Praying, Scraping, Painting

Our story continues. We've been here in the Biloxi, MS, area since Sunday. Home Depot is our best friend, along with Walmart and a little Lowe's thrown in for good measure.

You see, a mission team's supplies are never complete! Our team of eight has divided into two. Four are putting in a new floor at one home.

I am a part of the praying, scraping and painting team. We are working outside on a home. We spent Monday and Tuesday doing prep and today finally starting painting. We met the homeowner who is a widow working three jobs. She is looking forward to moving into her home and retirement.

It was such an honor to meet her. She thanked us, but she has it backwards. The honor is ours to be able to help. We prayed with her. It was a great day.

God bless.

In This Box . . .

There is a multitude of stories wrapped up inside the shoe boxes we saw today on the altar. The "we" is a group of eight of us who were headed to D'iberville, Mississippi for a week-long mission trip (we arrived this evening).

That is part of our story, my story.

 The shoe boxes on the altar were at the Friendship United Methodist Church in Athens, Alabama where we spent the night on our trip down here. Each box was packed with gifts specific for a child of a certain age.

The stories started with the parishioners who selected the gifts and lovingly wrapped them in the shoebox. The boxes will be shipped overseas to Russia to children in need. Prayers are that each box will be matched to the right child. Most important, the Friendship UMC congregation prays the story doesn't end there.

Their prayer is that each child who receives a box will come to know Christ . . . Just as His love filled each box when they were packed. It was a pretty powerful story to hear this morning as we began our team's mission in Mississippi.

There is still work to be done six years after Hurricane Katrina. God is using our team in His story. This also is part of my story.

What is your story?

 God is good.

Head, Heart, Hands, Health



My stepdaughter, Amber, was
a great pig and sheep showman
during her 10-year 4-H tenure.

 It's county fair time again in our county.

Hundreds of 4-Hers have worked to the wire to finish projects. Many got up before sunlight yesterday morning to get livestock trailers packed. Our kids always wanted to get the pigs over to the fairgrounds as early as possible before the heat of the morning.

All the hours of walking pigs in the lots behinds barns, or in yards. Working with lambs, cattle, goats, horses, will pay off as they move their prized animals to the fair, put on their show clothes, say a prayer, and walk into that show arena.


My stepson, Adam, with my mom

at his last county fair. He loved

his 10 years in 4-H.



4-H is one of the best leadership development programs a child can ever experience. Whether its a photography, cake decorating, sewing, or livestock project, youth learn to research and complete a project. They gain pride and respect in themselves. They gain life skills.

Congratulations to all of our 4-Hers. You are the best.
 

4-H Pledge

I pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service and
my Health to better living, for my club, my community,
my country, and my world.

God is good! 


Showing livestock is a long

tradition at Sigler Farms!

 
 

 


Some of the 4-H trophies

are still proudly displayed!

Wordless Wednesday . . . tractor town

Nothing like celebrating Independance Day with a red Farmall!

Or a red International.



And for everyone who doesn't think I like green tractors,
it's simply not true. Olivers are great tractors!





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Blue skies, red flowers, white clouds

The yellow-orange
coneflowers.

It's a glorious Fourth of July on the farm

There are beautiful blue skies, bright red flowers and puffs of white clouds to celebrate this holiday.



I just discovered red coneflowers! Their color is brilliant.



The farm is a fireworks of color. I've added red, a bright yellow-orange and a dwarf coneflower to the landscape. I didn't know (you've guessed I'm not a Master Gardener) coneflowers came in such incredible colors and sizes.

The phlox have exploded into brilliant pinks and purple. My hibiscus is a soft lilac. The Shasta Daisies are a bright white.

I'm thankful to be on the farm, with lots of space to plant lots of flowers. Mostly, this Independence Day, I'm thankful for this country, and the opportunity to enjoy such simple pleasures.

The dwarf coneflowers.

God is good. America is beautiful.

It's Wordless Wednesday on the Farm



The corn doesn't look too bad for such a late start!





Great grandpa with our youngest, Miss Hadley.



