Well LaVern, I think you made a breakthrough here because now I may understand that what you are really talking about may be about preserving tradition, in a round about way.
This old place is their heritage too.
But, I think that they owe their existence to the wheat,barley,sheep,pigs,chickens,cattle,that were raised here. Their ancestors that scratched out a living on this frozen old prairie are probably rolling in their graves at the thought of them turning up there noses at beef, when they lived on trapping gophers when they first immigrated.
And I'm all about family traditions and keeping them sacred whether it be respecting the old homestead and being raised on the animals that they all grew up on.
Please visit my Christmas page...its all about tradition:
http://www.equineobsession.com/bravelittle...9/Christmas.htm
But unfortunately, when these things, sons and daughters marry, and give you grandkids and then they all marry.......you are talking now about decades and generations evolved and grew the family tree and lots of new blood now added in the pedigree. And with that comes change and many differences that we may not like or approve of. Don't get so defensive because they don't want to eat gophers anymore.
Maybe with this extended pedigree, they aren't all straight and upright any more. Maybe some aren't flagging their tails with gusto and spirit, and maybe there's some that aren't as submissive like we would have wanted in our people herd. The tree has branched out and they all are different and things have changed over time, a long time. Guessin' that is what makes the world go round.
We wish, we pray, they would all appreicate and respect what goes on at the old homestead. And I'm betting you they do. I'm willing to guess they appreicate the old values and way it used to be more than you could ever know; their heritage. And that is what they are really comeing back to you for as the matriarch of the family. You are their roots and they know this and that is why they are really coming back. Has nothing to do with your menu.
So let it be dang it and go get some blasted lettuce ready dear lady. They LOVE YOU!