Farmer Gets a Smartphone

There are things in all of our lives we picture never happening, like going to the moon or owning an airplane. More often than not we are surprised by what life hands us. For me this came in the form of a smartphone.

My parents when they came this fall to visit!

The surprises all started a few years ago when my dad mentioned he wanted to use the internet to find a new pitching machine to put in the shop for my brother. So being the good daughter I am, I taught him a few tricks on the computer, which was harder than I thought! From there it just escalated. A year or so later he learned to send a text message. Now fast forward a couple years to the present. This Christmas, my parents purchased an iPad. Yet again my dad got the hang of it quickly.

What happened next probably surprised me the most; my dad got a smartphone. Not just any smartphone, an all touch screen, 4G smartphone. With that he also set up an email account! My dad having an email? SAY WHAT?!

Thinking about it now, none of this should shock me. My dad, a farmer, is one of the smartest people I know. He has taught himself, along with the help of my uncles and grandpa, everything he knows. He uses tools every day that are way more sophisticated than a smartphone or iPad. In both his tractor and combine, there are touch screen computers that monitor and operate the machines. He also uses a GPS system that maps the fields out to assist in the planting and harvesting of crops. Along with those, he uses many more pieces of technology I could only dream of understanding.

Since getting his smartphone and email, my dad has been very crafty and put them to use in everyday life. Just the other day I caught him (see below) using it to find a diagram to assist him when wiring new lights in our shop!

His smartphone is action!

-Paige

Kansas Girl

Hey guys, I'm Kassie...I'm a small town Kansas girl who loves family, country music, cooking, K-State, God, and especially agriculture! With a big family it seems that there is always something going on at the Curran household. Although hectic at times (almost all the time) I love our crazy, busy, hard-working, lifestyle at home in southeast Kansas. I have 2 younger sisters, 2 younger brothers, and 2 very amazing parents :)We also have 3 horses, 4 cows (1 fall calf), a bucket calf, a goat, about 20 chickens, a dog, 6 cats, and an occasional beaver or raccoon that my brothers catch. Maybe we should start a petting zoo, thoughts?? Regardless of the numbers or variety of animals, agriculture has been a huge part of my life ever since I can remember...My 3rd birthday present was a horse ("Daisy Mae"). However, we found out later that day I was allergic to horses. :( My dad is an agriculture education teacher and my grandpa owns and operates the family cattle ranch that began in 1868. Whether I was doing chores, fixing fence, or shoveling rocks I have learned many life lessons because of my upbringing in agriculture and I wouldn't trade that for anything!!! There is lots to know about me but I'll get you started with a few fun facts...

• Grew up near Sedan, KS then moved to nearby Girard, KS the summer before my senior year of high school
• Born a K-State Wildcat!!! I am majoring in Food Science & Industry with a minor in Agricultural Economics and an emphasis in Meat Science
• I have had both of my parents as teachers…My dad was my ag teacher for most of high school until we moved to Girard then I got Mr. Boultinghouse too!
• Served as Kansas FFA Vice President in 2010-2011
• 12 year member of 4-H…Sedan Willing Workers and the Hepler Hustlers
• Showed meat goats and my Black Angus heifer named “Willa”
• I love to cook!!
• My all time favorite show is One Tree Hill---have seen all 176 episodes of the 9 seasons so far. My sister and I started watching in high school and got our whole family hooked. When we go home for breaks, we spend hours watching old episodes on DVD :)
• Riding bikes is a favorite pastime of mine
• I Love Beef! and promoting beef to consumers too!
• I’m a music lover…Taylor Swift, George Strait, Eli Young Band…lots of country, red dirt, oldies, and anything but rap or Garth Brooks :)

• Summer is my favorite time of year--I love the lake and concerts!!

• Most of all, I love God, my family, and my friends 

I hope you will get to know both Paige and I through our blog as we share our thoughts on life, agriculture, college, and whatever else comes into our wondering minds. Stay tuned, Kassie