Finally Back
October 16th, 2006 by Northern FarmerThere! An evening when I’m not busy or dead tired, a rare event around here. It’s been so busy around here trying to get things under control, the weather hammering away for three days straight last week, wind roaring, snow flying, you name it, but it’s done, or at least that one is done with. Whew, and am I glad that system is out of here. Today was about as gloomy as it gets with rain showers here and there but it was still good enough to keep on going and get more stuff done outside. The cattle from the south pasture a couple of miles away are home as of Saturday and now all the other herds are within reach of the homeplace so cattle moving worries are water under the bridge. I won’t go into any details about that adventure because Pastor Josh wrote a good post all about our adventures that day. Saves me the typing and I wouldn’t be able to improve on his post anyhow. It’s fun reading about my day from someone else’s perspective.
The Monsanto serfs are, or should I say were, busy combining soybeans around here lately. I hear a couple of corn driers in the distance so apparently some are starting corn harvest in the area. But we don’t have anything else to harvest except a couple things out of the garden yet. Mostly cattle work lately. But raising cattle is an old thing that us humans do, done it for a long time, even way, way back in the Good Book. Besides, I’d get pretty sick of eating chicken as my main meat, I gotta have beef and lots of it. When a person goes six or seven hours between meals, working hard all the way through, a salad and chicken breast don’t cut it. Besides, them cattle eat all that good stuff that a person doesn’t have to plant or tend to much. Low input in comparison to regular modern farming.
Being behind with everything as usual around here, I’ve been neglecting advertising of our forage fed beef and better get off my butt and get some word out. Quite a few steers are already spoken for but there’s quite a few left, plus some fleshy cows for family ground beef packages. It’s always been my weak side, paper work that is, business stuff and all that. But I’ve slid through life so far neglecting it almost entirely. Just barely getting by, doing only what would get me a jail sentence if I didn’t. Never was all to caught up on all the modern business practices. I’d rather just be outside doing what I do. When it all ends for me someday, I’ll admit that I probably did less paper work, less business calculating, less worrying about that stuff then 99% of the people today. Now ladies, don’t think I just dump it all on the wife, because I don’t. It just seems to work out.
The other day while moving cattle I made the comment, “Gee, I should just get an office job, wouldn’t have to work this hard.†Well, the guys helping me just laughed and said it would never work out. I’m a farmer and that’s it. Must be a throwback from years ago when folks were independent. And there’s nothing much better then being independent, don’t have to cower to folks, don’t have to please everybody. Just do what’s right and let the chips fall where they may. That’s the way society was when farmers were the majority in this country. A free and independent people made up this country. They were looked at as the higher class, land owners, free to do as they seen fit. Strong churches, strong communities, strong families. There was no, “You deserve it†advertising. That’s all there is now, “You deserve itâ€. What a bunch of bull! People figure they’re owed a living, and as far as I’m concerned they’re nothing but flat out lazy! More worried about where they can go to play then worrying about their families. And I don’t care if they work a forty hour week, if they have the “You deserve it†attitude they’re just lazy. They’re just working to get by. Worrying about their credit score so they can “Deserve†more and more, on credit. I could go into detail on this, just from what happens around this area, people so far in hock that I can’t even imagine it. People with toys and toys and toys, that if they missed one paycheck she’d all come crumbling down. How do these people sleep at night? I don’t understand it at all. I’m scared to take out a car loan, (which I wouldn’t), for a couple thousand bucks. I’m from the old school.
Here I am after not posting for over a week and getting all worked up, hmm, still got it! But people can paint it all over and try to make it all look good, but it ain’t, simple and sweet. The last few years I’ve never seen attitudes on spending and “deserving†stuff go so out of wack. Kids can get out of high school, shack up, and get a three hundred thousand dollar loan for a suburban style home, with no money down, no problem. And they got just some low end jobs. Plus then fill the garage up with high price toys, on credit. Looks to me like this society is hooking folks into a slavery that they’ll never get out of with the continual brainwashing that goes on in the media. Plus then no matter what loss of freedom thing comes from the government, folks will swallow it hook, line and sinker, just to maintain there so called security, to hold on to what they’ve so deeply borrowed for. The attitude now isn’t even to pay off debt, it’s to maintain it for a lifetime. I just don’t get it. I must be some dumb hillbilly, Bible believing Holy Roller, fanatic and all that other stuff.
