Happenings

We seem to be recovered from all the post-Christmas illnesses. Keith is even close to normal levels of strength after the pneumonia.

1. We picked up 4 "piglets" (okay--app. 70 or so pounds, Keith is guessing, when we picked them up) Tuesday of last week. They took a couple of days to turn the ICU into a plowed plot! They are now in an empty area of the berry patch, plowing that up for us. They seem very respectful of the electric fencing.


2. The pasture fencing is DONE!!! (Many, many thanks to Tentdweller and family.)


3. The barn is cleaned out. (Ditto, Tentdweller and family.)


4. The garden shed/chicken coop is cleaned out. (Ditto, again!)


5. We brought Clarabelle home today from Georgia. She's our first milk cow--or will be in a few months. A jersey heifer, she's expecting her first calf near the end of July.


6. We've ordered some seed, and are hoping to get a greenhouse ready soon, but will proceed with the seed, even if the greenhouse (a hoophouse) doesn't materialize in the near future.


7. Under my father's direction and help (He'd have probably done it all by himself, but broke his foot and ankle on a mission trip a couple of weeks ago.), we separated and transplanted strawberry plants yesterday morning, more than doubling our garden space for them.

We've had beautiful weather and fellowship this week, making us all eager to get out and work; so, thankfully, much has been accomplished, even though Keith had to work late a number of days at his "regular" job.

Mary Susan

A Good Wife

Only blindness could prevent me from seeing the blessing that my dear wife is to me. I speak not of physical blindness (though there are certainly visible evidences of the many ways she is a daily blessing to me) but of spiritual blindness. I give thanks unto the Lord that he has given me a good wife, a prudent wife.

House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(Pr. 19:14)

Mary Susan is my perfect compliment - strong where I am weak, capable where I am inept, kind when I am overly harsh, thoughtful when I am rash, encouraging when I am discouraged, careful where I tend toward careless. I could go on. I like the American Heritage Dictionary definition of prudent:

1. Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense.
2. Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident.
3. Careful about one's conduct; circumspect.

I gratefully acknowledge that I have indeed obtained "favor from the Lord" (Pr. 18:22). Mary Susan is my crown (Pr. 12:4) and a beautiful one at that. She is more precious than jewels. I can in no way take credit for the wonderful gift of my bride. I can only give thanks to the creator of Heaven and earth for His mercy and His grace and for His abundant blessings.

I pray that the bride of my youth will know the depth of my love for her and forgive me for the many ways I have failed to love her as I ought.

With love to Mary Susan,
Keith

Just found...

Maybe this has been around for awhile, but I just found it. I knew Polyface had a website, but when I've checked it previously, it didn't look like this, and was rarely updated. (Granted, I've not checked it in awhile.)

Anyway, Joel Salatin and his family have done a lot for sustainable agriculture with a multi-generational vision, and I'm glad to see more information available about their farm. We were there for their "field day" in July, 2005, and had a terrific day. Met some fantastic folks, too, including the Terry and Lingo families. (Actually, I didn't get to meet the Terrys, but Keith and some of the kids did. We all met the Lingos, though, and enjoy a wonderful friendship with them. As a matter of fact, we were just at their place this weekend.)

Mary Susan

SNOW!!! (sort of)

We did wake up to snow this morning, but not much of it. Just a dusting. There was enough on the driveway for 4yo and 14yo to build a short, fiddling snowman. Sort of pathetic, but the 4yo go a charge out of it. We've learned not to get excited when the forecasters predict snow; it rarely materializes around here.

A health update: everyone is recovered with just left-over coughs--except for Keith. He was diagnosed Monday with pneumonia, but is improving. He went to work for a short time yesterday, and for quite awhile today.

Mary Susan