Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:57:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rubber Rider <rubber_rider07@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Farming 1

Part 1 - Farming - Growing up on a farm.

I grew up on a farm, I have a brother but Mum died several years ago so Dad
has brought both of us up. Dads always dressed us the same Carhartt bib
overalls as they wore well and were very comfortable I should mention Dad
wore the same thing and generally, we wore good 14" high lace up boots and
gumboots if it was wet. That was the standard dress for all the boys when
we at school, however I should mention we always changed as soon as we were
home into our grubby ones as we had work to do on the farm.

We both went to the local school and did well and now working full time of
the farm, John my younger brother who now was 19 years old loves working
with animals and the soil whereas I much preferred to try to keep all the
equipment running smoothly this often involved a fair bit of welding.

Dad after the last season was tied up and I had just turned 21 and
everything was now stored away except the equipment that needed repair in
time for the next year.

Dad was rambling on and he eventually said guys this is hard for me to say
this but here goes. Both of you John and Roger have done so much work to
endeavor to keep this farm going but I have decided it will better to sell
the place unless you both want to take over the operation. However, I am
sorry I do not recommend it as we have been loosing money for the last six
years.

Now Roger I believe you could do well by getting a TQ ticket in the trade
of your choice however John your love of the animals and soil leads me to
think you would easily get work on another farm in the area or you go to
school and get further training in farming which could lead to better
things.

Now boys (sorry Son's) I would like to hear your thoughts take your time
and do not answer now, as I know this a shock for you discuss it between
your selves and with any luck you can give me your thoughts tomorrow night.

It was getting late in the evening so both John and myself decided to go to
bed as we needed to be up at 5:30 am. However, that night when I got into
bedroom John was crying, we hugged each other and John was saying what the
hell are we going to do brother. I hugged my brother even tighter saying
lets sleep on it and tomorrow we will sit down and discuss everything when
our heads are clearer. John says OK you're right brother I love you so much
poor o'l Dad. We hug each other again and fell asleep.

The next morning we up the normal time 5:30 am, Dad is already up and has a
large pot of tea going so we both get our mugs and after two mugs of tea
John say Dad and Roger what would you like for breakfast. Dad says we need
to use some eggs and there is sausage there. John also added some tomatoes
and grated spud.

Once John cooked the breakfast, we all sat down and enjoyed our meal Roger
asked John what you have on today because if you are free I could do with a
hand to help stabilize some bits that I need to weld up, no problem Roger
my work can easily wait so here is nothing urgent. Dad says he has to go
into town and will be there all morning.

I got the welding done with John's assistance after which we decided we
need some tea so back into the kitchen and sat at the table briefly and
then John suggested we sat outside on the veranda. Roger says John your
thoughts on what Dad said last night, I love this place but also know it
needs a lot of fertilizer to get it going and frankly I don't think either
of us have that sort of money to take it over, what do you think Roger?

John you really are the farmer I am the maintance man and try to keep
things going but all our equipment is getting old and will need replacement
within 10 years, Oh I agree says John. Now john with your background I
would suggest you go to agricultural college and get training to better
yourself as this could open up avenues like farm manager or assistance of a
large operation. Whereas if you work for another outfit the chances of
promotion are slim in my opinion.

I like the idea of a TQ and would go for one on welding and possibly get my
pressure tickets, this would mean going up north for work with some
pipeline company and if I played my cards right would earn good money to
allow me to buy my own equipment so that I became independent and you never
know could in a few years time be working back on a farm repairing
machinery.

So John what do think, well he says Dad is now in his early 70's and should
be taking it easy so if he were to find a nice two or three bedroom house
on a small plot of land I think he would be happy providing we were both
coming and going from wherever he settles down.

I agree says Roger come here brother please and Roger is hugging his
brother and giving him a big kiss. They did not here Dad come home either
but when they parted they suddenly see him and call out Dad please come and
join us, with that they repeat the hugging etc.

Dad says my sons it looks as if you both need good stiff drink because I
know I do.

A few moments later Dad has come back with three triple scotches' Dad's
next comment is cheers guys you are both great and I respect you very
much. I have one question for you both and please do not be
embarrassed. Did either of you ever have eyes for a young lady or were
friends all young men.

Well neither of us answered this to start with, then Dad said your Mum and
I enjoyed each other company and agreed to allow her to have two babies and
you are the guys I'm talking about however I guess what is referred too
today as being GAY and I'm proud of the fact. Now you two have always slept
in a double sized bed, do you ever have sex with each other?

Well John and Roger look at each other and John finally says we prefer the
hayloft and they both start laughing. Dad says come here you buggers and
gives them both a good hug I am proud of you both but next time invite me
too so we can make a threesome.

Well guy's I have a feeling you have discussed the question I put out to
last night.

Roger said yes we have and do you want to start John or should I get things
rolling. John said you are better than I am in this area.

Well Dad we both looked at the entire situation and with John knowledge of
how the soil is these days we both came to the realization that neither of
us have the funds to re fertilizle all the ground and then there is no
knowing if that would get better crops so we would be broke. Yes, we think
selling the property and you to find a suitable home in town so you can
walk to the stores.

