Monday’s Bits
September 25th, 2006 by Northern FarmerMonday in the north country and it’s drying out a bit after our three day rain. We had almost three inches of rain out of that system, very welcome rain, charged up the soil a bit for over wintering grasses and hays. Looks like they’ll be in good shape to go into dormancy and hopefully make it through winter without any major freeze outs. I can’t wait for this week to be over though, because when it is we won’t have any more chicken chores to do until next spring. Enough is enough, time to move on and get rid of this over abundance of critters around here. But that’s not counting the laying hens, they stay all year long with their mascot and guard, Gilbert. That goose is something else, thinks he’s, (or she’s), a chicken. But even with all them hens around old Gilly, they never, never bother that Canadian Honker. No rooster even attempts to push it around. And no matter where I go in the hen house, Gilly is right there with me, no matter what. I think that goose will have a long and happy life here. Plus that good morning “HONK†as I am starting work in the morning in the farm yard in the pre dawn dimness.
The turkeys are growing by leaps and bounds, and every time I open the door on the turkey barn they come crashing into me. Kinda like a gobbling pre school football line crashing into a person. But those smoked turkey sandwiches this winter will more than payback all our smashing times. Ah, life is good!
That frost we had last week didn’t seem to affect the garden much, even the tomatoes are still alive. Weird, roof was white and truck windshield was totally frosted up and the garden a few feet away was basically untouched. Well, I ain’t going to argue with that and we’re still enjoying the bounty of our place for a few more days until the hammer comes down, and come down it will sometime.
We decided today to sell our combine and corn head after thinking it over the last couple of years. As the farm is changing there’s less and less need for it and the little need that there is can be hired out. We really only need it for oats harvest nowadays anyhow, haven’t combined corn for the past few years for ourselves. So, good by combine, can’t say that I’ll miss the itchy bugger. More room again in the machine shed as these big machines slowly exit the place. Allot of equipment has left over the past few years and the farm is running smoothly. There are so many changes when I think about it, and I must say, they’ve all been for the good, that a person can only smile at what’s going on. The steers were put on a twenty five acre, very lush field of orchard grass, birdsfoot treefoil and clover today. They’ll graze that as their final finishing, with late fall butchering coming up. Real salad bar beef, belly deep in a bluish green field of the tastiest looking stuff a farmer could lay eyes on. That should about do it for them!
So we’ll plug along this week, tending to the seasonal jobs and looking forward to this weekend when we have the annual church picnic or get together. We’ll reroute some chores Sunday, somehow and enjoy the day in the hill country of central Minnesota. The leaves are starting to turn and them hills look mighty pretty. What a life when a person thinks about it. Pretty countryside, small towns, farms everywhere and not factory farms either. I wonder is this one of the last bastions of this kind of life or what. Lakes and creeks all over, hills and woods, gravel roads and good people. I know society wants to destroy this, and they are making some headway, but not on this farm they’re not. But for the moment at least we have all of this, and folks wonder how come I never take vacations, where would I go??? Well, I guess there are a few places, but I’d be heading right back here pronto. This week we’ll do our work and Praise the Lord and be looking forward to Sunday in the country with all our Bible believing friends from that special little church in the hills.
September 25th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
Hi Tom!
I’m sure glad to hear that you got that 3 day soaker! What a blessing after the severe drought that you folks went thru! We’re still dry here but had several small rains recently so it doesn’ look too bad. Our trees are in full color and starting to drop their leaves.
We’ve had a moderate frost but nothing hard yet. The gardens are starting to be put to bed after an abundant harvest. I spent the day cutting firewood. It was a really productive day and I can sure feel the exertion.
May God continue to smile on you and your beautiful community!
September 25th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
sounds like heaven too me!
September 25th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
We’ve never seen the leaves up there - down by the cities it’s just yellow or brown - quite uninspiring.
September 25th, 2006 at 8:40 pm
Hello Steven!!
I figure we’ll probably be a week or two behind you on the leaves turning. They’re not turned full by any means, yet. But the maples are starting to turn brilliant reds and golds here and there. But it’ll happen quick any day now, I know the percentage will be much higher by this coming weekend.
I got to get some time and start cutting some more firewood. One sure sign of a long tough winter is when I look back in the yard and there’s only about a months worth of firewood there. It’ll be tough for sure then! But making wood is one of my favorite jobs. A person can talk to God all day while working hard and at night sleep so good that it’s hard to describe.
Take Care and God Bless!!
Jan,
Well, I’ll admit it is nice and the older a person gets the more they see it all. I look and see Gods wonderful creation and think how privilaged I am to be able to live in such a place it just makes my want to shout with Praise! But I would bet you have beautiful places around you also that do the same thing to you! God Bless!
