Family Activities on the Farm
Several years ago I decided to incorporate some family activities into our family Thanksgivings.
Here is a list of some of the activities:
- Talking Stick (native American culture...learning to honor others through listening);
- Walking Sticks (finding and using a stick to help make hiking on the farm easier);
- Knowing Where You are From (sharing on family history while walking on the farm);
- If My Rock Could Talk (finding a rock and sharing the story you feel the rock would want to share);
- Knowing Where You Are (using compass and/or natural markings or benchmarks on the farm to hike);
- Stations on the Farm (each person would take turns carrying a wooden cross and travel to different locations on the farm to experience and share on our faith);
- Country Dancing (learning to country dance);
- Skipping Stones (simple fun with everyone trying to skip stones across the pond);
- Building Rocking Chairs
- Old Barn Tin (each family received a small piece of barn tin from Great Grandfather's barn to paint on);
- My favorite animal is...and I like it best because...
- I am thankful for this person because...
- Building and using a Traverse (using cedar tree limbs, building a traverse and using it to carry someone or something on the farm;
Here is a list of some of the activities:
- Talking Stick (native American culture...learning to honor others through listening);
- Walking Sticks (finding and using a stick to help make hiking on the farm easier);
- Knowing Where You are From (sharing on family history while walking on the farm);
- If My Rock Could Talk (finding a rock and sharing the story you feel the rock would want to share);
- Knowing Where You Are (using compass and/or natural markings or benchmarks on the farm to hike);
- Stations on the Farm (each person would take turns carrying a wooden cross and travel to different locations on the farm to experience and share on our faith);
- Country Dancing (learning to country dance);
- Skipping Stones (simple fun with everyone trying to skip stones across the pond);
- Building Rocking Chairs
- Old Barn Tin (each family received a small piece of barn tin from Great Grandfather's barn to paint on);
- My favorite animal is...and I like it best because...
- I am thankful for this person because...
- Building and using a Traverse (using cedar tree limbs, building a traverse and using it to carry someone or something on the farm;
Blessed with beautiful winter sunrises
Some "good" from a not so good weather event
January 4, 2019 we experienced a "mild" ice storm on the farm.
As evidenced in this photo, something "good" came out of it.
This is a photo of our great-grandparents old home place on the farm.
As evidenced in this photo, something "good" came out of it.
This is a photo of our great-grandparents old home place on the farm.
Blessed with another beautiful sunset!
This is the sunset we were able to view on
April 4th.
April 4th.
Pondering on what it might have been like for Great Grandfather
This morning Annie and I took a short walk (Pearl, younger lab must have
been visiting at our neighbors) over around the old home place where
my great grandfather (Joseph E. Dolezal) lived. As Annie snooped around
I stood and pondered on what it might have been like to live here alone.
No electricity, no TV, no car...The saying, "The days are long and the years
are short" comes to mind. Joseph farmed 320 acres at the time so I know
he kept busy most of the time. But, I also think of how the hours alone
(especially at night) might seem long and heavy.
** The concrete walls are ones Joseph built (with help of family).
been visiting at our neighbors) over around the old home place where
my great grandfather (Joseph E. Dolezal) lived. As Annie snooped around
I stood and pondered on what it might have been like to live here alone.
No electricity, no TV, no car...The saying, "The days are long and the years
are short" comes to mind. Joseph farmed 320 acres at the time so I know
he kept busy most of the time. But, I also think of how the hours alone
(especially at night) might seem long and heavy.
** The concrete walls are ones Joseph built (with help of family).
Easter weekend hike on the farm
Saturday, March 31, 2018 was a beautiful day and we had the opportunity to
enjoy part of it on the farm with family.
After lunch Mary Louise, Amy, Dustin, Nickoeli, Aiden, Josh, Katrina, Sebastian,
and I were joined by Annie and Pearl (our two labs) as we hike out on the farm.
The "spot" in this photo is one of my favorite for hiking and taking in all the
joys of God's creation.
(note: Pearl seems to be trying to show Katrina special attention by licking
her hair).
enjoy part of it on the farm with family.
After lunch Mary Louise, Amy, Dustin, Nickoeli, Aiden, Josh, Katrina, Sebastian,
and I were joined by Annie and Pearl (our two labs) as we hike out on the farm.
The "spot" in this photo is one of my favorite for hiking and taking in all the
joys of God's creation.
(note: Pearl seems to be trying to show Katrina special attention by licking
her hair).
a "Lopping Good Time" on the Farm
Annie, Pearl, and I went out on the farm this afternoon with a mission to lop as many cedar trees down as possible.
It was 63 degrees and sunny which made it comfortable for the lopping.
Of course I seemed to be the only one willing and/or able to lop. Annie and Pearl didn't care much about the "work" to do...They spent the time sniffing from spot to spot in hopes of picking up the scent of a rabbit or some other critter.
After I had cut down around 75 small cedar trees and lopped the tops out of another 50 or so larger trees we all decided to take a break for water (and a snack bone for Annie and Pearl) before heading back home.
The farm is a blessing and it was a "lopping good time" spent "working" and observing Annie and Pearl sniffing around.
Thanks be to God!
