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I don't recall ever being asked in school-what I did on my summer vacation, and I'm not sure other children were asked, either. As for as I knew, there was nothing to write down. Summer was-"going off with my father, with mother at home going her own visits. Visits: trips to rural farm families with my father. That's what they were. Visits, in my household was another word for "teaching somebody something" whether it was how to can peaches from my mother or rotating crops by my father. I was along for the seeing, eating and when allowed, playing.

Most family men were daddy's former Ag students, now with families and we were saying hello offering assistance (advice) if asked, responding to new crops or mourning unsuccessful dead crops or sick animals.

Farm children usually followed their parents lead attitudes and everybody seemed to like daddy and I learned from him without realizing it.

It's all over sooner than you can believe. From now until spring, visits will be shorter and less frequent. Mostly on weekends, will I drink well water or call pigs or hold baby chickens. We have one trip left and that means my favorite ritual and food-ice cream.