Tag Archives: wheat harvest

August 2020

by Nebraska Wheatie

August 1st has us still in Hardin, Montana…but not for long.

We finished the job on the 3rd. Started the cleanup process the very next day and headed to Jordan with the first load on the 5th. Although the jaunt to Jordan isn’t nearly as long as some of the others, it still takes us time to complete.

The first move included the Pete and the “job” trailer and Frank and the header trailer. Once we arrived in Jordan, we parked Frank and unhooked the “job” trailer from Pete. I jumped in the passenger seat of Pete and we headed back towards Hardin.

Once we arrived back in Hardin, the combine was loaded. Ready to head back to Jordan the very next morning. The next morning, the “cottage on wheels” was made road-ready and we, once again, hit the road.

Refer to our YouTube channel to actually watch these days – Days 58 through 64 will show you our progress of finishing Hardin and making the move to Jordan.

Days 65 (August 8) through 88 finish out the month of August. And our days in the wheat field. The weather cooperated this year. What can sometimes take an entire month to finish (due to weather) was done in 19 days.

We were able to attend a wedding in Miles City on the 29th of August with Taylor’s family and also Jamie’s family. When the festivities were over, Taylor and Colten headed for Yellowstone and Jamie and Curt headed to Jordan.

Celebrating our final night in Hardin with good friends!
Spent the night in Miles City at the parking lot of the Sale Barn. Made it to Jordan easily and headed back to Hardin again.
Yellowstone River

Job #1 began right away the very next day after arriving in Jordan. YouTube videos – Days 65 through Day 71

Golden flax.
Peas

We moved from job #1 to job #2 on day 71. We finished this job four days later (day 75).

The final job we had lined up for Jordan began on day 76 and finished one week later (day 83).

Jim and Ryan.
When ya just need to have a chat with the one you meet on the road.
We did it!
The final clean up of the 2020 wheat harvest.
August 27 – Taylor and Colten surprised us with their presence in Jordan. We knew they were coming for the wedding but had no idea they would make the additional 85 mile jaunt north to Jordan. Fun evening!!
The traditional picture taken in Broadus, Montana.
August 29
Making the trip north to Jordan again.

After the wedding, Taylor and Colten took off one way and Jamie and Curt headed for Jordan. They stayed with us until September 9. I know they were hoping we would still be in the field when they made their plans. But that wasn’t how the plan ended up playing out.

Pictures from home:

July 2020

by Nebraska Wheatie

The month of July was not the typical harvest month for Zeorian Harvesting.

The first day of July was also the last day we cut wheat for our farmer north of Chase, Kansas. This left us with a HUGE hole in what was next.

Our next job should have been Garden City. However, the crops in Chase and Garden basically ripened at the same time. The farmer we help in Garden has his own combine and had less acres this year than in past years. Tim was cutting wheat while we were cutting wheat. By the time we finished in Chase, he was nearly done with his crop and wouldn’t need the help of a second combine.

We had no direction to head except home, home.

Frank (our Freightliner truck) needed some work done on it. This was realized after we left home, of course. So, Jim decided this was the time we would take it and the trailer house back home and hang out until it was time to head for Jordan (Montana).

It was 103 degrees on the 2nd of July. This, of course, was clean-up day. Always.

On July 4th, we left The Beast sitting in the farmer’s yard and we headed home, home with the trailer house and Frank. We wanted to surprise the kids as they were gathering together at Jamie and Curt’s house to celebrate the holiday. When we pulled into the driveway later that day, they were surprised. But, not really. They sort of had an idea that maybe this is what we were going to do.

We haven’t celebrated the 4thof July with ALL of the girls since the summer of 2004.

We hung out at home until July 14.

The night before we left, Jim decided tomorrow was the day to head back to Kansas and catch-up with the rest of harvest again.

The morning we were preparing to leave, we received a telephone call from a fellow harvester wondering if we would want to help his crew near Hardin, Montana.

Absolutely!

Yay! We had a plan. Having a plan feels way better than not having a plan.

We made it back to Lyons the evening of the 14th and on the morning of the 15th, we headed north with our first trip. We returned to Lyons on the 18th and left again on the 19th with load #2. It was exactly one week from the point we left home that we arrived at our destination with all of our equipment. A very long week, indeed.

