Finished!

          Back in early April I began to work myself into farmer shape after months of leisure in the OFH. Then came six weeks of miserable weather and that conditioning was lost. Now that the tractor's operational again it's time to get back in shape.

       Today I finished plowing and put the plow away for another year. The shiny plow-shares and mold-boards need protection from rust. If they rust plowing next year is difficult. The best protection is plow-paint. So, I painted, before parking the plow.

       True the work is not physically all that demanding. But there is enough exercise to show that I need to get into 'farmer shape.' It's a 'good tired' that comes with a feeling of accomplishment. 

Takk for alt,

Al

PS I decided not to buy the 48 row planter described is yesterday's blog.

           Tractor and plow with Lake Joanne in the background.

Possible Upgrade?

      While I pretend to farm on my hobby farm there are real farmers with whom I communicate. Ed, is one of those, and after seeing a picture of my '50s or '60s corn planter he thought that perhaps I should up-grade. To that end he sent me an ad from May 3, issue of  TractorHouse Central. He very considerately found an ad for a used planter, knowing that I'd not be up for purchasing a new one. Actually it is several years old.  His choice is 2015, wow 9 years old, John Deere DB 20. That's so much newer than my old four row. This one is a forty-eight row. The price is only $129,900.00. Likely I could negotiate it down that $900.  I'll have to think about it. 😀

    Tired tires are gone and the new tires worked fine as I plowed the first field. All three of my tractors now have new, or almost new, rear tires. As the tire repairman was leaving I said "Maybe we won't be meeting like this in the future."  He's been around so much I consider him a friend.  Will these last 43 years?

Takk for alt

Al

                                      Old

                                      New

Tired tires!

      It's not surprising that they are tired, given that they are 48 years old!  Manufactured in 1966, not 76 as previously reported, they are the tractor's originals. The repair guys said they hadn't seen anything like it! 😀 Likely the tractor has spent its life stored indoors which lengthens tire longevity. One look at the flat one elicited the declaration, "This isn't repairable."  The one holding air is the same age. Consequently the servicemen will return tomorrow with two new tires. 

     Do you want guess what two tires cost? Today they are comparatively small measuring 16.9" on 14" rims. Two tires mounted at $1695.00. Given that this is South Dakota, known for regressive taxation, there likely will also be sales tax.

   It was Thursday when I called for repair. Perhaps I'll do some plowing tomorrow, which is Wednesday.

Takk for alt,

Al

Northern Lights!

      Many have posted beautiful pictures of the recent Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis.  Growing up at this northern latitude far from city lights A. B. were not unusual. For a number of years we lived in northern North Dakota about 25 miles from the Canadian border. There the A. B. were often seen and frequently even south of us. I had even a more dramatic experience of them.

    On a flight from Minneapolis to Bangkok, via Tokyo, I awakened at night. The GPS Flight Tracker on the monitor on the seat ahead showed that we were flying over Juneau, Alaska. Sitting in a window seat I raised the window shade to look at Juneau's lights, which indeed could be seeing. But flying at 40,000 feet we were flying through the A. B. Beautiful lights danced just outside the window and above and below us. It was a spectacular sight and lasted for a significant time.

   Two nights ago I stood on my front steps at 3:00 a.m. looking north to see if I could see the A.B. Nothing was visible from that perspective and a warm bed was more persuasive than a drive to the countryside. The flight through the A.B. was years before ubiquitous smart phones and taking pictures didn't occur to me. The lights live on in memory and that's not bad.

Takk for alt,

Al

Book Report!

 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

      The book of this report is Rules Of Civility, by Amor Towles. The title comes from a book by the Young George Washington Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company And Conversation, which features prominently in Towles' novel. There are 110 rules such as: "1st    Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present."  A character in the book suggests these rules are a form of "how to win friends and influence people." 

    This book, Towle's first novel, has been around awhile, copyrighted in 2011.  Many have read his A Gentleman in Moscow, and I recently reported on his The Lincoln Highway. In Rules the narrator is a woman, with most of the action set in New York City in 1938. There were only a few places where it seemed a bit of a stretch that a woman would think or act like that. His subsequent novels have been largely in the masculine voice. He certainly tells a good story evidenced by this being a New York Times Bestseller.

    Prior to writing Towles was an investment banker who was educated at Yale and Stanford. Rules travels much around high society in New York and he seems to be familiar with that world. The crisis of the book revolves around the question of moral character, particularly focused on one person. Redemption takes and interesting turn.

    It's easy to recommend this as its a delightful read.

Takk for alt,

Al

Astragalus crassicarpus

      Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls and you'll find its common name, Groundplum Milkvetch. So, how much did that help you? While more or less patiently waiting for tire repair Kaia and repaired to a pasture for my walk and her run. The short grass is not nesting habitat so Kaia can run to her hearts content without disturbing nesting birds.

