NPSAS unites folks

I everyone--I'm home again.  WOW--was it ever a fantastic weekend!  The children managed the farm while Robert and I went to Aberdeen, SD for the organic convention.  The name of the educational organization for organic farmers, in our part of the world, is called Northern Plains Sustainable Agricultural Society.  I can' even count how many years we've been a member of this organization but we'd be so lost without them. 

 Farmers tend to stay home a lot as their farms ARE their lives.  This can lead to isolation and a sense of despondency.  Truly many farmers are depressed and some have committed suicide.  A big part of the annual convention, then, is to touch base with other organic farmers so that we know that we're not alone out there in the struggle against the chemicals that surround all of us.  I have heard it said that we're adrift on a sea of chemicals and that THIS, plus all of our stress, is what's killing us.  When I'm with other organic farmers, I am the strongest, as these are the folks who fight the same battles that we do every day.  It was VERY uplifting and I came home strengthened.

Here are a few pictures that I took while at the convention.  I was pretty busy with soaking up all of the information that I possibly could, OR visiting with friends, so I didn't think much of taking pictures. 

This was a special moment though that I had to capture with my iPod.   Every year the organization votes for one of it's members to receive the "Steward of the Year" award.  This family is one who puts forth great effort to help preserve the Earth from the surrounding vultures.  This year Dennis and Dianne Shill, from up by the Canadian border, won the award.  That's Dennis in the yellow shirt but I'm not sure why Dianne wasn't able to be with us.  I sure did miss visiting with this sweet woman of the soil.

 We were sitting at the table with the Jacobsons. who are dear friends of the Shill's. when the award was announced.  You would have thought they had received the award themselves as they clapped with gusto for their friends.  Janet Jacobson is seen in the red jacket.  Janet and her husband, Terri, have led NPSAS for many years through all sorts of trials. 

 Robert and I were pleased to meet these 2 old buddies.  We had lunch with them both days and we really enjoyed visiting with them.  These man had hand shakes like the ones that I used to get in church as a child from those old German farmers.  I mean that, when they shook your hands, you knew that you had been greeted by a REAL man. 
How do I know that they're good buddies.  Well, Kevin with the black hat, shared that David with the green hat, milks his cow for him when he wants to go away.  Then David said that he milks her in the stock trailer because she's so mild that she doesn't mind him getting in close to her.  You can tell how mild mannered a man is by how mild mannered his cow is.  These 2 men added such delight to the conference for both of us! 

 In many ways, the best part of the conference was the fund-raiser auction sale.  People donated items and then other members bought them.  The best seller was a gorgeous triangle dinner bell that Dennis Shill had created in his shop and then donated to the cause.
  The bidding was stiff and I thought that our friends, the Hoffmans, might get it but they stopped bidding at $625.  That's right, that dinner bell sold for $650!!!!!!!!!  Emily S. paid $350 for 10 pounds of garlic which Steve Zwinger had donated so she was the second highest bidder of the night.  Her son, Ben, added a lot with a pair of socks made from the wool from his sheep.  That pair of socks brought $220 to the organization.  One other big sale for the group was 20 straws of semen from a bull that this guy has and that sale was $700.  We talked to Steve (who is an old friend of ours and was one of the auctioneers) right before we left and he estimated that the sale made NPSAS $4,000.  WOW!
Although all of that bidding was too rich for my blood, I very happily paid $75 for a cute old-fashioned wash tub full of organic produce.  Then, too, there was the book DEEPLY ROOTED which tells the story of the Podell family of North Dakota.  My only regret about the weekend is that I never got a picture of Theresa and myself as we go way back through many hard times.  I love her so!
One special part for me was when I bought this basket, the auctioneer said, "Sold to the lovely lady who has been bidding on all of the baskets tonight."  I just laughed.  It made my day to be thought of as a "Lovely lady!"

 After the sale, we headed for our room as it was a VERY long day and we were VERY, VERY tired.  Here Robert is checking out the schedule for the following day.
Have I ever talked about not sitting on the comforters in hotel rooms?  They say that they are one of the very largest collectors of all kinds of pathogens.  All kinds of people sit on them in all stages of dress so, do yourself a favor and do NOT sit on the bedspreads in the hotel rooms that you stay in.  It's also a good idea to keep your socks on for the same reasons.   

