Lions, Tigers and Bears Oh My - Thanks for the Memories Mr. Behn!

When you think of northern Wisconsin, you don't think of lions and tigers.  Yet, about 15 miles from our farm we had these wild beasts.  Behn's Game Farm in Aniwa, WI, was an unbelievable place to go as a child - even an adult!  Mr. Behn's was a true performer, eating fire, taming lions and tigers, always a showman.  Driving down Hwy 52 nestled behind the pine trees, was this little circus treasure.  I had been there many times as a child.  Schools would go on field trips there.  Mr. & Mrs. Behns were like your grandma and grandpa. 

They also hosted a small annual animal swap, where kids, 4-Hrs even locals would set up their cages in his parking lot and swap or buy from others looking for a pet or project animal.  Justine got her first rabbit, "Misty Bunny", from a swap held there.   In fact, one of the main reasons I wanted goats was because of the goats they had at Behn's.  His silly goats use to climb a ramp to a stand, you would put corn in a bucket and the goats would pull the rope up to the stand and eat it.  This was really cute.  Little did I know goats didn't just come that way.  I loved my goats, however they were not that smart!

My grandpa Kincaid, who worked in the woods near Crandon, gave Mr. Behn a bear cub.  My grandpa came across this little orphaned cub (mother hit by car) and knew just the place to take it where it would be properly cared for.  Behn's Game farm.  Mr. Behn did train this cub to perform and later rumor had it that it performed in TV shows - someone once said Gentle Ben....but that can't be right because this was a black bear.  However, he did train the bear cub.

Mr. Behn passed away this week - he had a colorful life!  Oh that we all could find the lions and tigers in our life and tame them the way he did!  Thanks for the memories.

 

Wild Kingdom >> Wisconsin Cat ManWith a little Aquanet and a lot of bronzer, he could step in for Siegfried and Roy.© Rake Publishing, Inc. November 2003 “Wilbert! Wilbert!” his wife yelled at the top of her lungs toward the makeshift house behind the llama cage at Behn’s Game Farm in the tiny town of Aniwa, in northern Wisconsin. “He’s hard of hearing,” she explained. With a slight limp, Wilbert slowly emerged from the plywood building, looking as though he’d just awakened from a nap. At eighty years old and some change, Wilbert Behn is the oldest lion and tiger tamer in the world. His white hair is frazzled, perhaps from his snooze, and his ratty jeans and soiled shirt carry a ripe smell that suggests he knows animals. As he walked by the tiger cage, the fierce Bengali and Siberian cats watched him nervously. Obviously, they know who’s the boss. How does one become a lion tamer? “One day I just jumped in the ring and tried it out,” Wilbert remembered. “I’ve been doing shows ever since, for the last forty-nine years. You should try it—you never know if you’re a natural until you get in the cage,” he told me. I couldn’t tell if he was joking. I did not point out that if I find out I’m not a natural, I’ll be dead. I asked the missus what they usually feed these big cats, who seemed to be eyeing me hungrily. “Oh, fresh meat. Usually beef or veal. We don’t get as many horses anymore because people sell them for dog food.” Wilbert said that feeding time can be dangerous, though. “Once when I was feeding the lion, I got bit through both of my legs, and I got clobbered. I stepped over the trough and he just figured I was meat. I was real hung up for a while, until someone came to help me. If it wasn’t for rubber boots, I wouldn’t be around anymore.” Nevertheless, Wilbert retains his cool composure around the cats. “I always look them in the eye. If you don’t, that’s when they get you. I use two objects, since the cats can’t concentrate on two things at a time. You know if I really didn’t want to get hurt by the cats, though, the only thing I could really do would be to stay the heck out of the ring.” The danger isn’t only to the tamer, however. “I’ve had up to six cats in the ring at the same time, and once I did a show and the lioness went after the tiger. She bit the tiger right through the shoulder blade and blood was everywhere. I finally was able to get them separated by distracting them, so they didn’t kill each other. I looked into the stands and noticed that the audience had run away.” “See, most cats are declawed to make them less dangerous, but I never declaw or neuter them. If they’re neutered or declawed, I wouldn’t even have them on a plate—they’re still dangerous. A woman just got maimed down in Busch Gardens, Florida. A cat got her and chewed off her arm at the elbow.” Wilbert seems to love the danger of training lions and tigers, however, and he lifted up his shirt to show me scars from tiger bites across his body. But many tamers aren’t even that lucky. Wilbert told the gruesome story of his friend Dwayne who started another circus in northern Wisconsin. “The first show he did, a cat got a hold of him. The lion dragged him around the ring in front of two hundred schoolkids and their parents. He was dead by then, though.” Wilbert shakes his head sadly. “Now, every time I do a show, I can still see him standing there in the ring with me.” Wilbert viewed this incident as a reason to continue with his work. He pointed out his plywood auditorium with the large sign above the door that says, “NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURIES.” Ever the showman, Wilbert said, “If you want, I could bring the cats into the ring and give you a show now!”—Eric Dregni

