The happiest of birthdays!

As my birthday numbers keep rising, so does my awareness of my many blessings in life. This year, at 77, my birthday was exceptionally blessed and happy. I am at our family's summer cottage on an island in Upper Peninsula Michigan. I am with almost all my family and we all spent a wonderful day together- and topped it off with a group midnight plunge off the dock!  Dave is with us in spirit because he left us his Boston Whaler which is our main transportation, and as he wished, the grandkids and cousins are all learning to drive it. I am healthy, happy, and looking foreword to many more birthdays!

Liz Meyer 

Carnine Ranch

For 55 years my family goes a little out of our way on our summer sojourn to our island in Upper Peninsula Michigan to visit this 5000 acre cattle ranch in the sand hills of Nebraska. Forest was born and raised on this ranch, which was bought by his father in the early 1900's. Forest recently died at age 93, and his son Dan and grandson Leo now run the ranch. A small ranch by local standards, they grow alfalfa and raise over 350 head of cattle. Over the years we have watched as the generations and farming methods have changed. Barns change, cattle are herded by ATVs instead of horseback, windmills in the fields to water the cattle are now solar powered. 100 years of watering systems and farm equipment are present to show their evolution. But some things never change. Every meal begins with a blessing, and needed weather is prayed for, neighbors still come to help with the Branding, and family emergencies. Truly, America is blessed with ranches and families like this.