I have never seen so much wheat in one place! The farm was well over 10,000 acres – but not all wheat. You really should check out the YouTube channel just to see the sites on this farm!

We were still cutting wheat in Hardin on July 31.

Click here to view the YouTube daily videos. For July, you’ll want to watch Day 27 through Day 57.

To view the June videos, click here.

The heat of the day brewed up a few thunderheads. I don’t think it rained, though.
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“go time”

by Nebraska Wheatie

It’s 11:30 p.m. The night before “go time”.

The past few days have felt like they’ve been both a year long and just an hour long. I don’t know if you can understand what I mean…but I bet you can.

The first load to Kansas went about as well as it could have. Except for the heat. And except for the lack of air conditioning. Frank doesn’t have air. We’ve tried to make it work but it just can’t hold the gas. We didn’t expect the car and the Pete to give us issues. But they did. However, I’m pleased to tell you Jim got both of them fixed and they’re cooling down quite nicely now. Thank goodness!

First load getting ready to head south.
Pete and the “job” trailer waiting patiently.
Home, home
The header needed some warranty work done on it so we just left it at the dealership. We stopped and picked it up as we were headed south with the first load.
Northern Kansas wheat.
Ahhhhhh….the sweet, sweet smell of wheat country!
Left Frank and the Pete at our farmer’s yard near Chase. The mosquitoes were HORRIBLE! Once we got everything parked for the night, we jumped in the car and headed for Great Bend for the night. The next morning we headed for Medicine Lodge.
A memory. Grandma insisted I go through this house with her in 1974. I will be going through it again – if we have a rain day. I’m SURE I’ll appreciate it much more the second go-round!
Main Street of Sharon, Kansas. Anyone know who in the entertainment industry grew up near Sharon?
Pratt, Kansas water towers
Back to the farmer’s yard. We parked the car, jumped in the Pete and headed northward.
He said he needed just a little nap.
So, I took over and drove for about an hour. (Don’t worry, we weren’t moving when I took these pictures.)
The best part of a very hot 100 degree day – dusk.

We made it back home, home Saturday evening about 10:00. The next morning began more packing and getting things ready to be gone for the next several months.

When I say “things ready”, I mean like the yard mowed, tree limbs trimmed, a few weeds pulled (a dumb action, really), Cottage on Wheels packed, house cleaned, combine loaded, last minute items thrown in wherever they can go, etc. etc. It always feels like such an overwhelming amount of work that needs to be done. But, somehow it all manages to get done. And things start falling together as they should. And then it’s time to take off.

That’s where we are right now. It’s time to do those last minute things that need to be done and then the dreadful goodbyes said and down the highway we will head, once again.

All the while we have been working at getting to the point we are, Mother Nature decided to crank up the heat a little on all of us. We thought we could make it through the few days we had here without putting the window air in the house. Bad decision. The days and nights of no relief from the heat seemed to wear on us way more than we imagined. Maybe it has something to do with being one year older, too. Maybe?

Yes, another nap. This time he told me, “I just need a little nap and it’s cool down here on the floor”. We really should have put the air conditioner in the window! Yep, that’s his shoe he’s using for a pillow.
It was a beautiful morning to load the combine!
Taylor and Layne came over to hang out with me this afternoon. After I emptied the refrigerator, I left the doors open so it could defrost and be cleaned. Taylor sat there to cool off because, yes, it was that hot in the house!

We had a storm roll through this evening which dropped the temperature 25 degrees in about ten minutes. The cooler air never felt so good. The wind blew like crazy and the rain came down in sheets. We’ll be sleeping in the trailer house tonight as the bed in the house has been stripped and washed. And we’ll be taking our last “real” shower for quite some time.

The worst part of all of this is having to say our goodbyes.

It never gets any easier!

Ever.

Layne’s sure going to change a lot over the next several months!

it’s starting to get real

by Nebraska Wheatie

Our world got a little bit scarier. This time, it’s not due to a virus or concern for a vaccine. Protests, violence, hatred, evil…nothing new to this world. It’s been around since the days of Adam and Eve. I don’t foresee it getting any better or any easier in the near future. If you believe what the Bible says, it won’t.

