Back In Time On The Reese Farm

The Reese Family Farm Spring 2008

On Sunday, the weather was fantastic here in Milk River. Not much wind and you could see for miles. As opposed to last weekend where blizzard warnings and bad roads were the tonic for the happiness of one's soul. Having had a complete 180 in conditions, I decided that I would do something with my kids that my mom used to do with me when I was a young buckeroo... go for a walk on the farm.

The Reese Farm is located NE of the town of Milk River by about ten miles. Ask Cam how I know this and you'll get one heck of an answer. The farmhouse and cow barn, along with the other outbuildings are up on a peninsula that overlooks a long coulee on either side (it actually stretches from up near New Dayton all the way down to where it meets the Milk River just west of Writing-On-Stone). At the base of the south facing slope, just below the main house is a lake being held back by a small earth fill dam. From there, a little creek meanders it's way toward the main coulee channel where a canal has been built but no longer used (ask Uncle Kenny about that... he may become upset about the canal, so beware). Out in the fields across the dam are rock piles that my Grandpa Reese and presumably sons made as they picked the rocks out of the field. There are some big piles so I don't envy those hot days in the sun. I am also sure that Grandpa didn't quit for the day until the sun was close to going over the western horizon, he just worked that hard and expected his kids to do the same. Something my mom tried to impress upon me, too, so I guess Grandpa made an impression (not that my mom or my uncles had a choice). There are areas of thick brush and a few rocky outcroppings. Other than that, wide open prairie awaits.

Attack, Kathryn... attack!!!

I distinctly remember being with my mom, walking by some brush, and a pheasant popping out of those bushes when I was so close to him I could have grabbed him with my bare hands. Too bad my heart stopped and I had the daylights scared out of me by his sudden decision to bolt. My mom had a good laugh and we had fun in those hills. We'd see lots of deer and a few birds. Depending on the height of the water, there would be geese and ducks on the dam and the odd time, a coyote. Some good times... sometimes we wouldn't talk about much of anything or even talk much at all. Other times she'd ask about my dad and if I'd seen him lately, or where my head was at on that situation... tell me when else she'd have a chance except for a time like this. It was special and a simple thing, but important. I'm glad we would go for these walks and talk to each other like adults do (I couldn't have been more than 13 years old).

Anyway, we brought the girls out to the farm this past Sunday and enjoyed about an hour and a half in the coulees. We had a friend in Amber (Ken & Jane's dog) to guide us along and "lead the way" as Kathryn put it. Tansley loved the birds, Kathryn loved the views, and I enjoyed sharing it all with my family.

The most special part of the walk wasn't the picture we took of our family as we came up out of the coulee... instead it was stopping on the north facing slope with Kathryn to find the first few crocuses of the spring coming up. My mom and I would go pick these when I was Kathryn's age and now here I am doing the same thing with her. Can't really put to words how great that was but the feelings were deep and special. One of those times where becoming a parent is all worthwhile, no matter how long a day might be or if you are going it alone... I know what my mom to some degree was trying to do and hoping for everyday of our young lives... to have moments like that where things are taught, thoughts are expressed, and love is able to grow for one another.

Court Farmly Portrait

I love my kids. I love being their daddy. I love having a wife that is everything I wanted to have in my life and every bit the mommy I wanted my kids to have. I love my mom. I love that she never gave up and never "tuckered out" though she should have on many of those crazy days the five of us raised hell. I love that the Lord has so freely given this all to me and the joy that comes from these gifts.

That walk on Sunday was a gift... and I will cherish it more than any one thing that can be bought in a store. I smile at the thought that my kids could have the same type of moment on the farm with their kids only to have the same realization I had today. "My parents loved me and we had some great moments to share, laugh, and love... and I want more of these moments!"

Many more to come, girls.

Grandma's Game Show Network

Today was my usual day off from B & M. Cassie, get out of the way... I'm blogging right now. Normally it would be spent doing a few projects around the house or going for a wiener roast, but today it was Grandma Paxman's 47th birthday (wink, wink... nod, nod). Our dear cousin Jenni went on a quest to get Grandma a new floor and fridge in her place and with said things purchased in advance, it was up to a few of us to install the floor. Seriously, Cassie... you are not helping anyone by standing where you are. Here are just a few observations of the day:

    1.   Grandpa Paxman was one amazing homebuilder and craftsmen. To know that it would only take one nail to keep the stairs to the landing in place for over 24 years is amazing foresight. Too bad he didn't bank on his favorite Grandson-in-law dropping his old fridge on them and causing some "shifting".

    2.   Grandma Paxman must have shares in Ronco. If not Ronco, then perhaps at the very least, the Home Shopping Network. Yep, the old slogan for the Ronco Rotisseries was "Set it and forget it!" and gang, that is exactly what Grandma did... judging by the dust on the appliance. Good that there was no chicken or roast on the spindle, though it would  explain the strange smells we encountered while at floor level.  Yo, Cassie... move your buns back into the living room.

    3.   Elbert needs to attend, in the very near future, a "stair safety seminar" or "common household accidents you can prevent" workshop. This guy... well, it's just a miracle that we have him with us on the earth today. But, when your injuries usually cause your doctor to inject you with some sort of yummy drug to calm the pain and raise the spirits, I guess I'd like nothing more than stubbing my toe or nearly cutting my fingers off with an exacto knife either.

