tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18264909922385279882024-02-06T21:24:23.463-08:00Tractor JenTractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-68393787731850526672019-11-25T08:07:00.003-08:002019-11-25T08:07:37.640-08:00Sometimes Everything Will not be All RightI was recently watching one of those "feel good" Hallmark movies, and a single mother was struggling to survive during Christmas. Her wise young daughter said, "We just need to pray. Then everything will be all right." I am a big believer in prayer, but I had to turn the channel. I lived that in real life. Prayer isn't a magic wand. It doesn't magically make everything all right.<br />
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My mother loved us fiercely, but it was rough when she became a single mother with three children. She did everything she could to keep us together as a family. We had some family support and our share of friends and neighbors that helped us. The bottom line though, friends, family, and prayer didn't keep us from going to bed hungry. We went to school without warm coats, and we had holes in our shoes. We moved a lot, since a landlord can only go so long on a sob story and no rent money. There would be times the electricity and heat would be turned off. Every month we would visit the local food banks, and try to get by with dried beans and dented cans of vegetables.<br />
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I will never forget the Christmas we had nothing. We couldn't afford a tree, so my step dad cut a piece of plywood and painted us a tree. My mom crocheted everyone mittens and scarves. We were living on hot dogs and ramen, and didn't have a turkey dinner to look forward to. It was a surprise when the Camas fire department showed up at our house and gave us a Christmas meal and presents. I cried. I thought I was old enough not to care anymore, but the emotional impact of a simple gift was huge.<br />
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When I look back, it breaks my heart to think of the young innocent children we were. We survived, but everything wasn't all right. That's why I turned the channel. We all want to go about our lives believing that if we pray and love each other, things are fine. That's a a fairy tale. We worry about our Facebook picture perfect lives, but avoid the reality. We focus on Black Friday sales and the newest iPhones. There is a world of suffering children, and we can't make everything all right with prayer alone. But maybe, just maybe we can focus on helping others, rather than obsessing about more possessions that no one needs.<br />
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Today is giving Tuesday, and it's a great time to help needy families during the holiday season. Which is your favorite charity? How do you help in your community? What is your story of sharing or help? I know that even small gestures can have a big impact in peoples lives, and I want to say thank you to all the people that volunteer and help others. It means so much!Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-37822726028141227322018-05-23T06:37:00.000-07:002019-12-01T07:06:55.221-08:00Farm wife needed!Since I started farming, I no longer have time to be a farm wife! My part time efforts have been pathetic, so I decided to fill my former position.<br />
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<img class="alignnone wp-image-594 size-full" height="299" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/001-01119626405.jpeg" width="320" /><br />
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<b><u>I need someone:</u></b><br />
<ul><br />
<li>To make sure I don't starve</li>
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<li>To make sure I don't smell bad</li>
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<li>To make sure I don't work myself to death</li>
</ul>
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<img class="wp-image-591 size-medium aligncenter" data-temp-aztec-id="d9200053-f2ad-4269-bda9-a638e27f2be4" height="499" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/pigpen3_wm2117739049.jpg" title="Dirty farmer" width="486" /><br />
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<u><b>It would also be helpful if:</b></u><br />
<ul><br />
<li>The lawn was any shade of green and didn't need swathing</li>
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<li>The fridge didn't contain stuff that looks like 6th grade science experiments</li>
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<li>The house didn't look like someone had just shaken all its contents</li>
</ul>
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<b><u>It's a bonus if:</u></b><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Spontaneous road trips to town for parts were your idea of fun</li>
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<li>You enjoyed the challenge of creating tasty lunchbox treats</li>
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<li>You like waiting in random fields</li>
</ul>
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<u><b>Must be:</b></u><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Able to get along with the husband and dog</li>
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<li>Flexible to last minute schedule changes</li>
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<li>Able to entertain oneself during seeding, fertilizing, and harvest</li>
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<li>Able to tolerate grumpy farmers</li>
</ul>
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<u><b>Compensation includes:</b></u><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Free tractor/combine rides</li>
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<li>Country living</li>
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<li>Knowledge you are doing something vital to keep the world fed</li>
</ul>
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Applicants must also understand that farming is a lifestyle, not a job. It includes almost no weekends off, no paid vacations, and not much time for social events or friends.<br />
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<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-593" height="178" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/img_20170328_085008_1861922858520.jpg" width="320" />Being a farm wife isn't for everyone. It takes a special person, and I hope all the farm wives out there know they are important! Thank you for all you do!Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-22063625181623201702017-05-15T09:10:00.000-07:002019-11-25T08:22:46.296-08:00Conversations with my Husband<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My husband and I do not talk about farming very much, except for conversations that almost always go like this. "How many acres do you have left?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Immediate panic fills me. Pop quiz and I don't know the answer, again. I hopefully reply, "Over half." I can tell right away that answer is not adequate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">He continues, "Are you past that long rocky finger on the south side?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">"Um, I'm not sure there are all kinds of rocky fingers. I'm not at the corner yet"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">"Well, are you past the dump?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I search through my visual memory and vaguely remember a bunch of rusted stuff over a hill. I confidently reply, "Yes!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Then he asks, "Have you gotten to the pile of posts?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I give a blank stare. "A pile of posts isn't a landmark"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">He returns my blank stare. I guess a pile of posts is a landmark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I pull out my camera and hopefully say, "This is my picture from my last round" My picture shows a slight hint of a road, beautiful clouds, and the middle of the field.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/DSC05957-01.jpeg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-488" height="199" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/DSC05957-01-300x199.jpeg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My hubby sighs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I try to cheer him up with my other beautiful pictures, but it's not working. Clearly I have failed this pop quiz.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This might be why we don't have many farming conversations. At least he loves me anyways, and tonight I can tell him I seen that pile of posts! </span><br />