It was 63 degrees and sunny which made it comfortable for the lopping.
Of course I seemed to be the only one willing and/or able to lop. Annie and Pearl didn't care much about the "work" to do...They spent the time sniffing from spot to spot in hopes of picking up the scent of a rabbit or some other critter.
After I had cut down around 75 small cedar trees and lopped the tops out of another 50 or so larger trees we all decided to take a break for water (and a snack bone for Annie and Pearl) before heading back home.
The farm is a blessing and it was a "lopping good time" spent "working" and observing Annie and Pearl sniffing around.
Thanks be to God!
Reflecting on Great Granddad Living on the Farm
Yesterday, while taking the dogs for a walk, I took a few minutes to ponder on how things might have been for my Great Granddad while he was living out here on the farm. This photo is of the remains of the house he lived in.
Great Granddad lived in this home during the 1930's and up until he became ill and had to move back to town in the mid 1950's. He farmed 320 acres and lived by himself (Great Grandmother chose to live in their house in Perry).
I think of how it might have been for Great Granddad...No TV, no cellphone, or any other of our modern conveniences. Lots of work to do and most of what was to do had to be done by hand. Freedom and few distractions...but, a lot of time on his hands.
,
As I look at what is left of his home I am struck by wonder as I see the remains of the innovative water system he built...a water well with pressurized tanks to get water to the house...the cistern to store and move water to the watering troughs.
The concrete walls he added to the original wood frame house.
I think of the journals he kept (and that we are blessed to have)...the entries of the work he did daily and of when he had visitors (including family and nearby neighbors), of when he bought or sold livestock or crops, of when he planted and harvested vegetables, of when he fed or took care of livestock, and of when he built terrraces, hauled up rock to hew and use for making a chicken house, a milking room, etc.
I can almost picture Great Granddad walking out of the house early each morning...greeting the day and doing chores.
I can picture him sitting in the front screened-in porch in the early evenings, chewing tobacco and reflecting on the day while beginning to plan on tomorrow.
What a blessing to have known my Great Granddad and to have the means to live on the farm while reflecting on joyful possibilities of how thing may have been for him living and working here.
Great Granddad lived in this home during the 1930's and up until he became ill and had to move back to town in the mid 1950's. He farmed 320 acres and lived by himself (Great Grandmother chose to live in their house in Perry).
I think of how it might have been for Great Granddad...No TV, no cellphone, or any other of our modern conveniences. Lots of work to do and most of what was to do had to be done by hand. Freedom and few distractions...but, a lot of time on his hands.
,
As I look at what is left of his home I am struck by wonder as I see the remains of the innovative water system he built...a water well with pressurized tanks to get water to the house...the cistern to store and move water to the watering troughs.
The concrete walls he added to the original wood frame house.
I think of the journals he kept (and that we are blessed to have)...the entries of the work he did daily and of when he had visitors (including family and nearby neighbors), of when he bought or sold livestock or crops, of when he planted and harvested vegetables, of when he fed or took care of livestock, and of when he built terrraces, hauled up rock to hew and use for making a chicken house, a milking room, etc.
I can almost picture Great Granddad walking out of the house early each morning...greeting the day and doing chores.
I can picture him sitting in the front screened-in porch in the early evenings, chewing tobacco and reflecting on the day while beginning to plan on tomorrow.
What a blessing to have known my Great Granddad and to have the means to live on the farm while reflecting on joyful possibilities of how thing may have been for him living and working here.
Puzzle of the Oklahoma State football stadium
It is a tradition that I work on a jigsaw puzzle during the winter season. This year I completed a 1000 piece puzzle of a photo of the Oklahoma State University football stadium (a gift from Amy and family). Quite a challenge but, well worth it!
The "old home place"
Our great grandfather, Joseph, moved out to the farm to live in the late 1930's at age 68. Great grandmother came out to live with him for a while but, decided she wanted to live in their house in town.
My understanding is that Joseph would build on to the wood frame house that existed on the farm...concrete walls (the family would pay for the materials for the construction of the walls as their birthday gift) a porch, and other items.
Photo taken Oct. 19, 2017
My understanding is that Joseph would build on to the wood frame house that existed on the farm...concrete walls (the family would pay for the materials for the construction of the walls as their birthday gift) a porch, and other items.
Photo taken Oct. 19, 2017
Oklahoma Centennial Ranch - Honor
Our ranch has met the criteria and been awarded the honor of Oklahoma Centennial Ranch by the Oklahoma Historical Society. The main criteria for winning the award is that our farm has been in continuous ownership (the 160 acres we live on) for over 100 years. Our great grandparents (Joseph E. and Mary Josephine Dolezal) acquired the land we live on in 1916.
This past week, we received a nice certificate and a sign to post out front from the Oklahoma Historical Society. We are thankful for being able to reside on the land being recognized and thankful for our family that passed the land on to us.
This past week, we received a nice certificate and a sign to post out front from the Oklahoma Historical Society. We are thankful for being able to reside on the land being recognized and thankful for our family that passed the land on to us.
Thank God my wife has a "green thumb"
My wife is a Master Gardener and the chief landscape and
gardening person on Bittersweet Ranch.