 I guess I should have opened the door to get this picture but I really didn't want to as there were lots of people out by the pool.  How we got a pool side room, I'm not sure, but we did.  I'll just say that it's a good thing that we were really tired as people were out there making lots of noise until very late and then, early the next morning, they were cleaning with something that sounded like a loud vacuum cleaner.
Anyway, Cora would have loved this pool as they have a huge frog slide.  Little people can climb through the back end of the frog and then slide down it's tongue into the shallow end of the pool.  You can see his big pink tongue in the background.  Closer to our room was this round green tube which squirt water on you.  On top were these 2 huge frog eyes staring at you.  I think you can make them out here.  It was very cute.

I guess you can see what's next on my reading list.

Truly the most remarkable thing about the weekend, came after the convention.  I believe that I've shared that I've had people praying for and doing sessions for my dad and my relationship.  Well, when I woke up Friday morning, this thought went through my head, "Maybe you would like to go and see your dad on the way home from the convention."
I talked to Robert about it, on the way to Aberdeen, and he said that he would go along with me if that was what I wanted to do.  I prayed a lot about it all weekend and felt led to take this step towards a relationship with dad.  I'm glad that I did it but I don't want you to get your hopes up.
Robert and I agreed that Dad is still the same jerk that he's always been.  After he got over his shock that I would actually come to see him, he said to me, "WHEN DID YOU GET GREY HAIR?"  That's my dad--always doing his best to help me feel good about myself.
Dad never greeted us and didn't say a word to Robert--his only son-in-law.  I did learn from him that my younger brother, Rick, is planning on getting married this Summer.  His speech was very slow but his brain was right there once he worked through what he wanted to say.  I kept doing cortices for him (in my mind) so that he could collect his thoughts better.
The only thing that seemed important to him was for us to meet his girlfriend.  I had heard, through a text from Duard, that he has a girlfriend.  It must not be too serious, though, as he couldn't remember her name.  I guess she pushes him around in his wheelchair when he wants her too.  Robert said on the way home, "Even in his old age he's a taker!" 
I did ask the CNA if we could meet his girlfriend for dad's sake.  She went and checked and found that the girlfriend, whom we learned is named, "Alice" , had gone to sleep already so Harvey didn't get his wish.  All in all, we stayed about 20 minutes with the man who is my biological father.  He, pure and simple, is an old, wretched man who was so pathetic that I couldn't help but lean over and kiss his forehead when we were leaving.
HOWEVER, I told Robert as we left the nursing home, "So many times I have wished that I could work on those old heads that Cora takes care of in the Napoleon nursing home.  I am going to pray and see if God wants me to start working on MY old father's head."
Robert sent me a warning glance which I knew meant not to get my hopes up of ever receiving Harvey Delzer's love when no such love exists. 
Still, I have seen BodyTalk do all kinds of miracles.  PLEASE URGENTLY PRAY THAT I HAVE PEACE ABOUT WORKING ON MY DAD OR NOT WORKING ON MY DAD!  All prayers are appreciated.
Best get lunch ready now.  Thanks, once again, for listening.
Dawn

The many beauties of Montana

As usual my computer has a mind of it's own when it comes to loading pictures.  I see that these are mixed up AGAIN but I must assume that it is this way for a reason as GOD is never mixed up.  Isn't THAT a comfort?  I'll try to tell the story in spite of the order that the pictures are in as it's too stressful to try to get them all moved around. 

How can it be a week already since I took BODYTALK FOR ANIMALS?  It was a highlight of my life, as was the trip.  Actually, I was dreading the trip because I've heard how dry and dead Montana is but Robert reminded me that this is a high rainfall year so perhaps it is more dry and dead on other years.  Then, too, irrigation plays a large role in agriculture out there.  You can see in this first photo how dry things look without irrigation.

 Here is irrigated alfalfa and you can see what a difference the irrigation makes.

 Those are some BIG rocks!

 I'm amazed that I caught our flag blowing in the wind at 75 MPH down the Interstate.  Can you see it?

 We went through much of Montana without seeing cattle.  When we got past Billings, though, there were lots of cattle and we felt more at home.

 This is entering Missoula.  For some reason I have always been captivated by tunnels.

