Remarkable And Respectable

A conversation is an interaction between two or more people. A story is a narrative given by one and read by others. Often on these Sunday mornings I wish I could listen to the stories about you-all's week. Below are four cousins on our Saturday harvest crew having a conversation. Elijah, Malaki, Jackson, and Zach. Two words came to mind this week. Remarkable. And respect.

Our week was filled with corn harvest. We usually shoot for a starting date of the Tuesday after Labor Day. With the warm, dry, and windy conditions in the southern part of our farming area we had two days of harvest the previous week. Having corn under 20% moisture in early September is a first for us. Corn yields continue to be remarkable. I worry some about the soybeans. It hasn't rained here in 5 weeks. Here at the shop we've had 11 inches of rain for the year. And 7 inches for the growing season. Our normal average rainfall is just over 30 inches a year. 

Our day usually starts with a cup of coffee around 5am. As I've told you many times, we have a remarkable crew that I enjoy working with. Family, as well as full time and part time help. Every member has their individual strengths. Many of these fellows are better at jobs than I am. We all respect each other.

On a normal day around six of us jump in semis that have been loaded the previous evening. We start unloading at 6am. Our goal is 25 to 30 semi loads a day. Most of our corn has been pre-sold and gets delivered directly out of the field to the processor in Eddyville. Thanks for the picture Ryan.

Usually four of us head for the field, two in combines and two in grain carts, with diesel fuel, and to load returning trucks. Some mornings start dry. Some have heavy dew. The wet mornings make me thankful for overhauled corn heads with new stalk rolls and deck plates.

As I've mentioned before we often get company in the field. Thanks Brent, for bringing us lunch Friday. Also thanks to Kristin who made time to bring us supper one evening. All of our children's families are very busy as many of you have or are also experiencing.

We could not do what we do without a support crew. One morning Cody, from Zieglar, made a warranty repair before we arrived to the field at dawn.

Dean picked up a deer antler in a front tire one day. Steve, from Midtown, repaired the tire in the dark the following morning. It doesn't matter what vocation you're in, remarkable and respectable service and relationships is what makes things happen. Thanks for the picture BJ.

Mike rolled into the Rolhfson farm to build terraces before we were even finished combining the field. He has had to run the Blue-jet inline ripper where he is working. Very dry soil acts like frost. I enjoy improving farms. And it's a blessing to have talented children that have the equipment to make it happen.

Jan continues to can and freeze. This year we had a peach tree she planted that had a bumper crop. She canned pie filling, ice cream topping, and this jam. She gives most of it away. Thanks for the picture Jan.

In the year 63AD Paul wrote a letter (story) and gave his pastor friend Titus some advice. Paul asked Titus to teach folks to be worthy of respect, to live wisely, and to be filled with love and patience. That advice given 1960 years ago is still practical, applicable, and relevant today. How does one live worthy of respect? Here are a just a few ideas. Acknowledge others' accomplishments. Show gratitude. Admit mistakes. Listen. Be available even when busy. Be generous. Do the right thing, even if it's uncomfortable. Live unoffended. Let's be remarkable for God's glory and other's good.