You can see for yourself she has a "green thumb". And that
I thank God she is the master gardener and chief landscape
person at home.
gardening person on Bittersweet Ranch.
You can see for yourself she has a "green thumb". And that
I thank God she is the master gardener and chief landscape
person at home.
Visiting the "resting place" of our great-great grandparents
Last month my wife, our daughter Amy, our grandson Aiden, our daughter Sarah, our grandson Isaiah, our grandson, our granddaughter Isabel, our granddaughter Josiah, our granddaughter MaryAnna, our granddaughter Judah, and I visited Wilber, Nebraska to participate in their Czech Days celebration and to visit the resting place of my great-great grandparents (Jan and Helena Dolezal) who immigrated to America in 1867.
We visited the cemetery at Pleasant Hill, Neb. (7 miles NW of Wilber) and the Czech cemetery on the west edge of Wilber. A joyful experience as visited the resting place of Jan, Helena, and daughter Anna. Hopefully, our grandchildren will feel "connected" with those who established our family in the U.S.
We visited the cemetery at Pleasant Hill, Neb. (7 miles NW of Wilber) and the Czech cemetery on the west edge of Wilber. A joyful experience as visited the resting place of Jan, Helena, and daughter Anna. Hopefully, our grandchildren will feel "connected" with those who established our family in the U.S.
"Talking Stick"...Learning to listen and to respect others
Legend has it that some native Americans utilized a "Talking Stick" to teach
about respect and about listening to others. We made a "Stick" to use when
our family is gathered together (typically while at a family meal). The "eldest"
starts off with the "Stick" and can speak whatever is on his/her mind...Others
present have to remain quiet until the person is finished speaking...Then, the
"Stick" is passed to the second "eldest"...then, to the third "eldest"...The process
is continued until everyone has the opportunity to speak without interruption.
Seems simple, but it works!
about respect and about listening to others. We made a "Stick" to use when
our family is gathered together (typically while at a family meal). The "eldest"
starts off with the "Stick" and can speak whatever is on his/her mind...Others
present have to remain quiet until the person is finished speaking...Then, the
"Stick" is passed to the second "eldest"...then, to the third "eldest"...The process
is continued until everyone has the opportunity to speak without interruption.
Seems simple, but it works!
A simple "reminder" of the work Joseph did while living on the farm
This photo is of the front axle and wheels from one of the farming wagons great granddad
used while living on the farm in the 1930's and 40's. We have this "reminder" and a couple of
other farm implements Joseph used out behind our home on the farm.
used while living on the farm in the 1930's and 40's. We have this "reminder" and a couple of
other farm implements Joseph used out behind our home on the farm.
The Joy of Cattle Grazing on the Ranch
When I was a teenager our family had cattle on the farm and though it was a lot of work, I
enjoyed them. My Dad, Grandfather, and I would travel from town to the farm almost daily
(especially around calving time and in winter) and the good memories I have are still strong
and joyful.
For the past several years we have leased our farm to the Dvoraks for their cattle and
farming operation. The cattle in this photo our theirs. I love having cattle here and it is
nice to not have to do all of the hard work to be able to enjoy them.
enjoyed them. My Dad, Grandfather, and I would travel from town to the farm almost daily
(especially around calving time and in winter) and the good memories I have are still strong
and joyful.
For the past several years we have leased our farm to the Dvoraks for their cattle and
farming operation. The cattle in this photo our theirs. I love having cattle here and it is
nice to not have to do all of the hard work to be able to enjoy them.
A Bit of Heritage...Sandstone Rock
Our great-grandfather, Joseph E. Dolezal, farmed the property we live on in the 1930's - 40's. He planted crops, raised livestock, terraced the land, planted trees, etc. He also made good use of some of the sandstone rock on the property. He would hitch up his horse to a wooden sled, go out on the farm to get large "chunks and slabs" sandstone rock a
and haul it back to his home place. There he would hew the rock into "building block pieces" and over time, would build 4 "rock" buildings (storage for grain, chicken coop, milking barn, etc.).
When we moved out to the property in 1999 the rock buildings were deteriorated but, for the most part, still standing. Then, on May 3rd, 1999, a F-4 or F-5 tornado moved across the farm property and the rock buildings were razed. My wife and I decided that we would use the rock pieces/blocks in the landscape around our home. Hopefully, you can make out the pictures above and the picture below to see how we used some of the rock.
and haul it back to his home place. There he would hew the rock into "building block pieces" and over time, would build 4 "rock" buildings (storage for grain, chicken coop, milking barn, etc.).
When we moved out to the property in 1999 the rock buildings were deteriorated but, for the most part, still standing. Then, on May 3rd, 1999, a F-4 or F-5 tornado moved across the farm property and the rock buildings were razed. My wife and I decided that we would use the rock pieces/blocks in the landscape around our home. Hopefully, you can make out the pictures above and the picture below to see how we used some of the rock.
Tithonia Sundance flower..."Oh, the beauty of God's creation!
Orange is our favorite color and the blossoms of our Tithonia Sundance flowers are an awesome ORANGE. Thank God for the beauty of his creation and for my wife planting these flowers.