School was easy for Bret. It seemed like his brain could just take a picture and he got it. He loved anything that was a challenge. He and his cousin signed up as a team for the Science Olympiad competition at the college near home. It was amazing the things they could figure out.
There are subjects such as physics, geometry, calculus, all the things I could hardly pronounce let alone understand, that show up on his report card. The school play was a one time experience for Bret. He fit the part really well. He played the part of a country kid dressed in bib overalls shooting watermelon seeds with his friends. He brought home the "actor of the year" trophy! We were proud of him, but in his eyes it was just something that would collect dust.
During his first summer to have a job away from home, he would hop in our 1979 white Pontiac Bonneville family car that became his after we bought a 1985 Park Avenue, and head to K-Mart every morning. Between his job and helping us keep the pigs fed and hauled to market, the summer days passed fast. After work, or on warm Sunday afternoons, he and Kate would saddle up the old horses and slowly make their way out the driveway and down the road, side by side. The sight would make my heart sing. So the summer passed into fall and then into winter.
School was easy for Kate as well. She took a completely different route than Bret though. She loved to run and compete! She was always taking off down the road after school. "I'll be back in a hour mom," she would holler, banging the door behind her. She was going to be our little athlete for sure! She was already in track and was very much looking forward to adding cross country to her already full agenda. I would worry about her and was always on her to tell me where she was going. "You never know," I would tell her, "I want to have a slight idea where to start looking for you if you don't show up!"
On nice days, Kate would hop on her bike and ride for miles. Bret would sometimes go too. Their bikes were some old 10 speed mountain bikes that we had picked up at a sheriff auction. The gears didn't shift so well, so the kids would have a competition to see if they could make it up the hills in high gear! Bike riding on dirt roads isn't easy, but it's always an adventure!
It was early February. The winter had been wet and the cow lots were muddy. Mark didn't know what would happen when the calves started to come the middle of this month. We were a little worried to let them run the whole pasture because it is full of creeks, and we would never be able to keep track of the little fellows. So we just did the thing that seemed best. Lock them in the corral.
"Who is going with Bret tomorrow morning? Remember he goes to take a days worth of tests for the Dane Hanson Scholarship?" Mark asked me looking out the window as the rain came down once again.
"Why don't you go. I think I can get along okay here. Kate helps do the chores after school. When are the calves suppose to come anyway?"
"Oh, I'm sure it will be another week or so yet."
"Alright, you go."
The next morning dawned cloudy, but no rain! We did chores early and waved Bret and Mark off around 7:30. After the bus came to get Kate, I put on my mud boots and coat and made my first check among the cows.
I drove the pickup up on the hill, got out and climbed over the gate into the mud. Tromping among the cows, I made my way to the west end of the lot. Oh great! Was I seeing right? Was that a poor baby calf laying there in the mud? It was! Oh Mark, I thought you said we had a week!
Well somehow I had to get this poor little fellow to the barn. But how? He was so cold and I was afraid that momma would step on him. I went to him and tried to stand him up. He was so slimy with mud that he would just fall out of my arms. "Oh just you be patient momma!" I said looking at her as she snorted behind me.
I finally got him on his feet and opened the gate and literally carried him out. Thank goodness momma followed. Shutting the gate, I continued across the creek and into the barn, momma following me all the way, head down, butting at my back end once in awhile. "Now listen here momma, you just follow without making your presences known okay? I'm trying to save your baby and I have no help!" I liked to talk to momma cows. It seems like it makes them in a better mood or something. I half carried him, half pushed the little fellow until we finally got to the barn. Whee, now to rub him down and try to make him as comfortable as possible. At least he is out of that mud! It's going to take a few washings to get my coat and gloves clean. They were plastered with muck!
After I had him dried off and momma licking him the rest of the way, I shut the barn door on them and started to walk to the pickup and remembered! The pickup was up on the hill! Well only one thing to do. Walk up after it. So across the creek and through the mud I walked once more. At least I didn't have to push a calf ahead of me and worry about momma butting me around!
I was just getting into the pick up when I looked west and OH NO! Not another one!. Well it wasn't out yet but momma sure was parading around down there, her tail straight out her head down nosing around! I climbed back under the fence and started sliding down toward her when I remembered that Mark was going to call at noon to check on us. I better go up to the house and wait cause I promised him I'd be there.