Everyone is drained from the craziness of this world. Everyone is mentally fatigued. Everyone just wants things to be “normal”. It sort of seems funny to think about the issues we were dealing with prior to March 12 and they all seem so much easier to bear. At the time, however, they did not.

We must persevere and continue to move forward – one baby step at a time.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

As I mentioned in the last post, harvest stops for none of this craziness. We will continue to work towards the goal of getting our equipment to Kansas and set up camp by middle of next week. The first load is supposed to begin tomorrow (6/5).

Prior to right now, harvest has been something we talk about while our daily lives continue. Now, however, it’s about to get real.

Real, real.

I wish I could just take everyone with us again!

Jim’s dad served in the Pacific Theater (Philippines, New Guinea and the Occupation of Japan) during WWll. We have pictures and we have stories. But to have actually gotten him to talk about this time in his life…he was mostly mute. No fanfare or hoopla. That’s not the way he was. He did what he had to do because of his love for this country and his family.
My favorite story is about him catching malaria while in the Philippines. He was so sick, the natives hauled him from the lines to wherever he could receive the care he needed.
When the war ended, his rank was Army Tech Sergeant. We called him dad and grandpa. Today, Memorial Day, his great grandchildren went to say hello!
Baby Wayne (aka Layne) is 6 months old! There’s a story behind this dress. It was purchased for my oldest niece, Jill. Jill is the daughter of Jim’s older sister, Maureen. Then, her sister, Holly, wore it when she was 6 months old. It was passed down to us and each of the girls wore it when they were 6 months old. The tradition continues with the next generation of girls. Both Nora and Layne have worn it. How fun is this?
This is Taylor at 6 months. Do you see any similarities?
Three generations of hands.
Lots and lots of time spent at these iris gardens over the years! I was never lucky enough to have had a sister but found a friend who is the next best thing! Trish and I have A LOT of great memories together over the past 35 years!!
I used to work with Trish in these iris gardens. We’d drag our kids along with us and they would just do whatever they could to get through the day. If you asked them now, they would tell you some of their favorite memories were created at those gardens!
He was SO excited to share his four-leaf clover with me! First one ever found.
The same view from a different standpoint. When I allow my brain to think way hard and deep, like it sometimes does, I think about all of life being like this. What we are used to viewing and observing takes on a whole different feel when it’s viewed from a different standpoint and a different perspective!
The reason for the above pictures. I was on top of The Beast helping Jim replace that auger cover. There was a wear hole in it that had to be repaired. I’m sure glad there was no one around watching the two of us remove it and then put it back in place. 🙂
The kids came over Tuesday afternoon. The summer heat has begun in Eastern Nebraska. We played and played in the pool, ate popsicles and did whatever we could to stay cool. We didn’t put the window air in because we will be leaving soon. Ben was a sticky, sticky mess but it didn’t matter when you could jump in the pool and it all disappeared!
Roasted hotdogs and s’mores for supper! It was so sultry – the fire was just too hot. You can visibly see this on Nora’s face.
Ben was holding down the picnic table while the others were cooking.
Can’t you just hear the evening sounds and smell that wet, damp Eastern Nebraska air?
I bought myself a new iphone 11 mostly for the updated camera. This is the moon, taken during the middle of the night outside the door of the tent. WOW! I can’t wait to take some evening harvest shots with this!
After the other three left yesterday afternoon, Layne came over to play while her mama was taking senior pictures. She was so sweet and so good for me. This was also taken in the complete dark of our bedroom. The camera on this phone is AMAZING! What a sweet angel.

I’m certainly going to miss these days with the kids – all of them! The Cottage on Wheels is parked right outside my back door. The many trips back and forth are about to begin and I’m dreading it.

our unplanned raincation

by Nebraska Wheatie

This custom cutter business of ours is one low-budget operation!

What I mean is…we do things on a pretty low-scaled manner. There’s nothing big and/or impressive about our crew – except The Beast.

We do whatever it takes to get by so we can be on the road again next year. This “crew” that I speak of is just the two of us. Jim and me…me and Jim.

It takes us a whole lot longer to do anything. More so than most crews with hired men. It’s okay – it’s how we roll.

