View from the ridge

[♦ snoopy ♥]

This is an article I have on my wall, it is weather beaten now and has curled edges..  but it is a lovely analogy of young farming children.



LOOKS LIKE I'LL HAVE TO OPEN THE GATES by Steve Wyn-Harris

I am in mourning.  For 10 years, I have had a succession of small boys come out on the farm with me as I have gone about my chores.

Last week our youngest of three sons finally turned five and headed down the drive, bag equipped with his books, pencils and lunch box to wait for the school bus with his older brothers.

It has been an era of delight for me and, I think, my sons.  Farm jaunts would start in a backpack on fair weather days at around 6 or 7 months. My passenger would wave his arms around in pleasure and offer up all sort of unintelligible advice and comment.

Ocassionally, a foot with only a sock would appear round my side and we would have to back track and sometimes spend considerable time looking for the missing gumboot.

One mysteriously was never found.

A hat flying off in the wind was always a great cause of mirth.  Often the captive passenger would fall asleep in his small cocoon.

When I needed to spend some time on a task, he would be set down and work away on a box of raisins, an apple or some other treat out of one of my pockets.

By about two they would be getting too heavy on my back or else there would be another to take his place, so they  would graduate to the front of the bike.

Now they had a sense of being in control as they gripped the handlebars and would ceaselessly play with the light switches at stops.

All of them became good at spotting stock in need of assistance or picking out the rogue 'noddy' thistles.

We would stop and inspect things that took our eye.  Things like young ducklings scurrying behind their mothers, fallen nests, hedgehogs, crouching hares and a myriad of other items of interest.

In our travels we would talk about the world and its happenings and out on the farm they could bombard me with questions and be assured of a considered answer.

Then around four their independence would kick in.  They would insist on wanting to open gates which could be a labourious process at time, but taught the father further lessons in patience.

On the days when the weather was not the best or the job not conducive to having young children out and about, they would have to stay behind.

The pitiful sight of small faces and hands pressed up to windows watching me ride away remains with me still.  Sometimes, they would even cry.

I was able to spend the 'quality time' with my young children that few other careers would allow.  Indeed, I think it is one of the greatest assests of farming life.

Now during school time I am back on my own.  They still enjoy coming out with me in the holidays and weekends, but probably not with the same enthusiasm as when they were younger.

It has been a time that I will cherish and I cannot quite believe it is over so soon.

[bintyonekenobi]

wow... that calls forth a few memories.




the sad part is that the kids wouldn't care if they were townies now - the farm equates to 'work' to them ... hard work and they are such lazy toads, apart from the opportunity of making money they would rather sit in front of one screen or another.
(it IS the easy option after all, as I well know  )

[Wolfdini]

But thats kids in general nowadays Whether they are townies or country bums! I think that we have neglected in our society of late to raise our kids with RESPONSIBILITES in life. Look at our parents genreation - where everyone had their own taksks to do to keep the family wheels turning. There is a lot of 'down' time for kiddies.

[♦ snoopy ♥]

now look you two!!!!    the above posting was about how nice it is to be farming with young kids!!!!

norty norty... go sit in the corner you 2..

[Wolfdini]

   your no fun anymore

[♦ snoopy ♥]

I think several peeps would agree with you.........

[Raven]

now look you two!!!!    the above posting was about how nice it is to be farming with young kids!!!!

norty norty... go sit in the corner you 2..

  wot she said ^^^



 


I was expecting a photo of your farm, snoopy  but that was lovely, cause it nice to hear a man's perspective on his children 

[♦ snoopy ♥]

oooh I'll tell ya what... I will get a photo from up there... its really nice and it is the highest hill around and looks down into the valley, beaut sight!!!!!

[Wolfdini]

   can I see it too! huh-huh-please.

[Archie]