Time to order seeds

Wow, it is time to order seeds again. For those of you who grow your own garden plants, I bet you already have some growing. I know the commercial growers have but the growers in the deep south have had a real struggle with the weather this winter.

Me, I like to deal with our many good plant vendors. They do some things with plants for transplanting I probably wouldn't get done.

I just ordered enough farm seed to go into the loan fund already. Many farmers spend many thousands of dollars on their farm seed.

First time ever, I am sharing my favorites:

Field corn, First Choice 58, excellent 109 day hybrid
Soybeans, Steritz Ohio Certified Jacob Soybeans but trying some Stine and CropLan Liberty Link soybeans this year
Wheat, hard to pick, they are so close but I chose Crop Production Systems 9122 from the AgriPro Breeding program to bump my favorite Ohio Certified Hopewell
Barley, Certifed Thoroughbred
Sweet corn, Vision White, Avalon Yellow, Providence BiColor, all great corns, never had a failure or dissatisfied customer
Green Beans, so many good ones, really like the Benton's I had but Blue Lake is a consistent favorite along with Top Crop
Tomatoes, probably Big Boy but so many good ones available!
Potatoes Russett but Kennebec is easier to raise here and who can deny Yukon Gold or Pontiac Reds.
Onions, yellow. I like all onions, Vidalia are favorites but I can't grow them here.

This list will probably get modifed before you read it or read it the next time. Seed selection is that difficult but stay with the mainstays, you won't go wrong. I always test out new varieties carefully. Takes 3 years to really decide, buy then there is a new great one out to look at.

Quilts Again

This Quilt Barn thing is ramping up again in preparation of the Bicennential Open House June 12,-13. We just got the letter from the committee and realized we are the only farm without a designated non-profit to provide food and drink, displays, or something for the 200 year history of the county.

See, I always have myself in almost near trouble by trying to do all the things I want to get done. No wonder I liked that cruise so much. No one could find me and I couldn't do anything about it if they did.

Lots of details to work out for the tour. Some food and drink and displays we can come up with. Immeadiately we thought of the Newman's spinning and weaving, the Lavender Farm and Donna's art work, all close neighbors. Now, working out those details and satisfying the wants of the committee is another thing.

We could use the local churches, Lion's Club, FFA Chapters for our non-profit sponsor but we would have plans pretty well worked out except for food and drink our non profit could offer.

It would be so cool to have a pair of Percheron's like Grandpa's plowing, disking and planting corn. Wheat harvest would be a few weeks off yet but you get the concept. There goes my wild ideas that get me in trouble. But Lavender, weaving and artisitic painting is right down the road you might say, so that makes more sense.

I have no idea how this will come out, but we will do our best and I will try to keep you informed.

This barn project turned out too nicely to not get it to the public.

Ed Winkle

Wierd Weather

It looks like a wierd weather pattern again tonight. This storm is staying south of the Ohio again, like many did all last year.

I have already seen pictures of ice damage, and that can be devastating anywhere, especially in the south where it is happening.

This just makes the farmer what kind of year we are up against again this year? Will we still be in this wet pattern or will it stop before the crops are finished and be another drought year?

Agriculture and many industries are so highly dependent on the weather because the nature of our business. The local "plow boys" like snow so they can stay busy making money by pushing. You and I don't want to drive in it or shovel it.

Every good powerpoint I watched this winter showed the affect of weather on the farmer's bottom line and which is out of our control. It can easily determine half our profit for the year.

By the cycles, we are about due for another bout like 88 and 99 and 07 here.

It is really difficult to predict and recover from a downturn in income without shorting yourself if it doesn't materialize.

So, my budget looks a lot like last year with a little cushion for needed expenses or lack of income due to weather.

Ed Winkle

Max

One of my friends just sent me a picture of his dog, Maxamillion. That is one beautiful dog. Sable is on the left and she isn't too shabby either.

I don't think I would want to be found messing around on my friend's farm when Max found you. You could be missing important parts in a hurry.

I wonder how Sable would take to him, she loves other animals, especially her own breed. That day she chased the dogs where we went 4 wheeling was a hoot, we laughed so hard our stomachs hurt.

He looks a lot like Sable's dad, Fausinlauf, old German breeding. Those dogs are such companions, they aren't happy if you are not in sight. Decades of inbreeding I guess, she will circle any car, truck or animal like she is herding them.

Sable stayed with LuAnn's K9 Officer friend last week, she is really settling down and getting her adult personality but she has to be right on my heel no matter what I do. When someone stops by and I don't hear them her bark even scares me for a moment.

I wouldn't want that dog hanging off my body and she has a death grip. 80 lbs of sheer muscle. I would guess Max around 100 lbs, maybe 110.

I tell everyone just to ignore her, talk to me and let her sniff you out. Some people just won't do that and she does not like it. We talk for a couple of minutes and she just goes about her business of watching the farm.

Randy fed her a little harder than I have and she bulked up. She hit me in the back with a love tap yesterday and almost knocked me down. I wouldn't want Max giving me a love tap.

Sable is building that reputation that will be talked about for generations, you don't see dogs like her every day. It is obvious Max is in that category too.

Ed

Stuff

"What kind of stuff are we going to do today, Pa? Well we have hay to mow, corn to cultivate and those calves really need to be weaned from their mama's. "

Sometimes I would call dad Pa like the story books and what became the Walton's on TV.

