Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Farmer's Wife: When a reality show tells a truly important story

This week: Part One

Realitytvkids.com will be organizing an official summer "book club" screening of The Farmer's Wife. Watch Part 1 this week, Part 2 the week of August 12, and Part 3 (link to come) the week of August 19 and discuss it as you go with all the interesting folks here.



The Farmer's Wife first aired on PBS in 1998, a three part documentary, which was in essence a reality show, following three years in the life of Nebraska farmer Darrel Buschkoetter, and his strong but tender-hearted wife Juanita, along with their three sweet young girls.

The Farmer's Wife is one of the few great reality shows to ever grace our small screens. The Farmer's Wife had it all: tough, sincere characters, and a compelling story of hard work and perseverance in small-town America. Heartbreak, struggle, a marriage on the rocks, and the hope to keep a vanishing tradition alive drives this story.

Filmaker David Sutherland originally intended to profile several farming families in Nebraska. However as the project progressed, he became captivated with Juanita's story, and revamped the entire project to focus on her. Said Sutherland"She spoke from her heart, and her love for her husband Darrel's dream touched me deeply."

In the first episode, Juanita reflects on the plans they used to have to have six children. However it turned out three were all they could afford. Although Darrel never said so, Juanita worried he longed for a boy. And yet, said Juanita, "Sometimes I'm almost relieved we don't have a boy ... I'd be scared if we had a boy, he'd be the same way, and I don't know what the future for farming is."

Juanita's soft-spoken candor, and love and dedication to her family and to the farm, was a beautiful character study.

Most reality television out there has been better suited for the dust bin. Most stories need not and often should not be shared. Reality T.V. should just go away, especially shows that feature unprotected children. But once in a great while, a story comes along that should be told. Juanita's story does just that, capturing a moment in time in the late 1990's where a way of life in middle America was fading away, never to be the same again. Sutherland's series is both heartbreakingly tragic and inexplicably beautiful. Enjoy.

1731 sediments (sic) from readers:

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Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Just to clarify, "part 1" stretches across several youtube videos, but they'll be called part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc. on the Youtube title. Don't stop until you actually see part 2 on your actual screen. If that makes sense.

Kate is a Witch said...

I like that the kids aren't on screen much and it isn't ABOUT the kids.

Also, Darrel and Juanita did scenes in which they'd sit and talk to the camera beside each other, but they're both very introspective and honest. You never for one second get the sense anyone is hamming it up for the cameras. Or even cares about the camera much.

Dwindle said...

Heart tugging, honest, hardworking family whose way of life and family life is falling apart. You want me to WATCH this, is that what you are sayin' to me? Sigh. Grimmace.

I will consider it.

this is a woman who still to this day has not watched one minute of Forest Gump because that was the client population I was working with at the time and i just couldnt watch it.

Talk about my damn comfort zone...

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Dwindle you must watch! hehhe

Just kidding. If you don't want your heartstrings pulled don't watch.

I'm at the part where she's pleading in a letter to her senator describing the family and farm situation. It's a letter I'm sure many farmers could have written. Tears.

Sharla? said...

Is that you?
Are you still jellus that this blog is BETTER than your over-moderated waste of blog space?

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Juanita said they make 10-12,000 dollars a year off the farm. That's crazy. How could anyone raise a family on that? She cleaned houses and Darrel had a job pushing steel to make up the difference. I don't see her crying about bills to be paid on the Today show.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

I like the part where they were like of course you've eaten Wholly, all snarky. Um, do you eat guac? Do you ever go to the grocery store? Chances are you've had Wholly. There really aren't that many good brands of guac out there. There's that, and the grocery store brand that they make in house and that's about it other than the nasty "dips" but those are different.

Do they just not ever go out of the house and do things or something? They act like common life experiences are being bragged about.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Oh here's another thing about this family. It's one thing to cry poor and ask for help when you're really not that poor and your situation is your own fault. It's quite another to work your darn butt off not just at a full time family farm but at numerous other side jobs, and to try everything you can think of to keep it afloat from pigs to cattle to whatever, and then after 10 years of breaking your back finally plead with your senator and bank to please help. I will never have a problem with Americans who work that hard asking for help. God bless the hard working families doing everything they can.

Anonymous said...

Sheeple live very sheltered lives. They NEVA heard of guacomole till their queen mentioned it.

Admin, I am very impressed that you, in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, actually ate guac.

I bow to you! (Snark)

Mona said...

Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 7
I like the part where they were like of course you've eaten Wholly, all snarky. Um, do you eat guac? Do you ever go to the grocery store? Chances are you've had Wholly. There really aren't that many good brands of guac out there. There's that, and the grocery store brand that they make in house and that's about it other than the nasty "dips" but those are different.

Do they just not ever go out of the house and do things or something? They act like common life experiences are being bragged about.

******
I must be overly tired. I'm reading about Juanita's story, a letter she's writing and the next thing I know guac is being bragged about.
Did they eat guac on the farm? What??????

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

PiggyPie I so appreciate your support but watch rule 4 please....thank you :)

Dwindle said...

From the last thread...

Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 12
Dwindle exactly, and conversely, what issues would you impute on someone who doesn't like Kate? Well I would say that person probably loves children and feels very protective of children. I would say that maybe that person had a grifter or liar or narcissist in their life. Perhaps they had a mother who treated them poorly. I would say that person has a sense of fairness and equality and a sense of values that rewards hard work and perseverance, not getting something for nothing. I would say I would like to get to know that person.

Crazy the contrast in what brings each "side" to come down on that side.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I think we fall into 2 camps:

1 - those who looked at this woman and her attitude and just didnt GET IT. Those who were mortified, especially as it got worse and more pathological, but we couldnt really comprehend how anyone could act that way and have those attitudes. It was going against everything in our experiences, our mental, social, emotional, barometers. And yet there it was, and it was getting praise, money, and lots of rewards. The babies were cute as are all babies but something was wrong. And getting wrong-er. And we became more horrified as it progressed and we realized we had been part of it; we had all fed the beast. Many of us barely realized that such profound mental illness could be so insidious in someone who looked so normal at first.

2 - And then there were those of us who saw through this woman perhaps a bit sooner because they had been through it before. Looking at the sneer, the contempt on that woman's face, her abuse of her children and husband, her blatant refusal to accept any responsibility for her children or her own bizarre actions - it was a pretty intense experience for those that had already lived through it due to a person in their own lives who was similarly affected with this mental illness and behaviors. It didnt take long before Kate was setting off the dark chills down the spins of some folks. As hard as it might have been to pinpoint what exactly was wrong, there were those who KNEW from experience that the Gosselin kids were being mentally and emotionally harmed.

And that was where everyone came together. Whether you comprehended her mental illness sooner rather than later, each of us said "Hey, this woman isnt normal. These words and pinches and slaps and mental terrorizing is harmful to little kids. Why is she being sheltered and rewarded for hurting her family?"

Even after we stopped watching, it was so frustrating to know she continued to sell her kids for money and attention and to hear about how much more profound the behaviors of her illness were getting. It was knowing the emotional destruction of 8 young lives were happening in real time and America was watching with titilation and Kate was being encouraged to continue the harm for ratings.

I think we clash with the few who firmly believe that since Kate was the gestational carrier of these children they are her chattel, her property to do with as she sees fit. The G kids get food, they smile on command and they get to share a small part of the life of luxury their mother so richly deserves. If they could sell their own kids to escape their internal misery, they would and they cant comprehend that we ALL wouldnt do the same.

well... just my opinion.

Amazed said...

Of course you're afraid of them!
They want this blog shut down and think you should be in jail!

Yeah, don't badmouth THOSE sheep. They not only bite but they file frivolous lawsuits and get single-mothers fired from their jobs.

I didn't realize they scared you silent too Shame really, I thought you were much stronger than them. Obvoiusly, I was wrong. They got to you too.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Scared me silent HOW Amazed? Rule four has been around for years. I don't believe in doing to them what they do to us, period. Tit for tat is not productive. Let's talk about something better.

Dwindle said...

Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 4
Dwindle you must watch! hehhe

Just kidding. If you don't want your heartstrings pulled don't watch.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

GASP! Upon penalty of severeness!?? Will you throw my lovey in the garbage?? ("Say goodbyeeee!!!!") Will I have to sit on a tape line on the floor or locked in my crib?? Will I have to sit quietly while all the other 15 Min-ners get to eat cake? Will you pull my arm socket or pinch my shoulder?

I'll try. :))

Permanent Name said...

Huh??? What is with the odd, snarky posts? Amazed, Piggiepie and Sharla -

I thought this new post would be clean of the garbage from sheeple/trolls/idiots... whatever you want to call them.

Hopefully things will clear up here soon.

I'll check back in when the gosselinbook is published. Until then, Ms. Manners compels me to keep my mouth shut and hit the road.

Later, gators

Anonymous said...

My husbands father was is a true farmer..huge ups and downs.. Ty for telling us about this movie.. Off to watch.

L

AuntieAnn said...

It's one thing to cry poor and ask for help when you're really not that poor and your situation is your own fault. It's quite another to work your darn butt off not just at a full time family farm but at numerous other side jobs, and to try everything you can think of to keep it afloat ...
=====
I was going to suggest that some of Kate's supporters who've been dropping by here watch the farmer's wife too. It might give them a better example of hardship and struggle.

sigh

Sometimes I amuse myself with these thoughts.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

L. thanks.

My grandfather's family was cherry and apple farmers on a small farm. It was about this same year, 1995 or so, that they cut down the trees and sold the land. At the time I didn't really understand it, but I remember looking over at my mom and aunts and seeing big fat tears rolling down their cheeks. This documentary helped me understand that. It was a way of life, it's part of your SOUL.

Kristine said...

We are certainly going to watch! I coaxed hubby to view the entire 12 hours series, of the original PBS Documentary, "An American Family". The OG Gosselins-- later filmed and re-created by HBO... in what would later become "Cinema Verite". A must see, for all Reality TV Execs and viewers.

(Good for Jon. Cancel the Twitter, and just be YOU.)

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Auntie Ann whenever anyone talks about struggle from now on I'm going to refer them to this series.

This is struggle. This is hard work. This is a purse full of bills. This is why when Kate doesn't tell people, oh please no don't donate to me please donate to a local charity, we get so mad.

Andrea said...

My gateway reality show was 1900 house. I was still in my teens so I dont remember a whole lot of it. I should go back and re-watch episodes. The families were closely screened and part of that screening was psychology screening. That is clearly lacking in TLC's shows.

AnnK said...

Unless they show naked or suffering children, the fans won't have any interest.

Anonymous said...

I'm watching pt.2.. omg that's my family... Seriously.. My husband helped his dad.. 1995, we bought 22 acres of land so he didnt lose his farm.. Watching this movie so far is so sad. But I lived it so far.. Off to watch pt.3

L

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

L. it is sad for sure fair warning. It is not for everything! That means you Dwindle! :)

I think though the message of the series will be worth going through the sadness.

Anyway that's a successful film anyway isn't it, one where you are feeling for the characters right along with them?

Kate is a Witch said...

AnnK, so sad, but so true.

Admin, totally agree about the stark difference in the sheer hard work Juanita does. And I don't see the Frontline producers sending them off to Hawaii or remodeling their kitchen.

