Break Downs, Broth, Kid Quotes

It was the 4-wheeler that left me stranded in the field this week. Brother John came to pull it back home. With the John Deere tractor still not running, all the horse power jobs are now left to the New Holland. Until the front end loader controller on it wore out, leaving both tractors out of commission. I guess everything eventually wears out with time and use. Both tractors have definitely earned their keep over the years. It’s a miracle  they've held together as well as they have. John has more of a mechanic’s mind than I do and has graciously been willing to help get them going again. Thankful for family. 

Before the front end loader quit working, earlier in the week I got the pig barn cleaned out. Spring cleaning around the barn. Now I need to put fresh bedding back down to get ready for some new piglets coming to the farm hopefully next week. 

Amy made three batches of chicken broth in the on-farm kitchen. On Wednesday we finished filling beef shares. Then we went through what was left, and Amy added the remaining inventory to the online farm store. We have ground beef available for those who’ve been waiting. Hallie and Hasten’s help sped up the share filling process. Hallie was proud of herself for being able to carry 50 lb boxes of ground beef out of the freezer by herself. 

We’re still keeping the outdoor wood stove burning. Although we have enough wood to get us through the spring, it’s time be be cutting up next winter’s heat supply. Not a good time for the chainsaw to lock up. I guess there’s never a good time for that to happen, yet it did. Just another thing. 

I didn’t do much book listening this week. Mostly just listened to these kids talk my ear off. Not only has Carter started talking, now she won’t stop. I’m trying to be more present with them and not as distracted by work and devices. 

Here’s a favorite quote from listening to the kids this week:

They’ve been learning about the Revolutionary War. More than just the people, places, and times, they’ve been discussing why the war was fought and the decision that Americans had to make in regards to which side they would be on. In hindsight, it’s easy to side with the Patriots knowing that they won the war. But when they signed the Declaration of Independence, they were putting their lives on the line. They would be found guilty of treason and severely punished had they lost the war against the heavy favorite Britains. 

Considering the risks and all that was at stake, I asked Hallie and Hasten at the dinner table if they would’ve signed the Declaration of Independence or not. Hallie without pause said, “I would’ve.” 

Hasten, after some thought said, “I don’t think I would’ve signed it. My hand writing is not that good.” 

Have a good week.

Will