Ten days ago I returned from my first peek at the family farm. My Daddy has dreamed of being a farmer since leaving farming over 30 years ago. This month, 38 acers of wine grapes were planted next to the circle of what will soon be cotton (again this year) and my sister and her husband's ten acres of chilies. My very first glimpe of the farm was a circle pivot watering the newly planted chilies. The green stalkes are winter wheat planted for the sole reason of keeping the soil from blowing away.
We drove around the grape planting (more on this later,) over the berm (a sandy hill with a chunk missing,) and came upon the barn.
The beautiful red barn. I'm SO glad it's red, I think all barns should be red. Newly constructed and a DELIGHTFUL wind break, lunch spot, shade from the sun, breeze catcher, and party room all in one. It's a great barn.
Parked just outside the barn, I saw my grandfather's (Carl (Papa) Day) red truck. I knew Daddy had brought it over from Roswell but I hadn't seen this truck in over 20 years. It was brand spanking new in 1985, purchased just before the oil embargoes.
Papa drove my sister and I around the ranch in this pickup when we were little. I remember sitting (bouncing) between he and my Dad. The three of us driving across the field, bumping my knees against the two gear shifts. The bench seat is wearing a new but identical seat blanket. It even smells the same! Dusty, old vinal, and work truck. You'll have to trust me-there's a smell, a good smell. Not an oder-or a stink, just a distinctive aroma. Similar but differnt than an oldtime hardware store smell. Seeing it made me smile. Made me feel like Papa was there, blessing the farm. That he is happy for my Daddy, and so very proud of him. A lot of emotion for a red Ford truck, with several pounds of dust inside and a rusted bed.
After the emotional rollarcoaster of Papa's truck, I met Mae and later Big John. The two tractors that live at the farm and "do all the work." Mae is an antique International tractor very simiar one to on the farm in my memory (the one Papa farmed.) I think there are pictures of me riding in the cab with Daddy somewthere. The green tractor is "Big John" a newer, perhaps crakier, John Deer monster with an amazing turning radius. You have to see it in action to understand.
I discovered a section of land is HUGE. It's not describeable or proportional to life in the city. Our homes today are mostly built on 1 acre of land (or a fraction thereof.) The farm is a section. A mile square. 680 acres. And it has LOTS of differnet personality:
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This area in west Texas is called "Big Sky" country for a reason. Pictured from left to right, top to bottom: Thunderclouds rolling in, the stillness of weeds (no breeze for a few seconds,) the view from the barn to the southwest, and a tree in the meadow (what we are calling the protected wetlands.) Who knew that dry, arid country had wetlands??
In the very center of the farm is an area currently called "high trees." To me it's proof that the city people have arrived. Who else would put up a solar panel and satalite dish for internet before planting any crops?
There are LOTS of sweet little nests and birds singing here. The trees form an enchanded garden that I am convinced will sprout faries and friends at any moment. And behind the sand dune, cleverly hidden is the technology. Yes, I am a city girl and am SO thankful for my internet 🙂
The farm is a magical place. I'm so thankful I got to go and see and spend several days absorbing. Soaking it in without little people to care for or watch. I'm so proud of my Daddy for working to make his dream come true! I can only hope and pray that he continues to teach and lead by example and that I pay enough attention!! And that my children are inspried by him too.
Thank you Father for showering your blessings on us, may we be good stewards of your land and blessings.
