00:00:02:04 - 00:00:39:02 Unknown Hi, I'm Catherine. And I'm Dale. And welcome to women over 70. Aging reimagined, our award winning weekly podcast. Visit women over 70.com to learn about how you may become involved with us. Join Aging Reimagined Circle and enjoy free participation in our monthly programs online. And thank you for listening and thanks to our sponsor, Plymouth Place in Lagrange Park, Illinois, where senior living is redefined with options and opportunities to fit individual needs and preferences. 00:00:39:04 - 00:01:07:02 Unknown And today, we're very happy to be in conversation with Beverly Slotnick, age 76. At least she will be in June and she's Bev has always known farm life. She married at age 18. She and her husband raised four children and cared for large herds of cattle and cows. And these days, Beverly spends two hours each weekday morning helping her son bring the cattle in from the fields for feeding. 00:01:07:04 - 00:01:37:10 Unknown At age 35, she attended college to pursue her calling as a teacher. It took her seven years to finish driving 120 miles round trip to attend no classes. Beverly taught school for many years until she retired a bit early due to school consolidation. She loves to travel with her family and a memorable trip. Given that she's 100% Norwegian, was to Norway, where she visited relatives and stood on the land of her ancestors, our ancestors. 00:01:37:11 - 00:01:42:01 Unknown Because Beverly is my first cousin. 00:01:42:03 - 00:02:06:13 Unknown Becoming a widow after 55 years. Brought Beverly into a club she didn't want to join. Yet she's committed to making her own way and a new joy in her life. Is hosting a high school foreign exchange student from Spain. So welcome Beverly to women over 70. As I mentioned, we are first cousins. Our mothers are sister sisters, and we've been connected since birth. 00:02:06:15 - 00:02:21:12 Unknown So, thank you for being with us today. You're welcome. I'm happy to be here. Taking your cue. So let's, you know, some of our our listeners. 00:02:21:14 - 00:02:31:04 Unknown We just spotlight you from some of our listeners know Farm Life that many of them don't. 00:02:31:06 - 00:02:56:06 Unknown Okay. Okay. So could you what would you like? What would you like people to know about the rural living and and living on a farm? Well, of course it's all I know. I said to a friend once, I love the country. And she said, you don't know anything else. Well, that's true. Yeah, but I would like people to know that the farm has been a wonderful life for our family. 00:02:56:12 - 00:03:26:21 Unknown Sometimes trying and frustrating, but more often, a great life. My husband and I had to work and plan together to succeed in it. Our children learned responsibility. They also experienced the joys of new life and the sadness of death. And then it took husbands and wives to do the work. Now, for the most families, the wife also has a career in town. 00:03:26:23 - 00:03:43:04 Unknown During the 1960s, an average farm fed 25 people. Now that same farm feeds 166 people. 00:03:43:06 - 00:04:19:11 Unknown Then family farms are the norm. Now corporate farms are becoming common. Then the cost to to plant an acre of corn was about $250. Now the input is almost 900 per acre. Combine them to harvest. The corn was about 24,000. Now it's about 500,000 more than the average selling price of corn was 250. And now the prices for 73 price varies. 00:04:19:11 - 00:04:51:19 Unknown So intelligent marketing is essential. Most farms were diversified then. Now they're more focused either on grain or, and or livestock. A career in farming necessitates education, determination and independence. It's a good life. It's good. But then. Wow. Okay. Thank you. So you you went into teaching. You said that was your calling to become a teacher. 00:04:51:21 - 00:05:20:24 Unknown What are some of the what stands out for you about your teaching career? Oh, kids, I loved those kids. We have so many responsible, wise and kind kids. Many of our parents have done a wonderful job of discipline and loving them. School can be tough for kids who haven't had a positive home life. I used to see little kids, having a playground. 