Dusty Roads to the Heart

Sometimes you hear that sentence "Is there a God?"  People have different ideas about this. I believe everyone has the right to their opinions. I would like to paint a picture that I experienced one night as I rode on the outside platform of the combine. This is one of the things I love about harvest.  This happened just last week. The sun was just starting to set by the time I reached the field in the wheat truck. I had to drop past the house for Stan's 7:00 lunch on my way back from the elevator. I would not be taking in any more loads that night, so I could do what I loved best.  Ride on the combine with my husband. The field was way back from the road. You went through the pasture gate, and followed the rough trail back through the pasture. You were back there all alone. No houses, no artificial lights. Just you, your husband, the combine, the wheat field and creation. Stan was just making his way up to the gate with a loaded bin when I made the u turn and tur...

I jumped out of bed. I had an appointment this morning! A very important appointment! I was visiting my "make believe" psychiatrist. I had to be there in fifteen minutes. He had only three requirements of me.  I was to bring along a simple CD player, my ear phones, and my favorite CD, preferably soft gentle music. I was required to bring an open mind and heart and to leave ALL negative thoughts at home. Shoot I didn't even have to comb my hair!! My psychiatrist's office isn't fancy. It is a small tractor cab, dust on the dashboard, old oily rag thrown into the corner. The windows could stand a washing but heck why take the time, you could still look out of them if the sun hit them just right. My dear tired hubby, who has a million and one things to do, insisted on driving the tractor and rake over to the alfalfa field, unfolding it for me, and making sure it would work. I grabbed a piece of toast with a slice of ham, and my jug, climbed in the car and followed...

I was bushed as I made my way across the school parking lot and unlocked the car door. Throwing my purse into the front seat, I rolled down the windows and backed out of the parking space. I felt like letting the soft warm breeze blow through my hair as I drove the two miles home. Walking into the house, I tossed my purse over the back of the chair, poured a glass of cold milk, grabbed a chocolate chip cookie from the refrigerate and flopped down on the couch to read the paper. Looking up, I noticed the red light on the answering machine blinking on and off.  "Oh looks like we have a message," I said to myself. "I'll get it in a minute. After I relax a bit." I took another bite of cookie and flipped open to the comics.  I must have drifted off as I woke with a start when I heard Mark in the kitchen.  "Oh hi. Didn't know you were home," he said cutting himself a piece of homemade bread and popping it into the toaster. "Did you k...

The skies were a deep blue, not a single cloud floated overhead.  Lyle's house looked so forlorn as I pulled up into his driveway and parked. In the distance, I could hear the whistle of the morning train as it came roaring into town. The tires made their click click sound on the rails and then faded into the distance as it traveled past the main street and out into the country. I walked slowly to the door and turned the key. Tears rolled down my checks as I stepped into the empty living room. Oh the memories that flooded my mind and heart! Last Saturday, Lyle had hooked his little trailer onto his blue hatchback car, loaded all his belongings back into their place in the trailer, and drove to our house to say goodbye. He was moving on. He wanted to visit the rest of his cousins and families. Then he would start the long trip back home to California. Would we ever see him again? Why does he have to leave? Oh well, he can't take away the memories. The nights on the porch lis...