Yes, we have started fall harvest. Up to today, though, Jim guessed only about 5% of the crop has been harvested in our area.

It was two weeks ago today that I crawled off the combine (I’ve been hired to drive a New Holland combine for a neighbor). I haven’t been back since. I was just sort of feeling like I was getting it. I’ve never picked corn or cut soybeans. Ever! I may have crawled in the seat for a little while way back when to help Jim while he got a truck moved or something. But to say I’ve had experience with corn or soybeans? Nope!

Picking corn is a whole different animal than cutting wheat. You have to line the combine up with rows, know how the field was planted with terraces and watch to make sure you’re on the right row. It’s not mindless cutting like wheat is. There’s not much forgiveness. If you’re off a row, the entire plan is off. And…I’m TRYING to do a good job for the farmer that hired me. The expectations I have on myself are great.

We had an amazing amount of time off due to rain (3+”) and SNOW ( 4″). Jim got back in the field today. I will be back tomorrow afternoon. The entire central part of the United States has been unable to harvest due to the amount of wet stuff we’ve had. With the cooler temps, it takes a whole lot more time to dry the grain and the ground than when we have rain delays in the summer.

So…what have I been up to the last two weeks, you ask? Even if you really don’t care, I’m about to fill you in.

Phase three is now complete! It didn’t happen until last night, though. Phase three of coming back home is yard work. As you will recall from my last post, phases one and two happened right away. I figured I would eventually get through the weeds and all it required to get the yard back to pre-harvest state but I wasn’t worried. After all, if it had to wait til spring, it would just have to wait.

Now I don’t have to stare at all those tall weeds all winter long. They’re gone! Thank goodness!

Shoot…I even had enough extra time to hang up Halloween lights this year. It seems the last several years, I haven’t been in much of the Halloween mood. With the kids all growing up and moving out, it just didn’t feel as much of an importance to do decorating. I decided to change that outlook this year.

When you know you’ve got sort of a deadline, things happen! It feels good to cross off items on the list.

The continual rain, grey skies and, yes, even snow made for some very long days. I tried to keep busy by doing some handiwork. I love to make things. I had a reason to get my creative brain in gear. I had told a dear friend of mine I would make a few items for her store. She has an annual Christmas open house and has been after me to make some items for years. I decided this was the year. I may have gone overboard but I had fun and it gave me something to fill the days…and nights. Now, let’s hope they are loved by her customers and she doesn’t have to send them all back to me.

On Monday, October 8, I realized President Trump was going to be in Council Bluffs, IA the next day. I decided I would see what it would take to get tickets to attend the rally. I found information immediately and requested two tickets. Lo and behold, I was given two ticket numbers almost immediately. I looked over to Jim from the couch and told him, “I’ve got two tickets to see the President”. I expected him to be excited and ready to go with me. The response I received, however, was, “I don’t know that I want to go and deal with all of those people”. Well, shoot! So, I texted all the girls. Asked them if anyone would like to go see the President with me the next day. I had no takers.

Okay…I’ll ask a friend of mine. She turned me down, too. Now, I’m left with the decision of either not going or going by myself.

I chose the latter.

The next day, it was raining – of course. I texted a friend of mine from Montana who had been to Billings just prior to our leaving Jordan to see President Trump. I told her I had tickets but I couldn’t find anyone to go with me. She encouraged my idea of going alone. She said, “Once you get in line, there will be plenty of like-minded people to talk to. You’ll have a great time just visiting with them”. Okay! That was all I needed. I decided…how often do you get the chance to see the President of the United States?????

I sat here until about 12:30 and then decided to get ready to go. Jim wondered why in the world I was leaving so soon. “He doesn’t speak until 6:30”, he commented. I told him I wanted to be in line when the doors opened at 3:30. I dressed warmly and grabbed a disposable rain poncho on my way out the door.

I found a parking spot very close to the end of the line. I couldn’t even begin to guess how many people were ahead of me. I do know there were a few people at the beginning of the line who had even spent the night in tents. They were dedicated!!

Finding my way to the end of the line by myself felt a little awkward…at first. Then, it was like my Montana friend told me – we became friends. I learned a lot about the couple ahead of me (farmers from just west of Lincoln) and the dad and son behind me (from Minnesota). The dad behind me had served in the army for nearly 25 years. He allowed his son to skip class and travel five hours to see the President. All of it was part of the experience and made the three hours of waiting in line go quite quickly.

Once the line began moving, it moved quite quickly considering everyone had to go through metal detectors and security. I made my way to the first entrance after getting through security. I asked the gentleman standing in the doorway if I could go to the area near the podium. He replied, “Absolutely, but it’s standing only”. Shoot, to see the President up close, I could stand a few more hours. I walked right up to the front of the crowd and took my spot. And never left it again until the rally was over.

What an experience! Something I’m so glad I decided to do on a whim. It was worth the rain and the seven hours of standing to say I experienced it. I have never been a part of anything like that…ever! Whether you agree or disagree with the party affiliated with the President, if given the opportunity to be in the presence of him/her, you need to do it. It was truly a once-in-lifetime opportunity.

And look how close I was!

Now that items have been crossed off my “to do” list, I feel like I can totally dedicate my time to running a combine again and not wish I had time to get prepared for cold and more white stuff.

However, please keep me in your thoughts as I attempt to get this fall crop mastered. As late as it’s getting to be, I don’t think my employer really wants to have to deal with a rookie!

I’ll keep ya posted…

Nora taking her time to paint her pumpkin light.I made this costume for Jenna when she was Nora’s age. Hard to believe it’s in its second generation of kiddos.

Jim had to start the 1931 “D” to move it two feet so the Pete could be parked. He enjoys that tractor so much. Maybe one day he can drive it in a parade. 🙂