August 2017

       Summer greetings to our Friends near and far. It’s hard to believe it is August already, how time seems to fly by. Weather-wise we are enjoying such pleasant temperatures compared to most of July. I wish it would stay this way for the rest of the summer. But we are very dry, haven’t mowed yard for weeks, the pastures are dried up to the point the farmers are feeding some hay. It will definitely affect corn yields, some worse than others. But it seems like it is just a pocket, not very far north, not very far south, it looks altogether different. I’m not sure how far east and west it is, farther than the other way. At least not everyone is so dry.

       The latest news is granddaughter Janita Rose, arrived on July 30^th to daughter Jane Marie & Randall, weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. She has a nice amount of dark hair, but it will turn lighter like the rest, I think. This is their 2^nd girl, it makes a happy sister. She makes our 17^th grandchild.

    On Saturday August 5^th, they had some misfortune. Curvin, 20 mo. old, was in the haymow with his siblings, they hiked him along up on bales and he fell down, apparently landing on his leg.

                                                                                                                                            November 2017

Season’s greetings to all our e-mail friends. It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of another year. How time seems to go so fast, I guess that means we are busy and happy. Life is good, we are thankful for the blessings we have.

      Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day. Daughters Jane Marie & Rose and their families came, it is very seldom they are both here at once, it makes it a special occasion. Randall’s (Jane Marie) arrived here Wednesday evening with their seven children. They live in Withee, WI, are dairy farmers. Dennis’ (Rose) came by noon Thursday with their three, they also live in Withee. Dennis does some cash cropping, mostly he is away installing electric in new chicken barns with his crew of 6, sometimes installing equipment, also. Wednesday Rose picked him up at the job, about 2 hours south of them, they came part way and got a motel. They both leave for home Sunday again. Randall’s are sleeping here, Dennis’ at Mark’s.

    Yesterday (Thanksgiving) we went to church. Randall is a minister, he had the main sermon. I had 4 little boys with me, they did well. David & Daniel – almost 5, Randall Jr. 3½, and Curvin – 2 on the 28^th. Wasn’t sure, thought we could have a circus but they are well-trained . Leon Earl – 9 sat with the boys his age, Sheila sat with Junior’s wife Crystal and dau. Jessica, a treat that probably didn’t happen before. Baby Janita – almost 4 mo. went with her Mom, of course.

We had a family gathering on my side, my parents, 9 of us siblings and our children. There were approx. 109 people in all, with 6 missing. We rented the Lodge in the Lacey Keosauqua State Park, it was a beautiful day, the children could be outside in the afternoon. It is a nice place to have it, also inexpensive. Everyone brought food, the menu was ham balls, roast beef with a sauce (pulled like pulled pork) cheese potatoes, baked corn, green beans with a white sauce, make your own salad bar, pie and ice cream. Five people brought 3 pies each, there was pumpkin, oatmeal, apple and one cherry pie. There were some pies left over, but the meat was just barely enough.

                                                                                                                                                March 2018

     Good morning and Easter greetings! The sun is shining, it’s 56 degrees, at least for now. There is rain in the forecast for later this morning and falling temperatures. We’ll enjoy the sunshine while it is here!  This week has been cloudy and rainy, the sunshine is welcome again.

       The cheesemakers have been very busy the last few months, this is the time of the year when the cows are milking more, it is keeping them stepping, making an average of 14 batches a week, that means double shifting. Nathan, Joseph, Stephen, Roy, Trevor, Jordan & Aaron keep that field covered.  They are doing a good job in keeping things on track.

     The orders were slow which is typical for this time of the year. The ladies were having a hard time getting enough hours in. Taylor, Judy, Katie & Julie are in that department. The orders are picking up, they will get hours in now, may have to do some overtime. A new cheese cutter has been a great help to them, taking out some arm muscle labor. The cutter has a cylinder, they press the foot peddle and a wire goes across the 40# block, another arm comes down and cuts it into loaves. It is lots faster and easier. We are also having one worked at for cutting the loaves into retail pieces. It will enable them to do more in a day.