 Here are 2 Roberts.  The "Other" Robert was in class with me.  He kept talking about the Good Food Store so we dropped him off there on our way home so he wouldn't have to walk both ways--a distance of about 3/4 of a mile.

 This is THE most incredible health food store I have ever seen in my life and, if you're ever in Missoula, you MUST see it.  They had about 35 types of rice and they run the store, "Not for profit" with all volunteers!

 Here's a picture of our class with our instructor, Ange, and coordinator, Tory, squatting in front.  Some folks had already left by then as we had 17 all together in class those 2 1/2 days.

 Here's the waiting room at the Red Willow Learning Center where the class was held.

 The grounds of the center were just lovely.

 I asked Robert to take this of me out by their billboard.

  A classmate took this of us.

 Here she is with me.  This is Nancy from Casselton, ND and I was so happy to meet her as she is a true follower of our Lord.  We'll see each other again in Winnipeg next month.

 This was Ange's closing screen on Friday night.  I thought it was so cool as it truly was God who put man and animal together in the garden.  What would man be without our animal friends?

 This is what the front of the room looked like and

 this was my spot in class.  You can see the lemonade by my purse.

 Is this gorgeous or what?

 OK, went we left here on Thursday, we drove to Bismarck and Robert saw the chiropractor for his back.  Then we took off for my brother's house in Sydney, MT which is about 50 miles North of Interstate.  They were so happy to have us spend the night with them and Russell told me that it was the first time that I had ever come to visit him.  LV told me that it meant a lot to him.

Here LV and I are together--she is really short.  She is a seamstress and had just sewn this Hawaiian dress which she begged me (literally) to receive as a love gift from her so that we could match.  Of course, we HAD to have our picture taken together.

 Here Russell is showing us his pin ball table.  I was so glad that the boys weren't there or they'd have been salivating.  He offered to let me play but I've never been good at that and my wrist was bothering me.

 I thought that this clock was soooooooo cute.

 LV is from the Philippines and has some beautiful Asian things in their home.  These fan was the most gorgeous in my opinion.

 It was hard being there and not eating some of LV's Filipino delicacies but I told her, "I'm sure that I'd get sick if I ate anything now."  She understood as she has fasted before too.  It sure was hard when the cheesecake came out though.  I decided to go for a walk while they had their supper and I enjoyed exploring the lovely homes in their neighborhood.

 At 6:30 the next morning we were off for Missoula.  We ran into lots of road construction which slowed us down.  One time that we stopped I noticed that there were loads of lumber going down the road which is something you definitely do NOT see in ND.  You can see the load on the truck that is stopped across from us here.

 Basically, then, we left here Thursday at noon and drove 5 hours to Russell's home.  We spent the night there and left early Friday morning for Missoula.  We drove 11 hours and pulled into the Red Willow Learning Center exactly 15 minutes before we needed to be there.  IS THAT COOL OR WHAT?

We followed the Yellowstone River all the way from Russell's house to Missoula and back to Glendive.  It kept peeking out at us saying, "I'm still here," and "You better keep moving as there's no time for fishing today."  It's beautiful and it's the lifeblood of agriculture in Montana.  Where there was no irrigation from the Yellowstone, there was no crop--no life.  I praise God for giving us the wonderful gift of water!!!!!!

Best get to sessions.  I am sorry that these are so mixed up but hopefully you all enjoyed them anyway.

Have a great week!

Dawn

Prairie Days 2011/Friday

This was the most awesome Prairie Days for me ever because my cousin, Kristi, and her family came all the way from Wisconsin to spend it with us.  They arrived at our farm at supper time 2 days before  PD started and we had a great evening visiting. 



The next day we were lazy and visited all morning while Kristi tried on various of Cora's vintage dresses with the hopes of finding one that she liked--actually she found 2.  Here we are in my kitchen making lunch together when Cora snapped this photo.







The boys enjoyed renewing their acquaintance with their second cousin Hristiyan who was here last Summer with his mom.  Kristi told me that his name sounds like Christian but with an H in front.

Here Robert and Michaeljon were renewing their acquaintance too.  Of course, Millie had to be in the center of things.

We all loved little Jason who is one of the Murphy's adopted children.  There's nothing quite so fun as swinging with a buddy on the double swing.

Andrew organized an informal Appleseed shoot here for the Murphys who were planning on shooting at the Dagley's farm.  He is a natural leader and, I might add, a VERY good shot.

