Learning to fly...

So, after 13 years I finally figured out chickens can't fly.  Kidding.  I did know that.  What I didn't realize was that maybe it was me that needed to.  So, after many debates with myself, I decided it was time to move on.  Don't get me wrong, the animals themselves were never the problem...  I love being in a barn.  I love watching how animals behave and interact, even if they are as unsociable as chickens.  No matter how things are left here, the challenges and experience has been second to none.

Now, its time to drive on.  For the last couple of months, I've been researching other areas of agriculture.  Everything always circles back to one common criteria...  animals.  I love helping Mark in the fields, but I'm not crazy over watching a plant grow.  Animals though, that I love nurturing, improving and just plain taking care of.  I guess maybe there is some maternal instincts in me after all... who knew??

So today, my research plight has taken me to Mt. Forest to an OMAF sheep seminar.  Oh my...  they are so friggin cute!!!  The detail and thought put into this line of work surprised me.  I think many see sheep farms as well I did...  a few little wooly friends around the yard to keep the weeds in check.  Little did I know, this is pretty darn close to my original roots of dairy farming.  (minus the milking of course!!)  This is intensive lambing, ventilation, shearing, feeding...  wow, think this could be a definate possible next step...

Will be concluding my seminar tomorrow...  ya know, school isn't so bad when you get to choose your course!

Keep ya posted!!!

Waiting for May Flowers... in June...

Enough already of the April showers.  I hate that we always complain about the weather.  Its either too cold, too snowy, too windy, too muggy, too hot or in the case of this poor excuse of a spring, too rainy.  I'm living with a man I used to know as my husband.  He is now a scruffy, puffy eyed, zombie-looking clone of Mark.  As I meet up with other wives and girlfriends of these husbands/boyfriends past, I realize this is a common occurrence in rural Ontario this spring.  Every dry moment available, he has been either on a sprayer, the planter or the many devices linking him to the godforsaken weather network.  Not uncommon to have crappy springs, but this year just seems to be dragging on...  and we've been in better shape than most.  Chatham has been polluted with heavy rains, and when it seems to be fit to go, it rains yet again.  If not for twitter and facebook, I think these farmers would go insane...  This seems to be a sounding board for so many, and helps convince us that we aren't alone this spring.

Our corn is now in, and sprayed... soys are in, not quite sprayed... stuff is starting to grow, but definitely not the showy year that we've been experiencing the last few.   Which brings us to fussy, tired hubby.  Now, he's a bit depressed that the crops don't look as good as he knows they should.  We push ourselves day in and day out, and never seem to be satisfied with what we accomplish.  If everyone who ate, knew what farmers strive for in producing their food, I think the world would be much more appreciative of what they have.

To all who are still waiting, and have that ginormous knot in their gut, know that the rest of us are right there with you.  This spring is becoming a true testimony of patience, wisdom and faith that eventually we will get a spring.  And hey, if not, well, summer is only a week a way...

Blog-gonnit!!!

Is it seriously this hard to sit down and blog??  Life is far too busy when the things we do when we are bored becomes an item on our to-do list don't ya think??  I had a blog ready to post last week, but it was kind of a sucky-feel-sorry-for-me kind of blog...  My weekend was so awesome, I needed to re-issue my thoughts!!

First of all, Mark's brother Tim and his wife Lesley came down from Ottawa for Easter.  We only get to see them a mitt-full of times throughout the year, so this was a treat!  They have 3 kids, who my kidlets adore!  Gavin, Elyse and Meredith came to chill with the Staffa Brock clan.  I love chilling with Les.  As far as sister-in-laws go, I think I have been blessed with the best!  Lesley has become one of my favorite people in life.  We talk about life, kids, and our very similarly behaved hubbys.  More than that, Lesley has such a strong faith in God that as I struggle with that part of my life, I look at her with admiration and hope.  She is a genuine, compassionate girl who I love dearly.

This brings me to sister-in-law #2.  This weekend also brought about another niece for Mark and I.  Isla Frances Elizabeth Brock joined our family Saturday night.  Jamie and Hope are now proud parents of Leighton (almost 3) and Isla.  Hope did awesome.  We went to visit on Monday, and you'd never know she had just given birth!  Isla is absolutely gorgeous.  I forget how precious and unbelievably perfect our little ones really are.  I think I have blocked out that portion of my brain for the last 10 years (sleep deprived, I suppose...).  I am so happy for J&H and their new addition... love you guys!!

