Photo Drop: The Farm

Time to write is fleeting lately. It seems as if I’ve said all I’ve needed to say about the less recent past and am now living in the present. But as I sit on this auto-steer driven tractor, I reflect on the last few months and my new found productivity. I’ve been told I’ve likely accomplished more in the last few months [at the farm] than I have in the last few years. I wouldn’t doubt it. Here’s photo evidence in (mostly) chronological order from May 14 to August 17.

My initial cleaning of the shop. In one of my recent posts, I included photos of what it used to look like.

Planting milo.

Wheat harvest, green combine and semi were my jobs. I truly appreciate the help my Dad and Uncle provided.

During rainy harvest lulls, my uncle and I replaced the floor of the stock trailer. Cattle in my future? Likely.

Cleaned out and reorganized all shop drawers. Also added liners.

One of the milo stands on July 2. These are likely the straightest rows I’ve ever planted. For whatever reason, I felt like taking the time to adjust the auto steer settings. I must’ve been content with bare minimum effort before giving up alcohol.

Taught myself how to stick weld. These were practice beads on an old piece of iron.

My first welding creation. The seat is from an old horse drawn implement, the base is a rotary hoe wheel, and the foot rest is an old vise handle.

Cleaned out the garage. The other side will be clean once we put out deer feeders.

Undercutting all the summer fallow ground. These will go into hard red winter wheat this fall.

This is a Donahue trailer I got so I could park my planter in the shed. This particular one came from a John Deere dealer as it’s painted green and yellow and has the dealer’s name painted on the side. Maybe from the 70’s? It disconnects at the axle and slides forward to lay flat on the ground. An implement too big for a shed can then be parked on it long ways. Here are the restoration photos below.

Old bridge planks removed and ready for welding.

Fresh coat of John Deere green and yellow paint. And adding new bridge planks, they were like 50lbs apiece… bleh.

Stained the new wood with used oil/diesel fuel after drilling and bolting down.

Last but not least, new decals on either side!

Installed a new exhaust and manifold on the Ford 8N tractor. The old manifold was cracked.

Also installed a metal screen between the radiator and grill to keep brush from collecting on the radiator fins.

Organized the Montezuma “field” toolbox.

Cleaned out the ranger shed. Someone (me) decided to store some milo seed in it a couple years ago, and mice had taken over. You should’ve seen it.

Repainted the W on the shop.

I finally got tired of not having power in the shop, so took matters into my own hands. Borrowed the trencher from a second cousin and got to it. This entire job I’m proud to say I did by myself. 110ft of trench, 6ga wire and conduit.

Replaced the old fluorescents with LED’s from Harbor Freight.

First thing I did after getting power was fill this fridge.

And put in a coffee maker.

New evaporative cooler and multi function welder. Too much power for one man to handle!!

The Milo finally started pushing heads after a much needed rain. Month of June was dry and caused some to stall out.

Burned the brush pile after 1.73” of rain the night before.

Replaced 8 broken windows from hail.

Of course I had to get Internet in the shop. I’d have to go in the house every time I needed to use the Internet, which would really slow my work momentum.

And wall mounted a TV.

Unfortunately, I had to bury Screen (the cat) this morning. He passed overnight after succumbing to the neurological effects of Bromethalin, a common ingredient in mouse poison. I took him to the vet a few days prior and had them try their best until he gave up on his own. He lived a relatively long life for a farm cat, and I’m grateful for the impact he made on the farm and my life. He will be missed.

Today as I do field work, I’m reminded that as I take care of the farm, it takes care of me back. And for that I’m thankful. Without such an energy outlet, I know where my mind strays.

Anyway, I’m sure there’s photos I missed but I’m about to call it a day on this tractor. On to the next thing. Until next time, thanks for reading.