Okay, it’s been fun, but it’s time for the boys to get home.

I don’t mind doing the chores, with my helpful crew, it’s been a breeze…it’s all the socializing that’s done when all the work is through.

Yesterday at 11 am…I got the great idea to meet a girlfriend for lunch. We sat for two hours and caught up on things. I skidded into the school parking lot just in time to get the kids and made a date with another girlfriend who’s husband was going to be gone for the evening. After getting back home and starting chores another girlfriend stopped in to drop off her daughter for the afternoon and I invited her along for the girls night out.

When chores were through, we headed to the restaurant and I got home promptly at 9 pm….I started yawning during dinner and we all decided I needed some sleep. I hit the hay after visiting with the kids and when the alarm went off this morning I just couldn’t move.

I got all the chores done and had planned on heading to the outlet mall with mom, but I changed that slightly. My body just said, no, you need to shorten the trip and make it a shorter afternoon. So I’m headed to Jackson for a couple of hours and lunch of course. Then I’m coming home for a quick nap before all that milking stuff starts again.

Yes, the men need to come home so I can get some rest!

While the big boys are in Madison, us younger ones are left to keep the cows milked and fed.

All went well yesterday. When I got in from milking, Sarah had breakfast on the table and the coffee made! It was wonderful to come in a sit down to eat without having the get it on the table myself. After I got the kid to school, I started the rest of chores. No breakdowns, no melt downs, no hitches…just routine chores.

When I got done spreading manure my neighbor called, so I pulled up the lawn chair and just sat and talked on my cell phone. When our called got dropped, I just sat there and enjoyed the sunshine. Boy was that nice just sitting there with no immediate chore pushing me to get up and go.

Then I pulled out the lawnmower, considering the lawn hadn’t been mowed since before the fair…it was in bad shape! A trip to town was a sure bet since I needed a new belt and some string for my weed trimmer. So after a shower and a short nap, I headed to town. When I got home, I put the new belt on, started mowing the lawn and then it was time to pick up the kids. We started chores and the two teenagers that Bobby had hired to come help me with chores showed up early and we got a great start.

They were wonderful help, Sarah and Cody, they are “going out.” This is a county fair romance that is still going a week later…they are great help and a very cute couple!

When all the chores were done, Sarah, Jake and I headed out for dinner. I gave them the choice of where they wanted to go and where did they choose? McDonalds!

I heard from the travelers when they got to Madison. JW called me every two hours. I’m sure he didn’t mean to, but it just happened that way. Of course I didn’t mind at all~

They checked in this morning already and gave me the run down of everything they did and everyone they’ve helped do chores. Apparently they got up just as early as they do at home, headed out to the grounds and just helped out where they could. I’m just glad I”m not with the….if I were there I would insist everyone stay in bed until at least 6 am! For heaven’s sake it’s a vacation!!!

Gotta run….chores to do, gutters to clean, manure to spread and yes, one column to write…shame on me for not getting it done yesterday!

While the big boys are in Madison, us younger ones are left to keep the cows milked and fed.

All went well yesterday. When I got in from milking, Sarah had breakfast on the table and the coffee made! It was wonderful to come in a sit down to eat without having the get it on the table myself. After I got the kid to school, I started the rest of chores. No breakdowns, no melt downs, no hitches…just routine chores.

When I got done spreading manure my neighbor called, so I pulled up the lawn chair and just sat and talked on my cell phone. When our called got dropped, I just sat there and enjoyed the sunshine. Boy was that nice just sitting there with no immediate chore pushing me to get up and go.

Then I pulled out the lawnmower, considering the lawn hadn’t been mowed since before the fair…it was in bad shape! A trip to town was a sure bet since I needed a new belt and some string for my weed trimmer. So after a shower and a short nap, I headed to town. When I got home, I put the new belt on, started mowing the lawn and then it was time to pick up the kids. We started chores and the two teenagers that Bobby had hired to come help me with chores showed up early and we got a great start.

They were wonderful help, Sarah and Cody, they are “going out.” This is a county fair romance that is still going a week later…they are great help and a very cute couple!

When all the chores were done, Sarah, Jake and I headed out for dinner. I gave them the choice of where they wanted to go and where did they choose? McDonalds!

I heard from the travelers when they got to Madison. JW called me every two hours. I’m sure he didn’t mean to, but it just happened that way. Of course I didn’t mind at all~

They checked in this morning already and gave me the run down of everything they did and everyone they’ve helped do chores. Apparently they got up just as early as they do at home, headed out to the grounds and just helped out where they could. I’m just glad I”m not with the….if I were there I would insist everyone stay in bed until at least 6 am! For heaven’s sake it’s a vacation!!!

