Local temperature reached 86 degrees today. That was accompanied by wind gusts of 42mph. Fires in combines during harvest are not uncommon. A bearing might get hot and ignite accumulated dust. Were such a fire to ignite a field during a high wind it would be almost impossible to stop. Such high heat with strong winds will quickly dry crops. Corn will likely be dry enough to store in bins. This will save farmers the expense of having to artificially dry corn for storage.
Takk for alt,
Al
After a rainy September this dry October is a farmer's dream. Most farmers are concentrating on Soybeans. Despite the dry July and August bean yields are very good. Reports suggest that soybean yields are averaging about 60 bushels per acre. That's good for this area. The beans are 9% moisture, which also is good. The Soybean Plant at nearby Volga, is paying about $12.25, per bushel. That's up a bit.
Some corn is also being harvested. Not enough to determine yields. A load of corn came to the local elevator this and it tested at 14% moisture. That's in the safe zone for storage. With moisture that low farmers will harvest corn as soon as bean harvest is done. Local corn prices are about $4.50 per bushel, up slightly.
Takk for alt,
Al
Odie had a bit of a hair trim. His wavy fur lies so close to his body that, in consultation with the groomer, we decided to trim the longer fur on his legs and feet. The beautiful wavy fur on his back was left undisturbed. He sheds less than Kaia did. Because he's only been with me for slightly over two months there hasn't been sufficient time to fully understand his grooming needs.
With his grooming done we took Al to the groomer. Sorely in need of a beard trim and haircut that was accomplished. The barber is the granddaughter of a farmer for whom I worked in the summer of 1957. Said farm was distant enough from my home that I boarded there during the week. The farmer died many years ago, but his widow is now 98.
Takk for alt,
Al
It's as if the farmers had control over the weather. September offered frequent rains and much needed moisture. Pastures which were brown in August are now a lush green. October has turned dry and sunny. It's perfect weather for harvest which is now in full swing. If only farmers could control commodity and fuel prices.
Commodity prices have improved some. But diesel fuel is now about $6.00 a gallon. That's almost double the price last year. Virtually every modern farm machine engine uses diesel. Fertilizer costs are also at record highs.
Ripe soybean fields, and to a lesser extent corn fields, are very dusty. Clouds of dust envelop combines as they harvest the crops. On windless days there is a pall of dust hanging in the air.
Takk for alt,
Al
Made all the arrangements for a 7:45 appointment this morning with my primary care doctor. It takes planning because her clinic is in Golden Valley, where we used to live. It means traversing Minneapolis from east to west and from south to north, plus bits of other communities. Then there's the complication of rush hour, too. Nevertheless, Odie was exercised and I had a quick breakfast before launching into the maelstrom of traffic.
At 7:35, smugly I might say for negotiating all the challenges, I was at the check-in desk. The nice clerk said, "Your appointment was cancelled." I replied, "That's the worst thing I've heard all day." She went on to say, "A voicemail was left on your phone at 6:13 a.m." Checking my phone there was said voicemail. So, now it's my fault! At 6:13 Odie and I were in the park sans phone.
The doctor has a daughter who is about two. My guess is a sick child caused the doctor's cancellation. It happened to me once before, though I hadn't gotten to the clinic. If I'm upset about anything it's assuming a voicemail left on my phone, about an hour before my time to leave, is adequate notice of cancelation. Actually, if it had been a text I'd likely have seen it.
Where am I? Why, I'm 'here' of course. 😁 This here happens to be The Little House.
Takk for alt,
Al
It was my idea, that we meet for Happy Hour downtown. The place has a good food selection for Happy Hour. Sitting placidly in my apartment when the phone rang. The query "Are you stuck in traffic or did you space?" Unfortunately, it was the latter, I totally spaced our plan. They were in no hurry to leave so I made a belated entrance.
Occasions like that unsettle me. Forgetting engagements rattles me and neither do I like to be late. That comes from my father who always wanted to be early and he always was. I can't be late even if I try, it's an utter compulsion to be on time.
So that's what passes for news..
Takk for alt,
Al
A few blogs ago I quoted an author's description of autumn and indicated that I'd give his name later. It's now time for an "Author Reveal." The author is contemporary Karl Ove Knausgaard. Either of you guess that he's Norwegian? Well, he is!
He's gained fame for his Death in the Family: My Struggle Book 1, A Man in Love: My Struggle Book 2, Boyhood Island: My Struggle Book 3, Dancing in the Dark: My Struggle Book 4, Some Rain Must Fall: Book 5, and The End; Book 6. Perhaps you want to read the Struggle books next week, all 3600 pages.
For quite a while I've been aware of these books, but the sheer size has been daunting. Finding a shorter book by him in a used bookstore I thought it would be a good way to get acquainted with this author, and it was. Reading Autumn, published in 2015, psyche's me for reading more.
Autumn is a book of essays and letters. The letters were addressed to his unborn daughter. The essays are on random subjects, each less than three pages. The first three essays' Apples, Wasps and Plastic Bags, are indicative of how random they are. Every essay is well written with language to savor even surviving translation. Many contain profound insights on which to ponder. He's made myriad connections which have never occurred to me.
Takk for alt,
Al
