Life in the midwest

Thanksgiving - My favorite holiday!

2010-11-22T19:17:00.000-08:00

When I was little, I'm pretty sure Christmas was the #1 ranked holiday in my mind. Hardly a surprise, but as I've aged I'd have to say it's definitely changed to Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving has no pretenses. You don't have to bring gifts for people in order to celebrate it. You're not expected to put on pretenses because of it. The media doesn't spent millions of hours trying to convince you or guilt you into to acting differently during that holiday. We don't even argue about how we celebrate it.

With Christmas, you have to be careful not to offend anyone. There's Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannakuh, Festivus, Druid celebration of the shortest day of the year! More trees are wasted on newspaper inserts telling us what we absolutely can't live without and how it will be on sale on something called BLACK FRIDAY because of that winter holiday.

Thanksgiving is all about food, family and catching up in a low key way. Well, there IS football, but there's a lot more of the visiting with family and friends than anything.

In our hurried world, we seldom get the time to just sit down and have a good old fashioned visit with someone - anyone! No TV, no internet, no telephone to interrupt. Just a "How's your fall been?" , "What's new with your kids?", "What's going on at your work?", "Did Uncle Jay ACTUALLY say that?"

Take a little time to learn your family stories. Embrace the diversity of your own family. Learn something new about a family member you never knew and count your many blessings this Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims got it right!

Fall on the farm

2010-10-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

I'm definitely a full-four-season fan when it comes to weather and by the time the hot days of August have begun to subside, I'm ready for the cool fall weather and the farm work.

Most of the time nothing is as satisfying to a farmer as getting out in the field and finding out what your crops did...unless we've had a bad year, then it's just a challenge! We're making good progress in the fields this fall. Part of that is because the corn crop is short of where it was in yield last year. The other reason would be much more cooperative weather.

Short yields usually lead to higher prices. It's the old supply and demand equation. But, short yields and higher prices do not pencil out to equal higher yields and lower prices. You don't get to choose so you have to take what you get and go with it.

Nothing smells as good as turning over the soil in fall tillage. There is something about the completion of the season and preparing for winter that is very satisfying. Time to tuck things in until spring. For livestock farmers it means the transition to calving in January and February.

New seasons, new ventures, new beginnings.

Quotes, quotes and more quotes...

2010-07-21T18:05:00.000-07:00

I have all kinds of notebooks full of them. Quotes. Quotes I've read in books, heard in movies, read in print. Some I question who they are attributed to. Some I take at face value the author is correct. Anyway...I LOVE quotes.

I usually have a couple on my bulletin board at work. I have them on my email signature line. They reflect who I am in many ways.

While checking out my desk drawer at home I ran across a small quote book and some valuable information attributed to none other than Abraham Lincoln. Might be correct....might not be. Anyway, good quotes!

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER - Abraham Lincoln

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot further brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently doing for them what they could do and should do for themselves.

And....on that last note....I left my husband's dirty jeans for him to wash...because he could!

Music...

2010-07-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

My mother is a huge fan of musicals. Mom and Dad took us to many Summer Music Theatres at Western Illinois University, St. Louis Muny Opera and I'm thinking there might have been one in Springfield too! Oscar and Hammerstein, Lerner and Lowe, you name it...we can sing the song from the musical.

Did you notice most musicals are pretty upbeat? I think that's why people like them. You leave optimistic that things can be better ! On a bad day a rousing chorus of OKLAHOMA! does wonders! Somebody bugging you at work? Why not sing "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" from GUYS AND DOLLS.

And about that optimistic thing, okay, well CAMELOT didn't end so well, but you knew it was coming. SOUTH PACIFIC had it's "downer" moments also.

Music is such a wonderful medium! I'm going to confess something really dumb here. As a child (I'd say 7 years old), I used to believe that ALL the songs in the world were already written and there could be no new music. Then I joined the band and learned to play saxaphone. I better understood how silly that thought was. My band teachers, Mr. Charles Jones and Mr. Robert Schlabach along with my Saxophone teacher, Mr. Les Fonza, opened my eyes or should I say ears to so many wonderful types of music! Jazz, Big Band, Skat, Marching Band Music, Pop, Rock, Country.

Even my Art Teacher, Mr. Don Heberling, introduced me to a wonderful type of music - OPERA! Yes, opera! During Art Class when we were working on projects, he put in videos of operas and explained what the story was about in each. I do remember a lot of what he said, but I actually know more operas from watching Bugs Bunny! Barber of Seville, The Cry of the Valkyrie, etc. Crazy, huh?

When I have time to drive somewhere and really listen to music on my satellite radio I have the most eclectic list of stations you can imagine! 70's oldies, 80's oldies, Outlaw Country, Jazz, etc.

My latest "musical affliction" is music from the Fox TV show GLEE! I had friends who were in chorus and glee. They could have fit in a some of the saner characters of that show. I just LOVE the music from GLEE. I've even become a quasi-Lady GaGa fan! To top that off, my sister has informed me my new ring tone on her phone is "Poker Face" by Lady GaGa.

