The greatest memories of growing up were the 'spur of the moment' Sunday trips to 'the Farm'..upon pulling in the driveway there would be uncle Elmer outside under a shade tree smoking a cigar..the giant beehive hung on the back porch..the weathered farm buildings, everything was timeless, according to photos of me and my brother Owen first visit when we could hardly walk..nothing had changed. Then visiting aunt Sadie, Evelyn, and uncle Elmer on the porch..after an appropriate time we would get the nod from dad and we would run outside and explore the old sheds filled with interesting tools and machines and then see what was going on with the cousins Jeff, Susie, and Linda,..we would make our way down the fields to the spring and eventually to the junk dump ... that is when we ran into Bud..doing something in the fields, bringing in the cows for milking...we would end up in the hay loft above the barn and jump around till we were wheezing from the dust...and then go into the barn while the cows were being milked, looking for the shy cats and dodging the spray and 'cow pies' from the cows in their stocks... watching Bud pour the warm fresh milk into the stainless steel Milk cooler and hearing the music played on the old radio up on a rafter covered with cobwebs... seeing the new born calves in the stalls in the back of the barn... When it was time for Dinner, we would all gather around the table , with fresh milk and vegetables out of their garden, Aunt Sadie always made a real nice supper..then the movies and slides would be shown and Bud would always drop in never sitting but standing..as he watched our family History flash on the screen...It was for us as 'American' as it could be..a time treasured in my heart..it seemed like time stood still every time we visited...With Bud passing and the sprawling houses that took over the open fields..only photos, old films and memories..but He will be remembered with all of our beloved family who have passed on to glory...