Don't be mad, ya'll.

[Spot & Bubby]

I almost posted this as a comment elsewhere, but I have been homebound and unable to care for myself for a month and I'm touched with just enough cabin fever to be delusional, so I'm cautiously posting PSA style.

Anyway. This was going to be the comment:

Brrrr.... Are there any HVAC techs here? The AC is on the fritz and it's hekken chilly in here. Downright cold in some places. Brrrrr.....

{ If this doesn't apply to you, it doesn't apply to you. Enjoy your day.. But if this hurts your feelings, irritates you or makes you mad because you feel called out on your behavior.... This very likely applies to you. Please attend with due, thoughtful consideration. }

Whether by direct post topic or sprinkled into comments, concerns about the future of the expansive field of agriculture weigh heavy in "the average age of independent (ag vocation here)" or "young people aren't motivated by ag" or "we're aging out" or "who will be willing to keep this way of life alive?"

We lament, bemoan, and bellyache about young people not coming in until a young person sacrifices themselves on the altar of "ask someone with experience and enthusiasm or passion for the topic of your own interests...."

Then what do we do? "We" demonstrate that some words in their post triggered what we want to say by posting a hot take on the part we can be enthusiastic about. And we do it without much, if any, hospitality or acknowledgement that an inspired, young person is at the door.

I get it! Thick skin is less suggestion than it is PPE. We don't sugarcoat anything for the sake of being sweet.

But could we try something like "welcome" before "this is how we do it around here (it is the way)"? We're going to scare all the kids off.

Obviously, some are better at this than others, everyone has a bad day now and then, nobody's perfect, and I'm as salty as the next person, and sometimes I say something less-than-friendly because I'm distracted or mad about something else. I try to self-correct as often as possible.

And on that note... Have a lovely day!

Respectfully,
Kati

 

[Ouachita]

Top of the morning to you, Kati. When you mention "unable to care for myself", I hope that means that you're just too busy taking care of other things to take time for yourself. If so, stop it, if just for a while and go smell the roses. If not, then I hope whatever is ailing you goes away real soon.

 

[Ky hills]

Sorry to hear that you’re not up to par, hoping that is just short term thing.
Hope that nothing I’ve said had been too bad. I know I’ve been kind of negative for a while about some things. I believe a lot of the frustration comes from being in circumstances beyond our control and having to focus so much time money and effort just to maintain, that we aren’t able to be as charitable and generous as we’d like to be,
I try to be encouraging but realistic when talking about the cattle business with new folks coming on the scene.
Wife and I say that there isn’t any dumb questions as long as the intent is honest and sincere to learn or understand something.
Way back when I was young and starting out, I’d say 9 out 10 folks were discouraging and only rarely would somebody give a glimmer of hope.
Largely, that’s why I was always afraid to try to grow and expand because it had been instilled in me that it couldn’t be done.
We try to use our short term rental business here on the farm as a way to share our knowledge of agriculture with those who are interested.
I don’t know what the future is going to look like, but I think both my wife and I want to do what we can to continue to be advocates for agriculture and livestock producers.
I’ve recently been thinking about if things work out when we relocate, we may be able to help with FFA programs in some way, or maybe even be in a position to be able to donate a calf or two for somebody to show.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

We (my husband is a retired rancher) went to the Coos County Fair livestock barns yesterday and I have never seen so many enthusiastic about agriculture young people in my entire life.

Dairy cattle, beef cattle, hogs (Imagine a fun arena with hogs milling around the handlers have no real control over except with a popper and a piece of plywood to break up the fights), Chickens of all kinds (being shown to the judge on tables with the kids making them walk and turn with a little stick), meat chickens, turkeys, rabbits, pigeons and a dang good horse show. Hundreds of clean cut, healthy, decent looking young people without druggie or gang looking kid in the bunch.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Hundreds of clean cut, healthy, decent looking young people without druggie or gang looking kid in the bunch.

Ever heard the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover “?
I know plenty of good wholesome kids that get into trouble. Good wholesome girls who get pregnant or good wholesome guys who get somebody’s good daughter pregnant. Just because you don’t agree with how they dress or they’re piercing doesn’t mean they aren’t good respectful young people.

I know some people who sit front and center in church every Sunday and I wouldn't ever think of doing business with them. They'd rob you with one hand and screw you with the other.

