Things Are Getting READY

As December comes in, I remember last December. I was still fairly new in my calling at church and December seemed to be non-ending. I found it difficult to even have time to do my own Christmas things last year. We had so many people sick last December and have prayed that does not repeat this year. Now, after talking to others who have had this calling, I find that what I experienced is common - I sure wish I had been warned! This is the time of year that all the flu and colds, pnemonia and the like, hit the hardest. Not that I am prepared for it this year, but just knowing it can happen helps me a lot! This year I am not going to do the big Christmas tree - or decorating. Besides not having the room, it's so time consuming and I might just need that time for others.


The title of this is "Things are getting ready" - and it's just that. I think things are getting ready. For what I don't know. I have a feeling of apprehension, not dread, but more like a calm wait. Is it just that it's December - or is it more?? Time will tell, but just wanted to go on record as saying this! And if nothing happens in 2009 - YEA!


Thanksgiving is past, Tom and I celebrated our 43rd anniversary last month. Almost 50 years, I don't want to be that old. Was it really that long ago that I thought I knew it all??! Was I really that young, how could I have possibly known that was the right thing? I remember as my dad walked me down to "give me away", it really struck me - I was Getting Married. I thought I was going to pass out. Now why did that realization not "hit" before then?? Life sometimes plays funny jokes on us! But I went through with it, Bishop Shepherd of Monte Vista stood in front of us and moved his mouth. Did he say anything - neither one of us can remember, I think we were both too terrified! We survived, and now I remember when my grandparents celebrated their 50th, they were SOOO old! And my own parents were old on their 50th. And as I see my own grandchildren reaching adulthood and beyond, how could this be? I am quite certain I must have slept through some years there, do I really remember every day - do I rememeber every week or even month?? Well, if not, then just where did they go? Precious time has been taken from me - it could not have passed that fast.


This reminds me of my facination with ancient calendars - I just wish I could understand all I have read about them. I do know that on the Myan Calendar, my birthday is 11 Reed 6. That tells the day, month and year. Somewhere I have detailed lessons on reading the Myan calendar, although much of it is possibly (probably?) theory?? One of the most fascinating writers I have ever studied is John Pratt and his studies of this subject. And yes, he's related to Parley! And the study of the stars in ancient time - I think they had a far advanced knowledge of the heavens than we do. I think that all that ever was, is, or will be, is written in the stars. We just no longer have the ability to read it.



Not much to BLOG about - so that's all she wrote for now!

The days went by

Geeze, everyone is getting into this BLOG word - last night Larry Jamison told me that even he was doing it! Haha - "It's All About Me" - now doesn't that just sound like him??! And my husband, and my brother, and my son-in-laws. . . humm, I see a common thread here! But wonder if I could get my husband to BLOG? That would be an interesting BLOG for sure! He could call his - "NO - It's All About Me"!
Can't believe so much time has passed since we were in the SLV for potato harvest. So much has happened since that time. A new "president" was elected - one of the guys Tom worked with in the San Luis Valley was killed in a farming accident last week, another very nice young man from Australia, who Tom worked with, has split up with his wife and newborn baby cause he thought other women were nice along with his pregnant wife.
I have to say some things about the guy who lost his life, Dennis Smith, he was 67 years old, but sure didn't seem "that" old. His wife has been struggling with cancer - even had surgery in Denver by the same Dr. that worked on me. Dennis was a real nice guy, wanted to get to know us better and had invited us out to their home. He was retired also, a real Solar nut, who lived totally off the grid. Uses solar for everything. He will be missed by many. What a brief time I knew him, but he will always be remembered.
My daughter and her family in Denver have moved into their new home. With this economy, I would be afraid to have made that move. But my son-in-law is extremly talented, so I am sure they will always be fine. He is a CPA, graduate of DU, and is the Controller for one of the nations largest law firms in Denver.
All our grandkids are looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Our 20-year old grandson, Jarred, told us last night that he is so excited about the holidays. He said he tells others; "Yea, Thanksgiving is coming" and others say, that's bad because all their family will be there. Jarred can't grasp that mindset, because when we all get together for Thanksgiving, it's 4 days of eating, and playing games! That is all these kids have ever known, our Ryan in Pueblo, told us they (the cousins) look forward to our annual 4th of July camping trip with the whole family more than Christmas. For this, I am so very thankful for my family and the desire most have to be together with each other.
So for this BLOG - I write the words that President McConkie said to us last night: "We see according to our ability to see".

Not Sure About ThIs!!

I am not good at this "Blogging" thing - I have just too many other things to occupy my mind!

As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, I can feel the stress levels going up. Not for me necessarly, because our kids are all grown and our place isn't big enough for everyone to come for dinner. I miss having that opportunity. I loved the days when everyone could come to grandma and grandpa's house. I really really miss that. I would like my grandkids to have that memory...

