Life happens and updating this blog gets pushed aside. So very close and yet still far enough away from the end of the year (2020). I am determined, though, to get this caught up before we head south again.
Yes, that time is rolling around way too fast. It appears the cool and wet weather has set the date back. The harvesters in Texas as STILL waiting to get rolling. Once the sun pops out and the wet stuff stops falling from the sky, I’m certain the combines will, once again, be going round and round – if they still do that. Thanks to GPS, it seems the round and round has been turned into back and forth, back and forth.
When September rolled around, we were done with cutting wheat. Remember…the last day of wheat harvest for us was on August 26th. Our typical routine after we finish in Montana is to take our time in cleaning everything up really well. The push to get to the next job is over and a better, more thorough job is possible and usually needed.
The trip back home is nearly 1,000 miles. And the Pete makes the trip four times. So, truck maintenance is also a must. By the time we finish what we do, it’s usually 10 days to two weeks past the final day of cutting before we make our way home with the first load.
Jamie and Curt are still here. They won’t actually leave until September 9. So, between doing what we have to do, we also tried to do some fun things with them while we were all together. Video, “Day 96”, gives a highlight of our time with the kids while they were in Jordan with us.
September 2 was one of the craziest days of the summer – and maybe one of the craziest of our lives.
The Jordan area was dry…very dry. And the winds were supposed to be extremely bad on this particular day. The morning of September 2, however, was fairly quiet. A fire was started by a rancher’s hired man north of town. And then the winds picked up. And then a spark led to what became a huge wildfire threatening the town of Jordan. The Huff Fire video is still the #1 viewed video of the 2020 wheat harvest with nearly 52,000 views.
We left Jordan with the first load headed home, home on September 10. (Video, “Day 99”)
In the following days, we arrived home (on September 12) and turned right around and headed back north again. We arrived back to Jordan on September 14. We spent the next day loading the combine and tying up some loose ends. On September 16, we left Jordan for the final time for the 2020 wheat harvest. This is NEVER easy to do. Never.
We arrived back home on September 18 and decided to park the trailer house at the Fairgrounds just until we could get back to “normal” again.
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.
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).
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.
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!
When I re-read the previous post, it made me wonder why I don’t just remain a little more committed to writing. It’s always so much fun to go back and see what the heck we were up to at the time.
And feel the emotions all over again.
After the previous post was created, we made the second trip to Kansas. And the 2020 wheat harvest began.
Last summer, I wanted to keep a daily “diary” via video. Words are great but it’s always fun to WATCH and really relive as though you’re there all over again. For the most part, I did post something daily. And Jim and I have had a lot of fun re-watching our moments over the past winter months.
Speaking of past winter months…it was a bit difficult at times. But, we made it! And, here we are again looking at the beginning stages of yet another wheat harvest. This will mark our 39th year of owning a combine and making the harvest lifestyle our life.
Back to the daily videos. If you’re at all interested, you can view all past videos AND subscribe for the 2021 summer journey by visiting ourZeorian Harvesting & Trucking YouTube channel. I’ve had several followers of the channel already contact me and ask me whether or not I intend to share our daily adventures again for 2021. My answer is, ABSOLUTELY!
Why am I here now? Well, because I completely walked away from my blog since last June, I didn’t share any of my pictures. I print my blog every year and it just wouldn’t be right to have only six months of 2020 in the book. So, I’m going to do a condensed version of the last half of 2020 in pictures and very few words to be sure my book is complete.
So, here goes…
June 2020
We left the house with our second trip on June 10. The final hours and minutes of getting the house shut down, saying goodbyes and actually leaving the driveway is never easy.
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!
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?
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.
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!
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 fourteen day quarantine is now going on 70+ days. Seventy some days ago, our lives changed. Although I don’t want to add the word “forever”, I’m afraid that’s what has happened.
I’m certain I’m not the only one who just gets ANGRY when you allow your brain to think about what we had and what we have to look forward to. I just don’t understand how we’ve allowed this virus to change every aspect of our lives. I just don’t.
Not much has changed in our world. We don’t spend much time in the city anyways – except church, groceries and other needed items. I’ve always been one to purchase enough groceries to get us through a week or two so I didn’t have to try to invent the wheel.
We, as a family, have been back and forth with the social distancing. When this “thing” was brand new, we attempted to keep our distance. And then we decided this was just stupid.
