In His Time

During my grade school years I had goals about life. Getting married during a decade of inflation and droughts (1970s). And raising a young family during a decade of a farm crisis (1980s) changed my goals, my perspective, even my attitude. As I watch school age grandkids, like Ezra below, help harvest, I'm reminded goals, purpose, and life are "In His time", not mine. Thanks for the picture Roger.

We spent the majority of the past week harvesting Group 2 soybeans. We tried longer season beans that looked close to ready however they were just too wet. Because of the dry growing season, and then late rains, some of these crops are maturing kind of goofy looking.

We are still overall happy with yields with average or above soybeans. Corn yields are more variable based on location and soil type.

We deliver as many loads as our trucks will haul either to a processor in Des Moines or a terminal on the Mississippi River in Burlington. Our "timing" goal was to deliver beans this past week when others were trying corn. And that worked out well as there were no lines to unload.

Then in order to keep the combines rolling we also deliver to the bin. Many of these loads have been contracted for November and December and will be delivered then.

The timing of learning about safety around equipment can happen at 3 years old or 30 years old. Below Jayden and Lane are checking out the cutting bar on their Dad's (Kurt) draper head one evening during supper in the field.

Crops are slow drying down in the field this year. Two things have helped us continue to work on harvest. Thanks to Karl we planted about a third of our soybeans to earlier numbers. Also we started planting both corn and soybeans the second week of April. Below the test plot across from our shop was planted May 24 and the green stalks show it.

When cement companies have trucks come back to the plant with unused or leftover concrete they have forms to make these blocks and caps. Over the last couple of years plants have struggled to find drivers. And when they have three drivers and could use a dozen they can't take the time for blocks so they just dump the extra and hurry to the next job. Thanks to Donnie, over the last two years, I have finally purchased enough caps to finish Jan's flower projects. 

Friday afternoon we switched back to corn as it's moisture is finally dropping nicely. After completing a small customwork field we moved to one of BJ's rented farms southwest of Oskaloosa.

Our Saturday crew is often different with grandkids not in school and other helpers off their regular day job. Thanks to good help we were able to get 20 semi loads delivered to the processor by 2pm closing and another 8 loaded for Monday morning delivery.

BJ and Cassia's John and I continue to work in fertilizer and rye. Fertilizer has quadrupled in price over the last couple of years. However unless things change it will continue to be harder and harder to purchase. So we had better apply it while it is still available. I'm not sure the folks in charge of our country right now understand how the food chain works.

Supplies of things like fertilizer have tails. Meaning there is still supply in the system. However shortages also have tails. Meaning if things change and energy for fuel and food loosen up, it will not happen overnight. Or even in a season. 

We put up our 5th cutting alfalfa late yesterday. Yields don't happen without fertilizer. We are going to again apply fertilizer on our hay ground for next year's crop. Fertilizer feeds hay. Hay feeds cows. Cows produce milk, cheese, hamburger, and steaks. These products stock our grocery store shelves. And that folks is the timing of our food chain in this and other countries.

Since hay season is over BJ and Ezra are running a couple of dry cornstalk bales through. The baler will be stored away. And the alfalfa will be sold to cattle and dairy producers later. A good chance the Amish hay auction since they in their simple way of life understand the food chain.

We had a clutch go out on one of our older semis. Last evening our older grandsons started pulling the transmission out since the clutch is between the engine and tranny. How blest we are to have grandchildren that not only know how to work, but enjoy it.

I had a conversation this past week with a friend, thanking him for the opportunities he gave a couple of our children. I was given opportunities during those early years. And I feel part of my purpose here on earth is to give others opportunities. Giving folks "things" is like giving them a fish. Giving folks "opportunities" is like teaching them to fish on their own.

My friend Dan took his father to Canada fishing over Labor Day weekend. And was able to see, capture, and share these northern lights. Thanks for sharing the picture of God's beauty Dan. Good timing.

I can tend to get impatient. Yes, patience is a virtue. However passiveness is not. In the midst of the madness in our culture right now, as our world seems to be sprinting over the cliff, we need to be strong for our values, our freedoms, and our Biblical principles. Because a majority of the folks in this country still believe in the same things you and I do. So live what you believe. Think intentionally on your own. Try harder to be a positive influence on those you rub shoulders with. And realize while we wait for revival, it's "In His (God's) time". Make opportunities in the meantime. Blessings and thanks for the friendships.