Hawk or eagle?! The bird flew when I stopped to snap the pic. I think I see a white head, though!
Loading the planter tank from the tender wagon:
A moment’s solitude for the shuttle-driver and food-truck runner:
A moment’s break in the clouds:
#Plant2022 marches on, acre by acre!
Planting soybeans began today.
On my way home this evening from errand run #382, I could see a rain cloud dropping a delivery. My dad would have said, “Someone is getting a shower.”
This someone also needs to get a shower! I’m grubby, to be polite about it.
It’s a gorgeous evening though. The patio, full moon, and my buddies.
We are missing our farmer, tho.
Someone doesn’t like those distant thunder rumbles.
The clouds are about to overtake the moon.
Good night moon. Good night all.
After work today, I was able to bring my farmer some caffeine and a cold treat. I felt he needed it since he has gotten a whopping total of 5 hours sleep in the past 62 (and still counting) hours. My treat was taking time to ride with him.
I loved that I was able to ride for the last hour of planting my mom’s corn.
After finishing Mom’s corn, I gave him a ride home so he could load up to start the next batch of spraying. I am hoping he is able to finish while it is still technically today!
I’m wishing you all a good night’s sleep.
Farming fatigue – it’s on!
April was cold, windy, rainy, and not conducive to farming.
May has blasted to record and near-record highs in Illinois. About 90 degrees this week.
Can you see the humid haze in the pic below, taken about 6 am?
Yet, it is also exciting.
Imagine how excited this shed cat was when he finally crawled out from his hidey hole on the tractor to take a look! My farmer had been out on the tractor for about an hour and a half, when he saw this cat outside the tractor door! Note: The cat made it home safely and has been grounded from future joy rides.
Tailgate meetings are also important.
Sorry it is blurry. My camera lens steamed over when I brought it outside!
Hopefully, my farmer is home earlier tonight (or tomorrow morning?) than he was last night (this morning?). Going to bed at 2:30 am is for the young kids that don’t have to get up at 4:30 am!
Prayers for all the farmers and their families!
While looking for some pictures on an SD card, I found a bunch of pics I took early one summer Sunday morning in July. I meant to post them in a blog, but completely forgot, as life gets busy. Or as I just tend to get distracted. Whichever it is.
Hubby and I were drinking our coffee outside and heard the unmistakable sound of an aerial tractor crop sprayer. No matter that we both have watched these since we were kids, we are still fascinated every. single. time!!
So, although we awoke this April Fool’s day to frozen grass and skiff of snowy sleet on the ground, let’s “watch” a crazily-talented aeronautical acrobat on a hazy, humid July morning!
Whew! What a show it was!
My farmer is busy getting ready for spring planting. I hope you follow along for the ride.
Happy April!
Although it may look like farmers have recently turned into pyromaniacs, rest assured it is not without reason!
With a recent spurt of gorgeous spring weather, many farmers are burning ditches, field debris, brush piles, and CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) ground.
These burn-offs are done before the main wildlife nesting/brood-rearing season that is quickly approaching. Burn-offs help establish a strong, healthy ground cover by eliminating noxious weeds. I will try to remember to post a follow-up picture when the new growth begins so you can see the lush, green habitat come to life.
Trust me, farmers’ wives are reminding them to be careful!
It has begun!
Last year, I challenged myself to a post a day during harvest because it is such an amazing time of year. The changes in our rural, central Illinois landscape and weather in less than two months is somewhat astonishing. At least to me, it is.
Although I am not committing to a post a day, I will commit to documenting this year’s harvest via this blog. You are welcome to come along for the ride.
To set the stage, here is a scene from our front yard on August 30, 2021.
Fast forward two weeks and this is the field just west of the photo above, taken at dawn:
I hope you enjoy riding along with us!
I thought it might be fun to look at how our landscape here in central Illinois changes drastically in a few months’ (or weeks‘) time. This is a good reminder that in just a few more months it will be changing to spring!
September 8, 2020:
October 3, 2020
November 7, 2020:
December 2, 2020:
January 4, 2021:
Today, the ground rests and recharges. Now that I’m off the clock, I think I should too!
I hope you do, too.
I hope you’re enjoying the rise and fall of October days!
My pics are from yesterday. Clint was in town at lunch, so he picked me up at work, we got drive-thru, and went to the lake.
I returned to the office. He checked bins and sent me pics of his aerial view.
After the actual harvest of crops, work continues. Cornstalks will get chisel plowed, brush and timber along field edges will get trimmed or pushed back, equipment will get maintenance work, and paperwork will get tackled, to name a few of the more pressing items.
This evening, we are appreciating a little rain. The dry conditions and field fires have been a big concern!
I hope you get (or take) a much-needed break, too.
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