I was thinking what I have to do today and that old memory just popped into my head. Dad always had stuff to do and I guess I do too.

Pay Bills
Order fertilizer
Work on presentations
Finish IRS taxes, not allowed to work on that, LOL

Along as you are breathing there, is stuff to do, isn't there? Always someone with a hand out too, I see at least one each day.

Now dad always liked the critters because in his day you couldn't go to the store and get all your protein needs. I fell in love with crop critters because they don't require daily attention. Maybe I am the Lazy Farmer.

I see the Lazy Farmer went after Cooper Anderson, better known as Anderson Cooper. I called him Cooper Anderson one day and LuAnn asked who in the world are you talking about? You know, that gray haired stud on CNN. So now he is Cooper Anderson, probably a made up name anyhow? He sure has maxxed that name out but watch awhile and oh what folly.

These talking heads, oh my. I remember Brynn at the play her sister was in last year with a scary dog figure and grandma told her, don't be scared, he's nothing but a talking dog! So
Brynn started saying, he is nothing but a talking dog! The whole crowd in our area cracked up.

I like real people. Now there is how you get stuff done

Real people don't have time for talking dogs.

Ed

Karen Grainger

BIOGRAPHY
Karen Grainger grew up in Toronto, Canada surrounded by music. By the age of six, Karen made her television debut with an appearance on a youngster’s talent show singing “Delta Dawn,” accompanied by her dad’s guitar playing. Never quite able to get the entertainment bug out of her system, she was involved in music theatre and community drama groups throughout her high school years.

After much coaxing from a friend who persuaded her to audition for a gig at Canada’s Wonderland, Karen was delighted to land a role in the Country Show. The next year she was back at it again in Concert ’87. That same year, Karen joined a Toronto based vocal quartet. As the opening act for a Legends of Rock and Roll Show, all members agreed that Karen should sing lead on Reba McEntire’s “Why Haven’t I Heard From You?” The rest, as they say, is history.

Karen has enjoyed a very successful impersonating career as not only Reba, but Celine Dion and Cher as well. Karen’s “Divas Live” one woman tribute show will leave you wanting more. Audiences are spellbound by Karen’s skill at recreating these diverse characters, capturing their voices as well as their mannerisms. Karen’s portrayals have been earning her standing ovations from Bally’s in Atlantic City to Canada’s premier Casino in Windsor and from Japan to a U.S. Naval base on the Indian Ocean!

It was time to sink her teeth into something more challenging. Several years ago, Karen teamed up with comedy writer Larry Horowitz among others (Don Grainger – Karen’s husband turns out to be quite the comedy writer!) to create an amazing comic impression show called, “All In One!” Karen’s unique talents and versatility will not go unnoticed in this Entertainment Experience.

Karen uses a variety of props to create a hilarious visual and vocal illusion. The audience will be treated to such musical “Guests” as Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Shania Twain and Britney Spears…not to mention the men…Aaron Neville, Joe Cocker, Michael Bolton and Michael McDonald…to name a few!

“Divas Live” and “All in One” are two very unique and original shows. Without a doubt, whichever show Karen Grainger performs, you will know you have seen a truly outstanding entertainer.

We met Karen on the cruise. That lady is a hoot. The voices she can do is amazing.

Best thing though she is a real down to earth person and not haughty at all.

She does this one skit where she picks three people out of the audience and has them open their mouth every time she bops them on the head. She did this to Queen, we are the champions and the audience laughed so hard our stomachs hurt. I fell off the stool I was sitting on. It was better than The Three Stooges and the Chipmunks.

OK, I am old, it doesn't take much to entertain me anymore, laugh out loud.

Ed Winkle

Patrick Hughes

My friend Dutch in Seminole Texas sent me this unique story on YouTube.

The young man is Patrick Hughes, Louisville, Kentucky and it describes his magical ride through life. What his parents did to help him be all he can be is just amazing. It reminds me of my cousin Sheila and her husband Paul and how they raised their son Terry. We saw them all Christmas Eve again, a month ago!

"Patrick is a remarkable young man who was born without eyes and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs, making him unable to walk. Additionally, two steel rods were surgically attached to Patrick's spine to correct scoliosis. Despite circumstances that seem overwhelming to you and me, Patrick has overcome these physical issues to excel as a musician and student. Patrick started playing the piano at the age of only nine months, and also plays the trumpet and sings. He even participates in the University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Bands with help from his father (Patrick John Hughes), who tirelessly maneuvers hiswheel chair through the formations with the other 220+ members of the Cardinal Marching Band. Patrick is usually a straight 'A' student, having received only 6 'B's' during his entire educational experience - up toand including his junior year of college (3.9 gpa).

A virtuoso pianist, vocalist and trumpet player, Patrick has won or finished very high in numerous competitions, as well as winning awards acknowledging the circumstances he has overcome to achievethese heights. He has been featured on ESPN, ABC-TV, Oprah, CBS-TV, The Ellen Show, Extreme MakeOver Home Edition, FOX-TV, CSTV, NBC-TV, Million Dollar Round Table, The Grand Ole Opry, People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Star Magazine, and many, many others. Patrick has made appearances from California to New York and Chicago to Texas and Miami and countless points in between, even performing in Asia, Canada, South America and Europe. His first book, I AM POTENTIAL, is published and available around the country/world."

I just love stories like this. Do you have one?

Ed Winkle