Hog Roast Day

Since everything was all set up in the barn I had little out there to do. Phil and Taegan came to finish up a few things Phil wanted done. Taegan is the perfect helper for that, they first fixed some wires in my basement.

Next Phil went over to the barn and turned the air conditioning on as low as it would go for the entire barn, which was 67 degrees.  

That worked amazing. It dropped the degree down quickly and within 15 or so minutes everything felt really cool. Phil wanted the lift removed so the old truck and aluminum trailer were brought over for that job.

Joan stopped in and showed me where Faith had been attacked by ground hornets while mowing by the arena. She came last night when the hornets were all in their nest, poured gas on the hive then made a small line of gas in the grass, lit it and ran. That worked, this morning all of the hornets were dead.

 I needed to get the plastic food service gloves out to the barn but they weren't where I thought I had them stored. I finally thought they must be in the stall area in the show tubs. Since those are heavy Mark helped pull them down and nope, they were not there either.  That meant a trip to Sam's club. I left at noon, grabbed the gloves and was home by 1:04 pm. At 3:45 pm Spark and Rhonda got some terrible news, Rhonda's younger brother died and they needed to leave so would not be able to come. That meant I needed to find a new MC but Dan was here setting up the band equipment so he was given that job.  Please pray for the Haefli family.  Mark left to pick up the pig from Sam's at 3:50 pm but when he got there, there was a half hour delay for them to get the hog in the boxes. The live weight was 260 pounds so they needed to quarter it and the head was sent in a separate box.

People started to arrive just before 5:00 pm.

Zeke and Jack were fascinated with that hog.

We gathered in the gym for the prayer but before the prayer sang happy birthday to Bonnie Bach as today IS her birthday. After the prayer we had two tables of kids in line first so they could eat quickly then go on golf cart rides which helped seat all the adults as by the time the kids were done we needed those tables.  Below are just a few pictures.

Spark was also going to be helping Fedi with cutting up the hog so when Tim Roecker offered to help I was thankful. Ralph also helped with filling the roasters then switching them out the empties for the full.  Fedi and Tim worked for almost 2 hours supplying us with delicious fork tender pork and finally finally sat down to eat.

There was still plenty of food. 

The singing started at 7:00 pm then Dave Obergfel had the closing remarks and prayer.

A few improvements for next year would be 4 serving lines, the hog getting here a little sooner and better outdoor lighting. What worked wonderful were the amount of tables and chairs and the air-conditioning. 

Moving Mares

Just Diane and I walked this morning, Ruth had to be at work early and Joan is lame. We didn't even need a prepurchase exam to see that. She walks with a limp. She is checking out stretching exercises to help with that. It came on sudden hopefully will leave quickly. The Cowboy cabin rented this weekend so we stopped to check it out. Mike and Diane are now done with everything. 

They even have a feeder inside that takes quarters and a small bit of grain comes out.

The fire pit is great and check out the huge amount of wood available.

Below is a video showing more.

From there we went to Rachel's. Rachel is going to be so pleased when she comes home from Gulf Shores and sees the landscaping and new yard.

The grass is really growing.  Mark took the weed whacker to the trails this morning. Joan sent Mackenson and Faith to mow. I worked on my house cleaning and organizing the upstairs. When finished Mike wanted help moving the horses over to the cabin field.

They were glad to be back.

Mike worked with Titus a little. Titus just turned a year old and is very tall for his age. He is a gangly yearling but will grow into a gorgeous Friesian in a few years.

He is scheduled to be gelded in November.  The horses were so funny as soon as they were turned loose they ran and ran until they were out of breath took a break then ran some more.  They were not locked up at my place, they had a field to run in but they were just glad to be back at the cabin field. 

 Around noon I decided to make a video of the Wildcat 5th wheel thinking I would like to sell it before winter. While I was making the video it booked for Oct 4th and the 5th and the 6th AND the 7th. Now I'm not sure what to do but I posted the video on Facebook. I will keep it for sale but not let it go until after the 7th if someone is interested.

What I would like is to sell this and use the money for a motorhome. We shall see. According to JD Power suggested price is $39,220.00. We are asking $18,000 as it has the power awning, the power automatic levelers, 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms and according to the manufacture sleeps 9. Realistically though it sleeps 6 or 7 comfortably.  I want something I can move if needed. We don't have a 5th wheel hitch in the family so the only way to move it is to hire someone to come.  It has worked out well for extra sleeping and if we don't sell it will continue to use it for airbnb. 