"I wanna hold em' like they do in Texas, please...."

Happy 5th of July...that's right!

2010-07-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

I originally wrote this blog in July of 2008 and believe the message even more today. Let's thank our veterans for letting us celebrate this wonderful holiday and to our family and friends.

As our country ponders what we will do to right the ship, we need to remember it is OUR country - we did not give the power to someone else. Thus WE must be the change we want to see to paraphrase Ghandi.

Happy 5th of July!

What? Happy 5th of July? Don't you mean 4th of July? Nope...5th. Here's my thought process.

On July 4th, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress . Actually on July 2nd, the Congress had already voted to declare independence from Great Britian. It was later published and signed near the beginning of August.

So, why Happy 5th?

On the Fourth, we actually made a statement as a country saying, "We're not gonna take it anymore." We listed the reasons why, what we believed to be the ideal nation, etc, but on the morning of the 5th, can't you imagine those of the Continental Congress waking up to wonder, "What did we just do?" They had pledged EVERYTHING they had to see this through!

It's a whole lot easier to say, "I'm not gonna take this anymore and I'm changing something", than it is to actually do it. Once you've made that public statement you have to begin to formulate how the action will take place; how you will change what you believe to be substandard. How many of us have said, I'm gonna lose weight, or I'm gonna finish school to wake up this next morning thinking, ahhh...maybe tomorrow.

Well, these people had no choice. They had made a rather bold statement of independence and now they were known for it. People would be judging them on how they had achieved that goal or fallen short. They would judge them if they individually profited from the situation.

So, I believe it much harder to actually put the statement into action and today was the day of action for our country. We could no longer talk about doing something, we had to move, take action, change the world. And...overall, I believe it worked out very well.

But...I imagine for a little bit on the morning of the 5th of July, 1776 there were some men who wondered What the heck did we do yesterday? And today, July 5th, 2008 there will be more men wondering the same thing, but for different reasons! Happy 5th!

I LOVE to....

2010-06-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

I know this is going to sound absolutely crazy. I LOVE to officiate volleyball. Really...It's true. I'm refereeing summer volleyball tomorrow night again and it's just summer league - nothing too earth-shattering. I enjoy seeing the coaches I have officiated for during the past years. I like to visit with them; see how they think their season will go; see how their summer workouts have progressed. We're very early in the mix of things. There is a lot to be decided.

Players practice to get better in the off season . As odd as it may seem officials do the same thing! I re-read my rule books. I look at the rule changes for the new season. I try to talk with coaches and fans and let them know what will be different. I try to challenge myself with interpretations - try to think how I would answer the question, "What was that call for?" in a quick and concise way.

I just LOVE this sport! I know people think officials are crazy or are terribly egotistical. I don't think so. I know you're gonna yell at me because you either don't understand the rule or you didn't see it the way I did. That's okay. I don't see everything the way you see it either, BUT I don't yell back at you.

I just ask that fans become better versed in rules. Ask someone what the hand signals mean. Ask about the intricacies of the sport. We're always glad to explain.

The picture is of my officiating last fall at the Illinois State Tournament. Here's the critique - hands too high. Bring your arms down, Julie! Something to remember to work on for summer 2010 prior to the fall season.

It's a never ending process of learning. Time to do some reading on the NFHS website on rules!

Not to be left out!

2010-06-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

Didn't want to leave out our daughter, Leigh. She's busy helping out at the Heritage Days Parade with McDonough VIBE! It stands for Volunteers Interested in Benefitting Everyone!

Out in the pasture

2010-06-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick photo taken off the fence line near the pasture. Beautiful!

Picture this!

2010-06-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

Pretty darn good looking family!

From left to right: My husband, Steve Terstriep
My son, Erik Terstriep,
My mom, Sharon Chenoweth and
My dad, Dean Chenoweth outside Mom and Dad's back door.

Magnolias were in bloom!

Hall of Fame - who is in yours?

2010-06-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

Unfortunate news came on May 3rd in the late afternoon. Herschel Tribbey, one of our landlords had passed that day. . Last year about this time another dear older friend, Lawrence Patrick, passed away. In March 2008, another landlord and wonderful gentleman, Dr. Olin A. Dively, passed away. Something about springtime and passing on.

These three men represent a few of the people in my personal "Hall of Fame". All three were fortunante to have lived long lives - been blessed with wonderful families - given the wisdom of age - gentle in nature.

They all three were very special to our family. Dr. Olin A. Dively gave us our first opportunity to farm. Way back in 1982, two kids in their twenties were given the opportunity to farm his farm near Industry, IL. There was a lot we didn't know, but he was patient and trusted our judgement. He offered insight into all things from the farm using his medical doctor background, and when our first child was born early, he was at the hospital, checked on him personally and said, "He's gonna be fine!" A lifetime thirst for knowledge lead him to read many, many farm magazines and consider the science they were putting forward. He'd suggest, discuss, and then let you go with what you thought was right. He challenged your thinking. I remember him as a wonderful gentleman that everyone loved. He didn't retire from doctoring until he was in his 80s. He lived to the ripe old age of 102!

