Idling Horsepower

 Tractor pulling was popular back in the day. It was something I enjoyed and competed in. I'm sure Jan was home with small children. I don't remember winning. However there are two events that stick in my mind. One was an out the gate pull (full 300' pull) at the Harvey Celebration Days on the newly graded clay that was soon to be (current) Hwy 92. The other was an evening at the Monroe County Fair in Albia when I was complimented by a competitor. Thanks for the picture.

There was a pace tractor and the speed limit in the farm class was 5 mph. While the pace tractor took off at the speed limit, a contestant would idle down (sandbag) and wait for the pace tractor to get out of the way. With the sled load getting heavier and the pace tractor ahead a ways, the puller would open up the throttle, let the smoke roll, and try and use speed for momentum down the track.

In tractor pulling idling horsepower is not a lack of strength. It was a choice not to use it until the right time. Idling horsepower in life is similar. It's not a sign of weakness or inability. It's a choice to remain silent when folks talk bad about you. It's a decision to give someone else the credit that you may have had a part in. It's to look for opportunities to serve instead of feeling entitled. It's to admit failure, and then use your horsepower to try again. It's to "sandbag" instead of having an exaggerated appreciation for oneself. Thanks for the picture Mike.

Last week we talked about and hoped for rain. There were farms that received rain. And those that did not early last week.

The corn that was planted just before Easter seemed to fare better. Tilled ground was better. And our planted soybeans seemed to be alright.

However the corn planted on farms a day or two after Easter and just ahead of the April 7 rain seemed to struggle more under a crust. These farms didn't get rain last Monday. The stands probably would have been good enough if it had been the first week of June. But with full yield potential for corn planted on the first week of May we tore up some so-so stands and replanted some fields. Last night everyone in southern Iowa was blessed with rain. Thank you Lord.

Planting progress can often be determined by the emptiness of a seed shed. Our shed is showing folks are about wrapped up. After a cooler start to next week and waiting for farms to dry some, top dressing N and second pass spraying will be on the agenda.

Last evening was Prom night in many communities. Many prom attenders and their parents were here at our cabin and pond mid afternoon for pictures.

This past week was Tulip Time in Pella. Kurt, Emily, and their family put on Dutch costumes Friday evening and helped wash streets. They had tourist ask for pictures. I'd like to use this story to thank our daughter Becky and daughter-in-laws Emily, Kristin, Cassia, Stacy, and Suzanne for being such wonderful wives and mothers and to let them know on Mother's Day how much they are loved and appreciated.  Thanks for the picture Emily.

Yesterday was a slower day field work wise. Jan has been patiently waiting for help with projects and yesterday we got a couple of those jobs completed. Projects included helping prune and cleaning up the blackberry patch, going after a second load of bagged mulch, doing some tilling, and planting a tree in memory of my Dad who passed away 5 months ago. Thanks to Matt, Jacob, Ezra, and Elijah for their help. There are plenty of jobs still waiting and most if not all the guys around here have a list at home that needs attention. 

Today is Mother's Day. Wives and Mom's often have idling horsepower as they put their own projects on hold in order to support their families. Their strengths are sometimes overlooked or "sandbagged" as they help others. Jan isn't always comfortable in front of a camera so I took a picture of one of her many blooming plants. She traded for this one many years ago with an Amish mother. Happy Mother's Day Jan. Our children are who they are because of you and your strengths (horsepower). And now they are raising their children with the God-given abilities you helped them discern and bring to light. I love you.

My mother was the definition of idling horsepower. She continued to put her needs aside for her family and others. Including my handicap brother, several elderly relatives, and many foster children. She showed me how to care. She demonstrated and taught me generosity. Most importantly, she started me on the path of living for my Lord and Creator. Although her personality has changed a little in her later years she still enjoys her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren when they come to see her at Montezuma Care. Mothers, you will seldom realize the effect your strengths (horsepower) have had and will continue to have on those you love.

In 1972 I was a 10th grader and attending North Mahaska High School. A van driver was needed from Oskaloosa to Pella to bring handicap kids to Christian Opportunity Center every day. My parents decided I was going to be that van driver and attend Pella Christian High School with my van driving wages paying my tuition. Although I wasn't crazy about the job, I now thank them for that decision as I was able to become friends with some special people including my brother and Bobby pictured below. Special needs children have less physical and mental abilities (horsepower). However they have an impact and create character that others will never forget. Bobby passed away this past week. Our sympathies to his mother Nancy, his brother Randy, and his sister Pam, and his foster brother Tim.  Thanks for the picture.

Idling horsepower is sometimes waiting for the light to change so others can go. Idling horsepower is living like Christ lived when He was on earth. He had all the "power" in the world. Yet He put it aside to be killed for our wrongs. Idling horsepower is the definition of humility. Thanks for stopping by.