Ear Plugs

I used to never wear ear plugs. In the last five years I have been trying to stuff them in my ears whenever I would be sitting on the tractor for hours at a time, like chopping. For my birthday this year my wife bought me one of those headset kind of ear plugs. They are so nice. It is so much quieter then the ear plugs. Plus now I can listen to the radio which helps pass the time... Yesterday I started chopping about 8:30 and quit about 6:00. This is so sad... In that amount of time I covered about 40 acres and had maybe 10 loads to show for it. It may have been closer to 15.
Back to the ear plugs. I have had lots of trouble with my ears in the past. The last thing I need or want to do is ruin what I have left. I have enough trouble singing and hearing certain pitches now so I intend to not make it worse...

Another Milestone

I have reached another milestone. This past Sat. I increased in age by one. It is something. I am amazed how old I feel at times. Poor memory, no stamina, can't take the heat, weary, creaky bones, sore muscles. Why is this? I thought people in their mid 30's were suppose to be in the prime of life? The struggle to survive, pay the bills, love your family, relate to the church in a positive way, be a good boss, relate to extended family. How is this suppose to all work without producing a sever depression? Funny, I don't feel depressed at the moment and depression isn't one of things I struggle with daily. Their are times when I wonder if this is really the way it should be. The world we live in has made it easy to be anywhere in the world with ease (somewhat). It is easy to be very busy... Having said all of that I was thinking this morning I can't think of another occupation I would rather have then dairy farming. Sounds crazy I know.... What a rambling post...

Mechanical Difficulties

We have begun chopping again. We are cutting some really sorry stuff. So far we are getting a load every 2 acres or something. Makes me wonder if it is really worth doing. Anyway, I digress, yesterday I noticed smoke coming from the chopper. This, obviously, means something is rubbing something else and it shouldn't be doing this thing. So I found the offending bearing and pumped a bunch of grease into it deepest parts. Today, it started smoking again, it must have needed the nicotine. This time we discovered a few other problems. This bearing is on the main shaft that is rotating the knives. We noticed some of the knives had been rubbing on something and we naturally assumed it was the sheer-bar. So I got down on one knee and peered through the debris and discovered the knives were a long way from the sheer-bar. This lead to the 2x4 wobble test. We placed the 2x4 in a strategic prying spot and were able to determine that the shaft was moving up down and every which way. This confirmed our worst fears. The bearing was shot, BANG!!! So we tore it apart and were happy nothing else got tore apart before we tore it apart. (Do you know what I mean?) I called my trusty John Deere dealer and discovered they didn't have the part in stock. It is suppose to be their by 8:00 in the morning. Time will tell... Just so you know, I spent four hours today fighting with a dump wagon flat....

Luck

In my last post I wondered if I should use the word luck. We use it so casually or something. Is their such a thing as luck??? Maybe it depends on what you are referring to. If you are playing the lottery or something you would be lucky to win I guess... What is your take on luck? Do you take luck?

Home Again

Made it home roughly 30 min. ago. IT is so great to come home and know you were missed and loved... Tomorrow it is back to the grind of daily life. Wish me luck...

The Wedding

What a beautiful wedding. Here are some facts. The bridal party consisted of Dave's children and their spouses. Roy Ulrich read scripture for the processional. I really liked this. I thought it was very unique. The recessional was a congregational song which Dave started, I think. This is also the first Mennonite wedding I have attended where clapping occurred after the couple was announced. Maybe this is common in other Mennonite circles but I was unfamiliar with it. It did feel like the appropriate thing to do. I was impressed with several things.
1. The children made a statement to Dave and Alice in the ceremony of their commitment to them.
2. Alice's desire to allow Roz's memory to live.
3. Dave's firm resolve to make this marriage a success. This is what impressed me the most and here is why. Most people who get married are very young and glib and don't know what they are getting into. Dave understands because he has been married, (For those of you who don't know the facts: Dave's first wife passed away 2 years ago.) he knows some of the struggles. However, he will be facing new challenges as he leads his family. May God give him wisdom...

Travels

After much struggle with vehicles and such we left the greater Lynchburg area around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. Our arrival at the Faith Builder complex occurred about 1:30 AM. We, VOP, will be going to the church to rehearse here in a few minuets. Dave Gingerich's wedding is suppose to begin at 1:00 this afternoon. We will be singing around 8 songs. Kelvin Good (former member) will be helping on two of the songs. Dave knows millions of people and I am somewhat surprised to be singing at his wedding.
We will be leaving tomorrow for Shippingsburg, PA and the New Hope Mennonite church.