00:05:21:01 - 00:05:44:07 Unknown Probably not doing some positive actions. And I thought, oh, when they get to fifth grade, I'll straighten that out. And that doesn't work that way. That teachers can't fix the problems at the home. Teachers can love and support, but parents have to get their lives together so children can thrive. Kids need a loving home. 00:05:44:09 - 00:06:06:01 Unknown And so you taught fifth grade and a digit teach other grades as well. I started out in the gifted program and then went to kindergarten, then went to third grade and then ended up in fifth grade. For many years. Then after I retired from the public school at Chad at a, smart Christian school for a few years. 00:06:06:03 - 00:06:42:14 Unknown Also very rewarding when you say small, how small? Oh, about 15 kids in art grades. Reminds me of, my upbringing. Oh, country school is country school. That's good. That individualized attention. Yeah. Excellent. Well, on a different note, you know, you were, mentioned in my introduction that you were married for 55, 53 years, and, your husband Leroy died two years, three years ago. 00:06:42:16 - 00:07:10:14 Unknown 20, 20, oh, five years ago. Sorry. Okay. So what? I know it's been a difficult transition, but many of our listeners have also been through this, on this path. What has it been like for you? Okay. Well, I don't like it, but, it's lonely and there's so many things I miss discussing topics like there's a two star army to drive to town. 00:07:10:14 - 00:07:45:01 Unknown Is it? Should I buy a different car? Although I probably. Yeah. I don't know. What should we eat for dinner? Just the little things. Sometimes the bigger things, the closeness. But I choose what hurts. I choose to be happy and thankful for a husband I've trusted with everything. And to everyone I appreciate. It's hard work. I love the way he took care of us, and I know I see him again. 00:07:45:03 - 00:08:26:20 Unknown I choose to be happy. I choose to be. And Bev, when you say you choose what hurts, can could you say a little bit more about that, please? Yeah. There's so many little things in life that could hurt and trivial things we just have to pass over. Just just to ignore the, the little things, the, the comments somebody makes, and they really don't mean anything by it that the things that happen on the news and I turn the TV off, just choose to ignore some of that. 00:08:26:22 - 00:08:58:05 Unknown That makes sense. Yeah, yeah. So you, your parent, both of your parents were Norwegian, 100% Norwegian. You are more than 100% Norwegian. I still, it so tell us a bit about what it was like to to travel to Norway and meet some other relatives and that experience was like, you know, I felt like I belonged. I felt like it felt like these are my people. 00:08:58:07 - 00:09:29:04 Unknown And I saw the land that my grandmother that our grandma's family lived on it. I just felt at home and talking with relatives. It was just, a secure, warm feeling to be with them and to be there with the the. Did the two of you have you and Catherine, were you together much when you were growing up? 00:09:29:06 - 00:09:58:01 Unknown Well, we lived 125 miles apart, so, in those days, we didn't just travel for a a day here and day there, but, maybe a couple of times a year. Okay. Well, I often visited, I think I visited you every summer. Family in the farm. Oh, yes. Yes, I remember that horse that kept bugging me off. You were the reason we went rollerskating. 00:09:58:01 - 00:10:32:00 Unknown Where I met Leroy. Really? Really. Her. Oh, my. I didn't remember that. But I was that. Yeah. Oh. That's great. Yeah. So we, And then there were always family reunions every July at my grandmother's. So there'll be a whole crew of kids and aunts and uncles and softball games and lots of pap to drink, lots of aunts and then cousins were there. 