I see them working from 5 am to midnight.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

L I like Darrel's work ethic. He often didn't get paid by his dad to help out and he wasn't bitter about it, he was just like it's my dad I help him it's just what you do, you don't get paid. Darrel's a good man.

Kate, you really feel every ounce of hard work they are putting in. Sutherland was brilliant. The quiet, sweet scenes at the supper table where Juanita can't help but let out a huge yawn. Or the bedroom scene where she just can't keep her eyes open when Darrel's trying to talk to her. God bless America.

Kristine said...

First generation 'non-farmer' on my Mommy's side. 100 percent Swedish-Bred Farmers. 10 kids... and one outhouse in rural Minnie.

When my mother said she waded through 10+ feet of snow, in zero degrees below for miles, just to get to school-- she meant it.

We were raised in Redondo Beach in the 70's, with a lax father (and a somewhat bewildered mother). The childhood connection with her was lost on us.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Kristine that's another thing so wonderful about this show. It helps the first and second generation non-farmers to appreciate their roots. It used to be if you can't trace your roots to a city, you were probably farmers.

I recently was able to see the 1940 census documents for my grandfather's family. Their annual income from the farm was $0 dollars year. They broke even.

Dwindle said...

AuntieAnn said... 19
I was going to suggest that some of Kate's supporters who've been dropping by here watch the farmer's wife too. It might give them a better example of hardship and struggle.

sigh

Sometimes I amuse myself with these thoughts.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You crack me up! and with this prolonged outloud chuckle I am going to say goodnight and go to bed. Nearly 1 AM here.

"Sometimes I amuse myself with these thoughts." You crack me up! Thank you!

AuntieAnn said...

Admin what confounds me about Kate is she's been there - as in being unable to pay the bills (or so she says) before the tups were born. Jon was unemployed and she was working part time. They were on some list for assistance to pay the utilities for crying out loud. You would think she could empathize with the working poor. Instead she's closed her eyes and ears to the plight of those who are in dire financial trouble right now. Did she forget to replay her own Feeding America episode on her 3D tv?

AuntieAnn said...

goodnight Dwindle!

Sleepless In Seattle said...

Looks like Paige may have some competition when it comes to being Kate's Number One teen fan...


teensquotesforu
@Kateplusmy8 me & my hubby dominque luv u xoxoxo all my role models start with k.. You and my twin

teensquotesforu
@Kateplusmy8 u Lik mom of da yr I never seen somebody luv they children Lik u Kate

teensquotesforu
@Kateplusmy8 you like my role model.. I am like the black version of you.. Plz rt me or sumthin like love u. U a Great

teensquotesforu
@EmeraldCityJazz @kateplusmy8 Kate is a good mom.. I no good moms.!

Anonymous said...

Admin. About the movie.. Yes work ethic. I know all about farming and being the "lil" guy. I watched my husbands dad farm his ass off just to lose his farm. He now works at a factory. Why? There is no money in farming. None. But I watched him farm for 20 years. He called us and asked if we would buy land so it wouldn't be "lost" that's when we built our home here.. Farming is still his life btw.. So sad.. Off to watch pt.4.. When I say sad, farming is a lost "art" it as to be done a certain way. A city slicker has no cllue lol.

L

Andrea said...

I hope more farms start moving towards CSA. There is one in Salt Lake City called Backyard Urban Garden (BUG). The women who dose it rents out peoples back yards and pays them with fresh vegetables each week. She expanded her operation this year to include chickens.

BUG went against zoning laws when the CSA first started but the mayer helped to change the zoning laws because he wants SLC to be sustainable.

Its sad that bigger family farming operations are being squashed and continue to be squashed by big agriculture. I think one of the big problems in America is that we dont appreciate the actual cost of the food we buy. Many farmers are loosing money because they are forced to sell their crops for less then they paid to grow them.

Kate is a Witch said...

Random thoughts while watching:

Has anyone ever seen the movie Country with Jessica Lange? Juanita reminds me SO much of that character.

The Nebraska accent is cute. DEE-serve and DEE-cide.

At one point, Juanita mentions they have $20 for groceries. For the MONTH. For a family of five. I'm understanding why she's so thin. There was no need for her to eat nothing but a plate of salsa and smushed avocado and run for five miles, she worked from sun up to sun down and probably didn't have enough to eat.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

I guess this should be obvious but it's not to me. Does anyone know the history behind why small farms have died out? It felt like literally overnight in the 1990's every small farm in my county closed up shop leaving about three huge farms left. It was very sad but I'm not understanding the socioeconomic reasons. Other small businesses survive and thrive. I assume maybe it comes down to more technologically advanced farming techniques becoming too expensive to sustain with a small operation?

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

I guess this should be obvious but it's not to me. Does anyone know the history behind why small farms have died out? It felt like literally overnight in the 1990's every small farm in my county closed up shop leaving about three huge farms left. It was very sad but I'm not understanding the socioeconomic reasons. Other small businesses survive and thrive. I assume maybe it comes down to more technologically advanced farming techniques becoming too expensive to sustain with a small operation?

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

At one point, Juanita mentions they have $20 for groceries. For the MONTH. For a family of five. I'm understanding why she's so thin. There was no need for her to eat nothing but a plate of salsa and smushed avocado and run for five miles, she worked from sun up to sun down and probably didn't have enough to eat.

&&&

It's awful. There's many scenes where other people are eating but she's not. I don't recall them getting into it but I think this woman was starving herself to feed her husband and children.

No wonder David Sutherland was fascinated with her. She's something else.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

At one point, Juanita mentions they have $20 for groceries. For the MONTH. For a family of five. I'm understanding why she's so thin. There was no need for her to eat nothing but a plate of salsa and smushed avocado and run for five miles, she worked from sun up to sun down and probably didn't have enough to eat.

&&&

It's awful. There's many scenes where other people are eating but she's not. I don't recall them getting into it but I think this woman was starving herself to feed her husband and children.

No wonder David Sutherland was fascinated with her. She's something else.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

At one point, Juanita mentions they have $20 for groceries. For the MONTH. For a family of five. I'm understanding why she's so thin. There was no need for her to eat nothing but a plate of salsa and smushed avocado and run for five miles, she worked from sun up to sun down and probably didn't have enough to eat.

&&&

It's awful. There's many scenes where other people are eating but she's not. I don't recall them getting into it but I think this woman was starving herself to feed her husband and children.

No wonder David Sutherland was fascinated with her. She's something else.

Anonymous said...

I hate to give the movie away so far. I just wanna say it's worth a watch. I'm saving the rest to watch for tomorrow. :) I can't wait or others to watch if. Only because It's every small farmers life. I lived a good portion of that movie just because it's true about farmers. Farmers now days don't exist. It's all mostly the big wigs now. Small farms are mostly gone. I know another guy that had 100 cows.. It was his life. Recently had to give up farming.. Can't afford to feed your animals? Then you can't afford to keep the farm.

Andrea said...

Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 38
I guess this should be obvious but it's not to me. Does anyone know the history behind why small farms have died out? It felt like literally overnight in the 1990's every small farm in my county closed up shop leaving about three huge farms left. It was very sad but I'm not understanding the socioeconomic reasons. Other small businesses survive and thrive. I assume maybe it comes down to more technologically advanced farming techniques becoming too expensive to sustain with a small operation?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have only read the first few pages of this paper but it seems interesting
http://agroeco.org/socla/pdfs/Altieri-Funes-Petersen-Palencia.pdf

One thing that the Farmers Wife has not touched on is water rights. I dont know if all states have them. In NM, when you buy a piece of land, you have to also buy the water rights to that land. You get a specific amount of water based on your water rights. If you dont use all of your water then you will loose some of it next year. Most people in NM get their water from the Rio Grand. Every drop of the water in in the Rio Grand belongs to someone. I dont know all of the details but I do know that its all regulated through the Rio Grand Compact. It makes sure each state that the Rio Grand runs through gets water from it.

Anonymous said...

Admin. It's common to feed the farmers and kids before you eat.. That I know. I lived it and still do in a way.
L

Let's throw tomatoes said...

I won't be watching because I am so busy with a new venture in my life and my new rescue puppy. Though my parents never owned a farm they worked on farms for about 60% of their lives ! It is very hard work whether you own it or you work on it for a living!

Did anybody hear that Kate signed a deal to do a dating show where she will be a matchmaker! My God, who would be stupid enough to sign her up for that! It will be horrible!

If it is true, I will never watch! I already helped her become a multimillionaire I'm not going to put more money into her bank account ! I don't like her!

Admin. I'm not just kissing up, I think you're great! I think you are smart and have a big heart! Oh, and you put up with a lot of B.S.

Goodnight everyone!

AuntieAnn said...

Monsanto is doing a lot of damage to small farmers, particularly organic farming operations.
You've probably heard of them. It's the monster corporation with too much control.

Genetic modification of anything scares the hell out of me. And Roundup is banned from our house!

More info here:
http://kristinhinkley.wordpress.com/

Andrea said...