We had an early supper at home before taking off for the Dagleys.  The trip went quickly as we made last minute plans for PD.  Finally we arrived and Andrew found his dearest, lifelong friend Jonathan Bartlett who is the state AppleSeed organizer for North Dakota.  These 2 met each other 9 years ago at this very spot. 

This was our welcoming committee--a delegation from the Dagley and Martin and Balyet families.

 Here is the Murphy family setting up the "Girl's" tent where I spent 2 lovely days and giggly nights with my cousin and her daughter, Rachel while Cora slept with the single girls (14 one night).  Below is the guy's tent  which was actually ours that we had bought for the event.  It was great fun talking back and forth with the guys until they yelled over, "You girls go to sleep."  Of course, that just made us giggle all the more.  I could hear Jacob groaning over "Next door".

 Just as soon as possible, I got my hands on a baby.  This one was James' and Amanda's little David.

 Here comes Andrew with our air mattress which he had taken to the shop to fill.  I had refused to camp anymore after the last time when my back ached for days.  However, for only $20 apiece we purchased 2 of these and they were WONDERFUL!  Notice little Jason following Andrew and laughing non-stop. 

 Finally the big day arrived.  Kristi and I had been talking about this for several months and we had a ball.  I admit that we did not always hear the instructions and were hounding Michaeljon for directions but he didn't mind.  He knew that we were just so happy to be together!!!!!!!!  That's Jonathan in the red and he was the shoot boss.  Jonathan did a GREAT job of organizing AND running the shoot.

 Here Jonathan and Chris are showing the key points of how to shoot well in the prone position.  Chris and Andrew were assisting Jonathan for the day.  Jonathan keeps inviting Andrew to take the orange, "Instructor in training" cap officially but he hasn't yet.

 At noon we all went inside as the day was damp and nobody wanted to sit outside and eat their lunch.  You can see me with my friend, Yvonne, who camp to the shoot and had a blast!

Here is our end of the firing line.  There were 22 shooters in all.  Kristi, myself, Michaeljon; Jacob; Hristiyan; and friend Seth are working on improving our aim in the prone position.

When my neck got tired, I laid my head down for a rest.  I told Kristi that this is what I did during our shoot here in '09. She said, "Yeah" and laid her head down on her arms to with her rifle laying safely in her arms.  I thought, "Wow, Kristi, you have come a long ways to be that comfortable with your rifle."  Cora told me later that she was trying to get the picture of us with our heads down together, but just then Kristi lifted her head.

Here is a picture of the awesome Jackson family that we have gotten to know in the past couple of years.  There are some good shots in this family PLUS their character shown through.  I was so happy to have these folks there with us!

Here my friend, Chris, stopped to share a few pointers on how to improve my aim.  I'm sorry to say that Kristi and I were having too much fun being together to really care all that much about how well we did.  I guess RifleWoman will have to wait until the next shoot.  I really was a little disappointed with how I did but the wind was atrocious; my foot was bothering me; and I was more concerned about Kristi having a good time than how well I shot.  IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!

Here is the other end of the firing line.  Some of these folks came from Minnesota just to shoot in this Appleseed AND to experience Prairie Days, of course.

Here is "My" Andrew.  He helped lots of people that day and I keep wondering if his future includes an orange hat or not.

After the shoot was over, I helped a little with supper but my foot was pretty sore.  I made my way down to Dagley park where Mark was holding a spelling bee.  It was great fun but I'm sorry to say that our team lost.  Here we are scratching our heads with some of those hard words.

Happy Independence Day everyone.  Oh, I forgot to say that this morning my brother, Russell, called me to wish me a happy Independence Day.
 He said, "How are you?" 
I was surprised when I answered him, "Independent."  I hadn't ever thought of myself that way but I did mean in reference to my family of origin.  Why cling to people who so obviously loathe you and what you represent?
Russell's chuckle warmed my heart and I rejoiced that I have at least one family member from my childhood family who cares about me.  We talked almost half an hour and then I informed him, "I'm calling you on your birthday (which is on the 9th)." 
He laughed and said, "I'll be waiting."
After he hung up I thought, "Who would have ever thought that he would be an ally?"  Isn't life strange?
GOD BLESS, MY DEAR FRIENDS!
Dawn