It showered in J Town early Monday night.
Jim and I headed to the field to get the combine moved back to Charlie’s. We didn’t realize the threatening cloud bank was there until we began heading east out of town. Jim kept looking back over his shoulder until it finally got the best of him. “It’s against my better judgment to go any farther”, he said. We turned around and headed back to town. There was NO WAY either one of us wanted to be on those “cow paths” should it begin to rain…especially since our service truck is the only two wheel drive pickup left in this part of the world.
The clouds looked extremely angry the closer we got to town. Fortunately, the only thing they had in them was rain. Well – and – 11,000 lightning strikes which produced quite a few wildfires throughout the county. We got 3/10 of an inch.
Tuesday morning began with a familiar Jordan rain day sound…the pounding on the door by, none other than, Tom “Thumb”. It was good to see him again! Tom and his wife came to Eastern Nebraska last October for Jamie and Curt’s wedding party – that’s how much they mean to us! There are a lot of GOOD friends in this town and I know they would have all been there if it weren’t so doggone far away. The weirdest part? Having our two “worlds” collide for one night. Only a harvester can understand what I’m talking about.
Tom came in for coffee and a visit. A couple of hours later he decided he had better get on with his day. Every one of the girls has fond memories of Tom coming to the trailer house after a rain for coffee and a chat throughout the 20+ years of our being here as a family. As Tom was sitting here reminiscing old times and realizing how much older we are, it made me want to really concentrate and store to memory this moment. With age, I guess, I think about these times being more precious than I used to. If only I could record everything and go back and watch again one day when we’re not in Jordan anymore and we’re not on the harvest journey. If that day comes as fast as the last 30 have gone, it will be here in no time at all. This I don’t like to think about!
Last night, Jim and I headed out, once again, towards the combine and the wheat field. If you remember, the road starts paved, goes to gravel and finally ends with the “cow path”. We did it all over again – in reverse – with a few mud puddles added.
Overlooking the ground that was once farmed by Pete Osborne (Jim’s relative).
The wheat field Jim helped cut (approximately 500 acres).
It appears the Yellow Beast is in field camo.
I can see by the look of the road, Jim’s better judgment was right on! The rain must have been extremely hard and fast here. There were visible signs of water running over the road in several places. So glad we didn’t get caught out there the night before!! The pickup may have been a little uncomfortable for the two of us to sleep in.
This little guy is one of many! Apparently before the wheat field was here, there was a large prairie dog town. They picked up and moved on down the creek after the ground was farmed.
While we were driving, we got to talking about the many faces and characters of Jordan, Montana. I decided that I should try to think of as many as I can and share them with you – some familiar names and others only the locals will know. With that, I will leave you wondering who they may be until another posting. I wish I had thought about this while I was sitting in the cottage the last several days!
The combine is sitting on the edge of our next field which is much closer to town. However, the grain will be hauled from the field to the grain bin. I guess that means this truck driver will have to go back to work.
Any guesses what this is? I know…I just want to see if you do.
Plenty of cactus and sagebrush in these parts!
Several of these around there, too. Cattle guards are used to keep horses and cattle where they belong. These eliminate having to jump in and out of a vehicle to open and shut gates. One word of advice…NEVER cross one of these real fast when the dirt has been washed away from the edge of the guard. I did that once quite a long time ago up here. Jim was helping my dad and grandpa in 1983. I came up here to visit and was helping them move equipment. I didn’t think I was going too fast but I apparently was going way faster than I should have when I hit the hole prior to the guard. I flew up in the seat and my head hit the roof of the cab of the service truck. I hit so hard that had I had my tongue out for ANY reason, I would have bit it right off, I’m sure. Could that be the reason for my neck problems now?