Gwen,
Right by us isn’t the most beautiful, but six miles to the west there’s the start of hill country and it’s so nice, all the time that I just love to go thru there. Luckily we go that way to church twice a week and there’s four or five different routes we can take, every one a beautiful drive. Another area that’s beautiful is the route you take to get up here. As you get west of St Cloud near St Johns those hills are beautiful as is the drive when you get off I-94 at Avon and head north. There’s a ridge of high hills that turn every which color with the lakes in the valley below. Sounds to me you’ll have to start your own tradition of following the fall colors in Minnesota! Thanks and God Bless!
September 26th, 2006 at 5:42 am
Morning,
You know, the one thing I miss about the north is the season changes. Here, in January it gets in the 30’s during the day, but no snow except for a dusting. My wife and I were talking about after the boys were out of school, maybe moving back just to see winter again and do some farming on the ol family farm. Well, I think that is now out the window because last year, my wifes car found a foot deep rut on an icy road (oh yeah, I think I remember those too….) and ended up in the ditch.
I do miss looking west across the fields in the mornings and seeing the sun reflect of those firey reds of the maples and yellows of the birch (If I got the colors wrong…. hey, its been 23 yrs….)
Ahhh looking down the chore list, the dreaded butchering is on my list too. That is something I just can never get into.
Oh well, better get going.
May the peace of the Lord be with you this fine day,
Brad
September 26th, 2006 at 5:56 am
Morning Brad,
You got them colors pretty well right. Some maples turn different colors, I don’t know why, and ain’t going to wonder, but they sure are good looking. We have on right in the back yard directly in front of the picture window that turns a blaze gold. And when it does the whole living room turns gold also during the day. The tree is brilliant, just radiaiting that color. Almost story like.
Funny about driving in winter, the first few times a person takes it easy and all that, by the last half of winter I’m driving on hard pack and ice, not even thinking about it with no concern at all. Got our winter legs by then. Can slide sideways on the road and it doesn’t even affect the conversation in the car. Hmm, a strange people up here
Have a good one and God Bless you all down there!
September 26th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Hi, Tom…Still loving your blog! Makes me homesick for our farm every time I visit. I know you said you’d never write a book, but I sure wish you would, cuz I’d love to read it. I really enjoy your way with words, and how you tell it like it is.
Our leaves are starting to change here in Vermont too, though it feels like it’s a bit later than usual. Maybe not. All I know is that I’ve lived here for 50 years now, and I still don’t get tired of looking at the natural beauty that the Lord created around here. On some of these fall days, especially during peak foliage season, the only word that can come close to describing the scenery is “glorious”. That’s when you just have to catch your breath and thank the Lord for what He created, and for blessing you with the eyes to be able to see it.
May He continue to bless you and yours!
September 26th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Sounds like autumn is treating you right, Tom. I was out today discing down a nice stand of red clover for next years corn and that sun felt great as I went up and down the field, this is when I really enjoy not having a cab on the tractor! By the way, the wife and I are passing thru Minnesota the 2nd week of October on our way to Montana to visit the in-laws, hope to do a little farm shopping in North Dakota too. Not sure if we will come thru St.Paul or thru St. Cloud like we usually do.
September 26th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
Becky,
Thanks for the kind words. About a book, well, never say never, but I sure can’t see me attempting that. Besides why flood the market with ten or so copies that would sell. Or should I say, give away. No, I’m happy with all the misadventures that I have and that’s good enough for me!
Vermont in Fall is probably one of the few places that I’d really like to see in person. Trouble is a person has to drive through about fifty metros from here to there and if a town has over five hundred people and a stop light I’m all confused. That’s why I usually head west because the next city is Seattle. A little more elbow room that direction from the home place. But back to Vermont, “glorious” is the proper word for some of the fall scenery that I see in pictures of your area! Thanks and God Bless!
Brent,
That was a good day, eh! Front just moved through here the last hour or so, or at least the wind changed direction to the NW. Little cooler tomorrow, but that’s OK. Such is life this way.
Just holler if your coming the I-94 route and we’ll see what’s up at the time. I’m only around twenty miles north of the Avon exit. Have a good one and God Bless!
September 27th, 2006 at 5:42 am
Morning Tom,
I can relate you talking about those metro areas. Last spring when we were up in Michigan, I ended up going near Detroit for parts for my ol cultivator. Those one way roads and 4000 cars in a quarter mile will sure get your pucker factor up!! I always wondered what that button in the middle of the steering wheel was for, now I know its to greet those Alabama boys that come into the area. People are sure friendly in Detroit
Talking with the owner of the parts place, and he said he and his brother used to haul wagons of wheat down the 8 lane road that goes in front of their place—- back when it was two lanes and dirt. Their store now mostly does landscaping stuff.
Oh well, looks like a 20% day on the barn (whenever I get something about 80% done, I really have to push myself to do the last bit).