So back under the fence and into the pickup. "I'll be right back momma," I said as I backed out to the road. "I just have to be at the house when the "boss" calls and let him know how much fun we are having here on the old farm."
I wasn't in for more than ten minutes when the phone rang.
"How's it going?" I heard Mark say.
"Well it is now a little after noon and guess what? I have one new baby and momma in the barn and haven't even thought of lunch. I have to go back out as soon as I hang up cause when I went back up on the hill for the pickup there was another momma prancing around with her tail straight out. I'm sure she will be calving soon."
"Oh great! Man, do I ever wish I had been the one to stay home!" Mark said and I could hear the worry in his voice. "Are you going to do okay honey? Call Gary if you need to."
"Oh I'm having a hay day!" I said and meant it. "I think it is really fun to feel needed, and I do at this moment. I'll call him if I need to. How's Bret doing?"
"He and I are eating right now and then he has one more test. We'll head home as fast as we can. Want me to call you later before we leave here?"
"I'll do ok. Like you said, I can call Gary. Drive carefully!"
After hanging up, I went back to check on momma. She hadn't had her little one yet and she was standing alone right next to the gate to the barn. Slipping and sliding, I made my way around her and unlatched the gate. She turned around and gave me a glare.
"Now you just be a good momma and let me get around you and show you just want I want you to do. Ok?" I said holding onto the fence so I wouldn't fall. I could see the babies feet sticking out. If I could just get her across the creek and into the other side of the barn.
I don't know why I have been so lucky that they come down here and stand right beside the gate to have their babies, but I was thankful and wasn't going to complain.
Getting behind her I waved my arms a little and said "Alright now just turn around and go through that gate ok?"
She gave me one more look and took off. I ran slipping and sliding to the side of her and for some very lucky reason she headed right though the gate. Wow! Luck was with me!
I got her into the barn next to the other one and said. "Now I'm going to go into the house for a bit of a rest and a sandwich and you just settle down and do your thing ok. I'll be back to check in a hour." I was pooped!
After giving her a hour I got my coat, scarf and boots on again and slowly walked out to the barn. Peeking in I saw a precious little calf trying to get up on its wobbly little legs. I just about started to cry with happiness. I didn't have any idea what I was going to do if she would of needed help!
By the time Mark and Bret got home, Kate and I were completely done in. We did have to call on Gary and his wife Mary. Together we tromped around in the mud and brought a cow into the chute. She had to be helped. The calf's front foot was back and she couldn't have it on her own. It was born alive though, so she and him went into the barn with the other one.
It was so great to hear the car drive into the drive way. We announced that there were five babies and all were up and doing well. Two were in the barn with their mothers, but two were in the machine shed and one in the utility room and the mothers were across the creek bawling their heads off. Mark and Bret took over, and somehow got the right mothers with the right calves. Then there was chores and finally supper. By the time we got everything done, we all fell into bed exhausted.
It was a wet spring also. Mark and I finally made a make-shift electric fence in the pasture so the baby calves could get out of the mud. It can be a real challenge to have mud and cows and calves mixed! Putting out bales was a little tricky because we had to make sure we didn't back over a baby! After knowing what it was like to be in a drought for the past couple years, we were happy to put up with the mud. At least the ponds were full once again, and the grass was growing nicely.
It was a sunny day in early May. School was over for the day, but there were buses everywhere in the school parking lot. The football field was buzzing with activity. Mark and I were standing at the top of the bleachers along with other moms and dads, overlooking the track. Kate was to run in the home track meet and we wanted to be here for her.
It seems like Mark always runs into other farmers at places like this, so we stood there at the top of the bleachers talking about the weather, cattle prices, conditions of the ground, and when the beans could be planted.
"Hi Carrie! How have you guys been?" it was Judy heading down with a drink in her hand.
"Doing good!" I answered back.
"WE ARE NOW LINING UP FOR THE GIRLS 400 RELAY....THE GIRLS 400 RELAY IS ABOUT TO START"
The announcers booming voice could be heard over the voices around us.
"Oh Mark I'm going down so I can see," I hollered, taking off down the bleachers.
Kate was positioned in the middle starting block. She was going to be the starter for her team. Oh my gosh! This was nerve wracking and exciting all mixed up together. I was so proud of her! Not only was she good, she loved it. It made her so happy. But I knew she was nervous too. She was so competitive and pushed herself so hard that she nearly puked before every race!
