B^Uin^W-f "24; ~WBf* *
I On being
a farm wif^3P fc j|^j&
-And
J hazards
W
j Joyce Bnpp
“I was going to go to work
today, but then the kids needed
rides several places, 1 had laundry
to do, and I never did get to the
job.”
“Gee, where can you get a job
like that?” I wondered with envy,
after reading the above comment
in a printed article.
Reading a few lines farther reve
aled that the individual making the
comment worked at home.
On second thought, I could have
very well said that myself.
The self-help article proceeded
with advice on how those of us
who work (for pay, as opposed to
all the daily non-pay stuff) at home
with some degree of accomplish
ment and credibility. For instance,
we’re supposed to dress for the
part, rather than hack around the
household office in a bathrobe and
slippers.
How does worn blue jeans and
sneakers sound? I mean, I’d look
awfully silly taking a break from
the computer to put cows in the
bam, dressed in heels, stockings
and a skirt.
The bam is only one of the many
diversions from discipline at the
computer keyboard. And, on a
crisp, sunny October morning, the
temptation to linger anywhere but
the office is heavy.
Like the “homeworker” above,
ROPE IN &
SOME EXTRA # f fa
CASH!
Advertise With A |) Stf2
Lancaster Farming y |l l i
CLASSIFIED AD
Phone 717-394-3047 ' ‘
or 717-626-1164
laundry needs almost constant
attention, and seems to pile up end
lessly. And, my deep Pennsylvania
Dutch roots tell me it’s unthink
able to toss wet laundry in the
clothes dryer on a gorgeous day
when it can be hung out in the
breeze.
Besides, it’s a superb excuse to
get out into the sunshine.
Immediately, at least a half
dozen kittens come charging
through the yard, tumble around
my feet, and climb intp the wash
basket One takes a flying leap, and
lands, claws clinging to my heavy
jeans, square on my right knee - an
incredibly bad habit of these kit
tens. Someday one will do that to a
visitor wearing expensive
pantyhose.
So, hanging out the laundry
takes a while. Petting kittens is
time consuming when they must
be pried off one’s knees.
Frost damage to the flower bor
der needs a quick check, to see
what might be salvageable for
indoors. Not much but the roses,
which thrive on the cooler weath
er. Their razor-sharp thorns
demand cutting with a pruner,
which means another quick trip to
the basement for the proper tool.
Back in the office, roses estab
lished in a vase, the keyboard and I
punch out a couple of sentences. I
spot the mailman’s vehicle and
retrieve the day’s delivery. Sorting
and checking the worthwhile stuff
from the junk takes another several
minutes.
Before another sentence is on
the screen, the phone will ring at
least once, perhaps twice, maybe
even three times.
Another load of laundry is ready
to be hung out Accompanied by
the kittens.
Somewhere between noon and
one o’clock, someone will show
up for lunch. Maybe. On half-days
of scheduled classes, the college
student arrives home with the
r*
Specializing In Dairy Systems:
• Dairy Complexes And Replacement Stock
Facilities
• Horse Stall Barns And Riding Arenas
• Workshop And Machinery Storage
Buildings
• Timber Column Buildings For Light
Commercial
Let Our Experience Work For You -
DESIGNERS AND BUILDERS
RD 4, EPHRATA, PA 17522 (717) 354-4271
Serving The Agricultural Industry For Over 20 Years
day’s news to share. Another call
comes m.
Afternoons sometimes offer an
hour or two of uninterrupted time.
But supper must be started. A
quick trip to the post office. Our
high schooler charges through the
door, home from school, and stam
pedes the kitchen for rescue from
impending starvation. About four,
I’ll be summoned to help put the
cows into their stalls for evening
CALL NOW
milking.
Still, the benefits of being a
“homeworker” usually outweigh
the distractions. No computer
traffic (except for falling over a
row of kittens). A low-cost clo
thing budget. Flexible hours. All
the coffee breaks I want to take.
Maybe I just need to'have my
mother remind me occasionally to
get at it and get my homework
done.
Now Open
GOOD FOOD
OUTLET STORE
See Our Original Line Of
Golden Barrel Products
Plus Many Other Items
We Carry At Reduced Prices
*|r
A Ip
Products Include Household
Molasses, Syrup & Edible Oil
♦ SHOOFLY PIE
MIX
* BAKING
MOLASSES
★ BARBADOS
MOLASSES
★ BLACKSTRAP
MOLASSES
* PANCAKE SYRUP
If your local store does not have it,
CALL OR WRITE FOR FREE
BROCHURE & PRICES
-WE UPS DAILY
GOOD FOOD INC.
i F ood Division Of Zook Molasses Co.)
West Mam St., Box 160
Honey Brook, PA 19344
CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-327-4406
Mon. thro Frl.: 7 A.M.-5 PM.
Over SO Years Of Service
★ PEANUT BUTTER
★ CORNSYRUP
★ TABLE SYRUP
★ HONEY
★ COCONUT OIL
★ CORN OIL
★ SOYBEAN OIL
★ PEANUT OIL