Thought this had uploaded...I love this picture!
Monday, June 30, 2008
County Fair
Our county fair starts a week from this Wednesday. Here is a few pictures I will be entering...
Please let me know what you think...
Friday, June 27, 2008
Mother's Day Gift?
Mike made it home last night from MO after attending the Sedalia Sheep sale. He was telling me about the two ewe lambs he bought and I laughed and said they were my Mother's Day gifts. I am not sure if he heard me or if he was ignoring me:P
I will have to look at them tonight when I get home. One of them was a spring ewe lamb that was a triplet, she came from SDSU. Not sure where the other one came from. She was a fall ewe lamb and a twin.
Speaking of tonight its Relay For Life Platte County. The station is a corporate sponsor and I am doing a two hour remote from 5-7pm. I am sure that this year it will feel different because I have lost my Aunt Joyce to cancer and my Father-in-Law is going through chemo right now.
Well better think about opening markets. Will beans reach $16 who knows! It will be another crazy ride...
I will have to look at them tonight when I get home. One of them was a spring ewe lamb that was a triplet, she came from SDSU. Not sure where the other one came from. She was a fall ewe lamb and a twin.
Speaking of tonight its Relay For Life Platte County. The station is a corporate sponsor and I am doing a two hour remote from 5-7pm. I am sure that this year it will feel different because I have lost my Aunt Joyce to cancer and my Father-in-Law is going through chemo right now.
Well better think about opening markets. Will beans reach $16 who knows! It will be another crazy ride...
Thursday, June 26, 2008
"What have you done with your life?"
I ran into an old college friend that I haven't seen since the mid 90's and her first comment to me is, "So, what have you done with your life?" Now if that isn't a bullet type of question.
I talked about getting the chance to speak for the greatest sector of America and that was agriculture. The look on her face said it all...she thought I was nuts. As we talked it seemed that, even though she went to an ag based college, she didn't study ag and really didn't understand where her food came from. I took the opportunity to take food prices, livestock care and of course the price of gas. It turned out to be a great conversation for both of us.
I talked about getting the chance to speak for the greatest sector of America and that was agriculture. The look on her face said it all...she thought I was nuts. As we talked it seemed that, even though she went to an ag based college, she didn't study ag and really didn't understand where her food came from. I took the opportunity to take food prices, livestock care and of course the price of gas. It turned out to be a great conversation for both of us.
How often do we stop and think of what we do on a daily basis and how it effects more than our nearby friends and family? My hats off to you the producer who this year has dealt with more than your share of frustrations. You do what you do because on most days you love it. Feeding the world, one farmer at a time.
During our conversation Beth asked me about family. I have shared with you a picture that was taken during our daughter Morgan's Kindergarten Graduation in May. See besides working in radio, my family is my biggest accomplishment. I have 3 kids who understand that the 4-H chickens they are raising will be headed to someone's table on July 15. They know the feed that is given to their livestock was grown by a neighbor and they understand that for every new life, there is death but that is all part of the cirlce of life we live in. They make me so proud and I can't wait till July 9 and the start of the Platte County Fair to see my two oldest show their projects with such pride that I can say...YES talking about what an ag producer does everyday and seeing it through my kids eyes is all worth it...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
If you can...please help out...
As many of you know Paul McKellips is a true friend and has a dream that far out reaches anyone's grasp on what really happens in Iraq. Please take some time to check out the website listed below and the spot on youtube.
Paul has always had the forsite to take a dream and turn it into reality. He is a strong example for so many, including myself. I think of his work with those in Iraq, his desire to increase the wealth of the smallest ag operation in Iraq. Even on his return to the states, Paul has been a shining star that should not be overlooked...
http://www.nogreatersacrifice.org/
********Please read Paul's email...I feel very strong the need to share this letter with you:
To my dear farm broadcasting friends:
Last Saturday, our new charity (www.nogreatersacrifice.org) presented our first college scholarship to "Diana." Diana is the 3-year old daughter of Staff Sgt. Daniel Wagoner who was killed in Iraq. I worked with Daniel in Iraq. He was an incredible young man.