I came to know Lawrence Patrick as a young 4-H'er. His wife, Catherine, was a wonderful seamstress and I recall her help and assistance on those projects that befuddled me! Lawrence is also in my Hall of Fame. He was a happy person who LOVED his cattle. Also had a very strong work ethic. Always out on the farm - hauling cattle - hauling hogs - interested in the kids and, if they were willing to listen, would have some marvelous stories. He was such a joyous, happy person to be around. Steve told Erik (our son) at a very young age, "When you ride along hauling cattle, just get him started talking and sit back and learn." What GREAT advice. Erik was honored beyond words to be asked to serve as a pallbearer for this 95 year old. Lawrence had those beautiful ornery blue eyes that sparkled and laughed. He enjoyed seeing the kids and visiting with them about their 4-H projects or about Erik's latest cattle purchase. He told me stories about the house they lived in and watching his father build it. He remembered his own father selecting each individual piece of wood to make sure it was good enough to be put into their home. He had wisdom beyond the ages and his humble manner and good nature are missed sorely.

Which brings us to 2010 and the next person I added to my Hall of Fame. I met Herschel Tribbey back in the mid-1980's as a young mother going to purchase a new car. He seemed like a straight shooter and yet kind of enjoyed teasing a little. He was kind of quiet, but that shouldn't have fooled anyone. He had so many interests and knowledge and history, he could have started talking and probably never quit if he wanted. We later were fortunate enough to rent some land from him to farm. He enjoyed riding along in the equipment and visiting with Steve. They had good debates on politics, current events, practices in farming. He was a kind of renaissance man - He had served in the military in World War II in the Pacific, had come home and started a farmily. He started a dairy, John Deere dealership and added Pontiac cars later. He had a whole orchard of peaches, honeybees, etc. He enjoyed refinishing furniture, caning chairs and he and his wife built a new house later in life. He was always great to visit with our children. Erik enjoyed shared times in tractors, trucks and combines and hearing what he had to share. He made it to his 90th birthday and then passed on.

All three of these men were gentle souls. They were genuinely interested in people, their families, life long learning. They had a certain quiet confidence that drew you to them, yet always there to acknowledge others. I know we will never know all the stories of them that we could have, but I'm thankful for what they did share.

Their work ethic was beyong reproach and something to emulate.

They are all three missed and will always be in my Hall of Fame. Who is in yours? What attributes do they have that causes you to want to be like them? Think about it today.

Parades!

2010-06-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

This photo comes from an old Western Illinois University Homecoming Parade - probably back in the late 1950's. My dad, Dean Chenoweth, took this slide and I transferred it to a picture a couple of years ago.

It's fun to look real hard to figure out where the different store fronts were in this photo. I believe it is from the northwest corner of the Macomb, IL square looking south. Look at all the people watching!

My mom LOVES parades! Both Mom and Dad are very patriotic - really all the family is - and they are ALWAYS certain to stand with their hands over their hearts, hats removed, while the American Flag passes by.

Seems like parades aren't as popular anymore. Why is that? I guess in our hectic, fast-paced days if we can't put the parade on our Ipod Touches, we don't want to watch it live. It's kind of like a baseball game - great stuff but takes a long time to appreciate. Make sure you bring a companion with you to visit with!

Makes you wonder what will pictures of today's parades look like? Empty? Too bad. There is something about calliope music, flags waving, precision marching bands, handmade floats, and people dressed up in funny garb that makes you appreciate a parade.

It's something we hold on to from the old days....Let's not totally lose ALL our parades. Where would politicians go to kiss babies?

They all bring a tear to my eye....

2010-06-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sports today brought tears to my eyes on three different fronts:

1. Former UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden (99) is gravely ill. Those words alone bring tears to my eyes. What a classy individual. His leadership development has been studied by so many individuals. What a treasure. He so loved his wife, Nell, who has gone on already. I'm sure she's waiting for their reunion. We can't afford to lose another Great American Hero, but we can't be so selfish as to not allow him to see Nell again. Definitely one of my own personal heroes.

2. I've been to a lot of different championship events in junior high level, high school level and college level. In NCAA series, it has been the Volleyball Final Four and Baseball College World Series - both actually were held in Omaha when I attended. Watched a special presentation on the CWS tonight. It is so true that anyone who has gone, is NEVER the same. There is something special about Rosenblatt, Omaha, and the neighborhood surrounding the stadium. The people are special, the players excited about being there. It IS an experience never to forget. Made me want to run out and find a way to go again this year! It is THE BEST Championship in NCAA...brought tears to my eyes just thinking how much fun we had.