The crew is off for a ride in Sigler Woods. You can't see
the 1950 Farmall Super A pulling them.

God is Good!

Miss Ava on the 560 . . . a good ride!

How does my garden grow?

Remember the old English nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary How does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells ... ?"

My garden here at the farm is a flower garden. It flourishs with lots of love, a dash of luck, warm sunshine, and the necessary rain. My favorite flowers are ones that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, so I've filled the landscape with perennials to meet that goal.

My favorites are the traditional pink coneflower, although I've recently discovered a beautiful geranium red and bright yellow-orange variety that I must find room for somewhere. . . hummmm . . . .

I also love Coreopsis . . . It is a beautiful bright yellow flower. The petals look more like a Shasta Daisy, but it also reminds me of a coneflower. I just planted this one last year.

Mary Quite Contrary had silver bells. I have a silver-colored bucket from the Red Hill General Store that I use to store my hand tools in. It is the 2-quart galvanized bucket, a good size for my three favorite tools . . . hand clippers, a garden claw, and weeder.

My Red Hill bucket has become a good friend. You see, I was always looking for these garden tools before . . . tearing the garage apart every time I needed one or the other. The bucket has captured them quite nicely. Why didn't I think of that before?

I painted my favorite coneflower on it and keep in the kitchen with the tools inside.

The Real Farmwives of America & Friends are having a give-a-way on their website.  >> Click here to win a galvanized embossed tub from the Red Hill General Store.

Can you garden without a painted bucket? Sure. But, I have a lot more fun now because I have a smile on my face when I look at my decorative, yet practical bucket sitting on my kitchen counter, ready to go outside with me!

Life on the farm is always good!

While Red Hill General Store did provide me with a bucket to blog about for this post, the pictures, ideas and opinions shared here are my own!

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Eyes opened . . . arf!

Last night my eyes were opened a lot. I traveled about 50 miles to the Indiana Women's Prison for a graduation.

This special ceremony had all the pomp of any graduation, but it was one of the most emotionally-filled gymnasiums I've been seated in. You see, this was the Indiana Canine Assistance Network's (ICAN) Class of 2011 graduation.

ICAN's mission: “Changing lives and unleashing abilities on both ends of the leash” is accomplished by utilizing incarcerated adults in Indiana's prison system as handler/trainers. These individuals train these incredible animals to become assist companions for children and adults with disabilities.

As the dogs go through their two-years of training, they are furloughed with ICAN volunteers for two to three weeks at a time. These individuals monitor how the dogs react to everyday life/situations. My boss is an ICAN volunteer, so over the last two years, we've had several dogs at work who are in various stages of their training. What a way to work . . .

I'd be sitting at my computer lost in a moment and in came Charlotte, one of the dogs who graduated last night, tail wagging and a toy in her mouth. Any frustration I might have had would be gone and for a few minutes, we'd have our time together. Can't beat that!

I met Charlotte's new family last night. She wagged her tail when I called her name, but she was more focused on the little girl she will now be partnered with. I saw Tippy, a black lab and golden mix, who is ICAN's first dog trained specifically for diabetic detection. He goes over to his partner and sniffs when he detects low (and high) blood sugars . . . before his partner does. This is an incredible success story.

Time and time again last night, people (handlers and newly-partnered people) spoke about the impact this program has made in their lives. From the assistance these dogs provide to their people partners, to the love and devotion that goes both ways, to the incredible building of the human spirit. ICAN provides great opportunities.

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So, I drove home to the farm with my eyes and my heart opened so much more. What an incredible experience it was to see the bond between dog and handler, dog and partner.

God is good.

Wordless Wednesday . . .

It's Wordless Wednesday at Sigler Farms, so I'll be brief.

Thanks to Gal in the Middle, a great blog, for giving me the heads up on a summer activity for kids using Bennie the Bean. This is the Year of the Soybean at the 2011 Indiana State Fair.

Bennie is seen visiting one of my favorite exhibits at the fair, the Pathway to Water Quality, a beautiful park-like setting in the northeast corner of the fairgrounds.