00:10:32:02 - 00:10:57:24 Unknown You're new to our first cousins. How many first cousins were there among you? Well, you know, not as many as you would think because there were 14 kids in the my siblings, you know, my our mother's, were part of a clan of 14. And, so what do you think, Beth? Well, many of them didn't have children for various reasons, but, I just have the top of my head. 00:10:57:24 - 00:11:27:11 Unknown I would say 15 maybe. Yeah, probably not more than that. That's a lot from Frank. Well, coming from an ordinary family, but, yeah, that's a lot of cousins. Well, good family. Yes. I think other families would have had like 40. So. Yeah. Yeah. So you, your trip to Norway because you shared some of the photos with me? 00:11:27:13 - 00:11:59:22 Unknown The church that I think was, our grandparents, our great grandparents attended who attended that? Well, I think it was my, my grandpa's family on my dad's side. That's, it was baptized in that church. Yeah. Very ornate church. Yes. Yeah. Will you return? Oh, I do, probably not. I have other places to go. 00:11:59:24 - 00:12:39:08 Unknown Yeah. 1I0, going to Turkey in 2026, and I should go to Spain to see my exchange student and. Yeah. Sounds wonderful. And you were about to say that the relatives might be visiting South Dakota. Might be visiting you there. That is the plan this week. This, Far? Yeah. To be involved with harpist. Oh. Yeah. Yeah, that goes right, right. 00:12:39:10 - 00:13:03:01 Unknown So what would you, would, you know, what's a typical day for you? Like, Bev, when when you were working the farm full time? I'm a I'm an urban person. I have been my entire life. And it interests me to know what's what's a typical day on the farm like. But we wake early, probably about five. 00:13:03:03 - 00:13:27:13 Unknown Go directly down to the barn with, my husband and I milk cows at a dairy operation, so we do them for a couple hours, and then it was time to get up to the house and get the kids some breakfast and get them off to school. And then it was washing clothes and probably going to a meeting in the afternoon, and then usually trying to be home when the kids get off the bus. 00:13:27:15 - 00:13:45:04 Unknown And it was now King again. Over supper. But baths. Get kids to bed in much every day. Yeah. You must be in very good shape. 00:13:45:06 - 00:14:06:01 Unknown Oh. Could be better. You know. Well, you're still going out every morning to to, help your son. Wayne. What? What are you doing up there in the morning? I'm just glad I'm in that cattle don't get through the gates. Well, he drives through to feed them, and nothing too strenuous. Okay, just open and close those gates. 00:14:06:03 - 00:14:36:15 Unknown Yeah, not a problem. Unless there's a snowbank. All right. Well, well, when we talked before where we. You'd said. I said I was interested in your philosophy of life, and you said, yes, you have. You have one. What? What would you like to share about that? All right. Our Uncle Greg. Who was blind? 00:14:36:17 - 00:14:58:08 Unknown Who was a nice earner. You and you had a lot there, but we were losing sight of you there. Now you're back. Okay. Sorry. Yeah. Uncle Ray, he was, good influence on me. He was very wise. And strong as a young child. He came to visit us. He came by passenger train. Okay. Let me back up just a bit. 00:14:58:08 - 00:15:33:19 Unknown Uncle Ray was blind. Completely blind, as was his wife, Grace. And amazing couple. They own their own house. They work jobs to support themselves. Managed their homes and their lives very well. Okay, so he came to visit us. And as a child, he and I sat in the car while my parents went to the depot to look for his luggage and thinking that I had spied it from the car, I said, look, uncle Ray, do you see it now? 00:15:33:21 - 00:15:48:22 Unknown Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, he said. Not a big deal. My skin is tougher than it. 00:15:48:24 - 00:16:11:17 Unknown His reply has followed me up through the years. Trivial. I choose not to be offended by trivial matters. I don't need to hurt over small things. His philosophy is that allowed me to sleep at night and retain friendships. Focus on the important things that matter. I choose what hurts and disregard the rest. My skin is tougher than it. 00:16:11:19 - 00:16:45:13 Unknown So he was a good influence. No, Ray. Yeah. So, keep in mind that reminds me of our other uncle, Uncle Leroy. Who was also blind. And he married a woman who was blind, and they had four children in their own home. And, uncle Leroy was a musician, and he had his own, jazz band and traveled around and, so he was a great influence in my life, too. 00:16:45:15 - 00:16:56:23 Unknown I was happy, yes. Always happy. Yeah. Like to talk about going sightseeing in the Grand Canyon. What's the great. 