<br />Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-45107090899433509702017-03-28T20:22:00.000-07:002019-11-25T08:00:08.518-08:00Delivered 10 Calves and a Baby, All in a Days Work!<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My daughter Sarah was only three months old, when I made the shocking discovery that I was pregnant again. This blessing was a total shock. I was breast feeding full time and using birth control! I cried the whole pregnancy. I had a three year old and an infant, and no idea how I could possibly take care of a third child too. Ryan my oldest was delivered cesarean, and Sarah was a difficult vaginal birth. I was dreading the upcoming delivery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I opted for a planned cesarean and had an appointment scheduled for a Friday, a week before my due date. That Monday before, I woke up at 5 am with a labor pain. I had a lot of false contractions, so I just wrote it down to keep track. I decided to have a relaxing bath since I was uncomfortable and awake anyway. Two more contractions, fifteen minutes apart, made me decide this was the real thing. I started to get everyone ready to go, and my husband phoned his parents who would take our children that day, the hospital, and his boss. We were almost ready to go, and my husband was still on the phone complaining to his boss about how much he hated hospitals and how this was going to take forever. I was hit with another contraction. It was sooner than expected and it was strong! I am doubled over in pain and I yell, "Get off the phone!" I tell my husband, "call back your parents and have them meet us on the highway." That would be quicker than driving down their dirt road. We each grab a child, and I grab a bath towel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Randy buckles Ryan into his car seat, and I can't do anything more than hold Sarah on my lap. We drive the 7 miles to meet his parents. Randy hands off Ryan to his dad and his mom comes around the car to get Sarah. She takes one look at me as a I am breathing heavily and says, "uh-oh." At that moment, my husband FINALLY figures out this is happening a lot faster than he thought. He takes off, flooring our crappy 78 Chevy Malibu, top speed 80 miles an hour. We still have 50 miles to the hospital. I am doing my best <em>NOT </em>to have a baby, but my water breaks. Thank goodness for the towel! I can tell the baby is really low, and I tell my husband, "go to Ephrata. They have a hospital." They did not have an ob/gyn, but my doctor was still 20 miles away. He chose to go to Moses Lake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We get another eight miles down the road, and I know I am going to have this baby right then. I say something to that point, and my husband responds, "well have the baby then." At this point, I am laying with my head on his lap and my feet on the door. The next contraction the baby's head crowns. I yell. My husband looks over, says nonchalantly, "Sure enough." He pulls the car over, runs around to my door, and it's locked. I pull the lock, slide to the edge of the seat, and the next contraction delivers the baby into my husbands hands. Randy hands the baby to me, which I wrap in the towel and make sure is breathing ok.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Randy roars off into rush hour traffic, and we arrive at the hospital 15 minutes later. The baby is ok and we name this bundle of joy Jeffrey. My husband is bragging to all the hospital staff, "I deliver calves all winter. Birth is perfectly natural. No big deal." He goes home to get the kids and returns later that evening. As Randy enters the elevator, he hears a nurse say to her friend, "He delivered the baby by himself along the road. Says ten calves and baby is all in a days work."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Much later my husband and are talking and I ask him about the slight hesitation between catching Jeff and handing him to me. He admits sheepishly, "I looked for a fence to throw him over to clean out his lungs, but I didn't see one." Thank goodness there wasn't a fence! Jeff is turning 24 this year, and he has continued to wonder and surprise us every year. Happy birthday Jeff!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-454" height="298" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20151224_182227-01-300x298.jpeg" width="300" /></span>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-55520543826407984132017-03-01T13:33:00.000-08:002019-11-25T07:59:05.909-08:00The Hardest Year of My Life<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Most times we never see the event coming that will change our lives forever. In one instance, we become different people. Sometimes we don't recognize the significance of a moment until years later. </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">My one moment occurred during an icy winter just over a decade ago. I was carrying water to the outside animals in a large canning pot. I slipped in the ice and fell hard. I landed in a sitting position, still holding the pot because I didn't want to spill the water. My husband asked, "Are you alright?" I shakily replied, "I don't know." I would usually reply, I'm fine, and laugh in embarrassment. I wasn't in immediate pain, but it didn't feel right. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkC5yl9KRRTc3bNlJogiil60Eju3ZC2ATpwOI_5ROLBTU5o4xHJh2L0WCdSPJHvFhe2MxnDu9iZU5XzSozv2483rPWZeTpzAc73ulNCFUd75w4gZ9OZXz9rAXPovUFT63Ket5qhTHCWAbs/s1600/jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkC5yl9KRRTc3bNlJogiil60Eju3ZC2ATpwOI_5ROLBTU5o4xHJh2L0WCdSPJHvFhe2MxnDu9iZU5XzSozv2483rPWZeTpzAc73ulNCFUd75w4gZ9OZXz9rAXPovUFT63Ket5qhTHCWAbs/s1600/jen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Driving combine cutting wheat!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">It took a while for the pain to set in. I thought I would be fine with some rest and ibuprofen. I probably waited a month before I seen a doctor, and by then I was a mess. I couldn't lift a pot of coffee with my right hand anymore. I couldn't sit, stand, or walk without pain. I could only lay on my left side somewhat comfortably. I was uncomfortable driving, or even riding. I started to use my left hand for almost all tasks. I had stabbing pains throughout my lower back and down my leg. My shoulder hurt and pain shot down my arm. The middle of my back felt like I was being stabbed. I had to ask the doctor for a medical withdrawal note, because I was failing my college classes. I hurt too much to read and understand the material. I hurt too much to sit at a keyboard and type. I was in tears explaining this to the doctor. He prescribed antidepressants and said I was overly stressed. He said my middle back pain was from ulcers resulting from ibuprofen use. He said my hand pain and loss of strength was carpal tunnel and provided me a brace. He said everything else would be fine in time and gave me muscle relaxers and vicodin. I was in so much pain, I didn't question him. I didn't push for Xrays or tests. