Summer Entertainment
June 17th, 2006 by Northern FarmerIt’s lightly raining as I type, got about a half an inch so far and I hope the spigot stays turned on for a while, we sure do need it! So this morning I was moving some bales, Dad was chopping thistles with a pull behind rotary mower behind the JD 2520. Started raining lightly around noon, good excuse for a farmers nap so I took advantage of that. They’ve been a little rare lately and I’ll sure lay down for a bit when the opportunity presents itself. Sleep itself is a rare thing in June, with the long days and staying light out till almost ten in the evening.]
I’m almost looking forward to July with the first crop of hay being done and the grains not quite ready to harvest yet. Get some jobs done around here and enjoy some summer get togethers here in the countryside. In mid July our church is having a get together which includes Gospel Bluegrass music, antique tractor show, old cars and hotrods, food, and other things. But the event I’m looking forward to is on the Saturday evening of that weekend. And I mean really looking forward to it. Now this might go against the grain of many, but when did that ever stop me, eh.
The event I’m waiting for is suped up riding lawn mower races. Not exactly Amish, but then again I’m not either. This should be as good as going to a small town rodeo, which we do every summer. I’ll pay to see someone else hurt doing what I do, now that’s entertainment. But these lawn mower races have really caught my attention. You have to give these folks credit, anyone that can take a piece of junk riding lawn mower and make it into a mini hot rod is my kind of folks. I figure I want them folks on my side when times get tough, they know how to scrounge around, fitting things together from different machines and making them work, and not a heck of a lot of money invested. Country folks at their best! A while back when we were outside of our church, on the dirt street going by the church, a local was testing out his hot rod riding lawnmower and I was impressed, and I don’t impress easy! He easily had that thing doing forty on the dirt street, and the speed limit is thirty but what the heck, country folks know when someone’s testing the rig out to stay off the street. Besides, if any sheriff’s deputies would come into town somebody would warn the racer quick. Heck, around here the deputy would probably sit back and cheer him on! What good is a law if you can’t break it?
But rumor has it, folks from all over the state are coming to race on the dirt track in the tiny town this July. Bluegrass music, food, games, racing, antiques, and some darn good preaching. Yup, that’ll be thee event for our family this summer out here in fly over land. But a nice fly over land it is, with the wooded hills and lakes everywhere, small farms and small towns. Get off the beaten path there’s not much traffic of any sorts. The more I think about it, the more I know how blessed we are to live out here. I remember years ago, it hasn’t happened for quite sometime, people I knew that had careers in the cities would tell me I was wasting my life out here, that I needed culture, visit the arts and all that stuff. I could easily hold down a good job down in the cities I was told. It never did click with me. But no, I get all thrilled with bluegrass being played live outdoors in the summer time, hot rod lawn mowers, rodeos, outdoor rural church festivals and some really good times with some really good folks. I get thrilled with gardens bursting with food, pastures filled with cattle, chickens here and there and everywhere, even a stray goose running around. I get thrilled with going to church twice a week to worship and visit with some mighty fine folks in a small little town with dirt streets.
I think about what them folks were telling me about years ago, trying to get me to join modern society and I just smile now. We have it made here. And the funny thing is now days them same folks that were touting up big city life are always saying that they’re looking for a place in the country. Why is that I wonder?
June 17th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Wish we could get some of that rain! Tonight we had a thunderstorm, but it didn’t rain for long. There was a rodeo in town tonight; part of the county fair. Amazing to me that ND’s fairs are held in June — I’m used to MN’s fairs being held in August when the produce was being harvested and could be shown! Better not tell the boys about riding lawn mower races, since they may try to work on our old Cub Cadet!
June 18th, 2006 at 1:47 am
speaking of grain… In the last year I started grinding some of our own grain mostly for bread. I find so much conflicting information about the quality of feed store wheat. I’ve ground it and used it and haven’t had a problem but I’m feeding this stuff to my kid so I’m hesitant. The I can buy human grade for 4x as much but just don’t know. Any thoughts?
June 18th, 2006 at 11:52 am
I knew there was a reason , why I liked your blog ,and you yourself , and this post here proves it ! Thanks
have a great day!
June 18th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Hi Tom! Sounds like you’re enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. We’re so busy keeping up with all the chores around the property that our summer entertainment has been limited to watching the antics of our new flock of chickens on the back lawn. Makes for quite the circus, not to mention an education. I have discovered first hand where the expression “dumb cluck” originated!
We just got a shipment of keets from the hatchery on Friday so we’re looking forward to plenty of fun and games with the guineas as well. Who needs tv? God’s blessings to you and your family!
June 18th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Lynn,
Fairs in June? Wow! I prefere the later summer ones so a person can see the local produce and such. Ours is early August or late July in our county. I won’t tell your boys about the lawn mowers, but for some reason I figure they might just hear about them
Daniel,
I’m not sure about food grains, now I might be wrong, but I don’t think they market GMO wheat yet, heavy resistance from the wheat grower not wanting to lose all their markets. I could be wrong on this though. Wonder what they call human grade, organic or just cleaned a little more? I know around here some wheat isn’t sprayed or anything, our own oats is never sprayed, so if a person would just fan it out it would be darn good. The grains that are raised aren’t quite as heavily bombarded with chemicals as are corn and beans, so it’s up to you what your guidelines will be for your family. Thanks!
Janice,
And thank you! Glad you like it, I try to just tell it like I see it around here.
Emily,
Your right, who needs tv when they could be doing this!
Well, I haven’t enjoyed any outside entertainment yet this summer, but we will shortly, for now the farm supplies most of the good times. As I write I can look out the window and see a rooster that we have tied to a tree by his leg. Waiting for a fox that’s hit us a few nights in a row. Double barrel twelve gauge with double odd buck at my side. Nothing like a good evening hunt, huh
June 18th, 2006 at 9:56 pm
Tom, glad to hear it’s raining your way, I was just posting on this tonight. Hope all else is well with the farm - any word on those cornfield pumpkins?
Regards.
June 19th, 2006 at 3:33 am
Hey Scott!
Glad to hear your still around! Not enough rain here by any means, but if real hot weather holds off it’ll be ok for a bit yet.
Them pumpkins are growing good, I’d say they’re behind yours, but they sure do take off, don’t they? The cornfield beans are at all stages, difficult germination in the dry soil, but all in all everything goes and grows well.
Fox hunt update, got him, a grey.
Tom
June 19th, 2006 at 11:51 am
I found time for a farmers nap this weekend too. I was working on the barn when one of those quick thunderstorms came up. So I walked up to the old farmhouse and fell asleep on the porch… It felt great until God decided I had had enough sleep and cracked one right over my head. I swear I went from reclining to standing in one motion. I was moving pretty good for a 44 y/o.
We need the rain here in North Alabama also. The goats creekbed is almost dry. I really hate carrying water…..
June 20th, 2006 at 3:20 am
Brad,
Yup, a good crack from overhead will end the nap pronto! That’d even get this 50 year old ah hoppin! I hope you get your rain too, watering critters is really a job a person can do without in summertime.