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Perspective

Perspective

No one understands, like a dairy farmer…

March 5, 2023

The decision has been made, and a deep sadness permeates everything. There are visions of what life will be, how life will feel.  Emptiness. The last headlock clanks, and the pump stops.  Silence fills every space on the farm. A final cow is loaded, and the truck and trailer head down the laneway and out the gate.  It’s over.  The feed wagon will sit idle, and the birds…

Perspective

I believe in the power of positivity

February 26, 2023

I believe in the power of positivity.  I BELIEVE in the power of the team.  And I believe in the strength of a village. It takes all of us. We are in the thick of playoff season, and our boy’s varsity basketball team survived their first sectional match-up.  Greenwich, 5 cede, was able to eliminate the four cede.  It was a nail-biter, as we did not take the…

Perspective

Connection with Faith and Farming

January 23, 2023

If you farm, you have faith. We have faith that the rain will spill over from the clouds when it’s dry.  And understand Mother Nature is on her time, not our time. Faith. Farmers have faith that the baby calf is going to live.  Praying that the sparkle comes back to her eyes, her coat shines again, and she jumps up at feeding time.   If the calf takes…

Perspective Travel

The cycle of life

October 3, 2022

It’s been a busy few days! It started with introducing Stephanie to the best donut in Rutland, Vermont.  We needed to be up there to support our friend and had a little time to burn up.  My brain went immediately to my stomach..and Jones’ Donuts.  If you like coconut, and frosting, on a donut, this is the one for you!  Don’t miss it if you are in the…

Perspective

The significance of a tree

September 7, 2022

The significance of a tree.  The big old pine has been with me my entire life.  It sits vigilantly by the old road, at the lake. The pine is not ancient in the way of trees. It’s a tall pine that managed to avoid the clutches of the hurricane back in 1938 when so many of the big pines got blown down and, as a result, still sit…

Lifestyle Perspective

Calling All Gnomes

August 21, 2022

It’s time for the fair! Once this hits your inbox, we will already be moving the cows in, shaking the flakes of hay out, and raking the alleyway for herdsmanship. Below is a piece I wrote years ago. It was prompted because one of the FFA leaders was looking for a garden gnome to complete their display at the fair.  The request gave me pause to think and recollect…

Business Perspective Travel

A Trip to Iowa

May 22, 2022

Last week I took a trip to Iowa to visit the Iowa Soybean Association. I introduced them to the concept of finding the best donut in Des Moines (Bethany and Lydia were very good sports), and they introduced me to 2 of their farmers and Iowa soybeans. The trip was about overseas markets and the economic environment here.  We talked about fuel costs and fertilizer costs and the…

Lifestyle Perspective

Laughing in Church

May 1, 2022

Dear Readers, It’s been a busy week!  Lacrosse is in full swing, the leaves are about ready to burst out of their buds and I think, by the time you open this article on Monday morning, there will be lilacs ready to be picked.  I do love this time of year, it’s so fresh. What I wanted to share this week, is just a little piece of a…

Perspective

Why I hug…

April 24, 2022

On Tuesday, November 5, 1985, my life and the way I think of goodbye changed, forever. Over the last few weeks, I have watched close people in my life suffer through losing people close to them.   I have been affected. Loss is a trigger to reflect and go deep within yourself.  And even though it may not be your loss, you can’t help but be affected watching people…

Family Perspective

A Boy Mom’s “Prom”

April 10, 2022

On this morning after prom, I am here to say that I think it’s much easier to be the mother of a boy during these occasions. Not nearly as stressful as what it is on the girl side. Mothers of boys spend their “day of” cleaning vehicles, reminding their boys to wash behind their ears, and then attach the boutonnière to their lapel.  We give them a quick once…