Jamie came over today with a table cloth and centerpiece for the hog roast.  I'll need to get pictures of that tomorrow, it is too late now to want to go over. Our guest coming in today for the foaling apartment just let me know he is going to be late and asked if that was ok. It won't bother us at all, we are both tired and heading to bed soon. Tomorrow is the HOG ROAST! Sure hope it all goes well. 

Almost Finished

 We had quite a walk, Joan showed up with a limp, Spark joined us to talk about mom's trip to Gulf Shores, then Mark showed up as Diane was showing us a special knife and finally Mike showed up right after Spark showed us how the lift works. That lift had been in Joan's barn for 8 years and not run. Spark got it running and we were all impressed.  Below Diane is telling us about that knife.

Below we are discussing the car top carrier and decided against it.

The video below is speeded up but Spark was showing us how it works.

Mike and Spark walked with us for a bit but Mark went on the other direction, he tries to get 6000 to 8000 steps in each day.

When we reached the cabin Diane had the cart ready to put by the fence.

They had finished their side yard, just need to put in a gate and finish the steps.

Right after the walk Mark and I drove down to Rabers to make sure all was in order with the hog we ordered and that the roasting would be finished by 4:15 pm. I snapped a picture as we were leaving of the bull there.

All is well with that.  Next we stopped at the Hanna City post office to pick up the 2 twin size mattresses for the game room in the barn. The last stop before heading home was to fill the 5 gallon jug with diesel fuel. The diesel fuel was taken to the indoor arena where the tractors and skid steer are stored then over to the new barn to drop off the mattresses. Those were opened and laid flat to inflate. Mark took the boxes to the dumpster while I rolled up all the plastic then threw it over the railing to the gym floor, except it got caught in the basketball backboard.

Mark had to leave for an estimate. I finished a few things in the barn then went to work on the golf cart. That needed a back seat. Joan's girls will give golf cart rides for anyone who would like to take a tour around the area during the hog roast.

The bolts needed to be removed as those hits the back when going over a bump. I found the correct size board to use of the sheet then brought a comforter to make it soft. 

When Mark got home he got the excavator on the small tractor to start on the potholes. Mom really wanted those fixed before the hog roast. 

Mark made the 1 foot pot holes into a 3 foot pot holes.

After digging the area up he smoothed it down then dumped more gravel on top. He found this solution on youtube and it worked. 

I took the video in to show mom how well it was working and noticed Karin's new drawing. This one was one of my daughters.

After showing mom the video it was time to go in the house to start the laundry and supper. Tonight we had left over pot roast that was slowcooked in May then frozen. It was actually pretty good. I had Mark drive the golf cart so I could try out the back seat and found I need more padding. I'm going to have to go back to two saddle pads, then cover those with the comforter. Mark drove me to the barn where Anna and Phil were finishing up with the gym air conditioner.

The mattresses were expanded so those were folded up and put behind the couch.

They fit well back there and cant be seen unless you look for them.

The barn is very close to being finished. 

When we walked out of the barn the sun was glowing red on the barn.

We loaded the air compressor on the golf cart and was taking that to the back barn garage but had to stop for another picture.

The sun was almost set by the time we got behind the barn.

Joan arrived to borrow the 2 horse trailer to haul some of the co-op play stuff over to Marie's house. Mark helped hook it up, Joan gave it a quick cleaning then off she went. Rhonda, Diane and Mike were walking around admiring the sunset, Rhonda shared some of the pictures she took Tuesday.

Below is the rainbow Kensley and I saw on our way to Dollar Tree Tuesday.

The pictures below were of the sunset.

Joke On US

  Mark was up at 4:00 am and started the coffee maker at that time so when I got up at 5:00 it was already brewed and hot.  The only problem with that is it only stays hot for 2 hours so by 6:00 the coffee maker turned off and we don't eat breakfast until 7:00. First world problems this is! We had a good walk this morning stopping at Mike and Diane's to see the new horseshoe pit. They have one for children and one for adults. The fire pit is also nice but Diane is going to put two brown chairs there instead of the white. 

