Jason's Sunflower Field

Need I say more? I don't think so.

Here We Go Again!!!!!

The car is packed and we're off to the Empire Farm Show. Another adventure for the Kraeger family. More later.

Jason's Sunflower Field

This past spring Jason asked his dad for three acres of pasture land to plow up and sow with sunflowers as an experiment.


So after working each day he plowed, disced, and dragged the field. He picked the stone all by himself.
He bought the seed and fixed the grain drill and then he planted the seed. Here are the little sprouts.
We all looked forward to seeing the sunflowers blossoming late in the summer. Imagine our surprise when we started to see the deer coming out to see the field.

Soon the plants were getting larger and larger. At first the summer was dry but after we started to get rain they really started to take off.

Then the plants got so thick that you couldn't walk between them. Now they are as tall as Jason is and they are beautiful with their signature yellow flowers that follow the sun all day long. The neighbors love to comment about the beauty of that field.

Thanks Jason!

Getting Away Just One More Time

Yesterday we had to get away just one more time. This time we took Ian and Jason along. This will be the last trip to the Adirondacks before Jason leaves for college. Two weeks ago we saw a kayack for sale at a garage sale and the price was right and name on it was Pelican so we knew it was meant to be so we bought it. Yesterday we knew the time was right to take the Pelican out for her maiden voyage.

Very early in the morning we got up and packed the car and strapped the kayacks (two borrowed and ours) and the borrowed canoe onto the truck and the Durango and we took off for our favorite place in the north country. First stop of course was a hike up Bald Mountain.
We never tire of the trip up or of the view from the top. Yesterday their was some mist still present and we were the first on the trail.
Ian obliged us by sitting for his picture to prove that he was indeed there.

Then off to Nicks Lake and we hit the water. We were there early enough so that most of the campers hadn't stirred yet from their respective tents and campers yet. It was very quiet. We rowed out to the rock and some of our party did some swimming out their.

Mom prefers to just paddle around the lake by herself enjoying the scenery and the peace and quiet.
Ian and Jason are power rowers. They enjoy the speed. But they had a good time and enjoyed each others company.
By the time we got home last night we were all sunburnt and tired and refreshed by out time out on the lake and in the mountains. There is something about the Adirondacks.

My Computer is Back Up and Running

My computer needed a little maintenance. So I took it to the Geek Squad. I don't know about any of you but I missed it while it was gone. Although I know that there are some who don't care about the blogging, I got calls from the few that did miss the posting. So here we are back again.While the computer was in the shop a few things happened around here besides the usual work. Jason got a new bike to take to college. Being a mountain bike, although there are no mountains around he took it out into the fields to try it out.
The sunflowers got taller and taller. They are even in bloom now. It's truly a lovely sight to look out over the pasture and see acres of sunflowers in flower.
My corn got taller. The pigs are looking forward to eating all that corn this fall. I have even sold all the piglets that I need to from the three litters that we had in the spring. Thanks be to God!!
Doug and I ran away from home the weekend before last and went to High Falls Gorge and White Face Mountain for the day. What beautiful natural wonders we enjoy here in New York State. It was a lovely day for the drive and for the hiking. We both enjoyed it very much.

For anyone who knows me well the Adirondacks is my home away from home. That's where I would go to retire if I believed in retirement.

He Did It

After three months of being in the shop in pieces Jason finally got the Allis Chalmers tractor back together and running. It took that long to get all the parts. Most of that time was researching where to get some of the parts and getting a few of them specially machined.
He was so surprised. Not me!!!!! I told him I knew he could do it. Not only is it together and running but the three-point hitch arms are back on and operating for the first time since I have known the tractor.
He got it together and then ran it around the farm. Then he and his buddy Phoenix had to try it out together. Phoenix helped him put the brakes together and the back tires on. Phoenix loves to help Jason. He was so proud when he got all greasy!

he really felt the need for the hard-hat when he found it sitting in the shop. So Mary-Kate took a picture of him sitting on his new favorite tractor.

Yesterday Jason tried it out by putting the disc bine on it and mowing the hay with it. It has more power than it ever had.

A Fishing Trip To Mount Hope Reservoir

Sunday the family decided to pack a picnic lunch and take a trip to Mount Hope to spend the lovely day resting and relaxing each in his or her own way. Matthew packed his "survival" gear in his back-pack. (whatever that is). Jason packed his frisbee, Mary-Kate packed her fishing gear, and mom and dad packed a good book and a blanket to lay on. Off we went to spend the day in the wilderness. To every Pelicano if I say that it is a fishermans horror with trees too close to the good fishing spots and much tackle hanging from all the branches you can all picture the place in your minds.
Matthew doesn't particularly like to fish, he is the zizz plunk type of fisherman that makes the serious fisherman cringe when they are in close proximity. It was not going to be a peaceful day for the serious fisherperson (Mary-Kate) and Matthew even though he did not bring his gear.
He immediately spied all that tackle hanging from the trees and it was all over for Mary-Kate's peaceful day of catching fish.

