Most of the staff from the Rural Messenger got to attend the Pheasant’s Forever banquet in Hutchinson this past weekend. We played games, and my kids drank as many pops as the could and we all had a chance to sit around and catch up on non-office ideas. Steve and Joyce Gilliland were also able to join us. I hope they enjoyed their evening. Nick Hollister of United Country in Newton was the auctioneer for the evening.
The Atrium Hotel and Convention center hosted the event. I was surprised how big the banquet room was. Most of the dinner was just so-so. But I did hear lots of people say how wonderful the brisket was. Everyone also got to enjoy a slice of apple pie. The meal was good considering how many people they served.
All of the kids got a Pheasant’s Forever t-shirt and free one-topping pizza from Papa Murphy’s in Hutchinson.
I just hope my boss didn’t have any surprises when he paid his tab!
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Into the fire
On Thursday in Pratt the unimaginable happened. A house fire quickly burned and because of the fast-moving fire 4 children and their mother passed away. Allie and I drove by the house Saturday and the street was still blocked off. The fire investigators are still working to find the start of the fire.
On the news we watched as the fire fighters first pulled up to the home site. We could see one of our friends running by in his uniform to the scene. I thought about how most fire fighters are “do-ers.” They DO the hard things that need done. Most people run from a fire, they run into the fire. When they signed up to start their firefighter training, I am sure they knew that hard days would come in the future. I am sure this was their worst nightmare come true. No amount of training can prepare a person for dealing with the loss of a child. I imagine that these guys could only lay their heads down, but not sleep. As they laid their head down, the scene played over and over in their minds. What could have been different, could they have arrived sooner? Questions I am sure continue to troll through their minds. Many of them went home to see their own children and shed a few tears.
On Sunday our pastor prayed that the first responders would be free of guilt. I too hope they will be free of guilt. Even though most people know it was no fault of the firemen, I can see how they might carry around guilt.
Perhaps I should summarize by saying how thankful I am for the DO-ERS in the world. I am thankful so many wonderful people are willing to put their live on the line and run into danger. I see these guys out training and their families also give sacrificially to the community. They have taken time away from their lives to be ready in an emergency.
Many donations have come in. If you feel compelled to donate this is one link https://www.gofundme.com/chfcjy-help-the-egglestonwheatley-family
On the news we watched as the fire fighters first pulled up to the home site. We could see one of our friends running by in his uniform to the scene. I thought about how most fire fighters are “do-ers.” They DO the hard things that need done. Most people run from a fire, they run into the fire. When they signed up to start their firefighter training, I am sure they knew that hard days would come in the future. I am sure this was their worst nightmare come true. No amount of training can prepare a person for dealing with the loss of a child. I imagine that these guys could only lay their heads down, but not sleep. As they laid their head down, the scene played over and over in their minds. What could have been different, could they have arrived sooner? Questions I am sure continue to troll through their minds. Many of them went home to see their own children and shed a few tears.
On Sunday our pastor prayed that the first responders would be free of guilt. I too hope they will be free of guilt. Even though most people know it was no fault of the firemen, I can see how they might carry around guilt.
Perhaps I should summarize by saying how thankful I am for the DO-ERS in the world. I am thankful so many wonderful people are willing to put their live on the line and run into danger. I see these guys out training and their families also give sacrificially to the community. They have taken time away from their lives to be ready in an emergency.
Many donations have come in. If you feel compelled to donate this is one link https://www.gofundme.com/chfcjy-help-the-egglestonwheatley-family
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Braces off
The braces came off this week. Addie couldn’t be happier. I was very surprised when a month ago the orthodontist said they could come off. She had minor issues, so she only had to wear them less than a year. Of course, now we need to finish paying for them, and we go back up Tuesday to get retainers.
Middle school basketball also came to an end. I know some schools are still playing but our school has a wrestling season for middle school. Last week was the first time in a long time that all three kids got on the bus and went to school, and then they all three came home on the bus. Addie seems to be pleased with a little more free time.
Allie started her rec basketball season. She enjoyed her game, even though they lost. She knows most of her teammates and enjoys playing with them. After the game her face was pretty red, then she looked in the mirror and said, “Wow they are really red!”
