HARVEST...

Trevin & Grandpa


I took this picture a couple of weeks ago before the wheat turned golden.  I think it speaks many things about life.  I've been married to my husband for 16 years and every year I learn something during harvest.  This time of year, harvest, brings many things to mind.  I didn't grow up on a farm and really until the last few years or so I didn't really care to know too much about the farm either.  But during a conversation I had with my dad,  I began to understand the importance of being involved with the farm.  I used to always complain to my dad about how my husband was always working and how the farm was way more important than me.  He usually laughed and told me not so.  But this particular conversation stands out during this harvest.  Dad had had enough of my complaining and whining about my boys being gone.  He explained to me that life's not all about me and what I want.  Yes that's something I still have a hard time understanding at times, Ha!  Dad made it very clear that if I want to be around and involved with my house full of boys, at the time of this conversation I only had 3 boys, I had better learn to love the farm!  It hit me like a ton of bricks and ticked me off all at the same time!  Like I've said my dad and I were very close but we didn't always agree, and this is one time I was not wanting to listen to him.  So my dad did as he usually did and talked me through and helped me understand.  To say that I'm high maintenance when it comes to talking things through is an understatement!  So after much cussing and discussing I began to understand!  He helped me understand that my boys, including my husband, loved the farm.  He went on to explain what a great life the farm is and how many people don't have the opportunity that we have.  He asked how I could take for granted this fabulous opportunity to raise my boys on the farm.  Let me just say that my dad had a way with words that would really make me think.  So as I began to do some soul searching and realized just what I had at the palm of my hands, I began to make changes.  I guess that's why I named this blog, CHANGE!

Well it's been almost a year since I quit my job.  Let me just say my paying job, because I work now, sometimes more than when I had that paying job.  Anyway, over this last year I've been more involved with the farm.  I haven't actually been driving tractor but taking meals to the field or driving the boys to help move tractors, to helping Gary with the books.  First of all, let me just say that the average population doesn't understand much of anything about farming.  I can say that because my preconceived ideas about farming before I married a farmer and how I think now are 2 very different things!  It takes so much to make a harvest that I still don't really understand all that goes in to it, but I'm learning.  I'm learning and so happy to have to opportunity to do so, thanks to my dad.  He really helped me understand all the awesomeness that I have in my life with the farm.

HARVEST...you know that saying you reap what you sow.  I'm beginning to understand.  It takes so much to make a harvest I don't even know where to begin.  You have to prepare the ground to take in moisture after you harvest the wheat so the new crop will grow.  There's fertilizer and other chemical to put down so the crop will make it (so it doesn't get eaten by bugs or develop rust, I don't really know what that is but I've heard Gary talk about it.).  Then there's the price of the crop and diesel and having the right equipment, which can be very expensive.  All the equipment it takes to put in a crop is amazing but can be costly, and if you can't buy new equipment then you'd better be good at fixing things and have lots and lots of patience.  These are just a few of the high points that I can think of off the top of my head.  I didn't even get into the cattle part of the farming operation.  That will have to be a whole other blog in itself.  With the harvest I'm reminded of the saying, you reap what you sow.  I realize it takes many things to happen to make a harvest but it also allows for an amazing life.  To watch my boys fill with anticipation, even Gary, when the combines roll in and prepare to cut the wheat is indescribable!  The tradition of family and working together to make a harvest just makes me full of joy and happiness that I never thought I would feel.  To see my boys want to follow in their daddy's footsteps is the most amazing gift I could ever get!  Once again my dad has taught me another valuable life lesson, one that I hope to pass on to my kiddos.  I hope I only sow great things with my family of boys and that I learn to appreciate all that I already have.  I'm so thankful to be apart of the farm life and Gary's parents have given him such a wonderful life and legacy!