But this Hillbilly Holy Roller ain’t going to change. What’s right is right, period. Take all the accepted ways and keep them. Worship the god of self. And when they’re old and worthless to society, think, just think how wrong it all was. What did a person accomplish, what was it all about? Trained up kids to be even worse and what will happen to the next generations. Nothing but slaves, in bondage, and no matter how the idea is sold it’s a miserable existence. Then abortions, homosexuality, stealing, and all the rest are accepted. And it just keeps going down. They can keep that so called lifestyle. But around this land there’s that quiet movement, an awakening. Society doesn’t even hardly notice. The Lord is waking up people everywhere.
October 17th, 2006 at 10:14 am
I’m with you on all of it, except I’m not seeing many people waking up. Yes, there is the little band of us agrarian bloggers to prove some of us get it, but looking around me locally, it’s not too visible.
I’ve often wondered what events could ever allow the Anti-Christ to come to power and consolidate all the fiercely proud countries of the world into one government. But it occurred to me finally that it will probably be economic. If the Rapture occurs BEFORE the Anti-Christ comes to power, it suddently makes sense that the world will be in a total panic. Imagine the financial ruin and economic collapse when all the Christians are suddenly gone- not buying groceries, puchasing vehicles, or paying their mortgages. THAT would get most people where they live- in the wallet! If anyone came forward with a plan to “save” all the hedonists who have have extended themselves WAY TOO FAR, they’d buy in in a second!
Even if the Rapture doesn’t occur before the beginning of the Tribulation, I still feel that economic pain will surely play into plan. If the world’s stock markets crash, if oil dries up, if a modern famine or pestilence should occur, all those who have lived entirely in the present, with no money in reserve, (which is certainly the vast majority of folks in wealthy countries like ours), will scramble to find someone to provide them with some kind of welfare that will bail them out (and hopefully allow them to keep living their same lifestyles).
Maybe not what you had in mind when you were writing, but what you said brought these things to my mind. I’d be interested in hearing others’ ideas.
Laura
October 17th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Laura,
First, thanks for the great comment! As far as what was on my mind when I wrote that, most of the time there’s not much on my mind when I start writing, then it just comes. What you wrote about kinda sums it up, that’s where almost all my writing comes from. So many people getting pulled into the trap of dependency of society instead of God. And worse is the fact that so many carnal christians are following along at breakneck speed. So many christians looking to society or man’s wisdom instead of God’s Word. Many have more faith in an asprin than God’s power and majesty.
I never, (yet), get into debates about the rapture like so many do, I just believe that we are commanded to always be ready. So when the rapture does happen or I get kicked in the head by a goofy cow, I’m ready. It’s “all” in the Word.
Thanks again for your great comments!!
God Bless!
October 17th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
“The Lord is waking up people everywhere. ”
Amen and Amen. They are popping up everywhere.
October 17th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
Howdy Tom,
You know, I’ve typed a few replies and they all came out sounding wrong here, so let me just say you gave out an awful lot to chew on and it makes a whole lot of sense.
Your goofy cow statement rings true though. When my time is done and I finally have gone and done the ultimate fool thing that got me killed, I can look into the Good Lords eyes and say I did my best. Then its up to him to determine if I did good enough.
Have a Great afternoon?? (whew, too much thinkin for my simple mind….),
Brad
October 17th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
I love reading about your life Tom. I would also love to visit your area someday. Thanks for the everyday stories of your exciting(at least, to me) life.
October 17th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
Good day Northern Farmer, I would like to introduce myself as a first time replier to your blog. My name is Guy. I live in Manitoba, Canada (many miles north of you, probably about 500 give or take a hundred). I work full time and farm part time with my family (wife, 2 daughters and son). I guess that makes me the Northern Parttime Farmer. I have been reading your blog for about a month. I enjoy it and usually have a read while eating my lunch at work. I am not a religious man like yourself and your friends. I do what I do and am what I am. I don’t judge and don’t like to be judged. I judge no man because I have not walked in his boots. I hope you can respect that.
