Hasekamps, 2020 version

 While there are so many things that could be said about 2020, I will refrain as I believe that its all been over said, over hyped and I am more or less over it. There's been many wild and crazy, sad and frustrating things happen this year. But one of the most exciting things in our lives has happened. We are going to be grandparents. I have sort of a 'top ten' kind of list in my mind, that I sometimes refer to as Highlights in Hasekamp History. The day my Farmer proposed, the day I became his wife, when our kids were born are mostly the things that make up that list. I was kind 'star of the show' on those entries. Well outside of being so proud and excited, this latest entry doesn't have much to do with me, 'cept for the fact I gotta figure out what my grandma name will be. 

Since this blog has been stagnant for several years, I am going to do a short recap of life at H&K.

Our oldest son, fell in love, got engaged, graduated from college, got married, got his first teaching and coaching job, bought a house. Then two years later, got his second teaching and coaching job in the middle of a pandemic, sold house, bought house, moved home-ish. And his beautiful bride who has yet to be named, so I will introduce the mother of my first grand child. Cassie Jo Keller Hasekamp came into our lives actually not long after my earlier posts stopped. She is from Green City, went to NWMSU with Cody. She's two years younger than him and is just absolutely amazing. She's got a rockstar job at Veteran's United. They have a sweet dog named Ryker and two cats, Bucky and Hazel. And I am so thrilled that they are about a half hour away instead of 3.5 hours which they were the first two years they were married. 

Middle son graduated from high school, went to tech school, graduated a week after his brother and sister in law. He's had work experience in the construction industry, but now works for local water utility. Currently he's at home while he remodels an old home on our farm. He has an awesome pup, Willie Earl Hasekamp that he may have to fight his dad for whenever he moves out. He's doing a lot of the adulting things, bought his first truck, has an awesome girlfriend Courtney who is about done with college. 

Jenna Claire is a senior, which kinda blows my mind. She's still undecided where specifically, but is college bound. Hoping to do some collegiate level Livestock Judging as she goes through. She's quite the young cattle woman. She's growing her own herd of Maine Anjou cattle, has gotten her certification to AI her own cows and hopefully to do so for others as a side hustle. All of this while remaining active in both 4-H and FFA, manager to the football and wrestling teams..............and she makes good grades, that girl is something! 

The baby turned 16 yesterday, and got his drivers license, so maybe that's why I am blogging, feeling nostalgic, have free time since I am not hauling him all over or maybe I am looking for a way to earn some money blogging, to pay for the gas of two teenagers driving. I think I will be the Pioneer Woman when I grow up. She does okay with her blog, right? But I digress...........back to news of the youngest. He's a busy kid too. Two sports, football and wrestling. Has started all season on Varsity as the Center. I think he's likely got a starting spot on the wrestling team this winter as well. He does all that Hasekamp kids do, shows cattle, 4-H, FFA, hauls hay, helps on the farm, along with being busy at school, keeps good grades and he has a sweet girlfriend, Annie as well. 

Now for the parents. We've have eventful last few years. We had cancer. (Well technically the Farmer actually had it) We did the treatment. We got cured going on two years. We've had some odds and ends getting older health issues and some of us found herself spending the better part of the summer before last in the hosp. But all is good now. We lost loved ones. Most notably my Grandmother, her best friend, a neighbor and our sweet very much beloved dog, Macy. The context of time when I last posted in 2015, I was a substitute teacher. Since then I spent three years working fulltime at school, I job I loved. About a year ago, I took a job with University Extension, which I really LOVE. 

Things are mostly the same on the farm. Still farming the same acres. Still raising cattle. Still custom baling hay. Crop years have been good and bad. This year in particular is amazing. My Farmer and Uncle Honey still do the lionshare of the farming, which help sprinkled in as the kids are able to help them. We would like to have Sam at the farm fulltime, but as of now, he has an awesome town job that is hard to compete with, hopefully soon. 

