Nov. 11th, ‘09-Crinkled cornstalks scrunch against the screaming call of Fall. Leaves fall, temperatures fall and daylight diminishes as we creak our way to Winter. Lackluster leaves torpedo across the hay field lane. I’m rumbling along @ 10 AM on our 5200 John Deere tractor. I slow for the chickens to cross the yard . The ducks are posted by Billie goat and they seem mildly amused as they try to slumber next to their puddle bucket. They rise to their orange feet and settle back to resting when I drive by the hut. I’m bundled up in long underwear, insulated cover-alls, down feather jacket with furry hood up. I love to rake hay. It’s a whirling, twirling motion that sets my thoughts free and it’s being outside. A splendid blend for productive planning. Today it’s kinda cloudy and 44 degrees. Tom is @ school for playdate with Hawken. I’m rejoicing in the ride of the tractor. After 2 rounds with the hay rake, I’m pondering if I’ve ever made dry hay in November before. By the third round of raking, I’m staring straight ahead without bothering to look where the rake is throwing the windrow. The attire I have on is sufficient to keep me warm-I just can’t move. I’m the abominable snowwoman on a nice John Deere tractor. How in the world is this hay gonna dry Tom??? Then it sinks in-he’s doing it to spend extra time with Hawken round baling. It just is time to settle in to this task and savor it. It’ll be a half a year ’til I can do this again. Since I drove on Schultzie’s hayfield, there’d been the red tailed hawk watching me. Sweet splendor to know he’s eyeing me, waiting for the hayrake to expose a critter for it’s morning snack. She would swoop down, gather her grub and fly to another settin’ spot in the same stately tree. Canadian Geese were flying in flocks while I made my way across the field in 3rd gear and revving the RPM’s @ 17. There’s a steady flow of semis for Ashley Furniture, Golden Plump, John Deere Combines, neighbors hauling manure and pulling equipment to other farms.  Now the eagles moved in as I realized the splendor of this autumnal experience. The winds seemed wild and whipped across my face. I count the rounds ’til completion. The tractor boom loader rattles noisily as I try to hurry across the bumps towards a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

3:30 was the magic time to pack the boy’s lunch box and  Tom and Hawken head to the 5520 John Deere tractor with a cab. This tractor provides a nice nesting spot for the little fledgling. Hawken can direct which windrow needs to be picked up next from the teeth of the round baler. He can steer on the straight stretches. They bird watch from the vantage point. For temperature torture or moderation, he can blast the heater or A/C. Then when Tom heartily questions, ” Looks like it’s time to do what??”  “Pull!! It’s full Pops!” Then Tom pulls the old fashioned rope towrap the twine onto the finished bale. Hawken pushes radio buttons to pretend send the bale onto the hayfield. Tom hears,”Yeah!! We did it-good job! I love you Pops!” What a great November day to harvest hay and spend time with a little fledgling that shares a love for farming.

Ride a tractor,

Sue Roskos