They were in position. One foot back against the block, hands down on the track, in one hand they held the baton. You could see the determination all over their faces, just waiting for the gun. The coach stood there, gun positioned above his head. Kate was ready. She would run around the track once, hand the baton off to her team mate and they would take it and run.
RUNNERS TAKE YOUR MARK... GET SET... BANG! They were off running!! "GO KATE!! RUN...GO!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as she and three others sped past me and on down the track. GO... RUN...YOU CAN DO IT!" There was shouting all around me. "GO KATE!" I screamed.
She was in the lead! Her pony tail flying out behind her, feet pounding the ground. Around the corner they flew. "GO KATE...GIVE IT YOUR BEST!" I screamed, hands up around my mouth, hoping she could hear me.
Oh shoot another girl passed her up! "RUN K A T E....GIVE IT YOUR BEST!" I screamed once again, running down the bleachers, trying to get closer to the finish line. Down the other side they came around the corner and back up to the finish line. "GO...PASS HER K A T E!"
Out of no where, Kate found more speed. She slowly was gaining on her component! Screaming broke out everywhere! "COME ON GIRL! COME ON KATE! YOU CAN DO IT! "On she raced, passing the other girl, just as she handed the baton to her team mate. Off she went and we were at it again. "RUN...YOU CAN DO IT!" I loved track. I loved cheering for the kids!
There were three more times around that track. The last girl broke through the finish line just a hair before the other team. In the middle of the track, the girls were jumping up and down, clapping their hands together in victory. They would have a half hour before the next race. I just don't see how Kate does it! But she loves this just a much as Bret did the mind challenges.
I had to face it! In three weeks there would be two graduations in our house. Kate from eighth grade and Bret from high school. Goodness, time has went fast. It seems just like yesterday that I walked over that bridge and down the road to Amos and Ruth's little farm house. I remember, the chickens scratching in the dirt and the rooster singing out to us as Bret walked along beside me while I carried little Kate. Now both those dear folks are gone, and soon Bret will be heading to college and Kate will be entering high school!
Well, I couldn't stop the clock, and I really didn't want to. But I enjoyed every moment I had with my little ones, knowing that it would be over very soon.
There are subjects such as physics, geometry, calculus, all the things I could hardly pronounce let alone understand, that show up on his report card. The school play was a one time experience for Bret. He fit the part really well. He played the part of a country kid dressed in bib overalls shooting watermelon seeds with his friends. He brought home the "actor of the year" trophy! We were proud of him, but in his eyes it was just something that would collect dust.
During his first summer to have a job away from home, he would hop in our 1979 white Pontiac Bonneville family car that became his after we bought a 1985 Park Avenue, and head to K-Mart every morning. Between his job and helping us keep the pigs fed and hauled to market, the summer days passed fast. After work, or on warm Sunday afternoons, he and Kate would saddle up the old horses and slowly make their way out the driveway and down the road, side by side. The sight would make my heart sing. So the summer passed into fall and then into winter.
School was easy for Kate as well. She took a completely different route than Bret though. She loved to run and compete! She was always taking off down the road after school. "I'll be back in a hour mom," she would holler, banging the door behind her. She was going to be our little athlete for sure! She was already in track and was very much looking forward to adding cross country to her already full agenda. I would worry about her and was always on her to tell me where she was going. "You never know," I would tell her, "I want to have a slight idea where to start looking for you if you don't show up!"
On nice days, Kate would hop on her bike and ride for miles. Bret would sometimes go too. Their bikes were some old 10 speed mountain bikes that we had picked up at a sheriff auction. The gears didn't shift so well, so the kids would have a competition to see if they could make it up the hills in high gear! Bike riding on dirt roads isn't easy, but it's always an adventure!
It was early February. The winter had been wet and the cow lots were muddy. Mark didn't know what would happen when the calves started to come the middle of this month. We were a little worried to let them run the whole pasture because it is full of creeks, and we would never be able to keep track of the little fellows. So we just did the thing that seemed best. Lock them in the corral.
"Who is going with Bret tomorrow morning? Remember he goes to take a days worth of tests for the Dane Hanson Scholarship?" Mark asked me looking out the window as the rain came down once again.
"Why don't you go. I think I can get along okay here. Kate helps do the chores after school. When are the calves suppose to come anyway?"
