There's a lot of work happening on the farm on any given hour or day. There's a job or three for everyone who lives here. From cooking and dishes, to irrigating, to repairing machines, there is a lot to do be done everyday. The little kids don't get a pass. Their hands can do a lot of meaningful work. Lia is not one to be left out and loves/demands to go with Greg whenever she gets close enough to get locked on.
Currently he's working to find and diagnose the strange sound coming from our utility loader tractor. This is a huge job taking the tractor completely apart at the rear axles.
With a happy helper who carries off bolts and tools as fast as he can set them down, I'm sure this project will be a success. Mostly this is one patient dad who tenaciously works through problems one step at a time taking time for hugs and holds that make this lady super content.
Elsewhere on the farm we found large washouts probably gopher damage. Nonetheless, pipe cannot float when full of water so the kids were instructed to fill the holes with the ever present rocks. Here's a small picture of what they have done.
Millie showing off her fidget spinner shaped rock. Someone else found a heart shaped rock. Greg even commented how amazing the variety of rocks are they are all shapes, sizes, and varieties. And they are plentiful. One child remarked they had picked up all the rocks! That there were no more to be found.... that gained a laugh truckloads of rocks have been removed from that field and yet there are still almost more rocks than dirt.
The farm bosses fresh from irrigating. John diligently plodded along through the dam r' diking on the south side of the farm and it is complete! That was a long strenuous job either Addie or Reed rode with him most the time with the job of watching for corn being covered and then getting out to uncover it.
A night of irrigating this lady is a hard worker. She sticks with the job.
Enjoying the good mud and no one to say no.
Aliza took a turn feeding some cows. This was a laugh out loud moment me trying to help her maneuver onto the hay bales. Sometimes life is just funny.
Merle is always along for the ride which limits my contributions, but at least my eyes can see what is going on and I can lend morale support.
Bruce loves to be with the big guys for some reason he was cleaning mud off the tire cleats. Maybe the least harm he could be doing with a hammer?
John helping Bruce.
All in all everyone sleeps well here once we finally convince them to go to bed. There has been a variety of projects and needs this year. Some are new ways to be together, working through mechanical problems. In college I studied team building. I learned there had to be a problem to unite people, to give them a reason to be part of the team. I'm pretty sure the farm gives enough problems and reasons to be part of the team. As we tried to discuss this last night we had the few naysayers who claimed to prefer to work alone, but mostly what I hear is the request for help on any of the given days work.
The kids are lucky to have lots to do and lots that is required of them. Lucky because they know they are needed and gain confidence from solving the problem and seeing positive results from their labor. Corn growing taller, machinery working again, huge room sized holes filled and level, even just laughing with mom. Life is good!
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