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="wp-image-435 size-medium" height="225" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_20130806_133219_20130813113902649_20140829161810996_wm-300x225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Out weeding, checking equipment</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">The problem was it never got better. The prescriptions did little in the way of relief and nothing for improvement of quality of life. I couldn't push a shopping cart or pick up groceries to put in the cart. I had to have the help of my kids for almost every household chore. I hurt so bad and felt utterly worthless. I cried and I prayed and I cried some more. The doctor never seemed concerned that I was still asking for pain meds 3 months, 6 months, even a year later. He said I would just have to learn to live with the pain. I didn't know if I could. It felt like my life was over. I was only 35, and I had nothing but pain and misery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Someone finally suggested a chiropractor. I was extremely reluctant, but even more desperate. It worked for me. After the first visit, I finally had some relief from the pain. It took frequent visits to the chiropractor to regain function, but I still struggled with the pain. He ordered Xrays to see what was going on with my spine, and he discovered a compression fracture in the middle of my back. I am sure that was only part of the medical issues resulting from that fall. That was the proof that made me realize, it wasn't all just in my head. I wasn't just stressed. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="wp-image-434 size-medium" height="169" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_20140423_155523680_wm-300x169.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living the Dream of Big Tractors, Hard Work, and Long Hours!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br />Recovery was long and hard, and every journey like that develops us as a person. I learned its ok to ask for help. I don't have to do it all myself. I also learned to advocate for myself. It's not okay to have you pain ignored. More importantly, I learned to appreciate everything. I still hurt, but I have regained my strength and ability. I work hard and play hard, because in one moment everything can change. Hard work is a blessing when you thought you would never be able to work again. I graduated college. I started working on the farm. Some days I come home tired and hurting, but I am still so grateful. Everything is an achievement to me! I'm not bedridden, and I have so much to look forward to. The motto of my TractorJen page is "living the dream of big tractors, hard work, and long hours," I really mean it. When I was writing this post, I wasn't sure what pictures to include. So much of this story is about pain, but I really want this to be about triumph. Being able to do everything I can now is such a blessing, and I will never forget it. </span>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-53886249496333302332017-02-13T07:33:00.000-08:002019-11-25T07:53:40.907-08:00The Tsnownami and How I Almost Got Stuck in my Chicken House<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This winter has had some snow and wind, resulting in a tsnownami of a snow drift covering my chicken house. It was over ten feet tall and a hundred feet in length. There was an area I could still dig my way in, but the drifts kept getting bigger. One day it was 10 degrees, snowing and blowing. There was over a foot of new snow on top of the hard drift, but I needed to take care of my chickens.</span><br />
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<img class="wp-image-333" height="570" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_20170210_153526437-1-263x300.jpg" width="500" /><br />
This was taken a day after Randy plowed out my drift. It drifted back in a bit over night, but I could shovel it out.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I knew I couldn't dig all the way through. I was sinking in past my knees with each step, so I ended up crawling to the top of the drift and carved steps down into the chicken house. I cleaned out in front of the door and squeezed myself in. I fed and watered, and collected one egg. The snow was collecting at the base of the door and it was even harder to squeeze my way out. Then I started to climb out, but I kept slipping. The steps were full of new snow and I couldn't get any traction. When I was standing inside the chicken house, the drift was over four feet tall and nearly vertical. I had left the shovel outside.</span><br />
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<img class="wp-image-326 size-large" height="1024" src="https://www.tractorjen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_20170210_153916819_HDR-576x1024.jpg" width="576" /><br />
View from inside the chicken house looking out. Again, this is after plowing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I finally just threw myself as high as I could onto the drift and started wallowing around until I got to the top. By then I am exhausted, and the drift was so difficult to climb up earlier, so I just decided to roll over and over to the bottom. I am relieved to have made it out of there, but then remembered I had an egg, in my pocket. Which somehow, miraculously, did not end up scrambled. I asked my husband that night to dig out the drift with the tractor, which he thankfully did the next day. I can't wait for this winter to end!</span>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-68685083831551923622017-02-10T18:04:00.000-08:002017-02-10T18:04:02.211-08:00My husband fails at Valentines Day We've been married 27 years now and I have come to accept that my husband Randy will always fail at Valentines Day. He kind of sucks on birthdays and anniversaries too. He will march right by the aisles full of hearts, bears, roses, and balloons. He will turn a deaf ear to every diamond store commercial. He won't make any complicated romantic dates. February 14th will arrive, he will look surprised, turn toward me, and say, "Happy Valentines day! Love you!" That is the extent of his romantic plans. You know what? I'm okay with that. In every other way, he is a good husband and father. He is loyal and dedicated to his family. He just doesn't show his love in the way society thinks is romantic.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4D7wiqOii3d5hlV730tdzqE-O1cRNvvwNqbay-hhyphenhyphenKoIKV8f24wUITMek8yoD5ahnAn4_eTqliwnPXdbGRdg8bfi7W70W5XMtlPVfdqejeHL1LZMaZsFVjPMc-02K-C2iR8SykLz67va/s1600/10171013_10152745761163130_2512344375597821576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4D7wiqOii3d5hlV730tdzqE-O1cRNvvwNqbay-hhyphenhyphenKoIKV8f24wUITMek8yoD5ahnAn4_eTqliwnPXdbGRdg8bfi7W70W5XMtlPVfdqejeHL1LZMaZsFVjPMc-02K-C2iR8SykLz67va/s320/10171013_10152745761163130_2512344375597821576_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Randy and I climbed to the top of Beacon rock this year!</td></tr>
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Let's change the idea of what is romantic. To me, romantic is the small things. I love that Randy will take me to see the buttercups blooming, or bring home an interesting rock because he knows I would like it. Romantic is library and lunch dates, like the ones when we were first married. It is road trips together, even if it's just to get parts. It is combine rides and watching the sun go down. It's holding hands and taking walks. Romantic is also the big stuff, like supporting my dreams even when it's hard. When I was working towards my degree, there were a lot of late nights and several times I wanted to quit. Randy always told me, "this is important, don't give up." I think his never ending love and devotion is better than diamonds, chocolates, or giant teddy bears.Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-7347042397828925082017-01-16T20:29:00.001-08:002017-01-21T16:57:43.102-08:00I Couldn't Understand the SacrificeWhen we were newly married, we moved out to the farm. It was a big move in many ways. Physically, I left behind family and friends to move out to the middle of nowhere. It was a bigger move emotionally and culturally. All my life I had lived in cities where 40-hour weeks and paid vacations were the norm. The closest I had been to a farm was watching Green Acres on tv.<br />
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My new husband had explained to me, "It will be long hours and sacrifice."<br />
I nodded my head like I understood.<br />