Crazy weekend eh?  I think with this dragged out spring, we all needed the uplift.  Easter is a time of new beginnings...  I think a baby is just the thing.

Proud Auntie Sandi

Work'n Hard?? or Hardly Work'n??

Ever hear the old men saying this at the coffee shop? Daily life on the farm often feels like this... 2 steps forward, 3 steps back... its really no wonder we appear to be easy going in nature. If we didn't have a sense of humour, we'd all be in the loony bin.

I began my chicken farming career after graduating in 1998. My papa-in-law had bought a corporate broiler breeder operation in desperate need of some help. I tried my hand at an off-farm job... lasted a whoppin 2 months before offering my services to the family. Dave, Deanna and Jamie had just survived their first 10 months of absolute hell in this business. They had taken on 10 barns housing around 12-13,000 birds average age of these barns was around 20 years old. At the time, I think there were more mice, labour and problems than there were chickens.

Out of the 10 barns we operated, 8 of them had an immune deficiency called J-Virus or Leucosis. It was a disease that infected only this breed, and as fate would have it, our hatchery had ordered this particular breed over the majority of our farm. It was devistating. Most of our flocks had anywhere from 25% mortality to 45% mortality. We were in a big, dark hole. Bankers, hatchery personel and feed companies met with the family weekly, basically trying to protect their investment. A humbling, and exhausting experience for the family.

Slowly, our clan persevered and we started treading water again. Only to have a flock go down with salmonella a few months later. Safe to say we were beginning to wonder just who put this curse on us.

Just to warn you... this is a long story, and blogs are not to be... so this will be chapter one.

Words to live by... What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger...
SB

Ross's Rules...

If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all.  Wow, the world would be instantly silent don't ya think??  I have a confession to make.  I am a caddy person.  I constantly ramble about myself and how I'm soo hard done by.  I figure I'm a constant steaming kettle, I need not wait for a boil... cause, well,  I'm impatient.  So, when I accidentally hear ramblings about me, I get upset.  How sooo hypocritical is that?  I can dish it out, but absolutely can't take it.

Why don't we follow this simple little rule?  A rule Mark told me his Grandpa Ross lived by...  Why is it so easy for us to chirp about others, but when its reversed, we get so offended?  This is typical, I think,  for everyone.  We all overstep sometimes and without even realizing it, hurt someone through words.  We have the right to free speech, but we abuse that right.  Sometimes, we need to filter...  I'm still waiting for that part to be delivered for this model...

The most embarrassing part of this bad habit I have, is when I actually become a target, I really get no sympathy.  Well deserved, I might add.  I try to talk to Mark, but him being the voice of reason, reminds me of what I have said about them...  Sucks.  Then, on top of being hurt, I feel like a real poop.  Guilty.  I admire Mark for his quiet nature.  Yes, he gets mad (once in a blue moon) and will chirp...  but very rarely. I guess thats why we fit...??

My new goal in life is to be a nicer person.  (stop laughing all who know me).  I want a filter.  I want to train my brain to think before my mouth opens.  This will be a challenge for me.  I am a complete spaz and don't usually shut up long enough to realize I said anything at all.

Confessions of a Gossip Girl...
Sandi

Becoming a Mamma Chick...

I was never real good with kids.  I think they were scared of my funny looking face.  Babysitting was OK, but I really only liked babysitting my cousins (they had to like me after all...).  So the thought of having my own someday was somewhat frightening.

I remember clearly the moment we knew it was time (to try starting that is!!).  Mark and I were sitting around the Christmas tree...  with our dog.  I remember thinking this is sad.  More gifts for the dog than ourselves.  That's when we looked at each other and mutually agreed, Yep, kids next Christmas.

So, I guess I don't need to go into detail on how babies are created...  but our little man Jackson Ross arrived November 22nd that year (just in time for Christmas).  I have to tell you, I did not enjoy being pregnant.  I tripped over my feet at the barn, I could barely tie up my boots... blahblahblah, yes I should be grateful.  I was.  After.  Jack was the absolute best moment of my life.  He was a perfect little man.  I did that!!!  (with some help from Mark of course!)  I was in euphoria.  Up until about 3 or 4 weeks into motherhood.  Then, I crashed.  I wanted my bed...  for an entire night.  Just to make life that much more exciting, we were also in the process of starting our new 25,000 bird breeder barn in which I was to manage.  So, 6 weeks into mama-hood I got to manage my first breeder flock.  Unknown alarms going off in the middle of the night in between bottle feedings was not my idea of a good time...

