You might think fall is here and things should be winding down on the farm. You’d picture peaceful mornings, quiet fields, and slower days. And sure, it’s like that sometimes. But today, I’d like to invite you into my life—and let’s just say, calm doesn’t exactly capture it.
There I was this morning, grabbing a quick on-the-go snack—an orange. I had it about half peeled when it hit me: Do I really have time for this? I looked down at the orange and thought, Is the vitamin C worth the precious seconds I’m about to spend finishing the job? I could leave it for later… But then again, who leaves a half-peeled orange just sitting around? Just finish it, Rod.
But there I was, actually debating with myself over an orange, wondering if it was worth the time to peel it. And that sums up my mental state today—caught up in what feels like a non-stop race against the clock, where even finishing a snack seems like a decision to weigh carefully.
The rest of my to-do list is the cause of my concern. I’ve still got a field that needs plowing and a cover crop to plant before winter sets in. There’s a group of ewes overdue to be sorted and moved for mating with the rams, or we’ll end up with lambs arriving right in the middle of spring planting—an adventure I’d rather avoid. The rams need a new water bowl installed before it gets too cold, since pouring cement is not a task for freezing temperatures.
And then there’s the barn, which needs a solid cleaning before lambing season in late November. But the ewes need ultrasounds first, so we even know if lambs are coming. And if they are, they should already be on a high-energy diet—another urgent task on my plate.
But hey, at least I’ve got one victory under my belt. Thanks to everyone’s support last week, and with a little help from Ezdon, the combine is officially cleaned and put away for winter. One big job I can cross off the list, at least!
So, if you imagined farm life this time of year as peaceful, I can assure you it’s a little less like a Hallmark movie and more like a circus around here. But honestly, knowing you’re all along for the ride makes all the difference—and keeps me going through even the busiest days.
Farmer Rod