It was a week ago Jim told me we were done cutting wheat for 2019. Since then, he’s done quite a little servicing and maintenance on trucks, dug out growing wheat from the combine and header and cleaned. Well…I cleaned. I cleaned trucks, pickups and the trailer house. Needless to say, once we roll into home, home for the last time, we’ll be ALMOST ready to cut beans and corn. (In Nebraska, we pick corn.)

We finally left Jordan this afternoon about 3:30. We’re parked for the night at Belle Fourche, SD. And because we are the low-budgeting kind, we will be spending the night in the parking lot of the livestock sale barn…in the luxurious Hotel Pete.

Because I have time tonight (not much to do in a semi), I thought I would share the beauty of the mountains we saw on our raincation.

It was such a welcome break! We spent three nights out. First night in Thermopolis, WY. Second night in a cabin in Silver Gate, MT. The final night in a lovely cabin south of Anaconda, MT.

We left Jordan a little after noon on our first day (Monday). It had been drizzling most of the morning.
Traffic in Billings, MT.
The pickup hadn’t been washed all summer. Jim knew it was probably a silly thing to do (because of the forecast) but he paid to have it washed for the trip. It lasted a day.
Making our way to Thermopolis.
Entering Cody, WY.
Heading into Thermopolis.
Thermopolis, WY
Our home for the first night.
I loved this!
The next morning, we walked to the hot springs bath house. You’re only allowed to sit in the free bath house for 20 minutes. But that was plenty long enough. This is the Bighorn River.
This is outside pool at the free bath house.
And the inside pool.
Ohhhhh…it felt so good!
The only one of six hotels built in the early 1900’s left. It looked amazing. Unfortunately for us, it was full or I would have booked a room here.
Hot Spring’s State Park
Headed back north towards Cody, WY.
Those dark clouds were right over the area we were going towards.
Those clouds you see held snow. We just missed seeing it falling from the sky.
The clouds were crazy!
Home for the second night. It was so cute!
We went to Cooke City for supper.
We went to the Miner’s Saloon for a really tasty meal!
The moon was so bright as we were headed back to our cabin.
The next morning we headed for the road that went across the northern edge of Yellowstone Park.
FINALLY! After 50 some years…I saw a bear in the park!
We spent the third, and final, night in a cabin at the Sugar Loaf Lodge and Cabin Resort. This find was a Godsend. When we arrived, Monica (the owner) met me at the door with the key to an upgraded cabin and a grocery bag. The grocery bag held all we needed to fix an amazing steak supper. Everything she did for us was appreciated so much more than she will ever know! What a perfect way to end our raincation!
Jim looks pretty relaxed – considering there was NO TV or cell service.
If you ever get to the Anaconda, MT area and want a beautiful place to get away from it all, this is where it’s at!
Headed back to Jordan.
The Rimrocks on the north edge of Billings.
Downtown Billings.
I really dislike seeing mountains in the rear view mirror!!
The sun setting on our little getaway.

i wish i had known

by Nebraska Wheatie

I didn’t have time to prepare for the last day of wheat harvest 2019. It just happened.

The last time I was in the combine, cutting wheat, was Friday, September 6. It seems the weather pattern is in some sort of weirdness where it rains every Friday. (It’s supposed to rain again in two days – Friday.)

If I had known this was going to be the last day I was going to climb the ladder and watch that header cut my favorite crop, I would have done things a whole lot differently.

I would have prepared my soul for the last acre. I would have soaked it all in a bit more. I would have taken a few more pictures.

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returning to “normal”

by Nebraska Wheatie

One week ago yesterday, we began the final journey home.

Our first trip – Pete/the “job” trailer and Frank/the header trailer – began two weeks ago today.

So, within the past two weeks, we’ve traveled nearly 3,000 miles getting equipment moved back home. The same road gets a bit weary and I often think about the over-the-road truckers and how monotonous their days must get.

Once the final turn is made and the trucks are shut off, the reality of what’s next sets in. And it doesn’t take long for the harvest mode mentality to disappear. In fact, it all feels like a dream now. A bit of a post-harvest “hangover” or depression sets in. I can’t explain why it happens or even why it does what it does but unless I get busy right away, it can feel pretty rough.

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harvest and plans = change

by Nebraska Wheatie

As most who know or have been part of a harvest…things have a tendency to change.

