Silent Saturday

The Farmall Does it All

Kohen checking out the Farmall.

Our first bit of hay is finally put up for this year. Haying is always a chore around here, and this year proved to be no exception. It is more work than it is probably worth, but the sheep love the hay that we get, and it gives my dad an excuse to spend time tinkering with his tractors.

There are two tractors that reside here by the Rice River. They both belong to my dad. The first is a John Deere B, the second a Farmall 100. The Farmall has been used for cutting the hay and then raking. Last year we used the B to bale. The only time these tractors see any use is when we bale our small field. Dad cut the field last week, but then rainy days made it a struggle to get it baled. Yesterday was our window. While Nate raked the hay, dad brought the B down to the field and worked on the baler. The baler is an old Allis Chalmers roto-baler. I don't know if anyone uses this equipment in this day and age except us, but we do. Last year was a struggle because the hay belts that roll the hay into a cylinder and then eject it were on their last legs. They are old, worn, and some are looser than others. They have a nasty habit of getting off track and seizing everything up. We also had to modify our twine system this year, but a five gallon bucket did the trick. (I will say there is nothing pretty about our setup, but we get by.)

Back to yesterday, Nate raked the hay, and we went to eat lunch before starting to bale. Back to the field, and the problems began. The B would not start. and not start, and not start. Four hours later, there still was no sign of life from the B. Frustration for the men folk with further annoyance from my mom and I as we gave some of our ideas on how to remedy the situation(lets just ask the farmer who is baling the neighbors field, lets borrow the neighbors tractor, lets buy the neighbors tractor...) My dad and Nate both chose to ignore us and dad said that he would take time off this morning to come out and hopefully bale before we got more rain.

This morning rolled around and the B still refused to start. Dad began a dissection, and discovered a worn piece on the magneto. The B was out of commission. So the Farmall had to step up to the job, and it did it well. A comment was even made that perhaps dad may "go red" now, though to hear Kohen tell it if we would just repaint either of the tractors they would run better.

Even though the remark was made, "To think I could be in the woods just painting trees right now," it was worth dad's time and effort, and bloody knuckles. Two little boys loved to traipse across the field and watch the tractors work, or sit. They happily absorbed every second of Papa and Daddy working in the field. Isaiah has now said 'papa' and 'cracor' (tractor) approximately 200 times in the last 48 hours. It is love: of the outdoors, the smell of fresh cut clover, noisy machines, and getting to be farm boys. This is why we do it. Thanks Dad.

National Attention

Just what our bit of a town needs... check out this video, 1 minute 49 seconds in. My dear hubby is seated on the left, after a long day of roofing. He's not too sure he likes being referred to as a local. The next step is to change his business cards and add: as seen on fox news. http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/24761096/cop-cuts.htm#q=cook+minnesota+police+department

Annalise Up North

One of the joys of living 'Up North' is that we get visitors. Visitors who want to experience what we get to enjoy every day.

Nate's mom, brother-in-law, and niece are up for a visit. Annalise has enjoyed walks, playing, swimming, sand, cousin hugs, and animals. Lots of animals. For a city girl she jumped right into the farm chores and fuzzy kisses and hugs. No fears of feathered or fleeced beasts. She loves them all.
Annalise enjoying Pfiefer Lake.

Isaiah, Nate, and Annalise, chilling in the hammock. Kisses for J.J. Checking out the view between Hee-haw's ears.

Having two toddlers in the house that are only four weeks apart in age is a true delight. The way they interact, and copy each other is wonderful to watch. Annalise is the master of sign, which Isaiah has begun to drift away from in favor of words (the louder the better.) But, in watching Annalise he has made her own customized sign for 'drink'. They don't like meals when their high chairs are on either side of the dining room, they can't take their eyes off each other. If one gets a piece of cheese, you better come through for the other cousin. Kohen feels a bit put out by all the toddler bonding, but is managing.

Porch Progress

The northeast corner of our house had an old screen porch. An ugly, unuseable, rotten old screen porch. For the last two years this porch had just held various lumber, trim and tools. All that has changed. I've been bugging Nate since the beginning of the summer to work on it. I knew that it would take time and be a lot of work, but would be a great place for enjoying evenings, and eating.

Yesterday demolition began. Cleaning out the porch, building a temporary wall to hold up the roof that will stay, and ripping down ugly staggered two by fours, screen, and siding. The work ended for the day last night with all of the existing sides and screen being removed. The next step is to cut out the decking to install new footings and corner posts.

Of course I don't have a beginning photo. Who would remember to take one? I could fire up the old computer and find one from a few years ago, but there isn't time for that today. We have a big day planned, one that Kohen has been counting down to for the last six days. Here's a hint.