Founding Faith

NRO's Katherine Jean Lopez has an interesting interview up today with Steven Waldman, an editor at BeliefNet (and author of a new book about the faith of America's founders). It provides an excellent, balanced look at how the founders conceptualized religious freedom and understood the First Amendment.

Lopez: What do Americans United for the Separation of Church and State types have most wrong?

Waldman: That the First Amendment intended to separate church and state in every nook and cranny of our land. The First Amendment was a states’ rights compromise that envisioned separation at the national level but allowed a great deal of church-state mingling at the state and local level. There’s an amazing moment during the congressional deliberations on the First Amendment when Rep. Benjamin Huntington of Connecticut complains that Madison’s proposed amendment could be “extremely harmful to the cause of religion.” How could our beloved Bill of Rights harm religion? Huntington feared it might wipe out the official state establishment in Connecticut. Madison had to reassure him that Connecticut could keep having an official state religion. Madison actually wanted the First Amendment applied to the states, but he didn’t have the votes to carry the day.

Of course over time, the states got rid of the establishments, and the 14th Amendment did attempt to apply much of the Bill of Rights to the states, and that’s how we end up with prayer-in-schools cases. But it was a very gradual process, driven more by the framers of the 14th Amendment than by the framers of the First Amendment.

And for those who read the full interview and are curious: No, I do not share Thomas Jefferson's view of God, religion, or the relationship between church and state. Just his love and respect for the yeoman farmer.

Marching Out Again

Maybelle again leads the way, with the first lambs of the year...once more right before the end of March. She also gets credit for the first two lambs born in Michigan. They are both males, and were sitting waiting for me when I went out to the barn a moment ago.

They are still wet, and she is continuing to lick them off. But they're up and nursing, and appear as spry as Maybelle's lambs always are.

She is by far our most consistent lamber: twins every single year, all six of her lambings. Have we really had her that long? She was among the first sheep we bought. Amazing how time flies.

Freeze. Thaw. Repeat.

We survived our frozen Good Friday, and even Easter Sunday didn't bring much of a thaw. That finally came on Tuesday night, when the two oldest kids and I took a flight to Arizona to visit my parents (who retired there from Seattle a few years back). Mrs. Yeoman Farmer stayed behind to tend to the animals, and was particularly on the lookout for newborn lambs; we figured they'd all arrive once I drove off the property and wasn't around to help --- but for once that didn't happen. Anyway, our youngest (aka "Forest Puppy") said he preferred to stay here and have MYF all to himself for a few days.

All I can say is: now I understand the attraction of the whole Snowbird thing. And if I can talk MYF into it, I want to retire to some place like Tucson. Never thought I'd say this, but the sunburn I got the first day out there, and still have now, feels GOOD.

We arrived late Tuesday night, walked out of the airport, and it was suddenly shirtsleeve weather! And then the kids did not stop talking to my parents (even to take a breath, it seemed) the entire 45 minute drive to their house. We had all day Wednesday, all day Thursday, and were intending to fly back Friday morning --- until American Airlines cancelled all those flights, which had ripple effects on us; our flight was delayed so long, we would've missed our connection had we taken it. They could've gotten us out of Tucson later on Friday, but couldn't get us three seats on any connecting flights back to Detroit. Rather than take my chances getting stuck someplace like Dallas with two kids with severe food allergies, we spent an extra day in Arizona and then came home Saturday. My apologies for the blog silence; the whole past week and a half has gone by in a blur.

Our kids being rabid Chicago White Sox fans (they refuse to transfer their loyalties to the Tigers), a Spring Training game at Tucson Electric Park was a must. I bought the tickets over two months early, so ended up with some excellent seats: just to the right of home plate, about 20 rows up, still behind the safety screen. And the most amazing part? The seats were just $15 each. TEP was a wonderful ballpark --- we essentially got to see a major league game in the intimacy of a minor league park (and at minor league prices). And because this was one of the last spring training games before opening day, the players were primed and ready to go. We just wish they'd hadn't insisted on trying out the third-stringers in the bullpen, because the Sox squandered a comfortable lead and ended up losing to the Brewers 12-10.

