This morning while I was lying In bed listening to the rain and thunder it made me think about how rain is either a good thing or a bad thing – depending on one’s circumstances.
For me, at that very moment, it was a good thing. It was a pull-the-covers-to-my-chin sort of feeling. I could lay there and not feel bad that we were getting more rain which would extend our stay in Shattuck because the wheat wasn’t getting cut. I knew that before we left the field last night – only ½ hour before the storm hit – the final acre had been cut, the trucks had been dumped, and the combine had most of the field dirt blown off. When I realized there was no reason to feel bad for the rain, I enjoyed it.
Then I thought about rain. How is it that so much relies on water dropping from the sky? We all know how much the farmer depends on it – unless it’s too much. What about the rest of us? It made me think about the night before our wedding. It stormed like crazy. I worried about the celebration the next day and how it would be affected. The next day was cloudless and beautiful. The same thing happened for Jamie and Curt’s wedding. A huge storm the night before and the next day was a beautiful day for the ceremony. How many other events in our lifetime has rain ruined? Or TRIED to ruin?
I have friends who ARE still trying to cut wheat and it’s raining. The rain is NOT a good thing right now! A lengthy break in the action is always hard because it begins to cause boredom and stress. The stress of knowing you have to move further north and can’t because of the rain is the WORST! The field conditions get muddy and the wheat begins to lose its quality. A little rain is a good thing – a lot of rain is not. And, of course, with the storms, you’ve also got the worries of hail and tornadoes. A rain break can be a great time to reconnect with harvest friends, gather together for a meal and relax. Unfortunately, it seems we’re never around many other harvesters so a lengthy break gets to be a little harried around this trailer.
We’re finished with Shattuck. Jim has some truck maintenance to do, the usual equipment cleaning and two trips to make to job #3. I haven’t asked Jim when he foresees the first load heading to Deerfield but I would guess Wednesday or Thursday. It’s June 3 and we’re already talking job #3 – crazy!
Here’s a few pictures from yesterday’s final day in an Oklahoma wheat field:
Normally around here at Great Bend, the farmers are hoping that the rain will stay away so they can get the harvest done, but this year they really want it to rain…it’s way too dry and the wheat doesn’t hold much promise in the yield department. Some years you just can’t win.
Typical harvest, right??!!
I grew up on a farm in Eastern Washington, near a lot of wheat country. Your post brings back a lot of memories.
Hi Donna!
I’m so glad! There’s so many people interested in our way of life and I just don’t understand it. I thought this blog and sharing my thoughts and memories would help people understand what it is we do and how it affects the way their bread gets on their tables. So glad you sent me a note!!
Tracy
It’s hard to believe how disconnected people are from where their food comes from, but like you, I get constant reminders of it. I hardly ever meet people with a farming background, so it was great to find your blog. When I was growing up, I never thought I would miss the life, but I do. I miss walking through the fields to change irrigation lines and looking at the infinite variety of plants in the pasture. I miss crazy days of cutting hay, trying to time it so the hay dried before the rain ruined it, then getting a day off because the baler broke. There are a thousand things I miss, but most of all, the Milky Way on a moonless night.
We just had very loud thunder ,one that shakes everything, the next one was not so bad. Few sprinkles is all. has gone over us and moving east and a little south. We are under tornado watch until 2 am, Sun shinging some . We are south of winfield,ks 3 miles. Well, take care. be safe.Sharon and Harry
Thanks Sharon & Harry! I think we’re under a tornado watch tonight as well. There’s some really big storm clouds just to the south of us. I think they’re moving east, though. It feels like it may be cooling down just a little. You take care, too!
Tracy
Keep watching the weather map and the rain keeps east of us,but just wants to keep us guessing. sharon