We walk by it several times each day. We walk by every morning when we feed and milk our cows. Every evening when we repeat this routine, we pass by it again. Need a tool?

“Sometimes blessings come in ugly wrapping paper.”
—Robbie Norton

We at Bremer Farms were bustling about as fast as Santa’s elves earlier this month. While the elves were building toys at the North Pole, we were creating a Christmas extravaganza on our dairy farm.

Are you ready for some football? As the Super Bowl drew near, football seemed to be on every Minnesotan’s mind. As Minnesota welcomed the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles for the big game, dairy farmers were gearing up for the Super Bowl as well.

“We are going to get some projects done.” That was my mom’s declaration each time company was coming. It didn’t matter whether it was a graduation, holiday or anniversary. It was a deadline to get a big goal accomplished. “How silly,” I thought. “No one is going to notice.”

Sitting in our combine, harvesting this year’s corn crop, gives me lots of time to think. On a recent pass back and forth down the corn rows, I started thinking about what the rest of my family was doing at that very moment.

I’m just leaving the YMCA. That’s where I go for physical therapy to recover from my darn knee surgery. The therapist calls it PT: I call it torture. I leave with tired eyes, messy hair and an exhausted look on my face, but that’s not what the woman in the waiting area sees. She notices the cow and “Bremer Farms” printed on my jacket.

“Come heck or high water, I will go to World Dairy Expo this year!” That’s what I said when Progressive Dairyman asked me to write this article. I’ll write it from the perspective of a newbie attending for the first time. My husband, Farmer John, and I have never attended, but this was to be our year.

Tiaras, sashes and beautiful dresses – doesn’t every little girl dream of becoming a princess? Waving to fans along the parade route, greeting people at events and giving speeches. It’s all part of being a princess.