back to work (video)

The diagonal markings in the wheat are chisel marks. At some point during this wheat’s growing season, the wind blew. It blew so hard it covered the brand new fence that was on the south side of the field. It blew right down the rows and left the wheat plant in place. How the wheat survived and why it didn’t blow out cannot be answered. And even more than that – how did it raise 60 bushel wheat? Apparently, as Jack said, “we don’t need topsoil to grow wheat”.  They chiseled this field while the wind was blowing hoping the ridges created would help minimize the blowing.

Yes…we DID get back to work! The sun was shining yesterday (July 19) with all its glory and there was heat. And we cut wheat!

Before we cut wheat, though, we stuck around the Cottage long enough to tell Jamie and Eli hello. Taylor and Callie got up really early and headed for the Denver airport to pick them up. After a couple of brief stops – McDonald’s for breakfast and the grocery store – they arrived. I was so afraid Eli wasn’t going to remember me but when he saw me, he put out his arms for me. It warmed this ‘ole grandma’s heart! We got to visit for about an hour before Jim and I had to head for the combine.

Mighty hard leaving this little fella!

Eli got his first taste of real “GoGo’s” (trucks, combines and tractors) when they came out for supper. He was in heaven! The air was cool and they had a long day so they didn’t stick around very long after supper.

Playing “chicken” with Barry. Not really…he was helping me finish my final stretch of wheat on this field.

We worked late into the night last night. We haven’t done that in quite a long time. It was midnight before we got back to the Cottage. Conditions were great-we could have worked longer but we ran out of truck space. Seems to be an issue here in Colorado…waiting on trucks. A GOOD problem to have!

Waking up to the sounds of this little guy was the best!

We had another good day today. The worst part of the day (besides spilling DEF all over myself and the Beast ingesting a log) was moving the combines. When we have long moves like we did today, Jim usually “roads” the combine – I follow in the service pickup. The obstacles on the road aren’t something I pay attention to until I’m headed down one with a 35 ft header. That’s when you see every post, sign, guide wire and limb. My worst fear is wrapping that header around a pole going 20 mph. I did OK. I didn’t hit anything…thank goodness! Our move was 20+ miles so it took over an hour to make. I was so glad to see the field!!

Believe me I was nearly stopped when I took this picture! There is no way I would have even attempted to take it otherwise. 

I had riders again today. Jamie and Eli came out. He was SO EXCITED.

It made my day when he watched the “GoGo’s” from the cab of the Yellow Beast! Until today, the only “GoGo’s” he knew were the toys he played with and the USCHI Harvest News magazine that he faithfully looks at. Seeing this machinery through his eyes was amazing. I told Jamie I wished my Grandpa could see him in the cab with a smile on his face. Jamie told me he could see him. 🙂

The fields we’re cutting now are the fields we used to come to Limon for. Sounds weird, right? Well, the deal is that the farmers who used to farm this ground quit farming. Our last summer to help them was 2012. We have been blessed to be working for the farmers who are farming this ground now. The yields continue to be above and beyond! Steve (the prior farmer) told me today they NEVER raised wheat on this ground like what’s being harvested today. The best we ever harvested for them was 30 bushels. This year…50 (at least). I’m just so excited for Steve to be able to see this kind of yield on his family ground. It was good to see him again. Steve & Kathy and Larry will always hold a special place in my heart! As I’ve mentioned before – the people we work for are more than just a job.

Moving the Beast over to allow Chad to get past. When you’re not cutting on your own (like I’m used to doing), you really have to watch for the others!

Looks like a party in the field!

The wheat is SO DIRTY! I know the Beast is yellow somewhere…

We finished a little earlier tonight. It was about 9:00 when we shut ’em down for the day. Certainly no rain to worry about for the next several days. Even as cool as most nights are here, tonight was different. I didn’t even feel like I needed to search for my sweatshirt. I’d be willing to bet, we will be able to get to work just as soon as we get to the field in the morning!