Monsanto is doing a lot of damage to small farmers, particularly organic farming operations.

~~~~~~~~

They sued a farm that was growing canola beans. He never purchased any of Monsantos GMO canola beans. Some of his crops ended up testing positive for Monsantos GMO canola beans due to cross pollination from surrendering farms. Monsanto sued him for patent infringement. This man had spent 40 years of his life growing and developing his own Canola Beans. All of his work was ruined because of Monsanto and then they sued him even though their product ruined his work.
http://www.percyschmeiser.com/conflict.htm

Anonymous said...

People need to understand.. In the 80s farming was rich, families were rich. They could be like others.. Life was great for farmers.. 90s rolled around.. People lost farms.. Milk prices were shot, cows were worth crap.. Why? Because huge farmers rolled in with their pricy equipment and tried to buy small farmers off. Sure, a few fell for it. But a lot didn't. Farmers started to drop like flies around 96/98 they were not gonna give up. That's a die hard farmer! I'm not sure what else to say.. But I watched my fil farm for years. His dad farmed as his father did, Sigh. All I know, my husband has milked cows, helped cows give birth, got on the tractor to round hay, plus much more.. But he never complained. He wanted to be like his daddy. Our son wanted to be a farmer llike grampa. Sad to say that will never happen and our son is 17.. Small farmers are a thing of the past. We can't fix it.. That would sound like the logical thing to do? But we have our own family too. In my non thinking brain, I get pissed knowing we bought 20 odd something acres to save the land. But like I said.. I also wonder whhere I fit in sometimes. You hafta have thick skin to be a farmers wife/ family member. It affects everyone. Sorry for my poor grammar. I'm busy with a few lil ones.

L

Anonymous said...

AuntieAnn... You are right on the mark with your take on Monsanto. My husband has been reading up on all of this. Pretty soon it will be against the law for you to grow anything on you own. Life in our country is getting very scary. Big brother is watching everything we do. Drones are coming too.

Genetic modification of anything scares the hell out of me. And Roundup is banned from our house! My husband has banned Roundup in our house too.

Carezee

TLC stinks said...

Too funny Kate is shopping around that dating show. Desparate, much? I hope, hope that all the cable networks pass on this. Kate is nasty and I am tired of these nasty women being showcased on TV. TLC fired her, and they are the lowest of the low, so I'm 99.9% sure this last ditch effort will not fly. And this must be why PB is still hanging around. I wonder how much salary she promised him if she were to get a show? (and other perks?)

Farm Aid said...

http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723609/k.C8F1/About_Us.htm

Exterior Designer Extraordinaire said...

OMG! I LOVE "the Farmer's Wife" LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
You have stumble upon my absolute passion (besides crochet)! Okay rant on.
In answer to your question "what happened to small farms in the 901's" The quick answer is : Monsanto happened.
The longer answer is, in the late 1980's (1989) I think the GMO corn was patented and approved for use in the USA. This GMO corn was genetically modified in a laboratory to produce it's own pesticide, Bt. (Bt is a naturally occurring pesticide approved for organic farm use.) However the difference is, when corn (or any other plant for that matter) produces it own pesticide there is nothing you can do to wash it off. You literally eat the pesticide within the corn. The FDA and Dept of Agriculture have no idea what, if anything, this will to animals, including humans, in the short term or in the long term. Despite what Monsanto says there have been no long term studies about the affect of eating GMO pesticide producing products. Any study that says anything about GMO's has been bought and paid for by Monsanto. Monsanto patented the GMO corn (as well as soybeans and cotton now too) they then polluted other farms and sued the polluted farm for patent infringement AND WON! Both in Canada and the USA. They sold the GMO crops to farmers in India and then made them dependent upon purchasing GMO Monsanto seed for years to come. Many farmers in India could no longer afford the GMO seed and have gone bankrupt and committed suicide. In the USA Monsanto has frivolously filed law suit after lawsuit dragging small, organic, or heirloom seed-saving farmers to the point of bankruptcy. (You can be working the farm and representing yourself in court. Many small farmers can't afford to feed themselves let alone hire a lawyer) There used to be seed-saving equipment all throughout the heartland, Monsanto bought it up and destroyed it. Or sued the business that were saving seed out of existence. The "Farm Bill" started in the 1950's I think, maybe earlier. It subsides the crops Monsanto grows, not fruit, not veggies but mostly "feed" crops. Monsanto also makes "Roundup resistant" GMO corn. They have altered the corn to be resistant to THEIR patented weed killer. Now they have bred "superweeds" that are resistant to Roundup.
For anyone interested in learning where your food comes from I highly recommend Barbara Kingslover's "animal, Vegetable, Miracle" as a jumping off point into where your food comes from. EYE-OPENING. There are several great documentaries out there and any of Pollock's books are good. Also there was a Frontline about the chicken farm industry in Delaware and Maryland and what they do to the Chesapeake.
Truly, in the USA our cheap food will be the death of us. You know what cheap food really is? A packet of seed and you grow it yourself. And if for whatever reason you have a black thumb, maybe your neighbor doesn't and you have a skill I'm sure you can barter with. Join a CSA (they are AWESOME), grow your own, start a community garden, barter with a neighbor, try container gardening, buy organic when you can, DON'T BUY ROUND UP, support a farmer, buy as local as you can get, use farmer's markets when available, learn to "can" or "put up food", buy in season. The list is endless.
We are headed for a "food disaster" in the USA. Probably sooner rather than later. I'll be able to feed my family, will you be able to feed yours? Educate yourself.
Rant off

I also loved the PBS series "Frontier House" I'd love to be a participant. Sorry to hear J and D divorced but I'm glad they remarried and are apparently happy now. I so wanted to send them paint but I was a poor teenager when the story show was filmed.

Exterior Designer Extraordinaire said...

Joe Satlin is also a great read for knowledge about where your food comes from. His book is titled something like "Everything I Want To Do Illegal"

Exterior Designer Extraordinaire said...

Okay, had a big long post and it said it was published. Before I post again, did you remove it Admin?

Wowser said...

Just read the article where Jon is broke and Kate still "has it" yadayadayada...bit this time it's not a dating show where she is looking for love but where she is a matchmaker?!? Wtf?!? Does she want to be patty stanger now? Is there any truth behind her getting ANY reality show or is this all just tabloid hype?. She does seem to be on a high lately but that could also be a total facade if she knows that is going to be released soon. What say you?

Exterior Designer Extraordinaire said...

OMG! I LOVE "the Farmer's Wife" LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
You have stumble upon my absolute passion (besides crochet)! Okay rant on.
In answer to your question "what happened to small farms in the 90's" The quick answer is : Monsanto happened.
The longer answer is, in the late 1980's (1989) I think the GMO corn was patented and approved for use in the USA. This GMO corn was genetically modified in a laboratory to produce it's own pesticide, Bt. (Bt is a naturally occuring pesticide approved for organic farm use.) However the difference is, when corn (or any other plant for that matter) produces it own pesticide there is nothing you can do to wash it off. You literally eat the pesticide within the corn. The FDA and Dept of Agriculture have no idea what, if anything, this will to animals, including humans, in the short term or in the long term. Despite what Monsanto says there have been no long term studies about the affect of eating GMO pesticide producing products. Any study that says anything about GMO's has been bought and paid for by Monsanto. Monsanto patented the GMO corn (as well as soybeans and cotton now too) they then polluted other farms and sued the polluted farm for patent infringement AND WON! Both in Canada and the USA. They sold the GMO crops to farmers in India and then made them dependant upon purchasing GMO Monsanto seed for years to come. Many farmers in India could no longer afford the GMO seed and have gone bankrupt and committed suicide. In the USA Monsanto has frivolously filed law suit after lawsuit dragging small, organic, or heirloom seed-saving farmers to the point of bankruptcy. (You can be working the farm and representing yourself in court. Many small farmers can't afford to feed themselves let alone hire a lawyer) There used to be seed-saving equipment all throughout the heartland, Monsanto bought it up and destroyed it. Or sued the business that were saving seed out of existence. The "Farm Bill" started in the 1950's I think, maybe earlier. It subsides the crops Monsanto grows, not fruit, not veggies but mostly "feed" crops. Monsanto also makes "Roundup resistant" GMO corn. They have altered the corn to be resistant to THEIR patented weed killer. Now they have bred "superweeds" that are resistant to Roundup.
For anyone interested in learning where your food comes from I highly recommend Barbara Kingslover's "animal, Vegetable, Miracle" as a jumping off point into where your food comes from. EYE-OPENING. There are several great documentaries out there and any of Pollock's books are good. Also there was a Frontline about the chicken farm industry in Delaware and Maryland and what they do to the Chesapeake.
Truly, in the USA our cheap food will be the death of us. You know what cheap food really is? A packet of seed and you grow it yourself. And if for whatever reason you have a black thumb, maybe your neighbor doesn't and you have a skill I'm sure you can barter with. Join a CSA (they are AWESOME), grow your own, start a community garden, barter with a neighbor, try container gardening, buy organic when you can, DON'T BUY ROUND UP, support a farmer, buy as local as you can get, use farmer's markets when available, learn to "can" or "put up food", buy in season. The list is endless.
We are headed for a "food disater" in the USA. Probably sooner than later. I'll be able to feed my family, will you be able to feed yours? Educate yourself.
Rant off.
I also loved PBS’s “Frontier House.” Frontline had an episode about the factory chicken farms in DE and MD and what they do to the Chesapeake Bay.

Kate is a twit said...

Sleepless In Seattle said... 34

That person tweeting Kate in your comment, is the same one that accused Kate of being racist. Kate's tweet that shows up on Gosselinbook.com was directed to her.

Kate is a twit said...

OT to amyf and capecodmama-

I was flipping channels last night, and coincidentally came across an interview Bill Moyers did with Anthony Baxter, the director of the documentary "You've Been Trumped". It was very interesting. There are several clips from the movie. You can watch it here:

http://billmoyers.com/segment/anthony-baxter-on-donald-trump%E2%80%99s-callous-capitalism/

I vacationed in Scotland in 1999. Aberdeen was one of the places I visited. It was heartbreaking to see what Trump did to the land and to the local residents.

LoveMyGrandsons said...

Dwindle, read your comment to me on the previous post. This "guilt stricken" grandma thinks your hilarious. Have a great day, Sweetie!

Kate is a Witch said...

Kate as matchmaker would be even less likely to see the light of day than Kate dating.

I mean, look at the one romantic relationship Kate is known to have had. Watch footage of her interacting with her ex-husband. That should do it. Would YOU be matched up by that horrible, stupid, cruel, joyless person?

I wouldn't be, either.

Still watching The Farmer's Wife. I found recent pics of Juanita online last night and she looks AMAZING. She's a few years older than me (mid-40s) and doesn't look out of her mid-30s.

TLC stinks said...

What the hell qualifies Kate Gosselin as a matchmaker?

Rachel said...

I watched the original "Farmer's Wife" in 1998 and will never, ever forget it. It's breathtakingly human and real. sorry..if this is a spoiler... don't remember which epidsode it's in ...When you contrast Juanita and her effort to provide a birthday party for one of her girls - and they have nothing - barely anything to do it with- and then look at Kate and her greediness and griftiness it makes me appreciate and admire people like Juanita and pity and truly dislike people like Kate.

A Pink Straight Jacket For Kate said...

TLC stinks said... 60

What the hell qualifies Kate Gosselin as a matchmaker?

************************************************

She's not qualified.

BTW, I call a HUGE B.S. on this.
It's nothing more than crap to stir up dirt.

Mel said...

 The babies were cute as are all babies but something was wrong. And getting wrong-er. And we became more horrified as it progressed...

Yep. At first things were a little off, but then it started being ugly, and then evolved into being downright painful to watch. And wrong to watch.