Your rant has prodded me to give my two cents. As I see it society as you have described it is in a self destruct mode. What you have described in your blog creates huge stresses on the mind and body. The obsession (notice I did not use the word need) for material things and social status is the cause of these stresses. Disease, poor physical and mental health is the result. We are seeing more illness in the last 100 years than ever before. Why is this? Medical science is more advanced, food (notice I did not say good food) is more plentiful, and everyone has shelter and clothing, so it is not because we can not obtain the basic needs of life (food and shelter). Why so much poor health then? Simple answer. Greed. The obsession with material things and social status has caused stress. The stress has jeopardized the world’s health. Greed is what will bring this world to an end (my prediction). The god you believe in would never end the world but he would not stop the sin (greed) of the world from doing it unto itself. Family, work, friendship, manners (meaning decent social behavior) have all fallen way to greed. Everyone is for themselves. Have I ever fallen into this outhouse hole? Sure have. Every week I find myself sliding back into the ways of society. I pull myself out and try again. The Amish are an excellent example of how society should be. Work hard, eat well, rest when required. Sounds simple. Why is it so hard to do? Thanks for the blog. Hope to talk to ya soon.
October 17th, 2006 at 8:49 pm
What exactly does your wife do? (besides 99% of the farm paper work)Does she work off farm? Does she teach at church? Work at school? Homeschool? Maybe she can be a guest blogger and fill us in
October 18th, 2006 at 5:37 am
I gotta make this short, so bear with me. Thanks for the comments Marci, Brad, John, and welcome to commenting Guy, I’ll get back to you sometime. A person could call you the Much More Northern Farmer! And Patti, One thing, the wife don’t do the paperwork, plus I don’t get into depth about my family and don’t plan on it. I guess you’ll just have to come and see for yourself, (everybody else does
Around here my dad went down a couple of weeks ago with a broken vertebrae, (sp), or as I say, back. As of last night ma went down and is in the hospital, that’s where I was last evening. Both need care. Things are a tad bit rough here right now with so many going down and I want folks to understand that I have a rough time posting or commenting, just understand. Now as is the tradition around this blog, all the simple hearted folks can just keep on going commenting and I should be able to kinda keep it all going when I come in for a desperatly needed cup of mud. It’s been a rough few weeks and is getting rougher here, but it can’t be all the worst because I’m still smiling and joking and Praising The Lord!
Again, thanks for the comments and God Bless!
October 18th, 2006 at 5:55 am
Hang in there my friend. It sounds like your going through here what we call “catching a wave” ( a wave of bad things happening all at once). You’ll get through it, Just keep pluggin and praying along. In the meantime, We’ll throw a couple of em your way.
God Bless you and your entire family,
Brad
October 18th, 2006 at 9:01 am
Hi Tom, Nice post! The wife and I blasted thru Mn last week on the interstate, had to see the in-laws in Montana (bad health). We didn’t get a chance to call you, running late both directions! Did notice a lot of empty and very beautiful dairy barnd in Minn, same in ND. What a sad thing. If more people (young and old) would wake up to the blessings of God, family and hard work, we could repopulate those empty farms and towns and revitalize our culture and country. Keep up the good work.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:47 am
So sorry to hear about the health issues going on in your family. I’ll put you all on my prayer list, too.
Wasn’t meaning to start any arguments about the timing of the Rapture or other such hot topics- I’ve just often wondered how the world will arrive at buying the Anti-Christ’s lies hook, line, and sinker. But then again, I probably need to keep in mind just how gullible the average “consumer” is. If he can be convinced of his NEED of a luxury car far beyond his means (and, of course, that he DESERVES it), why not that one man can fix all the human-created ills of the world?
Looking forward to reading more in the future, but I certainly understand that family will come first.
Blessings on you and yours.
