Dusty Roads to the Heart

The suitcases stood on end at the back door. A clothes bag hung on the peg along the wall. All sizes of pretty wrapped packages sat on the bench beside the suitcases. It was still pitch black outside when the alarm went off at 5:30. Mark gave it a punch, rolled over and put his arms around me. "Honey this is the day we head north." he whispered into my ear. "Yep...tomorrow Bret will be a married man! Can you really believe that? Married! Well he chose well! Emma is such a sweet girl and so much like Bret!" "Better get up and get started!" he said sitting up and pulling on his jeans and shirt. "Could you handle the sows and farrowing shed chores this morning? I need to put a few extra bales out before we go, plus run the feed wagon. We should try and leave by 10, don't you think?" "I suppose...What time are we to be at the rehearsal supper?" I asked stretching then throwing off the covers. "I'm remembering around...

Our farmhouse was buzzing! Kate was carrying things out to her Buick and Mark was making sure he had all the hammers, nails, boards, levels, and bolts he needed in the white pick up. Today we were moving Kate into her college dorm. She was going to share a room with her school friend Melinda. "Well I think I have everything ready. Do you Kate?" Mark asked "Where is mom?" "Last I saw her she was running around in circles in the house! Yes, I'm just about ready," Kate said standing there looking into her loaded down car. I took one more final look around the kitchen, grabbed up my water and purse and walked to the door. "Sure hope I didn't forget something important," I muttered to myself as I closed the door and turned to Kate and Mark, "Is everyone done in here?" before I locked it and walked toward them. "Where do I ride?" I asked walking down the porch steps. "You'll have to be with dad in the pick...

The cake was home. The ingredients for the orange julius punch were in the refrigerator. Kate's purple gown hung in the hallway closet along with her cap with its purple and white tassel. Bret and Peter had arrived safe and sound around 9:00 tonight. Now I lay next to my husband, listening to his soft snoring and the laughter coming up from the basement. I just laid there in the darkness for a long time...thinking. Remembering that day many years ago when Mark and I both stood at the end of the drive way, watching our little boy walk proudly up to the bus driver and announce, "This is my sister Kate. She starts kindergarten today." Then we watched as they walked through that school bus door and into the brand new world of school. Now Bret was just about a college graduate and Kate would walk out of SE for the last time on Sunday. They both seemed to have serious friendships. I was so glad. Mark and I really liked both Emma and Peter. Not only them but their parents. I...

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...