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Hi Everyone,
You never know what a day may bring forth. After dinner this afternoon I saw that the sky was getting dark, and fearing that it might rain any minute I convinced Papa that we should go out and separate the calves right then. We have never separated the five little calves that we have right now—because we had so much milk that we were having to cream once a week. Then something changed last week—we didn’t have to cream because we didn’t have any excess milk. Then I noticed yesterday that our shelves were pretty empty. Trouble! Those five little calves got real hungry all of a sudden and were beginning to drink all of their mama’s milk. Calves, like children, do not know how to share—but mama cows, like human mamas, do know how to share. Therefore, if we separate the calves at night the mamas will give us some and hold back some for their calves. If the calves stay out at night they will drink all of their milk and then their mamas will not be able to pay for their room and board. I was very thankful that the Lord was merciful on us tonight—for we were able to round up those five calves right on out of the field with no problems at all.
When I got back inside my Mama was on the phone—a friend of mine had called to talk to me. So we talked for the next hour or so. Then when I got off the phone my sister showed up to visit for about 30 minutes. Then I spent some time with my family, and here I am after 9:00 (almost 10:00 actually) at night just starting my journal. So I am going to see just how short and sweet I can possibly be!
As I said you never know what a day may bring forth, and last Monday morning Mama sent Papa to the gas station to get some gas for the lawn mower. We were in the middle of milking when Papa stopped by to ask Mama to give him a ride back to the gas station to pick up his truck. He had stopped at the gas pump and then found out that it didn’t work. When he went to crank up the truck it refused to start (dead battery). So Papa walked all the way back home—all 2 miles in the heat. He was within 50 feet of our driveway when someone stopped to ask if he needed a ride home. He didn’t any more, for he was home. Mama drove him back, but they still couldn’t get it to start, so she called my sister and brother-in-law to come and help jump the truck and Mama came on home to finish milking her cows. Papa ended up having to buy a new battery for the truck—and my sister and brother-in-law ended up going back to the gas station to get Mama some gas. I was glad when Mama got home for her cows had misbehaved terribly while she was gone. She had left two cows in their stalls to finish eating, and they decided to poop everywhere. I think another cow even decided to come back in. I was glad when Steve was done in the field so that I could get some help bringing order back to the parlor. Don’t those cows know how to behave like proper Milk Ladies in a Parlor?
I am ever grateful for our summer help. I am just amazed at how much is getting done in the gardens with Jessie’s help. Last week we were able to get many more beds weeded and we were able to get a 45 foot long bed filled with wood chips in order to get it ready to plant some sweet potatoes tomorrow. I have only been trying to order sweet potato slips since the middle of May—but didn’t get them until Friday. I am glad they finally arrived for it is almost too late.
The new barn is coming along. When customers arrive at the farm they are always amazed at how much has changed since the week before. I see the changes daily and always forget what stage it was in the last time they saw it. Last week the metal siding went up, and the Feed Room was completely closed in with plywood walls. We can tell where every room is now in the barn. One wall even has its windows in it. The plumbers/electricians worked Thursday and Friday putting in the plumping pipes and the electrical wires. I do believe that they are scheduled to install the shower tomorrow. Our goal is to have interns very soon—and the bunkhouse will need a bathroom! We are now reaching the stage of picking out colors. The outside metal walls are silver and black. Now we have to figure out the color of the front entrance wall into the Milk House, the walls inside the Milk House, Bathroom and storage room. Sage green with accents of red are top on the list. We want a cottage vibe. There will be enough white and stainless steel in the Milk House—so we have to tone it down and make it look cozy, clean and inviting.
Friday and Saturday I spent inside cleaning, baking and also taking care of customers. Having three good days working in the garden with Jessie and getting so much accomplished allows me to enjoy getting things done inside too. When it is just me working in the garden, I always felt like I didn’t have time to do the inside things. Now I am playing catch-up, and still there is never enough time in my day to get everything that I want to get done—done!
Now if I do not close and say “Good-night” I shall not be rested up for tomorrow—and there is a lot to do.
Serving you with Gladness,
Tiare