On Saturday we saddled up the horses and went for a short ride. Sometimes its seems like a major event just to get all the horses saddled up. They got out on Tuesday morning when it was about 1 degree out. They were just in the ditch looking for some cheat. Unfortunately, there is nothing green around for them to nibble on.
Middle school basketball also came to an end. I know some schools are still playing but our school has a wrestling season for middle school. Last week was the first time in a long time that all three kids got on the bus and went to school, and then they all three came home on the bus. Addie seems to be pleased with a little more free time.
Allie started her rec basketball season. She enjoyed her game, even though they lost. She knows most of her teammates and enjoys playing with them. After the game her face was pretty red, then she looked in the mirror and said, “Wow they are really red!”
On Saturday we saddled up the horses and went for a short ride. Sometimes its seems like a major event just to get all the horses saddled up. They got out on Tuesday morning when it was about 1 degree out. They were just in the ditch looking for some cheat. Unfortunately, there is nothing green around for them to nibble on.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
So cold
Just one more week of middle school basketball (yeah!) Addie has two more games, and we have meetings on both nights and I am not sure how we are going to get to the games. Then Allie starts the rec. basketball league. She knows her coach this year and is ready to start playing.
It was so cold last week. Thankfully we didn’t have two feet of snow to blow around. I managed to keep the horse water open. The tank looks like a big hunk of ice with a single hole going down to the bottom to the water. I am hoping to get some melt in the tank. Luke had a heat lamp on an old well that he needed to keep thawed. We went to unplug the heat lamp since we are enjoying warm weather for a few days. Near the well is an old underground house. In the house there is a bee hive. It had warmed up just enough the bees were out inspecing and making sure it wasn’t spring yet. On the floor we found serveral old honey combs. They were empty and just wax pieces. I tried to explain to Weston that the bees had made wax. They were hard from the cold and he didn’t know what to think. After the combs had set on the dash for a while they quickly softened and the kids enjoyed feeling the squishyness of the wax.
Even our roadrunners managed during the cold snap. I saw them puff out and try to keep warm. One was in the barn, I think he was looking for mice. I was surprised how close I got to him. Then Allie was in the horse pen and she said one walked right past her, then took off. According to the kids we have three roadrunners. I have seen two at the same time.
Weston told me he wanted to go visit a Reindeer farm, I didn’t know what he was talking about. Finally, I noticed a travel company had been advertising a tour to Alaska and one of the features was visiting a Reindeer Farm.
Addie and her friend went on a quick trail ride Sunday. Then when she got home we all saddled up and went down the road. We started out too late, and it got dark and cold quickly. Allie had been getting her new saddle adjusted to her horse. We had to trade out some billets and put a different cinch on. She got mad at me when I put saddle soap on it and did not wipe the excess off.
My daughter was mailed a letter from Pratt on December 18th and she finally got it December 30th. The main problem was the letter told about a meeting on December 28th. It’s a good thing that someone had told us about the meeting, so she was able to attend. Did you know that the Rural Messenger still mails out some papers, but now the paper can be picked-up at multiple sites in your community? The Rural Messenger is also free, so thank our advertisers. We are actually getting the paper into more hands than when we mailed the paper. Look for a new paper each Wednesday.
It was so cold last week. Thankfully we didn’t have two feet of snow to blow around. I managed to keep the horse water open. The tank looks like a big hunk of ice with a single hole going down to the bottom to the water. I am hoping to get some melt in the tank. Luke had a heat lamp on an old well that he needed to keep thawed. We went to unplug the heat lamp since we are enjoying warm weather for a few days. Near the well is an old underground house. In the house there is a bee hive. It had warmed up just enough the bees were out inspecing and making sure it wasn’t spring yet. On the floor we found serveral old honey combs. They were empty and just wax pieces. I tried to explain to Weston that the bees had made wax. They were hard from the cold and he didn’t know what to think. After the combs had set on the dash for a while they quickly softened and the kids enjoyed feeling the squishyness of the wax.