Please watch Diana's Story and pass the link around.
We will NOT forget.
Paul has always had the forsite to take a dream and turn it into reality. He is a strong example for so many, including myself. I think of his work with those in Iraq, his desire to increase the wealth of the smallest ag operation in Iraq. Even on his return to the states, Paul has been a shining star that should not be overlooked...
http://www.nogreatersacrifice.org/
********Please read Paul's email...I feel very strong the need to share this letter with you:
To my dear farm broadcasting friends:
Last Saturday, our new charity (www.nogreatersacrifice.org) presented our first college scholarship to "Diana." Diana is the 3-year old daughter of Staff Sgt. Daniel Wagoner who was killed in Iraq. I worked with Daniel in Iraq. He was an incredible young man.
Please watch Diana's Story and pass the link around.
We will NOT forget.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Journey Back to Wisconsin
The journey back home has been bitter sweet. We left our farm in Surprise for the trip back to Mike's homeplace in Wisconsin. Three kids and a weeks worth of luggage including play clothes and nice clothes packed into the minivan and off we went.
This journey would bring us through flooded fields and dry fields as we traveld from Nebraska through Iowa and Minnesota. As we got closer to Wisconsin I could feel the nervousness of Mike.
See his Dad, Rod has cancer. A strong farmer who for so many years has been not only the piller of this family but one who is on top of the latest information in no-till farming and the need for rotational grazing.
In the two months since I have seen Rod, this strong body has been taken over with the side effects of chemo and the need to sleep a lot. Its hard to explain to our three year old Paul that Grandpa can't go on walks to show him the corn growing or to explain to our 8 year old that this certain weed, if left untreated, will take over the field.
Many years ago this family farm was the highlight of research for the University of Wisconsin in growing alfalfa in corn. I remember just joining this family as I dated Mike and seeing so many people get on wagons and tour the farm.
Today, a Monday, I saw the gleam in his eye as he talked about his fields and this years crops. But that gleam was bigger as his three grandkids want to show him 4-H projects or just curl up on the bed moved into the living room for his convience.
We are here for a week to help with stuff around the farm. Yes I do miss being on the air this week, but I am enjoying spending some much needed time with my in-laws and helping to build on some memories I can help my kids recall as they get older.
This journey would bring us through flooded fields and dry fields as we traveld from Nebraska through Iowa and Minnesota. As we got closer to Wisconsin I could feel the nervousness of Mike.
See his Dad, Rod has cancer. A strong farmer who for so many years has been not only the piller of this family but one who is on top of the latest information in no-till farming and the need for rotational grazing.
In the two months since I have seen Rod, this strong body has been taken over with the side effects of chemo and the need to sleep a lot. Its hard to explain to our three year old Paul that Grandpa can't go on walks to show him the corn growing or to explain to our 8 year old that this certain weed, if left untreated, will take over the field.
Many years ago this family farm was the highlight of research for the University of Wisconsin in growing alfalfa in corn. I remember just joining this family as I dated Mike and seeing so many people get on wagons and tour the farm.
Today, a Monday, I saw the gleam in his eye as he talked about his fields and this years crops. But that gleam was bigger as his three grandkids want to show him 4-H projects or just curl up on the bed moved into the living room for his convience.
We are here for a week to help with stuff around the farm. Yes I do miss being on the air this week, but I am enjoying spending some much needed time with my in-laws and helping to build on some memories I can help my kids recall as they get older.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tornado touches down
It was a strange feeling, like the one you get when you know something just isn't right. That feeling hit Wednesday night as Bryan & I went to his baseball game in Gresham. The clouds were funny starting to move in directions clouds shouldn't. They got two innings in before the game was called. We made it home between rain showers and I changed right away into jeans and my fire dept. t-shirt. I told the kids to get a blanket ready for the basement. At first Mike thought I was over reacting but when they toned us out for storm spotting I told him to listen for the phone and I would call if anything was going to happen.