Thursday, we spent several hours at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum --- a definite must-see attraction. It's like a big preserve cut out of the desert, with walking trails and interpretative signs. There are also caves and other things; it's like a cross between a zoo and a botanical garden. One of our favorite attractions were the Javelinas, a bizarre animal that looks like a wild boar (but they are not related to pigs). We watched them for quite awhile, and they were fascinating.

The kids also enjoyed the raptor free flight demonstration --- they had an owl, a hawk, and some kind of raven. Very interesting, but by that time (11am) it was already starting to get quite hot.

I'll have some additional posts over the next few days, with some additional thoughts about the trip and the community where my parents live. Suffice it to say, we had a wonderful trip...but are also glad to be home. Even though it's again dreary and rainy, at least the snow is gone at last!

Dreaming of a White Good Friday?

Never imagined I'd see something like THIS in my lifetime on a Good Friday (all this snow fell this afternoon, and it's still falling):


Of course, in my lifetime, Good Friday never has been and never again will be this early.


But still. This is unreal.

Go Bulldogs!

Pity those of us who attended colleges with lame athletic programs. But sometimes even we get lucky...and marry into a winning team. Such is my luck this year with the NCAA tournament.

Mrs. Yeoman Farmer's brother is the top assistant coach at Drake University, and the team had a terrific season. They're a #5 seed in the tournament, and play their first game on Friday at 12:30. Several family members have flown down to see the game; if we didn't have two goats in milk and nine ewes set to deliver any day, I'm sure we'd be on our way as well.

At game time tomorrow, we'll be at the Good Friday services at our parish. Thank God for DVRs. I just hope we can avoid hearing the results until we've had a chance to watch.

Building a Religion

For all of those who have been troubled by the somewhat messianic, quasi-religious movement Barack Obama seems to have been leading, this music video offers a remarkable contribution. I don't know where they found the song, but it is perfect.





H/T: Baseball Crank.

Tandem Time

We've finally had a thaw these last few days, which has allowed us to get the tandem bike out of the barn and back on the road. Feels wonderful to be getting fresh air; this place was frozen solid for an unbelievable number of weeks. I did set the tandem up on an indoor trainer for awhile, but it just wasn't the same as being outside.

Both of the boys went out with me yesterday, when it was sunny and fifty degrees; Big Brother stoked for nearly ten miles, and Little Brother (who would now like to be known on the blog as "Forest Puppy" --- long story) stoked for nearly seven miles. Homeschooled Farm Girl (HFG) did a 10K on Thursday, and another 11 miles today. The big news is that HFG grew quite a bit over the winter, and has now graduated to the "adult" pedals that Big Brother had been using. Her feet even grew enough to fit his cycling cleats comfortably. That means little Forest Puppy is the only kid still using the Child Stoker Kit (visible in this photo, but notice that his pedals have been removed so HFG can ride using the lower set).

HFG and I had a grand time exploring the rural roads surrounding our farm today. We especially enjoyed riding past one house, where a couple of crusty old farmers were out in the front yard burning leaves. They looked up and smiled broadly as we rode past, and we all waved at each other. "Great day for a ride!" one of them exclaimed. I think it's difficult to look at a tandem, especially with a kid on the back of it, and not smile. And speaking of which, we passed several houses over the last few days that had kids playing in the front yards. Regardless of age, each of these children has had a nearly identical reaction: a gaping stare, accompanied by an expression of wistfulness. My stoker kid typically smiles and waves, and then we disappear over the next hill. Perhaps someday they'll realize how lucky they are.

Daddy is tired, but glad to be getting back into shape. I used to be an avid cyclist, having ridden over two dozen events like this one or these when I was younger. But when the kids started arriving, I found that I just couldn't do justice to both family and cycling. I tried to do both, for much too long, and both suffered badly; finally, at the end of 1999, I hung up the cleats and rarely touched my Bianchi again. But I never lost my love for the sport, or the open road. And now that the children are older and finding they enjoy riding stoker, cycling has gone from Family Time Killer to Coveted Daddy-Kid Time.

Here's hoping that we can all rack up many many more miles this year...

Wild Turkeys

This afternoon, Mrs. Yeoman Farmer spotted an enormous wild turkey. We were standing in the living room, looking north toward our back acreage. The thing was quite a ways off, but there was no doubt what it was: big, black, and moving in a waddling motion.

