Hay Balin'

Among the many, many things needing to be done around the farm, one of the most important is putting up the hay - cutting it, raking it, baling it, picking it up in the field, stacking it in the barn...
It becomes an all around family affair to get the hay done, as we all pray for the rain to wait just till it's all inside the barn!

It's about 100 degrees, but as long as you work fast enough, you don't notice!
Yeah, right!

Everyone is hot, prickly, sweaty, and ready to be DONE!
To be completely honest, I wasn't home this day, so I did not experience it, but I heard plenty about it when I got back!

Jemima managed to paste a smile on for the picture!

Sun is setting... hurry, Sam! Let's get the last of the hay in!

Don't ask me who had the time to capture the moment in photographs...
but I suspect it was Liz or Ruth!

Year in Review, Part 12

Part of the Family Spent a LOT of Time in the Hayfield!

It seemed like Dad and the boys were cutting hay, raking hay, baling hay, or hauling hay nearly every day all summer! We had our own hayfields to cut, rented another farm with several hayfields, and cut hay for other people. (I say we; I didn't do much except provide transportation for some of the younger kids and deliver food and drinks to the field some days!) Since construction work was extremely scarce for Dad's business, we were all thankful for another opportunity to make some money, and especially one that the guys were all able to do together!

A picnic in the hayfield - Joanna being, ummm... I don't know... just her usual funny self!
Piggy back rides occurring in the background! : )

Sam and Liz are hot and tired, hoping that they can go home soon!
Throwing hay bales onto a trailer all day in Missouri August heat is not the most exciting job.