On farms gates are pretty important things.  You know, since it keeps the animals where you want them.

A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law, in her desire to be helpful, went out in the snow and fed all the animals so my father-in-law wouldn’t have to do it in the dark when he finally returned home from work.

The next morning when he awoke, he discovered she had left the main gate open.  The cows had been set free.  Nothing like a quick round up before going off to work.  Well my father-in-law, being the good natured man he is, couldn’t help but tease her for leaving the gate open.  Even the farmers down the valley who had been regaled the tale, teased.  They offered to give my mother-in-law a special class on opening and closing gates.

This past weekend my in-laws came to visit.  My father-in-law rushed about the farm feeding the animals before they took off to come see us.  As they drove up the lane away from their house, my father-in-law noticed something.  He’d left the main gate open.  They quickly drove back and fixed the problem, but it looks like he got his “just desserts”.  Maybe my mother-in-law should tell the other farmers she’s not the only one that needs the classes on how to open and shut a gate. (ha-ha)