Have fun with the kid's activities you can do with Bennie's picture >>click here.







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Happy Monday . . . are you hungry?

As a friend of The Real Farm Wives of America (and Friends), I encourage you to head over to Big K's blog today and vote for #10 Two Maids A  Milking's delicious cinnamon rolls!

Then enjoy Two maid's blog. They are real farm wives!

Happy Monday!

"D" is for Dad

I've been very fortunate, in a strange way.

My dad.

You see, I have been blessed with two wonderful fathers in my life. The first one was the man who helped bring me into this world, my biological father. He's the one I remember taking me the Marion County Fair and the Indiana State Fair when I was a child. To this day I get choked up when I look at a merry-go-round.

We hardly ever missed a 500 festival parade. I still get tears in my eyes when I see the Purdue All-American Marching Band. They always led the parade.

He made the best hot chocolate in the world . . . from scratch . . . with Hershey's cocoa, sugar, and water to create a paste, then added whole milk. I always volunteered him to make the hot chocolate for UMYF or other church youth functions.

He took me to Junior Achievement the night I made my first speech to a Rotary Club.

He died the following year when I was a junior in high school. I miss him very much.

My stepdad and mom.

My stepdad choose to be my father when he married my mother 22 years ago. He willingly accepted the role as "dad" to three women who are all crazy in our own right.

He is the one who walked me down the aisle when I married the love of my life. My stepdad's love knows no limits, just as a father's should, so I know we were meant to cross paths in this life.

One day, I know I'll have the opportunity to see my earthly dad, again. I thank my Heavenly Father, for his blessings on this fathers' day.

God is good.











M is for "mother"

There are many women who hold special places in my heart.

M is for mothers: My mom, left, and my mother-in-law.

Of course, my own mother is first and foremost. She grew up on a farm, like her mother. She has strength, courage and love beyond measure. I am so lucky to have her in my life. I love you, mom!

Grandma Lena, left, and my mom as a younger woman (she's still young!).

Her mother, my Grandma Lena, is the only grandparent I knew growing up. Grandma made the best cooked spinach (yes, I said, spinach) in the entire world (or so I thought as a five-year-old). She also sang me The Teddy Bear song and told me stories and made me smile. I miss her very much.

I am blessed to have a mother-in-law who is like a second mother. She is kind, loving and strong. She grew up on a farm, too. She also reminds me of my grandmother in many ways. Her stories give me so much appreciation for my husband's heritage and the history of our farm.


My stepdaughter,
Amber, with my
granddaughter,
Karlee.

I am very proud of the mother my stepdaughter has become. She nurtures her three girls with patience, love, faith and a great sense of humor.

Mother's Day is always special at the farm . . . when I take time to remember the special women in my life who mean so much to me.

Mom with her three daughters.

God is good!



Three favorite ladies from my life: mom, center; and her sisters: Aunt Kay, left; and Aunt Jo.



Amber's mother, left, helping Amber
on her wedding day. We both cried!



Can I have this dance for the rest of my life?

That Anne Murray song Can I have this dance for the rest of my life? was our first dance 21 years ago today when the hubby and I started our life together as a married couple.


The hubby and I have traveled to many

beautiful places over the last 21 years.

One of our favorites is Wyoming where

cattle outnumber people by a large margin 

 - something my farm boy says is

"very appealing." But, our favorite place

is still our Indiana farm.

It was the happiest day of my life. I married my best friend. He has shared his two beautiful children with me. And, we've built our life together on the farm where he grew up. Every morning I look out over the pastures, fields and woods and see God's glorious creation here in the country.

I am truly blessed.

Our life together has been filled with great joy. We started our marriage with my dog and his two children. He learned to live with a "house" dog. I learned to live with kids. We both adapted. I will say his contribution to our marriage has brought more fulfillment and love to my life than words can describe.