It was like watching a murder in progress for the entertainment value, and doing nothing to stop it. And it was a murder in progress....the murder of a marriage, the murder of 8 childhoods.

It went against every moral and ethical value that I had. How can anyone stand by and watch a little kid get tortured? The birthday episode where the boys were denied their cupcakes did it for me.

Tess said...

Grat thread, Admin. I'm going to try to watch, too. I think part of the answer to your question is big agriculture. Food is a need, and owning seeds and patents give the corporation power to control the market. Monsanto is trying to dominate globally. They have developed Round Up and round up resistant seeds. It sounds benign on the surface, but it gives them power to control the seeds with whatever genetic modifications they decide on. It keeps the farmer dependent on their products. I watched the documentary about the farmer who was sued because his crops were cross pollinated by other farms. It was very sad and maddening. There are a number of documentaries on Netflix: Food, Inc., Food Fight, And Freakanomics among others. If heather weighs in on this, I'd. Bet she has some good information. Again - great thread!

Once a Viewer said...

So glad you did this post Admin, and that some people will watch. I often tell people about this doc but some think it's not their cuppa tea. It's more than about farming; it's about a family's' struggles, emotional, material,physical.

Juanita was such a good mom, never neglecting her kids even though their day went from dawn till past dark. She always had time to help with homework, read a story, listen to their tales of school experiences. She said all their clothes came from Goodwill or garage sales but it was her pride that you couldn't tell- they all looked well-groomed and well-dressed, dresses for church, hair curled ( home cuts)

She made dinner every night including dessert- said she had trouble hiding that there was no meat- Darrel was often ravenous from his tremendous physical labor. At least the grandmother (D's mom) was kindly and helped out, and fed the men and looked after the kids often.

Comparing Juanita to Kate: no similarities whatsoever. Juanita told her story, but was not complaining except to urge Darrel on and tell him things could be worse. They paid their bills as they could and J was the one to face people and beg for credit, but kept her pride. She did not exploit the kids or favor one of them. She tried to get more education to get a better job. She cleaned houses to help pay those bills and went to food banks and applied for food stamps.She did her share of farm work too.

I always thought their home looked so cozy and had a personal flair to its decorating- no doubt garage sales/donations etc. They made do with a half-functional TV, a cheap washer and microwave etc. No frills.

I couldn't admire Juanita more, especially as she fought to better herself and not take crap from Darrel, obviously torn about her family breaking up.

Tess said...

I must have been typing after so many knowledgable people answered! It took me about 6 months to find local sources for food, but for the past couple of years we've bought all our dairy/meat from a local farmer. This year we got a year round farm share from a all organic, non gmo farm. The woman who runs it is lovely and she works 5AM until dark. Right now, I just don't have enough time to help her out ( you can work in exchange for some food). I'd love to do it for the love of farming - someday! I got a breadmaker, icecream maker, things to can/freeze and with few exceptions, that is what we eat. I'll try to post more later.

LisaNH said...

I watched ths film when it first came out on PBS in 1998. Very compelling story. The irony is that these two, Darryl & Juanita were so darned young at the time, but you'd never know it from the film. They looked and acted so much older than their years. But it was a powerful experience watching it.

**********Spoiler Alert*********

DONT' READ BELOW IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED WATCHING THE FILM.

Sadly, despite their best efforts, I was sad to read that Juanita and Darryl did eventually divorce and remarry other people well after the movie was on PBS. When the film aired I thought their relationship was on the brink and was sad, but not surprised that they called it quits. Of course they were so young when they got married, the probably outgrew each other.

All in all, though, it's a great film and really brings to light not only the struggles of farmers, but the struggles between people as well.

readerlady said...

I live in farm country and can get most of my seasonal produce from local farms. I avoid the factory farms like the plague. Some of them have moved in here and are trying to push out the family farms. Maddening.

I vaguely remember watching "The Farmer's Wife" when it was on PBS, but I'll try to find the time to watch it again. I enjoy shows like that. Exterior, I loved "Frontier House" too, although there were a couple of people on it that I'd like to have strangled. Both of the women were nasty. The one, Karen (?) was very Kate-like. She was even a nurse. The only people on it I really liked were Nate and his father and then, when she came, Kristen. I also enjoyed "Colonial House", "1900 House" and the one they did that was supposed to take place during the London Blitz -- I forget what they called it.

Okay, people, several of you have spoken about CSAs, but NOBODY has explained what the heck they are. PLEASE -- before I die of curiosity, what is a CSA?

Boring said...

The Farmers Wife? Can't we get something current and decent to discuss?

Once a Viewer said...

Boring:

Give it a try...if you don't like it, don't continue. It is a current doc as a study of a family and the farming situation in hardly 'old news.'We all eat farm produce!

It's relevant to this blog as a comparison to reality TV and Kate- the story of a family and the breakdown of a marriage.Personally I think it's a timeless story and I remember the 90s well- you must be young.

Some people were complaining too much Kate, boring etc so I think this is a nice break. But if you find it boring, that's your choice.Posts only lats a few days.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Boring, farming issues are current, and I assure you this documentary is beyond decent. What would YOU like to discuss, feel free to go off topic.

Once a Viewer said...

CSA- Community-supported Agriculture. Sort of a co-op organization to trade goods and services(eg farm labor) in the farming community to help one another. Also an agreement as follows;
'a transparent, whole season budget for producing a specified wide array of products for a set number of weeks a year;
a common-pricing system where producers and consumers discuss and democratically agree to pricing based on the acceptance of the budget; and
a ‘shared risk and reward’ agreement, i.e. that the consumers receive what the farmers grow even with the vagaries of seasonal growing vagaries.'

readerlady said...

Thanks, Once. I've heard of co-ops and used to participate in one, but I've never heard of CSAs. Wonder if there are any around here. I'll have to check it out.

Amy2 said...

I grew up working my grandparent's farm in the 1950's/60s. It was the best time of my life.

My grandmother at age 17 was married, pregnant with her first child and was the cook for the harvesters. And with that beginning, it was her "job" for the rest of her life. She raised 6 children while continuing to keep the workers feed. Yes, she worked sunup to sundown. When the grandchildren (me) came along she provided a wonderful home for us kids during the summer. Those were great memories. Yes, the real kind of memories, not the manufactured ones.

What I didn't realize at the time was that my grandparents were only paid once a year by the cannery. A couple times a year the "government man" would come and inspect the crops for quality. I remember how my grandparents were look at each other the day the man would come, and hope everything would be okay. And it was okay. But if it wasn't okay, they could lose the right to harvest all or some of their crops that year.

My grandparents never took a vacation. At the time I didn't understand why. They worked hard, they deserved a vacation. What they did was take the money and put it back into the farm equipment, seed, repairs. There was never enough money for fun things for them.

My grandmother was a wonderful cook. Simple, basic, stick to the ribs kind of food. She worked with other farmer's wives to exchange food items so all families could have something different. That's the way it was...everyone helping everyone else. It was a sense of community.

Today the farm is gone, sold. My grandparents are gone, long passed away. But my memories are always with me. My grandparents never told us of their struggles and I was having too much fun to notice; but as I look back across the years they did indeed struggle to keep the farm and put food on the table.

They just kept their heads down, went to work everyday and loved their family and community.

Because of the values they instilled (work hard for what you want/need) in us grandchildren, to this day I have a problem with whiny, lazy people.

Sleepless In Seattle said...

That person tweeting Kate in your comment, is the same one that accused Kate of being racist. Kate's tweet that shows up on Gosselinbook.com was directed to her.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
I'm confused. If she accused Kate of being racist, then why was she gushing all over her, saying she was a role model and how much she loves her? Was this snark?
I give up trying to figure out these people!

silimom said...

LisaNH - I agree marrying young can lead to divorce. I have told my own kids that there is no rush, that they need to finish college and/or work for a year or two and figure out who they are before they take that step. I am not anti-divorce but I do think that in our society marriage has become too disposable. Not happy? Just go find another partner! People need to see marriage for the commitment it is.

That is something I admire about Juanita and her husband. It would be easy to throw in the towel. They don't during this documentary and even though they eventually did, they gave their marriage everything they could first to try and avoid that step.

Juanita stated in an interview shortly after the show aired that she felt the documentary helped save their marriage at the time because it was a distraction and it also made them more open and introspective about the issues they needed to address. I've often wondered if there had been no J&K+8 if they would still be married.

I think J & K married young and I think had it just been Mady & Cara, that yes they would have eventually divorced. I think, though, that with 8 kids and no money or the perks from the show they would have stayed together out of necessity. I wonder if Kate would have risen to the challenge when all the volunteers had eventually left and it was truly her and Jon on their own. We'll never know. I do think the show in their case contributed to their marriage ending. I think it brought out the worst in both of them, magnifying Kate's narcissism and Jon's passive-aggressiveness. No marriage could survive contact with those traits.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

Sillimom, I agree this couple really tried everything to save the marriage. Juanita said that a few years prior to the documentary they also went to marriage counseling for a year and a half. And apparently the producers got them more marriage counseling during filming.

Contrast that with Kate who didn't give marriage counseling more than a passing glance. Where was the effort on her part to TRY?

Maggie said...

Folks, this is the third time I am asking this question. Did Jon REALLY give Star magazine an interview? Remember all this started last week because of this supposed interview. The magazine was to come out this past Thursday. I tried to find it online but no success.

Remember last week's article on Radaronline article about Jon saying he could go to prison about not being able to pay past child support. And then Kate's attorney followed up with Kate being the sole provider, etc. All this ruckus was because of Jon's interview with Star.

Do we know for a fact Jon gave that interview to Star? Has anyone seen Star magazine this past Thursday? Is Jon's article in it? Thanks in advance! If Jon didn't give an interview in Star magazine then why did Radar say he did?

Kate is a twit said...

Sleepless In Seattle said... 77

She accused Kate of being racist because she is black, and Kate didn't respond to her tweets. After Kate said that "she didn't c color", this tweetie then apologized to Kate and Kate said she forgave her. So all was right with the world, and the tweetie still loved Kate.

Kate is a twit said...

Maggie said... 80

Yes, there was an article in Star, which basically was the same as the ROL article, with the same quotes from Jon. It also had a picture of Jon, his kids, Liz and her kids.

Dwindle said...

I too loved Frontier House! But there was another one set in Canada where the couples did indeed winter it through. Does anyone remember the name of that one?

Dwindle said...

Maggie said... 80
Folks, this is the third time I am asking this question.
***********************************

I dont know who he gave the original interview to. I read it on Yahoo, but dont recall how the original interview was credited. It's pretty much all over the web; try looking for it on Yahoo, it has been repeated there in several different categories. :)

mama mia said...

