When farmers say “Beans,” they mean soybeans. When they say “Flowers,” they mean sunflowers. Thankfully, when they say “Corn,” they mean corn. This week we began the bean harvest, which means the combine is once again a busy piece of machinery. Driving the combine makes me think of other machines that perform similar tasks. At hockey games, the Zamboni rolls across the ice leaving a mirror-like sheen behind it. After the combine rolls through the field, a silky blanket of chaff graces the ground. It makes the landscape look smooth, like freshly fallen snow. I like to keep the cab cold - so at times it feels like an ice rink. I often pretend the combine is an enormous vacuum cleaner. The cutter head is a thirty foot beater-bar on the John Deere equivalent of a Hoover. I drive through the field, and behind me - a clean landscape of smooth carpet. As I tend my combine duties, my trusty iPod sits at my side and keeps my mind from drifting to other tasks, like - well, running a Zamboni or vacuuming. iPod playlists for combining and concentrating are available upon request.
There comes a day in every calf’s life when he must leave the safety and security of the barn yard and head out into the real world. Charlotte and I were somewhat apprehensive about loading up Moogie and his sidekick to take them off to greener pastures. Moogie rubs his head against my leg as we prepare to say goodbye We dropped the pair off in the pasture, Charlotte asking them, “Will you e-mail me?” They looked hesitant at first, not sure what to think about the wide open spaces. They looked at us, then at the horizon - and then ran for the horizon. Moogie and his sidekick take off running The theme music to “Born Free” ran through my head as these cute, 300 pound animals set out to explore the great outdoors. There was a certain satisfaction in seeing them enjoy their new surroundings. Trotting back to be sure it’s okay After running off, they stopped, and gave a loud moo. I, of course, moo’ed in reply, and they came running back. It reminded me of watching kids take off in a mall, then come running back to Mom and Dad to ask for money. Charlotte and I hung out in the pasture for a few extra minutes to make sure they would be all right. We moved the rest of the herd up to meet the newcomers. When the herd arrived, Moogie confidently assured his sidekick that everything would be just fine. She sticks close to Moogie, they are destined to be a couple Every morning I stop by the pasture to see how the kids are settling into their new life. They seem content and happy. The great outdoors is agreeing with them.
Moogie continues to grow. He still gets right up in my face and is very personable. He likes to play rodeo and we enjoy getting rowdy. He now responds to voice commands such as, “Moogie, get Alan!” He’s a smart one, it’s quite unusual for a calf to play on voice command. Moogie This week was the big homecoming football game in Huron. The playing fields are my next door neighbor; the sounds of coach whistles and the marching band are commonplace. The stadium was packed, and I enjoyed the game. The Huron Tigers at play Another memorable event this week was the customer appreciation dinner at the warehouse of the local seed dealer. As I was taking photos, Kayla (daughter of Garst dealer) asked me what I was doing. I said, “This is a party about seeds, yes?”
“Yeah - so why are you taking pictures.”
“It’s a party about seeds.”
She looked puzzled, I continued, “I’ve been to fundraisers, band parties, album release parties, wedding parties, birthday parties, but never a party about seeds.”
“Oh….” she thought about it and nodded. She took my arm and escorted me into the warehouse where I enjoyed food, fun, and at one point I was acknowledged for my contributions to the operation. I helped as a fill-in worker for a couple weeks this spring. The Garst party gets started as the sun hits the horizon Inside the warehouse, Mitch likes to wrestle - Brenda is a talker
