Death will come and taxes cannot be avoided (unless you’ve got money) and neither can the fact that your baby will spit up on you as you walk out the door.

Age changes a lot of your preferences. I willingly order Brussels sprouts as a side at restaurants, and I think 5-year-old me would pass out at the mere thought of consuming a vegetable. I won’t leave my house without Chapstick or a water bottle of sorts, and as a teenager I couldn’t be bothered to go out with anything but a wad of cash and my cellphone.

About a year ago, I bullied my way into living in an old farmhouse. It’s owned by the guy my husband farms for part time, and when word that the previous tenants were leaving hit my ears, I jumped at the opportunity.

In watching this process unfold this summer, I believe there is more to it than simply mastering a skill. We are learning what it takes to achieve a big, lofty goal.

My younger brother was married this June. There was a bit of a debate about where to hold the reception and after much deliberation, the decision was made to make some upgrades to our heifer farm and host the party there.

We recognize that technology is a powerful tool in our toolbox, yet we also acknowledge the tool has not fully replaced the operator. A skilled herdsman or herdswoman is needed to verify and treat sick animals. A skilled milking technician is an integral part of keeping milking robots functioning and fetching cows.