3. Tears to not only my eyes, but to their eyes today...Umpire Jim Joyce and MLB Detroit Tigers Pitcher Armando Galarrago. Who classy was it the way they both handled the Perfect Game - Not Quite Perfect Game scenario. Joyce owned up to his error. He said I messed it up. Galarrago said we need to go on. It's over. In my heart it was perfect. When Galarrago presented the lineup to Joyce in the game today, Joyce teared up...I teared up when I heard about it. He commended Galarrago about his classy sportsmanship and they way he handled it. I commend them both. THANK YOU for showing everyone how to handle something disappointing in a classy manner!

Spring planting continues with high winds

2010-05-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update on the 2010 crop from western Illinois. Planting is progressing well. MUCH better than in 2009, but we all know we don't care to repeat the weather troubles of that year.

Corn is being finished up and beans are started to be planted. Some farmers are holding off a little concerned Mother Nature hasn't quite warmed it up like it should for the beans to be planted.

There is a chance of frost in some areas of the state tonight. YIKES!

Ohhhhh Canada!

2010-02-28T18:12:00.000-08:00

The country of Canada seems akin to your little brother...the one that is several years younger and hangs around you and your cool high school friends. The one that can be amazingly annoying, but your mom makes you let him hang around. Most times he's just annoying...sometimes he's absolutely hilarious and brings the house down when he pulls some crazy stunt. Tonight, though, that 'little brother' pulled off the best 'tongue in cheek' situation I think I've ever seen.

On opening night at the Olympics, steeped in tradition, four famous Canadian athletes come out to light the torch, but one of the arms doesn't swing up and suddenly a major faux pas has happened. It was an embarrassment to the whole country. At the closing ceremony a 'clown' dressed akin to a repairman on Super Mario Brothers came out and proceeded to fix the arm, raise it and allow the athlete to light not only her arm, but the other three also. It was a hit! So funny.

I love the humbleness of the Canadians...although tonight they're probably trying to hold it over the Americans in men's hockey. Seriously though...sometimes you want that little brother to truely impress your high school friends and make them split their sides laughing.

Tonight...yeah, they pulled it off! (And...only the Canadians would wear those crazy hats!)

2010-02-22T11:27:00.000-08:00

"If you know history, you know there is no such thing as a self-made man or self-made woman. We are shaped by people we have never met."

David McCullough

A wonderful quote for my previous post!

Who do you think you are?

2010-02-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

NBC has been promoting a new show that will air following their Olympic coverage called, "Who Do You Think You Are?" The premise of the show is a genealogist discloses to famous celebrities their family history and introduces them to their families. The show is produced in conjunction with Ancestry.com...a web page I'm very familiar with!

I LOVE genealogy and the study of the past. I can't remember when I became intrigued by my family history...perhaps when I heard my grandparents talking about their parents, siblings, neighbors, and "goings on" in the community. No matter, I've probably spent somewhere near 40 years investigating my family! I do recall asking my grandparents what it was like when they were kids. What games did they play? What were their chores? They were wonderful people and very patient to answer all the questions of a nosey 10 year old.

I've discovered some very interesting people in my past and in my husband's past. This picture is of my great grandparents and their children. My grandfather is the tall young man in the upper right hand corner. Oldest child of William Harrison Chenoweth and Dollie Swise Chenoweth, Elzie Chenoweth went on to marry Vera Viola France and become my grandparents!

The funny thing about finding family pictures is I see in the faces of my ancestors, the faces of present family members. My grandfather and my dad (Dean Chenoweth) and my cousin Derek Litchfield all look very similar. The curly-haired young lady on the far left is Bertha Permelia Chenoweth, but my grandmother often remarked how my sister, Cathy Chenoweth Onion's hair looked just like Aunt Bertha's.

My husband's great-great grandfather, Johann Marold and my husband look surprisingly similar in the face. Are we just the same faces used over and over?

We've had family members who have plotted Louisville, Kentucky; settled the middle of Kansas; gave their land up for an Army base; went west for the Gold Rush and disappeared; fought indians on the plains. Family who came to America on a boat to thrive or flee abuse or find a new life as a gardener. I'm sure we had our fair share of horse thieves, robbers or lawmen. Heck, we even had a World Champion Bronc Rider!

This is what makes family history - genealogy so much fun. We ARE a product of our family and their lives. Why not discover the story of your family? Start with what you know. Ask living family members the names of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and start putting together your tree. Venture onto Ancestry.com and you can get a lot of help from others who connect to your family. Nothing is as exciting as discovering someone who is your family member..someone you never knew about.

Did Lysacek "channel" former UCLA Coach John Wooden?

2010-02-20T08:05:00.000-08:00

I admit it...I'm a schmuck for watching men's figure skating. My mom LOVED to ice skate...I, however, did not possess the ankles to handle it. I looked something like Bambi on the ice...it's okay. I've learned to deal with it.

Maybe that's why I was overwhelmed with the grace and athleticism of Men's Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek. (A shout out to the Illinois guy!) It can't be easy to skate that well at the height of 6'2"! Those are some long limbs to swing in spins...