Quote Part II

In response to Aleya's question I wanted to tell her Jesus does have toys and I am one of them. He does whatever, whenever. He can play with my life. I didn't tell her that. In fact, I DON'T believe that. However their are times I have my doubts and wonder....
Do you?

Quotes

Aleya wonders
Does Jesus have toys?

Family Devotions

What do you do for family devotions? How do you have family devotions that will interest 2,4,and6 year old children?

Amazed

About two weeks ago we were handed a check from our Deacon for $14,000. An anonymous person wanted to help pay our adoption expenses. Quite frankly, I am still speechless. How do you thank someone for such a gift?

More Stuff

First, Sonny got sick and was unable to fly until this morning. They will be gone until wed. evening. VOP participated in a wedding today in Harrisonburg. Eric Heatwhole married Ruth Showalter. Very lovely, simple wedding.
Next week will find us involved in another wedding in Guys Mills PA. Dave Gingerich is getting married. The wedding is on Fri afternoon so we will be leaving Thursday afternoon sometime. We will then be doing a weekend tour. Stopping at New Hope Mennonite in Shippingsburg PA Sat. evening. We will be in Harrisungburg Sunday morning at Morning View Mennonite. Sunday evening we will be at Rivermont Presbyterian.

Stuff

Sonny and Ruth are on their way to the airport in Greensboro NC. They are flying to LA to visit some friends. They will be gone till the middle of next week. Sonny threw up this morning but as far as I know they are still leaving today. So I got chores this afternoon and then practice tonight for a wedding we are singing at on Sat. in Harrisonburg. It is 91 degrees outside and is suppose to top off at 99. Man that is to hot...

Book Two

You probably are not aware of this fact so I will fill you in. Rachel's mother has published another book. This is book two in the Cozy Homespun Series. I was privileged to be an editor which to some of you will come as a major shock. You know how well I write and how terrible my english is.
So if you are interested in a book for your children that talks about the life of three little girls let us know.

Sierra

You know, it is hard to post when some one is reading what you are posting as you are posting. Sierra is sitting here waiting to play Phase 10. So she is constantly quizzing me on what I am going to post on. I respond to her in truth and tell her I really have no idea. She wonders if I am going to write about something funny that happened today. I inform her I am not sure if anything that happened today was funny. So I guess you are reading something that is really boring and has no eternal value. Or does it?

Jayden

Jayden noticed us big people propping up our feet when we were sitting around the fire. This was his reaction. He thought he was cool...

Men

Kyle enjoyed the manly discussions...
Or not...

Again

Don't know what they are doing here except for paying in the dirt. I think the stones were their dolls.

Girls

These girls were really something... Here Lyssa is the kitty and Leya is petting her...
They played and played and played. No fusses for them. Well their was one but that is it....

Days 5/6

First thing yesterday morning we put the chopper back together. After which we managed to cut about 4 loads before it all flew apart again. So we worked on it again and fixed it more better. This time it stayed together. Unfortunately it took quite a bit of time and we didn't get started cutting till 12:00. About 2:00 the high pressure hydraulic line running from the hydraulic oil pump to the steering column started leaking. This caused another 30 min. delay. The around five the wheel bearings went kaput in the chopper axle we had already replaced. I think it ruined the axle. Anyway, we took the other axle off of the other rusty chopper to replace the axle that had already been replaced. We then ran steady till dark (9:00).
We have two loads left to cut. I am planning on heading to the field here in a few minuets to cut them. Later on today we are leaving for Friendship Village in Bedford, PA to camp with my wife's people. I am looking forward to this. The family is in quite an uproar. Rod's are trying to get things down before leaving for Mexico and Dad and Mom are trying to sell their house so they can move to Heralds Of Hope. It has been a very active summer and a busy fall is in the making

Day 4

Ugh....
It was so hot today. 104 degrees is smoking hot....
We had a decent day until two this afternoon when the left front wagon tire blew.
Then, about four the right front tire blew. (They were both shot and needed to be blown...)
Then about five one of the wobble arms on the chopper came apart. The wobble arm is attached to the knife that cuts the corn off of the stalk. I can't think of a better way to say it right now so if you are really confused I am sorry....
If we have a really good day tomorrow we should finish the grave yard field. (It is located beside a cemetery)

Day 3

This picture was taken around 5:30 after an axle broke on the chopper. We had another axle on an old weary version of this machine sitting in a rusty heap. Off of this relic we robbed the needed part. We did very well today in all aspects except looks. The trench is full and will be covered in the morning. I have thirty more acres to run over before I leave on a short camping expedition with my wife's family. My wife informed after taking this picture that I was not overly photogenic. In fact, I think her actual words were, You are not photogenic. Oh well, what can I say? Some people have the luxury of sitting in an air conditioned office all day. Others have the incredible luxury of sitting in an air conditioned tractor cab all day. Unfortunately, I have neither of these. Of course, I don't think sitting in an office is a very great way to spend the day.

