Third World Status

Good morning. Many of you have heard me say that at times it feels we are living in a third world country. Two things. I'm exaggerating. And second, there are positives in those cultures that we will visit about at the end of this story.

The similarities I'm talking about are astronomical inflation, shortages, no incentives to work, slow orders, a propaganda media, and a ruling class that promises peace, plenty, and pleasures in exchange for freedom and capitalism.

Folks that have visited us from abroad all say the same thing. Everything is big in our country. And we as a culture are always in a hurry. We are not only used to same day or overnight, we have come to expect it. It's one of the reasons we are so productive.

Our skid-loader is misbehaving. It has an emissions sensor putting it in limp mode every couple of minutes. Then someone has to disconnect and reconnect the battery so it forgets it's problem. The service folks say it's a common issue. However they are no longer allowed to stock the part needed until they have a home for it. And the ordering process is no longer overnight. It's one to three months. 

Jan and I were blessed to go to Indianapolis, Indiana the first part of the week. We celebrated Christmas with our Becks family and friends. And we went to breakout sessions and discussed how to best take care of our customers in our current environment.

Ken and Cheri are folks we met a few years ago. They farm in Indiana. Ken also works for Becks Seed. Thanks for the friendship Ken and Cheri.

When we returned home Tuesday afternoon things were rocking and rolling. BJ, Leon, and Layton were tankering hog honey to Kurt and Alex who were injecting it in our field across from the shop. Jim, Russ, and Ryan were hauling soybeans to Burlington. It kind of warmed my heart and made me thankful seeing good folks make things happen.

It's the time of year when next year's seed comes in. Karl hooked up his seed trailer and took it to Brett, Mitchell, and the crew at Outer Limits to get new rear doors and inspect it.

Mike continues to check dozing projects off his list as he completes them. He and Mark are currently working together on a terrace project for Mark's neighbor. Thanks for the picture Mike.

BJ and crew are busy hauling the tile plow from one project to the next. It has been beautiful weather for everything, including pattern tiling. Thanks for the picture Alex.

One of the many shortages and delays we are experiencing these days is herbicides (weed killers) for next years crop. In Indianapolis we talked about supply and alternatives. We are using this borrowed warm weather I call Indian summer to do more tillage which removes the winter annuals we usually spray next April 1.

We received word the first part of the week that anhydrous was no longer available for fall application so we parked the tool bars.

The human nature in me wanted to say, "hey, wait a minute. What about me? We planned and purchased last summer. There are still contracts. There were payments made." What I immediately decided was it would do no good. It is not healthy or productive to solely focus on self. And shortages and transportation issues are not the fault of our suppliers.

So we called and asked if we could look forward and talk about herbicides for next years crop. We didn't want to get to spring without options.

Friday Grandma Ferguson's chicken house moved another generation. From our place to Brian and Becky's families place. Jan's mother started milking cows in it 60 years ago. And then converted it to laying hens.

I've been out of our country a number of times. Often to countries less fortunate than ours, either building churches, or helping others farm. Yes, they have the issues we started with. However I've also seen positive qualities. Life is slower. They learn to accept the bad and the good without asking a lot of questions. It's just part of life. Most are a very happy people. The reason is because they are so content. And they are totally dependent on each other. As families. And as communities. Meaning helping each other out is a way of life.

Yesterday was first day of shotgun deer season. Thanks for the picture Matt.

Jackson, his father Kurt, and Ben went deer hunting together yesterday. Jackson, who I can't remember whether he is 1st or 2nd grade, shot his first little buck on land we own and farm. They skinned and dressed it in the field, taking the venison meat home to Mom. Thanks for the picture Kurt.

Late this week I received a text that some more contract anhydrous had showed up. And was wondering what farm to deliver it to. I don't know the reasons for the lack of smoke at the beginning of the week and I'm not sure of the details of how it showed up late in the week. However I'm learning from my friends in southern Africa just to accept it and be thankful to God and to others.

Speaking of southern Africa, we've all heard about it in the news this week about a new variant. It's ironic that I received a WhatsApp a couple of days ago from my friend Harrison of this picture taken three years ago in his country of Malawi. Harrison is the gentleman on the lower left along with Russ, myself, Kwandi, and Moses.

I texted Harrison back, thanked him for the memory, and asked him about the health of his family and countrymen. Harrison said, "Steve, Covid has been very insignificant and we praise the Lord for His goodness and care".

Folks, when we learn to rely on God rather than government for His provision, goodness and care, we will return to the life we were used to. As well as preserve what we love for our grandchildren. Thanks for the friendships. Thanks for stopping by. And have a good week.