Today was long is some ways and short in others. It was short since David and I spent all day driving to and from Bismarck for another committee meeting. We had a good trip there and found out there will be at least one more meeting next Tuesday regarding cow-share regulating.
On the way home we stopped and looked at an E-250 Ford panel van south of Minot to see if it would work for deliveries. It would, except it is a little out of our price range at the moment ($6,400). While in Bismarck we stopped at a few dairy supply stores and some iodine teat dip and a new brush for the milking equipment.
David is a really big help in navigating the maze of roads in Bismarck/Mandan. He's also been instrumental in changing the minds of Representative Kiefert and Headland at some of the various committee meetings recently. Good work David! It goes to show that no one is too young to make a difference.
What made the day seem short was having so much to think about. There is a battle of ideas going on out there. It is important to have an understanding of the teachings in the Bible to be able to decipher the errors in what people say and reconcile it with an understanding of the Truth. We are thankful that the Lord has all things in His hand and will bring about His will through this legislation.
Peter
=Sent from my PPad (paper pad)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
April 8th, 2013
Greetings,
Last night some of us congregated in the living room just before bedtime. David and I were able to get one round of the Farming game in while Dad cleaned up milk dishes for me. While we were all sitting there, I noticed Mom's box of old blog posts from around 2005 sitting in the corner. I grabbed it and we read aloud some of the adventures that Jonathan wrote about on his blog a while back. We were talking about old times and reminiscing about all the experiences we've had. I am grateful that we wrote what we did when we did it, because just reading some of those old posts is enough to spark my memory about those exciting times we had.
But the excitement isn't over! I am still living an exciting life and I know that what is written now will be useful for future edification and encouragement to others. I'm sure we will look back and appreciate the time spent jotting a few daily happenings, even if they aren't that unusual.
So, last night I scribbled down the following blog entry on a spare sheet of paper in my Bible. It recounts some of yesterday's happenings. Written with a blunt pencil in sloppy cursive, the sentences may not be as nicely put as they could have been if I had typed them on a keyboard.
April 8th, 2013
Today was a productive day for me. I started the day by gulping down a half gallon of water right after I got up. It is refreshing to drink a bunch of water all at one time as long as it is not ice cold. I filled a milk bottle up before going to bed last night so it could warm to room temperature.
Dad and Jonathan are pouring over the egg laying chicken proforma right now, trying to refine the numbers to make it more profitable.
I copied and sent some of the contracts that have been sitting on my desk for too long. They become a part of the scenery and I forget about them, so it's nice to get some of them taken care of finally. I had to buy four stamps from Mom since I'm out right now.
After lunch I went upstairs to take a 20 minute nap and had been laying there for about 10 minutes when David burst into the room and called out that Doug Goehring was on the Scott Hennen radio show. I was immediately alert and flipped my covers off to get out of bed to join David downstairs. We tried to get the radio program number off the web, but the connection was too slow to get anywhere. I called a different number and left my message, then we got the radio going online and heard just enough to miss the call number that the host rattled off so quickly. Andrew went upstairs to see if he could get Dad's computer to find the phone number while Dad was on class, but David finally figured out the number and I called in. They asked me my name, area, and what I was calling for. Then the radio began playing and the host came on air. After a minute or so (my heart beating) Mr. Hennen said something to the effect of, "Let's take another caller here, . . . Peter in Bottineau, what's on your mind?" I replied that,"I was calling in regard to the discussion on Senate Bill 2072 about cow-sharing, and I just wanted to make it clear to everyone listening that we are not talking about anything to do with the sale of raw milk (which is the most common misconception regarding true cow-sharing). It's an issue of state regulation of private cow ownership." Another few seconds of explanation and I said what I needed. He basically agreed and let me off the line.
Those kind of experiences are rather fun, if I know I am doing it for the sake of the Truth. David kept the recorder going to capture any additional comments that may be made, while I went out to do barn chores.
I hear kittens scratching in the box behind me. We haven't paid as much attention to them this batch. Well, I suppose it's time to go. Peter
Comments:
Peter
Last night some of us congregated in the living room just before bedtime. David and I were able to get one round of the Farming game in while Dad cleaned up milk dishes for me. While we were all sitting there, I noticed Mom's box of old blog posts from around 2005 sitting in the corner. I grabbed it and we read aloud some of the adventures that Jonathan wrote about on his blog a while back. We were talking about old times and reminiscing about all the experiences we've had. I am grateful that we wrote what we did when we did it, because just reading some of those old posts is enough to spark my memory about those exciting times we had.
But the excitement isn't over! I am still living an exciting life and I know that what is written now will be useful for future edification and encouragement to others. I'm sure we will look back and appreciate the time spent jotting a few daily happenings, even if they aren't that unusual.
