What hard work, and the memories of it lasted forever. So many people in their 90s that I knew had grown up working hard on farms. In the end, I think the hard labor back then somehow gave them a lomger lease on life, in more ways than one.
Yes, I think you are right. My grandparents lived to their 90s, my mom was 97. Hard labor builds strong bones. A completely different era and way of life. Our days are so easy by comparison. I imagine you have farm stories in your family as well.
Thank you, Rebecca. Those Dakota farmers were hardy stock. They worked so hard - and most of them lived to a nice old age. Mama said, "It was a normal life, the only life we knew. All the other families had to do the same." I wonder if farm kids still work hard like that or if it is mostly mechanized?
Farmers still work that hard. And have the extra worries of mega farms changing the crops and taking the markets. Dads with grown sons and grandsons work the fields around me. Still have communal hay cutters on schedule... whether its raining or not. Scarey stuff.
Mom looks exhausted. All the raising of the children, veg garden, the animals... chickens, horses, likely cows... dog? cats?.... field work, feeding extra workers. Gads! It sounds like she hardly ever sat down. That's a LOT of flour and farina. That's a LOT of baking!! DAng I'm spoiled.
Every time I am whining about scrubbing the shower or pulling weeds from 80 sq. ft. of garden, I think of Mom's family and the work they did to survive and I shut up. We have it so easy. If I want bread, I drive to the bakery...
You were so fortunate that Mom shared those stories with you and we are very fortunate that you are sharing them us - a glimpse into life at another time.
Thank you, Janice. I wish I could have written them before she died. It would have meant so much to her to know I remember her stories. Maybe she is reading over my shoulder.
Thank you, Scott. She left me with a lot of stories that really put my own life into perspective. Man! They had to really toil to survive. I sit here in my chair and peck out a few words... I guess they would be happy for me. I am waiting for your next piece of fiction.
So true. We all get so caught up in our own little dramas and it is good to be reminded how little they really are. The next episode is about surviving the horrendous Dakota winters. Brrrrr. Makes me shiver just to type it! BTW I have my next 50-word on fresh starts nearly done. hah! Not many fresh starts available at my age,
What a great story, so glad you captured it for posterity! My grandfather rode his motorcycle out west and told stories about working in those Dakota wheat fields. There was an old thresher on the farm I worked on when I was a kid. The farmer decided we would cut it up for scrap. But the cutting torch set the thing ablaze, and it was right next to the barn! With the flames quickly growing higher, he backed up a tractor and we took a chain around the front tongue, hooking it up to the tractor. He towed it as far away from the barn as he could before the roaring blaze threatened to roast him and the tractor. Wow. We watched it burn. The next day we hauled all that scrap iron to the junkyard. He must have got a pretty penny for it because he bought me a milk shake on the way back to the farm.
Ha ha ha! Great story. Exciting. You need to write this one up and post it David! That memory is truly burned into your brain. I'll bet you told it to your kids as a cautionary tale.
What hard work, and the memories of it lasted forever. So many people in their 90s that I knew had grown up working hard on farms. In the end, I think the hard labor back then somehow gave them a lomger lease on life, in more ways than one.
Yes, I think you are right. My grandparents lived to their 90s, my mom was 97. Hard labor builds strong bones. A completely different era and way of life. Our days are so easy by comparison. I imagine you have farm stories in your family as well.
Actually, I don't have any close relatives who were raised on a farm! Mainly city and town folk in my ancestors!
So beautiful, Sharron.
Thank you, Rebecca. Those Dakota farmers were hardy stock. They worked so hard - and most of them lived to a nice old age. Mama said, "It was a normal life, the only life we knew. All the other families had to do the same." I wonder if farm kids still work hard like that or if it is mostly mechanized?
Farmers still work that hard. And have the extra worries of mega farms changing the crops and taking the markets. Dads with grown sons and grandsons work the fields around me. Still have communal hay cutters on schedule... whether its raining or not. Scarey stuff.
Thank you for this Indiana perspective, Kate!
Mom looks exhausted. All the raising of the children, veg garden, the animals... chickens, horses, likely cows... dog? cats?.... field work, feeding extra workers. Gads! It sounds like she hardly ever sat down. That's a LOT of flour and farina. That's a LOT of baking!! DAng I'm spoiled.
Every time I am whining about scrubbing the shower or pulling weeds from 80 sq. ft. of garden, I think of Mom's family and the work they did to survive and I shut up. We have it so easy. If I want bread, I drive to the bakery...
Easy bread machine for GF bread. Throw the stuff in. Walk away. Yums. )))
You were so fortunate that Mom shared those stories with you and we are very fortunate that you are sharing them us - a glimpse into life at another time.
Thank you, Janice. I wish I could have written them before she died. It would have meant so much to her to know I remember her stories. Maybe she is reading over my shoulder.
Katy had a rough start but she never lost her positive outlook on life. She was the sweetest, kindest lady. We miss her
Thanks for reading these little memories, Susan. She had a heart as big as the world. She loved you, too.
Great job Sharron. It was fun for me to read and a gift to your family as well.
Thank you, Scott. She left me with a lot of stories that really put my own life into perspective. Man! They had to really toil to survive. I sit here in my chair and peck out a few words... I guess they would be happy for me. I am waiting for your next piece of fiction.
Thank you for sharing these memories, Sharron. Reading this makes me reflect and see how easy we have it today - in so many ways!
So true. We all get so caught up in our own little dramas and it is good to be reminded how little they really are. The next episode is about surviving the horrendous Dakota winters. Brrrrr. Makes me shiver just to type it! BTW I have my next 50-word on fresh starts nearly done. hah! Not many fresh starts available at my age,
Ugh! Brutal. I can’t imagine what they were up against. And sounds great, can’t wait to read it! 😀
What a great story, so glad you captured it for posterity! My grandfather rode his motorcycle out west and told stories about working in those Dakota wheat fields. There was an old thresher on the farm I worked on when I was a kid. The farmer decided we would cut it up for scrap. But the cutting torch set the thing ablaze, and it was right next to the barn! With the flames quickly growing higher, he backed up a tractor and we took a chain around the front tongue, hooking it up to the tractor. He towed it as far away from the barn as he could before the roaring blaze threatened to roast him and the tractor. Wow. We watched it burn. The next day we hauled all that scrap iron to the junkyard. He must have got a pretty penny for it because he bought me a milk shake on the way back to the farm.
Ha ha ha! Great story. Exciting. You need to write this one up and post it David! That memory is truly burned into your brain. I'll bet you told it to your kids as a cautionary tale.