A walk around the old farm

The old farm has changed  since I left it 40 years ago.  Each time I visit I see it changing.

Tradition is that every reunion we take a walk around the farm usually starting my brother, Brent's house.  He moved this old farm house on to the property about 40 some odd years ago, remodeled the whole thing and added a garage.  Over the years his yard has morphed into this beautiful park.

 The farm use to be a patchwork of small fields divided by irrigation ditches with a sand hill here and there. Now it's one big field with one crop.  This year it's wheat.

 This year Brent added the mega sprinkler system that I'm sure cost more than his house.

 

 The pumping station where the swimming hole use to be.

This canal use to be so big and scarey

now it has filled in so much with sand that it's barely knee deep.

 The yarrow is still a familiar sight

 The west edge of the property

 Coming up to the old barn.

 Every farm needs it's junk pile.  It has gotten smaller and more condensed through the years.

But I'm sure it is still the source of scrap metal and spare parts for all my brothers.

 Many of the relics hold fond memories for us.

 The old home where I grew up  is tucked in those trees left of the granaries.

That's the mile -plus loop around the farm

Back to  the long driveway and Brent's house.

Sometimes I really miss country living.

A Reunion with Mom

 Feeling like our time with our mom is getting short, my siblings and I  with our spouses gathered for our annual reunion in Idaho. 

 Though her mobility has greatly declined and she sometimes struggles with her recall...her humor and wit are very much intact.

Friday dinner in Richard's backyard

 

 A river walk to scout out a good location for the next morning's walk with mom and breakfast.

  Idaho in the Fall is a beautiful place to be.

Mom playing invalid

  Surprise

 

 

 The view

 Having all her children with her at church was probably the highlight for mom.

Gathering the troops

 

It was so good to be with mom again.

And hoping we get to enjoy a few more reunions with her.