Compliments - A Lost Art

"I can live for months on a good compliment"  Mark Twain
"Some folks pay a compliment like they went in their pocket for it"  Kim Hubbard

The other day Anna and I were discussing how not very many people compliment one another any more.  She has noticed that she had been paying more compliments than she had been receiving.  I know when I went to auctioneering school, I always clapped for others when it was their turn to sell something.  It reallly encouraged them to do better.  However, when it was my turn to sell, NO ONE clapped for me.  It was really discouraging!  I still clapped for others anyway.  Some people just can't or won't pay compliments. 

We've raised our girls to compliment others.  We taught this by example.   The "art of compliments" should be as valuable a lesson for children as any other lesson.  Our society today is very self centered.  We have had to raise our girls in the "me" generation - its all about "me."  Guess what .... it is not. 

I know to some people, paying a compliment might show a sign of weakness.  That could never be so wrong!  It takes a positive, confident person to pay an honest compliment to someone.   If I see someone really working hard, showing a talent, looking good, putting forth a positive effort and attitude or even smelling good....I will always tell them and compliment them.  Even if they are a stranger.  On occassion, the recipient might be surprised or even shoked, however, I have never once had a negative response from someone I've paid a compliment to.  We all like to be complimented; humans, animals, even God desires our praise.  

Side Note:  This should be ****I have learned, however, to be careful not to compliment too many men...I am married....this might look like flirting - not to me - but others.  I'm just an honest person and I use to think everyone was that way too.

Just as quick as I am to pay a compliment, I too am quick to let you kow if I think you are fishing for one.  Unfortunately, we all know people like this.  When I see it....I usually will do  my best to say something to discourage that behavior.  I know "momma says:  if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all"  Good advise, sometimes hard to follow.

I found some interesting information in line.  I learned and would like to share with you: 

"Compliments derive from taking notice of praiseworthy situations and efforts.  So they are a mark of awareness and consciousness.  We need to cultivate awareness of the good developments that are all around us.  The compliment needs to be put forth in spoken form.  Compliments are powerful in motivating continued efforts.  People strive to do more of what brings praise from others." (Good parenting advice)  "The art of compliment is not only a powerful social skill; it is one of the most fundamental.  In fact, compliments are one of the finest tools for acquiring more social skills, because the returns are great and immediate." (We know kids that lack social skills - not because of homeschooling - but because they didn't learn these skills at home.  Many say that homeschoolers lack social skills, this can be true, but publically schooled kids do too)   "If compliments are a gift from a donor, their reception is equally a gift - a return to the giver."  (I know I feel good after I pay a compliment). 
The information in "" came from http://www.psychologytoday.com/ the part in () is my opinon.       

also:

"A compliment is a two-way gift. It benefits both the giver and the receiver. Too often, people deprive themselves of the pleasure of giving a compliment when they hesitate and let the moment slip by. Or perhaps the other person is so consistently well-groomed that we don't bother to say, "You look great today." Or someone is so consistently efficient that we fail to say, "Good job."
Compliments are always socially proper, if sincerely extended and kept appropriate to the context. If someone always looks great, tell him or her. If someone is always efficient, acknowledge that. Compliments can break the ice with a stranger, defuse stress, lift spirits, or tighten a bond. The right words at the right time can motivate, comfort, reward, validate, and inspire.
Compliments are not the same as flattery. Flattery is insincere and excessive. Superfluous compliments are annoying and make others feel as though the giver is angling for something—as if the giver "expected a receipt," lamented one writer. What makes a good compliment? These are the basics:

• Be sincere. Complimenting someone just because you think it's a good idea is a bad idea. A phony compliment is easy to spot and instantly destroys the credibility of the speaker. If the luncheon speaker was a total flop, don't compliment the speech. Talk about the effort the speaker made to attend the function and the person's past achievements, if any.
• Be specific. "That was a marvelous casserole" is better than "You're a terrific cook."
• Be unqualified. Don't make the mistake of damning with faint praise: "That was a good report, considering …" or "This casserole is okay."
• Don't compare. You can diminish the compliment by comparing the accomplishment to some other achievement—unless you are comparing it to something heroic, and then the compliment sounds insincere.