I was most impressed with his statements after the short program and the following day. He stated he was just trying to do the best HE could...he wasn't watching to be better than Plushenko or better than anyone else, his goal was to set a personal best. UCLA Coach John Wooden often pushed his players to be the best they could be personally. To paraphrase his statements (I hope I'm accurate on this), he asked his players to play the best game they possibly could, ask themselves if they had done every thing possible to play the best game, and eliminate all the mistakes they could. He said practice is where champions are made. "Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."

Wasn't that what Evan was saying? He was saying I did my best. I worked hard every day. I put everything into it I could.

On top of that, when the Russian Silver Medalist was critical of the performance Lysacek presented, Evan didn't respond back with any negative comments. He was very cordial and kind and said, he too didn't like losing and no doubt that clouded some comments Plushenko made. In his interview with Bob Costas, he emphasized that Plushenko had shook his hand and congratulated him after the announcement. He never once claimed he was "disrespecting" him. Evan knew he had given the best he had to offer and the judges agreed!

Congratulations for your class, Evan. I hope you get a lot of endorsement jobs! I could think of a few companies that need that character right now, but that's another blog!

Tuesday is important in Illinois

2010-01-31T07:57:00.000-08:00

Illinois....Land of Lincoln. That's our claim to fame and it's on our license plates, (we we tongue in cheek joke that our ex-governors could me making in prison) but corruption is also a dark cloud that hangs over our state. George Ryan, Rod Blago, heck I even remember the infamous Paul Powell! That's a name from Illinois' governing past!

How did a state that prides itself on having Abraham Lincoln as its native son get so far off track? I wish I knew...because then I'd know how to fix it quickly. I do know one way to help make it more honest and work to improve it....VOTE.

Tuesday is primary election day in Illinois. I'm just like you....tired of the phone calls telling me to vote for this candidate or that candidate. And while I'm at it, if you're a candidate don't tell me what the other guy is doing wrong. Tell me what YOU'RE going to do. Actions speak louder than words. But we've got to take a step to move forward and sometimes that can be a little painful.

Just a side note to all of you elected officials. I've noticed in life you get more done when you work with others. You have to compromise a little; win the battle to later win the war. Louis L'Amour once wrote, "Victory is won not in miles, but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later win a little more." The people in Illinois would like you to remember that also!

Now we've got ourselves in one heck of a mess. We can't pay our bills, we can't pay what we have promised to pay others, we've sat and argued and bickered and pointed fingers too long. ("We" referring to the state of Illinois of which I am a concerned resident!)

It's not going to be easy. It's not even going to be fun, but we'd better get our house in order and quit spending for things we can't pay for. We can't make promises we can't fund. We're going to have to be more independent and maybe turn down some programs that we may have to pay for later....but we're going to have to get it done.

So, as far as a candidate for Governor of the State of Illinois. I'm looking for John Wayne. Yep, JOHN WAYNE! He'd better have some gumption and when he gives his word, he'd better mean it. He better think of others first, not himself or herself (although we don't have any female candidates this time). He'd better be ready to fight hard for what he believes in and not worry if people "like him". As my parents used to say, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." He'd better be tall, strong and pretty darned independent.

To the rest of the 13 million people who live in this state, get busy. Pitch in. GO VOTE. Don't take it for granted. If you want to get us on track, THEN GO VOTE on Tuesday. You can't sit idly by thinking someone else will fix your problems.

Enuf said....

Finishing 2009 in 2010

2010-01-30T16:07:00.000-08:00

Last year (2009) in farming had to be one of the most difficult, challenging and tiring! My mom and dad finally finished harvesting crops today! We hope to finish soon.

Are you kidding me? TODAY! Yep today! January 30, 2010...the rest of their 2009 corn crop was harvested.

It's days like today when survival is the word that comes to mind. Can we just hold on, survive, make it another day to finish up. Can we just stay safe, not break anything, not lose our minds!

There's nothing quite as satisfying as sitting down after a LONG fall/winter harvest to know you've finished.

Crazy thing is...won't be long we'll be looking at planting again! Here's to a more productive, less challenging and less wet 2010 crop year!

ipod, ipad, idunnoknow!

2010-01-29T18:09:00.000-08:00

So yesterday Apple messes with our minds and shows what the new iPad is going to look like. (Please hold all jokes here...Heard them ALREADY!)

It's a very intriguing idea, but still doesn't have things I'd like....what no USB? Can't even attach an external hard drive or DVD player?

You mean I have to sync it to my other computer? But I thought it was supposed to replace my laptop?

No flash memory? Heck, I don't get it?

AT&T service? This is rural ILLINOIS, people! AT&T is like finding a leprechaun around here.

I want the BURGER KING iPad...you know...Have it your way. Maybe the King could deliver it to me with great fanfare and I could have it customized with a big picture of my family on the back of it.

Everybody wants us to compromise...can't have this, but you can have that.

Can't eat this, but you can eat that.