Day 2

Another day is in the books. We managed to cut another 20 loads today in spite of ourselves. Didn't get to the field till 11:30. Those minor breakdowns turn into time consuming things. But we may have had a real catastrophe if we hadn't noticed the one problem. We were real close to going to the field when Sonny noticed that our dump wagon tongue was very close to breaking off. So, we decided that should be fixed before it went careening off into the bushes. If we have a good day tomorrow we could come very close to filling the bunker. Time will tell. Tomorrow is suppose to have a heat index of about 110. Lots of water will be consumed I am sure... Well, I am very weary so I guess I shall go lay my head on my pillow...

Day 1

We cut 22 loads today and covered 15 acres. As you can tell the corn isn't very good. The adjuster was out this morning and estimated 60 acres at 25 bushels. ANother 30 at 22 and my late corn, 90 acres, at 4.4 bushels to the acre. Really sorry stuff that is crying to be put out of it's misery. We had a few normal break downs today. Flat tire and the tail gate fell off the truck. Considering we didn't get to the field till 10:30 and then had the break downs we did I feel good about the day. Their are a few things to fix in the morning before we hit it again.

The Time Has Come

Due to our dry and hot weather trend we are planning to start chopping tomorrow. Truck is ready. Chopper has a few bearing we need to squeeze some grease into. 4520 has new oil filters and oil. Dump wagon has been patched (again). The 4150 White (trench packing apparatus) has had no attention but it should be in fine shape. Should change the oil in it this fall. We will start in the fields around the barn before moving to the more distant locations. Will be a very busy week of which I will keep you posted.

A Guy Thing?

Okay men here is a question for you. When you hit your thumb or fingers with a hammer what do you do with your hand? Where do you put it? My initial response is to stick it in my arm pit> Yeah, I know that sounds gross but it is the typical reaction. I also know I am not the only gentlemen who does this. My question, though, revolves around why the arm pit? Why is that so comforting? I don't know if I have ever seen a man holding his hand in his hand after smashing it with a hammer. Have you? I doubt it. I bet you seem him with his hand in his arm pit while doing some sort of rain dance and yelling epithets at the hammer. In fact, he may even through the hammer....
Still, I wonder why? My wife says women would never do such a thing. And she is probably right. Then again I have never seen a woman smash her thumb with a hammer...

Crop Ins.

In the past crop ins. has been a rather painless expierence. Aside from the fact your crop is bad. We would leave several rows of corn maybe 50-100 feet long. When the adjuster was able to make it out he would adjust your yield based on these strips. The last several years the ins. company has been getting more and more painful to work with and this year they are really being brutal. First, I got a letter stating I needed to inform them two weeks before I start harvesting or they were not going to pay me if I had a loss. Second, I was told I would need to leave 8 rows of corn in the field. Third, I would have to be authrized to start cutting even if the adjuster cannot make it out to inspect the crop. He would have to mail me a form to sign.
On point number one. I don't know two weeks before it is time to cut. A lot can change in two weeks. No rain, 90 degree temperatures, dry wind. This type of weather will dry a crop down in week. Waiting on them would put the hurting on forage quality.
Point # 2. Leaving eight rows of corn is amazing. That could be several loads of silage. Sure I could go back and get it but who knows when the adjuster will get here to look at it. It would be a pathetic loss...
Number 3 is just a plain headache....
I am beginging to wonder if crop ins. is more trouble then it is worth....

eBay (Again)

So what have you purchased on eBay? I just found a really good buy on a few hydraulic fittings. Of course I have also bought sheet music, CDs, tools, books, etc. I know some folks have bought vehicles on eBay. This always seemed a little risky to me. Have any of you sold a vehicle on eBay? If so, how did it go? Did you make more than you expected?

eBay

How many of you have sold, bought, bid and lost on eBay?