So, last night I scribbled down the following blog entry on a spare sheet of paper in my Bible. It recounts some of yesterday's happenings. Written with a blunt pencil in sloppy cursive, the sentences may not be as nicely put as they could have been if I had typed them on a keyboard.
April 8th, 2013
Today was a productive day for me. I started the day by gulping down a half gallon of water right after I got up. It is refreshing to drink a bunch of water all at one time as long as it is not ice cold. I filled a milk bottle up before going to bed last night so it could warm to room temperature.
Dad and Jonathan are pouring over the egg laying chicken proforma right now, trying to refine the numbers to make it more profitable.
I copied and sent some of the contracts that have been sitting on my desk for too long. They become a part of the scenery and I forget about them, so it's nice to get some of them taken care of finally. I had to buy four stamps from Mom since I'm out right now.
After lunch I went upstairs to take a 20 minute nap and had been laying there for about 10 minutes when David burst into the room and called out that Doug Goehring was on the Scott Hennen radio show. I was immediately alert and flipped my covers off to get out of bed to join David downstairs. We tried to get the radio program number off the web, but the connection was too slow to get anywhere. I called a different number and left my message, then we got the radio going online and heard just enough to miss the call number that the host rattled off so quickly. Andrew went upstairs to see if he could get Dad's computer to find the phone number while Dad was on class, but David finally figured out the number and I called in. They asked me my name, area, and what I was calling for. Then the radio began playing and the host came on air. After a minute or so (my heart beating) Mr. Hennen said something to the effect of, "Let's take another caller here, . . . Peter in Bottineau, what's on your mind?" I replied that,"I was calling in regard to the discussion on Senate Bill 2072 about cow-sharing, and I just wanted to make it clear to everyone listening that we are not talking about anything to do with the sale of raw milk (which is the most common misconception regarding true cow-sharing). It's an issue of state regulation of private cow ownership." Another few seconds of explanation and I said what I needed. He basically agreed and let me off the line.
Those kind of experiences are rather fun, if I know I am doing it for the sake of the Truth. David kept the recorder going to capture any additional comments that may be made, while I went out to do barn chores.
I hear kittens scratching in the box behind me. We haven't paid as much attention to them this batch. Well, I suppose it's time to go. Peter
Comments:
- Doug Goehring is the ND Agriculture Commissioner. He is responsible for encouraging the state Dairy Director to ban cow-sharing this legislative session.
- I was interviewed on the Scott Hennen show a few days ago about SB 2072. The conservatives in ND don't agree with the Commissioner, and we wanted to add some clarification to his take on on cow-sharing in ND. That's why I called in.
Peter
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Twenty-eight Below
Greetings!
A chilly day here today. I rolled out of bed to a rather cold bedroom this morning. All of us boys are now sleeping in the almost-completed master bedroom in the main floor of the house. We don't have the woodstove ductwork installed yet so the only heat is what comes up through the ladder hole and a few vent slots in the floor.
In the beginning of this week we heard rumor of cold temperatures coming for a short time, so we were prepared mentally for the weather we have experienced today and yesterday. But it is hard to be physically prepared for temperatures like we had this morning. Andrew said that he talked to Mrs. M at Metigoshe Ministies this afternoon and she said her thermometer read -28 degrees F! That is not including the windchill which Mom said was being reported at about minus fifty-five. I will be thankful when the balmy five degrees above zero arrives as predicted.
Part of the challenge in the cold weather is keeping the cows' teats from freezing. They say you should protect the cow's udders from the cold whenever the temperatures fall below 10 degrees OR you have a significant windchill. We had both today. So, the three currently milking cows were locked up in one side of the barn for overnight and most of today and are there again tonight. The other half of the barn housed eight other cows which needed the barn for shelter. After about 2 p.m. I had to let the cows out to fill up on hay since I wasn't able to fork enough to satisfy them in the barn.
I could tell tonight that just after the short time the cows were out in the cold, Sandy's forward right teat got a little frostbitten and a few others may have as well. Milking is more difficult once the teat is swollen and then it will blister and eventually recover. In the mean time it is important to keep it sanitized with the teat dip and clean to avoid infection entering the udder.
Just wanted to let you know what I've been up to.
Talk to you later,
Peter
.
A chilly day here today. I rolled out of bed to a rather cold bedroom this morning. All of us boys are now sleeping in the almost-completed master bedroom in the main floor of the house. We don't have the woodstove ductwork installed yet so the only heat is what comes up through the ladder hole and a few vent slots in the floor.
In the beginning of this week we heard rumor of cold temperatures coming for a short time, so we were prepared mentally for the weather we have experienced today and yesterday. But it is hard to be physically prepared for temperatures like we had this morning. Andrew said that he talked to Mrs. M at Metigoshe Ministies this afternoon and she said her thermometer read -28 degrees F! That is not including the windchill which Mom said was being reported at about minus fifty-five. I will be thankful when the balmy five degrees above zero arrives as predicted.