Well...there you go. I'm not willing to compromise away what I want. So when the day comes that I can put together my own computer/laptop/iPad...whatever you want to call it, I might actually want to buy one!

Another snow...

2009-12-27T08:26:00.000-08:00

December 27, 2009 and Another Snow!

Snowing pretty steady today and looks like one of those "marshmellow" snows...where the snow looks like clumps of marshmellow on everything!

Didn't really need anymore snow....or rain...or moisture of any kind really!

Definitely makes it a challenge to get out and feed the animals and check on their well being.

You certainly understand the mentality behind a bear hibernating! Just makes either stir-crazy or lethargic.

I remember a particularly heavy snow in the winter of 1978...I believe that's the correct year...Christmas '77 - New Year's '78. We had so much snow we could only take hay to the cattle with a snowmobile pulling a car hood! CRAZY!

We were so stir crazy, my mom, dad, sister and I walked to the neighbors just to see somebody else for a day or two. I think we sang crazy songs on the way down to the driveway. That was pre-internet, pre-cell phone, pre-texting days! How did we survive??? haha

Hoping we can make it to the family's for a late Christmas today, but not taking anything for granted. Safety and safe animals are a big priority when we still don't have all the corn out.

Hoping for a more productive, less challenging 2010!

ENRICHMENT & CHRISTMAS

2009-12-15T11:43:00.000-08:00

I read this quote this week and really, really like it

"The Litmus Test: If you are truly enriching someone's life, they will typically miss you in their past. They think their lives would have been even better if they had met you earlier." Rajesh Setty.

Isn't it true? How many times have we often thought, "Gosh, I wish I'd known them when I was younger. We would have done some major damage!" I know I do. I often appreciate perspective someone has given me over the years on subjects and I think I wish I'd known them and their wisdom earlier. I'm ever so grateful to have them in my life now, but feel like I with the ride had started earlier.

At Christmas, I often think of those who have enriched my life and those I hope to have enriched.

I have friends from so many areas of the country, so many ages, backgrounds, perspectives. What a rich tapestry my friends have woven for me. What interesting perspective I've gained from them.

Perhaps the world is a little safer because I didn't meet some of these friends earlier. We may have caused havoc....but..it is fun just to think about it!

To all our friends and family who have so enriched our lives and given us perspective and support, we love you . I hope we've given just a small amount back of all that you have given us.

Merry Christmas and love in Christ!

2009-09-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

These are some of the purple coneflowers (echinacea) growing in my flower garden at home. Nothing extra special, but I'd like to think I'm kind of like them. First of all they are native to the prairies. They are very colorful and tall. (I think I fit that also) They are a very useful flower and spread a lot of seeds for regrowth the following year.
They are low maintenance, but in mass are absolutely gorgeous!

Purple coneflowers inspired those who established Western Illinois University to select purple and gold as our school colors! Cool, eh?

2009-06-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

Storm rolling in...

There is something very awe-inspiring of seeing a midwest thunderstorm rolling in. This one came in last night and left us with some rain and cooler temps.

The interesting part was just sitting and listening to the thunder roll through the area. There is no doubt the power of the thunderstorm.

I sometimes believe it is God's voice saying, "Be silent and know that I am God."

Some people find them very disturbing...I find them somewhat comforting. There are no lights of the city, no sounds of vehicles to disturb your ears, nothing but just the pure sound of nature.

It lets you know the power of God.

Life lessons - it's what you value at Christmas and every day of the year!

2008-12-29T16:33:00.000-08:00

This is one of my most favorite Christmas presents this year. A dish towel. Yes, it is a dish towel, but not just any ordinary dish towel.

My grandmother, Jessie Yess, had embroidered this dish towel, but there is more to the story as Paul Harvey says.

My mother said when she was little, her grandmother Emma Jane Smith, my grandma Jessie's mom, came to live with them. Grandma Emma Jane was 71 when my mom was born. She lived to be 85.

Mom said Grandma Emma would ask Grandma Jessie for busy work in order to "contribute" something. She wanted to feel needed. Grandma Jessie would give her dish towels to hem. During the day, Grandma Emma would hem them by hand and give them to her daughter (Jessie). At night, my mom (Sharon) said she would remember seeing Grandma Jessie sitting taking out the hems in the dish towels Grandma Emma had hemmed during the day.

The next day, Grandma Emma would ask if there were any more needing hemmed and like clockwork, Grandma Jessie would hand her a batch and say, "Well, yes...these need to be hemmed."

At one time Mom says she remembers Grandma Emma getting wise to the situation, but the main part of the story is she wanted to feel needed. She wanted to contribute something to the household. She was getting older and couldn't see as well and probably couldn't do a lot of other housework she used to do, but she wanted to stay busy and do something.

This wonderful story of love showed me we ALL want to contribute something to the greater good - no matter our age. We want to feel needed and useful. No one wants to be a burden on others or offering no contributions in life.