Here’s my thoughts as far as this “deadly” virus goes and how it pertains to me. I really don’t care if I get it or not. If I get it, I get it. If I get it and die…so be it. I’m going to die one day anyways. However, I don’t want to live my life in such a way that I seclude myself from my kids and grandkids. They wanted to “protect” us at the beginning and Jim and I put the kabosh on that! I cannot live my life to the fullest and be scared of dying. Period.
So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Fear. One of the enemy’s most popular weapons that he uses against us. Worry, anxiety, fear…can overwhelm us with a thick shadow of darkness, controlling our every move and decision.
I’m not going to let this virus change the way I live.
We’re currently getting ready to head south for the 2020 wheat harvest. Jim said his goal is to be ready to leave on June 1. However, I’ve been married to him long enough to know that when he sets a date, it will change (about four times). So, I’m going to guess we’ll be heading south with the final load about June 8th.
We have an opportunity to start a little farther south this year than we have in the past – thanks to some great harvest friends! If all goes as planned, our first job of the season will be around Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Funny…this is the same area my grandparents would have gone to so many years ago. It’ll be fun to be back in the same area which I would have been in the very first time I went on harvest in 1974.
I have a feeling things could look/be a whole lot more interesting on the road due to the guidelines set in place. I am so thankful I don’t have a crew of about 15 men to try to figure out how I’m going to feed when the stores have so many limitations in place. The job NEEDS to be done – harvest waits for no one.
While we’re still hanging out here at home, I’ll keep doing what life at home looks like. That would be hanging out with the kids and grandkids as much as I can. Watching my flowers grow. And sew.
It was beautiful…sunny and 60 degrees. The wind was out of the northwest and a bit nippy but not so bad that we couldn’t just push our way through it.
It’s been ten days since I posted. The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on anything that was normal prior to March 12. Prior to the first positive result in our area.
I believe we have all stepped away from the initial shock of what we couldn’t do and are beginning to settle into what we can. We can’t go to school, but we can have online classes. We can’t go to a restaurant and sit down, but we can order take out. We can’t go to a movie theater, but we can order movies via apps. We can’t attend any conferences or meetings in person (unless it’s less than 10 people) but we can have a meeting via Zoom. Changes…they’re all over the place and happening more and more every day.
I couldn’t sleep this morning after Jim left the house.
He’s still working (unlike so many others right now). I’m guessing his job has always been considered self-isolation and social distancing. He hauls propane in the winter months. Besides maybe running into a homeowner once in awhile, I’m guessing he spends his days pretty much on his own.
While laying there in the dark, I heard what I thought was thunder. This foreign sound I thought I was hearing was interrupting the other sound I was soaking up. The birds were so happy this morning.
“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 118:6
I’ve been telling myself for quite some time I’ve got to get back to my blog and update since the pages of the calendar continue to turn. As you see, I haven’t been listening to that voice in my head…until now.
It started Wednesday evening with a text to our “The Whole Family” group…
“You guys watching TV?! Pres Trump just said no flights to Europe for 30 days.” – Jenna
Then…
“Tom Hanks and his wife have it. Also, no fans allowed at March Madness games.” – Jamie
“Did you hear about boys state b-ball? No fans allowed there either. How sad.” – Jenna
“And NBA just suspended the rest of the season.” – Callie
“Wyatt texted me and said a player on the Utah Jazz tested positive and has been playing for a while while sick.” – Callie
“I’m so sick of even talking about it.” – Jenna
“Agree. It’s madness.” – Jamie
And so it began. When we went to bed later that night, none of us had any idea what the next several days would mean to us, to our community, to our state, to our country.
Thursday, March 12…first text of the day.
