Lessons from the Field

If you remember from this post, I wrote about the type of Farmer's wife I am.  I don't know how to drive combine, tractor, or even a grain truck (yet).  But I know how to cook, love my husband, tolerate his long hours, miss him like crazy, raise his child, pay the farm taxes, and balance the checkbook.  

As the years go by, I do realize I enjoy working with him on the farm.  Monday afternoon was no different.  We headed out as a family on the mule (utv) with this little lady driving! (don't worry, Dad runs the gas and break, but she's got the steering thing down great!)

We went by the wheat fields and then headed to the soybean fields.  

When we arrived at the soybean field, we noticed some of this in the field.

 This is Marestail.  This is not our friend.  This is a weed!  Milton stated that he would have to come back up and pull what was in the field.  Well I decided instead of resting and enjoying the afternoon in my air conditioned home, we would just get to work in the hot sun - TOGETHER!

Honestly, I am extremely glad we did.  This is where the six year old got another life lesson.  I'm going to be honest, after about 10 minutes she wanted to leave.  (The one time I forget to bring water with us!) 

Milton and I were on each side of her and he decided to try and put it into terms a six year old could understand.  I think he did a great job!

He explained to her that the Soybean needs sun, moisture (water), and nutrients to grow.  If the Maretail is right next to it, it will take all those things from the Soybean and the Soybean can not grow.  He told her that if he stood over her and took everything, that she wouldn't grow. I chimed in and referenced that she was the Soybean and Daddy was the Weed (Marestail).  It clicked, she knew what we meant.  

At one point, I pulled  a weed and it had a large root on it and it had been right next to a Soybean.

So I hollered for PV to come over and I showed her both of them.  I reinterated what Dad had explained.  I also explained that if the Soybeans do not grow, then Dad doesn't have any or much to harvest, which means we can not sell the Soybeans.  She needed to understand that this is how our family makes our living and how we buy things and pay for  clothes, trips, our home, food, etc.  I also told her that others benefit when we are able to produce Soybeans, and if we don't produce a crop, that means someone may go without.  I then sent her over to her Dad so he could tell her what types of things are made from Soybeans.

This is what I saw the next time I looked up from pulling weeds in the hot sun!  My heart melted and it wasn't from the heat folks!

Being a wife and mother is hard work no matter what occupation you are in or what your family does for a living.  Being a Farm wife and mother bring me many opportunities to live in reality on a daily basis.  I'm ok with that, and it isn't like the reality shows on TV folks!  My Farm wife duties are slowly progressing and changing with each season.   I'm glad about that.

I also wanted to mention the entire time I was in this field, I thought alot about my Grandfather Kumle, my Father and Mother.  The days when I was very young we lived on a farm and ranching and farming were a way of life.  I'm glad that God brought me back to the farm.

Thanks for stopping by!  I look forward to next time!
Julie