This was a way Grandma Emma could feel needed, wanted, useful. What a wonderful love story about how a daughter made sure her mother felt those wonderful things.

This dish towel reminds me of my grandmother and how she was always busy helping do things like canning, playing with my sister and me, or folding laundry. Little things that showed her love for us. And that's why I value this simple dish towel so much...for the memory of that alone.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and I wish you a wonderful, useful New Year!

Yikes!

2008-12-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

I very clearly remember this Christmas. I certainly didn't think Santa was going to show up! I think I was smiling because my mom and dad told me to, but I was secretly SCARED TO DEATH! What if he knew we'd been bad and I was getting coal? My sister, Cathy, in the photo is even more scared!

But, thank Heaven, Santa brought us good presents and we ALWAYS remembered the year that Santa appeared on our doorstep!

2008-10-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Harvest time!

We began cutting soybeans in the field behind the house today. Here's a look . Quite a bit of dust flying for having had 5 1/2 inches of rain just two weeks ago! Steve's in the combine; Erik in the tractor with the grain cart behind.

Happy 5th of July!

2008-07-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

What? Happy 5th of July? Don't you mean 4th of July? Nope...5th. Here's my thought process.

On July 4th, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress . Actually on July 2nd, the Congress had already voted to declare independence from Great Britian. It was later published and signed near the beginning of August.

So, why Happy 5th?

On the Fourth, we actually made a statement as a country saying, "We're not gonna take it anymore." We listed the reasons why, what we believed to be the ideal nation, etc, but on the morning of the 5th, can't you imagine those of the Continental Congress waking up to wonder, "What did we just do?" They had pledged EVERYTHING they had to see this through!

It's a whole lot easier to say, "I'm not gonna take this anymore and I'm changing something", than it is to actually do it. Once you've made that public statement you have to begin to formulate how the action will take place; how you will change what you believe to be substandard. How many of us have said, I'm gonna lose weight, or I'm gonna finish school to wake up this next morning thinking, ahhh...maybe tomorrow.

Well, these people had no choice. They had made a rather bold statement of independence and now they were known for it. People would be judging them on how they had achieved that goal or fallen short. They would judge them if they individually profited from the situation.

So, I believe it much harder to actually put the statement into action and today was the day of action for our country. We could no longer talk about doing something, we had to move, take action, change the world. And...overall, I believe it worked out very well.

But...I imagine for a little bit on the morning of the 5th of July, 1776 there were some men who wondered What the heck did we do yesterday? And today, July 5th, 2008 there will be more men wondering the same thing, but for different reasons! Happy 5th!

Large snow drift? Cocoon? Alien?

2008-07-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

Actually, the answer would be none of these! It's a large haylage/silage bag. We put in hay and oats to fill 550' of bag this past week. It will "mature" into a wonderful feed for winter and I LOVE the smell when the bags are opened to feed the cattle. I think the cattle love the smell too! Ron Byers of Berwick had the team to do it. We supplied the field, the location, and a tractor. His guys had trucks to haul it and the know-how to do it! It was like a well-oiled machine! A truck would come in, dump it's load into the unloader which filled the bag and voila! That truck would pull out and shortly later another would pull in.

Secretly I'd like to go out with a BIG magic marker and draw a funny face on it or something else. Not sure I can get away with that one!

Michael Buble must have had this in mind!

2008-06-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite songs out is from singer Michael Buble...and country singer, Blake Shelton, has recut it thanks to his girlfriend, Miranda Lambert. The song is titled, "Home" and the lyrics go...Another summer day, has come and gone away, In Paris and Rome and I wanna go home...

This is Jon-Mel-Li farm in western Illinois...better known as home to the Terstriep clan. Believe me, it is very hard work, but it's true whether you're Michael Buble, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert or Julie Terstriep...sometimes you just wanna go home.

I enjoy walking back to the cemetery on our farm and just listening to the cattle, wildlife and even the corn grow! (Yes, on a summer day you CAN hear the corn grow.)

It's oh, so peaceful....and I enjoy visiting other places, but I just wanna go home.

2008-06-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

Hay makin' time!
It's actually raining tonight (6/24/08) as I write this, but it's been a busy 10 days of making hay. This is my handsome, TALL son, Erik, after having raked hay all afternoon last Friday. He and Grandma Sharon were "arguing" over how to rake the field. He said, "So, I just raked my part my way and she raked her part her way!"

They kinda like to tease each other and bug each other. Hard to tell who wins...probably nobody! As long as Grandpa can figure out their windrows we are doing fine.

A well needed rest tomorrow with this rain and on to more hay-making later this week.

It's hard work, but it often reminds me of the story of the grasshopper and the ant - who worked hard to put food away for the winter. (The grasshopper was off goofing around all summer - singing on tour or something.)

When it came to winter, the ants had plenty to eat, but the grasshopper didn't have any food - I guess that going on tour thing during the summer only sounded like fun! :)

2008-05-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

Rushville-Industry 4 x 200 relay, 2nd in STATE!