All this time later, I'm a farm girl and proud to be one. I've done my share of work with the 4-H pigs and sheep during the kids' 10 years, I've learned to drive tractors, and a double clutch 1950 Ford truck (not an easy task). We have six beautiful grandchildren and looking forward to their 4-H tenure!

No, life hasn't been a fairy tale. It's simply been a gift from God, made fuller, better and consumed with the love of the man I said I do to 21 years ago today.

God is good.



He's not just a dog

Elroy today, sitting by the
computer trying to help!

Elroy, our yellow lab, came to the farm last summer as a 10-week-old pup. He's a Buckeye by birth, but a Boilermaker by choice!



My husband and I were excited. We had grieved the loss of our beloved lab, Fletcher, who died two years ago after 11 years as a member of our family.

"Our boy, Elroy" got his name from Fletcher's middle name. That, and from The Jetson's cartoon after George and Jane's cute son, Elroy, also blond-haired, short and slightly pudgy.

Elroy and I getting
acquainted last summer.

The farm just didn't seem the same without a canine companion. Elroy captured our hearts very quickly (and a couple pair of my sandals, too). He's not Fletcher. Fletcher never chewed on my sandals. Fletcher also wasn't very stubborn. But, he also didn't like to travel in a vehicle of any kind.

Elroy doesn't know a stranger. His wagging tail could be registered as a weapon (albeit unintentional). And, he loves to go anywhere . . . even the vet's office. That's a good thing. He's had more than his share of visits to the vet in his short life (he just turned 1).

We almost lost him twice at the age of six months. Seems he developed intestional problems due to food allergies and had two emergency surgeries, otherwise he wouldn't be here. We had another scare this week, but turns out it's a stomach bug. Still, it's hard when that tail doesn't wag and he curls up in your lap on the floor because he just feels so lousy.

Today, the sun is shining and Elroy is feeling a little better. Hopefully, he can do his usual walk in Sigler Woods with the hubby this weekend.

If you haven't read the essay Just a Dog, by Richard A. Biby, you should. You'll understand what I'm talking about. He's part of the farm, and our family.

God is good.

Lent, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Victor and Nikki, and Jesus

As an adult, I've given up something I've enjoyed during Lent. Dessert, soda (particularly Pepsi), candy . . . you get the idea. I got good at it.

I've pretty much eliminated soda from my diet, decreased desserts to a very manageable level and candy, well, giving up candy was never a stretch. I'm not a candy-craving crazy woman.

This Lenten season I got serious about my sacrifice. I wanted to give up something that would remind me on a daily basis about the sacrifice our Lord made for us.

I decided I'd become WAY too attached to soaps. Not the suds that keep us clean, but the shows that clog our minds! Mine is The Young and the Restless. Yes, I admit it, I was hooked on the antics of Victor and Nikki Newman and the citizens of Geneo City.

SoapNet makes it easy to catch up on their escapades at 7 p.m. so when the hubby was busy, I'd tune in. It was a fun diversion from the day. 

It's better now to think about not watching the Y&R and WHY I'm not watching. The point was made even more poignant not too long ago. You see, my six-year-old great niece has given up Sponge Bob for Lent. She's not watching the cartoon for what probably seems like a lifetime to a young girl her age.

The point is . . . we're reminding ourselves about the ultimate sacrifice . . . the reason for Lent. What a glorious reason it is. God's ultimate sacrifice for us, His son, who died for our sins.

But, on Easter Sunday, Christ will rise. His promise is clear.

God is good.

Take time to say I love you . . .

God's love is never more evident than on Sigler Farms.

Life is short. That's become all too clear lately.

In my professional life, we've lost three good people in the last month in Indiana's soil and water conservation arena. They were people who dedicated their careers to helping us understand why its important to take care of the natural resources God provides us.

My older sister lost two good friends recently. One from cancer; the other died unexpectedly in her sleep.

People die every minute of every day. I've often thought the world should stop each day for a moment of prayer to honor the memories of those we've lost and ask for comfort for those left behind. Prayer is powerful. Such a gesture could mean the difference in so many lives.