When receiving a compliment, just smile and say thank you. Never try to shrug off a compliment or disagree with the person who is trying to compliment you. If someone compliments you on your dress and you say, "Oh, this old thing?" you're actually saying that the other person's judgment is poor or that she doesn't know what's fashionable.
If someone compliments you on doing a good job at the office, don't say, "It was nothing," or "It should have been more complete (or finished earlier)." This response is insulting to the other person, implying that his standards are not very high. "Thanks, I worked really hard on it" is much better.
Read more on FamilyEducation: http://life.familyeducation.com/compliments/communication-skills/48978.html#ixzz1HuPtdq00

I would have to agree with alot of the above information. 

My personal phylosophy is that life is too short not to be kind to one another and pay each other a compliment.  When an opportunity arises - take it - you might not have another chance to tell someone how you truly feel about them. 

This was an egg that I found outside in an old nesting box I have on the outside of the chicken coop.  This box faces East and the chickens love sunning themselves inside the little holes.  This box came from Al's Grandma and Grandpa Luetschwager's farm.  They had a dairy farm here in Ringle.  I have many ideas of posts about our Grandparents and their words of wisdom.  Today its about the eggs.  The hens are starting to lay now.  I've been getting about 3-5 eggs a day.   Soon, hopefully, it should be up to 12-15 a day.  Our chickens lay small light brown eggs.  Fresh eggs have dark yellow yokes.

 

Some of What I Do

Here are a few pictures of my booth at a small farmer's market.  This one is every Thursday (June - Sept.), downtown Wausau, Wisconsin.  It is called Market Place Thursday.  They have dozens of dealers.  This was early in the season....

 All of the antiques used as display pieces are always for sale.  The soap in this picture is made my friend, Linda.  Her business is:  Sudz Monkey Soap Company.  Her soaps are great!   The "subjects" of my folk art paintings are critters we know.  I name my paintings - these were with their animal names.  The bags I make are reversible.  I love Waverly upholstery fabric.  These bags are sturdy, washable and reusable. 

I made these folk art dolls with paper mache' heads.  I used glass eyes (I purchased at an antique show - used for taxadermy) and cloth bodies.  I have similiar ones listed on Etsy now.  I also made a topiary bobble tree.  It is on the green bench.  This is also paper mache, molded on to a rusty old bed spring.  I make bobble heads for all seasons.  My Halloween ones are the best sellers. 

Folk art goes so well with primitive antiques.  Both of these are my LOVES.                                                                                  

Pretty Soon - But Not Today

Pretty Soon....but, not today!  Snowing in Wisconsin!

I saw a Robin yesterday.  Frank and Mary both saw one last week.  They beat me to it again this year.  I love Robins, they are Wisconsin's state bird.  Last year we had a nest on the lean to one of our pole buildings.  Parked under the lean and the nest was Al's old pick up truck.  Luckily, he had the spare tire on the hood of the truck.  The little birds were so big, that a few fell out of the nest on to the truck and into the the tire.  It was a nice protection for them, as they didn't roll off on to the ground.  The mama and papa Robin flew into the spare tire and fed the ones on the hood of the truck as well as those still in the nest.  It was fun to peek over the top of the tire and see the little ones with their mouth's wide open.  The mama and papa were awfully nervous and swooped at our  heads when we walked over there.  I didn't bother them too much, as I didn't want the cats to find them.  They hopped and then flew away within a few days.

Waiting for Spring.....     

Monday's Quote

"People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do."  Lewis Cass

Native people are great story tellers.  Genetically, I probably inherited that.  I'm not the only "Ritchie" who is able to build upon a story and make if colorful.  I won't name names....but it runs in the family.  I love to make people laugh.  So, sometimes, my tales will have added flavor - not lies...but, for humor purposes only. :)  However, I know that my actions speak volumes about who I am and what I believe.  This quote is a reminder of that.  Have a good day!

Antique Show DePere Wisconsin

I will be at the antique show in DePere WI @ St. Norbert's College this weekend.  Lisa and I will have alot of primitives and other vintage goodies.  If you are out and about, stop in and say HI.  Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-4.