We’re started work nights once a week preparing for our local rodeo in August. As we were finishing up about 10 o’clock we could hear voices across the arena. So we went to investigate. 3 young men had jungle gym climbed up a bow gate to a cat walk and were sitting on top of the announcers stand hanging out . We politely told them that we couldn’t have them up there in case they would fall. Then we told them that if they liked it at the rodeo so much that work nights start at six and they were welcome to come help. All three of them introduced themselves and shook our hands. They asked questions about what all they would have to do if they came to help. I don’t know if they will come back but we took what could have been a negative and turned it into a positive. All these young people want is a chance.

 

[Ky hills]

Ever heard the phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover "?
I know plenty of good wholesome kids that get into trouble. Good wholesome girls who get pregnant or good wholesome guys who get somebody's good daughter pregnant. Just because you don't agree with how they dress or they're piercing doesn't mean they aren't good respectful young people.

I know some people who sit front and center in church every Sunday and I wouldn't ever think of doing business with them. They'd rob you with one hand and screw you with the other.

We're started work nights once a week preparing for our local rodeo in August. As we were finishing up about 10 o'clock we could hear voices across the arena. So we went to investigate. 3 young men had jungle gym climbed up a bow gate to a cat walk and were sitting on top of the announcers stand hanging out . We politely told them that we couldn't have them up there in case they would fall. Then we told them that if they liked it at the rodeo so much that work nights start at six and they were welcome to come help. All three of them introduced themselves and shook our hands. They asked questions about what all they would have to do if they came to help. I don't know if they will come back but we took what could have been a negative and turned it into a positive. All these young people want is a chance.

30 some years ago I was a longhaired kid wanting to find my place in the world, in a world that didn’t seem to want me.
At the time, when people took the time to reach out it meant the world to me, and I haven’t forgotten those folks and how just a few respectful conversations or encouraging words really helped me.

 

[Spot & Bubby]

Top of the morning to you, Kati. When you mention "unable to care for myself", I hope that means that you're just too busy taking care of other things to take time for yourself. If so, stop it, if just for a while and go smell the roses. If not, then I hope whatever is ailing you goes away real soon.

I have a herniated disk at L4-L5 causing 9-10 level pain sciatica in my left leg. I haven't been able to work since June 28. Haven't been able to GO to work since June 30.

I Can't:
• Bend/lean over a sink to brush my teeth
• Touch anything closer to ground than 4" ABOVE my knee or more than 8" above my head
• Squat or kneel
• Lay down / Sleep in a bed (last time took 4 hours and painkillers to get out of bed.)
• gather chicken eggs, feed chickens
• Transition sit-to-stand or stand-to-sit without a walker
• access any part of fridge except front edge only of top two shelves
• reach bottom of Kitchen sink
• sit on a cushion unless VERY firm
• pick up my little 6# dog or cuddle with my 60# dog
• push, pull, lift, lower, twist, lean or bend
• get into or out of the pickup in under 5 minutes
• put on shoes or socks (or pants or underwear)
• get off the squatty potty (the low rise toilet in guest bath)
• Step into or out of a bathtub
• raise left footmore than 5-6"

I Can:
• Stand, supported by counter, table, walker, cane, etc.
• walk almost normally on flat, level surfaces

I't's been fun.

 

[Spot & Bubby]

Sorry to hear that you're not up to par, hoping that is just short term thing.
Hope that nothing I've said had been too bad. I know I've been kind of negative for a while about some things. I believe a lot of the frustration comes from being in circumstances beyond our control and having to focus so much time money and effort just to maintain, that we aren't able to be as charitable and generous as we'd like to be,
I try to be encouraging but realistic when talking about the cattle business with new folks coming on the scene.
Wife and I say that there isn't any dumb questions as long as the intent is honest and sincere to learn or understand something.
Way back when I was young and starting out, I'd say 9 out 10 folks were discouraging and only rarely would somebody give a glimmer of hope.
Largely, that's why I was always afraid to try to grow and expand because it had been instilled in me that it couldn't be done.
We try to use our short term rental business here on the farm as a way to share our knowledge of agriculture with those who are interested.
I don't know what the future is going to look like, but I think both my wife and I want to do what we can to continue to be advocates for agriculture and livestock producers.
I've recently been thinking about if things work out when we relocate, we may be able to help with FFA programs in some way, or maybe even be in a position to be able to donate a calf or two for somebody to show.

you always put off a warm vibe, even saying what someone might not want to hear.