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Only another farm wife can understand when I say he was gone, a lot. He would leave in the morning before the sun came up and come home after it went down. He would work through lunch, and many times through dinner too. I would keep something warm for him and worry. It seemed like never ending days of him coming home just long enough to eat, shower, and sleep. I brought out lunches, just so I could see him. I would jump at a chance to bring him parts, or bring him a bottle of water, because he was never home. I would ask him, "What are you doing?" He would reply, "Just working".<br />
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I supported him, but I didn't understand.<br />
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He would bundle up and go to work, even when a blizzard raged outside. The roads were barely visible and the weather was so cold. "Why do you risk yourself? Stay home!" I pleaded. He would just reply, "It needs to be done." He would leave with a shovel in his pickup, so he could dig himself out when he got stuck in the deep snow. Somehow, he made it to work and back home, and he would be chilled and tired. Sometimes, sadness would droop his shoulders, and I would find out an animal was sick or a calf died.<br />
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I comforted him, but I didn't understand.<br />
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He worked weekends and holidays. He missed birthdays, school events, and sometimes it seemed whole summers. I would let the kids stay up late just so they could throw their arms around him and wish him a goodnight. I know he was exhausted, but he always would talk and play with the kids in the brief moments between work and sleep.<br />
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I loved him, but I still couldn't understand.<br />
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What I couldn’t understand was the sacrifice. How he could sacrifice years of our marriage, and watching his children grow up? I couldn’t understand how he could sacrifice his own time, his body, and his life with us for ‘just working’. Any vacations we took had to be planned around seeding and harvesting and the needs of the cows. His time with the kids was spent in brief moments and punctuated by his exhaustion. This wasn't a tv sitcom with canned laughter in the background. <br />
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I pretended that I understood, but I couldn’t.<br />
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Over the years, my children grew up and moved out. My helping out changed to working for the farm. The fields would need weeded, and I didn't think twice about giving up my weekend. If the weeds got out of control, the field would suffer for years. I might work through lunch or come home late, because I just wanted a few more rounds done.<br />
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I started to understand.<br />
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I would help with the cows in the winter, after they were brought in from pasture. I was there when young heifers struggled to deliver their first calf. I was there when it was born too early and just couldn't make it. I helped to bottle feed calves that were too weak and sick, and sometimes they didn't make it either.<br />
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Suddenly, I understood the sacrifice. I understood that in the worst weather, the animals needed us the most. I understood that the worst days for me, were bad days for the farm too. I’ve seen crops that were flattened by storms, and I understood the drive to bring in the crops before the rains. I’ve lived the heartache of replanting every acre and still not sure if there would be a crop.<br />
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I finally, truly understood the need to do things right, because this isn't just a job. It's not 40 hours a week. I finally understood that the work you put into a farm is what you get out of it. I understood what it meant to work hard to support your family waiting at home. I understood how hard it was to do another round, knowing it would delay being with everyone I love and care about. I understood the need to finish the field.<br />
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Now when my kids call me and ask what I’m doing, I reply, “Just working”.<br />
I think they understand. This is real life. Life isn't easy, but it is worth it.Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-51735334332242940302016-12-31T10:08:00.001-08:002016-12-31T10:54:47.656-08:00I Don't make New Years Resolutions, I make Adventure Goals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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New years resolutions never work. If it was important enough to do, you wouldn't wait until a new year to promise to do it. I make New Year's adventure goals. My goals are things on my bucket list or something I want to learn. Here are my top 5 Adventure goals for this year.<br />
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5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Add Instagram to my growing social media presence. My TractorJen facebook page is agriculture centered, but I want to share a wider variety of my photography. I suppose Instagram and social media don't sound like adventures, but they are to me. ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctQWmHsNr7yLxZPHok8Mel-Hih6RFxmpfvUkgcNDr01cUCYSpC2OUxpwY-u9XQMIPi7pSpGAB2N_J2CznIpAHf8zBbKNIMbyOia2oDwSuTEw5OhFVI2FwGGiDbDXTTqlC7vsM6vt5ggIm/s1600/DSC03442_wmbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctQWmHsNr7yLxZPHok8Mel-Hih6RFxmpfvUkgcNDr01cUCYSpC2OUxpwY-u9XQMIPi7pSpGAB2N_J2CznIpAHf8zBbKNIMbyOia2oDwSuTEw5OhFVI2FwGGiDbDXTTqlC7vsM6vt5ggIm/s320/DSC03442_wmbeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Push, Washington </td></tr>
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4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Use my Gopro to take more interesting pictures. I received a case and mounts for my Gopro for Christmas and I have some creative ideas for videos. I thrive on thinking outside the box. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT9H74PIKwyS7tOl2pf-Okndf2M1h55nyZltMK982TqaNLjyEkEV6fscrnjGcsqXgoB24adABnFGp8KEs3YV5gsjLYgiCFKO9zRR5WivShpqlmtHvEaGvYAtH_98eMnN9HFpP2o-a6Rv3/s1600/DSC07307_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT9H74PIKwyS7tOl2pf-Okndf2M1h55nyZltMK982TqaNLjyEkEV6fscrnjGcsqXgoB24adABnFGp8KEs3YV5gsjLYgiCFKO9zRR5WivShpqlmtHvEaGvYAtH_98eMnN9HFpP2o-a6Rv3/s320/DSC07307_wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wore my Gopro chest mount as we toured the underground <br />
missile launch control center in <a href="http://history.nd.gov/historicsites/minutemanmissile/index.html" target="_blank">Coopertown</a>, ND</td></tr>
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3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Astrophotography- I love the dark skies we have here and I want to get some milky way pictures. Night photography is more involved than point and shoot, so there are lots of learning opportunities. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvogIjsVO5JcRAKrVZNEEbyv78vioGCytALSY8IPHvyhVyt4nj4noSh9c1JoC8dDW8f0xDnpRDuYaEWIJz_Hevr_vdbi-V73IOuw5sqtkFOrPUQD0jWe0WlXO1yh_4ce_483E_J2FXdTD/s1600/jupiterDSC03762_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvogIjsVO5JcRAKrVZNEEbyv78vioGCytALSY8IPHvyhVyt4nj4noSh9c1JoC8dDW8f0xDnpRDuYaEWIJz_Hevr_vdbi-V73IOuw5sqtkFOrPUQD0jWe0WlXO1yh_4ce_483E_J2FXdTD/s320/jupiterDSC03762_wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of Jupiter through my telescope</td></tr>
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2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Watch the solar eclipse- Aug 21 has a total <a href="http://www.eclipse2017.org/eclipse2017_main.htm" target="_blank">solar eclipse</a> crossing the United states. Washington is not one of the total ecipse states, but I am hoping for good enough weather to see at least a partial eclipse. Maybe a day trip to the John Day fossil beds to record a full eclipse is possible, but unlikely. I am ordering my solar glasses and filters now!<br />
