Claude, Texas - Thoughts of how I was going to write this blog post have been swirling in my head for several days.Harvest 2017 is still very young. Most of the custom harvesters were on the road and in the fields by the end of May – just barely a month ago. However, before we even left home, we began to see a glimpse of what we might be up against. The three major variables that I am thinking about are low wheat acres (smallest on record since 1919), low commodity prices and the weather.

Claude, Texas - Good grief! We go from not sure what to do next to full speed ahead! We just completed our sixth consecutive day of being in the field (06/15). Last night, I had a few things to catch up on - one being bills that needed to be paid. I had to look at my phone to see what the date was. My brain did this weird little thing when I saw it was the 14th. I felt like I had completely lost a day (or two). It was the strangest feeling. You see, when we're out here doing

Claude, Texas - After all the pre-harvest preparations, details taken care of and tears shed, we can finally say we joined the #harvest17 party today (6/10). We woke up to a heavy fog again this morning and very cool temps. But, the weatherman had been warning us of the impending heat and wind. It had been decided the night before we would get up early and move our equipment to a 400-acre field west of our current headquarters. By the time we made the move and had everything situated, we hoped the field would be ready to sample. 

Claude, Texas - We've made two test cuts within the past couple of days (6/8 and 6/9). The first result was 20 percent and the second (which was just Thursday) was 17.2 percent. It was 60 degrees this morning. Needless to say, I grabbed the sweatshirt as I headed down the steps to make our morning coffee. Great conditions for humans living in a trailer house but not good wheat cutting weather! Jim's been tinkering on trucks and the Yellow Beast - mostly just to stay busy (I think), but I know there were some things he put off at home

Claude, Texas - We made it! It's always a good feeling after you've worked so hard to get to the point of driving out of the yard and pointing the trucks south. The transition of "home, home" and harvest has been solidified, and there's no going back. The feeling of arriving at your destination, however, is even better! This is especially true if you made it there with little to no issues. We had no issues. Oh...wait...I'm wrong. There was one wheel seal on the Pete that started leaking. Jim noticed it on Monday morning just as we were getting

Manley, Nebraska - I have sort of a surreal feeling this morning. It's the last full day of being "home, home." Home, home...wondering where that phrase came from? It's something the girls started years ago. When they talked about "home," it was the trailer house. When they talked about "home, home," it was Manley. It's stuck. And what's even more interesting...I hear other harvesters refer to their homes in the same way. That's weird, but it works. Now you know.I was laying in bed this morning trying to take in all the noise that Callie was creating. She was up early

Manley, Nebraska - The preparations have been ongoing for quite some time. The talk about harvest and when we'll be leaving has been happening for more than a month. I've often thought about creating a sign and start wearing it every day about the first of April. What would this sign say? It would say..."I don't know when we're leaving". Maybe I should just create a t-shirt! So, THINKING about harvest and DOING harvest are two different things...two different worlds. 

Manley, Nebraska - It's Harvest Time...NOT harvest time.I was laying in bed the other morning and almost got a bit giddy thinking about harvest. This was not because we'll be escaping home or because of the adventures we're surely going to experience or because of the first swath made, marking the beginning of harvest 2017. Nope, it was the idea of escaping the clock and the schedules of home. This is THE most difficult part about coming home in the fall. Most people haven't a clue what the heck I'm even talking about (and this is unfortunate).

Manley, Nebraska - The old cliche' holds true...the older you get, the faster time goes. Jim and I have had numerous discussions regarding this thought. He doesn't agree with me and for that, I'm jealous. I am one that wants to hold onto the special events as long as I can and then try to recall every minute of it somewhere down the road. The years seem to zoom by and when I say, "I can't believe it's been 30 years ago that happened" - he'll say, "it seems that long ago". Maybe he's just denying the fact. Maybe he's

Manley, Nebraska - It really does feel like it was all just a dream. I believe when we're in the moment, we just can't fully absorb everything that is given to you at the time. I believe this is true with anything you're doing, especially the moments that really mean a lot to you. Oh, don't get me wrong...there's A LOT of harvest that I would just as soon never have to remember again! But, for the most part, it's what I love, it's what I know, it's what grew a strong family and EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. I go through this same