The girls are tired of me saying, “we need a family picture”. But they are usually so good about just giving in…most of the time.
Memorial Day was spent working outside. Jim on the combine and me doing whatever I could. The days without rain have been few and far between. It seems the moisture in our part of the country has been way more than needed since about January. It just changed from snow to rain.
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Julie contacted me with an idea about a fundraiser. I have to admit, when she wrote the note to me, I loved the idea but was unsure how it was all supposed to work.
She and Rod run Sizzlin’ S Outfitters near Jordan, Montana and wanted to donate a 5-day Eastern Montana Mule Deer Hunt valued at nearly $5,000 for a Facebook auction. I had never seen anything like this done before. There would be 100 numbers and each number would cost $100. When it was all said and done, they would generate $10,000 to donate to the Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund. 100% of the relief fund is distributed to Nebraska cattle producers affected by the recent flooding.
As with anything else that’s new to me, I hesitated. But only briefly. As long as Julie could explain how it all would work and what my involvement would be, I didn’t see why it wouldn’t be possible. But 100 names at $100??? THAT seemed impossible.
Well, as we all know…with God NOTHING is impossible.
The auction began on Saturday, April 6. My job was to collect the money through the Nebraska Wheatie “Shop” and keep the numbers updated with names of purchasers on the original Facebook post.
Order notifications became something I looked forward to seeing in my email. Every time a number was purchased, I would receive a copy of the transaction. I would immediately go to the Facebook page and update a blank number with the name.
I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing! What seemed impossible (100 numbers at $100 each) began unfolding into something VERY possible.
And do you know why? Because people care! Because people want to help. I had contact with several of the purchasers via email. Each one of them said basically the same thing…they felt bad for the Nebraska ranchers who had experienced such loss and all they wanted to do was help.
The definition of help – the action of helping someone to do something; assistance.
Everyone stepped up to the plate with this fundraiser and it worked! The last number was purchased at noon on April 9. The auction lasted all of 2 1/2 days! WOW!
The lucky number was chosen last night. Lucky number 81!!! I was “rooting” for all of them because they are ALL winners in my eyes! Thank you to everyone who purchased numbers and made this possible. I know most would have liked to have won but knew this was one way they could help those who needed help.
Thank you, Rod and Julie, for allowing me to help YOU! For trusting that I could help you create something that would mean so much to so many. You’re THE BEST!
And…now an update on Jenna’s t-shirt fundraiser. We have sold 232 shirts. This is getting very close to a $2,000 donation to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Disaster Fund. Shirts are still very much for sale! They are $28 each and the price includes shipping. If you’re interested, be sure to go to the Nebraska Wheatie “Shop” and check them out!
With another very intense spring storm about to hit most of Nebraska, people’s nerves are a bit weary. I know we can and will survive but the help of the helpers is what’s going to get everyone through this. We are Nebraska, we are persistent, we are built to carry on and we will continue! We are Nebraska Strong!
The following post was written by Jenna. She put into words what the rest of us have felt. The weather event, which began over a week ago, has affected so many Midwest farmers, ranchers and communities (large and small).
To all who have been directly affected by the “bomb” which dropped on the Midwest a week ago, please know the entire Z Crew has prayed for you, thought of you and cried with you…and will continue to do so!
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It was a Great Plains hurricane, some said.
Continue readingYes, 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. Continue reading
One week ago yesterday, we began the final journey home.
Our first trip – Pete/the “job” trailer and Frank/the header trailer – began two weeks ago today.
So, within the past two weeks, we’ve traveled nearly 3,000 miles getting equipment moved back home. The same road gets a bit weary and I often think about the over-the-road truckers and how monotonous their days must get.
Once the final turn is made and the trucks are shut off, the reality of what’s next sets in. And it doesn’t take long for the harvest mode mentality to disappear. In fact, it all feels like a dream now. A bit of a post-harvest “hangover” or depression sets in. I can’t explain why it happens or even why it does what it does but unless I get busy right away, it can feel pretty rough.
The yellow rose is blooming.
The rose-ometer is telling us it’s time to be heading south. Wishing we were joining those fortunate enough to have something to head there for!
In past years, this was the indicator that it was time to be packing the trailer house, getting equipment loaded and heading south.
While looking for some pictures recently, I came across a gem of a throwback dated July 13, 1977. Marge Bale of the Sidney (Nebraska) Telegraph visited our camp while we were cutting wheat in the Lodgepole area to gather her “story”. I thought it would be a good treasure to keep on this blog and to share with you. My goodness…I see quite a few things have changed since then!
Tecumseh, Nebraska store fronts around the town square.
So, it seems I’ve been to more small towns in Nebraska the last several days than usual. From one end of the state to the other. East to west and back east again. I’ve seen thriving communities and some that are basically dying – if not dead.
And hidden gems.
Our brief, but eventful, weekend ended yesterday.
We left Lusk about 8:00 am “their time” or 9:00 am “our time”. I’m certain the Graham family has a love/hate relationship when the Z’s come to visit. They are always so good to us and take care of us so well. And we ALWAYS have a grand time with them – ALWAYS! BUT…when it’s time to say goodbye, I know they are secretly thinking, “Oh no, here we go again”. Goodbyes are never easy for me. The tears come easily – they always have so I can’t even blame it on getting older. And then there’s the dreaded hugs. I know not everyone is a hugger; however, I am. And if you’re going to be someone I care about…you’re going to get hugged – at some point!
We left after the hugs (there were no tears…well, none that were visible to the Graham’s anyways). Taylor behind the wheel and Callie sitting shotgun. I took the backseat for two reasons. 1. The car we drove has awful front seats even though it’s supposed to be a “luxury” car. All they do is create more of a lower back issue for me than I already have. 2. I figured the sisters would have a good time being able to chat. Taylor was on a mission. We needed to get to the Kearney Archway in plenty of time to go through the exhibit and it closed at 5:00 pm “our time”.
Taylor sent a text to the entire family several weeks ago, “Going to Lusk the first weekend in May to Collette’s graduation. Who’s in?”
No one had to ask me more than once! I was definitely in!
The Graham family has been more family than friends for a very long time. It goes way back to the first year we landed in Jordan, Montana in 1981. My grandparents and parents cut for Nicole’s dad, Charlie. Nicole was five years old. She now has a family of her own. When we used to go to Jordan, the girls hung out at their house all the time…practically living there, I would say. So, they’ve been pretty darn special to us for quite some time. And not just Nicole but the whole darn Murnion clan!