The distracted employee...

Of all the diversions of life,

there is none so proper to fill up its empty spaces

as the reading of useful and entertaining authors.

                   Joseph Addison

I am pretty sure we all have heard that saying, "It’s hard to get good help these days." No one knows that better than a certain farmer I know, as far as my help goes. Yes that would be my husband, (My Hero). After this story, you will understand that title, and how he has truly earned it over the years.

It is early Saturday morning and we are standing in the barnyard. “Did you know you were driving around on a flat?” I look down to a flattened wheel on the back of the hay rake. There is no denying that, yes indeed it appears I had been. “Nope, maybe it happened when I hit the tree.” This, was when My Hero turned to look at me, and not the tire. It was that familiar puzzled look, while searching for just the right words to say. Unfortunately, he has become used to these little incidents over the years. We have developed a mutual understanding. I will not deny it. He in turn, will fix it.

“No, that can’t be it. The tree was on the other side of the rake.” There’s that same look again, as he stands there silent. “It was a fairly small tree, it came out of nowhere.” That look again has me wondering what he is really thinking. Finally the silence is broken, “That would explain all those bent teeth.” I smile, “Probably, do we have any extras?” “Yes, but I think these will be the last three.” I do know what that really means. We have gone through twelve teeth since I picked them up at the Co-op, during the last haying season. He, in his subtle way, is reminding me that with every little incident, it takes away our valuable time and can be expensive. I look up to the sky. The storm clouds are once again gathering. I know I should be out raking, so he can bale that other field that is almost dry. But here he is, once again fixing something.

In my defense, yesterday was a very busy day. I was raking the field that I had planned to bale later in the afternoon. I was also planning the rest of my day between those two jobs as I drove. I am positive I am not the only one. This farmwife job can be a bit tricky at times. Mind games filled with things consisting of, have to do’s, should have done’s and watch what you are doing. Most times I do pretty well with all the jumbled thoughts but sometimes they get the best of me, or at the very least the piece of equipment I am operating at the time.

Before you get all excited and start writing me, about how dangerous the farming workplace can be. Do know that I do not condone daydreaming in such a dangerous job. Sometimes you get so comfortable in your job and stop thinking for just a moment, and that is all it takes, things happen. I am sure most of you at one time or another have drove your cars to work and wondered how the drive was, automatic pilot, is what it is called.

That day, the seagulls were flying then diving down to scoop up the fat mice that scampered. The tasty morsels were trying to escape and hide after the hay was turned over, exposing them. I watched this play over and over again as I sang a song in my head. Putting my thoughts into song helps me to remember what needs to be done.

"Salt for cows,

 milk, butter, and cheese.

Stop at Canadian Tire,

 I forget why, phone him again.

Pick up the parcel at the post office.

 and remember a birthday card.

Put something in the crockpot,

  before you leave.

Hurry, hurry much to do,

 get this hay raked.

The sun it is shining,

 but the house needs vacuuming.

The furniture needs dusting,

  and the laundry is a piling up.

 Wish I had a pen,

 this would make a great story.

Oh what a beautiful Blue Heron,

 taking off from the pond.

Watch the fence…… bang,

 darn tree.

Not too much damage maybe he won’t notice

 get this hay raked

Don’t forget the salt for the cows."

I think this song explains where my head was at, at the time. Could you see this being a hit? To all those other farmwomen driving around in circles out there, be safe and watch those trees, they are tricky.

“All fixed”, My Hero pipes up. “Thank you, are those rain clouds?”  Bale count 152.

Later