Life on the River

Our farm is located on a north bend of the Missouri River.  The Missouri River runs north to south forming part of the boarder of Kansas and Missouri.  So if you are in Kansas looking at the Missouri it should be to the east, but this isn't so here on the farm.  Instead we are located on a bend, which puts the Missouri River to the north of us.  A mile up on top of a limestone bluff is where we live.  There is only one farm closer to the river then us.  With all this rain and talk of the Missouri River flooding one can't help but wonder how this is going to effect our lives.  Which brings us to the funny topic of our family walk two nights ago.

Each evening we go for a walk and take a variety of animals.  There is Sue, the dog that is pen up with the goats, who suffers from an identity crisis and just needs to run and be around other dogs.  Big Red, another dog, is always in the lead.  He's got to be part hunting dog cause he is always sniffing some other animal out, either in a hole or chasing one up a tree.  He had an exchange with a racoon just the other evening.  He's got one ear that's a little shorter then the other, and has come home smelling like skunk more times then we'd like to remember.  He is the reason we don't have a deer problem on our property.  Then there's the goats, yes goats, they too need exercise.  Goats are browsers not grazers so they are looking for certain plants to eat.  If given the chance to browse they can keep themselves much healthier then other goats that are forced to become grazers.

On this particular evening we were joined by Uncle Jed, Sue, Big Red, Hattie (goat), Papa carried Baby Rivs in the backpack and Golden had me by the hand.  We've been enjoying weather in the 70-80, making our walks more then enjoyable.  With the lingering talk of rain and flooding our conversation took a natural turn and we began talking about pirates.  Golden decided we'd all need pirate names.  He named me Ole' Grassy Plain, obviously inspired by the scenery around us.  Pete was named Ole' Stinky Pitts, after his smelliness.  Uncle Jed was named Ole' Fuzzel Beard, after his great beard.  Rivs was named Ole' Bed Wetty, an unfair name for a baby I think.  Ole' has to be added to make it a true pirate name, and can only be spoken in one's best pirate accent while including the words "ARRRRGH!" and "Matie!"  This is a tribute to our captain who was rightfully named Ole' Crusty Boot, ARRRRGH!

GOTTA Love Em!