Junk Drunk

I heard something really funny on that "American Pickers" show on the history channel.  They said that Mike was "junk drunk."  I've been "junk drunk" on many occassions!  So now I've been saying ...guess what?  I'm junk drunk (said in a sountern style slang...) Anna HATES it!  So, when I pick her up from school, I"ll say...guess what...you get the picture...

Anyway, my favorite kind of "junk drunk" is when I am hired to set up a sale, auction or packing a buy out when no other dealers have seen the junk.  It's not about buying for me, it is about finding the stuff.  I even have junk ESP.  You know, when you just get the feeling that you're gonna find something good.  This one buy out we did, we were cleaning out the attic, it was full of ALOT of empty boxes.  Al was just tossing them down the staircase...and I said wait...I just got this feeling that there is something good in here....sure enough, the box was full of antique candy boxes.  Really neat ones.  I'm taking them this weekend to the antique show in DePere, WI.  I did keep one, it is a Halloween box, black cat, 24" tall with a orange silk ribbon around neck, in it's original box....super neat!   Another time, I was hired to set up an auction for George Woodrich.  We were digging in an old trunk, just full of old newspapers, etc. and I just had that feeling....wrapped up in old torn fabric, under all the paper, buried in the corner was a bunch of old coins....at auction they brought several hundred dollars. 

Anyway, I'm out to my pole building to dig up some more stuff for this weekend....hopefully I get junk drunk on something I forgot I bought (this happens alot, I'm a hoarder).  Have a good day!

The Journey of Making Lists

"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end."
                                                                                                          Ursula Le Guin

I found this quote today and I really like it.  Sometimes, it is easy to get busy with our everyday routines, that  we forget to enjoy each day.  The Bible says:  "This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."  As I journey thru a day, do I truly rejoice?  Days that are full of work, chores, obligations, kid's schedules - routine.  If not, how will my attitude effect others, myself? 

When I was growing up, I had a neighbor who use to call me...."Sunshine."  She use to say, "you are always smiling."  Why wouldn't I be happy?  Life was so simple and fun with no "real" responsibilities.  You know, being happy is a choice...so is being sad.  You can choose either one. 

I love to make lists, setting goals for myself.  I have ones for the day, week, month, year, for my garden, my business, my home, my kids....it goes on....  Often times, the lists are unrealistic, but somehow I find comfort in organizing my thoughts and writing them down.  I love to cross off items I have completed and making a loop thru a whole week of accomplishments.  A "journey's end" so to speak...one day, week, month at a time.  So, this quote reminds me .... that it is good to set goals for myself, as long as I can enjoy the experiences they bring and bring joy into each day for myself and those around me. 

Be Happy - It is Your Choice!

Chicken Keeping 101

I LOVE my chickens.  I do not keep them because they are profitable - because they are NOT.  I "keep chickens" for pure enjoyment!  My chickens are what is known as "free range" - this means that they are not fenced in, but rather are free to roam around they yard.  This gives them the ability to "scratch" around for gravel, bugs, worms, etc. the things they need naturally.  This week I will focus on a "Fancy" breed of chickens - known as Silkies.  Fancy breeds are those not typically known for production - eggs or meat.

Silkies have silky, hair-like feathers and a dark purple or gray tinted skin that distinquishes this breed from all other types of chickens.  They are a bantam breed - which means they are much smaller than the standard chicken.  Silkies are poor producers of light colored small eggs.  They are not good mothers - mine usually set on eggs but lose interest before they hatch.  However, what they lack in production, they make up in personality!  Silkies are extremely docile, friendly and easy to handle.  They make excellent pets.  Of all the chickens I have in my coop...silkies are the ones I can just pick up and carry around.  Our girls have shown silkies as 4-H projects.  They make excellent showmanship chickens - especially for the younger or inexperienced handler.   So, if you are looking for a gentle breed for a pet, the Silkie could be for you.

These are a few pictures of some of our silkies.  Enjoy!

Cute.......

Wazit #1 - Salesman Sample

I'm going to be posting a "Wazit" - it will be my simple explanation of all things antique.  This past week and into next, I will be selling salesman sample advertising items on ebay.  I'm not sure how many items I will get on as I am getting ready for the DePere antique show next weekend.  Check out my seller page on ebay - townhalltrinkets....