John please tell Dad your thoughts, well I think I will go to an
agricultural college and hopefully I can get an assistant manger job of a
fair size farm and there is a good college in Olds, Alberta, go ahead Roger
I want to get a TQ for welding and then pressure welding TQ. However, this
will mean I will have to go north for a few years and get some good money
into my bank balance so I can eventually have my own welding truck and you
never know I could easily finish doing maintance on local farms.

Nevertheless, both of us we want to spend our time off with you Dad.

Dad says phew I am going to get another round of scotch we all need that,
again Dad is back with the drinks and I should add does not normally drink
except on special occasion.

Dad says cheers and thank you for your input, now today I have been
researching to see if any adjacent farms need extra land. In addition, I
got an estimate on what our property is worth and I was un-happy at the
suggested price however, I found out most of our neighbors are looking at
the same way hence the predicted low price.

I sure like your thinking about advancement and that is going to cost money
so assuming I can get a sale of everything and got myself a new place to
live I will see if I can help you both out with your expenses while
training. Together we both said no Dad you need money to live and such like
we have to stand on our own two feet.

I slipped away leaving John and Dad talking, so this allowed me to get a
large pot of stew underway and knowing there will be enough at least two
nights, well it is in the slow oven now and will be ready for later on. I
called out saying I will be back in about 30 minutes.

I went into town and got a dozen beers and a fresh bottle of scotch, I also
got some bread doe for dumplings plus some regular crusty rolls which our
local baker makes.

Once home John says where did you go? I said to town for a couple of items
– John says Dad has been telling me about a couple of houses he has
looked at today and they are both within walking distance of the shops,
sounds interesting.

I'll be with you both in a couple of minutes, I have to get some of the
bread doe cut up and rolled in some flour ready to put into the stew pot
later.  I return to where John and Dad are out on the veranda and see they
have emptied the scotch bottle and Dad is snoozing, like another one John
please but I think we are out.

I grab my glass and John's and do a refill, we talk for some time
discussing the cleaning out and disposing of the farm etc, I said just a
minute must go and put the dumplings into the stew pot. On my return I
looked at Dad and then said to John I think Dad is in trouble, John takes a
quick look and says go and call the Doctor please and tell him I think Dad
has past away.

The Doc was here very quickly and confirmed our feeling and sat down and
asked what Dad had been doing today. Once he had our story he wrote out the
death certificate saying your Dad loved this place and did not want to
leave it. Roger, John give me a hand please we had better lay dad on the
floor so he does not get bent up.

Thank you coming so quickly, well I had only just got home and was about to
get my supper, look Doc please have supper with us it will be ready in
about 20 minutes and in the mean time have a drink for Dad. Well I don't
want to run you short of grub; you won't says John we were cooking for
three anyway.

The Doc asks where your phone is; in the kitchen please go ahead. The Doc
makes a call to George the undertaker and arranges for him to collect the
body ASAP.

The three of us have supper and the Doc is about to leave when the
undertaker arrives so between us we assist the undertaker in transferring
dad to the Hurst,

The undertaker asks have we cleared his pockets, no was the answer so this
was done right away.

Once everyone had departed we cleaned up the kitchen and went to bed, we
were both crying and finished up hugging each other and fell asleep that
way only to be woken by the alarm going off at 5:30 am.

We made tea and got some breakfast then went about feeding our animals this
work was completed within two hours and since it was a dull cool day we had
some more tea sitting in kitchen. The phone rings and we find it is the
undertaker asking if it ok to come out to the farm as he had to do some
paper work related to Dad's death. We said we are not going anywhere today
so what time would be ok for you we ask, how about 12:30 am – sounds
good George come on around the back please when you get here.

John we need a large pad of paper to list things that we must do, while
doing this George the undertaker shows up come on in we are in the kitchen
trying to list things that need to be done.

George said some of the question I have to ask may sound silly but the
government wants answers if possible. Your grandparents on Dads side what
were there names and do you know where they were born, what was your grand
mother's maiden name and so it went on.

Now did dad wish for cremation or regular burial, simple cremation please
and the casket to place along side Mother. Do you wish for a head stone or
a laid down plaque - laid down plaque please.

Question is the farm in Dads name only or shared with someone else; the
land title was changed when Mother died and our names were added, so you
need this form to get Dads name off the property plus a copy of the death
certificate.

Regarding the bank was it a joint account yes that was done about 7 years
ago – good. So what are your plans? It is sort of strange but dad had a
long talk the other night about the farm saying he felt we should sell up
and brother John here get further education related to farming, and I
should consider getting a TQ in a trade of my choice. However Dad said
don't give me an answer right now think about it and hopefully you will
come up with some ideas by to-morrow evening.

Well we had just told Dad our plans and agreed with him about selling
up. Dad who hardly ever had a drink said we all need a stiff drink and he
went to the liquor cabinet and returned with three very stiff Scotches, we
sat and talked however I slipped into the kitchen as I was doing the supper
last night dad was having a snooze. It was only when we tried wake Dad when
I felt he had past away as there was no pulse on the neck and told John
phone the Doctor to come as we feel Dad has past away.

Anyway John is going to Old's Alberta, agricultural college and I am going
to get a TQ welding ticket plus the high pressure ticket and expect to be
working up north; well all I can say is good luck to you both.