Life got better, Jack was growing and the barn wrinkles were getting worked out.  So, what to do?  Time for babe #2.  Jessica Lauryn was born 20 months later.  Needless to say, life was crazy.  Mark was in the fields, Jack was still not walking (22 months.. oh yah!!) and baby #2 was a hard one to get down for the night.  (and really not that bad, I just have NO patience!!)  I don't think mothers are given near enough credit for this job!!!

Don't get me wrong...  I am so blessed to have been able to carry, deliver and above all parent (or some form of) my kids.    They are happy, healthy and respectful kids.  They are my best friends and now that they are such a part of me, I can't believe they haven't been with me my whole life.  Jack is an old soul.  His wisdom astounds me for his age...  Memory of a friggin elephant, stubborn as a mule but is a kind and loving kid.  Jessica is me.  She is lost in her imagination most of the time... singing, playing or acting all the time.  She is funny, kind-hearted and very sensitive.  She is that kid who will run up and give you a hug (that's more like daddy and Gma Dee...).

To all the moms out there...  everything you do is reflected in your kids.  All your mannerisms, sayings, temper...  everything is seen through the kids.  Take a second, and watch them.  They really are quite awesome!  (most days...)

Thats it for now!!

Sandi

Sick Chicks... my side of the story...

To Treat or not To Treat...  that seems to be the question.  This is my first of probably many attempts to show my side of the 'anti-everything-farming-related' story.  I saw a CBC special interview the other day, and it (pardon the expression) ruffled my feathers.  So, here is my rebuttal.

I am a chicken farmer.  I see lots of chickens, everyday.  Broiler Breeders.  These are the loving parents of the baby chicks that go to our well run broiler farms in Ontario.  I work my butt off in trying to keep barns repaired, feeders working, drinkers at proper levels, ventilation adjustments (all the time!), and observing thousands of chickens in their environment.  I do not leave the barn to fend for itself, it takes my entire being to keep stuff running.

The thing I can't control beyond anything physical (feed, light, water and management) is bird health.  We have stringent biosecurity...  changing coveralls and footwear before entering each barn.  We have a contracted rodent manangement company to keep our bait stations clean and functional with a rotating rodenticide program.  (Yes, we do try to KILL the rodents that like to spread disease, sorry animal lovers, but I protect my own animals!!)  We clean the barns after each flock goes out, (takes 4-6 weeks of intense power washing and slugging) and fog a disinfectant to kill anything that may infect our new flock.  So, with all these and some intense management, how do our birds still once in a while get sick?

Our barns house roosters and hens in a free-range pen.  There are slats for the nests to sit on as well as female drinkers and feeders.  The raised slats are a good way to ensure the manure is isolated underneath so the birds don't have to sit in it.  We do have a 'scratch' area down the centre of the pen, so males and females can breed on a solid floor.  The males drink and eat here.  Shavings bed this floor for bird comfort.

Birds are animals.  There is a definate pecking order in every pen...  in fact, in quite a few areas within these pens.  There are dominant animals, and submissive animals (hmmm, not too different than humans eh??).  The dominant animals can cause strife.  They can cause injury if not kept under check.  The weaker birds will eventually be culled out by their own kind.  Not always pretty.  This is nature.  What happens when birds get injured?  Do I cull out every bird that gets knocked around a bit?  Doesn't THAT sound a bit inhumane?  If these birds go down, they will develop a secondary infection.  That is when I prefer treatment.

Our hatchery is Cargill.  Kudos to them for being one of the first hatcheries to instill antibiotic protocol with all their producers.  In this, every time we think a flock is to a point of medication, we must get a veterinarians OK and a prescription for usage and  withdrawl dates.  This to me sounds like we 'Farmers' DO know and record when we treat our animals, unlike what the CBC broadcast stated.  I have treatments written down in a quality assurance program binder we are required to keep in our facilities.  The Ontario Hatching Egg producers are a small, but mindful group.  We follow rules because they benefit us.  We need to sustain our flocks, our farms and our future.  We do not WANT to treat birds.  Its an expensive and exhausting road to go down.

Whoooh, that feels better...

Sandi

The One...

In light of Valentines Day, I thought I'd talk a bit about my beloved... heehee... I guess I should start from the top...

