A day at the Rice fields

I am glad I know a few, good, hard working men in my life.  You know the kind that drive big tractors, combines and trucks.  The hardworking, sweaty kind.  The kind that don’t mind getting dirty or a little physical work. The kind that have callused, dirt, engraved hands.  The kind that wear wranglers and work shirts everyday.  The ones that will be there for you no matter what sort of help you need, be it a flat tire, broken chicken coop, new inspection sticker, any sort of little thing, they are more than willing to help.

I have the pleasures of having lots of these men in my life, 4 generations even.  One of the best joys for me as a mother is seeing the happiness this brings my youngest generation of hard working little men, (who happen to have some wonderful role models).

When it’s time to harvest the rice crops and the big combines come out, my boys couldn’t be happier.

They don’t see all the sweat and work and worries that go into growing and maintaining the rice fields.

They just see the big combines.  The boys rode last year and couldn’t wait to again.

We were lucky enough to go out on the 3rd day of cutting rice.

As we arrive at the field we see the trucks are already full and the rice is beautiful and golden.

Dad (Poppy) is unloading his combine in the to Auger cart my brother Neil is driving.

The boys spot the combines, and are more than excited as they scream, “Hi Combine, HI”.

Poppy comes around the field, as the boys so very eagerly wait for him to pick them up.

Did I mention for my birthday DT got me a new camera lens? Well it’s can zoom from far distances, and is perfect for these kind of shots.

Looks like I am close, but I am really far away.

This is the combine header pulling the rice and chopping it off.

And this is all the leftover stalks and grass once the rice was removed that shoots out the back of the combine.

Poppy finally made it to us, and loaded the boys up.

Off they go.  I just have to point out how perfectly still they are sitting!

Meanwhile, I keep snapping pictures, while my Grandfather Pop-po, who is farming his, get this, 65th crop!!!  Yes, 65 years, it quite impressive.

I keep taking pictures to try and get the perfect angle.

and it hits me, brings tears to my eyes in fact.  I am so very proud of my Pop-po.

83 years old and still working as hard as ever.

And still as cute and sweet as ever too.

My oldest brother Neil manned the Auger cart, I think I mentioned before.

Once the combines fill with rice, they unload into the auger cart,

which Neil then takes and unloads into the trucks.

Peace!

Dad and Pop-po take off again, it’s really neat the see them maneuver around each other, perfectly cutting each section.

Neil working hard, while waiting to unload.  Quit texting!!!  I-phones are not allowed on tractors, where’s your farming etiquette??

The boys each had their turn steering, giving Poppy a much needed break.

And even a quick ride with Uncie Neil

As luck would have it on the way to the field I ran over a screwdriver!

But also as luck would have it, I happen to know a good-looking truck driver, who changed the tire for me, and sent me along my way.

We had a great time at the farm. minus the flat tire.  The boys still ask me every day when we can go ride again and they are still cutting so maybe soon.