Hay, Straw and a Heat Wave...

Jim says that the week that the barley is combined is always the hottest week of the summer, and this year is no exception!

But first, there was hay to unload.  Jim's in the middle of 2nd cutting of hay this week, and with no rain in sight for several days, he was able to get several wagon loads of dry hay.  We pulled a small crew together and they got it unloaded this morning.  Oh boy, was it ever hot! I think the temperatures were close to 100% today.  Yuck.

Just a few short weeks ago, this mow was completely empty, and housed a puppy kennel for the chilly nights (which are but a distant memory)...

We'll see how full this mow gets this summer.  It's not quite at the half way mark yet.  I climbed up the elevator for a different perspective.

The crumbs left in the wagon got shoveled into the hay racks in the meadow, for an evening snack for the cows.  That's the first place they go when they're left out of the barn for the night...and if there's nothing in the racks for them, do we ever hear about it!

Then it was time to head over to the barley field.  Those windrows of straw are what was left behind by the combine...

Jim started baling around lunch time, but the straw was still a little tough, so he stopped and waited a few hours to try again. It was nicer (drier) by then, but still not as nice as he would have liked, so he left the rest lay for another day.

I'm glad today is almost over, and right now, I'm thankful for a shower, clean clothes, and for the cool breeze blowing in the window beside me.

The Progression of a Barley Field...

Just for fun, I've taken a picture weekly for the past few weeks, of our barley field.  It's fascinating to watch how it's turning from green...

May 22, 2016

...to a little less green...

May 30, 2016

...to almost golden...in just a few short weeks!

June 6, 2016

We'll soon be baling straw!

I have to tell you a story about something that happened to this barley field over the weekend...

It was Saturday evening, and we had just finished up the barn work and were getting ready for supper, when a neighbor pulled in our driveway. He lives next to this barley field that we rent.  He told us that there were several cars pulled off the road next to the field, and people were tromping through the field, stomping down the barley, taking videos and setting up lawn chairs.  What?!!  When confronted, the young people said that the police had already been there, and that they had permission to be in the field.  What?!!  When someone told them that they shouldn't be in the field...that they would damage the grain, they replied "there's so much there that it won't matter!"  What?!!

Of course when we got there, they were back along the road, with their big expensive looking camera and denied that they'd ever been in the field. What?!!  By now, several neighboring families were out in their driveways watching things unfold, and the young folks hopped in their cars and left. What were they thinking?!!  I know I should give them grace...and they did leave without doing any more damage, but I'm still shaking my head in disbelief, trying to understand.

We have wonderful neighbors, and it's reassuring to know that we look out for each other!

Friday's Hunt...

This week for Friday's Hunt, the prompts are...

"In the Morning"...

The morning sunlight (yes...sunlight!!) shining on the barley field is beautiful...

"Week's favorite"...

This close up of the barley heads is my favorite this week...

...and "starts with U"...

Jenna plays in the  Lancaster Youth Symphony Orchestra, and they had a concert on Friday evening underneath the awning at a park in Lancaster.  It was a beautiful evening...no rain !!...and they did a fantastic job.  The season is now finished.  I'm glad that she'll have some more free time now that the practices are over, but it's been a great experience...

It's been a crazy week once again!  If I don't get around to visiting as many blogs as usual, please bear with me!

Fall 2015...

My camera and I took a walk this afternoon...

My camera can't do the leaves justice...they're so much brighter than they look here.  I think the bright yellows (which I have no pictures of) and the bright red/oranges are my favorites.  And oh, don't forget the dark reds.

Last weekend my sister and I traveled to a cross country meet about one hour north of here, and the drive was spectacular!  I'm so glad to live where we see the change of seasons.  Every year, without fail, we see God's beauty!

Yesterday's rain, along with the wind that has continued today, has brought a lot of the leaves to the ground...

Jim no longer picks corn, so an Amish neighbor asked if he could use our corn crib for a few loads of his corn.  He'll sell it later out of the crib.  It's nice to see it in use again...

The barley that Jim seeded is growing nicely...

And last but not least, my shadow, Murphy, followed me everywhere this afternoon.  When I went to visit a neighbor, she patiently waited for me along the edge of the soybean field...

What a loyal friend!

Barley...

Isn't it amazing what happens in just a few months time!

From this...planting barley...October 2011...

Coming up a few days later...

 Just starting to green up...a few inches high...late winter, early spring 2012...

To this...May 2012...

What is that in the field?

Oh...it's just Murphy and Snickers, having a blast.  They have so much fun chasing each other around in the field...

Before we know it, it'll be June, and we'll be combining barley and then baling straw.

Then what ever will the dogs find to do?  Oh yes, that's right...they'll chase cats and dig holes in the yard or lay in front of the big fans in the barn.  They have quite the life!  :)