One Strange Summer

This summer's weather has been so odd, strange, mixed-up, or any other word you want to substitute for crazy! It began in spring when the weather was so warm, so early. My dad says it seems like we skipped a whole month somewhere. A lot of people don't pay that much attention to the weather forecasts, but for farmers, it's a way of life. Chelan usually stays up until the weather segment is over and then he goes to bed. The unusual weather has taken its toll around the farm. Hopefully, next summer is a little different!

I took some pictures a few weeks ago to try and explain:

1. Corn harvest usually happens in September. This year, we started harvesting corn at the end of July - way too early. Surprisingly, the corn didn't do as badly as we thought it might!

2. Because we haven't had measurable rain for about 2 months, most of the soybeans had to be swathed and baled for the cows to eat. They just weren't going to produce beans. It's really sort of sad to see them being "harvested" this way.

a row of swathed beans

Here is a bale of soybeans. I like this picture because it tells the story of
this summer: thunderheads in the distance and not coming our way!

3. Again, because of the lack of moisture, the cows are running out of grass in the pastures. Chelan and his dad started bringing them back home mid-August. This also means that they had to grind hay bales for feed. The cows usually come home in mid-October, so chores will be done 2 months longer than normal.

The first time Delaney saw this pile of hay, she kept
saying, "Pile, pile, pile!"

Poor cows - I'm sure they would much rather be out in the open!

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Pre-Christmas Surprise

On Dec. 22, I woke up to Caiden not feeling well. In fact, he said he hadn't ever felt the kind of pain he was experiencing that morning. Reluctantly, I made an appointment. Long story, short - it was good he complained because he ended up having his appendix out that afternoon! It must have been at the very beginning stages and thankfully hadn't burst. So, we were in and out of the hospital by midnight that night. Maybe the worst part about the whole thing is that his wisdom teeth surgery had to be postponed since it was supposed to be the very next week. He'll go back to school minus an appendix, but still having his wisdom teeth until February 16! Pre-op Post-op

Spring Art

While Mrs. Schmidt was away on maternity leave during the spring, Mr. Novak (from Hesston) filled in for her. Since Cambry has her first 3 class periods in the art room, she got to know him very well and he mentioned several times how he appreciated Cambry's artistic style and way of thinking. He even let her paint a little bit on his own pieces! Cambry took several pieces to the WSL art festival in April. She came home with a first place finish in the graphic design category and an honorable mention in the computer design category. We are so thankful for the instruction she has received over the last 4 years in Goessel. Now, on to Hesston College with Professor Cross!

July Highlights

July was a slow, meandering stroll through mid-summer. Slow as it was, there were some highlights: Lots of raspberries to pick - what a delight! Kenya continues to grow and learn how to take walks: Delaney loved her week at Camp Menno! Delaney and Jenna attended the KSU Volleyball camp: All 5 of us were in the SAME place at the SAME time to attend a beautiful wedding! Cambry found success at the Marion Co. Fair one last time with 4 purples and 1 red on her photos. Two of those purples turned into a Reserve Grand Champion and Grand Champion in her respective classes. Fun fact, as an assistant, she sat with her future art professor as he judged photos! Delaney and I were "guest readers" at the little kids' Splish Splash Party at church: Last but not least - the Paris Olympics started! We watched the opening ceremony at Vanessa's. I took an olympic flag fruit pizza to share with everyone: Next up: a busy month of transitions!

Days With the Duerksens

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