I met Mark in my second year at Guelph. Remember it clearly. He had worked with my friend Janice the previous summer for Sandoz. However, I remembered him as a long haired, Oakley wearing punk... soooo not my type. So in typical Sandi fashion, I didn't give him a second thought. (and he didn't milk cows...) Imagine my surprise when I saw him during a work fare in crop science all cleaned up and looking mighty fine. Too fine. Now he was WAY out of my league. So, in typical Sandi fashion, I didn't give him a second thought.

In the meantime, I went on a skiing trip to Collingwood and broke my friggin leg. As I held down a hospital bed for the week, I got a call saying my partner for the upcoming summer was Mark. Weird, I thought, but whatever... I'll be lucky if I'd be walking by then! April came and so did our job at Dupont. Mark quickly became one of my all-time favorite people. We talked (well truthfully, I probably did most of that) and realized we had lots in common even if he didn't have cows. Within a couple weeks, we started dating... and the rest, well, is still ongoing.

Mark was introduced to not only my parents, but the whole fam-damly at a 25th wedding anniversary party for my mom and dad. Needless to say, he saw us at our utmost best behavior... and well hydrated I must say. And he stuck around!! Crazy. He helped me in the barn, milked, fed, unloaded hay and straw and helped us in the field. All is a pre-requisite for the job of dating me. Crazy. My family instantly loved Mark. I think mostly because he kept me in line. Dad got a kick out of that.

I remember meeting Mark's family. We drove out to one of the fields where Dave (Mark's dad) was cultivating (or planting... can't remember). Anyway, this clean, nicely dressed man got out of the tractor (JD... forgot to mention I was a sucker for green). I asked Mark why his dad had good clothes on. He replied that those were in fact his 'work' clothes... What the???!! I'm used to overalls that could quite literally walk away on their own they were so polluted... Today, Mark is the exact same... best dressed tractor driver this side of TO for sure!!! I then met Mark's mom... I was SOOO nervous... I like to impress the parents, but by just being me. That may not go over so good all the time. Deanna was great. These two wonderful people opened their home and hearts for a hick chick like me!! They soon became my second family and close friends. Mark's brother was the next to meet.

Jamie. Wow, what to say here. I keep promising to make this part juicy to make him mad, but I won't. Lucky him! I met Jamie and his then girlfriend (now wifey!!) Hope at the farm. I really don't remember anything too significant except, like Mark, he was genuine. What you see with these cats, is what you get. Tim is the oldest brother, but I didn't get to meet him and his wife Lesley for a bit. Same attributes apply to Tim.

Talking about Mark's family is significant. These people have now shared almost 15 years of my life with me. We work together, hang out together and support each other. We look like we have it all figured out. But those closest to us know it hasn't been an easy path. But, that is a story on its own!!

Mark and I were married in September 1998, and God willing will be for life!!

More on the man later in my posts... again, too much to say!!

Later cats!!
Sandi

Twin Tales...

During high school, I met a pair of girls who would direct me down the road I was meant to travel. I met Janice and Marilyn in grade 10 (they were in grade 11), however, they didn't go to my school, they went to our sporting rivals PJ in Brantford. I actually got to know them through the 4-H program.

These girls are twins. But, like most twins, complete opposites! They fit into my life as if they had always been in it. They too lived on a family run dairy farm, so right away, they knew the trials and tribulations of farm life. They too had to leave practices early to milk cows. We spent just about every weekend together, going to cattle shows, buck and does, jr. farmer dances or traveling up to Aunt Kaye and Uncle Jack's place in Kearney. We laughed together, cried together, fought like sisters and supported each other like family. I met so many people through this family. People in the ag sector who I still meet up with from time to time... and I still get referenced as the girl that hung out with 'the twins'...

As time passed, we headed to university together as well. Janice headed out the year before Mare and I, so we roomed together the next year at University of Guelph. Guelph was awesome. Absolutely, by far, the best time of my life! But, if it wasn't for these 2 girls in my world, I may not have headed in that direction. I owe them all my thanks. They brought me back to my proud roots. They basically led me through that part of my life, looking back at it now. We partied together, Janice usually stuck holding my head while I threw up... Marilyn staying awake all night making sure I didn't choke... (a proud moment!!) We went to countless dairy shows, where Janice always kicked butt... Mare and I were just usually glad to be there!! We went to 4-H camps and conferences, Jr. Farmer functions (all over the place...) and met so many wonderful people along the way.

