This year has been crazy as far as finding “time” to get things done.
The normal time users are in operation:
Watering the gardens
Weeding the gardens
Feeding and tending to the critters
This year, however, we have been bomb-barded with the unexpected:
Major, constant rain fall. Yes, this helps with the watering issues – but – it has caused Kaos in the weeding process. I live in an arid area, not a swamp. Our soil (lucky us!) is a great sandy-loam so most everything grows well. This does include the weeds. Some areas are taller than me which ticks me off. I just can’t keep up with all of them this year.
I always start my Christmas shopping right after Christmas. I get ideas from listening to family and friends at our annual Christmas party. I decided to create three Afghans this year – oh silly me!! Most of my yarnie projects are done within a few hours, days or weeks; not Afghans. They take time and I really got wild with them this year. I decided to do my first one WITHOUT A PATTERN – EEEEKKK – WHAT WAS I THINKGING??!! The other two are specials with a theme to them. Both the patterns are driving me crazy. I don’t like it when a pattern is several pages long and keeps you flipping from one page, back to another. It gets very hard to follow.
The winds have been nuts! Yes, we do get wind in Colorado, but not normally so much and so steady during the summer. Our summers are usually dry and calm. Yes, we can get tornados, and we have survived a couple, but those are not the norm. We have piles of sheet metal ripped off of our barn roofs that need to be replaced before winter. Trees have been uprooted from the heavy rains (makes the root areas too soft), and the strong winds. They now need to be cut down and piled for our fire pit and/or local friends to use in their fire pits, grills or fireplaces.
The extra moisture has also brought out grasshoppers-from-hell. These monsters are the size of old B-movie creatures – HUGE I TELL YOU, HUGE!!!! I had one land on my arm during weeding, and I thought it was a bird – eeek!!! Two major bugs I hate in summer are grasshoppers and cabbage moths. They can destroy crops in days or sometimes in hours. Tomato Horn Worms can easily be picked off and moved to a non-tomato area (love their transition to a Five-Spotted Hawk Moth) to continue their growth (Milk Weed Plants are great for this). The large moth is awesome to see flying around.
We start planning our garden plots in late fall. I keep track during the previous year(s) on what worked and what did not. Then we check our seeds and see what needs to be purchased (usually newbies because we save seeds on everything we can). I also order more grasshopper flakes (They eat flakes. They die. Other hoppers eat the dead hoppers, and they die – great stuff) in the fall because by spring it’s all gone. We finally broke down and bought a great 4-tier seed start setup. Grow lights, heat mats, and even fans. We used it for the first time this last spring and were shocked to see how fast things grew. This next year I will have to tie my sister down, so she does not try to start everything so early again. The set up can handle things up to about 6-inches tall, past that they are falling all over each other. I had several tangled messes to untangle before placing them in the outdoor plots.
It will be interesting to see if next year will also be so weather crazy or not.
We are not getting our normal Colorado weather. Lately, trying to garden is looking more like this:
Just trying to get to the gardens takes half the day. Then it rains hard, and it all starts over again. I am assuming the actual veggies we have in the plots are doing well:
The general population has no clue what it takes to create good, fresh food. Some days it is as hard as this:
Most days (when we have our normal weather and seasons) it is like this:
Gardening really is therapeutic for me. We have an agreement with a Honey Bee Farmer, so every year we have tons of bees all around. On occasion, one will land on my hand or arm and rest for a moment. I love it when that happens because it feels like everything is right in my world. Even if the rest of the world is in turmoil, for a brief moment in time, it’s all OK.
Right from 1-1-23, things got off to a horrible start. We had snow – not the typical dump and gone that we usually get in the plains of Colorado. No, it dumped and kept on dumping. Then the Wicket Wind Witch of the West started putting her two cents in, and drift-ola started. Of course, she had to create the worst drifts wherever we had to drive on our property: driveway, critter barns, trash bin sites.