And, that’s just what happened on the very first day of our bonus acres here in Jordan. We were hired to cut approximately 300 acres. The farmer had his own machine and just needed a little help. Just enough to take the edge off what was ahead of them. It’s beginning to get late in the season and the help would give them a boost and it would help us. A win, win situation!

harvest and plans = change

The first day of our bonus acres. Jim and Denim making a “plan” before we got the day started.

 

harvest and plans = change

Looks like an awful lot of wheat. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

 

harvest and plans = change

Thanks for the picture, Robin!

 

harvest and plans = change

There she is! Robin in her machine just doing what needed to be done…until the fire.

And it all began just as planned – until the fire.

I’ve never witnessed a fire starting in a field…ever. Robin and I had been working on opposite ends of the field just to stay out of each other’s way. We’d sometimes make it to the truck about the same time and give each other a wave and a smile. The piece I was working on curved and turned and ended up right behind her. As she turned the corner, I THOUGHT I saw flames dancing in the field behind her. Were my eyes playing tricks on me?

My brain told me, “Surely not, or she would have stopped.”

But she didn’t stop. And the closer I got, sure as heck…we had a fire. And not only one, but two. It was late enough in the day the portable two-ways we were using were beginning to lose battery. I quickly grabbed mine and pushed the button, “Robin, if you can hear me, we’ve got fire. I’m right behind you and I see flames”.

What happened next seemed like it happened in slow motion. My first thought was, maybe it will burn itself out. It wasn’t. I could see the spots were growing fairly quickly. The next thought was, I could run over it with the combine – BAD THOUGHT. I didn’t do that. I wasn’t going to risk our livelihood. And then I thought…the fire extinguisher! I didn’t even know if I could figure out how to make it work but I shut the machine down, opened the door, flew down the steps and yanked it off the ladder. I sat it on the ground, pulled the pin and sprayed water on the flames.

harvest and plans = change

One of two burn areas.

After I got the first one saturated with water, I ran (and I don’t run) to the second spot. Robin was using what little water she had left in her gallon jug on the flames and then started throwing dirt (hoping to choke the flames). I had just enough water left in the extinguisher to help put out what flames were still struggling to eat away at the straw. She says she was panicked. I didn’t see that in her demeanor or her face. As a matter of fact, I thought she seemed very, very calm. I was the one running around like crazy thinking the whole field was going up in smoke.

We had the fires out as Jim pulled up to the scene in the pickup. We all went to the combine to see if we could find what it was that was throwing fire balls. We found the problem right away as it was still smoldering. A bearing went out and was causing the collected chaff and dust to ignite.  As the belt was spinning, it was shooting fireballs to the ground.

Jim went after more water to put on the combine and I got back in the Beast and started cutting again. There wasn’t anything more I could do. Whew! That was enough excitement for me for a while!

The green machine would sit still the rest of the day and most of the next. When Denim returned the next day with the new part, he realized there was more wrong with the machine than he realized – way more wrong. To the point of not being usable unless he wanted to put lots of dollars into it. At the end of the second day of his harvest, he had a decision to make – either rent another machine or have us cut the entire crop.

harvest and plans = change

Robin’s “wounded” machine.

I knew the next day would be our last if he chose to rent a machine. And I was okay with whatever he decided to do. But, I was secretly hoping we could cut the rest. I just wasn’t ready to walk away knowing there was wheat to cut. I know…it’s a sickness.

We were nearly finished with day three when we got the word to keep cutting.

harvest and plans = change

Replacing the fire extinguisher the next morning.

 

harvest and plans = change

Replacing the pin – hoping I never have to remove it again.

 

harvest and plans = change

Morning service routine.

 

harvest and plans = change

A little extra blowing this morning.

 

harvest and plans = change

Pictures just don’t do it justice. Love, love, love this country!

Most people want to cut mile-long strips that are as flat as flat can be. Not me. I enjoy the challenge of the fields here! It makes for a more interesting day. The turns and curves and always sitting on the edge of the seat hoping to see a rock before it’s too late. Weird, right? The countryside is so very beautiful! How could you NOT enjoy cutting wheat up here?

harvest and plans = change

This young bull was not happy that I had to make him move out of the road. He moved very slowly and then stood in the ditch and “bellered” at me as I drove past him.

harvest and plans = change

harvest and plans = change

Sunday evening. Haven’t been back since.

harvest and plans = change

harvest and plans = change

I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it! I was told it is a 1949 Studebaker grain truck. There’s just something about it that tugs at my heart.

