Homeward Bound!!!

Every year at the end of May, my brothers all return to the farm to help get the first cutting of hay done.  Without them, my Dad would probably never get it done  They get the tractors fixed, the machinery ready, and tackle the 400+ acres of hay.  They have a blast together, and its more fun than work.  They often make comments that they could get more things done and faster if my Dad was gone.  Therefore, Dad is the gopher!!!  The thought of everyone together with out me makes me very sad, so a trip back to the farm is very good therapy for myself.  Allen is always very good and is willing to let me go.  I usually take a child, but this year flights were extremely expensive, so I went by myself.  It actually turned out good because my mother had quadruple by pass heart surgery 3 weeks prior to our arrival.  My mother had been experiencing heart pressure for several months, but did not tell anyone.  She finally shared the info with her doctor at a yearly appointment and was referred to a cardiologist.  She failed the stress test and was scheduled for stent placement.  Unfortunately that procedure was not possible, she was admitted to ICU, and open heart surgery the next morning.  She was pretty miserable for several days, but decided she would live, (although she said death wound have been a better option).   I was able to help her with several things.   We planted the garden, cleaned house, lots of laundry, meals and kept her company.  It was very hard for her to let others do things for her.  My mother is not one to sit around and do nothing, but she had too.  It was also hard to see her take naps, just because that is not my mother.  By the time I left she was hoeing the garden, pulling a few weeds and was planning on returning to milk cows. 
The following pictures are a modge podge of pictures and I am tired of trying to get them organized in order, so sorry!

This mother goose is not happy that we keep coming to see the goslings  Her nest was in the pasture along the fence line with five eggs.  When driving to the nest she would move, but walking there she would not leave the nest.  Four eggs had hatched earlier in the day and I wanted to see if the last egg hatched.  Five little goslings, very cute.  More pictures are down below.

My brother, Kenneth, baptized his oldest daughter, Emma, in the Susquehanna River, where Joseph Smith was baptized.  It was a neat experience.  Our cousin, Phillip, also baptized his daughter.  The church owns land and is in the process of building a visitor center building at the area.  Right now it is a dirt road with overgrown weeds.  Very special spirit is present and I was glad to have been there. 

On the banks of the Susquehanna River with my sister, Diane

The manure people came with there equipment to empty the manure pit and spread the fields. 

Mother & Father

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Grandpa got a little stressed with the mess that came with several grandchildren around.  One night he decided to help gather the puzzles and put them together.

My brother, Scott, and his new invention on cooking hamburgers.  We better stick with charcoal, the oil left a titch of aftertaste in the mouth.

The milking machines at the barn

the milk tank

 

birds nest found in the berry patch.

Before flying home, we spent a couple of days with Diane and her family.  One morning we went to Green Lakes for a walk.  It was a beautiful lake and the company was exceptional.  Mom did pretty good with the walk, but needed a nap by the time we got back to Diane's house.