I was down to my last year of payment on my car. I thought I had January, February, and then March, which would be the final. Nope! They called it all in at once in January, $900+ total. SURPRISE!
Water was backing up in the basement when we did the washing machine. Our thought was a plugged line in the house, so we rented a drain snake to no avail. Next was Del-Mar Septic Service. He came out quickly, considering they were way overbooked, but our drifts would soon aid in his overbooking. The last time we had the tank pumped, it was late summer, and the turn the big truck had to make by the barn was no problem. The drifts said no way, and the Wicked Wind Witch laughed. He didn’t just get stuck in a drift then back out – noooo – he was stuck from about 11 am until a 2nd truck showed up after 2 pm and pulled him loose (yes, we tried digging, boards, rags, nothing would unstick the truck on its own). He finally pumped our tank while the 2nd driver was nice and waited. I have to shout out a huge kudos to the company!! Even with all the madness that happened, they only billed us for what they originally quoted – woo hoo! We will be recommending them to all septic systems we know. Total $350.
Snow after snow after snow and not just a little, nope, it was bomb cyclone after blizzard after our most awful: a nor-easter. When the winds circle back around from the east, we ALWAYS get the worst storms. It doesn’t matter what time of year or what type of storm it is; it will be more intense and dangerous coming back from the east. This was definitely not our average start to a year.
Our drainage issue was not over. It started backing up into the basement again. BIG TIME!?! We called in our outstanding Plumber, and he realized (in only about 15 minutes) that we had a frozen line. (Side FYI: Scientists claimed that the earth’s inner core stopped rotating in 2009, and it was finally getting around to reversing. Apparently, this is a “thing” and can assist in our climate issues. WHO KNEW?!?) He referred us to a great couple of guys with a massive steamer truck. They came out, ran a like to our septic outside tap, and shoved it up our drain pipe. Then they turned up the heat and steam blasted our line for about an hour. Their snake hose also has a little rotary cutting wheel on the end where the water comes out so they can feel when it broke everything loose. Finally, CLEAR LINE – WOO HOO! Total for Plumber and truck: $650.
Our propane service showed up. The guy came and knocked on the door (unusual). When I answered, he asked, “ Do you have heat?” It surprised me a bit, but I answered yes. Then I asked why. He said the tank showed EMPTY. WHAT???? I usually check the guage on it a couple of times a year, especially in the late fall, but I had forgotten to do that. I also assumed we were still on the “keep full” program they offered several years ago. Apparently, the original owners sold this area to a local guy, and no one said a word. He had enough in his tank to fill us to 80%. Total $1200 (ouch again – and this was only the middle of March)
We got notice from our mortgage company that escrows had gone up again, and now we must pay an extra $150 monthly. (April)
My sister lost a crown on her tooth and had to get that fixed immediately. The total is $1000 (May now), and no, her insurance did not cover all of the expenses. This 1K was our portion.)
Our wonderful John Deere Lawn Tractor decided to pull nasties right when the rains finally ended (end of June). Then the drive belt decided to slip off right in the middle of mowing the big field – shit! The damn thing didn’t even have the decency to break, nope, it just slipped off the front drive wheel. OF COURSE, THE FRONT WHEEL – most complicated to get back on to. I tried, and tried, and tried again for all of July. I couldn’t get the damn nut to let go of the bolt. I watched several YouTube videos, which were helpful enough to make me understand what was going on but not enough to figure out how a woman of 60+ years old with six major joint surgeries and osteoarthritis could remove the stupid nut! Finally, I broke down and asked a dear friend if he had a minute and could come to take a look at it. It only took him about 10 minutes from start to finish to get that ugly little so-an-so belt back on and my beautiful JD back up and running. He did not charge (because he is a friend), but we paid in cookies for him and his family anyway. Total expenses for June were about $200 and July was about $500. The July thing was mainly because my grandson (now almost 15)was out to visit, and our food expenses always go up when he is out. This was extra because we felt it would be his last (yes, there were tears).
