This year's steer

This is the steer we bought at the fair. He was raised by Matt Hoover. Last year we bought his sister Meghan's steer, so that work out well. Matt and Meghan have been a big help to us. Meghan has been walking Mom and Dad's dog a couple times a week and Matt has been helping Chet with the garden. Weeding, picking beans and even stacking wood. This is the same Matt who wanted to know how the manure spreader worked. They are real good kids and we thank them for all they have done.

Officially a Portage Countian

The fair is a BIG DEAL in Portage County. Schools that dare to start before the fair is over set themselves up for controversy. After 28 years, I am officially a Portage County resident having my first fair entry. My afghan took second place!

This is a fountain that Chet's crew built on a job. I've never loaded a video, so wanted to see if it would work. I think its very pretty.

"Summer time and the living is easy"

You'll just have to take my word for it that it is Chet relaxing in the hammock. I didn't dare get any closer!

Different Strokes

Chet is the proud owner of 1/2 of a Manure spreader. The Hoovers down the road own the other half. They have the means to fill it, and we have the space to empty it. There is one problem - it's the wrong color. I suspect it will have to have a paint job in the not too distant future. Ken and Matt (11) came down to admire it and Matt put in his request that when Chet bring it down, he use the tractor rather than the truck so he could see how it works. Chet obliged this afternoon. I never would have guessed that a bunch of guys would get excited over such a piece of equipment. One good thing from my perspective. I shouldn't have to help unstick the dump truck from the gardens anymore