Another week passed and another week closer to the primary election.

The picture I've posted is from last summer.   The youngest of the frog masters is my great nephew Morgan McFadden, the lady killer is my second cousin Daniel Bruton.   They were at the farm during a Leffler family reunion.

Back to the week past.   I attended a few more meetings, meet and greets, and dinners on the campaign trail.   I've crossed paths with some really talented, hard working people in this district.   Many who voluntarily sacrifice themselves for a host of worthwhile causes.   This process reinforces my belief in our greatest asset, the people.  The government I want is one that serves the people, not the one that makes a slave of them.

Its been a week since my last blog.   I wonder if blogging should be more like a diary of the day(s) past?   So ...   I'm trying to think back from last Monday.   John McKinney's funeral this week was my first priority.  John's son Greg was my classmate for 12 years.   And in the last 44 years, this is only the second time our paths have crossed.   It was good to see Greg again.
I've been working on some campaign printing.   Frustrating.  I know this will sound prejudice but I don't enjoy talking to some computer tech guy on the phone and he speaks in an accent that I can barely understand.   In this country, why can't I speak to someone that speaks English.
Wednesday noon was a working lunch at Meramec Regional Development Corporation in St. James.
Friday evening Amanda offered her turkey for a carry in dinner for friends at the farm.   Saturday morning Bryan Littrell arrived at the farm at 5:30 am for a turkey hunt.    Cooper Seaton celebrated his 4th birthday at the farm Saturday afternoon.    Saturday evening Jan and I joined our friends from Springfield for a crayfish boil.   Sunday begins with Church, then the Archery in Schools spaghetti fundraiser, a visit with my Mom, Jan attended a bridle shower, and finally leftovers.   Will Amanda hunt in the morning?

Amanda's spring gobbler weighed 26 pounds and had three beards.   But the best part is we got to hunt together.   It was a beautiful morning, there were turkeys everywhere.   Turkey season last for three weeks and we can go again next week and maybe harvest another.
We took Amanda's bird to a taxidermist.   The pose will match one of the turkeys on the cover of my campaign cards.

Sunday, April 15th was my Mother's 92rd Birthday. She has been living at Frene Valley Nursing Home in Owensville for the past 16 months. My mom is in great physical health but, she suffers from dementia. I have some great pictures of her working in the garden when she was 90.
On her birthday we took a drive through the country. Back to her own home place south of Belle, to Travis cemetery, to the Gasconade River, the road between Paydown and Summerfield, to the Prairie Star farm, and finally to Wal-mart. Traveling with her now is living with history. She remembers the distant past and not much else.
She was happy today. I wish she could be back in her garden.

Self introduction

Last night the candidates for state representative in the 62nd Legislative District were invited to the Osage County Farm Bureau meet and greet.    Each of the nine candidates were given two minutes to tell a little about themselves.    Unfortuneately, few told about what really matters.   No one tried to discribe how they think or what motivates them into action.   I went home and reflected on the self introductions and wrote this:

"I have always considered myself to be open minded. I explore ideas from several different points of view. I am respectful of other people’s opinion.

            My background is science based. My approach to life’s decisions are based on fact. They are not driven by raw emotion. I am not afraid to make a decision. I will not walk away from a problem.

I am future oriented. I am willing to sacrifice the here and now for the benefits of a prosperous future.

My weaknesses are impatience and obsession. I have a hard time waiting for someone else to find a solution to our basic problems. I want it done now. And, I don’t give up easily. If an issue is important, I will devote my time and energy to it.

The new 62^nd Legislative District is my back yard. It is where I grew up, where I live and work, where I invest my time and money. It is my past, my present, and my legacy.    My name is Bruce Sassmann, director of a 94 year old family funeral business. My family and I have been in your service for four generations and I am prepared to do more. It would be an honor to serve the citizens of this district your next state representative."

week past

Last week we directed the funeral for Lillian Hassler.   Lillian was a great lady with a personality that made everyone she met feel good.   The Church was full.   That's not always the way it is for our elderly citizens, but for Lillian .... a church full of family and friends is just the way it should have been.   I will be one of the many that will miss her.

Saturday was our 4th annual Quail Forever Seedling Tree and Shrub distribution at the farm.   In less than an hour we gave away over 700 bareroot seedlings.    Preparation begins Friday evening with our small volunteer group of conservationist seperating and labeling each of the trees and shrubs.   Oh, we did break out the work session for some fried fish, french fries, slaw, and cheese cake from the annual 4H pie sale.  Interested in volunteering for the next activity?


Sunday.   Easter services and family.    My mom joined us at the farm for a ride in the Polaris Ranger.   She pointed out the dogwood, may apples, and phlox.    For a time she was happy.    But life isn't always that way for those suffering with dementia.    There were moments of frustration, anxiety, and tears.   It hurts me to see my Mother cry

Think Big

Several quotes have attracted my attention, and a few have been rewritten on scraps of paper and stuck on the wall by my desk.   This is one of them.

Make no little plans.   They have no magic to stir men's blood .....

The rest of the quote goes like this,  ... and probably themselves will not be realized.   Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency.  Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us.   Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty.   Think big.     Daniel Burnham 1893

Monday and Tuesday of this week I'm participating in a Forestry workshop.  Topics include forest and woodlot management, timber stand improvements, prescribed fires, and more.   The workshop is being held at the Whetstone Conservation Area near Williamsburg.   Ironically, this is the week our Quail Forever group will distribute more than 600 seedling trees and shrubs.   Our 4th annual tree and shrub distribution will be held Saturday morning, 9:00am sharp, at the Prairie Star Restoration Farm.   Participation is free and open to the public.

Governors Spring Youth Turkey Season

My eleven year old great nephew and his first wild turkey.   I wonder what he was thinking at the moment we snapped the picture.   He sat for a long time with his trophy.   I hope he will learn to live in harmony with nature, to appreciate the natural world, and to respect the greatness of the great outdoors.   It causes me to stop and think.   What I love of nature was passed on to me by my elders.   Now I am the one to pass it on to our youth.   Come back to the farm my young friend and we will go out into the wild together again.