    In addition to doggy and human exercise the point of the walk was to look for native fauna. That's where Goundplum Milkvetch comes into the story. The pasture on which we walked/ran has never been plowed. Invasive smooth brome grass is the predominant species. It's a warm weather grass imported from the steppes of Russia. With its early growth and vigor it out-competes native grasses. If you have a lawn you may see some of its wider, taller leaves among your bluegrass. Brome is a good pasture grass so it's not all bad.

    In another pasture native grasses are making a slow come-back. This is happening because a farmer grazes his cattle on it until July. He moved the cattle this week to graze on the smooth brome grass. This allows the late summer native grasses; primarily big and little bluestem, opportunity to flourish. Early burning would more quickly accomplish this restoration but it's in place where it would be difficult to control the fire.

    It's gratifying to find a native forb like Groudplum growing in a difficult environment. It has survived weed spray, competition from brome grass and grazing livestock. The berries of Groundplum are edible, said to taste like peas. Perhaps later in the summer I'll sample them.

Takk for alt,

Al

 

Flower:  

Racemes of 5 to 15 pea-shaped flowers. Flowers are about ¾ inch long with an erect broad egg-shaped upper petal, notched at the tip, and 2 small lower petals that are mostly horizontal. The tubular calyx holding the flower is purple tinged with several prong-like appendages at the tip end. Flower color ranges from pinkish purple to lavender to blue-violet. A plant has several to many clusters on stalks up to 4 inches long arising from the leaf axils.   From Minnesota Wildflower.

Groundplum Milkvetch growing in the pasture.

Patiently? waiting!

     What is your experience of waiting for a repair person to come?  The dispatcher when called yesterday for tire repair thought the repair truck may make it today. It's 2:00 pm and no luck yet. Meanwhile I'm mostly patient though the wet weather through which I've waited ups the ante. After waiting weeks for the fields to dry now that they are dry enough waiting for tire repair does challenge my patience. 

    For wildlife planting there is sufficient time. However, after relatively idle days while waiting for the soil to dry I'm keen for the activity. With nesting season in full swing for pheasants and ducks I'm reluctant to allow Kaia to run in grasslands.  It's best not to risk her disturbing the birds as they nest. That also limits cedar pruning and rock picking.

    The real issue in waiting for repair persons is loss of control. Most of us relish control and the schedule of the repair person denies us that control. Perhaps it's best thought of as moral exercise, and no doubt, my morals can use the exercising.

Takk for alt,

Al

""A sower went out to sow..."

        Well not a sower yet,  but, a man went out to plow (or plough as the English would spell it.) So why did he not plow/plough?  Because a few miles down the road, and still short of the field, a tractor tire went flat. Imagine a tire made in 1976 not holding air? Well, that sound was air escaping the tire. So a rendezvous with the mobile tire repair person and his truck awaits. Will they arrive tomorrow and if not do they work Saturdays? Time will tell and the man waits more or less patiently. 

    A nice farmhand from South Africa provided a ride to a nearby farm where a farmer gave the man a ride back to town. Had the South African not happened by the man was about to call the local banker for a ride. Next time. 

    That's the story by which the man abides.

Takk for alt,

Al

Concern....

     With my 1976 tractor and semi-mounted plow of the same vintage parked in front of the shop I have a concern. That places them on Main Street. Therefore, any farmer driving through town will go by them. The concern is for the jealousy they may feel seeing that equipment. Perhaps it just can't be helped!

Takk for alt,

Al

                  The aforementioned machinery. 

Mary (Hanson) Trodahl

       Last night Mary Trodahl, Joanne's sister, died. She suffered many years from Parkinson's, as did her father, the late Rev. Oscar C. Hanson. Mary had been in home hospice care for a brief time. She resided near Crystal Lake, IL.

    Mary graduated from Minnehaha High School, Minneapolis and Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. Mary taught school for many years in Minnesota, California, New Jersey and Connecticut. In retirement she moved, with her husband Chris, to Crystal Lake,  She is survived by her husband, Chris, two daughters, a son, and nine grandchildren. Her brother, Mark Hanson also survives her.

    Mary's delight was in her family for whom she was a great wife, mother and grandmother. Chris has been the primary care giver these last years rising to heroic efforts for Mary's care. 

   Rest in peace, good and faithful servant, Mary.

Takk for alt,

al

     On Joanne's left:  Mark with his late wife, Ione, Mary and Chris.

Working in the wind!

       With hopes of planting someday, I serviced my old corn planter today. Working in the wind tires me out!  Gusts were up to 40mpr!  Uffda! Forecast is for rain this evening. Talked to a BTO who said he'd finished planting corn before this wet weather set in. Perhaps that's true of several farmers. Saw one tractor in the field yesterday and it looked, from my vantage point on the road, that it was recreational tillage.

Takk for alt,

Al

    Vintage corn planter behind a 74 year old tractor (old picture).

Didn't Know!

