Golden heads of wheat waving in the wind...
Combining...
Weighing in at the scale house...
Earlier this year I was wondering what new/exciting/different things I should do this year before turning 40. Meanwhile in the back of my mind a well-hidden dream was waiting for fulfillment. The dream of helping with wheat harvest.
You see, as a child, I loved to go out for combine rides or play on the fully loaded grain trucks of wheat with my brother and sisters. A ride to the elevator with Dad, to dump the wheat, was extra special. Sometimes I even got a free bottle of pop - in a glass bottle!
And so with great excitement I started my first day at Miller Seed Farms. It was challenging with learning lots of new things but I had a patient instructor and by mid-afternoon I was weighing in trucks of grain.
The second day I left for Great Bend around 7 a.m. to pick up parts. Then I was sent to Hutch. It started with one stop but by the time I left the office 4 more had been added. First to Cooper Tire to drop of 2 tires for repair, then to Napa for an alternator, to Metro Automotive for a starter, to Murdock Supply for a 75' cable, to Reger Rental for a trash pump and back to Cooper for the restored tires.
The combines were slow getting started that morning so I still got in on a lot of weighing in after my other errands were done. And that's one of my favorite parts of the job. Inbetween loads you sit and chat with whoever happens to be around, catching up on local news or listen on the 2-way radios to friendly banter going on among other workers.
By the end of the second day I was really getting into things and I was only too happy to comply when the boss asked if I'd consider working Saturday. However, the rain put an end to those plans and I was honestly disappointed. It wasn't easy to switch gears from wheat harvest to mundane tasks like cleaning and laundry.
In case you haven't guessed, I love my new job! The hours aren't really that crazy. In fact, when I left at 7:30 p.m., I felt like a real slacker knowing the others were working till midnight. I have a great group of guys to work with and a good boss.
So hold on to those dreams - big or little - they may just come true when you least expect it.
Combining...
Weighing in at the scale house...
I've been doing things I've never done before, going places I've never been, driving strange vehicles, being "on call", keeping crazy hours and watching the weather with great concern. It all comes with the new job.
Earlier this year I was wondering what new/exciting/different things I should do this year before turning 40. Meanwhile in the back of my mind a well-hidden dream was waiting for fulfillment. The dream of helping with wheat harvest.
You see, as a child, I loved to go out for combine rides or play on the fully loaded grain trucks of wheat with my brother and sisters. A ride to the elevator with Dad, to dump the wheat, was extra special. Sometimes I even got a free bottle of pop - in a glass bottle!
And so with great excitement I started my first day at Miller Seed Farms. It was challenging with learning lots of new things but I had a patient instructor and by mid-afternoon I was weighing in trucks of grain.
The second day I left for Great Bend around 7 a.m. to pick up parts. Then I was sent to Hutch. It started with one stop but by the time I left the office 4 more had been added. First to Cooper Tire to drop of 2 tires for repair, then to Napa for an alternator, to Metro Automotive for a starter, to Murdock Supply for a 75' cable, to Reger Rental for a trash pump and back to Cooper for the restored tires.
The combines were slow getting started that morning so I still got in on a lot of weighing in after my other errands were done. And that's one of my favorite parts of the job. Inbetween loads you sit and chat with whoever happens to be around, catching up on local news or listen on the 2-way radios to friendly banter going on among other workers.
By the end of the second day I was really getting into things and I was only too happy to comply when the boss asked if I'd consider working Saturday. However, the rain put an end to those plans and I was honestly disappointed. It wasn't easy to switch gears from wheat harvest to mundane tasks like cleaning and laundry.
In case you haven't guessed, I love my new job! The hours aren't really that crazy. In fact, when I left at 7:30 p.m., I felt like a real slacker knowing the others were working till midnight. I have a great group of guys to work with and a good boss.
So hold on to those dreams - big or little - they may just come true when you least expect it.