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<a href="http://www.eclipse2017.org/glasses_order.htm" target="_blank"><img alt=" Get your eclipse glasses here!" border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKweRmbWsxvYfjL6suZHrhZtlj8gzaM3_6N1shjmiObTT1OKKAeMozWmfWfDQKFNx4AgWlNGdxqiHI4a6ccACSCUexfFrZWhvivLYFu8-s00xF0faBM8fiuYv-u7f6cadHUGoQ1yQ8tiP/s320/glasses2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Travel- We love to travel and I have devoted a wall in my house to document our adventures. This year we hope to drive down to Arizona and visit the <a href="http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/" target="_blank">Titan Missile museum</a> and see a real <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orpi/learn/nature/saguaro-cactus.htm" target="_blank">Saguaro cactus</a>. We also have several other shorter trips in the works. Most trips involve a museum and photgraphy. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzucYLKDhiV69VwG5UNaVybp8HGioLOXXxRhchU6XwuL15I45boQhi1lzbAfHFzY9LoPnxei_SnjYVBG3HDoEBJy5L1VDiq72Bj6mJ8HkEen_MSwg_EZ14mV8M7Fx9whb4RJxWEApdZO4/s1600/Studio_20161231_080928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzucYLKDhiV69VwG5UNaVybp8HGioLOXXxRhchU6XwuL15I45boQhi1lzbAfHFzY9LoPnxei_SnjYVBG3HDoEBJy5L1VDiq72Bj6mJ8HkEen_MSwg_EZ14mV8M7Fx9whb4RJxWEApdZO4/s320/Studio_20161231_080928.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is some blank spaces on my wall!</td></tr>
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Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-6081003012572501592016-12-22T11:25:00.000-08:002016-12-22T11:25:21.390-08:00I am a Farm Hand on a Corporate Farm<br />
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My husband and I both work for a corporate farm. This farm uses modern technology, has great big tractors, and has to be carefully managed to ensure financial success. That is only part of the story though. The Adams farm was established in 1897 when Davids Adams' parents, grandparents and uncles all homesteaded land in Eastern Washington state. David was born on the homestead in 1922.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfR8UhRew4V9kfmuAbib2cBIp-jq_5C_IfAQ1YKxmMM0t6-8YagdKyJPTz_VNtx3Wgl1T9fx7pfd-sfShkkKpqH4P-ceKoXVlNO-wohiwj8Ewc9fr5Askb2Bv9KRr1zmRKpkfdcQJlm3U/s1600/Clarence+Jr.+Adams%252C+David+Adams%252C+Vera+%2528Adams%2529+Miller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfR8UhRew4V9kfmuAbib2cBIp-jq_5C_IfAQ1YKxmMM0t6-8YagdKyJPTz_VNtx3Wgl1T9fx7pfd-sfShkkKpqH4P-ceKoXVlNO-wohiwj8Ewc9fr5Askb2Bv9KRr1zmRKpkfdcQJlm3U/s320/Clarence+Jr.+Adams%252C+David+Adams%252C+Vera+%2528Adams%2529+Miller.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Adams with his older bother Clarence and his sister Vera</td></tr>
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Dryland wheat farming was a struggle and they had to clear sagebrush and rocks, plant wheat and hope there was enough rain to get a crop. There were some lean years, and I often heard stories of how hard his family worked to get by. David passed away in 2014, and everyone misses his presence on the farm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbhNtPQz8ppzHc3_DygKAI1tWwzwUvVE1qBd_uaa_6lQUySKqKcZh2tmnjdwcql_NMogyoS_muYDFlwfYP4FR5t2bc2MU-K26sZUVjx9nAKHuKllbEgpfF1Kqbcic6YXGbHuPIKJxX9Wt/s1600/Adams+Harvest+1959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbhNtPQz8ppzHc3_DygKAI1tWwzwUvVE1qBd_uaa_6lQUySKqKcZh2tmnjdwcql_NMogyoS_muYDFlwfYP4FR5t2bc2MU-K26sZUVjx9nAKHuKllbEgpfF1Kqbcic6YXGbHuPIKJxX9Wt/s320/Adams+Harvest+1959.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adams harvest 1959<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi9jWlU_Fhyq4rqo38pxgL8LejKMD1aBLohPXLWqgEilngtHwZ97tH0VcfMMc6G8YovhtcCj4pc2CVMHTnRotTKTZHPclhAwqMHcvQgtzTpgQs31LVjsfA-JIihRvCjyZjHJRQYY8ib-x/s1600/Feeding+Harvest+Crew.+Adams+%252759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi9jWlU_Fhyq4rqo38pxgL8LejKMD1aBLohPXLWqgEilngtHwZ97tH0VcfMMc6G8YovhtcCj4pc2CVMHTnRotTKTZHPclhAwqMHcvQgtzTpgQs31LVjsfA-JIihRvCjyZjHJRQYY8ib-x/s320/Feeding+Harvest+Crew.+Adams+%252759.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davids' mother Ruth setting up harvest lunch in the field 1959 </td></tr>
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Although this is a corporate farm, it still is a family farm and we feel part of the family. My husband has worked off and on for over forty years for the family. I moved here 25 years ago and have raised my family along side theirs. Our children went to the same schools and we celebrated the same milestones together. Just as plants put their roots deep into the soil, living on the farm has given me deeper roots to the land and the community.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwem4xNZmCyt6gmyvPdz1ukJrvr7u4ysIsu4CGggNPOzc4HYkvxCq3ueyagiJq_MAmDuJ7Q76pbGETIbOUXqsb39xaOS361BjN1DEZYTdhoGjLX_9bAf6chyG4EfAr8806BGf2atUGE-aq/s1600/59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwem4xNZmCyt6gmyvPdz1ukJrvr7u4ysIsu4CGggNPOzc4HYkvxCq3ueyagiJq_MAmDuJ7Q76pbGETIbOUXqsb39xaOS361BjN1DEZYTdhoGjLX_9bAf6chyG4EfAr8806BGf2atUGE-aq/s320/59.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adams harvest 2008<br />David Adams drove combine until 2013<br /></td></tr>
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When I farm, it's not about the money to me. It's about doing what's best for the land and the farm. I live here, I work here, and I love here. Farming has given me a long term perspective. What I do today can impact things for a long time. I work the ground now, but won't see a crop for two years. The crop planted in September will be harvested in August the next year. Weeds allowed to grow today will spread seeds for years. I am responsible for the land. I will never own a farm, but I will always love farming.<br />
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<br />Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-46112649078113871662016-11-01T08:48:00.001-07:002016-11-01T08:49:54.111-07:00Facts don't matter, only feelings matter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQPg4VXmQqtecHp_WgRxnO5u5ec6Y9RypnhBN3QeMmJ5SMfJmYdEhFLIqrHECVs1oJXt79Kh_hxHmvnv4UWjCzQ_KbUG-1bpomOn7HK0TPIHN8w0_J6jlyWqhUSw-8mr8JewPr07Vc4-k/s1600/notepaper-background_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQPg4VXmQqtecHp_WgRxnO5u5ec6Y9RypnhBN3QeMmJ5SMfJmYdEhFLIqrHECVs1oJXt79Kh_hxHmvnv4UWjCzQ_KbUG-1bpomOn7HK0TPIHN8w0_J6jlyWqhUSw-8mr8JewPr07Vc4-k/s320/notepaper-background_wm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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I have noticed on social media, that people have absolutely no interest in facts or even hearing both sides of the story. I am a middle of the road type person, and I know that there is always two sides to the story. Maybe it comes from being a mom. Ever had a kid running up to you in tears, "Mom! He hit me!" Should I punish the child that hit their bother without asking for the whole story? "Well she bit me first!" (Btw, I solved these fights by making them hug and say they loved each other!)<br />
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When I post a side of the story about GMOs or the Dakota pipeline, I know it is only one side of a story. I am choosing to post the side that people aren't listening to, because it's not about the emotion. I have heard, "I don't care what the facts are, I FEEL these are bad."<br />
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So, are these things really bad. Not as much as they are portrayed. People say the evil seed companies control the farmer. Seed should be free. Reality is that farmers will buy the seed that helps them succeed. People say fossil fuels are poison and we have to eliminate our support for them. These are wonderful ideals. I ask, is it even possible? Are these people fossil fuel free? Are they ready to give up their comfy little lives to live fossil free right now? Reality is that right now, fossil fuels are important and providing infrastructure that is modern and safe is important. I support alternative energy and being energy efficient, but realize change doesn't happen over night.<br />