The weather forecast showed 100% chance of rain on Monday (August 27). Yeah, right. 100% chance of rain for Jordan, Montana? We’ll believe it when we see it.

We saw it. It began raining early in the morning and continued all the rest of the day. In one of my earlier posts on the All Aboard Harvest blog, I mentioned how the residents of this lovely country catch rain in tubs and barrels to use for watering flowers and plants. You should have seen me catching rain from the roof of the Cottage. I was harvesting my own rain water! I ended up filling buckets and gallon jugs for future needs. Probably even more than I will need before heading home with my mobile flower garden.

harvest and plans = change

My traveling garden.

We had one inch that day. A wonderful drink for a very thirsty land.

So, we’ve had a few days to catch up on what needed to be caught up on. Some necessary visiting took place – which required several pots of coffee. A trip to Miles City to get everything needed to change oil in everything just prior to making the long trip home (and a good meal). And more visiting with friends camped in Circle.

harvest and plans = change

Rain day = coffee with Tom.

This catches you up to today. The sun is shining more brightly than it has in several weeks. The rain must have cleaned the sky of all the smoke that has been a temporary/permanent part of our days. The sunsets haven’t even been as pretty as they could be because of the smoke from the wildfires. The sky is blue and there is some good heat. We’re going to head out to the field after lunch and see where we’re at. We have about 4-5 days ahead of us before we begin the clean-up and move home, home.

According to the weather forecast, this is the last day of 80’s for the next two weeks. The days are getting shorter, the “fireplace” is being used more than the air conditioner and the end is nearing – of summer and the 2018 wheat harvest. Personally, I dislike fall because it means winter is just around the corner. I am one who will be waiting with great anticipation of spring!

harvest and plans = change

If Jim has his sweatshirt on AND the hood up, you know it’s pretty chilly!

waiting…waiting…waiting

by Nebraska Wheatie

waiting...waiting...waiting / nebraskawheatie.com

Picture credit – David Luebcke

The stress level on Father’s Day gradually diminished with each day we were able to be in the field. The weirdness of the changes in the combine began to take on a comfortable feeling…one that felt good. It felt like things were falling back into a “normal” sort of state for harvest. For me. Jim, on the other hand, was  (and still is) struggling with the changes to the hydro joystick. It is different but just like anything else, once you take it on and use it as it’s intended, it begins to feel more and more comfortable.

waiting...waiting...waiting / nebraskawheatie.com

The first field we cut in 2018.

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today was father’s day

by Nebraska Wheatie

Father's Day

Our goodbye picture. These little guys will sure change by the time we see them again.

A lot has happened since the last post on here. We went from unknown..to work. For a catch up on what the heck has happened, be sure to visit the All Aboard Wheat Harvest site. I don’t seem to get two blogs written very easily so it’s either one or the other. Just check both. 🙂

Today was Father’s Day.

We made it to Lyons, Kansas yesterday. It seemed like it took forever to gather up all the loose ends and get out the driveway. It was funny, though, how both Jim and I sort of finished up our gathering about the same time. The final item on my list was crossed off just about the same time Jim asked me if I was getting close. It was noon. And it was hot, humid and very hot! We stopped in Plymouth for fuel in my pickup and a bite to eat and then we never stopped again until we reached the farmyard. This was about 8:30 pm.

We quickly parked the Pete and The Beast, gathered up a few items and headed for Lyons to get the trailer house parked. The spot we had picked over a week ago had been taken – even though Jim called a couple of times to reassure the fact that we would have the space. But, no big deal. There was still room, just not under the tree. 🙂

We set up camp and decided we better see if there was a grocery store open. No such luck. But the Dollar General was. So, I ran in while Jim was on the phone and picked up a couple of necessary items – like water, bread and lunchmeat.

Today was Father’s Day.