"Oh, I'm sure it will be another week or so yet."
"Alright, you go."
The next morning dawned cloudy, but no rain! We did chores early and waved Bret and Mark off around 7:30. After the bus came to get Kate, I put on my mud boots and coat and made my first check among the cows.
I drove the pickup up on the hill, got out and climbed over the gate into the mud. Tromping among the cows, I made my way to the west end of the lot. Oh great! Was I seeing right? Was that a poor baby calf laying there in the mud? It was! Oh Mark, I thought you said we had a week!
Well somehow I had to get this poor little fellow to the barn. But how? He was so cold and I was afraid that momma would step on him. I went to him and tried to stand him up. He was so slimy with mud that he would just fall out of my arms. "Oh just you be patient momma!" I said looking at her as she snorted behind me.
I finally got him on his feet and opened the gate and literally carried him out. Thank goodness momma followed. Shutting the gate, I continued across the creek and into the barn, momma following me all the way, head down, butting at my back end once in awhile. "Now listen here momma, you just follow without making your presences known okay? I'm trying to save your baby and I have no help!" I liked to talk to momma cows. It seems like it makes them in a better mood or something. I half carried him, half pushed the little fellow until we finally got to the barn. Whee, now to rub him down and try to make him as comfortable as possible. At least he is out of that mud! It's going to take a few washings to get my coat and gloves clean. They were plastered with muck!
After I had him dried off and momma licking him the rest of the way, I shut the barn door on them and started to walk to the pickup and remembered! The pickup was up on the hill! Well only one thing to do. Walk up after it. So across the creek and through the mud I walked once more. At least I didn't have to push a calf ahead of me and worry about momma butting me around!
I was just getting into the pick up when I looked west and OH NO! Not another one!. Well it wasn't out yet but momma sure was parading around down there, her tail straight out her head down nosing around! I climbed back under the fence and started sliding down toward her when I remembered that Mark was going to call at noon to check on us. I better go up to the house and wait cause I promised him I'd be there.
So back under the fence and into the pickup. "I'll be right back momma," I said as I backed out to the road. "I just have to be at the house when the "boss" calls and let him know how much fun we are having here on the old farm."
I wasn't in for more than ten minutes when the phone rang.
"How's it going?" I heard Mark say.
"Well it is now a little after noon and guess what? I have one new baby and momma in the barn and haven't even thought of lunch. I have to go back out as soon as I hang up cause when I went back up on the hill for the pickup there was another momma prancing around with her tail straight out. I'm sure she will be calving soon."
"Oh great! Man, do I ever wish I had been the one to stay home!" Mark said and I could hear the worry in his voice. "Are you going to do okay honey? Call Gary if you need to."
"Oh I'm having a hay day!" I said and meant it. "I think it is really fun to feel needed, and I do at this moment. I'll call him if I need to. How's Bret doing?"
"He and I are eating right now and then he has one more test. We'll head home as fast as we can. Want me to call you later before we leave here?"
"I'll do ok. Like you said, I can call Gary. Drive carefully!"
After hanging up, I went back to check on momma. She hadn't had her little one yet and she was standing alone right next to the gate to the barn. Slipping and sliding, I made my way around her and unlatched the gate. She turned around and gave me a glare.
"Now you just be a good momma and let me get around you and show you just want I want you to do. Ok?" I said holding onto the fence so I wouldn't fall. I could see the babies feet sticking out. If I could just get her across the creek and into the other side of the barn.
I don't know why I have been so lucky that they come down here and stand right beside the gate to have their babies, but I was thankful and wasn't going to complain.
Getting behind her I waved my arms a little and said "Alright now just turn around and go through that gate ok?"
She gave me one more look and took off. I ran slipping and sliding to the side of her and for some very lucky reason she headed right though the gate. Wow! Luck was with me!
I got her into the barn next to the other one and said. "Now I'm going to go into the house for a bit of a rest and a sandwich and you just settle down and do your thing ok. I'll be back to check in a hour." I was pooped!
After giving her a hour I got my coat, scarf and boots on again and slowly walked out to the barn. Peeking in I saw a precious little calf trying to get up on its wobbly little legs. I just about started to cry with happiness. I didn't have any idea what I was going to do if she would of needed help!
