Tag Archives: harvest

A Wheatie’s View on Wheat

by nebraskawheatie

Ok…that’s it…last straw…now it’s my turn!

I heard about cardiologist Dr. William Davis and his book, Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight and Find Your Path Back to Health quite some time ago. The first time I remember seeing mention of this guy was when a friend of mine posted his concern about the popularity of the book on his FaceBook page.  We are both harvesters and have been in and around wheat all our lives. Neither of us grow wheat, but we harvest wheat so it came off as ridiculous to both of us.

Yesterday, I opened my email’s  home page and what’s staring back at me? An article written by George Dvorsky titled, Why you should probably stop eating wheat. Whaaaaaaaatttttttt?????

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Why I Am the Way I Am – Part 1

by nebraskawheatie

I received an email from a gentleman in August asking me if I’d consider doing a presentation about custom harvesting at a meeting (involving agricultural engineers) at the AG CONNECT show the end of January. I remember where I was and what I was doing the very instant I received this email. Why? Because it instantly made me sick to my stomach thinking about talking in front of anyone, let alone educated engineers!  I was sitting in the buddy seat of the combine with Jim in Montana. I read the email to him and his next words were, “Maybe you should see if Jon would do it”. Incentive enough to reconsider the idea that I couldn’t do it and show Mr. Jim I COULD do it. I was hoping for a little encouragement but he probably knew how I was feeling (terrified) and was trying to make it better the only way he knew how. I thought about it for a while before I answered with my “yes, I think I can do this”. I decided God had opened this door for me and I needed to walk through it. Continue reading →

#1 Post for 2012…”We cut wheat today!” (video)

by nebraskawheatie

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” Abraham Lincoln

The day I wrote this post was one that had been long awaited!  We cut wheat today  on May 16 after sitting for days of waiting for moisture levels to get low enough to cut. The perfect moisture to cut wheat is 13%.  We sort of figured out it was probably due to the early spring and already ripened wheat. The wheat was ready to cut but the dew and cooler temps in the mornings (like a typical spring in TX) were messing with our ability to get it cut. It was after 3:00 when we FINALLY got started. Reading this post and seeing the pictures makes me really excited about heading south again. 

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#3 – Today’s post takes us to Texas

by nebraskawheatie

It’s fun going back and re-reading posts over the year and remembering that particular day as though it were yesterday. This is one of those days. However, for it being the third most read post of the year, I wonder if it was the headline that caught everyone’s attention. It certainly isn’t one of the better ones – no pictures and very short. Maybe I should learn from this 🙂

Today’s post, “We gambled and won – for once!”,  takes place  in Burkburnett, TX. We had just finished the last acres of wheat and then it rained. Maybe it would be good to look back at the posting prior to this one to better understand – “Something’s going on with the sun”

ENJOY!

Countdown to the #1 read post in 2012

by nebraskawheatie

It’s been pretty busy around the Z household for the past week. I feel bad about pushing my writing to the side – but only just a little. I’ve been spending time with Christmas preparations, kids and activities of the season. One day soon, things will get back to normal and I can dedicate more time to my blog. For now, though, I’ve decided I will share with you the top four posts of 2012. The #1 posting will be shared with you on January 1, 2013 – a brand new year with brand new memories to capture.

Today, though, we are heading to Omaha for a movie, Lincoln, and supper out with the family. Can’t wait to see this movie (and spend the evening with my family – including my brother, Matt)!

The #4 most read blog of 2012 – “Right now…I HATE harvest!”

Oh Canada…The End!

by nebraskawheatie

20121211-191710I’m fairly sure it was after 9:00 by the time our plane limped towards the runway and left the city lights of Saskatoon in its rear view mirror. Once the plane was in the air, we knew we were finally headed home…hopefully! Continue reading →

Oh Canada! (Cont)

by nebraskawheatie

img_2571-e1355089099138Ever have to sit in an airport longer than you anticipated? Due to “mechanical issues”, our plane has been delayed from Saskatoon to Minneapolis. Not sure exactly what the issue is…something with tires. No – really! So, while sitting here, I decided it would be an opportune time to update my blog with the latest pictures. Continue reading →

Oh Canada!

by nebraskawheatie

Being part of the custom harvesting family goes beyond the U.S. Custom Harvesters. Jim and I are in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for the next several days attending the Association of Canadian Custom Harvesters along with a couple other members of the USCHI board.

We flew in yesterday through a snow storm. A snow storm that concerned the pilot enough that he told us he had received the minimum requirements from the control tower to land and he was going to try to “getter done”. He did. It wasn’t even a rough landing. It took us about 45 minutes, though, to get to the hotel which is usually only a short drive.

Today we have been enjoying the trade show and combine manufacturers. Each manufacturer has their own group of representatives who have also become part of the custom harvesting family. Our Canadian family has done a tremendous job of making us feel welcome!!

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Jenna and the CLAAS Beast(s)

by nebraskawheatie

Jamie told me a couple of days ago she had lined up a personal tour of the CLAAS of Omaha plant with Jenna.

Jenna started working for CLAAS quite some time ago. I grew up respecting someone’s place of employment which meant don’t visit unless there’s a need and don’t call unless there’s an emergency. So, when Jamie told me she was going to visit Jenna at work, I thought…”well, heck, if she’s going maybe I’ll tag along too”. If Jamie hadn’t gone, I may have felt like I couldn’t visit until another group of custom harvesters made their way to the plant.

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As Promised…Cheesy Potato Soup (and more)

by nebraskawheatie

Before I get to the recipe, I wanted to share a couple of items I found the other day while looking for something else. Surely you’ve never done that! The other day, I said something to Callie referring to the tigers which turned to butter in the story, “Little Black Sambo”. That was one I remember my Grandma reading to me and it was a favorite of mine. Callie had no clue what I was talking about and I wanted her to read it. Well, for some reason, it wasn’t in the place I always thought I remembered it being in. Instead, I found these great reminders of days gone by:

This is an old postcard Grandma sent from Regina, Saskatchewan in 1972. Her friend, in turn, returned it to Grandma and then Grandma gave it to me (knowing my love for the harvest). This is what is written on the back in Grandma’s handwriting, “We’ve had a very good year. This is like our 3 machines and we pick wheat up like it shows here in the North Country. Only we have cabs. I LOVE it up here. Pauline”

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