I could only get to part 6, they are not capturing hardship on this film. I know a couple with 3 children who both work ft off the farm at seasonal factory jobs and highway jobs. At one time she was slipping out of the house at 5:30 am careful not to wake the 2, 4 and 6 year old, with daddy not due back from his job until 8:30 am. The kids left in bed asleep with nobody home. Stupid, risky, dangerous and yet reality, cause who can you hire to come in for 3 hours a day at a minimum wage willing to work those early hours? Imagine taking your 'vacation' time from work to mow and bail hay from sunrise to sunset, with the 3 kids crammed into the cab of the tractor with you. Then coming home to a dark house because the lights will remain shut off until you can pay your power bill in full. That is the reality for farmers so deeply in debt because cattle prices went in the toilet and have remained there for nearly a decade. The price drop was caused by a factory farm in Alberta, one of their cows tested positive for mad cow disease. Again, reality is that the family farmer is always paying the price of the messes caused by the corporations. As for this couple, they remained married to each other, their kids are grown, they still have the farm, they both still work ft off the farm and they don't have much saved for their retirement, so can't see actually getting a retirement.

She's come undone said...

What an interesting subject! I have so enjoyed reading all your comments and look forward to watching this series. PBS really does the best at these subjects. I will never buy another Monsanto product -- ever!

Thanks admin. for finding such a great subject to discuss. Something to enjoy for those dog days of summer.

Maggie said...

Dwindle, thanks, I know it is all over the web but all the articles were being generated from this one Star interview.

Thanks Kate Is A Twit. I thought Jon was against using his kids for money. Don't you think it is a given that they paid Jon for this interview and photo? I am sicken to think his kids were in the photo where Jon was complaining about not being able to pay child support & possibly going to prison. He wasn't on the cover, was he?

Wow, I will never understand Jon or Kate putting all their woes and complaints about having 8 kids for the world's consumption. And Kate has complained endlessly about the tabloids telling lies about her. So what does she do...has her attorney answer her ex's complaints on Radar, the premier on-line tabloid. Go figure, they both disgust me.

Tweet-le De Tweet-le DUMB said...

Kate is a twit said... 82
Maggie said... 80

Yes, there was an article in Star, which basically was the same as the ROL article, with the same quotes from Jon. It also had a picture of Jon, his kids, Liz and her kids.
_________________________________________

Did you see this on line or was it at a grocery store? I've looked at the Star site on line and haven't seen any mention of the article.

Exterior Designer Extraordinaire said...

Readerlady, try www.localharvest.org for a csa or co-op or farms near you

Over In Berks said...

I know a couple with 3 children who both work ft off the farm at seasonal factory jobs and highway jobs. At one time she was slipping out of the house at 5:30 am careful not to wake the 2, 4 and 6 year old, with daddy not due back from his job until 8:30 am.

+++++++++++++++++++

There was a situation in PA in which the mother left the children alone in the house to do the milking in the barn. The father was out on his milk delivery route. The kids were ages seven months to eleven years. They died in the fire, lost the house, everything.

Tweet-le De Tweet-le DUMB said...

Ignore my post #88 (Whoa! Creepy, the number 8!) I see that the issue came out on the newsstands last Thursday.

Improbable Dreams said...

What, no Menu Monday?

Over In Berks said...

Did you see this on line or was it at a grocery store? I've looked at the Star site on line and haven't seen any mention of the article.

+++++++++++++++++++

Maggie, I haven't seen the actual interview in the Star, so I don't know how it compares to the one online at Radar. If you are in line at the grocery store (waiting!) why not pick up the copy and have a look? Star online usually only gives a preview of what is in the article, so it's possible that the entire story isn't available online.

Maggie said...

Tweet, where did you find the article. I was like you, I couldn't find it. Thanks

Kate is a twit said...

Tweet-le De Tweet-le DUMB said... 88

It was the hard copy of the magazine from the grocery store. The actual Star article isn't online. ROL and Star are owned by the same company. If you notice, Star's website starmagazine.com is linked to ROL, so I doubt they will post the actual article there.

Maggie said...

One last question I promise. Was Jon on the cover with his kids? Thanks for the quick responses.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

I could only get to part 6, they are not capturing hardship on this film

&&&

Are we watching the same show?

Maggie said...

Oh Berks since you are on-line I have a question for you. I know I promised but another popped in my lame brain.

Admin. said last week she thought (not certain though) that the drive from Kate's house to the bus stop was 10 minutes. Is this correct? And does the 45 minute trip to school include the time from the house to the stop? Thanks so much.

Tweet-le De Tweet-le DUMB said...

Maggie said... 94
Tweet, where did you find the article. I was like you, I couldn't find it. Thanks
_______________________________________

Sorry for confusion, Maggie. I meant that I saw (in another article) that the Star story was out on newsstands as of last Thursday. Haven't seen actual story.

Once a Viewer said...

I guess hardship is relative. It's not really about if this family had it the worst of anyone in farming, but a study of their struggles. It can be 'enjoyed' for what is it, a very probing, personal representation of one family in the farming business in the 90s.That they kept the farm despite the obstacles they were facing is amazing and a testament to their strength.

The Buschkoetters' life is definitely more difficult than the 'struggles' in Kate's life.They had much more than a 'purse full of bills' to worry about.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

I agree with Once, it's not really the point to find the farming family out there who has it the worst. It's about telling a universal story.

Over In Berks said...

Admin. said last week she thought (not certain though) that the drive from Kate's house to the bus stop was 10 minutes. Is this correct? And does the 45 minute trip to school include the time from the house to the stop? Thanks so much.

++++++++++++++++++

Maggie: The drive from the house to the bus stop is about 10 minutes. The drive to school is about 45 minutes, making the entire trip about an hour.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

DId you catch the part where Juanita and the girls were praying for Grandma's surgery, for it to stop raining, and for Oklahoma City?

I was confused a second, why Oklahoma City? Then I realized this was 1995, must have been right around when the bombings happened. It's these subtle ways that Juanita helped her children be aware of not just local things happening and their problems and hardships on the farm, but to be aware of the whole world.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

But it's probably not wise to arrive just as the bus is leaving, right? So tack on an extra five to 10 or more minutes at the bus stop. Between getting loaded and unloaded from the van, and loaded and unloaded to the bus, realistically the complete compute is an hour and a half ONE WAY.

Realitytvkids.com ~ Administrator said...

But it's probably not wise to arrive just as the bus is leaving, right? So tack on an extra five to 10 or more minutes at the bus stop. Between getting loaded and unloaded from the van, and loaded and unloaded to the bus, realistically the complete compute is an hour and a half ONE WAY.

Once a Viewer said...

The Buschkoetter children did not have much,but amused themselves riding secondhand bikes, playing on a rusty swing set, enjoying the animals, reading, using a keyboard- probably a garage sale find-, playing school...they did not say they were 'bored' in the summer as Kate's kids do. Nor did they have POOL to swim in.

Mrs. Malaprop said...

I can't wait to watch the Farmer's Wife. I've never heard of it before.

Boring? Kate? Is that you?

Stray kitten update: It looks like he's here to stay. Sigh out loud. I'm naming him Moses because he was pulled out of a burn pile, and now he's living like a prince!

Over In Berks said...

But it's probably not wise to arrive just as the bus is leaving, right? So tack on an extra five to 10 or more minutes at the bus stop. Between getting loaded and unloaded from the van, and loaded and unloaded to the bus, realistically the complete compute is an hour and a half ONE WAY.

+++++++++++++++++++

Correct. I thought Maggie was asking how long they were on the road. They are not ON THE BUS for an hour and a half one way. If you fly, you arrive at the airport maybe two hours before the flight. Boarding may take a half hour. If the flight is three hours, you don't say that the trip is 5 1/2 hours because you've spent two hours sitting in the airport terminal and a half hour getting on the plane.

At least I don't! I say it's a three-hour flight. It's Monday. My brain isn't in gear.

Over In Berks said...

Stray kitten update: It looks like he's here to stay. Sigh out loud. I'm naming him Moses because he was pulled out of a burn pile, and now he's living like a prince!

+++++++++++++++++

That is so cute! When he parts the water in a swimming pool or pond, make sure you grab a photo! Let's just hope he doesn't go wandering off in the wilderness somewhere!

Mrs. Malaprop said...

Over in Berks,
Ha! I'll be sure to post that if it happens. If he starts staring at one of the bushes outside, I'm taking off my shoes asap! :)

Once a Viewer said...

Berks: Funny!

Mrs M: Great name. I sort of thought you might be keeping him. ;)

You will love the F's W, I almost guarantee.

Tweet-le De Tweet-le DUMB said...

Mrs. Malaprop said... 110
Over in Berks,
Ha! I'll be sure to post that if it happens. If he starts staring at one of the bushes outside, I'm taking off my shoes asap! :)
_________________________________________

Could be a little difficult explaining to firemen how a brush fire started.

Once a Viewer said...

Looks like Juanita's come along way. Good for her.


Juanita M Hastings, Insurance Agent
MIDWEST CROP GROWERS
2727 W. 2ND STREET SUITE 106
Hastings, NE 68901

Improbable Dreams said...

XXXXXX @Kateplusmy8 Hope y'all have a safe trip. I know you had great service gettin your car fixed ; )

Is it possible the G8 + Kate are taking a road trip??? Bikini shots in NC or FL, anyone?

(The tweeter's from AL.)

Over In Berks said...

Could be a little difficult explaining to firemen how a brush fire started.

+++++++++++++++++++

Or why there is a voice coming out of the bush!

aggiemom09121416 said...

To excellent reads:
The Working Poor
Nickel and Dimed

I just watched parts 1-9, very interesting and compelling.

mama mia said...

I can see how Kate gets her followers and fans. Juanita is Kate, has the very same need for attention, wants the finer things in life, is so wishy washy about her faith that one day she is a devout Catholic and in the next she is filing for divorce and sending her kids to private Presbyterian colleges. Entertainment factor is why these shows are made. There are also 'friends' of Juanitas claiming she cheated on Darrel before,during and after the filming, which would make sense as to why the producer had her bring up the cheating subject when it wasn't something the viewer was seeing or sensing.

Dwindle said...

Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 103
DId you catch the part where Juanita and the girls were praying for Grandma's surgery, for it to stop raining, and for Oklahoma City?

I was confused a second, why Oklahoma City? Then I realized this was 1995, must have been right around when the bombings happened. It's these subtle ways that Juanita helped her children be aware of not just local things happening and their problems and hardships on the farm, but to be aware of the whole world
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Ok Time Out. Blow my whistle and signal time out.

So... here is this woman who's life is falling apart, she is literally going hungry, cant feed her family properly, and she is teaching the children that their prayers go for victims of a bombing? As in..."Things might be rough but others have it worse right now?"

So... kind of like regular, non-narcisstic folks?
_________
@ Bored: as of right now i am not watching the documentary. My choice. I can still enjoy the intelligent discourse about the topic or find something else to read for a few days. Life is about making choices when you dont like the path in front of you. :)

AuntieAnn said...

Once a Viewer said... 100
The Buschkoetters' life is definitely more difficult than the 'struggles' in Kate's life.They had much more than a 'purse full of bills' to worry about.
====

Yeah, Kate and her 'purse full of bills' . What did she have squirreled away when she said that? Easily more than $3 million and the poor thing had to travel to exotic destinations to get it (sniff, dabbing my eyes here).
Watching the Farmer's Wife is making Kate's blogging about money-saving tips on driving three cars and buying pool supplies all the more absurd.
I just reached the end of Part One (pt. 8). I can sense the strain on their marriage. Everything seems to be going against them right now.


Mrs. Malaprop - Moses invaded your heart AND your bed, didn't he? Little aliens.

Dwindle said...