After the walk I drove to Walmart to pick up paper towel holders and more salt and pepper shakers then to Sam's club to pick up 2 big bags of Ice. I also picked up an apple pie but didn't look at the date first. It was dated today as the best day to eat it so that was dropped off at mom's for anyone who would happen to stop in. Joan, Berlica and Mackenson were out working on biology so they were told. Diane was with mom, Mark was there working on mowers, Spark was there checking to see if we could mount anything on the back of mom's van for luggage and Dan arrived with the rim he found at the junk yard.  BUT...that didn't fit.  Both Joan and Mark told Dan that mom's van rims have 5 holes for the lugnuts. Below is the picture of one the tires and it sure looks like there are only 5 holes.

When Dan got there, he popped off the hubcap to find there are SIX holes. The joke was on us.

Oh how funny! No wonder Riekers couldn't find a replacement rim. Now we have an extra rim that fits NOTHING around here. Good thing it came from the junkyard and only cost $22.00.

By the time I got home the table cloths had been delivered. Those were taken over to the barn and all the tables got covered. Then the salt, pepper, paper towel roll and centerpieces put on. Below are the tables set up in the garage. The first one will be for cutting up the hog and the one next to that with the roasters on will be for the meat to be served.  There are 7 tables set up for eating in that area and each can hold 10 chairs but I'm not sure we will need that much seating so only put 8 on each.

Below is the banquet room. The serving table is 18 feet long (3 six foot tables). 

There are 6 round tables at 8 each, 3 oblong 8 foot tables that have 9 chairs each. A 6 ft table that has 7 chairs and the big table with 12.

I thought they look nice.

I got home just in time to meet Dr. Hoerr who arrived to do an ultrasound on Ken Ober's mare.

She wasn't happy about that but didn't kick at him. He found that she has not ovulated in the last 2 weeks, there was no CL. She has some smaller follicles and still cycling so hopefully will still come in. We left for church at 6:00 pm as we wanted to stop and make a few maps for church to help with the directions to the barn for the hog roast.  Speaking of maps.  IF you want to come to the hog roast we would LOVE to have you. We are eating at 5:00 pm but feel free to come early and bring the kids. It will be hot enough to swim, the playground is so much fun, there are canoes and kayaks and bring fishing gear, the lake is stocked. GPS will take you right to our drive. That address is 4713 S Hanna City Glasford Rd. Then when you turn into the drive turn left then take the second right to the barn.

There is plenty of parking around the barn.  

Famous Last Words

FAMOUS ATHEISTS' LAST WORDS BEFORE DEATH

1. CAESAR BORGIA—Italian nobleman, politician, and cardinal: "While I lived, I provided for everything but death; now I must die, and am unprepared to die."

2. THOMAS HOBBS—Political philosopher: "I say again, if I had the whole world at my disposal, I would give it to live one day. I am about to take a leap into the dark."

3. THOMAS PAYNE—The leading atheistic writer in American colonies: "Stay with me, for God's sake; I cannot bear to be left alone , O Lord, help me! O God, what have I done to suffer so much? What will become of me hereafter? I would give worlds if I had them, that The Age of Reason had never been published. 0 Lord, help me! Christ, help me! No, don't leave; stay with me! Send even a child to stay with me; for I am on the edge of hell here alone. If ever the Devil had an agent, I have been that one."

4. SIR THOMAS SCOTT—Chancellor of England: "Until this moment I thought there was neither a God nor a hell. Now I know and feel that there are both, and I am doomed to perdition by the just judgment of the Almighty."

5. VOLTAIRE—famous anti-christian atheist: "I have swallowed nothing but smoke. I have intoxicated myself with the incense that turned my head. I am abandoned by God and man.” He said to his physician, Dr. Fochin: “I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months of life." When he was told this was not possible, he said “Then I shall die and go to hell!" His nurse said: “For all the money in Europe I wouldn’t want to see another unbeliever die! All night long he cried for forgiveness.”

6. ROBERT INGERSOLL—American writer and orator during the Golden Age of Free Thought: "O God, if there be a God, save my soul, if I have a soul!" Some say it was said this way: "Oh God, if there be a God, save my soul, if I have a soul, from hell, if there be a hell!

7. DAVID HUME—Atheist philosopher famous for his philosophy of empiricism and skepticism of religion: He cried loud on his death bed "I am in flames!" It is said his desperation was a horrible scene.

8. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE—French emperor who, like Adolf Hitler, brought death to millions to satisfy his greedy, power-mad, selfish ambitions for world conquest: "I die before my time, and my body will be given back to the earth. Such is the fate of him who has been called the great Napoleon. What an abyss between my deep misery and the eternal kingdom of Christ!”

9. SIR FRANCIS NEWPORT—Head of an English Atheist club, to those gathered around his deathbed: "You need not tell me there is no God, for I know there is one, and that I am in his presence! You need not tell me there is no hell. I feel myself already slipping. Wretches, cease your idle talk about there being hope for me! I know I am lost forever! Oh, that fire! Oh, the insufferable pangs of hell! Oh, that I could lie for a thousand years upon the fire that is never quenched, to purchase the favor of God and be united to Him again. But it is a fruitless wish. Millions and millions of years will bring me no nearer the end of my torments than one poor hour. Oh, eternity, eternity forever and forever! Oh, the insufferable pangs of Hell!”

10. CHARLES IX—The French king. Urged on by his mother, he gave the order for the massacre of the French Huguenots, in which 15,000 souls were slaughtered in Paris alone and 100,000 in other sections of France, for no other reason than that they loved Christ. The guilty king suffered miserably for years after that event. He finally died, bathed in blood bursting from his veins. To his physicians, he said in his last hours: "Asleep or awake, I see the mangled forms of the Huguenots passing before me. They drop with blood. They point at their open wounds. Oh! That I had spared at least the little infants at the bosom! What blood! I know not where I am. How will all this end? What shall I do? I am lost forever! I know it. Oh, I have done wrong."

11. DAVID STRAUSS—Leading representative of German rationalism, after spending a lifetime erasing belief in God from the minds of others: "My philosophy leaves me utterly forlorn! I feel like one caught in the merciless jaws of an automatic machine, not knowing at what time one of its great hammers may crush me!"

12. JOSEF STALIN—Soviet Georgian revolutionary and politician. In a Newsweek interview with Svetlana Stalin, the daughter of Josef Stalin, she told of her father's death: "My father died a difficult and terrible death. . .God grants an easy death only to the just. At what seemed the very last moment, he suddenly opened his eyes and cast a glance over everyone in the room. It was a terrible glance, insane or perhaps angry. His left hand was raised, as though he were pointing to something above and bringing down a curse on us all. The gesture was full of menace. . .the next moment he was dead."

13. ANTON LEVEY—Author of the Satanic Bible and high priest of the religion dedicated to the worship of Satan. One of his famous quotes was: “There is a beast in man that needs to be exercised, not exorcised”. His dying words were: "Oh my, oh my, what have I done, there is something very wrong. . . there is something very wrong.”

14. GANDHI—At his death, he said, “For the first time in 50 years, I find myself in the slough of despond. All about me is darkness. . .I am praying for light.”

BELOVED, compare these last words from atheists, with these last words, from these saints of God:

THE APOSTLE PAUL: “O death, where is thy sting?”

KING DAVID: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no Evil.”

AUGUSTUS MONTAGUE TOPLADY (1710-1778): Toplady will ever be famous as the author of one of the most evangelical hymns of the eighteenth century, "Rock of Ages," which was first published in 1776.

During the final illness, Toplady was greatly supported by the consolations of the gospel: "The consolations of God, to so unworthy a wretch, are so abundant that he leaves me nothing to pray for but their continuance."

Near his last, awaking from a sleep, he said: "Oh, what delights! Who can fathom the joy of the third heaven? The sky is clear, there is no cloud; come Lord Jesus, come quickly!" He died saying:" No mortal man can live after the glories which God has manifested to my soul."

Lastly, JESUS CHRIST said: “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

Only fools never learn from history, and it's amazing that even in our days, with all these facts on our fingertips, someone with a mind can devote his entire life to a delusion, and want everyone to know that there is no God. No wonder the bible says, "Only fools say in their hearts, there is no God." (Psalm 14:1)

Oh Beloved ~ so once was I. If you do not KNOW that you KNOW, that you KNOW Jesus yet ~ I am here, let’s talk. It is the single MOST important question of your life. You can be FREE in Christ!

I am praying for you!

I tried to research to find who actually wrote this compilation of last words, I couldn't find the author of this but found many many references to each of these last words.