June 26, 2002

Okay where is everyone today. It is another hot miserable day out. I am watering some of my potted plants twice a day. Alfalfa needs cut - maybe that will attract the rain. Although, it hasn't rained since the last time we had it cut. I walked into the field today because dh forgot to count the round bales he left out there. I couldn't believe the amount of grasshoppers.

BTW - did you realize there are less than 6 months to do your Christmas shopping?

DH brought Bridget the midget calf home from the pasture last night. When he took Bridget and her mom the pasture, I had expressed my concern because she is a "little slow" and I was afraid she would get lost in the rough terrain. Her knees are also messed up. Dh originally thought she would be okay. However, due to lack of moisture, the creek is dry and he has to haul water to a tank. He was afraid because of her inability to get around and her shortness that she wouldn't be able to reach the tank so we've got another bucket calf. I don't know what we're going to do with her. Probably let her grow and butcher her.

Leaflady - I am sorry that your family had a bad 4-H experience. There were and are people who still cheat. Dd had a hard time understanding this especially when they did better than her. We more or less told her that was part of life that there will always be dishonest people. Every year I see a family where the father, or someone else, will get the calves ready for the show ring and the kid just grabs the halter and goes in the ring. Some smart aleck kid told dd that he knew that she didn't work with her calf. I told her to take her boots off and show him her toes without nails (where steer stomped on her foot). For her, the whole 4-H experience has turned out to be very rewarding. Besides taking the projects ranging from cooking, livestock, animal science, photography, etc. , she participated in the speech, judging and presentation contests. I feel she wouldn't have the confidence, work ethic and responsiblity that she now has if it weren't for 4-H as she was a little on the shy side when she was younger. She was also rewarded for her work with trips to Washington DC and the National 4-H Conference in Atlanta. In her county, the kids also had to fill out record books to proove they worked on the projects. If they didn't fill out the books, they didn't receive their premium checks. And I'm sure there are parents who probably even filled these out but those kids will be the ones that will be hurt in the long run.

Well I'd better go - dh had to work late tonight and I need to help dd with chores. Everyone please take care and please pray for those who need the rain.