Sigh. Should be WHOSE not who's. No excuses, just too lazy to pay attention. Sorry.

KAT said...

Bet Kate needed a vaca after her grueling weekend...and I bet she didn't take the kids

AuntieAnn said...

lol Dwindle. Who's, whose, who, whom, whoever and whomever gave me the most trouble in writing essays for language class.

I'd like to get my hands around the throat of whomever wrote the rules. Or is it whoever wrote the rules?

Whatever.

dancingqueen said...

Wait! Did kate take all 5 of the girls with her to new york? Maybe she was hoping to use them at the boooth and CC said NO

Over In Berks said...

To excellent reads:
The Working Poor
Nickel and Dimed

++++++++++++++

I didn't read The Working Poor, but Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, is an absolute must read. Someone should send Kate a copy of that one. It was required reading in a class I taught, and to say that it opened the eyes of the students would be an understatement.

Once a Viewer said...

mama mia said... 117
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't believe that's what you got out of the documentary. What finer things in life? A few Christmas gifts for her kids? Dinner on the table? Ability to take her child with an ear infections to the dr ( like Hannie had?)

Cheating- how would she have time & energy ? Who watched her kids- Whitney was glued to her for most of the early years. I wouldn't believe it without evidence. I think Juanita was trying very hard to avoid divorce- marriage counseling, appealing to their priest, talks with Darrel...I'm not Catholic so don't wish to offend, but I can see why they might have eventually reached that decision.As for school choices, there were not many in their area.

But I am happy to read your opinion- just don't see how you arrived at some of those conclusions. I never saw someone so UN-like Kate!

Once a Viewer said...

Oh, and Mama Mia, the Buschkoetters did a few talks for the documentary- first time on a plane and a few interviews locally. That's it. No money for the filming.Juanita gave some talks on farming and insurance issues for her work. The kids made no public appearances.

How do you know the schools are Presbyterian and so what if they are? I think the girls went to college in Lincoln.

Lilly said...

Dwindle - Canadian show was Pioneer Quest

Mrs Mal - Congrats on Moses - a lot of vets around here offer large discounts for fixing strays - just tell the story. Difference of over$400 (Canadian $ though :-) )

readerlady said...

Maggie 81 -- Who knows if Jon really gave Star an interview. I haven't seen the rag, so I don't know if there's anything in it. However, even if there is, given their track record, it could be hokum. So, whom do we believe -- a proven liar (both KK and Star), or a silent Jon who usually owns his screw-ups.

readerlady said...

Auntie Ann 122 -- A quick check for you on who/whom -- who is subjective. Substitute he/she/they to check yourself. Whom is objective -- substitute him/her/them (My father taught college level English and this is the way he taught me to check). Same applies to who/whomever. Who's is a contraction of who is. Whose show possession.

Mrs. Malaprop -- Haha! Told you you had a new kitten! Love the name Moses. So it's definitely a boy kitty? He sounds adorable. Blessings on your son and on you. Spoil him well and give him an ear skritch from me.

silimom said...

Nickel and Dimed sounds like a good read. Also, check out Morgan Spurlock's 30 Days Episode: Living on Minimum Wage. It's available on Netflix and I'm sure it's probably on YouTube. He and his girlfriend take minimum wage jobs to show what it take to squeak by.

Kate & Jon have never been poor, even when they were "looking for change in the couch cushions". They had family watching the girls when the tips were born, they had Jon's father supporting them and Jon's inheritance after he passed away. I'd like to see them try and raise 8 kids on minimum wage. Now THAT'S a reality show with Kate I would watch (although not really because it would all be for show and after the director yelled "Cut!" they'd be in their trailers with Craft Services and Nannies while Kate "conferred" with her bodyguard/road manager, Steve in the privacy of her personal trailer).

Once a Viewer said...

Berks: Thanks for the book suggestions. I will definitely check those out!


Dwindle: Yes,your choice.Different strokes...Glad you're back on here, though!

capecodmama said...

Kate is a twit said...59

Thanks for the link. Haven't started watching The Farmer's Wife yet. Have grandson today so will try to find time later. He's taking a nap right now but I don't want to start watching in case he wakes up in the middle of my viewing. Love reading everyone's comments on this subject. It sounds interesting. Better than Kate.

A Pink Straight Jacket For Kate said...

Mrs. Malaprop said... 107

Stray kitten update: It looks like he's here to stay. Sigh out loud. I'm naming him Moses because he was pulled out of a burn pile, and now he's living like a prince!

************************************************

Moses! What a grand name!
Congratulations on your new baby,
Mrs. Malaprop :o)

May Moses bring continued happiness to your home.

A Pink Straight Jacket For Kate said...

Now would be a wonderful time to release the Gosselin Book...

Sherry Baby said...

I'd like to get my hands around the throat of whomever wrote the rules. Or is it whoever wrote the rules?

________________________

Yes! It's probably one of the most confusing grammar rules in the English language. There are many teachers who don't understand the usage. I always remember it as such: who is always used as the subject of a sentence or clause, and whom is always used as an object.

Of course there are exceptions! :)

Sheri said...

Thank you Admin for doing this post.

I've never heard of this documentary and it really does seem like it's more of an honest case study as opposed to entertainment.

The stark contrast between Juanita and Kate is unmistakable. Where the former truly wanted to just make ends meet for her family, the latter was hell bent on making a career out of having t.v. crews follow them around.

Looking forward to more discussions on this topic.

capecodmama said...

Kate is a Twit
amyf

Just went and watched the interview Bill Moyers did with Anthony Baxter. Holy cow what an arrogant bastard Trump is. I got chills watching that and what the locals had to go through. I have to find a theater that is showing this and go see it. Unbelievable. amyf if you haven't watched the Bill Moyers interview, go watch it.

Reality Bites said...

The article in STAR about Jon Gosselin shows him with his GF Liz and all their kids enjoying some time out together. Mady and Cara and the 6 little kids all look very happy as do Liz's 3 children. In a side box Jon is referenced as saying he thinks Kate Gosselin would like (or was it love) to see him go to jail. I didn't check to see who took the group photo. Next time I'm in the checkout line I'll look if the rag is still available.

Summerwind said...

What would it take to educate the sheeple on the types of child custody? They still seem to not understand it. Is is so complicated that they don't have the ability to go online and figure it out for themselves, or must someone sit them down with pen and paper and explain it to them with pictures and diagrams?

Tucker's Mom said...

I'd love to see the photo. That article bothers me on so many levels. First, this gf is way too happy to get her photo snapped with Jon. Gets my radar going. Second, what a crap thing to say about Kate. I'm not defending her and maybe she'd get some sort of satisfaction with Jon in jail, I don't know. If true, you've got to know it's best to keep this information away from the kids.

Summerwind said...

That article bothers me on so many levels.

-------------------

I wouldn't believe anything the Star or NE says. I just read an article about a story that appeared in the NE stating that Macauley Culkin will be dead in six months due to heroin addiction. His reps are denying it. It's a serious assertion if it's not true.

I can't imagine Jon making a statement about Kate wanting to see him in jail. I just don't believe it. They take statements, twist and turn them in order to sell stories...and they get away with it.

Rather NOT? said...

Rather NOT admit your a major sheeple?
I find it hard to believe that anybody believes somebody belongs IN JAIL or to lose their livlihood because they don't worship Kate Gosselinl.

Wow. Just Wow.

AuntieAnn said...

readerlady - Aww, thank you for the explanation.

"There was an old woman who lived in a shoe."

"They visited an old woman, whom they'd met at the shoe store."

Correct?

(having a high school flashback here. I think at this point I was skipping classes regularly)

Susantoyota said...

Ok, I'm not proud of this, but I read the Star. I know, I know, it's a rag. But it's my stress relief from my job--nurse in the child welfare field (enough said)and I don't believe half of it. I can't scan the article, but the following is verbatin.

The article is on the first page under Star Buzz--Hollywood gossip, hot off the press. There is a picture of Jon on the right of the page wearing a "the black sheep" T-shirt which at first glance appears to read "the 6 lack sleep" as the b is lower case and almost looks like the number 6. Weird. The title of the article is Jon Gosselin Rock Bottom.

Once a millionaire TV star, Jon Gosselin's financial situation has gotten so bad that he doesn't have the means to support his 8 children anymore--and he may go to jail because of it.

"I can't afford to pay my rent, and the domestic-relations staff tell me they will put me in jail unless I pay child support," Jon, 35, tells Star exclusively. "I am a single father who's trying to make ends meet during a recession. What do I do--pay child support or rent? I need to support my kids, but I could lose my house, and I need my home to continue to have custody.

"I'm doing the best I can," Jon adds. "But life is so expensive with eight kids!"

The unemployed dad--who started a new life in rural Pennsylvania after splitting from wife Kate Gosselin and leaving his reality series, Jon & Kate Plus 8, in 2009, says that keeping a good job has been difficulty, since people still recognize him from TV. Meanwhile, Kate, 37, is staging a comeback with a new dating show, in which she may travel around the country searching for Mr. Right.

*A picture of Katie Irene is the silver tin foil dress is on the lower left and is titled the Ex Factor/ "I feel like Kate would love to see me in jail", Jon says of his ex-wife, who's been training for a marathon recently.

*The rest of the article goes on to state:

"I think this is completely ridiculous!" Jon says of his ex's new project. "we have eight children and they need us. She is putting reality TV and dating in front of the kids.

"I know I have a lot to be thankful for," he continues. "But Kate's need to be famous is not one of them."
---Adriane Schwartz

*On the right of the page is a the picture of Kate, Liz and all the kids titled HIS NEW LOVE!! It appears to be taken in a restaurant?

Feel free to ask questions, I have the article in front of me. But the above is verbatim. Hope it makes sense.

anger issues kate said...

Well, another useless Kate Gosselin, CC blog. Kate talking about her favorite Apps. It's very laughable: to say one has to find, using a App, which gas stations have diesel? I don't know about anyone here, but diesel is at all the stations I go to. I go to different ones, who's gas is cheap. But, then, this is Kate, tryin the helpless female crap or Kate has a poor memory. So how many times, Kate has been to these gas stations, and she still does not know where they are?

And this adventure crap, that Kate never goes on. As the only 2 comments sofar say, her blog is laughable. And it is!

Once a Viewer said...

anger:
I agree about the diesel. She mentioned it the other day in a tweet- does she think diesel gives her status?? And yes, it's available at any gas station I ever went to, I think.

The line that annoyed me was "So, if I’m taking my kids out for an adventure..." Adventure? Are they toddlers pretending they are going to the moon?

Rhymes with Witch said...

The article in STAR about Jon Gosselin shows him with his GF Liz and
all their kids enjoying some time out together. 138

Susantoyota, thank you for posting that.

The picture at ROL looks a lot like a previous picture that ROL posted. They have been know to re-use pictures, quotes and even
articles.

Fools In Love said...

Quoting The Star..."I feel like Kate would love to see me in jail", Jon says of his ex-wife, who's been training for a marathon recently.

##############

So the statement is that he FEELS like Kate would love to see him in jail. This may very well be the way he feels. He does not say that Kate wants to see him in jail. It's a matter of semantics, yes, but there is a difference.

LaLaLandNoMore said...

Why in the world did the Gosselins believe their reality show would continue to financially support them "forever?" Bad advise or was it just their own stupidity? Makes a person wonder. Come to think of it, they had kids on purpose who they could not support. Too bad Jon's father died. Obviously, his money figured in to their previous decisions. It's just difficult to find empathy for the greedy grifters.

Tucker's Mom said...

Fools In Love said... 148
Quoting The Star..."I feel like Kate would love to see me in jail", Jon says of his ex-wife, who's been training for a marathon recently.

##############

So the statement is that he FEELS like Kate would love to see him in jail. This may very well be the way he feels. He does not say that Kate wants to see him in jail. It's a matter of semantics, yes, but there is a difference.
