Farming

Well it was a nice long holiday weekend for most of us. My family was supposed to spend Monday at Yellowsmoke celebrating my dad's birthday. This is an annual outing during which we grill out and drink beer/wine and at least one of the kids falls into the lake (seriously). And then my dad got hit by a truck while riding his bike. Now, I have been worried about this exact situation for most of my life. I have been expecting to get a phone call that this had happened. (Expecting the call doesn't make it easier to receive, so I have decided it is not worth the effort to worry). Anyway, he wasn't seriously injured, although being hit by a moving vehicle is pretty serious as far as bruising/cuts/road rash are concerned. He is at home with ice and ibuprophen. It could have been much worse, and I have decided that I still need my dad around for a long time (are you reading this Dad?). I think he may have agreed to carry a cell phone and ride only on the trail and not on the highway anymore. At least that's what he told us.

Today was a day of firsts.  First time in a cornfield.  First ride in a combine.  Alyssa first gymnastics class.  Let's start with the farming:

Amber in a tractor!

Me and a tractor in a corn field.

Amber was already almost done making lunch for the men by the time I got there.  She had made 2 loaves of meatloaf, baked potatoes, baked beans, and brownies (keep in mind this was no special occasion, just lunch for hungry farmers).  We sat around and talked while lunch baked. And then, because this is just how awesome she is, before we left to take lunch out to the field, she took out individual bowls for each person and PUT THEM IN THE OVEN TO WARM THEM UP!  Yep.  So their food would be nice and toasty.  I know, you are thinking about how inadequate you are as a wife aren't you?  I know that's what I was thinking.    So we loaded up the food, drinks, forks, etc., and headed out to find a bunch of men in a field.  After lunch I rode with Kelly in the combine and Amber rode with a guy named John in a grain cart (which is pulled by a tractor for all of you non-farmers like me).  Combines are very technological.  I don't get most of it, but it's essentially like vacuuming.  Except not as clean.  There is also a delicate balance going on between where everyone is and how much corn is in the combine vs. the grain cart vs. the semi.  There is some waiting if the balance is off. 

I learned more than some basic things about farming today.  I think one thing that becomes either more obvious the longer you are married (or you are just worn down by the argument) is that there doesn't have to be equality in marriage.  What I mean is that Todd and I (maybe Amber & Kelly and maybe you too) spent a lot of time in our earlier married years arguing about making things equal.  I did this so now you have to do that.  I have a job and make this much so you have to have a job and make this much.  I gave the kids a bath last night so it's your turn tonight.  I think what is more important to us now, and what is very obviously important in Amber & Kelly's marriage, is that they are just trying to make each other happy.  (Meatloaf and brownies in warm bowls.) Which is what we all want anyway.

Alyssa  happy at her first gymnastics class!