Though this man  is no one you likely know I bet you know some farmers that feel like this about this time of year.   Now mind you, i have never known any guys  to actually lay down for a nap like this, but i am certain many have felt like this.

I would however, lay money that some of our agriculture boys come home, inhale their dinner and then  assume the couch position aimlessly staring at the Discovery Channel or ESPN.

  Though clamoring  and small explosions may go on around him, the world thinks he is engrossed in the racket coming from the TV.   Daddy, Daddy--Is your brain turning to mush?  one  of the kids scream, the dog barks and chases his tail right in front of him, the cat  proceeds to sharpen  her claws on the arm of the couch.  The other child theorizes approximately 5 inches from his year: "I think Daddy forgot to take out his earplugs."  The wife beckons:  " _____ insert name, ______insert name again____louder, Hey, who is winning?"  Blank stare.  "The baseball game"  He replies, "Huh? Not sure."  

Rather than roll our eyes and/or throw something (as I have occasionally be tempted to do), I would recommend a little grace, for a whole bunch of reasons.  :)   Our guys  are bringing in their crops.  The ones they have been planning for over a year and growing for the last 6-8 months.  Prices may or may not be their friend, yields may or may not be their friend.  But you know what?  We are their friend...we appreciate them regardless of this year's crop. 

They deserve our unconditional love and support, they gave farming their all once again.    Happy Farmer's Day! 

My  five year old son woke up before the alarm went off which is particularly unusual.....as I am getting dressed, i see him running up the stairs with my phone in hand muttering something about "still being nighttime".  As I hit the stairs, he greets me with a photo on my phone and emphatically says---SEE MOM, it is not time to get up because it's not daytime yet.     I proceeded to explain to him that the photo  he had snapped (above) was the sun RISING, as opposed to the sun SETTING--the difference between East and West, etc.  He continues to rationalize with me that it is night time  that is why daddy's pickup isn't in the driveway (when actually he is gone hunting) and that it is MOMMY that is confused, not him.   

About that time, seven year old gets up and  in typical big sister fashion chimes in with her non-stop morning happy chatter.  When it's fall, days get shorter, buddy...... its almost fall and that means Halloween is coming, remember mommy ordered your costume....and speaking of costumes (she) doesn't want to wear a wig..... today's lunch is  mozzarella bread sticks.....and the sun is raising over the corn....remember when we had our picture taken in the cornstalks....boy cornstalks sure are itchy....what is that stuff called on the top of corn again--cotton, silk, polyester? 

At this point, I decide to just wander in the kitchen and start making breakfast, as my lesson about seasons certainly can't pervade the chatter.  My son, resolved to the fact walks begrudgingly downstairs cupping his hand beneath his arm pit and making  "tooting sounds" the whole time down the stairs........

Yep....its another great day on the farm.

Tis the season.... for the ag professionals day to be longer and their tempers to be a bit shorter.

Every year the anticipation is the same.  Though it may be  verbalized differently,  The following conversations are likely similar among every farmer (on their cell phone at the dinner table):
- How's  the crop look?
- Will prices be decent?
-  I know it's broken, when  will  it be fixed
-Dang I am tired!

The silent worries are likely the same too:
Keep the guys safe
Keep the crew happy
Keep the family happy 
Keep the bank happy

It is a pressure that few outside the industry understand.  I say this in confession, 10 years ago I had no idea what an admirable and noble profession farming was.  These folks work in many ways to optimize their product.  Successful farmers  dedicate full time plus hours 24/7,  they use innovative technology and try to stay on the cutting edge with chemicals and technology,   they do their best to apply intellect, strategy and tenacity--not just for that day or season,  but for  next year's crop and beyond.   As if that pressure isn't enough, all that can be done exceptionally well, yet factors out of their control (weather, demand or other factors) can be huge setbacks.  Phew...makes a desk job look like a real vacation, eh?

Another reason to honor and admire those hard working farm guys and gals that you know.  I know I sure do!   It's an honor to work amongst them.

Oh yeah...and give them some slack when they want to go elk hunting for 2 weeks in November.