Welcome to the Pig Pen. Labor Day has passed and in Wisconsin that means Tuesday was the first day of school all over the state. Elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and even universities in our state all start on the day after Labor Day. For our family, that meant one child heading off to begin second grade, one heading off to begin her college career, one soon-to-be-son-in-law starting his college classes for the year, and one daughter beginning her new school year teaching music. I should include one little brother too young to start school but who wants desperately to keep pace with his big sisters! Only one of the whole crew who is finished with school and won’t be going either as teacher or student.

Welcome to the Pig Pen! September is upon us and that means lots of kids going back to school and National Barrow Show just around the corner! Lots of folks are suffering right now in the south as a result of Harvey, but I have to say I’ve been super-impressed by the response to this tragedy. Lots of regular people volunteering their time, money and personal property to help in the rescue efforts and to get people back on their feet! I think it’s worth noting the difference in culture when something like this happens in Texas as opposed to disasters in other parts of the country. Those Texans just pick themselves up and get to work. I’ve got to admire that kind of attitude and I wish there were more just like them all across the country.