Gotta run….chores to do, gutters to clean, manure to spread and yes, one column to write…shame on me for not getting it done yesterday!

It’s a beautiful cool morning here on the Knolltop with a sunrise beyond compare.

Yesterday I was visiting with my mom, who happened to be at World Dairy Expo, I think everyone has gone there but me. Anyway, she and my dad were there to deliver an Ayrshire cow. My nephew in Montana, the one with the very lucritive “dairy ranch” had such a demand for milk out there that he needed another cow. Because he already had an Ayrshire and he’s convinced they have better milk, another Ayrshire will now call the hills of Joliet, Montana home.

She will awaken to a sunrise in the east that will splash light on the Rocky Mountain Range that is just to the west of her pasture. She will bask in the dry climate and never have a worry of running out of companionship with her new herdmate, BetseyLou and the brood of Missouri Foxtrotters that also call this ranch home. Imagine, way out there, two dairy cows producing a product so high in value the city dwellers are willing to pay $7 a gallon for it while all I hear around here is how expensive $3.59 is for a gallon of milk. I think I’m milking cows in the wrong part of the country.

Well, to continue that swapping story, my parents met my nephew and my brother-in-law and his brother in Madison. They all had a good time enjoying the big show and then the Montanans headed back west and my parents headed back east around the lake.

I’d better get going, I’ve got a couple of columns to write today…plus all that wonderful other routine work that keeps me from becoming a couch potato.

It’s a beautiful cool morning here on the Knolltop with a sunrise beyond compare.

Yesterday I was visiting with my mom, who happened to be at World Dairy Expo, I think everyone has gone there but me. Anyway, she and my dad were there to deliver an Ayrshire cow. My nephew in Montana, the one with the very lucritive “dairy ranch” had such a demand for milk out there that he needed another cow. Because he already had an Ayrshire and he’s convinced they have better milk, another Ayrshire will now call the hills of Joliet, Montana home.

She will awaken to a sunrise in the east that will splash light on the Rocky Mountain Range that is just to the west of her pasture. She will bask in the dry climate and never have a worry of running out of companionship with her new herdmate, BetseyLou and the brood of Missouri Foxtrotters that also call this ranch home. Imagine, way out there, two dairy cows producing a product so high in value the city dwellers are willing to pay $7 a gallon for it while all I hear around here is how expensive $3.59 is for a gallon of milk. I think I’m milking cows in the wrong part of the country.

Well, to continue that swapping story, my parents met my nephew and my brother-in-law and his brother in Madison. They all had a good time enjoying the big show and then the Montanans headed back west and my parents headed back east around the lake.

I’d better get going, I’ve got a couple of columns to write today…plus all that wonderful other routine work that keeps me from becoming a couch potato.

I ask that question sarcastically because I have a great friend of mine who is crazy not only about the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Tornonto but who also seems to find redeemng qualities in the Jersey cow.

Russell Gammon, Executive Secretary of Jersey Canada, otherwise known as the “Big Guy” of Canadian Jerseys, or as he likes to refer to himself as Jerseyboy, is a big… no huge fan of the Royal and I wanted to share with you the comments he sent to me this morning about their big event coming up. I think we’ll all be ready to hop in the car and cross the border after reading his description of one of the best ag expositions in the world.

It has been thirty-one years (November 1976 while I was a student at the U of G’s Ontario Agricultural College) since my first memorable visit to “The Royal.” I’ve been back every year since then and certainly every year since 1981! More than an autumnal rite of passage “The Royal” is sheer magic! The people, the sights and sounds, the excellence of competition, the fun, frivolity, joy of socializing and the scores of international visitors and amount of business conducted there are all an intoxicating mix of delights!!!

You long for those few golden days in November all year through. Then, as soon as one Royal is over you start dreaming about next year! We have some great Jersey shows in Canada because great conformation is one of our Canuck hallmarks and international calling cards! Nonetheless, the Royal is known world over as “THE BIG Dance”, “THE one to win”, “The Grand-daddy and Grand-mammy of them all” !!! In short the Royal is the jewel in the crown and nothing else quite compares! That’s why since 1922 which is far from yesterday it has been “simply the best!”

Russell, your passion for cows and love of the Royal is palpable, thanks for sharing!

I ask that question sarcastically because I have a great friend of mine who is crazy not only about the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Tornonto but who also seems to find redeemng qualities in the Jersey cow.

