Let me begin by telling you it’s a little stressful when you get used to something or doing something one way and then have to figure out how to do it a different way! Not having the internet available to you when you turn on the computer is frustrating…and not real great cell coverage, either. And, for Jim – no TV.

Knowing what I’m up against, the daily updates will probably be a day later not the same day as I’ve been doing.

Yesterday began just like any other day. I was able to bring Frank to town the night before. This gave me a little more time in the morning. Instead of having to hurry with packing the lunches and leaving at the same time Jim did, I was able to get a few more errands done before taking Frank to the elevator. The Pete was still sitting in the field and this would buy me a little time until it was filled.

When I got to the elevator, there were more sand trucks than grain trucks.

There are two things a little different about Shattuck this year. One of which is the elevator. The newer portion of the structures was being filled with what little wheat we could bring in last year. This year, however, it’s filled with sand! The trucks are coming in constantly to be filled with sand and taking it to the oil fields. I don’t know specifically what they’re doing with it but Jim mentioned something about it being an important factor with the fracking process.

When I got to the field, Jim turned the combine over to me (woo hoo) to finish the field. He wanted to go scout out the next field and check out the field entrances. Some of the entrances here are a little tough to get the combine and the trucks through. I LOVE being in the combine! I can get lost in the cab – lost in my thoughts and music. The day goes so much faster sitting in that seat! I’m just not cut out to be a truck driver!  I seem to be able to solve the world’s problems so much better looking out over those golden fields of wheat.

The field was finished and it was time to move everything to field #2. This is a long process when you have to take the head off and move four vehicles (including the combine). It just takes time. While waiting for a piece of the puzzle to be put together, I noticed the second thing that was different about the area this year…green. There was NO green last year. When we drove the equipment through pastures – or even walked – there wasn’t any moisture in the grass. It just crunched under our feet. So glad to see this area is showing life again.

Speaking of green, the wheat was too green. The moisture tested 15% when Jim took his load to the elevator. Had to quit for the night. Probably a good thing. It wasn’t much later when a few little clouds decided to ban together and create havoc over the town of Shattuck. I had never seen dirt and sand blow like it did. It was like a blizzard! The winds blew 70+ mph. We only had a few drops of rain but the clouds looked amazing! The electricity went off which left our cottage pretty warm but there was NO WAY I was going to open the windows. What do you do with no electricity? Call it a night!