Me, pulling on my coat to return to my office anyhow: "I'll go take a look."

Eight Year Old Homeschooled Farm Girl (HFG): "Get your gun, Daddy!"

Me: "But it's not hunting season."

HFG [look of indignation]: "Well, tell them you were hungry."

Laughing, I jogged out toward the back acreage. Unfortunately, the dogs were out with me and ran ahead toward the turkey. It began running for cover, but I made a mental note as to its location. Because someday it will be hunting season...and I will indeed be hungry.

Ewes Not Fat...

...ewes just pregnant!

Maybelle is always our first to lamb, and she's looking increasingly ready to go. We're just wishing that the weather would warm up a bit.

Her five deliveries have all been twins. This year is looking like no exception.

Another Special Delivery

I spent most of yesterday in Chicago, on a work-related trip. It's a 3.5 hour drive from here, which is just close enough to avoid an overnight stay.

As my client meeting wasn't until 11am, I figured I had time to make some farm deliveries to old customers who'd appreciated our eggs. Once the details of the trip were set, I contacted those customers by email and made arrangements to meet.

My first stop was a four-star restaurant in Lincoln Park, where the chef is one of our eggs' biggest fans. (He's gone so far as to carry our eggs on a plane to take them places for cooking demonstrations.) He'd have bought 30 dozen if we'd had them, but our flock had only produced a little over half that over the last week. Still, it was wonderful being able to deliver them all to someone who likes them so much. He also took 6 dozen of our largest duck eggs, which I doubt he's been able to put on the menu for some time.

My next stop was the most important. As mentioned in a post last year, we have a customer who is allergic to chicken eggs --- but who can eat duck eggs. As our kids also have severe food allergies, I'm very empathetic to this man and make sure I contact him whenever I'll be in the area with duck eggs. Our ducks hadn't been laying since late last summer; needless to say, he was very excited when I emailed him with news of this trip.

As his building is just a few blocks from my client, I ditched the car near the client's building and then walked to the egg customer's place. It's hard to describe how bizarre a feeling it was to be dressed in a jacket and tie, laptop computer slung over my shoulder, walking up and down the busy streets at the heart of Chicago's Loop, elevated trains roaring overhead...while carrying 4 dozen duck eggs in my hands. Yes, I got some funny looks. But the best look was the expression of joy on my customer's face, as he met me in the lobby of his building and then told me about what he'd be cooking and eating in the days to come.

Snoopy?

Remember those old Peanuts cartoons, where Snoopy perches on top of his dog house like a vulture?

I was just sitting here in my office, when Tabasco (our red healer mix) suddenly scrambled onto the back of the couch and assumed the same position, gazing intently out the window. The window in the background screwed up the lighting, but I couldn't resist snapping a photo anyway.

Never did figure out what she was so worked up about. But I love being able to work with dogs in my office.

Stupid and Stupider

Remember the bummer goat kid? Turns out, he's actually a male (was a bit unclear the first day in the darkened barn).

Anyhow, Mother Doe still won't let him nurse; we go out a few times a day and hold her still so he can get a good meal. Homeschooled Farm Girl has made this her special project, and the goat kid is thriving as a result.

Yesterday, I was working around the barn and then heard a terribly loud, distressed, bleating noise from the goat pen. Stupid Bad Mother Doe had managed to get her head caught in gate; don't ask me how she was able to do this --- the holes were very small. In other words, she had to be trying to get her head through that space. And then she couldn't get it back out. Upon closer investigation, I realized that Stupid Bad Mother Doe had presented her bummer kid with a prime opportunity: she couldn't move. He could nurse as much as he wanted to.

Except...stupidity seems to have been passed along in the genes. He was just standing there, giving her a dumb look. MYF and I figure he must've concluded that he only gets to nurse when a human is in the pen, so he's given up even trying at other times --- no matter how good the opportunity is. Once I jumped into the pen, he went right at the doe's udder. She protested, but couldn't really go anywhere.

Interestingly, the kid continued nursing like a fiend even after I climbed back out of the pen and returned to work. Got quite a good meal.

I eventually returned to free Mother Doe from the gate, but it took a remarkable amount of effort. Thankfully, she hasn't tried that stunt again since. But hopefully if she does, the kid will realize that he's got himself a prime opportunity.