Russell Gammon, Executive Secretary of Jersey Canada, otherwise known as the “Big Guy” of Canadian Jerseys, or as he likes to refer to himself as Jerseyboy, is a big… no huge fan of the Royal and I wanted to share with you the comments he sent to me this morning about their big event coming up. I think we’ll all be ready to hop in the car and cross the border after reading his description of one of the best ag expositions in the world.

It has been thirty-one years (November 1976 while I was a student at the U of G’s Ontario Agricultural College) since my first memorable visit to “The Royal.” I’ve been back every year since then and certainly every year since 1981! More than an autumnal rite of passage “The Royal” is sheer magic! The people, the sights and sounds, the excellence of competition, the fun, frivolity, joy of socializing and the scores of international visitors and amount of business conducted there are all an intoxicating mix of delights!!!

You long for those few golden days in November all year through. Then, as soon as one Royal is over you start dreaming about next year! We have some great Jersey shows in Canada because great conformation is one of our Canuck hallmarks and international calling cards! Nonetheless, the Royal is known world over as “THE BIG Dance”, “THE one to win”, “The Grand-daddy and Grand-mammy of them all” !!! In short the Royal is the jewel in the crown and nothing else quite compares! That’s why since 1922 which is far from yesterday it has been “simply the best!”

Russell, your passion for cows and love of the Royal is palpable, thanks for sharing!

It’s windy, cool and spitting rain. It feels and smells like a storm moving in. But I think it’s supposed to clear off.

I’m feeling a bit more normal now. We’ve had a couple of nights of popcorn eating and homework doing….so we’re getting back into the routine. Tonight Bobby has to run the chains at the Junior High football game and I’ll stay home and milk.

JW is still getting up and milking for the neighbors. He’s in a better mood in the mornings after he’s gone out and done something. I don’t know if he’s content because he’s making money or just the physical activity makes him feel better.

We’ve been getting on the internet to see who won what classes out at Madison. It’s my only way to be connected to the show…they have lots of pictures of each class so that’s fun. So far a Michigan Jersey owned by Greta Koebel of Three Oaks won Junior Champion of the Junior Show and I saw that Craig Martin of Springport was 10th in a heifer class…which is nothing to sneeze at when you’re showing at one of the best shows in the world.

I’ll get on this morning and see what else happened….I just love the internet! Oh and the shavings this year are a dusty rose color…it looks just like brand new carpet.

Better get going….coffee and errands await!

It’s windy, cool and spitting rain. It feels and smells like a storm moving in. But I think it’s supposed to clear off.

I’m feeling a bit more normal now. We’ve had a couple of nights of popcorn eating and homework doing….so we’re getting back into the routine. Tonight Bobby has to run the chains at the Junior High football game and I’ll stay home and milk.

JW is still getting up and milking for the neighbors. He’s in a better mood in the mornings after he’s gone out and done something. I don’t know if he’s content because he’s making money or just the physical activity makes him feel better.

We’ve been getting on the internet to see who won what classes out at Madison. It’s my only way to be connected to the show…they have lots of pictures of each class so that’s fun. So far a Michigan Jersey owned by Greta Koebel of Three Oaks won Junior Champion of the Junior Show and I saw that Craig Martin of Springport was 10th in a heifer class…which is nothing to sneeze at when you’re showing at one of the best shows in the world.

I’ll get on this morning and see what else happened….I just love the internet! Oh and the shavings this year are a dusty rose color…it looks just like brand new carpet.

Better get going….coffee and errands await!

Well, this week is Madison and farm women all across the country are saying goodbye to their counterparts and looking at doing chores alone on the farm. Whether it be one cow our 200, those left home to keep things together for the family farm are happy to do so because they know that husband needs a few days or hours away just to get a fresh perspective.

My husband will be heading out this week as well and he’s taking our two best hands with him. While I would love to be in the car riding along as they head through the traffic of Chicago and then look across the fields and fields of corn in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, I’m happy to stay home and keep the cows fed and milked. They will have a great time as Bobby is able to take his two older boys who haven’t been to World Dairy Expo since they were 3 and 5 years old (they don’t remember it). He will them story after story after story of all the years he spent fitting cows at Madison. They will finally be able to put a face to all the names they have heard about over the years and I can’t wait to hear their reaction when they look across the colored shavings and watch as the best of the best enter a showring fit for queens.

In the meantime…I’ve got to make sure they have enough clean clothes to pack….off to the laundry room with a big cup of coffee!