Last week after my beloved Mr. T and I snuck off for a few days, I had numerous calls and emails concerning the well being of the farm. Even city people know that farms can not be left to tend to themselves and hens are completely unaware of holidays. They provide fresh eggs January 1 to December 31 and farmers gather eggs January 1 to December 31. We would never be able to leave the farm without a farmer to stay here and tend to the hens and chicks.
Terry and I devised a plan when we realized that our children were coming to marriageable age. We thought why not find a family who has something that can provide a bit of rest and relaxation for us. Stuart was our youngest son and yet the first to consider marriage. We hummed and hawed for a bit and thought, well , why not. I had for quite some time thinking it would be a delight to have a daughter and if we could find someone whose Dad might consider helping us on the farm, we could work something out. Stuart was very fond of Karlee and was truly smitten, and we quite liked Karlee and quickly fell in love with both her and her family and so a deal was struck and Stuart and Karlee were married. Oh and by the way, you can visit Haylee who is Karlee's sister on her blog Sweet Violets. I'm sure she'd love you to stop by and say hi.
Otis was able to get to know Karlee's family easily because we often were together as families, planning the wedding and enjoying birthday parties and other celebrations. The situation was discussed with Otis and he was fine with Ken coming to help on the farm, so another hurdle was overcome.
Terry spent endless hours with the chicks and hens, preparing them for his time away.
He made sure the barns and the equipment was all tickety-boo for the additional farmer, coming on board.
He made sure the barns and the equipment was all tickety-boo for the additional farmer, coming on board.
Then, this last Christmas 5 years after the marriage between our son and their daughter, it finally came to pass that Ken retired from his first job of mechanic. His dear wife Linda made him up a business card that made him officially available to us. We jumped over the coffee table, hugged him, claimed him and planned our first get away all within 5 seconds.
I ran out to town and bought him a pair of overalls , Terry led him to the barn and after a few months of training in the husbandry of caring for hens, we were off. We came home to a farm well cared for and Otis looked at us as if to say, don't worry about us, we managed just fine. From time to time Ken will be staying here with Otis and the hens and we will be able to enjoy some time away.
Parts of this story may not be exactly as described, I'm sure Stuart and Karlee would have a bit to say about my version of the events.
I'm off for my 30 minute walk and then I'm going to bake a cheesecake that will remove my taste buds from winter hibernation. That will be tomorrows post. Have a wonderful day my friends. . . . . . . . . . 1 hour later . . . for a really interesting read on God's timing, you may want to visit Julie's devotional blog and there is a Honda link that is really fun to watch.
Oh, I loved this story! How fortunate to have such a loving and wonderful extended family! My sis-in-law comes from a dairy farm near Calgary. I know from being at her family farm how difficult it is to leave. Every day, no matter what day of the week, the milking happened on a schedule on their farm. All events and activities revolved around that fact. Lovely post today, Lovella!
ReplyDeleteArranged marriages are great!! Especially when your kids have no idea you were more than supportive for THEIR sakes!! ha-ha!!!
ReplyDeleteI think life on a farm is the BEST!
Again, love your story. Now Stuart and Karlee have to give THEIR take on it;)
ReplyDeleteStuart and Karlee should give their take on this soon.
ReplyDeleteOtis, on the other hand, is already secretly blogging, and on HIS blog he let it slip that he actually likes Ken better than you and T. His take on a lot of your posts have been hysterical! That dog, what a character.
Truth be told, I simply do not know who we would get to watch the chickens if we went away! For short term, perhaps a couple of days, my sister in law would do it. But my teens have no idea what it takes to be the keeper of the chickens! I guess a bit of training needs to take place between now and any vacation plans we might want to make!
ReplyDeleteFrom the looks of it, you've got quite the production there! I only have 9 hens and a cocky rooster!(aren't they all???)
I can hardly believe it. As I was driving home from work I was thinking about dinner tomorrow and hoping that cheesecake may be on the menu. I think I may be right. If not I will not be dissapointed. Thank you for the 'bouquet'. Kathy
ReplyDeleteWell Mr. Clean, your egg room looks so perfect but knowing you it wouldn't be anything but. Glad you were able to get away from the farm for a bit. My cousin is a chicken farmer too and they are in India now. His dad looks after the farm while they are away.
ReplyDeletealways good to know someone is taking care of the farm! Loved reading the story, especially the arranged marriage :). your paska (a few posts ago) looked amazing!
ReplyDeletegreat post! I love the story of the "deal". Too funny!
ReplyDelete