Have a GREAT one,
Brad
September 27th, 2006 at 8:08 am
Maybe what we need is a goose to put in with the chickens! We’ve been having various predator problems- most recently something sneaks in at night and gets the chicks right out from under the mamas. It pulls off the legs, eviscerates them, and then leaves the rest. Any idea what that is? Possum? Coon? I put the Pyrenees in with them again, but he jumped the fence and was on the porch in the morning- guess I’ll have to tie him inside, but then that will limit his ability to go after whatever it is. Hmmm….
I too am enjoying the beginning of the season change. The smell in air (although most of the wood smoke around here is from tobacco firing, not crackling fires in the hearth), the cooler temps, etc. Wish we were far enough along in our farming venture to have animals lined up for slaughter and winter consumption, but patience, patience. It will come. At least we have a pantry full of canned garden produce.
I enjoy your blog. Will be back soon.
Laura
http://www.blessedacresfarm.com
September 27th, 2006 at 11:49 am
Running here the bed and breakfast, one DOES get caught up in the “doingness” . I get out on the property, with my horses, see the deer, the sound of Fish Creek flowing, my dog Manker (aka the “B&B dog”, who ever faithfully comes up to get us going for the morning run, and I thank G-d, for His blessings and His creatures. Deep breath
September 28th, 2006 at 5:32 am
Brad,
Me and driving in and near any kind of metro doesn’t mix. Used to do it somewhat but gave it up and couldn’t be happier. The wife always laughs at me when I’m in a small town complaining about the traffic, which consists of anyone besides me.
Was repairing a Bush Hog breaker disk yesterday for entertainment, a wheel bearing. Found out that the company doesn’t exist anymore, was bought out and then that company was bought out etc. The dealer can’t even get parts! GRRR! Got it fixed just using this and that, but it has me a bit nervous if a special part breaks. At least if it’s green a person can get parts most of the time. Have a good one.
Laura,
Thanks for stopping by! I don’t know what critter is causing you greef but from the sound of it I’d say rats. Because if it was from the weasel family there’d be no survivours. Although I don’t know the habits of a possum, so I can’t help you there.
It’ll come in time, having critters for food. One day you’ll probably be over run by em like over here. Thanks!
GP,
Yup, that’s the way it should be! In a few minutes I’ll be starting chores and that consists of one hundred percent outside work, traveling to different pastures and seeing all the early morning wildlife. Quite a commute, eh! Thanks!
September 28th, 2006 at 5:55 am
Morning Tom,
I wonder if this and that has anything to do with fencing wire or bungee cords (two of the most often used replacement parts in my old stuff). My wife has even banned me from the sewing room, once I found out her sewing belts fit my 1B corn sheller
Helped a neighbor get in his sorghum cane last night before the rain. He’s pretty quiet, but I had finished up with the barn for the evening and was watching the sunset when I saw him out in the field. He uses an old corn binder and shocks it. Supposed to be great for the cows. Anyway, we got it all in, but that cane itch lasts with you for a while. Kinda like the itch I used to get lying in the grass with my shirt off. Of course, I don’t do that anymore after the neighbors complained…
Have fun commuting this morning,
Brad
September 28th, 2006 at 6:02 am
Brad,
I know what you mean, my wife has to keep a good eye on me and all her important stuff that could be used for replacement parts too. All is fair during a breakdown I say!
We don’t have sourgum here but the thought of corn shocks sure brings back good memories. Fields looked so “farmlike” back when they did that. Also supported a lot of pheasants, in fact that was the hey day of those birds around here. This weekend we’re going to go picking corn by hand in the fields I chopped, I run over the two outside rows starting the field and it’s hard on the chopper to chop against it. So we’ll do it the old fashion way. I’m looking forward to it!
Got to go commute now, ta ta
September 29th, 2006 at 5:38 am
Morning Tom,
Hope your commute went well. I guess a bad commute would be rubbernecking some wildlife and running into a fencerow eh????
Looks like a weekend of getting in things when I can. Both boys have something going on with sports this weekend. The wife and I usually go and yell for (at??) them, so I’m going to try to disc up a field in between to plant some vetch.
Sunday might actually be a pretty relaxing day. We’re talking about going to the creek, stretching out the hammock, and having a picnic of sorts.
….Oooops……I haven’t mowed down there in about a month and a half….. maybe this weekend will be busier than I thought!!
Have a GREAT weekend!
Brad
September 29th, 2006 at 5:47 am
Morning Brad,
All is well here, but I did find a dent in the truck yesterday evening in the front fender. HMMM, must have pushed that cow harder than I thought getting that herd off of grazing in the hayfield, eh. As the day looks as of now, no towns or anything like that coming up today, so that’s the first good sign! Just running around all over here getting them cattle grazing in fields so I don’t use any feed yet.
Got dad out breaker disking, but the last two days he’s always back in with a breakdown. Thus I become the pit stop crew. Hope he can just stay out all day today. This weather is when it’s good to have a cab, and dad has it made in that tractor.
Around here instead of a hammock we need a big fire if a person is going to relax down by the creek, brrr!
Have a Blessed weekend!