by Naomi
Jetmore, Ks

September 1, 2000

It was up and at it as usual today with Danny feeding cattle and checking new cattle. We have a feedlot and are just starting to get in the cattle for the winter. A cattle buyer buys cattle for us and sends them out on a cattle truck.

Danny was also unloading milo a neighbor was delivering to us. We store the grain in granaries and feed it with silage to the cattle in the winter.

I do the usual watering of plants and feeding of pets – fish, cats, and dogs. This morning, I made several phone calls while whipping up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and then packed our lunches.

Charlie came out with his hours (this is payday) and helped with the cattle and getting the trucks and silage cutter ready. He said he had spent too much time on the tractor and his shoulder was hurting so he wouldn’t be able to pack the silage today.

I went over and cleaned the trucks, blowing the silage out of the cab of my truck and cleaning windshields. We got started cutting silage about 11 a.m. today.

The air-conditioner on my truck quit yesterday. I was told that, as soon as the repairman from town came out, my truck could have Freon and I would be cool. Several loads later, he arrived to deliver fuel and Freon. Unfortunately, that didn’t solve the problem and I would work the rest of the day without the air conditioner. I was sure glad this was the last day for silage cutting. If everything went well and we didn’t have a major breakdown, we would finish cutting the 130 acres we had started 3 days ago.

Since we were short of help today, Steve, our son, had to push up and pack the silage; he switched back and forth between tractors to do whatever needed done.

After 17 loads for me, 48 total loads for the day, at about 7 p.m., we finally pulled out of the field. Twelve rows were left standing. These will be chopped a load at a time as new cattle arrive. The fresh silage helps them get off to a good start.

Kay, Steve’s fiancée, came by after work and arrived just about the time we were finishing up. I think everybody was glad to be through.

Tonight, I spent some time going through my Mary Kay order and putting it up. I also had a chance to look at the new fall products that had arrived yesterday.

Even though tomorrow is Saturday, Saturdays aren’t much different from the rest of the week. There will still be the morning chores to do, plus cattle to feed and check.