Albin news Jan 10, 2011

Albin News Readers,

Winter continued this week with a few more inches of snow and a return to sub zero temperatures. The only difference this week was that the snow and cold came with very little wind. We are now into the coldest weeks of the year, the time of year when 20 degrees seems almost tropical. Remember a few months ago when 50 degrees felt down right chilly? It's amazing how quickly we just adapt to the changing of the seasons.

Winter is so completely different from summer here that when we're in one season, it's difficult for me to even picture what the other is like! It's like being in a completely different world. I've noticed that learning to prepare for it and adapt to it affects us in ways we don't realize sometimes. One time I spent several months in Ecuador where there are no seasonal changes. They call Quito the land of eternal springtime because it is 75 some degrees all year with almost no wind and just a few rain showers now and again. I really enjoyed it there but noticed that they have little reason think about the future. They never have to stare down the frozen barrel of old man winter's artic blaster and know it's time to get going before they freeze up like pop sickles.

The days are getting noticeably longer now and there is just a dim comprehension in the back of my mind that spring is coming. We've seen the miracle of spring so many times. In this world of frozen gravel and drifting snow it still takes a little faith to believe that it will happen again.

In community news, Bette Lu is recovering nicely from her recent surgery. Daughter Koral Peck stayed home for an extra two weeks to help out during her recovery. Koral's two sons Lincoln and Jasper are keeping things entertaining around the Lerwick homestead in the mean time.

Cordell Willert just got back from a trip to the Vaughan farm in upstate New York. The trip was a lot of firsts for Cord: first time on an airplane, first time to be in New York, first time to go further East than Cabela's, and first time to go snow skiing. Cord went to New York to visit Cody Vaughan, who he worked with quite a bit this summer. The two had plans to be in Time's Square to see the ball drop but Cord's connecting flight was delayed. Despite this setback, Cordell said he thoroughly enjoyed the trip and wants to do some more traveling should the opportunity present itself.

In ag news, the 2011 acre war is in full swing and so far corn is winning. I'm a little disapointed that the dry beans folks haven't decided to come out with some competitive grower contracts to maintain their acres. I hope they remember that corn can follow just about any crop in a rotation and has established itself as a viable money making crop even in our colder part of the country. If this corn market keeps going up, local farmers can and will plant more corn. If we have another fall like this one, it's even possible to plant winter wheat behind corn!

There is another important NASS report out this week. The 2011 winter wheat seedings report is due out Wed morning at the market open. This is the report that sparked the big wheat spike in 2008. Wheat supplies were tight and planted acres came in lower than expected. This caused a chain reaction that ended in euphoric wheat buying.

Albin News Jan 3, 2010

Albin News Readers,

This week in Albin has been slower than molasses in January. It’s a slow time of year but this week’s cold spell only made it slower. The mercury took a dive down around zero Thursday night and it started snowing. It was a white out Friday morning and after noon and by night was negative 4 with a 20 mph wind. This puts the windchill at around -25 degrees F. I was glad that I wasn’t a cow and that my cows at least had a good wind break to get in behind.

One thing that has been moving fast is the massive seismic survey of Laramie County. Helicopters could be seen dropping bags of gear on a grid with convoy of thumper trucks following behind. The survey is planned for around 800 square miles of Laramie county and will move it's way east to west. The town of Albin is about 15 miles to the East of the planned survey. This survey is being done by one survey company, Global Resources, and is independent of the crews seen around Albin this summer. The information gleaned from the survey should help oil extraction companies zero in on the best spots to drill.

Here's an abbreviated version of Dixie's latest update on Tim:

We are setting our walking goal for this month!  He is so close to getting the last toe (the big one) off the floor in order to kick his lower leg out for the step!!  He is texting some--- as many of you know!  He also has called his own phone to tell himself he's doing a great job and keep working!  We are enjoying these messages and it will help him listen to his voice as God heals and restores it back to his tone and intonation as it was before the accident.  He has some assistance in pulling himself up and now can hold himself upright for a longer period by himself without any assistance!!PTL!!  Continue to pray for all the strength, coordination, timing, etc that is coming back!!  We also praise and thank God for all the protection against any cold/flu/junk germs that Tim has not caught--especially with all his visitors.  He really enjoys all the visits and cards!

Here's Cindi's latest update on Garrett:

“Happy New Year one and all! Scott was planning on coming down Friday but could not because of the blizzard. It did snow in Denver but not much and definitely NO wind. I wonder if the buildings have anything to do with that! Scott did come today but is not spending the night.
One day in speech - I love speech, I learn so much - Garrett said that his head hurt. It was not a headache, but cognitive fatigue (more stimuli than the brain can process). Speech is also working on lengthening voice (air flow). Say 'AH' for as long as you can - uh, barely over a second! Last week Angie had given him a party horn. He has been practicing on it so by the end of the week he could hold 'AH' for about 4 seconds. Way to go son! :) She tried pitch (low voice - high voice) - uh, he is as monotone as it gets. Another piece of info - the amount of air determines if it's a whisper or a shout. Never thought about it before.
When I transfer G from bed to chair, I think, I'm pretty sure, I am suppose to have a spotter. Well, I will look down the hall, I see no one - I will call for a tech, count to 20 (maybe it is 5) and if no one comes, I just do it. It works out just fine except this ONE time. Not quite sure what happened, if G's pants got caught on the wheelchair but every time I tried to move him, the wheelchair also moved. Yes the brakes were locked - at least I think they were - yes they were. Anyway, I was in a pickle so I just SAT G on the floor and recalled for a tech. All we needed to do was pick him up and put him in the chair. Tech came in and turned around saying something about nurse and evaluate. Nurse came in and asked G how was his head. I very calmly told him that he did NOT fall but I sat him on the floor.
Wed T-Rec had a Christmas Light Tour. That was lots of fun since I love lights. We went to Belleview and Eleti/Elati, down Santa Fe to Hudson/Watson Gardens, and toured downtown Littleton then up to the City/County Building. Sorry about the spelling or places we went, it is really hard to write in the dark - especially when you don't have pen or paper. :) It was lots of fun and I think G had a good time, too.
PT has signed me off on car transfers. Today while Scott was here, we went to Walmart and over to the Cherry Creek Mall. I may know how to do a car transfer, but it is Scott that lifts him into the pickup. G still did not want to buy anything so we just walked around. Ate Greek and G had about 1/4 of my Gyro sandwich - which would be considered regular food and not advanced. Remember - practice!
One night we were watching Funny Home Videos. Hadn't seen it for a while - forgot how funny it is. I'm laughing and I can hear G saying 'HA . . . HA . . . HA'. Haven't ever thought about laughter - I have heard him chuckle but not laugh. Laughter is GOOD medicine - will have to watch more of that.
One night in bed, he was sooo tired. He wanted me to leave (second time he has done that). I told him I would when he shuts his eyes. He said 'MY EYES ARE SHUT' I said how come I can still see the black spot in the middle of your eye. He said 'YOU HAVE X-RAY VISION' His nurse was standing there and we both chuckled.
What to pray for #1 L movement - he is starting (beginning stages) to move the L arm towards him. Thank you, Jesus, for the feeling in the L arm and leg. I BELIEVE feeling in the hand and foot will follow soon. Matthew 17:20 #2 emotion - his beautiful laugh will return, happy/sad tears. He shows no emotion but he has to feel it? When he asks me 'WHAT HAPPENED' and I tell him, is he crying on the inside or just taking in some information? 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 #3 R eye opening - it is opening more and more - sometimes he sees 1 of you and sometimes he sees 2 of you. Wed is another vision check. Ephesians 1:18-20 Exodus 15:2 2 Corinthians 3:5”

In Ag news, there are several good conferences coming up. Dry Beans days are Jan 6 in Gering and the Cattle Industry National Convention and NCBA Trade Show is Feb 2-5 in Denver.

Albin news Dec 27, 2010

Albin News Readers,

I hope this edition of the Pine Bluffs Post finds you settled in and comfortable. We are now into the very deepest and coldest part of winter and the heart of the holiday season. Don't get too comfortable though because the winter solstice was a week ago Tuesday at 4:38 PM! Technically, we are now on the up hill swing as far as day length goes. From here on out, the days start getting longer, our Northern hemisphere starts getting closer to the sun, and things start to warm up. Actually the coldest month of the year is January so there's a little bit of a lag while we burn what little heat we have stored on the earth's surface. By February, though, the average temperature is back up above December and January and the early “spring” calving season begins.

In community news, the funeral of Robert H. Ward was held last Wed at 2:00 pm at the Frontier School of the Bible Chapell in Lagrange. Robert was long time resident in the LaGrange and Meridan area and father of Glenda Edmunds (postmistress for the Albin Post Office). Robert had been battling lung cancer which recently spread to his brain and skull. He was transferred to the Davis Hospice center in Cheyenne where he died last Friday, Dec 24^th.

The funeral for Eugene Hansen was held last Wed at 1:30 pm at the Catholic church in Pine Bluffs. Eugene was a long time resident of the Albin area. He was 91 and well able to get around and work until very recently. This fall, he helped his son Dennis plant all his winter wheat.

Albin area resident Martha Cannon drove her husband Dave to Denver for an MRI. According to Martha they had an excicting episode at a Wendy's drive-through on the way home. In the middle of ordering, Dave felt a sudden unexplainable heat in the seat of the pants and pointedly demanded that Martha drive back to the hospital STAT. Dave had been having some nerve problems in his back. Martha restored order by turning off the seat warmer and ordering lunch. Another disaster averted.

There are tryouts for a community play on Jan 3^rd and 4^th from 5:00 – 6:30 at the Albin Community Center. The play is called “If It's Monday, It Must Be Murder” and it is a dinner theater comedy. The actual production is planned for February. Esther Davison is helping with the casting and directing. You can call Heather Lerwick at 246-3386 for more details.

Here is a paraphrase of the last two week's updates on Tim and Garrett from Dixie and Cindi. You can read their full updates by going to caringbridge.org and searching “timmalm” and “garrettross.”

Last week Tim was able to get out and into a vehicle with only Howard to help him. They went together to band calves and do other ranch work. Tim continues to make slow but steady improvement in his left side and eye alignment. Bethany is home from college for Christmas.

Cindi has been able to some definite clear words out of Garrett last week. He was even able to say “I love you Dad!” to Scott on the phone! Garrett has also been able to eat some foods now along with his mostly liquid diet. This also means he can get his medications down without a feeding tube. Garrett's left side continues to be less mobile than his right side.

In ag news, several confection sunflower companies have come out with contracts for 2011 sunflowers at around $5.00/cwt higher than last year. In 2008, contracts got up to $40/cwt and last year most were from $28 to $30/cwt.

Finally, the “Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010” was signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 17. Included in this legislation was a one year extension of the $0.45/gallon blender's credit or VEETC. It also included a $0.10/gallon tax credit for small ethanol producers and a $0.54/gallon tariff on ethanol imports. This was an extension of the current pricing levels. Ethanol industry organizations such as the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the American Coalition for Ethanol have said they will use this one year extension to work on long-term policy reforms. This should keep domestic corn demand very strong in a year when carryover is tight and weather concerns abound.