*******
Oh boy, I don't see any way of mitigating this damaging statement, so I'll politely disagree and say same, same, same. It was a really, truly stupid thing to say.
"Mommy, do you want Daddy to go to jail?" asked the terrified 8 year old.

anger issues kate said...

Well, had my 2 laughs for the day. 1, Kate cc blog, and some sheeple follower of hers asked Kate to post a school check list. This person is joking, right!? To that idiot on Kates twitter: you live in another state, find out what school your 1st grader is going to and get the list of school supplies from them. Kates: kids school supplies are different than yours. Where do these people come from, GOD help us, all, if this is what is raising the next generation.

Tucker's Mom said...

Kate's CC blog--it's a joke, right? It's CC giving the middle finger to each and every one of their readers. Think we're actually going to give you savings advice? Screw you!

Mrs. Malaprop said...

Thanks AuntieAnn, Lilly, Pink, and Readerlady for the well wishes for Moses. I swear to high heaven that the NEXT stray that finds me will go to a no kill shelter.

Our two adult cats are not thrilled with this little guy. (Readerlady, I'm pretty sure it's a male. I checked his parts, and they look male-ish. LOL). Last night our adult female hissed and growled at Moses, then she walked over to our adult male, licked his forehead then swatted HIM. It was pretty funny. Hopefully they'll chill out soon. Stupid cat I didn't want!

Over In Berks said...

I agree about the diesel. She mentioned it the other day in a tweet- does she think diesel gives her status?? And yes, it's available at any gas station I ever went to, I think.

++++++++++++++++++

She wanted a diesel car, and now she pays diesel prices. Suck it! Every gas station around her has diesel. She's not fooling anyone.

Of course, all this is assuming that you can afford an iPhone and the data charges that go with it. What about the mediocre people out there who have a basic cell phone? I guess they are just out of luck when it comes to finding an address to plug into the GPS that they don't have! Why can't she use her iPhone as a GPS? They have that capability. What coupons did she offer with this app lesson? Coupons for diesel?

Dwindle said...

Lilly said... 127
Dwindle - Canadian show was Pioneer Quest
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

THANK YOU!!!! That one showed things differently. 2 families had to house together in a tent or something while they built proper cabins, plus they filmed them all through the winter. One of the women about had a breakdown being seperated from her adult child for the duration of the project. It was a bit odd.

Over In Berks said...

Thanks AuntieAnn, Lilly, Pink, and Readerlady for the well wishes for Moses. I swear to high heaven that the NEXT stray that finds me will go to a no kill shelter.

++++++++++++++++++

lol! I've said that several times, but it's always been "next time it goes to the shelter." Then the next time comes around...

Over In Berks said...

Where do these people come from, GOD help us, all, if this is what is raising the next generation.

+++++++++++++++++++

I know exactly what you mean, Anger. I read some of those tweets and wonder how they ever got to adulthood. I can't always tell, though, if they are tweeting these ignorant questions just to get a response from her ("Kate tweeted me and now I can die happy!") or if they really are that stupid.

AuntieAnn said...

Mrs. Malaprop said...

I swear to high heaven that the NEXT stray that finds me will go to a no kill shelter.
=====

Uh huh. Yep. Suuuure it will.

;0)

Kate is a twit said...

capecodmama said... 137

That interview really showed what an arrogant, self-centered person Donald Trump is. Here on LI, he has been in dispute with NY State for 6 years over a restaurant/catering facility he wants to build at Jones Beach on the south shore of LI. Last week, he finally got approval, but not without some major changes.

Kate is Krazy said...

I don't think there were any coupons? weird.

Once a Viewer said...

Back to The Farmer's Wife. One thing I noticed that surprised me, was that the Buschkoetters hand no generic brands around, like Kleenex, food mixes,condiments, napkins, toiletries. Maybe they were not available in their small town?

I save ( and did in the 90s too) a lot using generic or store-brand products.

readerlady said...

Mrs. Malaprop -- If the parts look sort of like a triangle, it's a boy. If it looks like dots and a slit, it's a girl. Don't worry if you can't tell for sure. Even vets and experienced breeders get it wrong sometimes. They're little and fuzzy and sometimes don't hold still very well! To help your other cats accept him, you might try a feliway infuser. You can get them at pet stores.

Auntie Ann -- Yes, both sentences are correct. SHE lived in a shoe, so WHO is correct -- subject of the verb lived. THEY met her at the store, so WHOM is correct -- object of the preposition at.

I remain skeptical of the article. As Summerwind said, anything in Star is suspect. They twist, imply, make unwarranted inferences, take things out of context, recycle old material, and invent out of whole cloth. If Jennifer Aniston had actually been pregnant as many times as they've said, she'd have more kids than KK by now!

Rhymes with Witch said...

Has anyone heard of Dick Proenneke? He homesteaded in Alaska. PBS
put together a documentary from film he took. Fascinating.

http://www.aloneinthewilderness.com/

(http://www.amazon.com/One-Mans-Wilderness-Alaskan-Annivers/dp/0882405136/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225851127&sr=8-2).

Over In Berks said...

Oh boy, I don't see any way of mitigating this damaging statement, so I'll politely disagree and say same, same, same. It was a really, truly stupid thing to say.

+++++++++++++++++++

IF he said it. Since he's not tweeting, we don't know. If the entire article was pieced together from statements gotten elsewhere, I hope he sues the heck out of them. If he did say it, maybe he was totally exasperated at the moment, facing possible eviction and was desperate about the child support. Therefore, he may have said exactly what he was feeling at the moment.
However, I still don't believe what was written in that article.

Griftopia said...

Over In Berks said... 154
Of course, all this is assuming that you can afford an iPhone and the data charges that go with it. What about the mediocre people out there who have a basic cell phone?

*******************

I thought the same thing, Berk, when I read that inane blog post of hers. It's as useless as her last one, which was only relevant to people with a heated, inground pool. Someone needs to tell Kate that she shouldn't be crying poor while simultaneously bragging about her expensive toys. She's such a tool.

Kate is a twit said...

Mrs. Malaprop-I've been meaning to offer my congratulations on your new family member! I had a feeling this kitten would become part of your household.

Although I never intended to have a cat, I ended up having 4(for awhile at the same time). I didn't look for them-they all found me or a member of my family. It was just meant to be.

Welcome, Moses.

Dmasy said...

Welcome little Moses to his new family!

AuntieAnn said...

Mrs. Malaprop, I shouldn't make fun. The two cats we have, or I should say have us, were both little strays once, too. Now they have a lovely bedroom with a queen size bed and everything. They even let us sleep in it.


readerlady - thanks!

Lilly said...

Dwindle - another really great one is a bbc Victorian farm - 6 shows and real fun - others Yukon quest yawn

Mrs mal - got our miss Lilly from a barn - still quite a bit feral at times but learning to like the amenities - points at the tips of her ears, wiskers point out - not in ....and she hates her harness but loves outside so puts up with it - wolves, foxes and wolverines means she has to be kept close _ oh yes fishers too

Kate - bye bye ...

aggiemom09121416 said...

Who doesn't have an iphone??
RAISING HAND!!!!
I don't have one, can't afford it, lol. have five phones on my plan, my three kids have iphones, my hubby and I do not. I don't have three new vehicles. All of the cars I bought for my kids are newer than mine. I haven't had a vacation since a 3 day honeymoon to the bahamas in 1985.
Kate's a real tool, isn't she. (not)

I watched 9 parts of the Farmer's Wife, and I must say I admire and appreciate her desire to do whatever it takes to provide for her kids. Now this is what bugs me.....at the first, she states she was 16 and he was 22...(who lets their underage daughter date someone that old? My household rule is, date a boy one year older or younger, has to be in school.
Other thing that bothered me is that she stated her father was a superintendant. I assumed that was a SCHOOL superintendant, which requires college degrees. I know we've discussed the merits of a degree, but I would *think* her parents ingrained in her the value of a college education (my kids have no say-so in the matter, lol). Years of struggling later, Juanita earned her college degree. Good for her. She sure did everything the hard way, imo. I believe she stated that one sibling went to Wesseley, and the other to another well known university, but can't recall which at the moment.

Kate is a twit said...

What have I learned from Kate's CC blog? I've learned she has a heated pool, a brown leather couch, an IPhone, an IPad, a BBB that uses diesel and GPS. I found out there is an app called "IWant"(was that designed with Kate in mind-it definitely seems like it was named for her).

One thing I did notice-if you're going to write a blog about your favorite apps, shouldn't the app for the company whose site your blog is on, be listed as #1?

I guess finding out what song you're listening to is more important than promoting your employer.

Fools In Love said...

Are there any apps that tell you where to get your hair fried and get the heck gouged out of you when you go to pay?

Know anyone I could ask?

KyPastor said...

private Presbyterian colleges

^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Presbyterian Church has a scholarship program for good students to attend Presbyterian colleges. Several of my members attended very highly ranked private colleges this way with virtually no out of pocket costs.

Summerwind said...

Aggie said, "I believe she stated that one sibling went to Wesseley, and the other to another well known university, but can't recall which at the moment."
______________

I haven't watched it. Do you mean Wellesley College in Massachusetts? Impressive and not inexpensive! My friend's daughter graduated a few years ago, and annual tuition was over $50,000.

Tess said...

Rhymes - 163

Yes, I've watched the documentary and everything they have on the website. He was an amazing man.

Dwindle said...

Tucker's Mom said... 150
Fools In Love said... 148
Quoting The Star..."I feel like Kate would love to see me in jail", Jon says of his ex-wife, who's been training for a marathon recently.
##############
So the statement is that he FEELS like Kate would love to see him in jail. This may very well be the way he feels. He does not say that Kate wants to see him in jail. It's a matter of semantics, yes, but there is a difference.
*******
Oh boy, I don't see any way of mitigating this damaging statement, so I'll politely disagree and say same, same, same. It was a really, truly stupid thing to say.
"Mommy, do you want Daddy to go to jail?" asked the terrified 8 year old.
---------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------

The statement never in a million years should have been even hinted at. And SHAME on Jon for even allowing Star to take him there.

I had the option of persuing jail for my ex when the child support arrearage reached $75K. I refused. Eventually the arrearage reached $82K, based on minimum wage and 25 hours a week employment. I could NOT tell my little boy that his daddy was going to jail. Never never never. I did warn the older teen girls it was on the table because the magistrate had threatened my ex in court with it. So I KNEW (and I was right) he would be telling the kids that I was sending him to jail. Which was a lie and he knew it but he said it anyway. I refused to support the process, but it didnt stop the magistrate from using the threat. The thought of my 8 year old little boy contemplating his daddy in jail was just too much to bear. That is a horrible thing to do to kids.

He was actually 8 years old too when his beloved eldest sister went away to college. He was terrified and it was more than just 'missing' her! Here it turns out, he was picturing her living full time in a version of his 3rd grade classroom. Chained to her classroom desk all the time, eating 3 meals in a gymnasium/cafeteria, and sleeping on the floor or something by her desk. It was a horror show in his little mind!

Once we took him to Kent State and showed him her dorm room (which she was sharing with her childhood bestie who was also my son's fav babysitter) and all the amenities at Kent, well he thought his sister was now the COOLEST ever! My point is: you cant throw out a sentence like "maybe I'll go to jail and my ex would like it" without thinking how that impacts a small child!!!!! They percieve things differently!!!!

Jon, you are perhaps nearly as twisted as Kate. Shut. Up. Why do you pop out of the woodwork every few months and bellyache to the press? Shut. Up.

Lilly said...

Hi - need your help just discovered an electric pressure cooker and would love some help - recipe section has no updates so would love to know how to do brisket ribs etc - yes I am of an age but my mother was terrified by the thing and so no knowledge