00:16:57:00 - 00:17:25:07 Unknown So, so you're retired from teaching, and. So what are you engaged in now? But what? What keeps you in involved and back? Oh, I belong to some clubs. A couple reading clubs and and church groups. And then, for my foreign exchange student, happened in, getting her to school every day and picking her up. 00:17:25:07 - 00:17:54:04 Unknown And tonight we're going to the circus. Just making sure she has experiences from South Dakota. She's from Madrid, Spain, a population of about 3 million to rural South Dakota, which is the population of about. Our town has 2000. So she thinks it's so great to walk into the grocery store and people know her, say hi to her, or people care about it. 00:17:54:06 - 00:18:18:12 Unknown She like, oh, that's nice. Is she a junior or senior? He's a junior. Yeah. She'll be going home in May the end of May 1st of June. And her friends say they're going to come and see her. We'll see. Sounds like you'll miss her. Yes I will. Yeah. And that's why you're planning to travel to Spain, correct? 00:18:18:17 - 00:18:47:12 Unknown Yes. Yeah. I don't know when, but I hope it happens. I hope so too. Yeah. So what about Turkey? You said you're going to Turkey in 2026. Oh, I have a grandson that is engaged to a girl who is Turkish, and she wants to go to Turkey to choose her wedding dress. And so she has invited invited my daughter, who is my grandson's mother and I, to go along. 00:18:47:14 - 00:19:15:19 Unknown And so we're going to go dress shopping in Turkey. In Turkey. Well, why not? Sure. Right. I'm going to be a flower girl for their wedding, a fluke. How does that work? I don't know, I guess I find out, I don't know about flowers along the way along the line to the front. I would assume that yes. 00:19:15:21 - 00:19:46:18 Unknown It's wonderful. That's great. Well, I you're involved in book clubs and things and church, I think, aren't you? Right. Correct. So. I play out, but. Oh, I play for for worship once or twice a month, and then, Yeah, we have other groups. Planning groups? 00:19:46:20 - 00:20:07:15 Unknown Reading, two reading clubs. I have a meeting this afternoon, and we have a book discussion, from another reading club next week. We have a card group that gets together, sewing group once a month, quilting quilt. 00:20:07:17 - 00:20:36:14 Unknown Did you learn to quilt? With. Did you learn to quilt when you were young, or was this something that you've taken up later? Later? Yeah. I did not know. There just wasn't time or interest when I was young, but yeah. And it's a way to be with friends and it's not. Yep. Do you want to tell us anything about your children? 00:20:36:16 - 00:21:08:18 Unknown You have four children. Plus, I your, Our oldest, Lisa lives in Savage, Minnesota. She is married and and manages a a grain elevator, and, has two boys, both grown. Our son Wayne lives across the road from me, and he is he has he has his wife and a son who is graduating this year from high school. 00:21:08:20 - 00:21:38:14 Unknown And he farms, livestock and crap. And her daughter, Kelly lives about 45 minutes from here. She's married and has a son and daughter and and she helps her husband farm. She always said to me, mom, why do you do this? She's the one who's doing it. And then we have another daughter, Sarah, who is married and has two boys, one in college and one in high school, and she lives in Mankato. 00:21:38:16 - 00:22:01:24 Unknown She works for a land auction company. There are coming for Easter. Nice. Yeah. Very nice. And I think you. Have you traveled a bit with, with, at least some of the children, Lisa. For sure. Right. And Kelly also went along to Norway, to Norway. And then you went to Greece earlier? We did go to Greece with Lisa and Larry. 