Friday, November 21, 2008

The Beginning Of The End

I don't have much time to write this, so you'll need to read fast!
Sorry to not have been a good blogger as of late (as if I ever was) but we've been busy harvesting. Today should be the end of it and none too soon, it's supposed to hit 12 degrees this morning and my combine operator is heading to Corpus Christi tomorrow.
Two of my brothers and my combine have hung in there. My bride has been gracious enough to let our daughter drive my semi for several days now. That means Marilyn and Mandy have had to do all of the grooming by themselves.
Our bins are full and our corn was too high in moisture to be accepted in our local elevator so she (our daughter) has had to deliver a lot of loads to a processor 25 miles south of here.
Any good farmer would tell you that predicting the end of harvest is pretty stupid. It's not good to become smug and there by tempt 'the breakdown gods' before you get done. After all, a bad breakdown could occur this morning and we could be eating Thanksgiving dinner and then going back to the field to finish harvest.
But I'm predicting the end of harvest anyway. Today. Noon.
Now I've got to send someone after oysters. It's tradition.
Update: We finished harvest and pulled the combine and grain cart into the shed at 11:55 AM. Wrong shed but at least they're inside of a shed.

19 comments:

Shannon said...

Wish we had a processor only 25 miles from here, lol. We would have to go at least 45 if we hauled it ourselves. At least the end is in sight. We have another week of soybean harvest left. Did you check the market yesterday? What the crap happened!!!!!

Shannon said...

Okay, hubs says two more weeks of harvest and 170 acres left. Do y'all dry any of your corn? Or is it not worth it.

Ralph said...

Hope you're done by noon and can enjoy the oyster stew tonight.
Ralph

Dan said...

Go get 'em Tiger!

Lanny said...

I read very fast and prayed very hard for you to be done by noon and that all breakdowns be held back. Enjoy your oysters.

bobbie said...

I read real fast too. Hope it worked for you.

EV said...

Have a great last day of harvest. And protect your oysters!

Jim said...

Hi Cliff, I read fast but got here slow! You should be finished now, my hopes for you.
Now, I am thinking that you are the 'combine operator' and that means you can come through Houston to see Marilyn's relative here, near Lucy and us?
We have a guest bed if you can climb stairs and if you can't you can have ours. For a goodly while.
Our Christmas music is December 4,5,and 6. You could also see FBC Houston as they always have an extravaganzaextravagansa, most times with camels and other exotic animals!
..

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Cliff! I don't read to fast, so by the time I got to the end, you were typing the update. I am glad that you finished the harvest. Who cares if the combine and grain cart are in the wrong shed. They can be moved another day. YOUR DONE :o) Enjoy your oysters. Lisa

Rachel said...

Hope you enjoyed the oysters Cliff! Glad you finished the harvest. Now you can sit back and relax a bit!

Lucy Stern said...

OK you are done, let's say a prayer of Thanksgiving and relax for the winter.....

Jerry in Texas said...

I know what a relief that final day is. Dad noticed on the way to town today that it looks like everyone around these parts has their corn done.

Congratulations, Cliff!

Shannon said...

What? No blowing off the combine for an hour and then washing it all afternoon? Just kidding. Get some rest.

bobbie said...

See - it must have been my fast reading that got you done by 11:55!
Congratulations! How were the oysters? Hope they were great.

Lisa is thinking about the curtain hanging job. She doesn't see how she can make it out there on one tank of gas. Is that negotiable? - F.L.

Shannon said...

I know what you mean about cold. We broke a record here this morning, it was 16 degrees. Five ski slopes opened today. I don't function well when the temp drops below 40. Not used to this.

Paul Nichols said...

Sheesh!You make me tired just reading about this. Glad it's over for you.

Peter said...

Congratulations on the harvest finish Cliff, but I want a full report on those 5 minutes... that can be a lifetime y'know.
The Wudinna gang are hoping to finish wheat and barley harvest in a little over a week, its turned out to be a low average crop after starting so very well, farming... who'd do it??

Miki said...

Congratulations on the Harvest ending, Cliff! But even bigger Congrats go out to you and Marilyn for that beautiful baby girl!

Jamie Dawn said...

Harvest is over and Thanksgiving is tomorrow...
Let the eating begin!!!

Jerry is stopping by to visit us on his way to Texas sometime this weekend.
I hope we have some food left for him.
I made an apple pie last night and it did not survive long.
:-)