The GMC sensor went out. Then headlight bulb (s-we replace both at the same time). We had to use a mechanic for the sensor, so that was another $200+. Oh, and monsoons kicked in late August (WTF!?!). Sure, I didn’t have to do much watering this year, but I can’t get the weeds under control either. On August 21, we hit 100 degrees – OUCH. It’s not normal for out here either. It never ceases to amaze me that we can get tons of snow and rain, but the slightest winds during or after it will equal dry plants – go figure!
My sister’s job had a significant cutback in hours due to a lack of sales. That gave us 3-day weekends to get some bigger projects done together, but it also cost us about $100 per week loss. This went on for over a month.
I went in for my annual physical, and they called and said they found something in my blood draw. I needed to return to the hospital ASAP for a 2nd draw (YES, PANIC SETS IN). They also decided to do a bone density scan simultaneously – great. I’m glad I got my COVID shot because I came down with that right after the scan (blame it on the hospital – haha), but it was not as bad as the first time I had it in February 2020—good news: both tests came back ok. I was low on potassium, but that was my fault. I have had issues with that since my surgeries in 2014 and have been taking supplements. I ran out about two weeks before the blood draw, which caused a follow-up. Total loss this month, about $500.
Another lousy storm with HUGE hail came through. It took out the greenhouse door window (that was a bummer, but ok since the 2018 tornado took the roof and we have not had money to replace it yet) and then punched two considerable holes in our big gray shed roof. REALLY?!? It couldn’t have just hit the side of the barn and bounced – no – it had to punch holes in the roof the size of softballs. There is too much going on to get up there and fix it, so there is no idea of the cost of the damages yet. It’s just going to have to wait until spring 2024. The GMC went back into the shop one more time. This time, she won’t stay running, and if you are driving and stop (like to get gas), she won’t start back up again. WE FINALLY GOT A BREAK (November now), it was a faulty sensor (they initially replaced it several months ago), and it was all covered under warranty – WOO HOO!!! Oh, wait, I spoke too soon. During that last hail storm, the GMC windshield got a big smack on it – spider shoots immediately (just lucky it didn’t break through)… Oh well, there goes another $500+.
Overall, we ended the year with massive expenses and massive depression. 2023 SUCKED!
For the first time since we moved here (2000), we did not start any seeds.
I know. I know. Say it isn’t so, but it is. I don’t know if it is the weather (been just nuts), the scary state of the world (nut-bag in Russia), or my age (just say no), but something is really off whack this year. If you follow my blog(s), you may have noticed that this is my first post FOR THE YEAR – SHOCKER!! I did not even realize this until I titled this post. I keep all of them because I am a writer at heart. These are my stories of me, and I was dumbfounded to see that this was my first of the year – what is wrong with me?
I think I have to blame it on the weather (or climate) because I have not seen any of our spring flowers yet, and it is almost May. The leaf buds on the lilacs and honeysuckle are just now showing up – so not normal! I did get a minor reprieve last weekend when I heard all the frogs singing in our pond. Their music did bring on a brief moment of spring excitement.
I almost forgot; I simply went to burn some of our trash in our burn barrel and accidentally set our south field on fire. Our fantastic local volunteer Firemen were all over it, and there was (thank God) NO WIND! My sister and I were looking at that field now and were impressed at how green it was. So I think I got a bit of a boost seeing that even that dried-out field can come back to life.
We decided to just go with seeds right in the ground this year. The drought, the fires in our state, the crappy air (mainly smoke from all the fires and the dry dirt flying in the winds), and the battles over water have convinced us to cut way back this year on our gardens. I will keep cleaning them up and tending when needed, but the water is the biggest fear. I want to keep our trees going (fruit and others), and I want to start some new herbs in the herb garden, but watering this year is tough. We have our own well (a bit of good news), but we are also very conservative in its use.
