The Day all Hail Broke Loose...

Saturday morning, I woke up expecting an eventful day.  However, the eventful day I was expecting was not as eventful as it turned out to be.  I woke up at 7 to prep for the Monticello Society Brunch (a brunch to honor CAFNR's donors) and pack my bags for home.  I enjoyed the brunch and dashed back to the dorm to change and load up the car to go home.  I knew that I was going to be an hour late to my cousin's anniversary party so I dashed out of Columbia as fast as I could (legally). 

As I neared the Kingdom City exit, halfway between Columbia and home, they came on the radio to announce a severe thunderstorm warning for Callaway and Montgomery Counties (the two counties I go through on the interstate on my way home).  I brushed it off as just a strong thunderstorm and continued on home.  This girl was not stopping.  She had family and friends to go see. 

Sooner than later, it started to sprinkle, then pour, then pea-size hail, dime size hail, and everything after that I was not worried about size anymore.  I could hear it pounding dents all over my car.  Next thing I know, one came down and cracked my windshield, and more proceeded to do the same.  Needless to say, when I got off the Interstate to pull under a gas station overhang, I was happy to run inside and no longer hear the banging. 

Dad came up to see if the windshield (and driver) were okay enough to finish the drive home.  By then, I wasn't as shaken up, just nervous about not having a car for a week, especially right before I move.  So here I am, stranded at the mercy of those kind enough to give me rides.  To those of you who have and will, thank you!

My poor windshield when I got to the gas station.  Ouch.

The sad thing is that I was driving along a guy in a beautifully restored Chevy pickup.  Unfortunately, he got caught in the hail as well.

Stay Safe (and Hail Free!)
Julia

Never Leave Your Past Behind

The past two days between work and classes, I have been at the Hearnes Center for the 84th Missouri FFA Convention.  I attended the Convention all four years of high school.  I have stepped on that stage before thousands to be recognized as a Missouri Agribusiness Academy Delegate in 2009, Competed in Floriculture and Agricultural Sales Career Development Events, and received my State FFA Degree.  This year, I stood on the other side of everything, assisting with the state Poultry Contest CDE. 

Over the past two days, I have heard the dreams of young minds and the excitement of winning.  There is something that happens while you wear that blue jacket.  You discover a potential that is beyond your dreams. 

Now I know that sometimes 4-H and FFA can seem like opposing forces and I often say that without 4-H, I would not be who I am today.  You see, though, life is a brownie.  4-H is the flour, the stuff that makes a brownie a brownie.  If I didn't have the eggs from FFA, all I would be stuck with is chocolatey flour.  The two have gone hand-in-hand in making me into a responsible young leader.

On another note, I am very proud and happy for my hometown's FFA Chapter for receiving 3rd place at the Floriculture contest yesterday.  Back when I competed, we achieved 4th place, just shy of going on stage.  I congratulate all who have competed throughout the contest season.

Best Wishes,
Julia

Spring Break Trip to Home

This week while many of my friends are in Florida and the Carolinas, I am at home.  Not stuck at home, might I clarify.

Yesterday was filled with laundry and mowing the grass.  I had never used the new lawn mower before and since it was the only one with the deck attached, I had no choice.  It was quite the experience.  I had an extra foot of deck space, making it a faster job and a booger to navigate in some places.

After I finished the front yard, it was time to mow between the pasture and the highway.  As I was mowing along the ditch, the mower came to a stop.  No amount of turning, backing up or anything would get me unstuck.  So I called Dad to bring it to his attention for when he came home.

The ground is also extremely wet at the moment.  I would try to go up a hill, get stuck, back up, get stuck again, back up, get stuck once more, and decided that patch of grass can wait and took a little detour around the problem area.

Now there is a little blonde in me and as I am very prone to allergies, I was a little crazy to mow yesterday when the pollen was as high as it would be all week.  Today I am enjoying the allergy meds, tylenol, and a nap to overcome the monstrous pollen count.

Thursday I get to make a trip to Sedalia to interview for an internship with the Missouri State Fair.  I also get to pick up my nephew in Jeff City afterwards to make it all the more worthwhile.  Wish me luck!

Until later,

Julia

Securing our Safety

Today in accounting, a good friend of mine and I were talking about how the public does not understand why they are not allowed inside a poultry operation.  I urge all of you to help the public understand that this is for the health of both the consumer and the animal as the following video explains:

Have a great day!

Julia

Home Invaders

I had quite the weekend.  I had decided to go home with my boyfriend and see his family and newly redone house.  Friday and Saturday morning were pretty average but it was all soon to change.

After lunch, Aaron and I went over to his house.  He wanted to set up the laundry machines and I wanted to clean up after him.  Of course I decided to test drive the sofa and was sitting on there when I heard Aaron come up the stairs and cause a ruckus.  Strange.  I go into the kitchen where he is filling up buckets of water to pour over an unexpected guest.  Turns out the clog in the drain was really not one but two garter snakes.  Eek!

To keep them from running from the rubbing alcohol poured down over them and up through the floor drain, I put two bricks over the grate so they couldn't push it up and stick around.  After the laundry was going, we were standing back looking over the basement.  Near the roller skate next to the drain grate was a piece of black rubber...made of bones, guts, and nasty skin.  That was a snake and I made sure to scream and hide behind my Abraham Lincoln-sized man.  He proceeded to pull a shovel out of nowhere and repeatedly stab the beast.  I thought it was long gone, he didn't and went back to stab it a few more times.  Then I went into the living room upstairs so I did not have to look at it as it was drug to the pasture.

I guess we all have fears, even six foot six young men.

Peace

Julia

Part 1 of 2: Sustainable Agriculture

I recently decided to add a minor in Sustainable Agriculture to my degree.  I have gotten good and bad replies to this and I hope that I may be able to teach these naysayers that it does not necessarily mean that I am a tree hugger or a hippie. 

I know we each have our own definitions of sustainable agriculture, so I want to hear what you think.  Please comment below!  Once I receive at least 5 comments, I will reveal to you my own definition.

Spreading the Word

Hello everyone!  Several years ago, I gave my first speech at a county 4-H council meeting.  Last Thursday I gave my first college speech, more nervous than ever.  I have survived 4-H public speaking, countless high school speech meets, numerous winery tours, and even a few emcee events.

Now Thursday was nerve-wrecking to me but it all ironed out as soon as I walked into the dining hall.  Spicy chicken and tater tots were on the menu.  Two and a half years ago I had this very meal just before delivering my 1st place technology-assisted speech at the Missouri State 4-H Public Speaking Contest.  That was the moment I knew I would do well.

I admit that my introduction was a little shaky, but I have never given a speech that is perfect.

Enjoy!

Julia