During university, Marilyn ended up going another route to pursue a career in teaching. Which she is still successfully doing today... Janice graduated the year before me and is truly a person I often strived to be like. She is now currently married to Glenn with 4 (yep, thats right, 4 kids!!) living in Ridgetown. She has her own Pioneer dealership, and is one of the hardest working people I know today.

Even though we have all gone our separate ways, I think of those days often. Some of my happiest memories by far. I am so very proud of them and what kind of people they have become. I've been blessed with the greatest friends ever...

oh, and by the way, they don't milk cows anymore either... :(

Sandi

A Goodbye Too Early...

So I'm taking a break from my very self centred blog for the night...

I got a text from my sister 2 days ago.  She informed me that a family we know from Paris has had the unthinkable happen, a death far too early...  I don't know this couple well, but in the few times I had the privilege of meeting them, I thought of them as one of the happiest couples I had met.  My sister has confirmed my assumptions many times.

Lynne and her family has had to say goodbye to a wonderful husband and father, Al.  A tragic accident that should never had happened.  Starting out as typical day I'm sure, then the dreaded call.

Have we taken the time in our so horribly hectic lives to say what needs to be said?  Have we hugged and kissed our kids as we are kickn' their little draggy butts out the door in the morning to catch the bus?  When's the last time you talked to your parents or your siblings?

We take these things for granted.  In a flash, they could be taken from us.  These accidents happen all the time, but when its close to home it hammers me in the gut.  We probably all put work, chores, sports and running around before those who mean the most to us.

To my family and friends, I love you all.  I don't say it enough, I don't show it enough.

To Lynne, no words can honestly relay how I horrible I feel for your loss.  Al was a true gentleman, and love radiated from him towards you every time I saw you two together.  Be strong, ask for help.  Remember Al as you watch your children grow.  Remember him in actions and mannerisms you see in them.  Talk with them about the good times, keep him a part of your lives as he always will be.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sandi

Fields, friends and foes...

Friends. We make them, love them, cherish them, and unfortunately finally drift away from them. Thankfully, not all the time. Thankfully, we are quite often blessed with more that come into our lives.

Living on a farm I had 2 main sets of friends. The ones from town, and the ones that would help me in the barn, build forts in the snow, and ride those decrepit bikes I had the privilege of owning! The ones from town would often come out and see what farming was all about, but as for getting down and dirty??? they usually bowed out of that. There are a few friends I have to mention, because they are such a big part of how I became me.
Amy M and Jen T., what laughs. We spent many years together in the little school of Glen Morris. They were and still are wonderful people, mothers and wives of some very lucky families.

Amy L however was my soul mate. She moved to a house across our field and we would often meet somewhere in the middle and walk to her place or mine. Hours would pass, yet they felt like minutes. Her dad happened to also be our vet, so her family quite graciously let me hang with them often! Amy taught me manners (which I sometimes use), and is by far, the nicest person you could EVER talk to on the phone (unless you talk to her mom or sisters... same goes...) We attended Glen Morris also, then I moved over to the high school for 7&8, and didn't get to see her as much... To this day, I cherish those memories and think of her often. (thank goodness for Facebook!!).

High school brought around my urban friends. A circle I had never been a part of. The girls I remember most were Pam B, Heather H, Kate F, Kathryn D, Melanie R, Jen H, Jodi R and of course Krista S. (my buddy) just to name a few... They were great friends... Unfortunately, like most high school friends, we have long since drifted. Universities and colleges move us all in different directions and futures. Mine was agriculture. Their's were not. I have had the opportunity to sneak peaks into their lives through FB, but thats about it.

Friends are easy. Foes are not. Foes are challenging and sometimes crushing. But they too mold us into the kind of person we are to become. I always seem to have a foe. At least I always perceived them as foes. Kindergarden to grade 2 was a big bully on the bus. I was petrified to get on that damn yellow thing everyday because of this dude. He just seemed to only pick on me. He'd go through my lunch, and somehow make me feel ashamed (why is that? its a friggn lunch?!!) and tease the living crap out of me... Let me make this clear... DON'T BULLY!! Karma can be a real brute given time. That same boy ended up as one of our relief milkers for dad (when I was at the barn too... can you say awkward??)... took him a long time to get me to warm up to him (I sooo hold a grudge). Other foes in my life? Crushes. The boys I was sure I was going to marry. After all, they were the dairy boys right? WRONG!!! But not for lack of trying! Oh well, I was being led to someone perfect... well, for me that is!