By the time Mark and Bret got home, Kate and I were completely done in. We did have to call on Gary and his wife Mary. Together we tromped around in the mud and brought a cow into the chute. She had to be helped. The calf's front foot was back and she couldn't have it on her own. It was born alive though, so she and him went into the barn with the other one.
It was so great to hear the car drive into the drive way. We announced that there were five babies and all were up and doing well. Two were in the barn with their mothers, but two were in the machine shed and one in the utility room and the mothers were across the creek bawling their heads off. Mark and Bret took over, and somehow got the right mothers with the right calves. Then there was chores and finally supper. By the time we got everything done, we all fell into bed exhausted.
It was a wet spring also. Mark and I finally made a make-shift electric fence in the pasture so the baby calves could get out of the mud. It can be a real challenge to have mud and cows and calves mixed! Putting out bales was a little tricky because we had to make sure we didn't back over a baby! After knowing what it was like to be in a drought for the past couple years, we were happy to put up with the mud. At least the ponds were full once again, and the grass was growing nicely.
It was a sunny day in early May. School was over for the day, but there were buses everywhere in the school parking lot. The football field was buzzing with activity. Mark and I were standing at the top of the bleachers along with other moms and dads, overlooking the track. Kate was to run in the home track meet and we wanted to be here for her.
It seems like Mark always runs into other farmers at places like this, so we stood there at the top of the bleachers talking about the weather, cattle prices, conditions of the ground, and when the beans could be planted.
"Hi Carrie! How have you guys been?" it was Judy heading down with a drink in her hand.
"Doing good!" I answered back.
"WE ARE NOW LINING UP FOR THE GIRLS 400 RELAY....THE GIRLS 400 RELAY IS ABOUT TO START"
The announcers booming voice could be heard over the voices around us.
"Oh Mark I'm going down so I can see," I hollered, taking off down the bleachers.
Kate was positioned in the middle starting block. She was going to be the starter for her team. Oh my gosh! This was nerve wracking and exciting all mixed up together. I was so proud of her! Not only was she good, she loved it. It made her so happy. But I knew she was nervous too. She was so competitive and pushed herself so hard that she nearly puked before every race!
They were in position. One foot back against the block, hands down on the track, in one hand they held the baton. You could see the determination all over their faces, just waiting for the gun. The coach stood there, gun positioned above his head. Kate was ready. She would run around the track once, hand the baton off to her team mate and they would take it and run.
RUNNERS TAKE YOUR MARK... GET SET... BANG! They were off running!! "GO KATE!! RUN...GO!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as she and three others sped past me and on down the track. GO... RUN...YOU CAN DO IT!" There was shouting all around me. "GO KATE!" I screamed.
She was in the lead! Her pony tail flying out behind her, feet pounding the ground. Around the corner they flew. "GO KATE...GIVE IT YOUR BEST!" I screamed, hands up around my mouth, hoping she could hear me.
Oh shoot another girl passed her up! "RUN K A T E....GIVE IT YOUR BEST!" I screamed once again, running down the bleachers, trying to get closer to the finish line. Down the other side they came around the corner and back up to the finish line. "GO...PASS HER K A T E!"
Out of no where, Kate found more speed. She slowly was gaining on her component! Screaming broke out everywhere! "COME ON GIRL! COME ON KATE! YOU CAN DO IT! "On she raced, passing the other girl, just as she handed the baton to her team mate. Off she went and we were at it again. "RUN...YOU CAN DO IT!" I loved track. I loved cheering for the kids!
There were three more times around that track. The last girl broke through the finish line just a hair before the other team. In the middle of the track, the girls were jumping up and down, clapping their hands together in victory. They would have a half hour before the next race. I just don't see how Kate does it! But she loves this just a much as Bret did the mind challenges.
I had to face it! In three weeks there would be two graduations in our house. Kate from eighth grade and Bret from high school. Goodness, time has went fast. It seems just like yesterday that I walked over that bridge and down the road to Amos and Ruth's little farm house. I remember, the chickens scratching in the dirt and the rooster singing out to us as Bret walked along beside me while I carried little Kate. Now both those dear folks are gone, and soon Bret will be heading to college and Kate will be entering high school!
Well, I couldn't stop the clock, and I really didn't want to. But I enjoyed every moment I had with my little ones, knowing that it would be over very soon.
thanks for another good story cousin, a wonderful family adventure <3
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