A Day of Harvest, In Photos

This long Labor Day Weekend, we have finally been at full throttle for harvest. I think it feels good to everyone to get in some long days of cutting wheat, but it also feels good to everyone to see the finish line. Assuming everything continues to run smoothly today and tomorrow, we should be wrapped up in the next couple of days.

It has been so great to have the help of Stephanie (aka Stennie) and of our other good family friend, Brett. Stennie has been driving truck like a boss, as they say, and Brett's been running a second combine for us through this final push. I shudder to imagine how much wheat we would still have standing in the field if it weren't for the help of these two. Most of all, it's just great to have them both around. Both are positive, smiling people who work hard and are just fun to have around. If either of you read this, and in case I've been bad about telling you in person (which is certainly possible!)-- THANK YOU!!

This weekend, we also had Katie and Josh around for a visit to the farm. Josh also helped quite a bit yesterday by driving truck in the field. Harvest was the picture of efficiency yesterday with the addition of Josh behind the wheel in the blue truck. I love that the two of them like to come up and visit the farm and hope that it continues to remain a special place to them as we transition from Tom and Carol owning and managing, to me and Jeff.

With everyone around to help yesterday, and with cutting happening pretty close to the house, I was able to spend plenty of time outdoors and took A LOT of photos on my phone. The rest of this post is A Day of Harvest, In Photos. Enjoy!

By the Light of the Moon

Stephanie, emptying a truck by moonlight and tractor lights a few nights ago. 

Saw this dead partial-snake in the road about a half mile north of our house.
Was he a rattler? Or a Bullsnake? 

Servicing the combine for the day. Getting ready to roll!

Stennie and Josh.

Anyone else think the Gleaner looks like something from Star Wars?
That little door is where the Droids come out from... 

Three trucks, awaiting drivers.
Harvey, awaiting something to emerge from a hole in the ground... 

Harvey does NOT like to be left behind when any vehicle starts up.

Jeff, with his sister Katie riding along. Cutting wheat. 

Tom and Carol's farm yard in the background.

Just can't get over how beautiful the sky and clouds have been lately.
Can you spot Harvey? 

Love the view from this field. 

Bluebird Day for Cutting Wheat!

View from inside the combine. I rode a few rounds with Jeff. 

Sweetgrass Hills in the background.
Could not have been a better day! 

Our Harvest Moon

The moon was full Saturday night, rising amber through the evening sky.  With wheat dust filling the air from combines humming across the north country, one would hasten to label this honey hued orb rising through a sultry haze a Harvest Moon.

In fact, this is the Sturgeon Moon.  Native Americans and the Farmers Almanac name each full moon largely in relation to whichever food source is abundant.  In August, the foodsource is usually sturgeon in our lakes and streams.  Harvest moon is technically whichever full moon should occur closest to the autumnal equinox, which this year will fall on September 23.

I suppose if Native Americans named their moons after foodsources, it is appropriate to call this most recent full moon a Harvest Moon for us.  After all, wheat is a major foodsource for the world.  Each single grain planted will produce many kernels, harvested to share.  

I can't think of a Harvest Moon without hearing in my mind the Neil Young song of the same name.  One of my favorite songs.  "Just like children sleepin', we could dream this night away."