What is a salesman sample?  When salesmen sold door to door, they would bring with them a sample of the particular item they were selling.  Salesman samples are often  associated with a smaller version of a large item the salesman couldn't bring with them, like a stove.  These samples were always well made and acurate to scale.  Sometimes they would leave a salesman sample at the dealership or store for the customers to see what they were ordering.  Over the years, these tiny versions of items have sometimes been mistaken for toys.  For the most part, a toy wouldn't be as intricate.  Other samples might be shown to a company so they could put their advertising on it.  Like an ashtray, calendar or pen.  The salesman would show a sample and give several options.  Then the company could order a promotional item to give away to their customers.

The items I have listed are from an estate buy out from Wausau, WI.  The gentleman was a salesman for Brown & Bigelow (out of St. Paul, MN).  The buy out contained many salesman sample calendars and calendar tops.   Over the years, Brown & Bigelow had many famous artists either working for them on staff or that they used:  Norman Rockwell,  R.H. Palenske, Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter on it's a Wonderful Life), Zoe Mozert (pin-up artist - female- used herself as model), Rolf Armstrong, Roy Best, Gil Elvgren, Lawson Wood, Maxfield Parrish and I'm sure alot more I don't know.

This is a sample of some of the calendar tops I will have listed. ..

Thanks for looking...   

Carmel, Chocolate, Walnut Bars

Carmel, Chocolate, Walnut Bars

2C flour
2C oats
1C brown sugar
1tsp. baking soda
1/4tsp. salt

Stir together dry ingredients.  Melt 2 sticks of butter (1C) add to dry mixture.  Reserve 1C, press remaining into a 9 x 13 ungreased pan.  Bake 350 for 15 min. or lightly brown.  Remove from oven


Melt 25 (or so) carmels in double boiler or microwave - add 3-4Tbs. milk - stir until creamy.  You could also use carmel icecream topping - maybe 2C

Pour carmel, 12 oz. chocolate chips, 2C chopped walnuts on top of crust.  Sprinkle remaining topping and bake for an additional 15 - 20 min. 

Soup & Salad Supper

Everything I know about cooking and baking comes from watching my mom.  I LOVE corn chowder.  Al doesn't.  So I don't make it often.  Here is my recipe.  This is super easy and fast!

Corn Chowder:

Bring 3C water, 3Tbs. butter and 1 tsp. salt to simmer on medium high.  Add 5 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed, cook until fork tender.  Add 4C of  corn (I use my own freezer corn), 5-6 ribs of chopped celery, 2C milk and parsley.  Slowly cook - not a rolling boil....makes stuff too mushy.

In a fry pan, brown diced bacon (1 lb.) - DRAIN fat to pan add 1 small chopped onion, 4 cloves minced garlic, cook till transparent with bacon - drain off any additional fat....dump all in soup kettle, S&P to taste.

I LOVE making salads and experimenting with different combinations of flavors:  This one is a pecan, bacon, garlic, onion, carrot and craisin salad....

TIP:  from my mom:  cut a clove of garlic in half

        *rub inside of bowl with halves* then mince

          garlic and add to chopped lettuce.

       

This small step really adds flavor to your salad, especially if you use a wooden bowl.

I used romaine lettuce and a vegetable peeler to make carrot strips.  The salty bacon, the sweet craisins, spicy garlic, onions and crunchy pecans really make this a delicious salad!

Still Snowing In Wisconsin....

Yes, we have another snowy day today in Ringle, WI.  Actually, we are going to have a snowy week!  I do think the snow is pretty and I love that we experience all 4 seasons here, however,  I just wish Spring would be here already. 

This Winter, we had a little red squirrel at our bird feeder almost everyday.  Al hates him, but the girls and I think he is cute.  He is a fiesty little devil.  Very protective of this feeder.  There are two other squirrels that "try" to eat too, one gray, one black.  This little red devil wrestles with them, even clutching on to their fur and rolling them around and around.....yes, they are fighting.....they don't have Spring Fever yet.  Anyway, this little red guy set up residency in the bushes right outside our back door.  Here are a few pictures of him from this morning. 

Laundry Room

These are pictures of my laundry room.  I love my laundry room.  All of the collectibles on my shelf above the washer, dryer and sink have special meaning.  I love the pottery and the bird figures.  My mother in law, Marlene or "Grandma Pepper" got me started on the birds.  There is a window and door in my laundry room that go out to a small bulb garden and bird feeder.  I love watching the birds and other critters that frequent it.  My cats are getting so old now...almost 10...that is great for "barn cats"...they don't even  try to catch birds anymore. 

