Preseason Updates

Preseason is a period of time before the start when you prepare. When you practice. When you get ready. When you look forward. Notice the tree and the corn in the picture below. We are on the northern edge of a very dry area in this part of southern Iowa and northern Missouri.

In spite of the lingering dry spell we are going to be blessed with a crop and are looking forward to starting corn harvest in just a couple of weeks. Our farms in the northern part of our county have had around 22 inches of rain so far this year. The southern area where we live have had around 12 inches. Last year we had just 5 inches by this preharvest time. 3rd cutting hay is in demand.

One of the many things I love about summer is having kids around and it's not unusual to see Jan's kitchen island full at lunch time. However we are hearing preseason back to school shopping sales which means in about 10 days the school buses are going to start showing up.

Last Sunday evening Osky's student council had a preseason kickoff at the cabin. Around 90 kids were once again enjoying each others company.

It's preseason get ready time in the shop. This graincart is getting three new augers. Both carts are getting new auger drive hubs. The grain scales are being installed in the tractors.

We haven't had an "official" grain moisture tester since the scalehouse days when we weighed everything across an old rock quarry platform scale. Now both the combines and grain carts weigh the crop however they occasionally need calibrated. So we invited Scott to come and show us a Department of Ag approved moisture tester the grain elevators use.

Last Tuesday I asked cousins John, Jackson, and Elijah to go to the field and get and shell some ears of corn. A 104 day hybrid planted April 13 was testing 36% moisture. This particular field should be at harvestable moisture by the end of August.

Karl spent much of the week getting in and taking care of 9300 head of three week old pigs. They came from a sow facility in Dalhart, Texas. In 5 months they will be going to market.

As many of you know last Wednesday evening was our families annual appreciation supper. Jan does an amazing job of preparing food. Early in the week our kitchen was full of preparations.

It is such a blessing to get together with family, friends, customers, landlords, bankers, equipment suppliers, and neighbors. Thank you so much gals for serving.

Thank you to the guys who helped our family finish shop projects, organize, clean, mow, and set up. You are all an asset and a blessing to us with your friendships and your full time and part time help.

Family is important nowdays and I always enjoy folks bringing their kids. It's just an end of summer fun time and a preseason to our fall responsibilities.

We were privileged to have Maurice and Mellissa join us for Maurice's retirement from Cargill/Eddyville. Best wishes Maurice.

Russ is a friend and our sheriff. He stopped by to say hello. I think Pastor Paul might be getting some advice. :)

When I can make it I have been attending 21 Days of Prayer at 6 am at The Hub in Ottumwa put on by The Bridge Church. It's basically 10 minutes of praise, 10 minutes of devotions, and about a half hour of personal prayer time. For me it's a preseason time with God. You might ask, "Can't you do that at home"? Of course I can and I do every early morning. However preseason, preparation, and planning have everything to do with being intentional about our future including our relationship with God.

When you saw our preseason title this morning I'm sure you were thinking as I was about the dissatisfied NFL players discontent with our national anthem and protesting our country. Discontent leads to victim status. Victim status leads to a feeling of entitlement. Preseason is not about "Oh me, Oh my". The opposite of entitlement is gratitude. Preseason is about gratefully looking forward, despite the circumstances, ready to be a blessing to others. As you get ready for the fall routine, ready for kids in school, ready for harvest, look forward, enjoy the ride, and know God has a plan for you.