Laura
October 18th, 2006 at 10:13 am
Brad,
We done caught a big wave lately but I know it’ll be worked through for the good as long as we have our eyes on our Saviour! Thanks!
Brent,
Next time ,eh!
I figured you were out there, musta sensed your presence when you drove by
Laura,
I used to wonder too about how the world would buy into the lies, but can see now that it’s ready for any of them kind of lies. It’ll take em hook, line and sinker. Just me, me, me!! Well, I’m finished with this cup of coffee, time to head back out and hit it!
Never fear about starting any aurguments with me on that subject, especially when I agree with you
God Bless!
October 18th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
Guy,
Thanks for your comment and though we disagree on my faith, (not religion), we do see the same thing happening around us. And from my point of view, greed is worship of self which results in stress, which is the reward of worshipping false gods. Ah, life sure is simple eh! And worship of self causes all these stress related diseases and problems, causes poisons to be put into our foods so we make more profit in our worship of self. Causes family problems because in the worship of self, self should be able to do anything he or she wants, because self is the god.
I got a couple minutes so I figure I’d better catch up on the response. First, make sure you give me warnings when a NW blaster is coming through your area so I have a couple hours to prepare the farm here
I love God and my faith and I do hope you keep hanging around here in spite of it all. Again, thanks for commenting and hope to hear from you more often!
October 19th, 2006 at 5:38 am
Morning Tom,
Just sitting here waiting for the coffee to finish. I think I’d rather see an oil shortage than a coffee shortage. My place runs on coffee!!
Went and looked at some land yeaterday. Seems a 10 acre parcel I’ve got may be worth a little money to some folks. Went and looked at 20 acres that would end up being an even swap. Lets see……. No Briars…. Honey suckle…..Tree’s…. or Poison Oakand its cross fenced qnd Its got a barn I can put some stuff in!! I think I’m sold. Now to convince the wife….
Have a GREAT morning,
Brad
October 19th, 2006 at 5:55 am
Morning Brad,
Thinking about trading up, eh. Sounds interesting, keep this old blog informed as time goes by! Sounds like your excited so it must be good! I’m drinking my umteenth cup as I type, just about getting to the full mark. Chewing on some side pork, fryed taters and a couple of our own fresh eggs. Time to go and start the misadventures for the day soon. I’m with you on coffee verses oil. We can readjust to no oil, but no coffee, that’s what nightmares are made of. Time to go conquer a coffee producing country to make sure the supply flows, don’t want to be boiling acorns and wheat trying to make some substitute, yuck. I need my kick!
Have a Blessed One!
October 20th, 2006 at 5:52 am
Morning,
Its not so much trading up as getting in the same county. Theres only one bridge across a river here, so I end up taking the tractor (…. and baler…… and plow….. and rake etc..) on a four lane highway for about 8 miles, then another 7 to the land. Hittin a 4 lane 65 mph highway with a 20mph tractor and an 8 foot tow behind will put a few grey hairs on a man (Mines gettin so bad, even my toe hairs are grayin’)
Looks like a pretty quiet weekend. Lots of rain this week, so I think I’ll just sit around and watch the rye grow……. (I’ll just bet I’ll think of something else to do though….)
Good Bless,
Brad
October 20th, 2006 at 6:15 am
Awwww…… I meant God Bless. Or maybe Good Blessings to your family. Sure of all the things I could’ve screwed up in that post… I picked the God…..
October 20th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Hey Brad!
When a person’s heart is in the right place it don’t matter how many typos there are, the message gets across!
I’da never figured that out
I know what you mean on driving farm eqiptment in traffic, yuck. Makes a person realize how close one is to the last day of his or her life when all that traffic is roaring by a slow tractor. One wrong move……
I wish I’d be having a quiet weekend, but no such luck, overloaded and wondering how to do it all. Dad’s starting radiation today, they “discovered” the cancer was the problem. I wonder how they finally figured that out…….? Sheeesh! I tell you, I don’t have much faith in the modern medical system, blunder after blunder. And people having more faith in an asprin then God’s healing powers, … well, what can I say. I gotta feed some more cows.
Good Bless You Too! (Sorry, I just had to do it