My oldest daughter, Justine, came up with this pretty handy trick for folding sheets - I LOVE it!  It is pretty neat when your kids can teach you stuff.  When folding your bedding, fold fitted, flat sheet and store them in the pillow case.  Put the bundle in your linen closet.  This way you have bundles that have all the matching stuff togeter.  That Justine...she is so smart!

Hope you enjoy!

Pressure Cooker #2 - Finished Soup

The bowl is a family favorite.  These type of bowls could be Fire King or GlassBake.  When I was little we had similiar ones that we called the "chili bowls."  These bowls came from Al's Grandma Konkol. 

Pressure Cooker

For all you young mothers and wives...don't be afraid of the pressure cooker!  I honestly don't know what I would do without mine.  I've had a few problems with the older ones and dry beans or peas getting stuck in the valve - you are NOT supposed to cook them in a pressure cooker anyway, however I still do. Once you made bean or pea soup this way...you won't waste your time the old way.

Cooking in a pressure cooker is a real time saver.  You can take frozen meat put in your pressure cooker with either water or stock and in no time have the most tender meat to finish any way you want.  It not only cooks fast but also tenderizes and keeps flavorful juices in the kettle. 

Today I am making beef veggie soup.  I am using our own home raised beef - not the good cuts either - bones etc.  I put them in frozen with onions, celery, carrots, garlic and parsly - add water just about half the kettle - cook for about 30 minutes at 10# of pressure.  When it is cooled, I open it up take out the meat, strain off the veggies - I only added to make a flavorful stock.   If I have time, I will put this in the freezer so that the fat comes to the top - if you don't have time - my Mom use to do a trick where you put icecubes in the stock and the fat sticks to the cubes. The fat will make a hard layer on top that you can throw away - if you want a fattier stock, don't do this step.   While it is in the freezer, I then de-bone and de-fat the meat, dice it or pull it off the bones and add back to the original stock.  I then add the veggies.  This is also a healthy way to cook as you can keep the flavor in the meat without all the fat. 

I also can ALL of my garden vegetables this way.  Last year I made jars of veggie soup base - beans, tomatoes, corn ...whatever I had that day from the garden, added barley and filled the jars with water, 1 tsp. of salt and pressure cooked the jars.  Now, I add this to the previously cooked stock and meat....all natural and home raised.

This year I want to can some meat.  My friend Kathy makes homemade meatballs, packs the jars loosely, fills with water and 1 tsp. salt and pressure cans the jars.  She said it is like sweedish meatballs and she only has to warm them up while her noodles are boiling and in no time has a great meal.  I have heard that canned fish is great too. 

Making Mistakes

I noticed that my brother Frank (blog:  Franklyspeaking) had an interesting quote from Benjamin Franklin.  I love quotes, especially from Abe Lincoln.  Benjamin Franklin, morally, might not have been a good role model, however, he did say some interesting things.  This one is one of my favorites:
"The man who does things makes many mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all - doing nothing"  Pretty smart, hey...anyway, anyone who knows me, knows that I am quick to react and make fast decisions.  This has lead to many mistakes.  However, I don't regret a one of them, because each one helped me to learn a valuable lesson on becoming a better person.  Do I still react quickly....YES, am I still passionate about things...YES, do I still lean toward the "crazy" side sometimes....YES...so I guess I will still make mistakes.

As a mother, I think it is important to let children make mistakes.  Don't get me wrong,  I am a VERY protective - mama bear crazy protective - but, if an action isn't a SIN or going to physically harm them, you gotta let them make mistakes.  Especially now that my girls are becoming young adults.  If you don't study, you will fail.  Getting an F on an assignment isn't the end of the world...it  is O.K. as long as they learned from it.  Understand that they are growing up and letting them "fail" is a part of helping them become productive adults.  Also, parents need to  remember what it was like at their age.  It really upsets me to hear other mothers talking about how their kids will never do this or that....I bet they did this or that.....at their age.....  

March - In Like a Lamb

Today is March 1st.  It is so nice out today.  My chickens are all outside - hens sunning themselves and roosters "struttin" around.  I truly LOVE my little farm!  I couldn't imagine living anywhere but here in Ringle.  I know we are blessed and I am thankful!