For parents there are so many seasons in the year, more than just the normal four that we all are used to. The same goes for farmers.
This year, Missouri's weather has just allowed us to get into the full swing of hay season. Scrambling between heavy downpours that the summer thunderstorms have lent us.
The rain is a double edged sword. We needed the rain something fierce, but as Mother Nature would have it, it is feast or famine.
On the up side, I haven't had to water my garden once. It is nearly July and our seasonal creek has not dried up yet. The fields of grass are growing at phenomenal speeds. The grass is so thick this year and with loads of clover!
On the down side we are rushing to get into our fields when there is a three day stretch of only possible rain, crossing our fingers that we can get it baled before the next storm clouds roll in.
Why, with all of the frustrations of putting up hay, do I enjoy it so much?
I do enjoy it more than those who do not have an air conditioned cab tractor, I would assume. My partners did upgrade to an air cushioned seat as well. That has made it quite a bit easier on my beat up body. I do not have much to complain about when it comes to dealing with the heat of the hay field.
As a woman and as one with handicaps, I do have to prepare for my days roaming up and down those lush pastures. Doing this ensures that I can finish the job and in the best comfort possible.
Many days there is no bathroom facility. We can only drip dry so many times before that becomes an issue. Having toilet paper, napkins, paper towels or (old shirts?) in the cab is a huge convenience!
Packing a cooler. It is not always feasible to drive into town to grab lunch. We lose precious time cutting grass and I must say it is quite nice to sit in the shade of the tractor tire or along the tree line and pop open a nice bottle of..................water, while watching wildlife or staring at the sky and relishing in how wonderful our lives really are.
Bringing a pillow of some sort to perch behind my lower back and frequent stretching with a bottle of Ibuprofen in the cup holder has become my staple.
We can sort out all of our problems in silence, except for the humming of the tractor or the swishing of the tedder. We can also plug in an iPod and belt out everything from Merle Haggard to Motley Crue to Pink! No one can hear how bad we sound and if it wasn't for our open mouths and limited dance moves showing through the glass windows, the other hay jocks would have no idea how much fun we are having!
I am torn between loving the fields more when they are waist high or how clean and smooth they look as we roll out the last bale. I love the feeling of accomplishment as I look across the bottom and view how much progress I've made in an afternoon.
I love knowing that I was involved in providing for our farm, the independence I have working alone or with one of my hay jocks and the satisfaction that I defied what professionals believed would never be in my daily activity again.
It does not matter what activity brings you these same feelings of accomplishment.
This year, Missouri's weather has just allowed us to get into the full swing of hay season. Scrambling between heavy downpours that the summer thunderstorms have lent us.
The rain is a double edged sword. We needed the rain something fierce, but as Mother Nature would have it, it is feast or famine.
On the up side, I haven't had to water my garden once. It is nearly July and our seasonal creek has not dried up yet. The fields of grass are growing at phenomenal speeds. The grass is so thick this year and with loads of clover!
On the down side we are rushing to get into our fields when there is a three day stretch of only possible rain, crossing our fingers that we can get it baled before the next storm clouds roll in.
Why, with all of the frustrations of putting up hay, do I enjoy it so much?
I do enjoy it more than those who do not have an air conditioned cab tractor, I would assume. My partners did upgrade to an air cushioned seat as well. That has made it quite a bit easier on my beat up body. I do not have much to complain about when it comes to dealing with the heat of the hay field.
As a woman and as one with handicaps, I do have to prepare for my days roaming up and down those lush pastures. Doing this ensures that I can finish the job and in the best comfort possible.
Many days there is no bathroom facility. We can only drip dry so many times before that becomes an issue. Having toilet paper, napkins, paper towels or (old shirts?) in the cab is a huge convenience!
Packing a cooler. It is not always feasible to drive into town to grab lunch. We lose precious time cutting grass and I must say it is quite nice to sit in the shade of the tractor tire or along the tree line and pop open a nice bottle of..................water, while watching wildlife or staring at the sky and relishing in how wonderful our lives really are.
Bringing a pillow of some sort to perch behind my lower back and frequent stretching with a bottle of Ibuprofen in the cup holder has become my staple.
We can sort out all of our problems in silence, except for the humming of the tractor or the swishing of the tedder. We can also plug in an iPod and belt out everything from Merle Haggard to Motley Crue to Pink! No one can hear how bad we sound and if it wasn't for our open mouths and limited dance moves showing through the glass windows, the other hay jocks would have no idea how much fun we are having!
I am torn between loving the fields more when they are waist high or how clean and smooth they look as we roll out the last bale. I love the feeling of accomplishment as I look across the bottom and view how much progress I've made in an afternoon.
I love knowing that I was involved in providing for our farm, the independence I have working alone or with one of my hay jocks and the satisfaction that I defied what professionals believed would never be in my daily activity again.
It does not matter what activity brings you these same feelings of accomplishment.
Every accomplishment starts with one single decision.
To Try.
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