Thank God For Sundays

Good Morning. It's Sunday. It's sprinkling and it feels good to have a day of rest. Forgive me if I ramble. I haven't taken the time to think about what we are going to visit about this week.

Iowa farmers worked day and night to get their crop in this week. I am amazed at how much can get done in just a week.

 I literally spent the whole week in a sprayer. After the crop is planted we apply herbicide to stop the weeds from coming. Karl drove our yellow Rogator 1396 and I drove Cargill's John Deere 4940. We did custom spraying in six adjoining counties.  

This is a sprayers control center. The sprayer talks to satellites and the satellites help the operator steer the 120 foot swath without skipping. Satellites also remember where you have been and shuts the spray on and off to prevent overlapping. This same technology is used for seed in corn planters.

 Technology gives you the ability to do a better job, especially at night. The only problem is someone needs to keep bringing you product. Pablo, Alex, and others spent some long days delivering herbicides and seed.

 When seed and chemicals leave for the fields someone has to keep track, treat it, send it, and record it. This is Kurt and Andy loading seed for the fields. 

Herbicides are delivered in tanks on semis to the sprayers. Seed is delivered in these bulk tenders to the planters. Mark and BJ and Brad kept the planters going but I wasn't around them much for pictures. 

 Josh brought Jan out some extra plants he had and Jan got them planted. Jan is the best wife ever at doing her own thing when she doesn't see her husband much during the planting season. Once again kudos to the daughter-in-laws who didn't see their husbands either this week. Girls, if it rains the guys owe you this week.

Last Sunday we celebrated my Mom's 80th birthday. This is a picture of my parents with their great grandchildren.

 It was a beautiful Mothers Day and everyone enjoyed it.

 Since the sidewalk is finished the little boys like to race. Once in a while the really small ones need help getting their equipment back up the hill.

 This is my extended family talking to God before last Sundays birthday meal. Doug is praying. Ben is peeking. My Mom is standing behind her two sisters and beside her brother.

 I finished the week last evening putting in my test plot. As I was thinking about our week and it's accomplishments my heart went out to a good farmer friend and neighbor who is my age and doesn't have the strength to farm this year because of cancer. Steve and Carol, I feel so helpless and so undeserving. I just hope you know how much folks care about you and are praying.