Even our roadrunners managed during the cold snap. I saw them puff out and try to keep warm. One was in the barn, I think he was looking for mice. I was surprised how close I got to him. Then Allie was in the horse pen and she said one walked right past her, then took off. According to the kids we have three roadrunners. I have seen two at the same time.
Weston told me he wanted to go visit a Reindeer farm, I didn’t know what he was talking about. Finally, I noticed a travel company had been advertising a tour to Alaska and one of the features was visiting a Reindeer Farm.
Addie and her friend went on a quick trail ride Sunday. Then when she got home we all saddled up and went down the road. We started out too late, and it got dark and cold quickly. Allie had been getting her new saddle adjusted to her horse. We had to trade out some billets and put a different cinch on. She got mad at me when I put saddle soap on it and did not wipe the excess off.
My daughter was mailed a letter from Pratt on December 18th and she finally got it December 30th. The main problem was the letter told about a meeting on December 28th. It’s a good thing that someone had told us about the meeting, so she was able to attend. Did you know that the Rural Messenger still mails out some papers, but now the paper can be picked-up at multiple sites in your community? The Rural Messenger is also free, so thank our advertisers. We are actually getting the paper into more hands than when we mailed the paper. Look for a new paper each Wednesday.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Franching: Funny things
Each year I have been posting my final column of the year with funny things my kids have said through out the year.
• Anything camo is mine. Weston
• Don’t worry Mom, Jesus will heal it. Weston
• I stated, “That’s not worth writing home about.” Allie asked, “What does write home mean?”
• Weston asked if I had the ingredients for sugar cookies, and I said YES, but Why? “We need to make some for Santa.” I guess he is ahead of the game this year.
• Did I grow in your heart? Weston
• First things first, we are making cookies NOW. Weston
• Be careful girls, there’s a gun in the car. (his bb gun) Weston
• I like mine dark (chocolate milk,) just like coffee. Weston
• I know the password to the microwave. Weston
• “Mom I wish Teddy had a Mom.” said Weston. “Well you are kind of like his mom,” I said. “Do I look like a bear?” asked Weston. “Well you are like his dad,” I replied. “I lose him sometimes you know.”
• Go in the other room Mom, dad and I are working on an expensive plane. - Weston
• What did you get dad for valentines?” asked Weston. “Those chocolates,” I replied. “NO you have to get something cooler - Like a new feed truck.” said Weston.
• No - not steak - it will make my tooth looser. Weston
• The only thing wrong with these cookies is they need milk. Allie
• Do you have any spinach - I feel weak. Weston
• Weston stuck his tongue out at me, and I informed him he had better stop or that was going to get him in a bunch of trouble. He then informed me that Jesus would still love him.
• “Why does Hannah (our dog) want the pigs so bad?” asked the girls. Well, the are bacon.....(Weston)
• During Easter Sunday we were doing congregational singing. Weston could see the communion table set up. He asked me “When are we going to get to the bread and the blood?”
• I told Weston go up to the attic and get his Easter basket. He proceeded to get down on of my grocery bags, and stated, “It’s to small, I am going to need something bigger, and with a zipper too.”
• Weston has his first loose tooth and stated, I really have three lose teeth, but the third one is hard to find.
• You are going to have to get a lot better at English if you are going to get me thru high school mom. -Addie
• Anything camo is mine. Weston
• Don’t worry Mom, Jesus will heal it. Weston
• I stated, “That’s not worth writing home about.” Allie asked, “What does write home mean?”
• Weston asked if I had the ingredients for sugar cookies, and I said YES, but Why? “We need to make some for Santa.” I guess he is ahead of the game this year.
• Did I grow in your heart? Weston
• First things first, we are making cookies NOW. Weston
• Be careful girls, there’s a gun in the car. (his bb gun) Weston
• I like mine dark (chocolate milk,) just like coffee. Weston
• I know the password to the microwave. Weston
• “Mom I wish Teddy had a Mom.” said Weston. “Well you are kind of like his mom,” I said. “Do I look like a bear?” asked Weston. “Well you are like his dad,” I replied. “I lose him sometimes you know.”
