Common Sense Agriculture's Blog

Making It To The Stump Was A Start

Happy – characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy

Last week, while I was heading someplace, I was listening to John Stossel, on my XM, “What Really Makes People Happy.”

I spent the next few days thinking about this question. I thought about myself and what makes me happy?

Late Saturday afternoon, my son could not have provided a better example.

I was loading the truck with hay when Kyle came running in the front of the barn Whooping and Hollering.

“What’s up buddy?” I asked.

“I did it daddy! I did it! I did it all by myself!” He yelled exuberantly.

“Did what?” I asked. (I was smiling from ear to ear seeing his expression and enthusiasm.)

“I climbed two trees (pause for breath) all by myself (pause for breath) without any help!” he exclaimed.

“Awesome, big guy, that’s great!” I said, still grinning.

“Can you do it again?” I asked.

“You bet I can! Come on dad, I’ll show you!” he said, as he pulled me down from the hay stack.

I proceeded to follow him to the lower horse pen and watched the HAPPIEST boy climb two trees, again, without help.

My son defined happiness through his expression and the emotion he brings out in me.

Getting Up To The Fork Was The Accomplishment!

Happiness cannot be bought; it is not achieved through accumulation of things, is not achieved by making more money and does not result from a handout.

Happiness is taking pleasure in being able to accomplish something through your own effort and energy, without interference from the outside.

Happiness is being able to achieve an endeavor, through ingenuity, creativity and determination.

Happiness is the joy in knowing that God has a plan for you and has you in the palm of his hand.

‘He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.’ Proverbs 16:20

I’m curious what other folks thought about the Chrysler advertisement at half time of Super Bowl 46, starring Clint Eastwood.

First, I thought it was very well done…elicited emotion response, focused on the importance of being an American, the importance of working together, the importance of the individual, a powerful ad.

Then, when Clint Eastwood made the statement that “it’s halftime in America too,” a little switch flipped in my head. This was a political advertisement, a campaign message supporting President Obama.

In my mind I started connecting the dots….

We spent 14 billion dollars bailing out Chrysler and Chevrolet…saved around 100,000 jobs…that is about 1 million dollars per job.

Was this advertisement a way for Chrysler and Chevrolet to thank the President for not forcing them to go through bankruptcy and aid him in his campaign for a second term?

Perhaps I am wrong, but after watching it a second time, I have the perception and believe this is a clear example of why the government should not be involved in private business and bailouts.

What do you think? Here is the video. Watch it again. Am I wrong?

First, I would like to thank Tracy (@NEwheatie), author of NebraskaWheatie and Cheryl (@DayAngus), author of farmchiclogic, for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award. It is an honor to be thought of in this way.

What is the Versatile Blogger? In my opinion, it is a neat way to recognize blogs and share appreciation. Here are the “rules” for participating:

1. Thank and link the person/people nominating you.
2. List and pass the nomination on to 15 of your favorite bloggers.
3. Share seven tidbits about yourself.
4. Copy this picture to your blog.

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We had to take a quick break after lunch and feed the imagination, before continuing with ranch work.

Demonizing companies and individuals through the use of misleading and false information is never productive. More times than not, fissures are created, within families, communities, states, the country and even the world. It is very acceptable to question actions and results, but let us remember to remain objective in our assessment, research the origins of the information and pass on only that which is true. Passing this type of information along, without doing research on it, is just as irresponsible as passing along an email that says the world will end if you don’t forward to your whole address book.

I have seen a number of people posting on Facebook and Twitter lately, that they have signed one of a couple of petitions currently circulating with a host of claims against Monsanto. Many of these people I consider to be friends and respect. I felt inclined to write this post to provide some additional information in order to clarify several of the accusations that are being claimed. I, for one, as a small farmer and rancher, am very grateful for the work that work that Monsanto and others are doing to help farmers be more efficient and holistic in their management opportunities.

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