00:22:01:24 - 00:22:20:17 Unknown Yes. That was a marvelous trip. Yeah. And what what brought you to. Why did you why did you choose Greece? This account went to and said mammoth, you could go anywhere in the world. Where would you want to go? And I thought about that and and gave her some options. Well, she didn't choose any of those. 00:22:20:19 - 00:22:59:20 Unknown I went to Greece and that was a good choice. It was. That's with, you. Well, you'll be 76 in June, correct? Correct. Yes. Yeah. And so how do you feel or think about your own aging? I am we've been thinking about that. I'm. 00:22:59:22 - 00:23:11:17 Unknown Giving just a minute. You made notes. I did, and now I can find those notes. 00:23:11:19 - 00:23:36:16 Unknown Okay. What what do I how do I feel about aging? I look in the mirror in the morning and wonder. Wow. Well, is that that. I do realize no amount of moisturizer is going to take care of that, so ignored one of the trivial things, how do I feel about aging? I just want to continue to. 00:23:36:18 - 00:24:06:00 Unknown To be active and to be a friend to others and help others through life. And when that day comes that I can't do that anymore. Then maybe there'll be somebody for me, too. So how do I feel about aging? It's a natural progression. Right now, I. I depend on the kids for a lot of things. 00:24:06:00 - 00:24:34:20 Unknown Like, do you think I should go buy a new car when I've already decided to do that? Or, advice on something I. My dishwasher isn't working. Could you come fix it? Oh, sure. That'll be right here. So some things are. Aging is limited limits and other times it frees us to know what's important. 00:24:34:22 - 00:24:55:21 Unknown What have you you you, A lot of the people we women we interview talk about, the opportunities and some of the joys that come with getting older. And what do you notice in particular? You've always been, I think, pretty optimistic person. 00:24:55:23 - 00:25:04:00 Unknown Well, notably the freedom from worry. 00:25:04:02 - 00:25:15:16 Unknown Because not knowing all the problems that kids have, I'm just free to let them. 00:25:15:18 - 00:25:20:17 Unknown Just free to love them. Yeah. Just. 00:25:20:19 - 00:25:55:12 Unknown Lucky them. I was just going to say that to lucky them. Yeah. So. Well, guilty of it. Any other questions or comments? No, no. Thank you for giving us this glimpse into your life. It's been very, very, for me, it's been a a real, side of life that I don't always see. And I appreciate your sharing it with us. 00:25:55:14 - 00:26:23:15 Unknown You're welcome. I do admit, I have a unique life that's comparable with many people. Well, yes. Yes, well, not comparable with those of us who live in the city and and, Yeah. Wouldn't it have been nice to have 15 children in my classroom? Oh, yes. Yeah, yeah. To know them. Well, I entered yes. For the teacher to know us all. 00:26:23:15 - 00:26:42:19 Unknown Well, I had 40 000, yes. Yeah, yeah, that's too many. Yeah. And with you is their teacher. I can see how wonderful that had to be for them. 00:26:42:21 - 00:27:13:06 Unknown Yeah. So, Beverly, I have to say that you look more and more like our grandmother. Oh, has anybody said that to you are beautiful or grew? No. Yeah. No control over that, do we? To know. But I thought she was a wonderful, lovely performance. Yeah, she was very strong. Very, very good. Complete. Is there anything else you would like to say before we have to close? 00:27:13:08 - 00:27:40:07 Unknown I just welcome the opportunity. I appreciate you thinking of me to do this. Life is good. Thank you. Great. Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure. Hope to see you in the fall. When the relatives come from Norway. Yes. I will let you know. Yes. I get to take. Okay. Thank you. So we'd like to see more of you in our monthly online programs. 00:27:40:09 - 00:28:16:23 Unknown Make your voice heard as together we change the conversation about women aging. Visit Aging Reimagined Circle at Women over 70.com. And if you enjoyed this podcast, we have a suggestion for another. Are you ready to ignite your next chapter? Aging with Purpose and Passion is the weekly podcast Inspiring Women over 50 to embrace bold life shifts and unlock their potential through captivating stories from trailblazing senior women, aging with purpose and passion, dot com.