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I love the Dakotas and their people. I support Native rights. I support the fight for clean water and decent homes. I support preserving their culture and honoring their past. I support their fight against poverty and drugs.<br />
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How many of the protesters that have come in the Standing rock protests will leave after the fight and not worry about these people again? They will leave to fight some other "windmill", b<span style="text-align: center;">ecause they are fighting evil and it makes them feel good. Meanwhile, people are left feeling angry and divided and the real problems have not been solved.</span><br />
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We all want the world to be a better place. My ideal is that we find some common ground instead of painting everything black and white. Are we really on opposite sides? Do we only look for what divides us, instead of what brings us together? Tearing people apart doesn't build anything. The one thing I love about the Standing Rock protest is that people are standing together. I just wish it wasn't for an all or none issue.Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-61154233818424857312015-01-25T07:39:00.000-08:002015-01-25T07:44:03.099-08:00Five Reasons why Farming is Still Hard<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
According to my other blog post, <a href="http://tractorjen.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-farming-is-easy.html" target="_blank">Farming is Easy</a>. Although we can all agree that farming is much easier than it was fifty years ago, today's farmings is not without its challenges. These are my top five reasons why farming is still hard.<br />
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1. Actually steering. <br />
Even with the modern technology, most farmers still steer their tractors occasionally. According to John Deere, their base system is accurate within 4-8 inches. I have seen it change that much over lunch break. It takes a big chunk of change to switch to full auto steer and most applications aren't worth it. I always steer when doing the edges of the fields, making my turns, and around obstacles. It isn't as easy at is seems. I drive an articulated tractor, which means it pivots in the middle rather than swivels the tires to change direction. That means I have two pivot points to factor in when trying to drive straight. If I turn my wheel to the left to avoid an obstacle on my right, the equipment will initially become closer to obstacle. This may result in a foot long gash in the service truck. Another factor to consider is pitch and roll. Our fields are not flat by any means and trying to run the edges requires constant compensation. My tractor may be leaning to the left, but my equipment may be sliding to the right. Add a concrete post in there and you have some excitement. The last factor I have to include is how far away and wide my equipment is from the tractor. I may run a 70 foot wide harrow and then switch to a 30 foot disk. The pivot points and turning radius are widely different and I still have to maintain an accuracy within inches. For example, if I am coming to edge of the field and I am doing a turn with the seventy foot harrow behind me, with a paved road and a slight downward pitch and a roll to the left, I better not be drunk. <br />
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2. Obstacles. <br />
There are many obstacles in the fields and I discovered that everyone frowns upon me running them over. There are two main types of obstacles. Man made obstacles include fences, buildings, concrete posts, wells, corrals, signs, culverts, dams, roads, telephone poles, and high tension power lines. You might get away with flattening a metal fence post, but not flattening a fence that is holding a pasture full of cows. Natural obstacles include trees, rocks, cliffs, ditches bigger than your tractor, rock piles and scab rock. Some of these natural obstacles may change or remain hidden until too late. One obstacle, the neighbors wheat fields, falls into the middle of manmade and natural. When doing the edges between the two fields, it is important to get as close as possible. Weeds can grow 8 feet tall in a six inch strip between fields, which robs important moisture and nutrients. However if your weeder slides a foot into mature ripening wheat, you will have unhappy relationships with your neighbors. The last obstacle to avoid is a bit more tricky. Vehicles, whether parked or on the roads must be avoided. You can bet your last dollar that someone's insurance company will become involved if you accidentally run over a vehicle, even if you have the right away and your tractor is ten times larger than that Prius. <br />
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3. Breakdowns. Even the best maintained equipment suffers breakdowns and failures eventually. Farm equipment is under a lot of stress and any contact with articles under point number two will result in things breaking. There is also the normal wear and tear that requires parts to be replaced. The important factor in breakdowns is too catch the problem as soon as possible. A broken bolt can soon result in losing something important and become much more involved than two wrenches to fix. If things are not easily fixed, it may then result in the painful writing of a very big check to the local equipment dealer.<br />
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4. Technology. I may have claimed in my last article that technology makes farming easy. Still true, but it can also make it a pain in the posterior. The most obvious problem is when it isn't working. Our GPS may suddenly drop in accuracy and drive my tractor into the neighbors field. The height sensor for the combine header may suddenly slam the header into the ground and fill it full of dirt and rocks. Those are fun times. There is also the problem of software and hardware upgrades. Recently we had to replace two touch screen monitors, which wasn't a problem until we switched them to the combines. They required an upgrade before they would work with my harvest programming. Its not much fun when the combine drivers are glaring at the person they feel is responsible for holding up the start of harvest. It kind of makes me feel bad sitting in the air conditioned cab while they sweat in the beautiful triple digit weather outside. <br />
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5. Fatigue. Its not the 12-16 hour days that make you feel fatigued. It's not a week of long days that causes fatigue. That is just being tired and exhausted. It is the week after week, month after month, year after year that causes fatigue. It is when the job you love, combined with the newest problem of the day, and years of hard work causes one to want to give up. Its when farmers are attacked by people that don't appreciate how much they care for the land and their animals. Its hard to fight that, but I remind myself farming is a lifestyle and not a job. I don't think I could handle a commute where I am not driving the largest vehicle around. Plus I love the views from my cubicle. <br />
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Farming still requires hard work, skill, and dedication. Plus it takes a special kind of person to go back to work the day after they screwed up and broke something. Because in all likelihood, something will go wrong again.<br />
PS: no actual Prius's were hurt in the writing of this blog<br />
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Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-21535818904865459072015-01-18T10:46:00.000-08:002015-01-20T07:02:26.057-08:00Five Reasons Farming is Easier than 50 years ago<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwPVId0nwbeNcRdGoWwS1TKze7nndGjy3sfrmuYrPCLTfRxBvUOHhwssHPXXqqB3dMxyTlPKcH9bCtDzlbeqpxgOqqhuRsZ-OVhp8f_hrmEgTd0ANC2UHBm6EeMkNzsjJ1mXIno6tsyyl/s2560/1421604339159.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwPVId0nwbeNcRdGoWwS1TKze7nndGjy3sfrmuYrPCLTfRxBvUOHhwssHPXXqqB3dMxyTlPKcH9bCtDzlbeqpxgOqqhuRsZ-OVhp8f_hrmEgTd0ANC2UHBm6EeMkNzsjJ1mXIno6tsyyl/s288/1421604339159.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 228px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a><br />