Mark Doehling and I went 2 miles south of Surprise and experienced the normal storm stuff, rain, high winds and hail. Well we also experienced clouds that just "didn't look right". We repositioned the Surprise 4x4 numerous times and when the hail started to come down we moved inside the truck. Yep best way to look at the clouds is to stand outside.
We were facing north on the 12e Spur when my ears started to pop. I rolled down the drivers side window to see the lines of a rotating tornado. Yep it had dropped out of the sky next to Mark & I. Major pucker factor there!! He called it in to the Sheriff's office and I attempted to drive. After the tornado moved south towards Ulysses we had hail as big as tennis balls. A lot of dents in the 4x4. One of our ambulances lost a window.
Mike called a short time later to say that there was broken windows in the house and some downed trees. As of this writing we are STILL waiting to hear from our insurance guy. I am about to call again to see if he got my message.
Mark & I spent most of the night helping Ulysses Fire Department search house to house for damge. There were down power lines, pivots and just all around damage. http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/19581179.html
Mike took the kids to Gina's Wednesday night. THANK YOU GINA. As we didn't have electricity and were worried about them being in the house. It is now Friday morning and they are still there.
Yesterday we worried about the water rising from the Big Blue River and spent the aftertnoon into evening sandbagging the Eagles Nest in Surprise.
Well Mike just came back in and we are going to see if the river has gone down. We have the creek running pretty hard through out pasture.
Yep...will post pictures later. The tool I need to do that is in my office in Columbus.
We are safe but now the clean-up begins. Its amazing how a community comes together like this one has. Gives me goose bumps.
Sue...
Mark Doehling and I went 2 miles south of Surprise and experienced the normal storm stuff, rain, high winds and hail. Well we also experienced clouds that just "didn't look right". We repositioned the Surprise 4x4 numerous times and when the hail started to come down we moved inside the truck. Yep best way to look at the clouds is to stand outside.
We were facing north on the 12e Spur when my ears started to pop. I rolled down the drivers side window to see the lines of a rotating tornado. Yep it had dropped out of the sky next to Mark & I. Major pucker factor there!! He called it in to the Sheriff's office and I attempted to drive. After the tornado moved south towards Ulysses we had hail as big as tennis balls. A lot of dents in the 4x4. One of our ambulances lost a window.
Mike called a short time later to say that there was broken windows in the house and some downed trees. As of this writing we are STILL waiting to hear from our insurance guy. I am about to call again to see if he got my message.
Mark & I spent most of the night helping Ulysses Fire Department search house to house for damge. There were down power lines, pivots and just all around damage. http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/19581179.html
Mike took the kids to Gina's Wednesday night. THANK YOU GINA. As we didn't have electricity and were worried about them being in the house. It is now Friday morning and they are still there.
Yesterday we worried about the water rising from the Big Blue River and spent the aftertnoon into evening sandbagging the Eagles Nest in Surprise.
Well Mike just came back in and we are going to see if the river has gone down. We have the creek running pretty hard through out pasture.
Yep...will post pictures later. The tool I need to do that is in my office in Columbus.
We are safe but now the clean-up begins. Its amazing how a community comes together like this one has. Gives me goose bumps.
Sue...
Monday, June 2, 2008
Water all over
It is still raining today. Its been a long spring. I don't think we have gotten through a week without rain. We sit up high and we even had water in the basement this weekend. THANK YOU MIKE for the new sub-pump. Without it we would have been in a world of hurt. I am posting some pictures of the Big Blue River. When it left its banks it closed off two roads that lead to our place. My heart goes out to all the farmers that have lost crops and livestock. One producer lost almost 500 birds with the "Shell Creek" came over its banks. One producer after the tornado went through on Thursday found his 60' grian bin on top of his house.
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