• Go in the other room Mom, dad and I are working on an expensive plane. - Weston
• What did you get dad for valentines?” asked Weston. “Those chocolates,” I replied. “NO you have to get something cooler - Like a new feed truck.” said Weston.
• No - not steak - it will make my tooth looser. Weston
• The only thing wrong with these cookies is they need milk. Allie
• Do you have any spinach - I feel weak. Weston
• Weston stuck his tongue out at me, and I informed him he had better stop or that was going to get him in a bunch of trouble. He then informed me that Jesus would still love him.
• “Why does Hannah (our dog) want the pigs so bad?” asked the girls. Well, the are bacon.....(Weston)
• During Easter Sunday we were doing congregational singing. Weston could see the communion table set up. He asked me “When are we going to get to the bread and the blood?”
• I told Weston go up to the attic and get his Easter basket. He proceeded to get down on of my grocery bags, and stated, “It’s to small, I am going to need something bigger, and with a zipper too.”
• Weston has his first loose tooth and stated, I really have three lose teeth, but the third one is hard to find.
• You are going to have to get a lot better at English if you are going to get me thru high school mom. -Addie
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Franching: Music programs
This last week Luke and crew preg checked and calf-hood vaccinated a group of cattle. The day dragged on, but with some freshly baked cookies and several pots of coffee they pushed through and finished.
With a second child at home I asked my niece how things were going at her house and she surprised me and said it was going much better than she had expected!
Our out of state deer hunters have not had as much success, compared to years past. I think there are several factors involved. The warm weather for one, healthy coyotes, and multiple deer hunters seeking venison. However the only deer I ever killed was in my parents blue Oldsmobile, making me a non-hunting expert.
A chapter closed for Allie this week. She had her last elementary Christmas music program. The kids did well. I often say that 6th grade is the last time some of the boys will sing.
Weston got to take a ride on the Polar Express. The kindergarten classes had a big day building up to an afternoon party where they got their ticket punched and the watched the Polar Express movie.
My kids are certainly ready for a break from school. They mainly want to know what they are getting for Christmas. We got the Christmas tree brought in. We cut down an Eastern Red Cedar from the pasture.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Franching: New baby
My poor lilacs, they have put out green leaves. Who can blame them, what a treat it would be if they bloomed. However, Jack Frost, and Old Man Winter will soon have other plans. This weekend we went to a live nativity display and the weather was most enjoyable.
Have you ever been to Pratt, KS to see the Lemon Park Lights? If not, you are missing out. The display started out small and has since grown. If you are passing through Pratt this Christmas season, make your way south down Main Street and follow the signs to the park. There is a grove of lighted trees, a section of snowmen, a sea dragon and wild west show just to name a few. Enjoy a no admission fee and cars can make as many trips around the park as desired. Perhaps a drive is not good enough, park your car and take the walking trail through the park and enjoy the lights up close. Our family enjoyed a stroll through the park, and I am ready to walk through it again next week.
One field of cotton has been stripped, however we won’t know the results of the yield until later. We have one more field that needs picked.
This was an exciting week for us. Behold for unto us a cousin is born, lying in a pack-n-play near Moundridge we found the babe swaddled in his mother’s arms. Kalib Calvin joined our family last Tuesday. His mother went to the doctor and was asked, “Well are you ready to have this baby today?” So, she quickly rounded up her things, and made it back to the hospital. The baby came the next day. He was welcomed by his big brother Lane. Addie had a basketball game at Halstead, so we slipped over and held the new baby. Of course, he was very cute and handled all of us holding him. I just hope he wasn’t a mess when we left. New babies can get over stimulated when too many people hold them.
I printed off a special Advent calendar for Weston. It has 23 pieces, each day has a small devotional and he gets to cut a piece that goes into the nativity. Did you know that Micah prophesied over 500 years before the birth of Christ that he would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah?
This week we have 2 basketball games, piano lessons, church and one music program. Thank goodness they are not all on the same day. Luke plans on checking cows this week too. One last thought, I am not trying to brag, but we have not one, but TWO roadrunners living at our house. They are so much fun to watch. The kids spotted them both this last weekend.
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