       Graduating from Marine Corps Boot Camp mid-December 1959, we graduates were sent home on two weeks leave whether we wanted it or not. The Corps didn't want us hanging around over the holidays. This was before ubiquitous air travel. While getting us to San Diego for Boot Camp we'd been flown from Omaha, my first airplane trip.  Getting home on leave was left up to us. It was a two day trip by bus, which was what we could afford. 

    Much of the trip was on U.S. Highway 30, for me from Salt Lake City to Omaha. Highway 30 took Ed almost to his farm in eastern Iowa. Little did I know, as I made that trip three times, that it was the "Lincoln Highway", the first transcontinental highway which begins in Times Square, New York City and ends in San Francisco.   There's clear memories of going through Rock Springs, Rawlins and Cheyenne, WY.

   Lincoln Highway is the name of  Amor Towles' (A Gentleman In Moscow) lengthy (567 pages) novel. It's a fun story well told. Towles has interesting characters who engage. Not much time is spent on the Highway. While not the most profound read there are some keen insights. An example is an old man who describes life using a diamond. He thinks life is like a diamond lying on it's side. Beginning at the point, life expands for a significant time. Then at the diamond's apex life begins to move toward a narrowing. That's certainly descriptive of my experience. As my life narrows I find myself at peace with this reality, full of gratitude for what came before, content with what is and anticipating the future.

    Read this book for a fun story filled with interesting characters and some interesting Biblical reflections, like 'turning the other cheek.'

Takk for alt,

Al

Obsession!

         While I'm only a hobby farmer I have a farmer's obsession about rain. It comes naturally having grown up on a farm where rain was often marginal. With that as prolog, it rained again last night, perhaps not a lot but enough to keep fields wet. The good news is that the weather app for the next ten days predicts NO rain!😀 Fields should dry.

    Apparently some farmers had most of their corn planted before these rains set in. There is no news about any soybeans planted yet. It's still early and the soil is cold.

    The bake sale at the locker this morning was impressive. The butcher's wife grew up in the local Hutterite Colony. The Hutterites often have much for sale to the community. She was busy baking for the bake sale. Many loaves of bread including sour dough, hamburger buns, caramel rolls, angel food cakes, were available as well as strawberry/rhubarb jam. There were also apple pies baked by their eleven year-  old daughter.

     Most of the bread I eat is sandwich thins. The sour dough bread purchased toasted made a tasty lunch. Topped with the jam, it was a real treat.

Takk for alt,

Al

           This is small sample of what was available at the bake sale.  

A week...

      It's been a week since the rain came and field work stopped. There has been little drying since. Each time there has been a bit of drying more rain, though very light, has come to keep fields wet. Today there was some drying and rain is predicted tonight. Ah, the patience needed by farmers.

    While it can be a bit boring for me the wait doesn't really matter for wildlife food plots. The critters do the harvest so nothing needs to be dry for storage. Perhaps the earlier I plant the greater the seed production but that's not a major issue.

    The frogs in the pond across the street are very noisy until the temperature drops at night. Then they go silent until it warms up and they resume their singing. Where were they last summer when the pond went dry? Underground?

Takk for alt,

Al

                            The pond when it held more water.

Further proof I'm not normal.

 

P.S.

        The internet instructions led to a perfectly done Cornish Game Hen!

           I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

Air Fryer

      When asked if I cook my usual response is "I prepare meals."  Arguments could be made about the definition of cooking. To me is seems to imply the use of recipes, etc. That's why I reference preparing without claiming cooking.

     Being introduced to an air fryer has taken meal preparation to a new level. On a visit to the OFH Barb and Gale told me about air fryers, reporting that they were on sale at Costco. On their advice I purchased one. Air frying in my kitchen really took off when Lisa told me to Google cooking times and temperatures. With that tip air frying became a significant part of meal preparation, so much so that I bought a second one for The Little House.

    Perhaps air fryer is a misnomer. In reality they are mini-convection ovens that cook via hot air. Simple to use, living on the kitchen counter, and easy to clean it's my second best friend, after Kaia. Since learning how to use it, i.e., discovering the wisdom of Google, I eat fewer meals out.  Tonight my experiment will be using it to cook a Cornish Game Hen. 

Takk for alt,

Al

        This is the model of which I'm the proud owner of two.

Were you find them!

       A few years ago the township board notified landowners that they must remove trees in the road right  -of-way or the township would do it an landowners expense. On one particular mile stretch the cedars had grown, unmolested for many years. Chris came to help clear them. His childhood in the state of Washington had rendered him proficient with a chain saw. With his help we got the ditch cleared of trees.

    Ever since then I've monitored the ditch for cedar seedlings. The fields are still wet from the recent rains, more predicted tonight, so fieldwork is at a standstill. This morning was a good time to walk a stretch of ditch, clippers in hand, to remove the young cedars that have sprung up. It's quite simple when they are small, long before they require chainsaw surgery. Coniferous trees cut below the bottom branch do not regrow. 

Takk for alt,

Al

 This picture illustrates my ambivalence about cedars. These are part of a multi-row of trees I had planted for wildlife cover. What is a weed? A plant that grows where you don't want it.