Preparing for the Storm

Well, hurricane season is in full force this year and our part of the Gulf Coast has finally been affected. With hurricane Sally bearing down on our little farm, we have had to spend some time preparing for the storm.

Now if you have never had to be a part of storm prep, count yourself blessed. Water, gas, and food are just some of the top items to be taken care of. Gas cans are filled along with all of the vehicles; and on the farm, diesel tanks get filled too. In case of power outages, generators come in handy for keeping freezers and such going and the tractors will be a must.

Water is an easy one. We have well water, so no power, no water. Bottled water is needed for drinking and depending on how long the power is out, stored water could be needed for bathing and such! Most people fill their bathtubs with water for possible use. Thankfully, we have the pond, so we have a water source in case of emergencies, like flushing toilets! Food is a no-brainer, right? We need storm snacks! A grocery store run is expected, even if the cabinets are already full; it’s just one of those things that must be done! But seriously, food that can be warmed or cooked on the grill or gas stove are a must.

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When I Need a Reminder!

pair of shoes sitting on an old washing machine

Have you ever had an item that just reminds you of a particular memory? Maybe that item is old and worn out, but because of the memories that it holds, you can’t get rid of it or through it away? Sometimes we need a reminder!

For me that item is this pair of shoes. These shoes are 15 years old and worn out. I’ve had the heels replaced once, but I still wear them every now and then. They remind me of a time in my life when I hated myself and was pretty upset with God. These shoes are the single greatest reminder of love for me. I will probably wear them until they fall apart and even then, I won’t throw them away. As a matter of fact, I wore them this weekend!

See in February of 2006, I had open heart surgery for a congenital birth defect. It was my second surgery for this. My children were 6, 3, & 1 at the time, and I was devastated. I literally planned for my death. Although miraculous that I had survived 3 pregnancies, and the children had survived, after surgery I had a hard time being thankful or feeling blessed.

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Weaning Time!

kittens playing on the porch

It’s weaning time on the farm! Honestly, even the litter of kittens is getting weaned! The calves have grown well and the mothers have done a great job, but the time has come to separate the calves from their mothers. This can be a stressful time for everyone involved!

We wean “the kids,” as we call them, at 205 days of age. That is approximately 7 months old. Now if you are a parent or a grandparent, you can probably relate a little bit to what is going on. Have you ever taken a 1 to 2-year-old off the bottle? Just imagine when the baby is 600 to 800 pounds!

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