It is too late for our regular early cold crops (broccoli, cabbage, etc.), but I can put in some root crops that we can, dehydrate, or freeze. Our pantry is pretty full of veggies. We purchased half of beef from our friendly local natural grower, so we have a freezer full of that. We will be helping our other friendly local natural grower butcher their chickens later this year, which will take up another part of our 2nd freezer. I have been trying to buy extras of things like flour, sugar, and salt, but the price of everything has gone nuts this year. (Don’t get me started on the gas!)
Our final decision is to grow less, use less water, use more of what we already have (duh – we store it for a rainy-day situation, and this is one of those days.), relax and remember what mom used to say:
This too shall pass.
Dang, don’t ya just hate it when mom is right! I’m pretty sure she is up in heaven yelling “I told you so” at us right now. And life goes on.
Not necessarily Halloween, but you get the feeling it’s close. Pixabay.com has been a great source of inspiration for me over the last several years. They send things to my email that they think I might appreciate and this one hit the nail on the head. They even do it free, mostly. Some creators expect payment before you can download, but most you can, as they call it, buying the creator a cup of coffee. In other words, you can donate to their efforts, but you don’t have to, and the download is free. This one was a freebie, but I did donate a dollar toward a cup of coffee.
I use a lot of these Pixabay pics in my writings. I can usually find exactly what my writing mood is in there. No, I am not affiliated or receive any type of payment for this share. I just love sharing stuff that is either free or fun, in this case both. I hope you take a moment to go visit them and view all the great stuff. If, for nothing else, to get a good feeling in these trying times. Enjoy!
I wonder if it will ever stop? I know that the state (or county) put a sign on east-bound I-76 just before our exit that states “services next exit “, but it is wrong-sort of.
Yes, there are the services listed, however; when you get to the bottom of the off-ramp (which just happens to be right by our little farm), there is nothing to tell anyone just where to go for those services. It is another three miles to those services. Oh, and at the bottom of the off ramp, there is nothing telling them which direction to turn!
This has been a problem for us since the day we moved onto the farm (over 20 years ago now). I swear, everybody and their brother has to ask us something – or for something:
“Can you tell me where such-and-such is?”
“I ran out of gas, do you by chance have any to help me get to a gas station?”
“Can you tell me where the nearest gas station is?”
Those three questions are the most asked, but we also have some real beauties that have happened:
An elderly couple in a big, beautiful Caddy pulled into our driveway. The man got out and rang our doorbell. “I am sorry to bother you,” he said, “ but my wife really needs to use a bathroom. Could she possibly use yours?” Yes, we said yes.
While enjoying our Friday night cocktails one comfortable summer evening, we watched a Motorcyclist come down the off-ramp. A pretty standard practice there as tons of Cyclists have done it in the past and continue to do so today. This one was a bit different. He got off the bike (which was not small by a long shot), pulled out his cane, and proceeded to step back to stretch his legs. That’s when it happened. Just as he stepped clear of the motorcycle, it fell over. He tried to catch it but it was obviously more than he could possibly handle. We got up from our comfortable porch chairs, walked across the highway over to him at the off ramp, and proceeded to lift his motorcycle back up for him. He thanked us endlessly and even offered us money (we declined) and said he was just on his way back to Denver from Sturgis (he went to the bike rally up there) and just needed a bit of a break. We kindly suggested he may want to look into getting a tric (tricycle motorcycle). We all had a nice laugh and he went on his way.
It should also be noted that I am a mom that became a very light sleeper when I had my child. I have never been able to sleep long or sound for a full eight-hours after I had her possibly because she was born with a disability, possibly just because it is a mom thing? This last Friday proved, once again, that it is a very good thing.
It was around 11:30 p.m. Friday night, and the dogs started barking weirdly. They have several types of bark, but there is one that signals there is something really strange outside. This bark was one of those types.
They woke me and I went to the windows to see what was up. Then I saw the vehicle lights which were aimed at our vehicles. Definitely not a good sign!
