Harvesting

     John is in a holding pattern, just anxiously waiting to start harvesting.  Last week, they did try the corn, but it was too wet.  What that means, I really have no idea.  Let’s face it, I am not a farmer.  I have no desire to learn about farming.  I am a “town girl” thru and thru.  I know a lot of farmer’s wives are out there helping with all of the work.  Well, that is just not who I am or how I am wired.  Running big equipment scares me.  Heck, I was 17 before I even, finally, took my driver’s license.  (I did driver’s ed when I was 14, and I lacked confidence in of myself.)  I really didn’t start actually start driving, until I was 20.  So, no, I am not into the farming.   I think John is ok with that or at least I hope he is.  He knows I am the better cook and he is comfortable with me taking on that chore for him.  Sometimes, I even bring him food in the field.             I grew up in southeastern South Dakota.  Back home, the fields are square.  Meaning, every mile on the mile, there is a road.  It creates a grid.  So, you are less likely to get lost.  If someone says to go to the field 4 miles south and 1 mile east, it is pretty easy to find.  I know that Highmore is about 200 miles northwest and you wouldn’t think it would make that much difference.  However, around here, there isn’t always a road every mile and I don’t know how many times I couldn’t figure out how to get to where I was suppose to be.  Maybe that is another reason I don’t help to much.  John has about 5,000 acres and I am not sure if I have been to all of it or not.   in Bon Homme County, in the 1980’s, corn and soybeans were the crops to raise.   Until I moved to central SD, I had never seen a sunflower field in  full bloom.   Thirty years ago, when decorating with sunflowers, was in style, I thought they were the worst.   Now, I realize how lucky I am, to be able to be amazed by this most beautiful sight.  Flowers seem so happy and bright.  Each summer, I beg John to notify me when it will be the perfect time to take picture.                  

Last fall, I decided it was time to go for a ride in the combine.  It was a learning experience, which the pictures don’t do justice.  The beautiful, bright, sunflowers, turn into brown, dried up sticks with big heads on them.  First, the view from the passenger sit, gives you a front row seat.  You can see the huge field and everything in it.  Including all the pheasant and deer, which were spooked out of their hiding spots.  Most of them, easiest removed themselves from the danger of the large killer moving towards them.  A few birds weren’t so quick and were caught in the head of the combine.  The timing between the grain cart operator and the combine operator needs to be accurate or the sunflower seeds will be all over the ground.  I could try to explain exactly how everything works, but I know I wouldn’t have it right.  What I can tell you is that watching the machine cut them down, is mesmerizing.  I ended up staying out a lot longer than I expected too.   If anyone wanted to learn more, I can hook you up with a guy, who has all the knowledge.