Dealing with Milo Harvest 2020

To be honest our farming operation is basically a one man operation. I don’t do a great deal except feed him and play taxi, occasionally weigh trucks and dabble with the books some. I know some will see that as a great asset and I do believe it’s helpful to him. During our harvest periods we hire one individual that works just during that time. So I feel stating it’s a one man operation is very true. He spent many years working next to his father that passed a way just a year ago. I know he misses him often in his daily activities, although he never mentions it. That’s his way.

Milton loves being a farmer but even when we love things they can be stressful. Anything in life can be this way as you probably know. For instance relationships, any occupation, church activities and so forth. It’s how we handle the stressful moments that are critical. My husband is normally a level headed, calm, laid back, quiet kinda guy. But in the midst of this harvest you could find him using some not so pleasant words, an angered face and times he just wanted to throw his hands up in the air.

But true to his personality he found his way back, to the place of calm. Milton knows that taking it slow is better than rushing (for him.) That taking the time to accept what is before him and working towards a remedy is better than yelling, screaming, saying bad words and throwing things. So although that does occur sometimes it’s not a daily way of life for him.

On the worst day of milo harvest I found him sitting next to me in the school gym watching our daughter when most would have stayed in the field. Sometimes walking away from the bad situation is the best medicine. Can anyone relate? Ya, me too. That can be hard at times to do but I’m so happy he was there for her games. The following is my social media post I did a day or so later, maybe you saw it. It sums it up.

Our one man farming operation can be stressful, I’ve said that. Sometimes I forget how stressful it can be due to Milton being on the quiet side. I’m lucky because he works hard and provides for our family so I can work part time. I hope I can do better at supporting him as a spouse and remembering all he does offer even when I may not get what I want.

Life presents us with opportunities everyday. This time of harvest/year is temporary. Yes we will visit it once again this time next year God willing, but honestly that will be a different one. One of the greatest things in my husband’s life is the fact that he does something every day that he loves. Milton would rather be farming than doing any other type of occupation and if you know him or most farmers it’s not for the money.

I know many of you that follow us here at In Between the Sunsets of Life are friends that live in our area, or I’ve met on social media through blogging and others I’ve never met. I hope if you have the opportunity to visit or witness a farmer in action you do it with an open mind. That you look at their operation as an asset to the world, whether they grow organic or not, farm traditionally or no-till or have livestock or not. The farming operation across the road does it differently from us and the one down the dirt road a mile does too. There are things similar but no two are alike.

Just as Milton had the opportunity to stay in the frustrated moments of life, we too as a part of this world do too. May we take the opportunity to support others. May we guide those younger to be open minded and educate them to make their own opinions while grounding them in morals.

I’m finally getting back to this post after it was started over a week ago. Wheat sowing officially started today! October 8, 2020! Here’s to another great season!

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie