Pit Stop
July 8th, 2005 by Northern FarmerA couple of days ago when I was finishing up cutting hay for first crop I was deep in the meadow and the haybine lost a tooth from the sickle. A willow was a little to tough and off it came. Most of the time I repair them in the field with tools and parts that I carry on the tractor wth me. But that day I was close to home and almost finished up so the tools were left at home. Good thing too because the meadow is full of many creepy crawling and flying critters that want to bite and suck blood.
After fixing it in the yard it struck me the team work involved with this small repair. As I drove the tractor in the girls were outside. Over the tractor noise I yelled out to daughter #1,” get the ammo box, it’s in the machine shed!” The old army surplus ammo box is where the tools and parts are for this one job. Off she ran with vigor to help out. Approaching the shop, daughter #2
was ready for orders.”Get the cardboard,(that I lay on under equiptment) and a 15/16s wrench”, zoom, away she goes.
Cardboard in place, ammo box delivered on the run, kids puffing from running, I’m like a surgeon under there,” hammer, punch, wrench” I would say and hold out my hand not even looking. Immedeatly it would be in my hand. Within ten minutes they were quickly picking up everything as I stood up and got ready to roll out of there and back to cutting. Not many words said.
As I was driving back out both girls had large smiles on their faces. I gave them a thumbs up and a job well done smile. A little moment in time that I hope to never forget. Thank You Lord!
July 8th, 2005 at 2:27 pm
Northern Farmer,
Your story put a smile on my face too!
July 8th, 2005 at 9:24 pm
NF,
Well trained daughters… I’m proud of you. Where are you looking for sons-in-law?
JM
July 9th, 2005 at 2:00 pm
JM,
The thought has me scared out of my wits. I pray it’s Christian young men when the time comes. I think I’ll be an easy father in law to get along with once the young prospective husband puts in his seven years of labor before the marrage on this farm……..
July 9th, 2005 at 7:31 pm
What a blessing! Your daughters were dutiful (sp?), helpful and cheerful! They honored you. As you were pleased, so was our Lord!
July 9th, 2005 at 8:59 pm
Well said, I’ll have to remember that in about 10 years or so…
JM
July 10th, 2005 at 11:18 am
I was so happy to find your Northern Blogg. I grew up on a 60 acre farm west of MPLS between Rockford and Buffalo MN. I am so homesick. I live in middle Georgia and dream of your life back in MN. I have 2 sons left at home and I do homeschool here and garden, sew, quilt and try to be as self relinent as I can. My husband became disabled 5 years ago and I had to go back into the workforce. So I work 4 10 hour midight shifts. I was just up on Northrn MN for 2 weeks. My dad lives up in Grand Marasis after he sold his 40 acre farm in New Richmond WI. I miss the farm life and dream and pray to get back home to the North.
God bless you and your family. I love your blogg.
Wendy who left her heart in MN but resides in GA.
July 10th, 2005 at 6:17 pm
Danielle, thank you so much.
Wendy, thanks for stopping by!I checked out your blogs and I love the pictures of you all up on the North Shore. I’ve been up there many times and it’s so remote and beautiful.It always got me to thinking about those French trappers and traders that were in that land hundreds of years ago.That must have been something.
I’m only about an hour NW of Buffalo.
July 11th, 2005 at 7:17 pm
Yes My trip up to the North shore was majestic. I miss my family so much but my husbnad refuses to leave Georgia. I miss the Midwest and the North in General. I long to be farming again.
July 11th, 2005 at 8:08 pm
Wendy, I love your blog “A Homesteading Heart”! I truely can understand how you feel about farming. I hope you keep on with your dream.
Tom