One Week on the Nelson Farm

by Ila
Jewell County WIFE

My husband Marvin and I are farming in partial partnership with our youngest son Kendall and his wife Sandy. They have twin boys who are so much fun.

Kendall and Sandy live on the farm where we raised our family of 3 - 2 boys and 1 girl. This place was owned by my great-grandfather so the twins are the 6th generation to live there.

This is what my weeks are usually like. Some are much busier, very few are any slower.

Monday: The week started out busy. Kendall helped a neighbor haul some cows to summer pasture. A semi-truck arrived Monday morning to haul some large bales of alfalfa for the hay buyer. Marvin did the cattle chores and checked for newborn calves for Kendall. We are not involved in the cattle enterprise but Marvin helps with the chores.

I had 2 meetings Monday. In the afternoon, I went to an Extension lesson on "Privacy in the Information Age". I helped the Family & Consumer Science Extension Agent after the meeting with some paperwork. Then I went to the hospital for a hospital board meeting. Our doctor is leaving and this is a big problem for a county. We have a Physician's Assistant but we also need a doctor. I think I'll be busy with many hospital board meetings.

Tuesday: Kendall took a steer to be processed for the freezer. Marvin did the cattle chores and I went to Beloit to pick up my birthday present to myself - a used computer! I think I'm in my second childhood! Will I ever be able to figure it out? Oh well, I'll have fun trying.

Wednesday: Wednesday was the usual ho-hum day - chores at the farm for Marvin, Kendall helping a neighbor with his cows. Some of Kendall's old cows decided to go to summer pasture on their own - a 1/2 mile walk from the winter place.

I moved things trying to find a place for my computer. I finally put it on my old refinished kitchen cabinet in my sewing room. I have no idea if that is where it will stay.

Thursday: Today, I went to help put address labels on the WIFELine paper - the monthly newspaper/newsletter of the national WIFE organization.

Friday: I need to clean house. Our oldest son, his wife, his daughter, and the daughter's boyfriend will be here this weekend. Eric, our son, is going to use the farm truck to haul some hedge posts to his acreage north of Lincoln, Nebraska. He is planning to plant 2 acres of grape vines. There is a vineyard and winery close by. We are curious about this new venture.