Transitions by Mike Hormek - HTML preview

Chapter 3

Now that in the coup, the chickens could produce some eggs. The couple decided to sell what they had for now to buy more hens. They were able to purchase more hens, and they were able to save more money with the eggs they sold, even keeping some eggs for their use as well.

It was a mild winter that year. Bill made more money because he could feed the cows more often than the previous year. Hay was plentiful, so Chris did not have to buy feed.

He supplied less rodeo stock because he lost prime stock in last year's bad winter. Bill made extra money by helping with the logistics of moving the livestock. Participating in a rodeo was fun, con -

sidering the tough times they were going through, although Pauline never complained about their financial situation. Bill sometimes felt terrible about their situation and wondered why Pauline seemed satis-fied. He often asked Pauline, "Do you think I should return to working on the oilfields when production increases again?"

"I think you are happier here, Bill," she replied.

"But the money is better, and life would be easier.”

"I am okay here if you are."

"Have you heard from your sisters?" he asked.

"The last letter was very cool. A leasing company may want to drill when oil prices return."

“That's all?”

“Yes.”

They planted a more extensive garden the following spring than the previous year. They sold more produce, and the eggs were bringing in money.

"What do you think about buying a milk cow?" Bill asked Pauline.

"Can we sell the milk at the market?" she asked.

"Yes, but we will have to buy a milk separator."

"How much will that cost?"

"I think around a hundred dollars."

"How about the cow?"

"Around two hundred."

"Do you think Chris would sell us one on time?"

"I will check."

Chris said he would sell them a pregnant milk cow for one hundred and fifty dollars, but they had to build a pen before taking possession. Again, Chris supplied the lumber.

Bill built the pen, and Chris allowed them to pay for the cow monthly. They found a used milk separator for fifty dollars in an auction. The cow had another female. Bill purchased hay and other feed from Chris to sustain the cows through the winter.

After they milked the cow, the separator removed the cream from the whole milk, resulting in skim milk sold at the farmer's market. The cream and whole milk made other marketable products, in-

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cluding butter. They now were able to save more money and meet their financial obligations. So, they brainstormed different ways to make enough money to purchase the material for indoor plumbing, which would require a septic tank for the sewer and pipes and fixtures for water.

"What do you think about buying a pregnant sow so we can raise some little pigs?" Bill asked.

"We should be able to sell some feeders to pay for the sow."

“Do we have the pen space out back?” Pauline replied.

“I will have to expand it some.”

“Okay,” she agreed.

Chris sold Bill a pregnant sow, and Bill expanded the pens. The problem was that winter was setting in, and there was no heat for the little pigs if they were born during the coldest part of winter. It was already approaching below zero.

“What will you do if it is too cold for the pigs to survive in the pen?” Pauline asked.

“I will have to bring them in the house,” Bill answered.

“How will they be fed?”

“With a baby bottle.”

“You are kidding, right?’’

“No.”

The following week, the sow had a litter of nine. It did get cold enough that Bill had to bring them out of the cold for the first two nights. The pigs needed weening and 50 to 60 pounds before sell -

ing as feeders. So now, the priority was to raise the pigs, sell them, and use the money for a water well and septic tank.

In spring, the couple started getting estimates on the septic tank and related plumbing. They saved every penny they could to make it happen. Chris told them that because he owned the house, he would pay the material cost if they would cover the labor.

They agreed as they had enough money to pay for it.

Within the next month, a vendor installed the tank, and they had running water in the house.

Chris put in a bathroom. They even installed a tank outside for the livestock to drink. Life finally re -

sembled some form of standard for Bill and Pauline. Their social life up to this point was nonexistent because of their financial situation. They knew some neighbors because of the regular farm business, not because of a social nature.

The town held dances at a local schoolhouse once a month. "Can we go to one of one of those dances?" Pauline asked. "We have not been to one as long as I can remember."

"Yes, we can go when it comes up again," Bill agreed.

At the end of the following month, they went to the school dance. The band was a three-piece comprised of local farmers or ranchers who could play a violin, an accordion, and a base fiddle. The audience passed around a gallon milk jug filled with orange juice and vodka. There were all ages, from six to eighty. One gentleman there was ninety. It was a great fun time for Bill and Pauline and a late night for them, which they were not used to. Bill opened the truck door for her. Before she got in, Pauline started throwing

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