and Gretel" says the little boy. "I hate to disappoint you son, but you can't be Hansel and Gretel because you're black."

Heads hung low, they leave.

Not too much later the man hears the bell ring again. This time when he opens the door, there stand the two children, but this time they are BUTT NAKED. "Oh my! And just who are you supposed to be now?" he asks.

"We're Chocolate M & M's ~ I'm plain and he's got nuts." replied the little girl.

The Law of the Garbage Truck

The Law of the Garbage Truck

One day, I hopped into a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car lunged out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck." He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Have A Blessed Garbage Free Day !

Have You Forgotten...

Today, I find myself remembering the attacks on the World Trade Center. It seems so hard to believe that it has been eight years ago.

I can remember trying to get comfortable on the couch with McKayla as it was time for her to nurse. While she nursed, I reached for the remote and turned on the television. I definitely am not fond of watching horror movies ~ so I started flipping through the channels and thought this is strange! It only took seconds to discover that the same thing was on every channel. I remember getting up off the couch and holding on so tight to McKayla as I just stood there glued to the TV as I watched the second plane hit.

I thought to myself, "Can this actually be happening?" I quickly called my parents to see if they were watching TV and Dad answered stating, “All flights have been cancelled ~ you are so fortunate that Ty arrived home safely from his flight from New York. This is bad. We are now in war and under attack!”

As we go through this day, let us remember the victims, the hero's, everyone from that day... And I think as Americans, we need to bring back the spirit that we found after the attacks. We shouldn't only claim that spirit in the wake of something horrific, we live in the best place on earth and we should be thankful for that. We should always thank our armed forces, the ones who have fought and returned, the ones who are still fighting and the ones we have lost...

The Setting Sunset

Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave
by Roger Robicheau

Through the feel of war they brave this day
How proud they stand, their unselfish way

Our soldiers bear what we cannot see
They assure our right to live life free

Each trained will face an unknown fate
Our support they need, don’t hesitate

Just imagine how this land would be
Without their courage - catastrophe

All the liberties we have grown to know
Would not exist, this life would go

Find a thankfulness within your mind
Speak gratitude for our bravest kind

Have the willingness to show you care
For fallen heroes, hold back no tear

Reach out to God with his guiding light
For our troops do pray, both day and night

America raise your flags to wave
For we truly are 'Home of the Brave'

©2003Roger J. Robicheau

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 12th Birthday Kimberly

Lions and Penguins and Bears...Oh, My!

McKayla's first grade class along with the Kindergarten class ventured north to Minot for their long awaited spring field trip. During the 2 hour and 45 minute trip, they traveled through cloudy weather, foggy weather and even rainy weather. They were excited to explore.

Even though the temperature was 38 degrees, the kids had a wonderful time at the Roosevelt Park Zoo.