It’s raining today. That’s good. We had a rough day with the cow herd. After a wonderful streak of tagging 6 to 9 healthy calves every day since April 24th, we had the misfortune of losing 3 calves in the last couple days. Two were unexplained deaths and one was deformed. We were having such a fantastic run with the majority of our herd calving in 18 days. We have approximately 30 head to calve out still and the calving is starting to slow, tagged just one calf yesterday. Hoping we can wrap up the calving season without anymore losses. The cloudy, gloomy weather just adds to the sad losses found today. The rain is much needed though.
This poor momma cow is searching for her deceased calf. Death can be so sad.
We aren’t able to throw Grandma a big party today, I’m so happy there was a big party for her 90th birthday. Happy 95th birthday, Grandma! I always thought 100 was a nice round number; good goal to aim for 😉
A picture of Grandma as I remember her in her farmhouse. Looking forward to celebrating with her once we’re able to enter the nursing home.
The Most Important Person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral—a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body…The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation… What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother? —Venerable Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
Happy Mother’s Day All Mothers!Off to public Mass!So good to have some “normal” & if we catch anything may God help us survive it, be made stronger and carry on.We had tough weather yesterday so the boys enjoyed sculpting and playing games with gifts from the Jacobson uncles 💙A bit of a mini blizzard.Taylor Nursery is an addictive place…I probably shouldn’t go there again, unless I win the lottery. So many pretty trees and plants!🌳Lucky me gets a tree! Such a wonderful Mother’s Day!💙🌳💝
Sad news came today. Grandpa Tran passed away. My poor mother won’t make it to her own Dad’s funeral. My husband and children were not able to meet him. God’s ways are not our ways. Please pray for his soul to be in heaven.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Grandpa Tran was 93 years old. Here is a picture of him in July 2000. I feel blessed to have met him. He will be buried by his wife, my Grandma, in the family burial plot.My Grandma, she passed away in 1995.Grandpa and Grandma in their younger years! God willing they have been reunited in heaven today! Mom and I leaving Vietnam in 2000. Cousin Tri, Mom, Me, Aunt Lang, and Aunt Hong (she took care of Grandpa, please say extra prayers for her, she dedicated her life taking care of him, she’s a saintly, caring woman).Mom with some of her sisters in 2000.My aunts made sure they sent home traditional clothing for us in 2000.Aunts Nha, Cuc, Uncle Doung, and cousins pictured with me.Cousin Tri sent these photos.My Grandpa’s medals from when he was a Captain.There was a misprint in the newspaper, Grandpa was 93 years old. He was born in 1927.
Andrew prepared part of the garden for us to begin planting.
Peas and cucumbers being planted.Planting pumpkins.Planting a butterfly garden.Practicing roping to be ready to work calves.This cow had twins…One of our other cows took one of the twins and is pushing her own calf away 🙁. So now we have to make sure the new cow accepts her own calf. When it comes to calving, one healthy calf at a time is best. We’re 11 days into calving and we’re a little over halfway done!This tulip is so close to opening!
A picture Andrew took of his pasture he is dividing in to cells. His little 7 year old assistant is standing on the hill.There he is, an “outstanding” sort of fellow! Andrew probably could be running a range management college course on his work on cell grazing. The results are amazing to see!Moving to their new pasture.Excitedly heading to new grass.I think I’ve made these “Mayday” cookies since college (Since Sara Duppong gave me one for May Day.) The skewer sticks are sharp, but if the children are old enough to handle them, it seems everyone enjoys making them and eating the “bouquet.”Feeding Speckles.Grandpa’s milk cow had her calf, so we’ll have cow’s milk available again. I like it for cooking and baking. Here are Grandpa and Andrew gathering her and her calf. Ambrosia, the previous milk cow became Lucky’s mother so we didn’t have a milk cow for a while. Grandpa really likes this cow, she’s 1/4 Holstein and a mix of Jersey, and Beef.All ready for Sunday “Mass in the basement.” Utilizing the TV. Sounds like Public Masses in church will be available here next week.She is outgrowing some of the baby items, she is now sitting up in this swing bed. Time to pack it away.
Everyone has the spring itch…we all want to get to planting! It’s quite dry and I figure I should start asking for intercessions for gentle rainshowers. Tonight was one of those evenings straight from heaven. Beautiful!
Tonight’s sunset.Watering the tulips, daffodils, and yard plants, it must be dry!Helping prepare the garden.Andrew plowing.Grandpa plowing.Teaching the little one how to ride bike.First meal on the porch for the year.
Andrew and I got our first set of twins this year! It’s been a couple of years since we’ve had twins. I think Grandpa had a set last year. Thank goodness it’s an older, bigger cow because both those calves are decent size!
Making the world a brighter place one smile at a time!Andrew was able to finish up chisel plowing this field yesterday.We had to say goodbye to Brownie yesterday, the dog in this picture. This is one of my favorite pictures of him, he was always a loyal friend… That accompanied us wherever we went. He was 20 years old.
“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” – Andy Rooney
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras
“Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.” – Unknown
“Dogs die. But dogs live, too. Right up until they die, they live. They live brave, beautiful lives. They protect their families. And love us, and make our lives a little brighter, and they don’t waste time being afraid of tomorrow.” – Dan GemeinhartAndrew’s favorite picture of Brownie.Hope there’s a dog heaven and hope you’re in it.
This is a heavenly sent, welcomed sight! It’s been windy, hot and dry.
💙”How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.” Mother Teresa❤️O God, the creator of all things, you framed the law of labor for the human race. Graciously grant, by the example and patronage of St. Joseph, that we may do the work you provide us and earn the reward you promise. Sustain us with your grace to live up to our duties in charity and justice. Amen.
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
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