    4.   Cassie loves to constantly stay in the way (most of her brothers, too) but mostly her. Especially when:
                -Garth and Dan are trying to move the stove in or out of the kitchen
                -Uncle Elbert is attempting to use the skill saw at floor level
                -Garth, Neil, Dan, & Elbert are trying to install a new floor at Grandma's house BEFORE she gets back                     home
                -Dan is trying to play along with such gameshow masterpieces as the Family Fued, Super Password,                         Pyramid, and Press Your Luck. For Pete's sake, get out of the way, Cassie... are you kidding me?!?

    5.   Grandma Paxman keeps a lot of yeast and condiments in her ice box. No wonder she stays in such good shape. Maybe I should try that diet out... the pounds would just melt off me. "Hey Grandma, could you pass the ketchup? Mmmmmmmmmmm, I sure love ketchup!" Can't say I'd want a yeast infection, though. Anyway...

    6.    Dishwashers, like Ronco products, can be great for us when we USE THEM.

    7.   The air in the farmhouse should be much cleaner and fresher with the inch of dust no longer coating the air exchange intake behind the new fridge. It may also be noted that moving your fridge or other similar appliance from time to time may allow for easier clean ups of the room in which the prescribed appliance sits. If you are unable to move them yourself, then call on one of many family members that claim to be there at you beckoned call to give you a hand.
  
    8.   Don't be afraid to "re-delegate" a task you have been asked to perform to any other one member of your family or work party. You better believe that there will be someone to take care of that task somewhere down the line so you won't have to, even though the reason you were probably invited to do that service was most likely because you had your thumb up your bum or were just habitually getting in the way (Cassie) of the procedings of the day. Those that came to work will do all the big and small jobs for the project... you guys just sit back (or stand... in the way) and relax and let the big guys do all the work. It's better this way, wouldn't want you pulling a hammy or getting dusty on our account.

Anyway, it was a great day and very rewarding I am sure for all of us everytime we will step into the kitchen at Grandma's. The floor looks great, the fridge will hold more food than Grandma could ever have room for (No Elbert, this is not extra storage for you or your family - Jenni & Dave not included). And Grandma had one of her "best days". I was grateful to be apart of it. Happy Birthday, Grandma P!

From Foremost With Love

OK, so Saturday was an interesting day, as it usually is. I stayed
overnight at Kaye's Motor Inn and worked at B & M all day. Jon, the
cool guy that signs my paychecks, was getting rid of some furniture
because they had upgraded to a slightly newer set, so just before they
were taken to Sally Land, I halted the procedings and offered to store
them at our house for the next few years... free of charge. Great deal
for him, I think.

However, by doing so, I then also consented to
driving home in the luxurious B & M cube van to get these things
home. Not a big deal, what's big is my mouth when I offered some nice
folks the chance to have me drop their new bikes off at home for them.
You know, I'd make this grand appearance, crowds would be boisterous,
and a band would welcome my entry... if they didn't live in Foremost.

Now
here's the thing, I wouldn't be getting on my way until 11:30pm
Saturday night because of a get together previously committed to and
thus not getting to Foremost until after midnight. No big deal to these
nice folks because they wouldn't be getting home til late either.
Unfortunately, Foremost was moved about 30km further east in the last
decade due to high flood waters and a flying herd of mangy mad cows, so
it took a little longer to get to my glorified destination. So imagine
my surprise when I rolled into Foremost around 1am after viewing the
most spectacular northern lights display ever to drop bikes off at our
predetermined location (their house).

Imagine my surprise, also,
when I went to pull the bikes out of the truck to find the front tire
of the husband's bike completely flat. Well fiddle-dee-dee! What am I
supposed to do about this? I'd like to wait and conduct an online poll
of what you the blog reader thinks, but I'm going to go out on my own
on this one and suggest what you all would have voted for... NOTHING! I
left the bikes and drove south of Foremost to meet up with the 501
which takes you into Milk River, figuring I'd phone him the next day to
apologize and make arrangements which in the end, I did.

What I
didn't do is plan on the truck running out of propane 15km east of Milk
River. OK, it wasn't completely out but it took 20 minutes to drive
that stretch because when a vehicle is low on propane, it doesn't just
die quickly, the pressure in the tank goes slowly and consequently, so
does the vehicle. So here I am ripping west on the 501 with the town of
Milk River in my sights (it looks beautiful from the east at night,
just for the record) at a hilariously horrendous 35km/h hoping I'll get
to within a reasonable walking distance for me to walk in the door at
6am. The last 3km were covered going 10km/h...
vrrrroooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmm. Even more comforting was
the fact that from when I left Highway 4 to go east to Foremost, south
and then back west to Milk River, only two cars passed me going the
other way. Can you say "isolation" or "recovery operation waiting to
happen"?

Anyway, I came in the door and went to sleep. I told
Mandy the next day what had happened and where I went after she took
the van with the kids home and I drove the cube van. It should be noted
we left at the same time and she expected that I may be, at most, a
half hour behind her. I tried to fill one of the tires with air, which
never happened so I drove all of that on a set of dual axles that had
only one good tire on the right rear side. She took that news not quite
as good as you may be taking this story. If anyone needs a tissue to
dry their eyes or to go to the bathroom because they may have done or
will be in the process of peeing themselves, please... don't let me
slow you down anymore. Go, and go quickly. You know who I am talking to
when I say that. Drive safely!

Daniel

Because I am still learning...

Because I am still learning this whole blog thing, my glorious post is on my dear wife's blog. I would seriously go read it if your day is sucking, it should pick you up a bit. Also, if anyone knows how to transfer that entry over to this spot, let me know. Sign in, sign out... blah blah blah. Stupid computers... it is a literary classic that entry, stuck on my wife's with flowers and other crap.