Part of the challenge in the cold weather is keeping the cows' teats from freezing. They say you should protect the cow's udders from the cold whenever the temperatures fall below 10 degrees OR you have a significant windchill. We had both today. So, the three currently milking cows were locked up in one side of the barn for overnight and most of today and are there again tonight. The other half of the barn housed eight other cows which needed the barn for shelter. After about 2 p.m. I had to let the cows out to fill up on hay since I wasn't able to fork enough to satisfy them in the barn.
I could tell tonight that just after the short time the cows were out in the cold, Sandy's forward right teat got a little frostbitten and a few others may have as well. Milking is more difficult once the teat is swollen and then it will blister and eventually recover. In the mean time it is important to keep it sanitized with the teat dip and clean to avoid infection entering the udder.
Just wanted to let you know what I've been up to.
Talk to you later,
Peter
.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
19th Winter
Well, I've just past the date that marks my 19th winter. . . I turned 18 on January 27th!
I can't express how thankful I am for all the kind words and gifts I received on my birthday. Thank you all very much! I have everything I need right now, so anything more is a real blessing.
I got in from doing chores and found Mom had cooked up a delightful breakfast of hot oatmeal with raisins and apple chunks mixed in, and besides that she made crispy donut muffins and served fresh oranges.
We usually gather as a family for devotions at breakfast, but that day Dad and David left to do some milk delivering for me. Jonathan took Dad's place and led the reading of the Word and then we sang our morning hymn together.
I opened up the gifts and found some pretty special surprises. Thank you all for the cards and kind words! One of the gifts was a particularly practical item from Andrew. He gave me was a compact, sturdy little LED pocket flashlight. I carry it around with me all the time now. It's the perfect size for a tool light and bright enough for spotting varmints at night. Thank you Andrew!
Jonathan gave me a very inspiring and thoughtful gift. It is the book called The Family by J.R. Miller which gives a very important Christian perspective on what family life should be in terms of God's Word. I will cherish the book for many years to come. Thank you Jonathan!
Mom gave me a clever and creative gift. Have you ever seen a tea tumbler? I hadn't. It is basically a glass thermos, so it is easily kept clean, with an insulated lid and a mesh straining insert that fits into the mouth of the bottle. In the early morning before I go out to the barn, I can boil a little water and pour it into the tumbler with the tea leaves, and then cap it and let it steep. The mesh filter strains the tea as you drink it so once the water is poured in you are ready to go. I don't have to wait until it has steeped to pour it into the thermos to drink, it is ready immediately. Thank you Mom!
Dad and Mom gave a gift that will certainly free up some time for the bottle washer. An envelope with money towards a dishwasher (which I am now looking to purchase). I appreciate all the time Mom has volunteered to keep the cabinet stocked with squeaky clean bottles, but with the addition of an automatic dishwasher in the near future I hope she will have more time to do the things she has set aside due to bottle washing. Thank you Mom and Dad!
One gift I received from David a couple days prior to my birthday. He bought me the DVDs of the new movie Courageous and the not-so-new Flywheel which were made by the Kendrick brothers and Sherwood Baptist Church. I hadn't seen Courageous before and am really thankful to have been able to see it and have a copy to show others! It delivers a powerful message of the importance of godly fatherhood. You can't help but feel the hand of God motivating you to be like the courageous fathers that you see in the film. It is a great tool for influencing the minds and lives of all who see it. Courageous is now sold in our local Walmart! Thank you David!
". . .for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
I can't express how thankful I am for all the kind words and gifts I received on my birthday. Thank you all very much! I have everything I need right now, so anything more is a real blessing.
I got in from doing chores and found Mom had cooked up a delightful breakfast of hot oatmeal with raisins and apple chunks mixed in, and besides that she made crispy donut muffins and served fresh oranges.
We usually gather as a family for devotions at breakfast, but that day Dad and David left to do some milk delivering for me. Jonathan took Dad's place and led the reading of the Word and then we sang our morning hymn together.
I opened up the gifts and found some pretty special surprises. Thank you all for the cards and kind words! One of the gifts was a particularly practical item from Andrew. He gave me was a compact, sturdy little LED pocket flashlight. I carry it around with me all the time now. It's the perfect size for a tool light and bright enough for spotting varmints at night. Thank you Andrew!
Jonathan gave me a very inspiring and thoughtful gift. It is the book called The Family by J.R. Miller which gives a very important Christian perspective on what family life should be in terms of God's Word. I will cherish the book for many years to come. Thank you Jonathan!
