10.18.20 Corn Harvest

Oh my goodness what a relief it is to be writing this from the point of being done!! I had no idea the stress and worry and just plain old grit that harvest requires. I've driven truck for many harvest seasons yet this one took the cake for most intense. In so many respects it was super great and in others read late at night or before finally getting started in the morning it was just plain ug! The best parts where when so many of my kids were out participating. Riding in the bank out wagon tractor, driving trucks, riding with dad in the combine- those were times of gratitude to be unified slaying the beast of harvest. 

There was a lot of time alone just soaking up the monotonous noise and thrill of seeing what we had planned, and worked for being delivered. 

A picture of the first load we delivered. Greg drove the renovated diesel truck and I took the reliable chevy. It was bonding to go together. 

The pride at this son who refuses to be photographed with his head and eyes seen but is the arms and legs of this farm. He knows how to do most jobs and has done very very well. 

The finished project and a picture of a crew tarping the silage pit. Also the corn pit almost ready to tarp. We dump the corn in piles then a giant high speed grinder would quickly cut the corn in smaller pieces then men would move it into the pile and pack it tight by driving up and down over it again and again to get all the air out to store it for the year. 

A sweet moment Afton headed to combine with her dad. She spent a lot of time riding. It's always interesting who really likes it and who could do without. 

Much of corn harvest is done after dark. The farm equipment has great lights but the delivery site was pitch black dark. Thus we went in pairs one to hold the high power flashlight and the other to drive. Again nice time working together.

The hungry cows waiting to eat the corn we grew. 

The corn we delivered one day this is about 6 loads. 

Speaking of truck driving I drove a lot of the loads, sometimes my baby would be my copilot. He would mostly sleep. Aliza watched over and loved him at home. I'm happy to report we continued nursing and and mostly met his needs. He loves his Aliza and she is so patient with him. Addie took care of the food and enjoyed teaching her siblings more on that later. 

I loved getting to finally spend time with Greg in the truck driving. After a long year of not even speaking to each other some days for more than ten minutes because of all that needed to be done it was so peaceful, mostly, to be in the truck with him.

The last few loads we hopped in with Greg to relax. 

And as soon as the corn is gone the fence posts and wire come out. Tomorrow we get the first load of cows. While this is a great second crop it is also a worry and time outside, which is good. I love the part of farming that is unifying. I get so tired of being the task master. I keep hoping the kids would just do what they know has to be done. Oh well. I'm thankful that after some convincing they get on task are so amazing at farming and living. I love their happy attitudes and getting to see them grow and accomplish. 

Life is good harvest number one is over! We averaged 6.8 T to the acre. Considering the pivot that was down I'm pretty happy with that. In fact I'm very pleased with the experience over all. Life is good it also takes a lot of work and grit.