Harvest's Done!

This month hasn't gone as predicted but all is well now.  We had our third snowfall this weekend and it looks like it's here to stay.  Harvest is finished...actually it's been 10 days of a much easier pace for the farmer but there are still things to be done.  This harvest was the most difficult ever because of mechanical breakdowns on the swather and combine but finally when there was a short window of time between snowstorms - after the grain had dried somewhat- two neighbours brought their combines and other equipment to help the farmer get his crop off before winter.  It was amazing to see 3 combines working until late at night racing to get the crop off but luck held out and it worked. It looks like this will be the last big harvest for the farmer.  he's waiting for a hip replacement next spring and everything was so much harder for him to do this year.  At this point he's reluctantly resigned himself to the fact that he needs to rent the land out so arrangements will be made and he hopes to keep active when the opportunity presents itself.  Perhaps the farmer he's renting to will need someone to help....in the meantime there's plenty to be done on the farm.  Grain needs to be hauled and the equipment will be serviced before being put to bed for the winter.  Here's a glimpse of harvest on the farm this fall....

When the ketchup can is empty he knows the nuts and bolts are back on the combine...

The endgate is closer than the workbench - less painful steps...

 
Finally enough wind to dry the wet fields -combining for just a few hours...

 Five days and a snowstorm later it was dry enough again but only for a day... so 4 men, 3 combines,
2 grain trucks, a grain hopper and 10 hours of combining into the night resulted in 120 acres of barley in the bin.

 Big Red is filled to the brim waiting to be unloaded...

It's not like the old days now...

 Since time was at a premium a new contraption augured the barley into a plastic tube which will keep the grain from spoiling until it's time to ship it to market.

 Harvest's almost over - thank goodness!

And then it snowed - no photos yet - I'm not at all happy about being surrounded by white.  I've got at least six months to get used to it so I'm in no rush!

Two For One

Today I thought I would share some of the photos that were created by superimposing pictures over others.  Sometimes I feel like experimenting and I was pleased with these results.  There are always lovely notecards to be seen at A Haven For Vee.  You might enjoy a visit there today.  Great inspiration and beautiful photography is always a treat!

Thanksgiving Week

Early Thanksgiving wishes to all my Canadian friends! My sister and her husband will arrive today and although they will leave before next weekend, harvest is underway and we will be bringing in the rest of the garden as the combine is picking up the barley and canola in the fields.  We'll have a harvest dinner tonight to celebrate and then another on Sunday.  Our son, daughter and two nephews will be here to enjoy the weekend.  One nephew has just moved to Alberta and another is on a road trip.  They're both from Vancouver Island so haven't experienced harvest.  We're really looking forward to having them here with us.  I'm so grateful for family, both near and far so this morning I'm counting my blessings. All the best to you and yours - Happy Thanksgiving!

Through My Windows

September has really been an amazing month - lots of sunshine and lovely warm days - harvest is continuing after a series of breakdowns on the swather.  The farmer is servicing the combine and with any luck harvest will continue as it should...tomorrow. The autumn leaves are as pretty as they can be and we haven't had enough wind to shake them loose. Our wall is not black - maybe the flash painted it  - or maybe I'd turned the flash off.

  The other day I took a series of pictures looking through our windows and thought about using them for a post.  The following morning I missed an amazing opportunity because as I walked out to the kitchen to put the coffee on I couldn't believe my eyes - there was a massive bull moose just 8 or 10 feet from our deck.  Of course I turned around - walking quickly down the hall because I knew my camera was beside the computer.  Seconds later it was turned on, the flash was off and I was ready to capture the moose and the moment - but the moose had disappeared.  Anyone who has seen a moose cross a field knows how fast they can travel.

  From now on I'll be leaving my camera handy for early morning wildlife sightings.  It was a missed opportunity and in hindsight I wish I'd just stood still and watched the ghost moose disappear.

Just picture this - our deck is about 8 feet above the ground and the moose was behind that skinny elm tree - his nose came to about the 4th rail over and his rump almost touched the corner of the rails behind the lounger...Got the picture?  Have a good weekend!