So that's where we are at. Hoping to do more indepth blog updates on the kids coming up. They've done some amazing things that I would like to share. 

But until then on this beautiful fall Election Day in November, 

From Tulip~

KH 

Farmer friends who are like extended Family

Before starting this post, I looked back at my blog. I haven't posted a new message for four and a half years. Time has marched on. Our farm and family have changed. Maybe that update post is coming, but in the age of social media, most of my readers are only as behind as my last status, so I may spare you that much.
Today my heart is heavy and it inspired me to share a new post. In our local ag community, we've recently lost two very notable members. One was 86 and lived an amazing life. The other was 48 and lived an amazing life. Hmmm one was almost twice as old as the other but yet the same could be said about each. Both were great examples of hard work, family, love of life and too many friends to count.
Saturday morning, Luther got his wish. He had many health issue in recent years, and this last one was his stopping point. He knew he had enjoyed and lived an abundant life. He was ready to leave this world and check out the next one. As Jed said at church, during his sermon, "To be 86, get a diagnosis on Monday, pass in your sleep at home 'on the hill' five days later. Who of us wouldn't sign up for that?"
As our hearts hurt for our dear friends, another was to go on to the next life about a day later.
Brian, although half Luther's age had also suffered with many health issues over the last few years. I'm guessing he was less ready than Luther, but certainly lived and enjoyed an abundant life as well.
I can't think of either of them and not smile. I may not have as many stories as some, but I have a few. They are cherished ones.
When I was expecting Cody, in the summer of 1994, I was still working at the furniture store in downtown Centralia. As was the case in that time, if Saturday afternoon was slow, chances are, we would see Luther. He would come down, lounge on one of our sofas in the showroom and hold court, with all of us sitting around and enjoyed some of his stories. I am not sure I recall any specific story by detail. But I can tell you the theme of all of them, hard work and the crazy things that happened along the way. They were always entertaining.
Luther always had something to say. I can only think of one time when I think he was speechless. When he showed up one Saturday afternoon, late in July, John (my boss) decided to pull a trick on him. Someone saw him coming and he told me to sit on the sofa and put my feet up. When Luther came in, he said, "Glad you're here, we need help, Kathy's going to have the baby!" Doubting I kept a straight face, but it didn't matter. Luther's reaction was classic, when he tried to speak, it was jarbled up Lutherspeak that cracked us all up. We had to admit that we were teasing him." He laughed and said we definitely got him.
My Brian stories would either center around when I first knew him, 30 years ago, or anything to do with farming, which technically was any story I have. When we were first married, DH's sisters still showed cattle. At that time the Flatt kids did as well. I can remember many good times at local and state fair and most generally Brian was in the middle of the mischief and fun. Part of Brian's charm, was something that most people find 'charming' in others. It absolutely never mattered where you were, what was going on at the time, Brian never ever hesitated to take time and say hello, check in and see how things were going with you and yours. You got the same guy no matter where our paths crossed. One of the most genuine people I've ever met. We should all aspire to be more like him.
In the Ag community, we are kinda the minority. Not everyone gets us, so we stick together. Luther was a cornerstone of our local ag community and Brian one of its most active moving parts of it.
We were blessed to live in their worlds, and our world won't be the same without them. Sincerest condolences to their families in this time of grieving. I am glad that my memories of them make me smile.
From Tulip~
KH

Sweat socks, softball, sports and life

This ornament is the perfect reminder of my Uncle Hank. My dads youngest sibling. 10.5 younger than dad. 12.5 years older than me. Uncle Hank was one of the people who instilled the love of sports in me. I remember thinking he was a little crazy hollering at a TV and the game. Who gets that passionate? Hmmm, yeah friends, that's where I get it. 

He loved sports. Any sport. My oldest son reminds me a lot of him. It didn't matter if it was baseball, softball, football, hockey, soccer or who knows what else. If there was the chance to compete and hang with fellow enthusiasts, he was right there. 

