As we wind down the great 2023 and head into 2024 best wishes to all. I know this last week of the year has been busy and full of surprises. On the 23rd of December my Birthday and also my son’s. Well as I awoke I sent a Happy Birthday wish to him via text message. As the morning went on and I had my coffee and was getting the warm clothes on to head to check and feed cows I checked my phone and still no reply back. Well off to the farm set out hay did some last minute stops to gather a few stocking stuffers before heading home to be treated as royalty from my 3 ladies at the house. My two youngest daughters and the wife. My oldest daughter texted me and said she would e calling later after she got off work. As I arrived home the ladies were all just pampering me (that’s my dream part) they were being nice for sure. The youngest reminded me that she was not allowed to pick at me this day because mom said we had to be nice to you on your birthday old man. The wife let me settle into my recliner and said your son is in the ER. This was around 1030 am. We finally got word at 11 that he would be getting his appendix out. He was in good spirits and they had given him something for the pain. By 430pm he was in the operating room. And all went well and he was back home to his apartment by 1130 that night. The next morning the whole household went to help me set hay out and feed cows and let the dog run. As my 12 year old pulled the hay feeder wagon out to the pasture and I was no tractor doing some much needed pasture care mowing around areas. The 3 ladies drove around and let dog run. My truck was clean but came back a bit muddy lol. As I mowed I came up on a cow off by herself and noticed she had just had a calf. I didn’t want to bother her so just kept doing what I was doing and mowing. I noticed this little clump in the thicket that I was working my way through. She had hid her calf in. So I just went on to another area. Calf looked healthy cow was fine. As I mowed about two hours I saw the ladies coming back from the back of the farm. They drove out to where I was and said you need to come with us. So I drove back and parked tractor in barn and got in the truck. Off to another field and another calf hidden in another thicket all was well. Yesterday I spent another 5 hours on the tractor and had yet another. Today which I assume is the last calf of the year was born this morning around 830 as I watched from the seat of the tractor and spent all day till dark mowing and moving fell trees to a burn pile. Now yesterday my son and his fiancée called to tell us the official word that he a week from surgery had been planning a little get away and proposal. He said it was nerve wracking and he felt bad she had to tote all the luggage but he did manage to get the words out. What a year ending and what great things to look forward to in the coming year. I hope everyone has a wonderful 2024. I know no matter what happens life will just keep going on the good the bad but mostly good. What a blessed year I have had. So far all calves healthy family healthy other than a cold or flu here and there appendix removed and I was down for a week flat on my back but all is well.
Happy New Year to all.
Man, that a tough way to end the year for your son. We almost share a birthday, mine was the 22nd. I spent most of that day driving to Land 'O Lakes, Florida. We house and dog sat for my brother in law while he and his wife went to Vale, Colorado for Christmas. I do prefer 60s and 70s to 30s and 40s, even if it is at Christmas. I hope you and yours have a great 2024.
Andy
Yes the older I get the less I like the cold lol. We are all doing well though for sure. Have a good 2024. All will come together this year.
You had a busy holidays. Congrats on the sons successful surgery and the healthy calves. With a full time job, the better things go on the farm the easier everything else goes. Have a good year, I'm hoping for a good one.
Yes for sure. We got a lot of rain yesterday and so today feeding I needed a boat vs a truck and tractor. But the girls and wife all suited up in boots to help me. Man what a messy day. Of course my 9 year old daughter decided she wanted to just have fun in the mud. So she made mom happy getting all muddy running around the pasture like a crazy child. Dog as well. So in a few days I should have enough dirt to bag up and sale to a home gardener from the back seat alone.