There are several reasons people with vehicles are in front of our home in the middle of the night:
Gotta pee. This is by-far the biggest reason.
Dog has got to pee.
Check directions. Since the road signs do not clearly tell drivers where to go, they will drive by several times, stop, review maps or GPS and then figure it out.
Change drivers because the current one is starting to drift off.
But, I have to say, this one was a first:
As I was walking toward the widow where our vehicles are parked, I could see the top of someone’s head bobbing toward our door. The window was open because the night was cool and I leaned over and yelled out, “What do you want?” The poor kid jumped a foot! (Ok, I have to be honest and say that this made me laugh-internally- even though I was mad for the middle of the night disturbance.) He then proceeded to apologize profusely for the intrusion, but he/they had a bad flat tire. He asked if I had a jack. My first reflex action was “NO!!” I told him there was a garage just on the other side of the overpass and he could go there. (I knew full well that they were not open after 5p.m. any day, so the kid(s) would have to wait till morning. Serves them right for bugging me in the middle of the night!) After several more minutes of begging, offering the $20 he had for my trouble, and swearing he was not up to something bad; the mom in me gave in. I told him to pull in by my car and I went out to help. The tire was shredded so they must have been riding on it for a while. I got the jack out of my car, they proceeded to replace the tire and then the little fart offered the $20 again. I said no and then he asked if it was OK to give me a hug? He was going to visit he grandparents and I remined him of them. I caved in and then wished them a safe trip. Through all of this my sister, who fell asleep on the couch, did not budge – JERK!
I shared the story with my sister and we both laughed. Then she said was that she was proud I tried to not help them as we have sworn to each other to quit doing it. We have had too many bad experiences with strangers in the last 10 years and are trying to quit being so nice. The problem is, we were not raised that way. Our parents raised us with do unto others and help those that cannot help themselvesgrowing up so its embedded in our D.N.A.
I guess that with the state of things in the U.S. right now, maybe this little act of kindness is good thing and possibly even appreciated? A jack? In the middle of the night? Man, I have gotten soft!
I grew up on a farm, moved to the big city of Denver for 20 years, then choose to move back to farm life in 2000. City life is (and was) great fun – however – just not for me. I found I was always looking for more.
I do not hate big city life; there is much to be had there. It is still a lot of fun to go back and see all the unique things it offers – museums – zoos – specialty shows (Stock Show just came through) – and all the little out-of-the-way spots I know. The problem, the thrill is gone.
Don’t get me wrong; I loved living in Denver when I was young and unattached. My gal pals and I used to go out every weekend. Dancing and shooting pool were my most favorite activities back then. I was pretty good at both (ok, maybe not so much on the dancing side – but I did win a lot of trophies for shooting pool.) The stories I could tell of those younger days, but then I don’t want to keep you up at night.
My thrill now is the farm and all the wonders it shows me. I was watering in the greenhouse yesterday and found a baby Praying Mantis – WOW! Here I thought it was too early for my cuties to be out and about? She was very tiny – but alive and well. We do not heat the whole greenhouse in the winter, just a part of the herbs and our ever-bearing strawberries. She was playing in with the strawberries (smart girl!).
The latest newbie came in an email I received from Farmers Almanac is regarding today – Groundhogs day. There is a special section that states this day was originally called Candlemas Day – this is something new to me:
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, So far the snow will swirl until May; For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day, So far will the sun shine before May.
I do not know where this little quote came from (folklore they say) but I just fell in love with it. This is part of the fun of living on a small farm. I get to take a moment and enjoy these little oddities. I took a moment to do some digging and found that this is a traditional Christian festival that commemorated the ritual purification of Mary forty days after Jesus’ birth. I am a Christian, and I never knew this. Without the internet and the wonderful people at Farmers Almanac, I might never have known this!
