StillwatersIowa

This past week we wrapped up spreading treated dry urea on custom acres. When driving through shoulder high corn one can't be constantly looking back wondering about mistakes. One can't even look down to see if your spreader wheels are still between the rows. One has to look forward as far ahead as possible. And have faith in the long view that your machine is going where your eyes are looking, where your arms are steering, and that your allowances for hill sides and corners are correct. In the short view, farmers often get up before daylight with the determination and work ethic to get the jobs on the list accomplished, including the unknowns. Their goal however is the long view, looking forward to harvest, which hopefully pays the bills, provides for family, and benefits our communities and our world. John and his father, BJ, took some time this week to finish pattern tiling one of their farms. The soybean planter is still hooked up, waiting for this project to be completed. ...

Today is Sunday. Today is Father's Day. Today is the longest day of the year. Today it's raining. Life is not about how we feel, but how we choose to act. Thinking back on our past month the two things that I've enjoyed are work and worship. The hard red winter wheat is about 2 weeks away from harvest. Last weekend we drove to Sheldon, Iowa, met grandkids, Cody and Tori, who live in South Dakota, and attended a 2 day Christian outdoor concert called Risefest, attended by 30,000 folks. The atmosphere, music, and  message were true worship other than long lines. 53 folks gave their lives to Christ for the first time and were baptized Saturday evening.  While looking for my 8th grade Bible, this report card showed up. I didn't care for school much. The Bs, Cs, and Ds don't bother me today. What does bother me though is that every report card, every year, by every teacher, said, "He is capable of doing better". Speaking of 8th graders doing their best, Natalie...

42 years ago this past week an F4 tornado tracked on the ground for 3 hours through northern Missouri and southeastern Iowa destroying the little town of Wright, Iowa. This past Thursday morning heavy rain, strong winds, and large hail, went through several of our communities in southern Iowa. Thanks for the picture Brad. Damage ranged from leaning to flattened crops, to totally stripped by hail, to flooded acres.                                I'm going to break my own rule of last names today for you who enjoy "Dutch Bingo". Cornelius and Nellie Boender had 12 children. 2nd born William was born in Holland. At 16 years old he was to go to court for kicking a dog. He chose instead to come to America. My great-grandparents in this picture look like a storm must have went through their vegetable patch in Holland. 😊 Bill Boender married Christine DeVries. They had 10 children. 2 of their sons were Samuel and ...

Salt heals, preserves, and enhances. It does everything from taking the redness out of sores to killing weeds. Salt melts ice off sidewalks and icy roads. It's purposes are almost endless. Yet it's price is insignificant. And salt does it's work unnoticed. I went to Jamie's house this past week and bought a new tool. It's a hydraulic driven brush cutter mounted on our skidloader. Jim is modifying a brand new machine. Jan brought out Saturday morning breakfast, took advantage of the older grandkids being there, and had them help her move some heavy rocks. I asked Lane if he would help me replace some fuel lines on our 1971 JD 4020 which we use to spray fencerows. Lane is around 6 yrs old. Thanks for the picture Kurt. Part of summer responsibilities is scouting crops, checking stands, weed control, and differences in hybrids. Matt and Michael joined Karl in looking at a test plot. When scouting, I use a Ranger, up until the corn is knee high. I put notes on my phone o...