So today, take a few minutes to tell those you love, "I love you." Three simple words that mean so much. Say a prayer. Thank God for this glorious day. Thank Him for the gift He gave us . . . his only Son who paid the ultimate price so we might have eternal life.

It's not hard to do. Life is too short.

God is good.

Goodnight sweet earth

A couple of weeks ago, the weather was absolutely beautiful . . . an Indian summer by many accounts.

Fall is my favorite time of year. Our woods are filled with spectacular and intense color. Elroy (our Lab) and I took a walk through our own slice of heaven to enjoy the bronze, gold and ruby leaves still clinging to the branches. Each leaf seemed to explode with color against the bright blue sky . . . such a glorious gift God gives me every autumn.

Now, the weather has turned damp and cold as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. The leaves are all but gone. The grass is dull, lifeless. The sky grows grey.

That's okay. It's time to say, "goodnight, sweet earth." Winter approaches, and with it, God will bring a different set of beautiful sights to see here on the farm.

When life hands me lemons, duck!

Yes, we’ve all heard that old saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”

Well, it seems life has certainly handed me (or my family) a lot of lemons lately. I’m inclined to throw them at something. Perhaps the first thing I see!

I think instead I’ll remember that prayer and meditation is the best medicine. God is always willing to listen to my rantings and ravings, my crying and laughing, my “I don’t understands” and my pleas for understanding. But always, He is with me, bringing me comfort, and more important, He is with those I love, guiding them along their ways.

It’s hard when people you love are suffering and you can’t do much to change the situation. So, my decision is to the throw the lemons back. I don’t really want to make lemonade right now. I don’t feel like making lemonade right now, so don’t suggest it . . .


“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:24 (NLT)


My blessings: my faith, my husband, my children, grandchildren, our parents, our jobs, our dog, our home, our health.

My favorite butterfly and black cat!

It is All about God!



My favorite flower and Purdue fan!





My favorite gorilla, Snow White, Iron Man and Sponge Bob.





I've been brainwashed and I'm seeing red...tractors, that is!

A few weeks ago, my husband and I traveled north to LaPorte, Indiana. It was the site of the 21st Annual Red Power Round Up hosted by Chapter 33 of the International Harvester Collectors Club. Funny, my eyes were seeing red everywhere, but it was one of the most pleasant experiences I've had this summer!

From the left: A 450, 230 and an A.

What is a Red Power Round Up, you ask? Well, it's not a rodeo where cowboys favor the color red in their apparel. Red Power Round Up is the showcase for equipment made by McCormick Deering, Farmall, International and Case IH. In short, it was 2,000 red tractors (not those green JDs) lovingly displayed all over the beautiful LaPorte County Fairgrounds. 

A 1940 Farmall H

These are not new tractors. The newest ones on display that I noticed were mostly from the early 70s. These are tractors carefully restored with great care...sometimes brought back to life from the brink of junkyard death to show their glory with even finer grace and dignity than when they were brand new.

Orion Samuelson, left, and Max Armstrong,

talk to Miss America 2009, Katy Stam,

at the 2010 Red Power Round UP.

This two-day excursion had been planned for months, mind you. We booked a B&B. Scheduled time off work. Our two-day trek over the fairgrounds included parts for the 1950 Super A at home, Farmall t-shirts for the grand kids, and lots of tractor photos, with a few International truck pictures mixed in. We also caught a show from those agricultural media icons, Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong.

As a city girl, I had absolutely no idea what a Farmall, Case IH, International or McCormick Deering anything was until I married my husband. I thought "Oliver" was a boy's name, not a cherished tractor from his boyhood days. And I certainly didn't realize that the color "green" is an invitation to war (or words of war) here.

But...I've realized I have been willingly brainwashed. I loved the second Red Power Round Up I've been to in my married life. I found myself truly admiring all of the beautiful tractors. Hats off to all collectors who capture a piece of American history each time they restore a tractor or piece of farm equipment, or those who purchase and protect an already restored piece. It is another way to talk about where we came from, we where are today, and hopefully, where American agriculture will be in the future.

God is good!