The farm has so much to offer, and there is something new at least once a week (sometimes once a day). This date – February 2nd – will now hold a stronger meaning for me. When my January’s get to overloaded (like this last one has been), I will make it a point to place the phrase “Candlemas” on my calendars. This will be my hint to myself to seek out something out-of-the-norm new. So here are some more bits of obscure facts I found for this day:
• It is also called the Festival Day of the Candles, from the past when there was no electric for lighting. A year’s supply of candles was blessed on this day for the church.
• Candles, symbolic for Christians, are to remind us of Jesus – The light of the world.
• Midpoint of winter – half way between the spring and winter equinoxes.
• Folklore again, stated the Christmas season lasted 40-days – until February 2nd.
• Another lovely old saying: “The Snowdrop (we have these on the farm), in the purest white array, First rears her head on Candlemas Day.”
• This is also the day for you procrastinators to put away your Christmas ornaments.
The next one’s to look forward to will be Valentine’s day (yes, I do know about this one) and Kissing Friday (see, here’s another I know nothing of – gasp!), alas, this one ended in the 1940’s boo hoo!
Happens to me every fall. I just can’t help myself. I have tried. I keep myself busy with harvesting and crafting and food processing – but it just can’t stop it. Those pesky childhood memories come flooding back every fall.
There is so much work that has to be done right now.
Canning, cooking, freezing, dehydrating.
Digging up old and prepping for new in the spring.
Start or end projects for the holidays
Then there are all the decorations – dig it out, put it up, take it down, pack it away.
Clean up/out the house for winter ready (basically the same as spring cleaning, but now is more to get the dust out and keep the bugs out.).
Pack away the spring/summer clothes and get out the fall winter clothes – and don’t forget the boots!
Finish any critter roofs that need to be tacked down and/or sealed.
Shear up any walls that got knocked around by winds.
Mow everything one last time (that takes two days in itself).
Get the tank water heaters out and make sure they are working (for critters and the fish pond in the front yard.).
Fix any doors, windows and shutters on all buildings.
Re-insulate, caulk, or trim any place that may have lost it over the summer.
This is just part of my to-do-list before the first frost hits. One weather forecast said colder than normal; the other said warmer than normal, pretty sure I do not even know what NORMAL is anymore?!
I started to water what is left of the gardens, and heard some kids (very young) laughing as a truck drove by; and that was all it took! I had to come in and write up my last blog (cool dad #2) while it was fresh in my mind. (OH, for those wondering – the memory is great – only lasts about 5 minutes, but it is great! Lol)
Then I realized I left the water running in the strawberry plot – oops! Oh well, been meaning to do that anyway. The temps are still in the mid 80’s here during the day, and only dropping to around 40 at night (actually just before dawn), so they are safe with the flooding.
This weekend is supposed to be a bit cooler. We have “volunteer” trees that have to come down, and some nasty rats that need some bubble gum! I just hope my mind can stick to the task at hand? Fall and Winter are my most favorite seasons simply because of all the delightful memories! How about you? Do you get carried away in the moment too?
(Too many volunteers right on the fence line – both sides!)
(You may not be able to tell from these pics, but each hill from the rats is about a foot tall! They have even invaded our corn patch – jerks!)
To properly explain this one, I am going to have to write you a picture:
Two sisters, one about four the other about six.
It is early1960’s in Wisconsin.
Our farm is several miles from the nearest major highway, so a trip is required for everything.
The main road: County Trunk W.
The type of road: 2-lane, HUGE hills (cannot see the other side until you are on top of them type hills).
And so our story begins:
It is a beautiful fall day. The leaves are either turning or falling, and this part of Wisconsin has such an amazing variety of trees that you are awestruck by colors. The air is crisp, even in the mid-afternoon. Dad decides we have to go to the grocery store in Adell (not the closest city, but a larger selection) to pick up some stuff. We are taking the farm truck (I have no clue year, make or model – have to ask my older sister since she totaled it – but that’s another story). No seatbelts (neither in it or required to have it- go figure?).