“Well, my hectic week next week just got easier. Malcolm music contest cancelled.” – me
“UNL is officially online. All spring semester. I’m very sad. I’m sure UNO will follow. What a screwed up senior year.” – Callie
“Geeze. Maybe if things calm down, they’ll go back to normal.” – Jenna
“Yes, it will definitely be one that you’ll remember forever. I’m sure sorry this is how it’s ending for you!” – me
“UNO is cancelled.” – Callie
“Oh Cal, that sucks! Have they put a timeline on it at all?” – Taylor
“Nope, just the rest of the semester! Insane. And sad.” – Callie
“So you’ll be doing everything online, or did I miss something?” – Jamie
“Everything online, yeah.” – Callie
“What sucks is you haven’t even been given the chance to get used to the fact that you will no longer attend classes there. At least when it’s nearly over, you can sort of have your goodbyes. That’s just me. It’s been your life for four years.” – me
“Yes, I’m a little too nostalgic about stuff so I’m sad that it’s just…done. No more class w/my college friends. Like will I even see anyone other than my roommates? Maybe it’ll ease me into post-grad life.” – Callie
“No CWS (College World Series) either? IT DOESN’T END.” – Callie
“WHAT?” – Jamie
“WHAAAAAT?” – Taylor
“Just cancelled it. And cancelled March Madness. Talking about it in class right now – Omaha’s gonna be broke!” – Callie
“You actually HAVE to be kidding me. Ummm, the paper said like $8 million for March Madness alone. No CWS. No Stormchasers?!?! Bye. Moving to Jordan, MT where people have their wits about them.” – Jamie
“The thought has already crossed my mind, Jamie.” – Taylor
“I’m serious. What are they even doing?” – Jamie
“You would think that everything would be back to normal within two months. Haven’t the number of cases dropped in China? And it’s been about 2.5 months.” – Callie
“Keeping people away from each other. I just want to know what the heck they know that we don’t.” – me
“Curt thinks it will be very soon that schools close. Thoughts? I’m just saying…do you think we’ll even have school on Monday?” – Jamie
“No” – Callie
“Annndddd Millard cancels classes.” – Jamie
“Possible Cass County case.” – Taylor
“Yikes” – Callie
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
This is how our Thursday ended. There was a BEAUTIFUL sunset that night. I felt a little melancholy after taking the picture and decided to post it on the Zeorian Harvesting & Trucking Facebook page:
As the sun sets on one of the most unsettling days I’ve experienced since 9/11/01 for our country, I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
As on 9/11/01, I seemed to walk around the house in a sort of shocked state. How is this happening right now? Why is it happening? What will happen next?
My youngest daughter won’t be able to complete her college experience as she should. She probably won’t even be allowed to experience a college graduation ceremony.
HUGE sporting events cancelled. Concerts cancelled. Schools closed. The American economy taking a severe dive. Lives disrupted like we haven’t seen since 9/11.
We know we can get through it. We’ve been here before. The shock will wear off and life will become the new “normal”.
And we’ll wish we could go backwards – to the day when we didn’t have to think about the corona virus or terrorists. Our world continues to change and we MUST remember one thing…
God is STILL in control! He’s right here next to us.
Wake up tomorrow and continue taking one step in front of the other…and move. We must move forward and make the best of the situation as we can.
We can’t let it consume us.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
On Friday, President Trump declared a national emergency waiving laws so hospitals could operate like they need to. Everywhere you looked, there was information regarding how to determine if symptoms are related to COVID-19, more cancellations, more people testing positive with the virus. More reasons to cause anxious thoughts and wondering what the heck is happening.
Toilet paper is one of the most sought after commodity. Crazy! The grocery store shelves are bare. People are panicking. Events are being cancelled left and right. People are afraid to do anything – go anywhere. Those who can are being told to work from home. We are all supposed to practice “social distancing”. Words that I had never even heard of a week ago. This virus was something in different countries…not in our backyard.
It’s now in our backyard.
We received the recorded phone call from the superintendent of our school district last night letting us know school was, in fact, cancelled for the rest of the week. He said they will re-evaluate the situation on the 22nd to see if school would resume on the 23rd. I could sense a tone of defeat in his voice. I can’t imagine the inner turmoil people in leadership have put themselves through in TRYING to determine what the best plan of attack is.
I have a personal situation to deal with. I’ve been putting together a women’s retreat the last three years and the 2020 HarvestHER Wellness Retreat is scheduled for March 26-29. Do I cancel? Do I wait and see IF things will calm down first? After so much work and planning and all that goes into an event – of any size – it’s such a difficult call. I have a Plan B in place now. We’ll see what things look like on the 23rd and go from there. The gals coming from Canada don’t feel as though they can leave the security of their country’s border and I don’t blame them.
This just makes me angry. And very, very sad.
And a bit concerned. What if everything we’re looking at right now isn’t the worst of what’s yet to come? What if we do get really sick? But…what if it’s just like the H1N1 virus and won’t concern most of the population.
I guess it’s a day by day thing. In the meantime, we are all experiencing something we’ve never been through. Something that causes anxiety, confusion and panic. We’ve got to step back and remember that God is still in control! And have faith that whatever is ahead of us, He will be right there beside us.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4