November 6, 2010. Artemas, Pa. Butcher Shop.

Picture this. We are sitting in the butchering shop at the Jay's farm, which is a favorite place to talk and eat and drink, especially on cool evenings because the wood stove is always hot. Usually I am the only woman. Now I am almost 73 years old, don't swear much, speak properly and have always lived in the city, but tonight, as I have done many times, I sit and have a drink and talk with a various number of men from the area sharing stories and talking. Everyone is comfortable and having fun. Of course we have been coming here since 1973.

We arrive at five-thirty to chat with Tammy, who I know would be milking. I have furniture to give away and wondered if she needs it. Ken goes right into the butchering shop to say hello and visit with Alan who is already having a drink with Wayne. They are talking when I arrive about the Green and Clean program and the property tax, which Alan swears will go up dramatically. Jacob comes in from feeding the calves and working with his steer, that he hopes will win at the fair. He is fourteen and the grandson of Alan. He fills the stove with wood as he is cold from the barn. Dave arrives to sharpen some drills so for the next twenty minutes he teaches Jacob to use the machine. Bryan comes in, notes that Jacob, his son, would never learn from him, but he is pleased to see Jacob close to Dave and listening. Nice scene.

We talk. Bryan tells Andrew stories which are funny. Bryan misses Andrew. Now Tammy comes in drinking a beer, which is unusual. Somehow we get started on Woody and one by one each tells another story which was funnier than the last one. We all know Woody, who was one of twelve children but who never went to school. Once he told a judge that he went to school one hundred percent of the time he went to school. Now these folks have known each other their whole lives and they live in the country and talk with a strong accent. Many times I can not tell what they are saying, every one is laughing so hard.

Jacob, the fourteen year old is hungry so he plugs in the left over lunch to warm it up. Soon we are all eating Tammy's lunch, which was good.

The Jays farm our land. When we were leaving, Bryan followed us to our truck and paid us a compliment. He said "technically, you are the landlord and I am a tenant farmer on your land, but it never seems like that and I want to thank you for it". Now that is a big speech for a farmer but it is true. His efforts on our farm have made our farm better, which we then enjoy. Our system has a two way street, befitting both, not the least of which is sitting around chewing the fat in the butchering shop!!