In the last fifty years, things have changed a lot in the farming industry. By 1965 most farms had already converted to mechanization. Tractors and combines were used to till and harvest crops, instead of stables of draft animals. This was an important innovation for farms, but ultimately, farmers worked hard, physical labor as any oldtimer will testify. Technology has made farming a pretty cushy job according to them and here are the top five reasons why.<br />
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1. Climate control cabs to keep out the elements. <br />
This was a major comfort upgrade and it became even better when they had reliable air conditioning and heaters. Depending on the time of year, farmers used to freeze, roast, or get eaten alive by mosquitoes. I've heard the most miserable days were running combine with no breeze. The chaff would settle an inch deep and the sweat bees would crawl inside your collar. How can I complain if my air conditioning is running a little warmer than I like? I am breathing clean, mostly cool air, and not being harassed by insects. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzD0Q026-_OsnRlKUi2gRhmx3fBlEH0UvPEcBby9QgKeMpLKlI3fBIINQz6ra_wzcKb32ZSeh5R3RBITIEnrEYNkDiHmOFKejT1sEge_U8Jlp_Yh98nBuvKNwI-7LEpZJ4zR641zOB2HU/s2560/1420554710636.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzD0Q026-_OsnRlKUi2gRhmx3fBlEH0UvPEcBby9QgKeMpLKlI3fBIINQz6ra_wzcKb32ZSeh5R3RBITIEnrEYNkDiHmOFKejT1sEge_U8Jlp_Yh98nBuvKNwI-7LEpZJ4zR641zOB2HU/s288/1420554710636.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 288px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my cool ride!</td></tr>
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2. Hydraulic equipment. <br />
Most tractors and farm equipment didn't have much hydraulics, if any. We still run one set of old school rod weeders that use a lever system to put them in the ground or lift them up. The lever is squeezed to release a pin. I pull the lever down to lift the weeder out of the ground or push it away to put it in the ground. I release the lever and the pin slislides into the gear to hold it in place. It takes all my weight on the lever in order to set the right depth. (This is why I do not diet) Then I have to do it five more times. If I am weeding and it plugs up with big weeds and dirt, the weeds and dirt increase the weight I have to lift. I then clean it out before putting it back in the ground. Modern day weeders lift in and out of the ground with the touch of a button. They fold up for transportation with just a click. Hydraulic equipment is heavenly. Some rod weeders even have hydraulic controlled rods. This eliminates the need for finicky drive lines and the rod speed is easily controlled with hydraulic flow adjustments. If the weeds are big I can bump up the flow and not plug up. Did I mention hydraulic equipment is heavenly? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasszIgoAKjfELMqdynAlCDDqr9vAyDJgYdh54x0fjSTNeFdXqV4jyLodpMZ4ISjDzzUjKEggt3P6kWJoAYIu0NimnsPGBqrcU5qKfkdUQwjRERFWDlixMlTAAF2cQqzYE5VtFwOg8mu-K/s2560/1420554719758.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasszIgoAKjfELMqdynAlCDDqr9vAyDJgYdh54x0fjSTNeFdXqV4jyLodpMZ4ISjDzzUjKEggt3P6kWJoAYIu0NimnsPGBqrcU5qKfkdUQwjRERFWDlixMlTAAF2cQqzYE5VtFwOg8mu-K/s288/1420554719758.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 163px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each weeder is pulled by two chains, and the frame pulled by cables. <br />
No backing up allowed!</td></tr>
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3. Augers on my seed truck.<br />
Filling drills is still a dirty miserable job, but I don't have to do it with a shovel and chute. Fifty years someone had to get in the back of the truck and shovel all the wheat to fill the drills. My seed truck has a hydraulic auger, so I can magically pull a rope and pour wheat into my seed boxes. Seeding requires long hours and I am already tired without the physical labor, thankyouverymuch!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zIoj22duBHK5RjhndaJPQNssqv1V5Sr5po7dwqhBihxcDEPblOd-wOkIqPijNPjLgIFIBx3Me90lq_3TPgXN-c2t3-onj8qYRG_GR0MvWs-S2ZxDjUNrkOlVCFceAOoC1Ep7KbXdhMf8/s2560/1420554725415.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zIoj22duBHK5RjhndaJPQNssqv1V5Sr5po7dwqhBihxcDEPblOd-wOkIqPijNPjLgIFIBx3Me90lq_3TPgXN-c2t3-onj8qYRG_GR0MvWs-S2ZxDjUNrkOlVCFceAOoC1Ep7KbXdhMf8/s288/1420554725415.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 163px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Augers are almost like magic!</td></tr>
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4. Horsepower. Tractors these days are big, efficient, and have the horsepower to do any job required. More horsepower means that equipment can be wider and speeds faster. More acres can be covered with less fuel and time. This is especially true in combines. My husband's first combine had a 12 feet wide header and he could walk faster than this combine could run. Harvest took longer, required more combines, and man power. What used to require five combines can now be accomplished with two combines and less time and effort. This reduces the risk of weather damage and driver fatigue. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy had it made in the shade!</td></tr>
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5. Computer and satellite technology. Computers have dramatically changed farming in the last twenty years. Many tractors have GPS receivers allowing the tractor to steer itself! Rate controllers on equipment allows precision fertilizing, seeding and spraying. This reduces the amount of herbicides and pesticides farmers apply in their fields. On board computers also collect data from the field, which increases efficiency. For example, the GPS data from harvest can indicate the best and worst areas of yield and fertilizer can be custom applied. With completely straight lines and less overlap, my fieldwork looks as good as the veteran farmers. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmDZWQy5V2aNFSg6v-Hpf0ndxy55RPVma3OciHnRwMt7kNbPgzgwdShgOOcmf3WO9-_o_CfD3U7BHVKZY0p97oqR0f5Vi3O-on4i7_FSm9NtGtbGTif3K-arGSoduItYbp7jo6UY8ccqO/s2560/1420554841602.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmDZWQy5V2aNFSg6v-Hpf0ndxy55RPVma3OciHnRwMt7kNbPgzgwdShgOOcmf3WO9-_o_CfD3U7BHVKZY0p97oqR0f5Vi3O-on4i7_FSm9NtGtbGTif3K-arGSoduItYbp7jo6UY8ccqO/s288/1420554841602.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 216px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half a days work, over 200 acres harrowed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Many people eschew the methods of the modern day farmer, but as someone that benefits everyday from these changes, I say hallelujah! Fifty years ago a farmer fed 28 people, The modern farmer feeds 155, with much less wear and tear on themselves. I can't imagine how farming will continue to change and improve in the next fifty years, but I am looking forward to it.Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-41680051950779715322015-01-04T06:30:00.001-08:002015-01-04T09:28:33.259-08:00Busting some anhydrous ammonia mythsLast year we applied anhydrous ammonia to our fallow fields in preparation of seeding. Many people misunderstand the use of chemical fertilizers, so let's bust some myths.<br />
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The first myth is that farmers drench their fields, because conventional farmers don't know their land.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_UqGVQFjXm3_mjtV2F-9klHNPjrRcSTJX8vO3SJbf2ULqo4xMFZI83roIfaJ4QlWfGyC_0PXEzHWAKNA1kgJaGAdWdr2NRa3fRFFD5z-gypMbJbE_kqh9c-ThHqgi3uUeBxjq3EPcpfg/s1600/r4d039936_sprayer_762x458_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_UqGVQFjXm3_mjtV2F-9klHNPjrRcSTJX8vO3SJbf2ULqo4xMFZI83roIfaJ4QlWfGyC_0PXEzHWAKNA1kgJaGAdWdr2NRa3fRFFD5z-gypMbJbE_kqh9c-ThHqgi3uUeBxjq3EPcpfg/s1600/r4d039936_sprayer_762x458_wm.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a><br />
