Nose To The Grindstone

There is a saying that runs through my mind often. It was uttered by Sr. Evangelist, O.S.B., who has long since passed. But back in the days of my youth when I was an altar boy, she was part of the Sacristan tag team – along with Sr. Techla – that kept us hooligans in order.

Now I will say, apologies as I can’t find the original publication where I came across this statement so I cannot guarantee that is the exact quote. However I do recall clearly the sentiment being there.

It is this attitude, this point of view and work ethos that I’m quite certain has been the undercurrent my entire adult life. Have I given up on projects or “thrown in the towel” at various times in my life? Most certainly. I doubt anyone would consider me the hardest worker they’ve ever met.

But I can be tenacious and unrelenting in certain circumstances, and preserving what I consider to be a most beautiful family history and the piece of land we’ve been fortunate to call our own would be such a circumstance. And I’ll admit it, as a fan of Yellowstone, I “get” the passion to hold onto something you and your family have worked and cared for over generations. Don’t worry…we’ve never sent anyone to the train station – let’s just clear that up right away.

Long story short…2022 was a good year for us with our best harvest to date, however as always it came with struggles; large yard will need replanted in 2023, struggling to keep up with the weeding and cultivation, wrong equipment for the jobs that need done, etc. But as my Mom would say, “no sense crying about it” as truly there isn’t. We keep our eyes out for used equipment that while not specifically suited for the task, can be retrofitted and made to work.

We’re not adverse to work, not by any means – we’re adverse to inefficiency, wasted time, projects not getting completed due to the lack of hours of the day and hands in the fields. But in the end – what Farmer isn’t?