Dusty Roads to the Heart

It was so hot under that August sun! Day after hot day it beat down on man and beast. It couldn't seem to rain. The ground was drying out more every day. The 80 acres across the road looked horrible. It was plastered with all kinds of weeds. Eight foot sunflowers stood tall among velvet weeds and mare's tail. Bind weed grew there among grass and wheat stubble. All of our 200 acres was like that because the previous renters would not let us in to work it until August. Sometimes farmers are like that. They don't like land to be taken away. Both Mark and I felt bad about this, but we were determined to make it work! Finally our day came! "If I would go out this afternoon and cut out some terraces would you be able to do some plowing?" Mark asked. "I can take my turn but I have so much repair work that needs done." "Oh, I'll give it a try but don't get upset if I goof up." "I'll start you across the road on the 80 firs...

So often we hear "thank you to our farmers.....without you we wouldn't eat." Yes I know a farmer plays a very important part in our world today. After all I'm a farmers wife. But I got to thinking. I truly believe we "farmers" owe a huge thank-you to all people across the world. We all work together... really. So as a "farmers wife" I want to say...."thank you America." What would we do without the men and women who drive those semi trucks across the hundreds of miles to distribute our products. Or those who work long hours on the barges, the ships, the trains. What would we do without those of you who are there for us if our tractor or combine breaks down right in the middle of harvest, or we are stopped because of a flat rear tire, or if we need a baler belt NOW? We wouldn't get to far without our local gas man who comes as soon as we call that our tank is empty! I want to thank those men who spend long, hot hours at t...

Can you imagine that terrible feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you discover you are lost somewhere and don't know your way back home? This "charge of fear" comes from somewhere deep inside you and shoots all the way through your being. Well that was the feeling I got in my stomach when Mark announced at the breakfast table one morning in late August. "Well today, Grandpa and I will be setting up the silage blower and pipe so hopefully we can start cutting silage tomorrow. We don't have much, but we have to scrounge up something to feed the calves we bought and grandpa C's cows." I literally dropped my spoon, my stomach turned sour, and I couldn't eat another bite if my life depended on it! I was sure that I would love  every part of "silo filling," every part except setting up the blower and pipes! That part just absolutely turned my stomach and made my toes curl! I mean, those silo's are 50 feet in the air! It woul...

Grandpa and I walked to the starting position with our little grandson there among the other hundreds of walkers. We had entered the River fest walk/run of 2015. Us walkers stood there together in one group and down the street stood the runners. Among them was our daughter and cousin. All around us we could here the loud hum of people as they visited, laughed and enjoyed themselves, waiting for the shot of the starting gun. Out of no where, somewhere down that road, around the bend, and through the trees, came the sound of a single musical instrument, floating through the air to our ears.  "Oh say can you see....by the dawns early light." A total hush fell over the park. Men removed their hats. Some hands crossed over the heart. Young boys and girls, men and women stood there, still....listening, backs held straight, heads held high. Some hands reached up and wiped a tear off their cheek. My hand was one of them. I can never hear those notes played without tears. "Oh...

It was a hot August morning when Mark and I parked our 1963 Ford straight truck at the sale barn among all the other stock trailers and semi trucks. We were looking for about 8 steers to buy to add to the other 12 we had bought from a friend who lives just south of us. Grandpa wanted us to put the pasture to use even if it was August already. Well, I guess a guy needs to start sometime. We sat there, anxious for the sale to begin. A nervous feeling was deep in my stomach as I watched the auctioneer take his place at the microphone, talking with the ladies who ran the scale. The huge clock overhead said 10:00, starting time. All around us sat men chatting comfortably about this and that, some were selling cattle and some were buying them, just like we were. "Man I sure hope those guys have sympathy on my husband so we can get some bought," I thought. I shuttered at the thought that we would have to borrow every penny. I hate borrowing money. The barn owner grabbed the mi...

"Now you may kiss the bride." I felt so loved, so special, as Mark took me into his arms and kissed me. Were we really going to always walk together, laugh together, cry together, and work side by side "until death do us part?" Back at the old farmhouse where I grew up, there was cake, punch, congratulations, hugs, and gifts. Then it was time. I made my way upstairs to my old room to change into my "go away" dress. I stood there for just a little while remembering. Over on the night stand stood Mark's senior picture in its 5 x 7 frame. I remember holding it to me some nights while falling asleep. I remember laying in bed, the window open, listening to the old bull frog down at the pond. So many memories here in this old room. I took one last look around, took a deep breath, walked out the door and closed it behind me. Mark was waiting down stairs. Everyone was lined up outside the back door, waiting with rice in their hands. Snow was gently falling...

Our Dear Grandchildren, All across the top of our piano sets six gold and silver 8 x 10 picture frames. In each frame is your picture from our first born grandson all the way to our last little granddaughter. Your little faces smile out at grandpa and me. And how we love those smiley little eyes and mischievous little grins. Grandpa and I love each one of those little faces. Each one in their special little way. As you grow up into young men and women, grandpa and I love to fill our "memory book" with special things we don't want to forget. Did you know that sometimes memories are feelings deep in the heart? Something you can only feel? They don't always have a name, they are just something that makes your heart happy, or makes you laugh, and sometimes even makes you cry...for just a little while. Grandpa and I want to write a "memory book" for you. This little book will take you back...back close to 40 years ago. Back to the first day grandpa an...