Guardians of the Graves

 

Janice Schoonover said, "It takes five of us to do what Eva did."  

Well, that might be a slight stretch but it's close. 

On a couple of occasions over the years, I did see Eva Whitehead's sister helping her place flags on the graves at Pack River Cemetery prior to Memorial Day.

https://www.bizapedia.com/id/pack-river-cemetery-association-the.html

Eva passed away last year, and  the cemetery at the corner of Selle and Colburn-Culver Roads now serves as her resting place. 

Eva's Torch has been passed, as have the flags. 

Yesterday I learned from Liz Wood (after teasing her in a telephone conversation that her cows were out next door) that she would be traveling to the cemetery later in the afternoon to join other board members in placing flags on the graves of veterans. 

Liz told me that, as has been done for years, the Gold n' Grouse 4-H Club had completed a cemetery cleanup this past weekend. 

So, now it was time for American flags to decorate the hallowed spot where gravestones include names like Wood, Schoonover, Albertson, McNall, Fitchett, Neely and, yes, even Tibbs.

I can say that I have known the group who help serve as guardians of the graves for most of my life. 

I knew many when they were members of the Gold n' Grouse 4-H Club and more than likely participated in clean-up day. Some were former students. 

Now, their generation has taken on the responsibility of managing the cemetery. 

From the looks of the area yesterday, both 4-H'ers and board members have taken an abundance of pride in its appearance for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and for their loved ones residing there. 

It's a nice and important civic tradition, often an unseen aspect of community. 

The Pack River Cemetery community is fortunate, to say the least. 

Thanks, Liz, for this opportunity to document your group's activities yesterday and thanks to all who maintain this special place where we can remember those who came before us. 

Yesterday I had the pleasure of tagging along with Roley and Janice Wood Schoonover, Liz Wood, Tom Albertson, Linda Palmen Fitchett, 

 

Happy Friday. 

Thursday This, That; TBT

 

Lots of farming going on in the neighborhood these days. 

It's definitely the time of year when the "from dawn to dusk days" are common for those preparing the fields, and, in my eyes, that field work is always a pretty sight. 

We have a hobby farm so we don't deal with expensive heavy equipment.  When you have just 20 acres, thousands and thousands of dollars worth of equipment and all the upkeep hardly makes sense.  

Ours involves a tractor with a harrow, a rear-end plow and a brush hog. 

The plow does its work in the winter time clearing out the driveway and lane, while the brush hog will get hooked up soon to mow the tall grass and create trails through the woods.

I use the harrow a few times a year to soften up the barnyard surface and to break down the horse apple piles. 

And, in the fall, I love to brush hog the fields so that weeds and dead grass are mowed down and the area will be neat and tidy until grass starts growing in the spring. 

Our farm does what mostly what it needs to do for our horses.  They graze in the pastures for four-five months each year, while in the spring I feed them hay and, nowadays, board them over the winter. 

It's safe to say we get a taste of farming but hardly the full-meal deal.  Most of the other equipment we have is used for yard and garden work. 

While watching the farming that goes on around here these days, I know that those expensive and often huge pieces of equipment make the job a lot easier.

It's nice living in a rural neighborhood and enjoying our unique taste of farm life. 

Today's farm factoid:  horses went straight to pasture instead have having hay for breakfast.  I figure after two weeks on grass, their bellies have made the adjustment. 

Still, great care is taken to see that they don't overeat and tummy problems, mainly by bringing them back to the barnyard after a couple of hours so their food can settle.  Then, after about four hours, they go out for their second helping of grass for the day.

Fingers are always crossed that we've made the right decisions each day.   

I spent some time visiting some friends yesterday, and this lilac bush at their beautiful home took my eye. 

Below:  my friend Becky gave me a pot with shamrocks in it a couple of years ago. 

Somehow those shamrocks figured out that the owner of their new home kinda likes Ireland, so they have continued to grow and spread. 

And, I don't mind one bit. 

Thursday Throwbacks:  Random selections of past moments, people and places from the photo library.  Enjoy.  And, make it a good Thursday.  Looks like a beauty out there.