9.24.23 Harvest

Harvest has begun and is almost done! I was so worried about this all year knowing Mark would be older and probably needed on the football field. I wondered how we would ever manage without him. I envisioned miserable long days, crabby crying kids, and sheer exhaustion. Thankfully that has not been the case. They are shown here sleeping but they had been up early that morning to go to the DMV which we weathered just fine and were naturally tired. Andrea loves sleeping to the hum of a diesel engine. It's harder for Lia as her seat isn't so comfy and form fitting. Towels wash and wear easier than blankets in farm conditions. 

Buddies with Addie. We are all so happy when the big kids finally come home. 

Greg has mostly driven the grain cart and I go back and forth with the truck. Round trip experience is about 45 minutes. We make about 12 loads a day our record was 17. 

Sometimes though I fill in in the tractor. We just fill it up and go.

Or I get a solo rider in the truck. Sorry not great at selfies. 

The kids were so thirsty when we were out and about I told them go drink from the hose you will be fine. Apparently this is a lost art according to facebook memes. We were not so hyper about water when I was growing up. I remember my dad always carrying a water jug and my grandma toting mason jars and a water jug. Anyway it was a nice refreshing drink so we could carry on with our work. 

My two cute girls waiting on the next adventure. 

We found Merle one morning behind the chair asleep. No idea why he was there but I was glad the kids had found him. We pick corn ears for testing not all are used so they wind up in random ears of corn around. 

Waiting at the DMV. Lia had been thinking ahead and packed toy horses. They would have happily played in the shade for a while. Alas we had to go inside to do our business. Only 1.5 hours and we got there when it opened almost. The employees are nice and helpful I do appreciate that. 

The pretty horses are interesting for the kids to see as we go back and forth. They are sometimes being ridden. We saw one that looked just like a dalmation dog. 

And the secret to our success chips. Lots of chips and some apples thrown in. I don't buy junk food as a rule it disappears so fast and isn't worth the cost. But desperate times call for desperate measures. The kids have been pretty content just being with us. We talk and observe. Andrea sits on my lap while at the feedlot and looks out the window or when Lia moves to the tractor she sits on the seat and can see out the window. She does really well. 

In the midst of all the harvest stuff I got hacked. It was my own fault but made life interesting and highly communicative for a few days. I got tipped off by a phone call then lots and lots of text messages. I was so sad and embarrassed that my friends were getting asked for money. I was also shocked how many friends had my number. My siblings and family also fielded calls and check-ups. The money day I got an envelope in the mailbox with the amount of money. Oh the kindness around. 

I told people I would never ask for money on the internet. It has made me wonder what I would do if an absolute catastrophe happened? This Sunday we learned of two a heart attack in a grandma of a friend, and a fall resulting in a shattered hip for another. Those are hard times. 

I always have liked a story I found in old letters about the depression. A couple was going to have a baby and didn't have the money to cover the cost. So they hosted a dance with a simple sandwich and punch thrown in. Their friends came and paid to attend and for the sandwich. Pocket change but all that support and a good time raised the funds to pay for the baby and then some. I like that idea much more than asking for money flat out. 

We got to watch this silage pit be built and packed. This is the final step the covering. The guys carry large bundles of strings on their backs. Bruce said they looked like ponies they did in fact. Interesting watching a paid labor force do their specific jobs and to discuss that with the kids in the truck with me. 

I was riding home with my side kick one day holding her while she held me. I thought how thankful I am for these kiddos in my life who trust us and deal with the various situations we take on. I also contemplated how the older ones have been gone for 3, 2, and 1 years respectively and how that seems very long to be without them. We adapt and figure out how to keep loving, encouraging, and knowing them even though we are far away and totally removed from their lives and experiences. 

An early morning peach snack. She loves all fruits. 

Mark and Grandpa consulting. We are so thankful Lloyd is still willing to run the combine. We need that third person and his wisdom of the years he was the lead farmer. 

 Harvest has been pretty good, not the best but with the decisions we had to make based on cost of inputs, break downs, etc we are happy with the results. We have been safe and mostly tear free. That is huge. The moisture has been perfectly within the 33-27 percent range with the exception of 2 loads. The soil really effects the dry down of the corn. We are thankful we listened to Lloyd and Mark and got started when we did so we weren't too dry when we started which would have usually been this week. Greg has pushed hard and thus hopefully Tuesday we will be finished then back to canning tomatoes and sports and life. Reed, Addie, Livy, and Bruce built fence all weekend so we are ready for cows. Thus the circle of our farm life continues. 

We are thankful for the blessings we are given.