She wasn’t “home” when we left the driveway. “Home” was in Texas with another family. I sold the trailer house that had been home to us during the summer months last fall. What we left “home, home” with in May was an RV full of our belongings.

It didn’t take long for the ‘ole girl to become “home” once we got to Burkburnett, Texas. We arrived there on May 10 and got our very first rain day. So, I had plenty of time to get it set up the way I wanted to make it feel like home. And it did. The Cottage on Wheels felt like home almost immediately. When the girls arrived in Shattuck, Oklahoma, it was even more like home.

But, with the girls leaving Lewistown nearly two weeks ago, harvest began taking on a whole different feel (like seeing the mountains in your rearview mirror). Tonight, I will be sitting in our “home” for the very last time! From here on out, she will become what used to be. Tomorrow morning, after I’ve taken all the pieces of “home” off the walls and the shelves for the last time, it will become just another trailer house. “Home, home” is on the horizon. “Home, home” which means lots and lots of work but it also means the kids…and I miss the kids!

The above collage of pictures were taken in 1975. A National Geographic photographer happened to find the field my Grandpa’s equipment was in. The guy in the top right picture is the man I ended up marrying seven years later.

The above picture is a collage of reprints. The original pictures were painted by a woman I looked up to and respected. She loved the custom harvesting way of life and was dedicated to the U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. Mary passed away in 2007 after her battle with cancer. And let me tell you…she fought it like a girl!! George surprised me one year at convention with these. I had them framed and they hang with pride in my Cottage.

Tomorrow will be the start of the first 1,000 miles of our 3,000 mile trip back home. Our farmer at home called Jim yesterday and said the corn was starting to get picked. No lollygagging allowed. It’s time to get back home and face the work and the new season it brings with it!

One more Montana sunset.

The town of Jordan, MT.

Not clouds – smoke. More Montana wildfires are making the air smell like campfire and creating the most beautiful sunsets!