Members: Breanne Moore, Sarah Roegge, Tayler Onion, Erin Ealy.

This is my beautiful niece Tayler Onion and her 4 x 200 relay team. They placed 2nd at the State Track Meet today for Class A teams! What a difference a year makes. Last year, we went to the state track meet excited for whatever would happen. The girls made it through to the finals....guaranteed at least 9th place and medals! Awesome, we thought. Guaranteed!

Never count your chickens before they're hatched my mother used to say and that's exactly the lesson we learned. The girls dropped the baton in a handoff and couldn't pick it up to finish...no place, no medals, no cheering crowds. Just tears, heads in their hands, and saying, "Well, what if?" The hurt was so deep, you just couldn't help hold back the tears for them. It was devastating.

This year they returned. Posted the fastest qualifying time from sectionals. Posted the fastest qualifying time going into the finals and then....one member fell during another event and banged up her knee. No...not again! This can't be happening. Somehow, she dusted herself off and was ready to go. They ran their fastest time ever...Broke their school record again! 1:45.71. JOY, HAPPINESS! To God be the glory. We learned the lesson to never take ANYTHING for granted, never count on anything. Enjoy the ride. Just enjoy the ride!

These have to be the biggest smiles of the day. The other three members also took first place in the 4x100 relay. Lightning struck twice ! Team finished 6th in state....Big grins, happy girls, and memories they'll never forget, because in the end, it wasn't about the medal really, it was about people, memories and never giving up and hoping for something better in the long run. A very Christian message!

Rushville-Industry Prom

2008-05-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my beautiful daughter, Leigh, (left) and my beautiful niece, Tayler Onion (right) at Tayler's junior prom. Can't believe she'll be a senior next year. She is the spitting image of her momma.

Big weekend for the Onion clan. Son, Austin, had a big 8th grade Spring Party Friday night while his sister had her conference track meet. Then Saturday, chaos broke loose with Tayler's prom. Cathy will be tired on Sunday when pre-prom, prom, after prom and after, after prom is over!

Mother Nature messing with us!

2008-04-24T19:03:00.001-07:00

Today is April 24...and no corn planted in our area yet. Seriously, Mother Nature needs to be a little more helpful!

With the cost of food, (and I want to emphasize Americans spend the least amount of their income on food of anyone in the world!) perhaps people will go back to planting big gardens and canning. First, you get your own organic food. Second, you're getting fresher food. Third, you'll waste less and there is certainly a sense of pride when you put those jars in the basement full of wonderful vegetables and fruits!

Sanity and earthquakes

2008-04-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

Something happens to you when your bed starts shaking at 4:35 in the morning...you question your sanity! Are you dreaming or what the heck is going on?

It only took a couple of seconds to realize we were having an EARTHQUAKE this morning. Centered in the metro St. Louis area, we felt it up in western Illinois!

The windows rattled, the bed was shaking, it was still dark out and in my mind, I went tripping back to 1968. I was 7 years old sitting in the back seat of Mom and Dad's Chevy Impala. Mom turns to us girls (my sister, Cathy, cousins Terra and Lori) and said, "Will you girls quit shaking the car!" Our eyes were big when we replied..."We're NOT shaking the car!" The telephone poles outside the car were swaying and my mom said OH NO!

Kansas is burning tonight!

2008-04-07T21:23:00.000-07:00

My Jayhawks did it! Rock Chalk Jayhawks....we believed in you. Congratulations to you all. Way to go Coach Self. You had such class this week.

2008-04-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

Just a few of our cattle.

2008-04-05T07:25:00.000-07:00

This has to be one of my most favorite places in the world. This is the beach at Perdido Key, FL about a mile from Orange Beach, AL. This Flora/Bama line is absolutely beautiful no matter what time of year I've visited and it's just so peaceful. People are absolutely the friendliest and so mannerly. I wish the "Yankees" would remember their yes ma'am and yes sirs as much as these folks do.

Thanks to all our friends at the Flora/Bama line and their gracious hospitality!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!

2008-03-29T18:34:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow's the big day. I'm hoping for a KU Final Four year! Seems crazy that Illinois people would be KU fans, but our relatives have KU connections!

If you've ever been to Phog Allen Fieldhouse, it's quite an experience. I equate it to going to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN....the most famous of the venues for the Grand Ol Opry. Allen Fieldhouse is awe-inspiring. The ghosts of basketball definitely live there!

So, best of luck to my Jayhawks. Hopefully Monday a big smile will be on my face and the Jayhawks will be ready to take the title!

2008-03-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

This photo is actually from spring 2007, but it won't be long until farmers are in the field in western Illinois.

Prices of inputs are SO high it's very scary. Imagine going to the grocery store to buy milk and it costs $2.00 while the following week it's gone to $3.00!

In the meantime, you have no control over how much your boss pays you for the job you do this year.

Out of control would be the way I'd describe the situation..out of control and scary.

Yet, hope springs eternal and every farmer is an optimist.