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Perspective: Rural Generosity

David Shankbone
/
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Grass hay in Falcon, Colorado

 

In early July, our hay field needed to be harvested. As farmers know, this is not an easy “cut-and-dried” process. You need at least four to five days without rain. First, a day to mow; then drying the hay; another day to “tedd” or turn it over; a fourth day to rake into large rows – and, if dry enough, to bail it into 50 pound rectangular bales.

 

Needing additional help to unload and stack the bales in the barn, I calculated when to ask some guys to come. But text replies indicated no one available. Chris, a friend, my husband, John, and I would have to manage.

 

Backing a wagon with about 150 bales into our barn, John climbed up and began throwing down some bales. Grasping the twine, I handed these off to Chris who stacked them into tight rows. But, as the temperature rose, we started really slowing down. About that time, Scott, a neighbor who had arranged to purchase some of our hay, came to the barn with his teenage son after stacking his bales unto their flat bed. Also, Chauncey Jr., the son of our hay partner, who had just finished the baling came over. Could we use help? Whew!

 

We experienced the rural generosity of neighbors who help one another across generations. Working faster, we filled one side of the barn up to the ceiling with hay for the coming winter months! Keep it up, rural America!

 

I’m Connie Seraphine, and that is my summer perspective.

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