On October 17, 2019 around 7:30 a.m. the farmer pulled into the last field to be sown to wheat for our 2020 crop. The field sits right next to his parent’s farmstead. Milton’s father stared farming this rented ground in the 1950’s, then Milton took it over the past few years. We greatly appreciate the opportunity this family has provided for us and that they trust our family with caring for their land.
Every year the owners of the land make their way to our home for our annual landlord dinner . I sometimes walk in this area and see the old house that has fallen in, no one has lived there for many years. But I like to imagine what it was like back in the day and often think ” if those walls could talk.” I am so thankful to hear their stories at our annual dinner and have a connection with them. It makes it even better to farm their land.
Milton began sowing wheat on October 10, 2019 and we are happy to report that we got all of the acres we wanted to sow in. Last year it was a different story which made for our 2019 wheat harvest to be short! We are grateful for the smoothness of this year!
By the time this day came for the final seed to be sown I will admit this farm couple was ready to have it be done. All marriages have their stresses and ups and downs, I’m not saying that a farm marriage has the worst of any marriage. But I’d like to share that it’s not an easy simple thing. The hardest part is during planting and harvest seasons and when you have them combined it’s a struggle. But let’s go for some positive shall we?
I am lucky because I work part time and not far from home. I am lucky because our child isn’t too busy with extra activities and is old enough to do things herself somewhat and understands our lifestyle. I’m lucky for more reasons than the few I listed. Those components make it so I can be a better human to others. With age I have realized I do have limitations and that carrying a great deal doesn’t fair well for my mentality.
Having a harvest and planting season at the same time means meals in the field, not having my partner’s help with our child or around the house or cooking. It means me not getting to bed as early as I need because he isn’t home or I’m up waiting so I can spend a few minutes with him. It means he is over tired from working 18 hour days and dealing with stresses I have no clue about. It means a great many more things as well.
I have to admit I think out of all our 17 years together this fall season has been one of the better ones in regards to patience in our marriage. I know most of the reason is my attitude has been better. I’ve stopped myself from complaining much and I’ve stepped up where needed. My car smells like various foods on any given day but I don’t really care. I just roll down the window. My lonliness has been kept at bay filling time with other things. I didn’t let the little things bother me too much and I showed love to my tired hard working husband verses snipping at him. Milton has also done things a little differently this year towards me. I’m sure it has some to do with the passing of his father for both of us.
Our fall season still has some work to be done but we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. There is 231 acres of double crop soybeans to harvest when ready and he is on the downhill slide of our milo harvest right now. I can tell he is very tired. It’s time for me to do what I can and let him do what he needs to to get through this. And when it all settles down in the next month or so and he is dozing on the couch while the television is on I’ll just let him rest. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie
In Between the Sunsets of Life 