 

[Ouachita]

I have a herniated disk at L4-L5 causing 9-10 level pain sciatica in my left leg. I haven't been able to work since June 28. Haven't been able to GO to work since June 30.

I Can't:
• Bend/lean over a sink to brush my teeth
• Touch anything closer to ground than 4" ABOVE my knee or more than 8" above my head
• Squat or kneel
• Lay down / Sleep in a bed (last time took 4 hours and painkillers to get out of bed.)
• gather chicken eggs, feed chickens
• Transition sit-to-stand or stand-to-sit without a walker
• access any part of fridge except front edge only of top two shelves
• reach bottom of Kitchen sink
• sit on a cushion unless VERY firm
• pick up my little 6# dog or cuddle with my 60# dog
• push, pull, lift, lower, twist, lean or bend
• get into or out of the pickup in under 5 minutes
• put on shoes or socks (or pants or underwear)
• get off the squatty potty (the low rise toilet in guest bath)
• Step into or out of a bathtub
• raise left footmore than 5-6"

I Can:
• Stand, supported by counter, table, walker, cane, etc.
• walk almost normally on flat, level surfaces

I't's been fun.

Sucks to be like you. I spent half a decade, 30 years ago, going through very similar circumstances. I’ll never know if it was me or her, but she chose that time to leave me.

Oh well, a new gal found me and we’re going on 29 years. When I squeal like a pubescent girl, she slaps me and says “act like a man!”. Don’t have a fricking clue what I’d do without her.

 

[Travlr]

I have a herniated disk at L4-L5 causing 9-10 level pain sciatica in my left leg. I haven't been able to work since June 28. Haven't been able to GO to work since June 30.

I Can't:
• Bend/lean over a sink to brush my teeth
• Touch anything closer to ground than 4" ABOVE my knee or more than 8" above my head
• Squat or kneel
• Lay down / Sleep in a bed (last time took 4 hours and painkillers to get out of bed.)
• gather chicken eggs, feed chickens
• Transition sit-to-stand or stand-to-sit without a walker
• access any part of fridge except front edge only of top two shelves
• reach bottom of Kitchen sink
• sit on a cushion unless VERY firm
• pick up my little 6# dog or cuddle with my 60# dog
• push, pull, lift, lower, twist, lean or bend
• get into or out of the pickup in under 5 minutes
• put on shoes or socks (or pants or underwear)
• get off the squatty potty (the low rise toilet in guest bath)
• Step into or out of a bathtub
• raise left footmore than 5-6"

I Can:
• Stand, supported by counter, table, walker, cane, etc.
• walk almost normally on flat, level surfaces

I't's been fun.

This is one of those stories that prompts the idea... if you worry about having shoes you should talk to a man with no legs.
Your situation is agonizing and I admire you for your fortitude. Please make arrangements with your body to get better.

 

[Ouachita]

I’m sorry. I can be harsh. I’m mostly real but sometimes a bitch. One of these days I’ll get better.

 

[Ouachita]

Speaking of harsh, nobody does it better….

 

[Spot & Bubby]

Sucks to be like you. I spent half a decade, 30 years ago, going through very similar circumstances. I'll never know if it was me or her, but she chose that time to leave me.

Oh well, a new gal found me and we're going on 29 years. When I squeal like a pubescent girl, she slaps me and says "act like a man!". Don't have a fricking clue what I'd do without her.

the title says, this is my 3rd episode of sciatica. The previous installments occurred around '98 (27 yo) and '15 (43 yo). The day Saddam Hussein was pulled out of a spider hole I managed to fracture my two lower thoracic vertebrae, the two right above the lumbar area, which apparently isn't a big deal because they healed quickly, aside from a softball sized bruise that looked fresh for almost two years. I was 31 when that happened.

Each time I've had a flare up, it's lasted around 4-8 weeks then just started getting better as followed instructions. This time around is by far the most intense, but I'm 53 now and expect that to be the case. Seriously, it's no joke!

 

[Spot & Bubby]

This is one of those stories that prompts the idea... if you worry about having shoes you should talk to a man with no legs.
Your situation is agonizing and I admire you for your fortitude. Please make arrangements with your body to get better.

I'm trying to pencil it in!