Dad grabs the girls and throws them into the front seat of the truck, then slides in on the driver’s side and starts her up. Varoom, rumble, rumble, rumble (yes, this is how an old farm pickup truck sounds) and off we go.
From the end of our driveway, you turn onto County Trunk W and go east toward Adell. We sit at the top of a hill, so the start is fun picking up speed on the way down. Now remember, it is early 1960’s so cops really didn’t look for speeders on all the county roads (most of them were still gravel anyway – now ours.)
Down the hill, up a smaller one, and over – picking up some more speed. Down again, up again, down again; this continues for about five or six miles, and THERE IT IS – SKUNK HILL. The reason for the name is because of all the dead skunks on it. You cannot see over to the other side, so there is no time to slow down.
Once over,
you see it,
it’s dead – and
your car/truck will stink for a month
It was the tallest hill around. Dad was beatin feet to get up that puppy. Hit the top and it happened, up we went off the seat into the air! Squeals of joy and laughter rung out! Dad was laughing even harder at us and our excitement just over a jump on a hill. Great joy in the little things. The laughter did not stop for another 3 or so miles until we got to the store.
NOW, some of you will be seeing the danger here.
Some of you will be seeing bad parenting here.
But some of you, just some of you will see this:
Our parents were great! Loving, funny, caring, sharing, encouraging, outstanding. So please do not judge too harshly the decade we grew up in because it was all good.
They were not rich, but our lives were. If I could, I would wish that all children would have at least a couple of summers, and maybe a few falls, on a farm.
Our dad was AWESOME (yes, you must sing the last word here!)! Our parents were outstanding but in completely different ways. It took the two of them to create we three monster sisters, but this story is about Dad.
Fall brings back more memories of Dad than Mom. He kept the farm rolling. He worked a full-time job in Milwaukee, at the same time carried a full-time job working our 80-acre farm. That’s a lot of working and a lot of stress. The amazing part is he always found time for us. He included us in all parts of the farm.
In Wisconsin, we had to do a chore every spring called “picking rock” – yes, we hand picked up large rocks in the fields. This had to be done before the plows could come through or they would cause major damage to the equipment. My little sister was about 4-years old when she was initiated.
We had this great little gray Massey Ferguson tractor. It was the littlest one on our farm and a perfect fit for little girls. Dad hooked up one of the flatbed trailers to the tractor, lifted us three girls up on the flatbed, and out to the fields we went.
Once in the field, Dad put the youngest (only four remember) into the driver’s seat, tied a wooden block to her gas pedal foot, put the tractor in the lowest gear and off she started. My older sister, I, and my dad then would walk the field alongside the trailer finding, picking up, and loading all the rocks about softball size and up onto the wagon. Easy right? WRONG!
The best thing our parents gave us is our sense of humor; it is also the worst. The baby sister and I were always at each other; it was our “thing.” She now had a perfect advantage. It all started out innocent enough, scooting along in the tractor. Nice and smooth, slow and steady. If we had a fairly big rock her job was to stop until we had it loaded (Yep – here it comes).
She did her job perfectly with Dad. Just as well with our eldest sister. Then there was me. First, it started out as it should, moving along, picking up and loading rocks. Then she saw me pick up a rock that was obviously very heavy and awkward for me.
She stopped the wagon.
Waited for me to get right up to it to set down the rock.
Then purposely bolted ahead so I could not set down the rock (little jerk)!
What made matters worse for me, was Dad laughing. Our older sister joined in, and I was once again the brunt of the joke. The more they laughed, the more she did it, the angrier I became – which made them all laugh harder.
(or little sisters)
Dad would eventually compose himself and reprimand baby sister – sort of. She would be good for a while, then start back up again. This became the family ritual every rock picking season. Funny how a person can get used to good-hearting ribbing, but others will call it a form of abuse. To me, it was just normal family fun farm stuff.
(or little sisters)
HELBERG FARM STORIES 