Mom gave me a clever and creative gift. Have you ever seen a tea tumbler? I hadn't. It is basically a glass thermos, so it is easily kept clean, with an insulated lid and a mesh straining insert that fits into the mouth of the bottle. In the early morning before I go out to the barn, I can boil a little water and pour it into the tumbler with the tea leaves, and then cap it and let it steep. The mesh filter strains the tea as you drink it so once the water is poured in you are ready to go. I don't have to wait until it has steeped to pour it into the thermos to drink, it is ready immediately. Thank you Mom!
 |
| Tea Tumbler |
 |
| Me holding the candles for my cheesecake dessert. Mom has a great recipe for cheesecake that uses homemade yogurt cheese and whipped cream for the filling. |
One gift I received from David a couple days prior to my birthday. He bought me the DVDs of the new movie Courageous and the not-so-new Flywheel which were made by the Kendrick brothers and Sherwood Baptist Church. I hadn't seen Courageous before and am really thankful to have been able to see it and have a copy to show others! It delivers a powerful message of the importance of godly fatherhood. You can't help but feel the hand of God motivating you to be like the courageous fathers that you see in the film. It is a great tool for influencing the minds and lives of all who see it. Courageous is now sold in our local Walmart! Thank you David!
Sincerely,
Peter
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Thank you Andrew
Here's the finished results of an idea that I had a while ago. We recently submitted these to be printed on magnets by Vista Print.
Each family that owns a share of a cow will receive one of these magnets to show which cow they they own. Being on a magnet, they can display it on their refrigerator for others to see. I think it will connect them to the farm a little better and make them appreciate where their milk really comes from. It is also a great way to spread the word about our dairy as it will bring up conversations at the customer's homes about them really owning their own milk cow.
Andrew did all the work of designing on the magnets and used his latest new program Adobe Photoshop to do a few touch ups to the pictures. There is few tools in Photoshop that he used to brush the cows and smooth out a few spots that their hair was ruffled. He also swatted the flies on Sandy's nose with one of the tools. Combine the skill of the user with the professionalism of the program and you have some pretty amazing results. Thank you Andrew!
More another time,
Peter
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" 1 Peter 2:2
Each family that owns a share of a cow will receive one of these magnets to show which cow they they own. Being on a magnet, they can display it on their refrigerator for others to see. I think it will connect them to the farm a little better and make them appreciate where their milk really comes from. It is also a great way to spread the word about our dairy as it will bring up conversations at the customer's homes about them really owning their own milk cow.
Andrew did all the work of designing on the magnets and used his latest new program Adobe Photoshop to do a few touch ups to the pictures. There is few tools in Photoshop that he used to brush the cows and smooth out a few spots that their hair was ruffled. He also swatted the flies on Sandy's nose with one of the tools. Combine the skill of the user with the professionalism of the program and you have some pretty amazing results. Thank you Andrew!
More another time,
Peter
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" 1 Peter 2:2
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Upgrade
Hello,
Well, even though spring is a busy time of year, we are still able to take some time to do things we enjoy. For me, one of those things I enjoy doing is playing guitar.
Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to purchase a Blueridge BR-160 guitar at a discount price! It's retail value is $995 according to one dealer. Having a high quality insrument has inspired me to play more now, and I can tell it has made a difference in the smoothness of my playing.
Here's a short tune I played this afternoon. Enjoy!
Amanda's Reel from Bartlett Productions on Vimeo.
Well, even though spring is a busy time of year, we are still able to take some time to do things we enjoy. For me, one of those things I enjoy doing is playing guitar.
Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to purchase a Blueridge BR-160 guitar at a discount price! It's retail value is $995 according to one dealer. Having a high quality insrument has inspired me to play more now, and I can tell it has made a difference in the smoothness of my playing.
Here's a short tune I played this afternoon. Enjoy!
Amanda's Reel from Bartlett Productions on Vimeo.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Spring Preparations
Well, spring is getting busier all the time! After a few very busy weeks of traveling to the homeschool convention and going to Carlton Minnesota, it is good to be back to a routine and be able to get things ready for the season ahead.
We have some new additions to the farm that you have probably heard about from the other blogs. One of them is the new pigs. Blackhock the gilt had a litter of 13 half Hampshire and half Berkshire pigs. We have taken one in the house to feed since it didn't grow fast enough for some reason and it wasn't getting a chance to nurse.
I'm back to milking now, since Della delivered her calf. It's a heifer and she is doing really good. We separated the calf from her mother soon after she was born so that we wouldn't run into problems keeping them apart later. The weather was nice too so there wasn't the threat of it getting chilled. It was an easy and fast delivery.
My days now include about an hour of horse training with David and Darla. It is a pleasure to work with an animal that tries really hard to do what you want. She is learning very well and will be all set to ride by the time the snow has melted.
Peter
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