Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Muddy Mo

I'm sorry to say I haven't posted anything as of late,  but I've been a bit busy. Most of you know we live on the banks of the Missouri River and it is an ugly river at this point in time.  It is flooding and many folks are affected all the way from Montana to the Gulf of Mexico after it joins the Mississippi River by St Louis. We are fortunate and reports are that it's supposed to not quite reach our house.  It is however dealing us fits with the loss of crop land.  Below is  a pic taken a few weeks ago when the river was about to begin it's big surge that is to last most of the summer. The second photo is of the same field taken yesterday.  This is about 320 acres under water. The last pic is of another 140 that will be under water by tomorrow night. Here the water is beginning to back in on it.  We have another 80 that is under and another 80 that is scheduled to succumb.
The bright side is I've always secretly wanted to live in a house by a stream but just not in a stream. I'm looking forward to being able to say, "Marilyn, I'll be on the porch fishing if you need me."
Also I've never had time to play golf in the fall because  harvest concerns have kept me busy before.
As a precaution I've purchased a 53 foot dry van trailer and parked it behind the house. Yesterday, with the help of family, we pretty well emptied the basement in preparation for high water. Now if we need to scatter quickly, we'll simply need to get a lot of help, fill the trailer with our top two floors and head for higher ground which for us will be about any direction.



15 comments:

Donna. W said...

Water is rising on the bottom ground in this area, too. I think there is some water upriver supposed to be released in 2 or 3 days, and then we'll really get it. Our house is safely at the top of one of the highest hills around, and we're not farmers. So we'll get by.

Granny Annie said...

Instead of the trailer, have you given any thought to building an Ark and changing your name to Noah? Glad you can joke about this but know it is a major concern and prayers are with you and all those affected.

Lanny said...

I've been thinking about you folks a lot this spring and wonderin' how you all are faring with your Mighty Mo. I've been praying that the river wouldn't swallow up your crops but I guess the more answered prayer was that you would survive what ever you are handed with your good moods and right perspective intact. Ya know, the best farming invention would be a crystal ball that could accurately predict if a particular plot is worth planting and how much. But then that would change the face of farming perhaps too much and entirely change those who farm to normal folk.

Nora said...

This makes my heart ache for you and everyone in the path of the Mighty Miss.

There is plenty of room in for you in Indiana if you decide to head this way. Seriously. Room to park the trailer, a vehicle you could drive to visit Marty and plenty of empty bedrooms at Dad's house. Even a golf course or two in the area.

Love and prayers,
N.

Ralph said...

Cliff
You know you are ALWAYS welcome in Colorado even though I know the trouble concrete cause your knees! Actually I just hope everything doesn't get any worse and you can stay at the farm - that way we can visit.
Ralph

Rachel said...

Oh Cliff, I'm sorry you have all that water over your crops. I sure hope it doesn't reach your home. I will keep you all in my prayers. Hopefully it will head downstream faster and not linger that long. That is a peril of living near a river. When I was a kid I recall the backwater from the river coming up about 3 miles and covering homes there. It didn't get near where we lived but it did block us in. I was just amazed that it would come that far.

Get the pontoon packed and ready!

Jerry in Texas said...

Cliff,
I've been thinking about you when I watch the news on the Mo river flooding. I pray that you can keep the flood waters out of your home.

Stay high and dry, my friends!

Anonymous said...

Back when you were probably three (and I was in high school), my folks took you in for around a week at Easter-time when your house flooded. One day we were eating chocolate covered marshmallow Easter bunnies. My Dad finished his by pushing the last bite in his mouth; Mom and I did the same. You observed that and pushed the rest (almost all) of yours in your mouth. Bunnies were big back then! How cute you looked with Easter bunny oozing all over your face. We pray the water doesn't get much higher than it is now this time!

Jim said...

Hi Cliff ~~ Not good, for sure. This is your 'tomorrow' and I will hope and pray that there won't be any more than you are expecting.

I admire your attitude about it. Of course crying doesn't do any good but it seems a little or your humor is brightening things up a bit.

Also you are finding out what a help friends and family can be at a time like this. We 'slept around' quite a bit when our house flooded and during the aftermath.
..

Jim said...

Also meant to tell that while Lois and the folks were keeping you in 1952 I was in Omaha working around the clock doing the sandbag gangs bit.

One shift Peter Kewit actually paid us eight hours for doing what mostly was volunteering.
..

Unknown said...

Stay safe, Cliff and family.

Shannon said...

Oh my, so sorry Cliff! Guess the crop insurance man has been busy.

LZ Blogger said...

Bummer Summer Cliff! ~ j///b

Peter said...

Sorry to read that you are having excess water problems Cliff, we usually suffer shortages rather than excess but our last summer reversed all that too.

gel said...

I dearly wish you were not facing these type of nature problems, Cliffers.

Best to you and your family,
Gel