Also anyone got an actifry ... need more recipes

See you over in recipes?? Thanks

EM said...

Zero snark intended.
If this family has a farm..why is food such an issue. You would think the have lots of access to grain, vegwtables, beef, chicken ,pork eggs etc. Cant they plant a personal garden..add some fruit trees, and use a few animals for eggs, milk and meat?

Can someone explain to me why groceries are such a stress for these farmers?

Mrs. Malaprop said...

This is for the Things I Never Thought I'd Say file: I just yelled to my husband in the next room, "Honey, Readerlady says if it's a triangle it's a boy; dots and a slit, it's a girl!" LOL!!!

Lilly, where do you live (in general)? I've worried about coyotes going after my pets, but wolverines, wolves, and fishers? Oh my!

AuntieAnn, how very generous of your felines to share their bed with you! I used to laugh at my dear grandma because if a cat was on the bed in the morning she would wait to make it lest she disturb its peaceful slumber. Now I'm the same way!

Thanks Dmasy and Kate is a Twit!

Bruce'sWife said...

The most rabid of the sheep are now following LIZ on Twitter. Why won't they stop harrassing Jon and anybody in his life?

They can't believe Jon is being a FATHER and not a deadbeat. It KILLS them to finally realize that Kate DOESN'T MIND, infact, she PREFERS being away from her kids half the time.

Sheeple, you picked a loser of a horse. She's not a mother but was just an incubater for Jon's children. She doesn't love 8 individual children. She only loves what they can bring to her.

Anybody that supports this women must have extremely low IQ, self-esteem and standards. I pity their children and husbands.

Once a Viewer said...

EM:

I agree...one garden they had was destroyed by a cow but I don't know why they didn't replant it and the girls could have helped with it..also keep a few chicken for eggs. I don't think they had the room for other animals- they had to sell their hogs and I believe they had beef cattle only. They seemed to focus on crops. Their corn was plentiful so they could have at least had some of that! I know nothing about farming but yes, you would think they could 'live off the land' a bit more. But you never know what wasn't shown tbh.

Yes, J meant Wellesley College but mispronounced it. It's near me- drove by it yesterday! I gathered J's parents didn't have much control over her and did not approve of Darrel, partly as a farmer and maybe his age.

Dwindle said...

Griftopia said... 165
Over In Berks said... 154
Of course, all this is assuming that you can afford an iPhone and the data charges that go with it. What about the mediocre people out there who have a basic cell phone?
*******************
I thought the same thing, Berk, when I read that inane blog post of hers. It's as useless as her last one, which was only relevant to people with a heated, inground pool. Someone needs to tell Kate that she shouldn't be crying poor while simultaneously bragging about her expensive toys. She's such a tool.
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It's all she knows. She cant speak to anything else because she doesnt have any other frame of reference for anything. She is very limited mentally.

She is like the 13 year old who insists that EVERYONE DOES IT! No, they dont Kate. It's just you and 2 other girls in your homeroom class who dont even like you.

Have we noticed how she keeps repeating the same themes over and over? laundry 2 or 3 posts, pool 2 posts, her sofa 666 times, her cars 2 posts, buying ill fitting clothes and shoes for her children 3 posts, saving water by keeping the kids dirty 2 or 3 posts, and this is the 2nd time she has mentioned her phone apps. We have often wondered what she does all day; now we know. And her pea brain cant handle much else.

Can someone who is watching Farmer's Wife tell me: did she have any help with her house and children?

Lilly said...

Mrs Mal - live in the country (well last house in town) outside Ottawa Ontario - yup have satellite, Nat gas and town water but cows over the back fence , fox yesterday bright red tail - deer all the time - first sighting 16 years ago -WOw Bambi - after they ate $250 of trees - GD deer lol

aggiemom09121416 said...

Summerwind said... 174
Aggie said, "I believe she stated that one sibling went to Wesseley, and the other to another well known university, but can't recall which at the moment."
______________

I haven't watched it. Do you mean Wellesley College in Massachusetts? Impressive and not inexpensive
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Yes, I am pretty sure that is what she said; I was stunned. Can't recall which university the other sibling attended, but it was a good one, too..just escapes my thoughts at the moment.

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EM said... 178
Zero snark intended.
If this family has a farm..why is food such an issue. You would think the have lots of access to grain, vegwtables, beef, chicken ,pork eggs etc. Cant they plant a personal garden..add some fruit trees, and use a few animals for eggs, milk and meat?

Can someone explain to me why groceries are such a stress for these farmers?
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All cows aren't milk cows(only certain breeds are used for human consumption)...even if they were, you'd have to have pasteurization equipment, etc. They could eat some of their cattle, but they have to be fed certains grains for weeks and/or months for the meat to be good, then you have to have it processed, and that costs $$$. Then, you have to have a freezer big enough to store it. (same goes for pigs, feed and processing).
Vegetables? cant grow a garden year round in Nebraska, obviously.
I didn't see any chickens on the parts I watched, but again, you have to feed chickens, and perhaps they don't have the capital to build the chickens a pen; and chickens don't lay year round.
If they planted fruit trees, it would take YEARS to produce fruit...and those trees have to be watered and sprayed...

If they can't afford a 40.00 doctor bill, they sure as heck can't afford a 400.00 processing fee for meats and the freezer to store it.
:(

Lilly said...

Also we are under a water ban so can't even refill our very green very hot kiddy pool - pity the farmers so won't even consider refilling under the dark of night

Kate - don't have a iPhone or a job right now - get stuffed!

Once a Viewer said...

Dwindle:
No help except occasionally her mother-in-law took the kids. But there was a rift between Darrel and Juanita & his parents who lived on their own farm a mile away - didn't accept her coming 'from the city" ( aka town) and not a farmer. The m-in-law was kind, though, but had many duties of her own. Darrel said his dad never praised him or thanked him for helping with his work as he got older. They needed a mediator to solve some family/farm business problems and did not want it filmed.


*Sorry to be posting so much on this- I have loved this doc for years and never had anyone to discuss it with! My family weren't as gung-ho as I am! So thanks again, Admin! I thought a few of you on here would enjoy it, having mentioned farms and/or hardships.

Summerwind said...

Aggie,

I found it online. One of her brothers went to Harvard, and a sister went to Wellesley.

Ex Nurse said...

Susantoyota--thanks for the descriptions and quotes. I figured I would read it at the grocery store, but now I don't have to. Since the article contains direct quotes and said that Jon "tells Star exclusively", seems safe to assume that he was interviewed. And, since he is referring to the dating show rumor, it was recently. I guess it is possible that the Star combined old info, from a previous interview, with more recent quotes. It matters, somewhat--in view of the revelation that he no longer has CS, it doesn't make sense if it is a recent quote. In any case, why can't he just keep his mouth shut? He is hurting his children by keeping them in the public eye.

Kate is a Witch said...

Juanita's brother went to Harvard. I could tell she was smart. Her parents did not approve of her marriage to Darrel and choice to live and work on a family farm, but they knew they couldn't stop her. I think she was 18 when she married him.

Dwindle, no she did not have help. Half the time SHE was working as a cleaning lady at bigger houses in town in between school drop off and pick up, cleaning her own home, and errands. Then later, she took college classes. Sometimes when I watch the show I can't understand how the hell she did it all.

Him either, between working their own farm, working on his dad's farm and working full-time in town to supplement their very meager income.

They are shown eating corn on the cob a couple of times. I think they did supplement a bit from a small garden of theirs and I wouldn't be surprised if they did some casual co-op/trade thing with neighboring farms with gardens.

anger issues kate said...

Mrs.Malaprop: congrats on your new family member.


Well, I've been fighting a sinus infection and something called Thrush(yeast infection in my throat. Been fighting short fevers, I have a pill to take, stuff to put up my nose and stuff for my throat. I've hardly been eating a lot of food, just mostly chicken broth and chips, tomatoes and breakfast sandwhiches(those little ones) and sleeping. I have housework pileing up. Did some, everything is a effort.

But Kate & her sheeple made me laugh.

Kate is a Witch said...

mama Mia, I'm honestly perplexed at your negativity and hostility directed at Juanita. And how do you know so much back story?

And is it true? I don't know that it's true and I don't know that I care if it's true. The point of this documentary is to show the genuine struggle of a small American farming family. There seems to be no question they struggled, so what's the problem?

Once a Viewer said...

mama mia:
No,it doesn't change my mind at all. I also don't believe the cheating rumors without proof. Darrel brought it up when she went to her sister's shower- maybe she would find a city guy overnight. And Darrel had violent tendencies- does that change your mind about custody? ( I don't know what the custody arrangements were) To me, religion is religion- take the good from all faiths.He also remarried. There were a lot of unfounded rumors after this was filmed but maybe you know something I don't? If not, I will trust my instincts and what I read on the PBS boards and interviews with the filmmakers and the participants.

Once a Viewer said...

anger: Hope you feel better soon . Lousy to be sick in the summer.

Jane said...

BrucesWife...180
msgoody2shoes21 is now following Liz, Jon's girlfriend? Hopefully, Liz will block her,or remove her account entirely. I see that Paige and the nasty bloggers from Imperfect Women are also following her. Poor Liz. :(

Moose Mania said...

AuntieAnn, how very generous of your felines to share their bed with you! I used to laugh at my dear grandma because if a cat was on the bed in the morning she would wait to make it lest she disturb its peaceful slumber. Now I'm the same way!

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

So am I. Last night I was up very late, and one of the little boy cats was sound asleep on MY side of the bed, on his back, in the most peaceful sleep imaginable. I wanted to go to bed, but didn't want to wake him. I slept in the other room. He was still there this morning, and I swear he grinned at me.

My gosh...I could drink a milkshake. Are there any apps for that?

Jane said...

Loving the comments on The Farmers Wife and, as soon as company leaves, I hope to catch up. It's great to come here and read about something other than Ms. Grifter.

aggiemom09121416 said...

Since her dad was educated, he should have had enough discretionary income to provide orthodontics for his daughter. Juanita stated in one of the eps that her mother tried to bribe her with getting her teeth fixed if she wouldn't marry young.
wtf? who does that??

And how could I forget the university, Harvard?lol., funny, the other one stuck in my head.

Juanita's mother also said (paraphrasing) that men in that area married not 'for love', but primarily for help on the farm. It appears to me that Juanita probably suffered from low self esteem and self worth...an older guy gave her some attention and she left her parents as soon as she could. And to make it worse, her then boyfriend (later husband) said he didn't want her to go to college, thought she might like 'that type' of lifestyle an education would provide better than him.
Seems that between her parents and her husband, she didn't have much of a chance.

Moose Mania said...

I see that Paige and the nasty bloggers from Imperfect Women are also following her. Poor Liz. :(

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Paige, who set up that fake FB page to torment Ellen? Look out, Liz! Paige needs to get a life...get out with her friends, go somewhere on vacation, hang out with kids her own age, see some shows, whatever. Eighteen year old kids don't fantasize over a mother in her late 30s, hanging on every word, tweeting her constantly about how gorgeous she is. It's not normal.

These sheeple really are strange and obsessed, aren't they? I just hope they're not dangerous.

Lilly said...

Ot - admin - any chance of new topic on recipes for pressure cooker and actifry?? Merci

anger issues kate said...

Once a viewer: Thanks, I know, I got a bout 6 things, I wanted to do this week, I will be luck if any of it gets done. I had a few things I wanted to attend. I think I will go and take a nap.

Mrs. Malaprop said...

Lilly - deer can be destructive can't they? We have lots where I live in Ohio.

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