The View from Here

Today was, as Grace termed it, "a perfect day on the farm." The weather was just right--not too hot, not too cold, beautifully sunny, and dry. This meant harvest was in full swing, and I even had time enough to capture it on film as I ferried people between fields with the kiddos by my side. Here's what we saw today:

Back in MN, we regularly look out our kitchen window to see our elderly neighbor making his morning coffee in his skivvies and a flannel. Ahem. Here, we have a bit more privacy, but the lack of trees and open farmland make even distant neighbors feel a little closer. I love the different shades of gold and tan in this photo above; it's autumn on the prairie. The field in the foreground held rows of soybeans just this morning!

When I was younger, I could always find a willing cousin or friend to explore old farm sites with me. How exciting it was to run across an ancient piece of rusty equipment, a license plate tacked on a barn wall, or an old rope swing tied to a rafter!

Grace is determined to climb on top of this monster before we go. I'm hiring Daddy for the job of spotter.

No, the blue of this lake hasn't been doctored; today, it was an amazing shade of teal. Who needs Bermuda when you can have South Dakota's alkaline lakes?

It really is a lovely place to have a snack, don't you think? The kids and I took a short break to munch and take in the scenery before heading to the next field. Jonathan kept giggling when he saw me climb into the pickup: "No, Mommy! Papa brrrm-brrrm!" Apparently, I'm supposed to drive things like minivans. We're working on this.

 

 The goldenrod (Achoo!) is just fading, leaving the rose hips to take center stage. Call me crazy, but I think this bunch of grass would make a lovely bouquet. And come to think of it, that may explain my childhood logic; I was more of a prairie-grass kind of gatherer than a dandelion picker. That may also have stemmed from the fact that my dad detailed the whole noxious weed thing to me at a very young age: "We spray for those." The life of a farm kid, I tell ya.

In the top photo above, Greg M. gets the truck ready for loading. He's just moved it from our last field, and we're getting all set up for another round. My dad's driving this combine--the newer of the two, because Matt's almost sleepless with anxiety these days due to his fear of wrecking one. (OK, he's really sleeping like a log right now, but it's a concern!) See that golden pile of soybeany goodness ready for unloading?

Aaaaand, thereyago. Get the auger to the right spot, and all goes well. Place the auger in the wrong spot, and...well, grab a shovel.

Quiz: Why is my dad smiling?
A. He is harvesting, a farmer's favorite activity
B. He finally has his sack lunch in hand, delivered two hours late (Sorry, Dad!)
C. He knows I'll be posting this photo to the blog tonight
D. His grandkids are laying on the horn back in the pickup and cheering his name
E. All of the above

Answer? C!

Nah, just kidding. E all the way.

My, my, mymymy. Who is this professional combiner? (Is that a word? Combiner? Well, it is now.)

"Hello, handsome farmer! You come here often? Gosh, you sure do know how to maneuver that 9600!"

"You're crazy."

"Crazy-impressed, maybe. But here. (*picking up a pod from the ground*) You missed this one."

"Har har."

"Alright, get back to it, man. Some of us have to work around here."

Like Grace, for example! The child is entirely convinced her responsibility on the farm is to go forth each day seeking grease and dirt. She feels as if her day's been a success if her entire wardrobe has to go straight into the wash come nightfall.

And speaking of nightfall, here's what we done-did after everyone got cleaned up: not much of anything at all. Happy harvest, everyone!