I read other blogs, Becky's and Trenya's. They should both write books - wow are they good.

Thursday??

I can't believe its Thursday already, this week has flown by and what did I do??? Nothing?? Hummm! I have been trying to be a good wife for my hard working husband, I have fixed him a lunch every day - and tried to keep them different, rather than the same ole thing every day. And every night, no matter how late, he has had food ready for him when he gets home. Do you suppose he will be too spoiled to live with when we return home and go back to normal??!!
I have made him countless oatmeal cookies - his favorite. Today I sent him rice pudding in a baggie with a disposable bowl and spoon. He said that was really good. Of course I fix him sandwiches, chips etc., the normal lunch. And he always has a 1/2 gallon of drink he takes with him. I make him a different "grandpa's juice" every day! Linda makes a wonderful zuchinni bread - it's delicious so he's also had some of that to take with him. I think for a migrant worker, he did pretty good!
John and Linda have some C R A Z Y and unbelievable plans for him for Christmas - that's all I am going to say about that just in case he ever sees this! But we will need the whole family's help!
What wonderful memores we will leave here with. I am so glad they are family. I would wish that all could get to know them as we have.
I have been terribly worried about our political and economic situation that is happening now. Okay, enough of that - I am glad our time to return home is almost here. I am looking forward to it!

Monday's Harvest

I didn't work today, got replaced by an Indian. . . Not sure what how to take that one. . . !? Kris has two more half circles to harvest - fields are not measured by quarters etc any longer - it's circles and half circles because of the circular sprinkler systems that are now in use. Check out the San Luis Valley on Google Earth!
Found a new name in the family - I think the note was written by Flonnie Ellen, and the name I am not familiar with is Dollie. She referenced her along with "Dad" and "Papa". It was an old envelope that had been mailed from Rt. 1, Linnwood, Kansas. This is where Flonnie's parents died at. The envelope is just a bunch of dates, birth, death etc. She (?) writes that "Dad was born Jan 7, 1875 and died April 14, 1940, and Dollie was born Oct. 3, 1877 and died April 23, 1943. A small note inside the envelope said the Dad and Dollie married Feb 4, 1936. So must have been a late in life marriage??. Interesting, the note inside also said following the wedding date, "Size shoe 4 1/2 or 5 EE. Also said Mrs. Arch Merk was Maxie White and Mrs. Nellie Stan was Nellie Merks. The envelope was postmarked April 18, 1938 - but the dates written go as late as 1947 so perhaps: this envelope was there around 1948, so Flonnie just used it to record dates on. I would imagine paper was not plentiful (?) so she just used this old envelope? Or she started using it back in 1938, and continued using it as the years go by?? The envelope was addressed to the McCormick's in Center, CO.
I was so primed to work today, and when I didn't have to - well I have just sorta fiddled around all day. Vacumed, cooked - stuff like that. We don't really understand how this is all going to work, who pays who etc. There is several "companies" here in this family so I guess we will see how it all boils down!
We will load potatoes in pickup probably either Thursday or Friday to bring over. I have a lot of sacks ordered - the cost will cover the cost of the potatoes and part of the gas for the pickup. I had hoped to just take over bulk potatoes and have people bring their own boxes - but John and Tom felt it better if we sack them before we leave.
Yep, I am ready for home. I am ready to get back into my own life. Maybe I am feeling a bit of homesickness?? I miss my girls, I miss my grandkids.

Sunday in SLV

Sunday, and we had to go to the store. I thought about it this morning, we are working 6 days a week, are out in the "country", and certainly too tired to go to town during the week. I hope God understands - we really needed to go to town! I am also doing laundry, using Linda's fancy machine that use very little water, and think for themselves. You can't set or adjust water level, and to watch the washer (glass lid - locked lid) you wonder HOW it could clean, so little water. It aggitates a little (no aggitator) and seems to bubble water up from the bottom, sides and sometimes from the top. Quite the interesting equipment! So even though it's Sunday, I have to get these things done.
Snow on the mountains, both ranges, so hard to believe. I don't want winter to come again. I really dislike the cold. The fall over here has been so spectactular, just ideal. But it's about over, we will head back over the hill to warmer weather then come December 26 . . . maybe even head to warmer climates! We probably will be home in 2 weeks or less. Tom has a meeting he has to attend on the 16th, although he could run over for meeting and come right back. We will be going home this coming weekend - we will be bringing the "duelie" home. We have some things to take back to Fremont County! Going to get prices of taters and see how many want potatoes.

