Nancy Eberts – Eberts Harvesting
Reality and Reflection!
We started calving over a week ago and all was going well; however, it’s March and we live in SW North Dakota so that means there’s gonna be a snowstorm or two! So, we literally went from these first two pictures, to the snow and 45 mile per hour winds today through Tuesday!
Calving is truly a fun and interesting time here for me. Animal harvest, so to speak. This morning, I brought up the rugs because I have to cover the floor from the front door to the fridge and to the sink in the laundry room. The sink is where they make the colostrum supplement.
Preparing the colostrum supplement.
Despite the built-in supply and watch room in the barn (with TV and recliner), my guys seem to come in several times throughout the day and we all know what is on the bottom of their boots…besides snow. So be it for the milk replacer, warm, soapy water, a towel, chains to pull a calf or even just a snack, they are in and out quickly but generally leave a trail! Our home, our bathtub, sink, and all the rest is simply an extension of what we do and calving is no exception. Keeping it real and accommodating makes things simply go better. I have learned to embrace it and deal with it! We have over 40 babies in the sheds tonight and hope the wind settles sometimes tomorrow…and all of their ears stay warm! We have a long ways to go.
On another note, I spent the last four days with my mom and sisters. I truly enjoyed the quiet time with just us. I can’t remember the last time that even happened without husbands, kids, grandkids, holidays or “events” included on the agenda or in the room. We booked through Airbnb and decided to head for Sioux Falls, South Dakota so the youngest of the sisters could make the drive from Illinois.
My mother, at 80, still has a wonderful sense of humor and delightful eyes. By the grace of God, may we all look this good and have the strength, kindness and wisdom she always shows when we’re 80.
Me and my mom, Eileen.
Saint Joseph’s Cathedral – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
We laughed together, gambled…a little…together (a Casino along the way), played games together, shopped together, toured the sights together, ate “out” and “in” together, drank and “juiced” together and, most importantly, prayed and worshiped together. We are all healthy and independent in our own lives, yet came together to remember the good old days, to encourage each other and to treasure our MOM time.
Simple…yet oh so profound…and REAL.
Prior to the trip, we all celebrated my dad’s 83rd birthday! It’s truly a blessing to have your parents “happy together” and forever strong!