I kept forgetting today was a special day. Grant (from Kiowa County Media Center) and I had been texting each other before we ever left home. He needed to meet up with us before we got the combine rolling in the wheat to install the HPJ Combine Cam equipment in the cab. The previous setup (what we were all used to) couldn’t work because the cab was all different. Nothing was the same as what we had all been used to. Some people relish in change and upgrades and some do not. I believe Jim and I are probably a few of the ones who do not. What we had before worked and was working just fine (sign of getting old?) so why change? One of the last texts I received from Grant last night was wondering what time he should be to the farmyard. Jim’s reply was the earlier the better. They decided on 8:00 because Grant reminded us that it was, in fact, Father’s Day and he wanted to be able to spend some of the day with his family. CRAP! I had forgotten (and then felt bad).

Today was Father's Day

Today was Father's Day

Today was Father's Day

Today was Father's Day

Today was Father's Day

Grant was at the yard well before 8:00. I’m pretty sure he had it installed within an hour or so and was back on the road, making the two-hour drive back to Greensburg.

All day, he and I played tag with texts trying to get the crazy thing going before it went live. I would be ready to do something and then he had to be away for a while. And then he would be ready to try something and I had to take the truck to town. Seemed like it went back and forth like this all day. Until Jim finally went after the Pete. Then I had a little more time. And we finally did get it set up and ready to go.

Today was Father's Day

These are the sort of screen shots I would send to Grant and he would tell me what step to take next. 🙂

Today was Father’s Day.

The girls each took the time to call their dad – or text him. But he had no time. He was too busy attempting to get everything in the field and doing the job we were here to do. Had they been here with us, they would have been back at camp preparing a nice meal and making special goodies to bring him to the field. That’s how it used to be. But things change and it’s not like it used to be. Each one called and received the same sort of response…”I’m just too busy to talk right now.” But he was thankful they took the time but I know he would have rather had them here.

The stress of this business seems to have really played into how he was feeling today. He really hasn’t been the same since his road trip to Texas, Kansas and Colorado well over a month ago. I have seen him age because of it. It breaks my heart to see him struggle with trying to figure so many things out. Trying to do the job we started doing together 36 years ago. And even I begin to wonder if it’s worth it. And the idea of walking away from everything we both loved about this industry begins to creep into our souls.

Today was Father’s Day.

We had a crazy, stressful day. The first day now feels like it was a month-long. We lost the key to the shop trailer. The header wouldn’t go on the new machine quite as easily as the previous machine. Frank had a few things in the box that needed to be unloaded. Multiple trips were made from one place to another in the heat of the day. The combine had a minor issue (it fixed itself). And there were combines running all around us. We should have been here a couple of days earlier. But who would have known? The wheat ripened extra fast after we were here the first time. (Lots of 100 degree days and strong south winds did that.)  About four days sooner than we had planned. And the stress could be seen in Jim’s eyes. I tried to do all I could but the mind can sometimes just make everything worse when you focus on all that has to be done. It’s overwhelming and you just want to walk away.

But we didn’t. We kept pushing and moving and doing and pretty soon, we were starting to get into a groove. Things were starting to feel “normal” again.

Today was Father's Day

Today was Father's Day

Today was Father's Day

I really do feel sorry for those who have never experienced the sweet smell of wheat coming out from the back of a truck!

Today was Father’s Day.

As I took the last load of the day to the elevator, I got really emotional. This way of life has been what I’ve known – what we’ve known. I looked at the lights of the combines, trucks and grain carts as I made my way to town and my heart swelled with love for what we do. What we GET to do. The coolness of the evening took me back to the days of being a young girl on harvest. The sweet smell of the cut wheat brought back a memory that involved young kids and babies and hauling meals and chasing parts and being a part of a team. Pulling into the elevator at the end of a long, stress-filled day gave me a sense of a job well done.

We made it through the first day!

Today was Father's Day

As I thought about all these memories and smells and sights, I felt like I really needed to try to soak it all up. But I just don’t know how to effectively do that. I know we’re getting older with each harvest that we meet head-on. I know our days are probably limited to getting to experience what harvest is all about and this saddens me. This is something I never thought about before. Not when we had so many years ahead of us.

Today was Father’s Day.

I didn’t get my Dad called because we were so busy. But I know he knows that. He knows what being on harvest and doing this job is all about. And I know he will forgive me. Because he knows that not everyone can take a day off work to celebrate – he’s lived it.  I’ll just call him another day and wish him a late Happy Father’s Day. But…I’ll also tell him now. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

Today was Father's Day

My Dad.