Saturday

Well, this week is done, working anyway! I have learned so much. Today as I sat in the potato cellar, stacking potatoes, my thoughts were with my dad who stacked potatoes high - in sacks - by hand. I sit in a chair (padded), using a remote control to guide the boom to put the potatoes where I needed them to go. I felt a unusual closeness to my dad. He must be close by me as I am doing what he always loved so dearly - playing with potatoes, dirt, dust, grease, flies, etc etc!!!
Now I am off to the showers, have a birthday party to go to tonight. It's for Braxton, son of Kris Asbell, son of Linda McCormick!

Friday Thoughts

As I lay in bed, I wonder if I can do this on my phone??? There are still many trucks going by - the farmers work long and hard to get harvest done.
We will probably have another week here at least. Sometimes I just want it to be over, and other times, I want it to last forever. I have learned so many things, and continue to learn daily. Thats a thrill for me!
We have to decide how many potatoes we want to take home with us because we can use their pickup if we want. We could take hundreds of lbs back with it - it's a 350 duelly (?) powerstroke capable of big loads!
Tomorrow is coming - I have to sleep!

Thoughts

As I prepare for the day, I find it amazing how very hard these people over here work this time of year. I know that harvest season only lasts a few weeks, but during those weeks, there is no other activites. Work all the time if you are not sleeping. Yes, it was that way when I was young and living on a farm, but I guess I thought 50-years later, like all things, this too would have changed. The way harvest is done is different only that it's larger, but it's still a race against winter. The crops are heavier, thicker, better and the equipment is bigger, faster and more expensive, but just as subject to breakdowns as the smaller, less efficient equipment was when I was young.
Such admiration I have for these people who grow our food, haul our food to markets, and even those governement guys who inspect every aspect of this process.
Yesterday, I ran the scales that weigh the trucks, several semi's waiting to get filled with potatoes to go to Amarillo, Texas and then back to do it again. Patiently waiting their turn to find out that there was a breakdown in the field and were being sent to another warehouse to fill up. They left, filled up, and will back up today for more. The owner of the farm out in the field trying to get the harvester going, knowing every minute is money. I can't imangine the stress. And the owner of the warehouses, having hired all these trucks, scrambling to find other sources to get those trucks filled to fullfill his obligation to Associated Grocers.
And today, we all go do it again!

My Blog

So here I go with a "Blog" - wonder where that word came from??? Sometimes I wonder about such stupid things. . . "Blog" is a fairly ugly word, don't you think? Blog, reminds me of a "Bog" - somewhere in a swamp, dark and damp. . .

I have not a clue where this will go - if anywhere. This is not something "I feel" I have time to do. But I do like the idea of sharing stories - Becky's are the best. So inspiring.

Tom and I are currently sitting in about the middle of the San Luis Valley - we are helping his cousin with harvest. It's really his cousins son, Tom's cousin is actually a potato broker, selling potatoes to all parts of the nation. Mostly Associated Grocers in Texas. He will load many many semi's daily with potatoes from all over the valley, for shipment south. The largest potato salad maker in the US receives all their potatoes from here, and through this broker - the brand name slips my memory. I have enjoyed my time here, learning about this "new" way of farming. Sure isn't what it was 50 years ago!

A funny thing happened the other day, I was telling Tom's cousin how I would love to be able to tell my dad how things have change in farming, (my dad's passion was farming - he dearly loved working the earth) and this thought came to me very strong - "the bigger the equipment, the bigger the problems"! Funny because dad really did feel that way, and as much as (I think) this new way of farming is incredible, he would probably say something such as that. I wonder if he is here with me, and was that his thought??!

Tom's family over here are such wonderful people. He has two first cousins here. As young people, we never spent much time with them, after Tom lost his dad in 1966, there seemed to be a separation of the families which is probably normal since his dad was the brother of his cousins dad. So it's only been the past few years that we have really got to know them. Now if I could just have a prayer answered that they would show some interest in the gospel. . .! His other first cousin lives in Gurnsey, Wyoming. For those familiar with the Pioneer Trail will know of Gurnsey. (They also have a neat golf course for those who golf!)

Today is another learning day for me - I am going to run the scales. (Where semi's weigh in and then weigh out after being loaded with all those taters.)
The other day I ran the piler - I was in this portion of a huge building (storehouse), and ran the end of a very long conveyor (with a boom on the end which I controlled with a remote control) that brought potatoes into this storehouse. Rather than storing potatoes in sacks, they store them in these huge buildings, with tubes running across the bottom that blows air through them to keep them at optimal condition until they are sold. This one part of this building holds 60,000 sacks - even though they no longer use "sacks", it's still used as a measurement with each sack weighing 100 pounds. So I ran this piler, piling potatoes up to a height of probably 30-40 feet. Dirty, dusty and felt it in my lungs at the end of the day. Found out why they all have bandannas around their necks! So anyway, the potatoes that are not directly loaded into semi's are stored in buildings like these.

So this is a "Blog" - my thoughts for the day. . . Have to go weigh all those trucks!