July was a very busy and emotionally straining month.
As I shared in the last column, we went to two funerals and lost our main stallion, Pepper. Though those were big events for us, there was also a lot of work that was done, and some family took the time to come and visit us.
On July 6 my great-aunt and her husband came up from Idaho to visit us. Aunt Heidi and Sherman had fun playing with the boys and surprised Joseph with a new saddle. We put it on my gelding, and Joseph tried the new saddle out in the round pen. We have to find the hole puncher and shorten the stirrups a little bit, but other than that it will be a very nice saddle for him to use for some time.
We also went on a few adventures checking the pastures and the watering systems and had some American history lessons while whittling sticks. Sherman also did some baking with the boys, and he made us a nice supper one evening. John and Barb joined us, and we visited quite late.
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They were only able to stay a few days. They had to head for home on July 9 in order to make it back in time for some meetings and appointments. We greatly enjoyed their visit, even though it was only for a short time.
After saying goodbye, Gregory set out to cut some ditch hay. He worked on cutting hay for several days. It was slow going with several breakdowns. Some were quick fixes, some required the welder and one was bad enough he had to switch haybines.
On the morning of July 13, our last mare foaled. That makes nine foals for the year: five colts and four fillies. All are healthy and are growing nicely.
On July 15 we started baling hay and got most of it wrapped up before the rain. I was also able to take some mares and foals and a few young mares out to pasture. They greatly enjoy being able to get out of the corral and eat some grass.
Early on the morning of July 28 we loaded up the kids and headed for Camrose, Alta., for Kathryn’s funeral. The church was full of people who came to pray for Kathryn. Gregory’s sister, Theresa, had taken Barb the previous day for prayers in the evening. Unfortunately, due to the timing, John was not able to attend because his prostate surgery was scheduled for the following day, and the trip was going to be too much for him with no time for recovery.
Theresa and Barb left shortly after the funeral to go home to take John into Saskatoon. They stayed the night so that he could rest before his morning surgery. We stayed for the burial and then went to Gregory’s sister Sandra’s place afterward to spend a little time with her. We ask that you please pray for Kathryn’s soul and for her family as well.
John’s surgery went well, and he wasn’t happy with the food and some of the nurses in the hospital, so he convinced them to send him home. When John got home, he checked on us and both Gregory and I were baling. The kids were pestering Phil and Tish Ulrich and having a wonderful time. Gregory’s baler was giving him some static and he ended up needing to take the pickup apart to replace a piece that had worn out.
The next day, with two balers that were working well, we set out to bale the ditches around home. We were just about done when I saw Gregory pull down into the bottom of the ditch and start inspecting his baler. He had a bearing go on one of the rollers that he couldn’t see from the tractor. Luckily, he caught it before it caught fire. He took his tractor and baler home to work on replacing the bearing while I finished the ditch.
The next morning, Aug. 1, we tried to put the roller with the new bearing back in, but a bolt broke and we had to wait for a replacement. John had decided he was going to North Battleford that day, so Gregory added the bolt to his list. Gregory switched back to cutting hay, and I went home to try to get ready for more visitors.
That evening Grandma Allen and Uncle Mike rolled into the driveway after a two-day drive from Idaho. They had a lot of fun with the kids. They brought some foam swords and a bubble machine, and the kids and the puppy had hours of fun popping the bubbles. They also brought two little school desks with them that Grandpa Allen had refinished a long time ago. Anna and Ian were quite excited about having their own desks to work at while the older brothers do their schoolwork. We also went on adventures checking the horses and looking at crops.
On Sunday evening, we got the mini-mare, Cloud, out and rode her in the round pen. Everyone had to have a turn, especially little Anna. James and Ian took turns with one riding and one leading and then they switched. Uncle Mike got a chance to encourage Joseph and give him a few pointers when he rode.
The next morning, Aug. 4, they had to start for home. We are so blessed to have family and friends who take the time to come and see us.