My friends who are some of the most genuine, hard working, loving people I have had the privilege of knowing, I have met through 4-H and university. That story however, will have to wait for another night. Too much to say.

Eventually, I will get to my present boring life... but for now, I have you captive in my even more boring past!!!

I wish Oprah was a farmer too...

Oprah is cool.  A voice for millions...  however, if you happen to be on one of her more recent trends regarding some new diet, farming is a target.   I wish she was a farmer.  A voice for us!!  Every occupation can be viewed in any negative light given the right media.  She has that power.  We, unfortunately do not.  Sucks.  Oprah, come out to our farms.  The ones we are proud of.  Yes, there are bad seeds...  guess what, Jerry Springer doesn't do much for promoting your profession either.  (even though I think he's kinda cool)

Okay, thats my rant.  Where was I in my ever so intellectual story...  Oh yeah, whining about being a hard working kid.  Don't get me wrong.  We had fun.  Living on a farm is a life like no other (of course, I haven't experienced anything different...) so yes, I'm biased.  I remember playing Dukes of Hazzard (we, of course were Bo and Luke...  I think we made Lisa be Uncle Jesse...  or Cooter... hehehe).  I remember my dumpster bike that was supposed to have 2 handlebars, but of course only had one.  I remember hanging in the haymow with dad on the hottest frigg'n day in June, July and August thinking I was going to die, but cherishing that time with dad.   So yes it was hard work, but we got to spend day in and out with family.  Something we don't see much of anymore.

My friends (you know who you are) laughed at me through school.  Not being spiteful, laughing at the fact that I was (and still am) USELESS in the domestic area of life.  Mom would make our meals, and wash our clothes, so I was clueless when it came to cooking, cleaning or housework in general.  I used to begrudge the fact she didn't go to the barn much and GOT to stay in the house...  little did I know, who the heck would actually WANT to stay in the house to do housework??!!  I know now.  Cause I hate it!  Throw me back in the barn anytime!

Thats all kids,
Gotta prep for big storm!!

signing out...
Sandbox

Here we go...

Mom told me to write a book.  I think she honestly believes I make most of the stuff that happens on a day-to-day basis up.  I'm so not that creative...  So, today in the barn, I decided I would tackle a blog.  My husband thinks (correctly so) that I'm techno illiterate, so this should be interesting.

Tonight, I think I'll start from the beginning of my farming career, then we'll see where that takes us.

I (Sandi) am the middle child of 3 darling girls my mom Nancy and dad Harry procreated.  (Gross...)  Anyhow, they assured me it only happened 3 times, so I'm good.  Anyhow, we are the proud decendants of a string of dairy farmers.  Both my mom and dad grew up on a dairy farm.  They fell in love (I think) and blah blah blah, we happened.

My siblings are Peg (older) and Lisa (younger) and they happen to be my idols and my best friends...  ahhh, sigh...  We grew up as the 'hired men' of the farmstead as we were the cheapest...  (gotta love child labour).  Mom and dad built our 48 tie stall barn in 1980, which I believe, was the absolute worst time to take on debt...  Hence, the cheap labour!!  We housed mostly holsteins (which came from the Emmott line - dad) and some Guernseys (mom's Maus side).  Our farm was and still is on Paris Plains Church Road in Paris, Ontario.  Most of dad's friends and neighbours figured dad was disappointed that he had only girls, but in our defence, dad would reply "the boys will come"...  They did.  We'll get at that later.

My sisters and I worked before and after school in the barn.  A bit more hard-core when we hit high school.  Saturdays were reserved for pitchin' out pens (sucked...)  Sundays were church then Grandma's...  I actually miss that thinking back...  The year we really became the main labour at Mauslea Farms was the year of 1990.  We hosted the International Plowing Match and dad decided to do some acrobatics putting up some blower pipes, broke his ankle.  Side note:  My father and I are the MOST accident prone people EVER!!  We quickly learned that you have to dump an entire tank of milk if you milk a treated cow (never understood why dad got so mad... do now.)  Learned that if you skip some steps when milking, you get more of these treated cows (hence, more chance of the wrath of Harry).

ok, I'm tired.  I'm far too long winded...

Cheers,
SB