Monday, Aug 5, 2002

Hello again farmers. It's still morning here but later for most of you. We got some rain last night, I don't think very much, I should get a rain guage. A whole weather set up would be nice, we have such strong winds I've always wanted to be able to measure them.
We didn't get any hay yet because the bale wagon broke down. The bale wagon is a funny looking truck thing with half a cab, and a bale chute next to that. As it is driven through the field the chute picks up the bales, they slide into it endways, then mechanical arms and things make a double row of bales on a platform that then raises up and stacks several bales at a time against the rear of the truck. Row after row is added until there are about 68 on the load. Then that is backed into our hay shed, the whole load is raised up (like a dump truck bed) and set down very carefully on skids that were the rear end of the thing when it was out in the field picking up the bales. We add some brace poles to help steady the top of the load. Hydraulic pushers come out and hold the load in place while the truck drives out from under it, and we all hold our breath while the load settles. Now and then a bale or two fall off but usually they all stay put. All 4 1/2 tons of them. So no more picking up bales in the field and getting a backache!! The hay got a little rain on it last night but not enough to cause any problem, hopefully the sun will dry it out today and the bale wagon will be able to pick them up this evening.
Twelve pounds of brocolli are waiing to be processed for the freezer. They will be divided into meal size portions and frozen. I always grow too much so this year I'm giving more away. There is still some brocolli in the freezer from last year. This year the brocolli has almost no cabbage worms to pick off, I put the chopped up tops of the garlic around the plants so the cabbage moths must have been confused and unable to find the plants. That is something to remember for next year. They are also growing next to the tomatoes which have a strong smell so that might have helped too. Another thing to remember for next year's planting. The prevailing wind would have carried the smell of the tomatoes over the brocolli. That is probably important too.
After I get the brocolli processed I need to ride Breezy for a good hard workout. I get one at the same time.
Have a great day everyone, count your blessings.