At family reunions, he was the "adult" that made sure all the other adults got out there with is kids for annual Angle reunion softball game. Anytime we were together, he was pitching to us. Talking about improving your stance or loudly vocalizing how we could better field a ball. 

At Christmas, since Uncle Hank was the last kid at home, he came with Grandma and Grandpa if they came to our house on Christmas. This is in addition to our annual pilgrimage to GC. He always had another little extra gift for us. Did he get it did grandma? I will never know. Whoever did the shopping was very attuned to what he meant to me at that age and what my memory of him will always be. Sports. This Christmas sock ornament makes me think of the striped tube socks of the 70's that would be perfect example of the era. 

Remembering my first sports hero, 

From Tulip~

KH

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My mom always makes Christmas special

Since I was very small, actually as long as I can remember, my mom has always done some sort of handwork. She knits, crochets, and used to do embroidery. 

If my grandma made a lot of my clothes, my mom knitted a lot of my sweaters, mittens and scarves. Mom can sew too, but I think she likes to sit with us in the living room instead of off somewhere at a sewing machine. 

A huge percentage of the ornaments on my tree are homemade ones, made by my mom. The bell at the bottom is just one. Besides ornaments she made lots of other things for me. 

When I played with Barbies (yes I did believe it or not) she made some furniture clothes and things for them. I think she firmly believes in not having idle hands. Very glad that was passed on to me. I have a hard time even sitting still so doing something while I sit with my family is a plus. 

Thankful for a hardworking crafty momma,

From Tulip~

KH

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Memories of my childhood.

My grandpa Barnes had a sister. Bufa Mae or Mae Mae to us kids. We always went to her house for many holidays. She was an example of homemaker. She cooked and sewed. She quilted and baked. Made all sorts of crafts. She was a farmers wife. I should hope to be what she was. 

She had the most awesome sewing room. I remember being amazed by all the drawers and cabinets. They were filled with fabrics and trims along with every notion I had ever heard of. 

The most important cabinet was in the bottom where there were some assorted toys. Not sure that they were any more exciting than any other toys, but they were ones that we didn't get to play with often. So that made them more fun, or at least so we thought. 

The replica ornament at the bottom was the main toy in here cabinet, along with all the animal accessories allowed us town kids to farmers for awhile. 

So thankful for memories of Mae Maes house. Their cuckoo clock, farm toys, all the interesting mind toys that my cousin had and lastly the pretty ceramic church that sat in her bay window. It was a music box. Played (and still does) Amazing Grace. I was lucky enough to buy it at their estate sale. Now it graces my home. Currently it's sitting with the Christmas village. 

Thankful to share momentos with my kids from my childhood, 

From Tulip~

KH

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My Favorite on Christmas and Everyday

On our first Christmas, my MIL was looking at our tree and it was filled with ornaments that said my name on them. Along with a few first Christmas ones that was about it. 

A day or two later, she came back up to our house with a shoebox. Inside were David's ornaments from childhood. She said she didn't think he had as many as I did, but wanted to share his to help fill up our tree. This one was one of the several that were in the box. Sort of reminds of him. Simple, unassuming. 

One of the things I am most thankful for is my husband. For all that he does and all that he is to us and those around him. He's my voice of reason when I need it. He's the arms of comfort when I am sad. He's lips that kiss me sweetly everyday. In this world of everything is disposable and wondering if anyone knows what forever means, I never question it. I know. It's my Farmer. My forever. 

Thankful to called Mrs. David Hasekamp today and always,

From Tulip~

KH

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Christmas is Special

Obviously that's no earth shattering news. As Christians we realize the historical and spiritual significance of Christmas. But it's a special time of remembering those who mean the most to you. People show their love and affection in a multitude of ways throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. 

In the neighborhood I live in, there are a few things that just seem to ring in the holidays. Neighbor gifts of sweets are popular at Tulip. Sweet breakfast rolls, homemade pecan toffee, and my MIL's pies are some of the community favorites. 

