Welcome To The Farm

It has been a very busy spring once we arrived back at the farm, with it being cool and wet. We continue working on the lawn and landscaping after a cold winter. Looking to our west, we have two new ponds that we enjoy. Jo was working on some flowers in our building and a hummingbird, we named Chirp, followed her into the building. We had to rescue Chirp from the trusses and she allowed me to place her in my hands and get her to the feeder where she recovered and soon took flight. Of course, the tractors are a highlight of the farm and my brother, Steve, and I drove two tractors in the West Union Dairy Days Parade. What a kick we had in driving these tractors and sharing them with the community. Many of our friends have been traveling and included us in their stops. We have enjoyed the company of Keith and Bernie from Texas as they traveled north to Minnesota. Our friends at the ranch in Montana, Albert and Gloria, were in Iowa for a few days and stopped with relatives from the area for a BBQ of Iowa chops. Beet piler friends, Ron and Corinne, from Minnesota were able to visit for a few days and we walked in a park near the farm to see Dutton's Cave. We enjoyed showing them the area and spent time relaxing at the farm. Now that the landscaping is completed we are able to watch the birds as they eat at our feeders. The Gold Finches stop in the mornings for their feeding before heading into town.

Friends, Family, and March Madness

March was full of "March Madness" and we had lots going on with four couples from last falls beet harvest visiting us in Brooksville. It was great to see them all and recall piling beet stories without too much embellishment. So good to see them and spend quality time together. Jo's sister, Marilyn and husband Tim, were able to spend spring break in warmer weather. They had to contemplate their picks for the March NCAA basketball tournament. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day and of course Tim had to "wear the green". We crossed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on our return from Punta Gorda and enjoyed the warm breeze off the water. The spring flowers are in full bloom with the paint brush tree loaded with flowers. We hated to see Tim and Marilyn leave as we knew they would be heading back to see more snow in Iowa. We are all looking forward to spring.

Our Winter Home in Florida

We have purchased a mobile home in a 55+ community, Clover Leaf Farms, in Brooksville, Florida. We are not only enjoying the warm winter weather but the community also. Can't quite figure out how to keep the squirrels out of the bird feeder. Seems the cardinal can't either. Moving into the house required a few projects to be done to update the unit. Glad we had beet piler friends visiting and they offered their help to get the project completed. The home is very comfortable and fits our needs. The community has two recreation rooms, two pools, a sauna and hot tub, a library, fitness center, two fishing lakes, and a laundromat with a farmers market each week. If you happen to be in the area, please stop and visit for a while. We have an extra bedroom and there is a campground, Clover Leaf Forest, next door. We always look forward to family and friends visiting us to escape the cold winters up north.