Now most of us like to go to a store of some kind to procure our fishing tackle. Imagine all the shelves neatly lined with sinkers, hooks, bobbers, and other delights designed to make any fisherman part with all his money. Not Matthew, his delight is in seeing a tree in the wilderness festooned with abandoned tackle that was once loved by some poor child who probably left in tears and frustration.
Now, no effort sees to be too great for Matthew to bag that tackle so he can enjoy the great American sport of fishing. He will risk everything to get all the gear he needs to fish properly. Here he is hanging from a branch in persuit of a bobber of all things to round out his requirements.
Even Jason succommed to the lure (pardon the pun) of the free tackle hanging around and procured some of his own and took to fishing. (fear not folks he is properly licensed) He, however did not climb trees but kept to the ground and what was easily obtained on terra firma.
Matthew's camo hat became a casualty to his hanging upside down from the tree.
Not much sympathy from his father but much advice. I must reveal that the bobber stayed firmly attached to the branch of the tree.
Mary-Kate, in spite of her self did suffer a snag which Matthew did take time out to un-snag for her. (what a guy) I think he had designs on her gear at this point)
Of course he can't do it the easy way. He has to go out almost to the end of a partially submerged tree. Thankfully he brought a change of clothes in his bag of survival gear. That bag is starting to look pretty good to me.

Jason is still enjoying his easily gotten fishing tackle. No climbing skinny branches for him.
Ok, lets try this one more time. That bobber sure has to be worth it. He never did get it. And he finally gave up the whole fishing thing. He makes it look more like work than it really is. It's supposed to be a relaxing past-time.

Thankfully he never fell into the drink. That water is not too clean. Mary-Kate caught one little sunfish which she threw back. Matthew ate a huge lunch. But we all had a nice day and I think we will do it again real soon. Thanks for all the entertainment Matthew.

What Would We Do Without Kay?

Yesterday Kay had to spend the morning at the hospital having some tests done. So, true to Kay form, Sunday evening she calls here to make sure that I will still be able to come and pick her up. Of course I will, would I forget Kay? Never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, just as my lawn mower runs out of gas the hospital calls to tell me that Katherine is ready to come home. I almost said "Katherine who?" we don't know her as Katherine. So I get cleaned up and changed, (It wouldn't do to go get herself dirty and smelly) and hop into the car to rush to Kay's side.

The poor thing, they didn't treat her like the royalty she is, she was bored stiff on that gurney while waiting for her test to be done. No TV, crossword puzzle, no entertainment of any kind. Didn't they know that they had Kay there in their midst? Anyway, they quickly gave her the directions for her care and then it was into her wheelchair for the ride to the car and a volunteer to push her down the hall. A warning from me to treat her like a classic car and away we go.

She had some difficulty getting up into my car then we were off. Wait! she had to put on her lipstick before we left the parking lot! Straight back to the home and she settled in for the afternoon.

This is how royalty has tests at the local hospital. I will have to have a word with them about the entertainment thing.

We love our Kay.

Dear Friends

Tonight the Lord has truly blessed us. While taking a walk Jason received a phone call that Mark, Kathy, and Mark Jr. were in a car accident while on the way home from visiting Cobleskill College. They had rolled the car over. We all, of course immediately began praying. Doug and I made preparations to drive to the hospital in Cooperstown to be with them and possibly drive them home if they needed it.All the while this was going on more phone calls were made and we were blessed with the news that Kathy and the baby are apparantly fine and so are Mark and Mark Jr. Kathy's mother is bringing them home from the hospital so our trip their was unnecessary.

Prayers, however continue to be very necessary. Both prayers of thanksgiving that nothing more serious occurred and continued prayers that Kathy and the baby stay safe. Thanks be to God that they are alive and all seems to be well. The ones left at home are shook up and rightfully so. Let us all learn from this and keep them in our thoughts and prayers. mom

The Heart of a Mother

All of my distant sons called today. Each one with his own joys and sorrows. Each with his "good news and bad news." Will a mother ever get used to hearing what a son has to say when he is so far away from home? Do they know how you want to be there to kiss it and make it all better like you could when they were little? I hope that the words that you say and the tone of voice you use does something to convey the love and sympathy that you feel for their fears, which they won't share with you, and sorrows, which you can only sense.
Ryan feels bored by the inactivity that the army often forces on him and frustrated by what he feels he needs and wants to do for his men which he is often unable to do because of circumstances beyond his control. I assure him that he is in my prayers and that his are very important at times like these. I hope he can feel the effects of those prayers.
Adam had to tell us that he may be in Iraq for 6 months soon. I felt his hesitation at having to worry me that way. I guess that I will have to double my prayers (is that possible for a mother to do?). To any and all who may read this even if you don't let me know who you are, please pray for my sons. Their souls are of paramount importance to me. More than my own life.

Ian is at his two week drill for the Army National Guard. He says he is having a lot of fun. I am on edge everytime he goes for fear he will call and say he has to go back over there. I know we can't live their lives for them but that doesn't mean that we have to like the lives that they are living. I had to raise such brave and giving men.

The Lord bless and keep all three of them. May He make his face to shine upon them and give them peace. I love you boys and am very proud of you. Mom