As a kid growing up, one of the things I looked forward to was the personalized Christmas ornaments from my Aunt Ethel. I think the first one was a snow man in 1980. Then each year after for about 30 yrs we could expect some sort of sweet, cute awesomeness. We knew she looked most of the year at different ceramic and craft shops. Generally the choice was made in early fall and the order placed. All of the nieces, nephews, friends kids and more received these. 

We didn't need an ornament to know how special we were to her. She showed us everyday. Now that she is gone, I am thankful to have a box full of reminders of the time we were blessed to have her on this Earth. With each ornament placed on the tree, the memories come flooding back. She will never be forgotten by me or many others. 

Merry Christmas in Heaven Aunt E,

From Tulip~

KH

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Love of Learning

While we are raising our kids as 4-Hers, I was a Girl Scout. While they didn't have a cattle showing badge, I think I learned some awesome life skills. 

Cooking, sewing, gardening, crafting and more. All things I utilize to this very day. We went on camp outs where we learned basics of taking of ourselves. Putting up the tent, building a fire, cooking over it, hiking. At the time probably s'mores and finding and casting deer hoof prints were probably my favorites. 

Something I never thought of at the time, but value it now looking back. I learned to rely on other adults. Leaders were great ladies like Patty Robinson Parrish, Karen Sage, Teresa Schneller, Susan Thornhill and Carmen Morrison. All had influence on my life and for that, I am thankful. 

Looking at this ornament I am reminded to simpler days when crafts, cupcakes and companionship with my peers were plenty to entertain us on a Saturday afternoon. Amazingly everyone was always there, no one had other things going on. Wish my kids lived in that quieter time. 

Looking at Santa and knowing my Christmas list would be very different than the first this ornament was on my tree,

From Tulip~

KH

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How Sweet it is!

The ornament pictured is a cheap ol Dollar General purchase. Not old. Or unique. But when I look at it, it brings back the sweetest memories. 

I am thankful to have the sweetest memories of Christmases away from my own home and at my Grandmas home. We lived in the same hometown with one set of Grandparents growing up and my memories of that set are many and of everyday things (I have some plans for a future series about them). I think the reason I seem to keep going back to my Angle side of the family in these Christmas posts is that at the holidays was the one time of year we always saw them. We always went to Granite City, my dads hometown. Growing up in a small town with only one railroad going through it, GC,IL was a whole other world. One I loved as a child and miss as an adult. 

I loved that you could smell the steel mill. I loved that there were stores that I had never heard of. I mostly loved that there were my grandparents, aunts uncles and cousins that I rarely got to see. 

My Grandma was an awesome cook. Although I couldn't tell you one specific dish she made. They were all good. The food that was most memorable, was the box of ribbon candy that always could be found at her house at Christmas time. Store bought. Not the Amish candy I was accustomed to at home and always wondered why my city family thought some ol peanut brittle was so wonderful? I know now that specialness sometimes is just something out of the ordinary. 

Life is a little sweeter when you have the opportunity to experience a diverse variety of things. For me, I am thankful to have grown up in a small town, but also getting to experience life in a city even if it was only once in a while. 

Seeking sweetness at Christmas and thankful for it,

From Tulip~

KH

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Many Christmases Later

The ornament at the bottom of this post is hanging on its 26th Christmas tree. We got it as a wedding gift. I remember in the  heat of the summer digging through our Christmas stuff for a string of lights so I could use the light socket plug with this ornament and watch the little porch light go on and then switch back and forth from the porch to the inside light. I guess I was easily entertained. A few years ago the light quit working. But the ornament still gets hung every year as a great reminder of the wonderful early years of our marriage. 

So thankful for those first years. We did lots of growing up and growing closer. In this world of disposal everything, I am thankful and blessed for the long lasting love and successful working relationship we share. 

Thankful for Christmases past and looking forward to Christmases future all shared with my Farmer and our old ornaments,

From Tulip~

KH

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