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Nothing is further from the truth. Before we apply any fertilizer, the soil is tested. Soil tests include the existing nutrients in the soil, the organic material content, the pH, and salt. Samples are taken at the twelve inch, twenty four inch and thirty six inch depths. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIngn8MwetW8C_Q5MlDveOd6e2yHwWCujJzyXjTlHK-zegQmbR60TbFu7Kcm0yswKnz_XtCLaof_sH18Yx3DkNJoqEMTqA7T5E7WVGQreQwGsX9OeBvKQclip2-dvrA7xNue_MLPbBLCZ0/s2560/1420385970892.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIngn8MwetW8C_Q5MlDveOd6e2yHwWCujJzyXjTlHK-zegQmbR60TbFu7Kcm0yswKnz_XtCLaof_sH18Yx3DkNJoqEMTqA7T5E7WVGQreQwGsX9OeBvKQclip2-dvrA7xNue_MLPbBLCZ0/s288/1420385970892.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 288px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 249px;" /></a></div>
Then a recommendation is made based on the desired yield, expected moisture, and soil properties. If we apply too much fertilizer, it will burn up the crop before it can produce anything. Over fertilizing is bad for the farmer and the soil. We only apply what is needed. An onboard computer is used to apply the precise amount desired. Newer technology can create a prescription based on yields and soil tests. Yields increase while using the same amount of fertilizer, but applied more accurately where it would best be used.<br />
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Another myth is that chemical fertilizer causes salts to build up in the soil and large amounts of water is wasted to flush them from the soil. <br />
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On our farm, the soil samples showed effects of salt were negligible. It would be impossible for us to flush salts from the soil since we are dry land farmers and apply no irrigation. It is also unlikely rain is a huge factor in salt reduction, since we receive less than ten inches of rain a year. <br />
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I have also heard the myth that chemical fertilizer kills the soil. <br />
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Initially anhydrous ammonia inhibits the microbes in the soil, but five weeks after application soil bacteria populations had returned to normal. Anhydrous ammonia can also increase organic material in soil and increase the amount of carbon stored in the top twelve inches. <br />
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Overall, anhydrous ammonia is a valuable and useful fertilizer that is used safely to increase yields and productivity on the modern farm.<br />
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<b><u>Sources</u></b><br />
<b><u><br />
</u></b><a href="http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq7758">http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq7758</a><br />
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<a href="http://fieldcrop.msu.edu/uploads/documents/Anhydrous%20Ammonia%20in%20soil.pdf" target="_blank">http://fieldcrop.msu.edu/uploads/documents/Anhydrous%20Ammonia%20in%20soil.pdf </a>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-59013408542171305632014-11-06T06:10:00.001-08:002014-11-06T06:10:42.391-08:00I believed the anti factory farm and anti-GMO popular opinion<p dir=ltr><br>
<u>I</u> have a confession to make. I used to believe the anti-factory farm, anti-gmo, popular opinion. We should all eat local, organic, and all natural. Big business doesn't care and subsequently the really big farms are in it just for the money. I can understand as a society why we all believe this. We are isolated and disconnected from each other. Every day we get messages we are alone in this big mass of humanity.  Politicians are obviously out for power and money, and banks helped create this economic mess we are all struggling through. Even rush hour traffic gives us another example of how everyone cares for themselves and won't even let you merge. We feel we have to defend ourselves from this uncaring world. As parents, food quickly becomes our priority. We are trying to do the best for our families. So when information about antibiotics in our meat and pesticides on our produce is the hot topic, we become fearful and protective. We have to protect our family and our children because no one else will. </p>
<p dir=ltr>So how did my opinion change? How did I become an agvocate? It was actually because of an anti-milk meme I seen on Facebook. The one that claims pus is in milk we buy at the store. How shocking and disgusting! Then I had the small thought, is that really true. So I did a search, and came across a Facebook dairy page that disputed that claim clearly, concisely, and with evidence. I was impressed. I started to follow that page and several other farming pages. When some ridiculous meme crossed my page, I started to research its validity rather than have the knee jerk reaction of instant belief and shock. I found out something amazing. Farmers care! Really! They are just like me. They care about their families. They care about their land. They care about their animals. I also discovered that size doesn't matter. Whether they have a few acres and a few animals or would be considered factory farms, they provide the best care possible. I finally figured out that farmers don't sacrifice all their time and energy just for money. I don't believe anyone could work in the conditions farmers and ranchers do everyday, unless they loved it!</p>
<p dir=ltr>I want to thank all the farmers for their work and all the agvocates for showing me they care. In this world, it means a lot to find out I am not the only one that cares. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLmLGN90riwLw2WxFgk7BsP7O_qiKTLdLSgfR7nyWf3Ktr6KMcsBzEB5xPTa_uGN6PDClCWHCjFVeIOJFOKZZZ0HjZs0IQ5UBn7j37Us97WMfzCOYlHA8BccvoFgMsQ6RCGXWrFieyVZj/s1600/027_20141106060050552_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLmLGN90riwLw2WxFgk7BsP7O_qiKTLdLSgfR7nyWf3Ktr6KMcsBzEB5xPTa_uGN6PDClCWHCjFVeIOJFOKZZZ0HjZs0IQ5UBn7j37Us97WMfzCOYlHA8BccvoFgMsQ6RCGXWrFieyVZj/s640/027_20141106060050552_wm.jpg"> </a> </div>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-12188670416858191452014-03-21T09:12:00.000-07:002014-03-21T09:12:52.313-07:00Farmer laundryI am home this morning since it is too frozen to harrow and I am spending my time catching up on laundry. I laugh at laundry commercials where they are touting bright whites and keeping colors new. Farmer laundry has different goals and problems.<br />
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The first important step is sorting. I do not wash my farmer laundry with the regular dirty laundry. That would contaminate regular clothes with potential poo, grease, oil, diesel stains. Then there is just dirty or really really dirty. I usually don't bother sorting colors and white when washing my work clothes. They are all nearly the same color, dirty.<br />
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Farmers pockets may contain, nut, bolts, cotter keys, grease rags, grain, hay, and other potential hazards for the washer and dryer. Plus I may need that tractor key the next day. ;-) I usually empty pockets and then check them again.<br />
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Then comes the stain pretreat, and of course we buy the gallon size stain remover. This is liberally applied on the worst spots with hope they will be at least somewhat cleaner when laundry is done. Some laundry is so bad, its pretreated and left outside for a couple of days in the rain. One time my husband suggested burying a jacket that was accidentally doused in diesel, because that is what his mother/grandmother would do. I read a farmer's wife blog where she just tossed anything her husband ruined with fuel or grease (that would show him) Good work clothes are expensive. What a waste! Accidents happen, equipment is dirty, it is part of farming!<br />
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Farm clothes always require the heavy duty cycle on the washing machine. Sometimes an extra wash may be required. When it comes out of the machine, if it still has a fuel or grease smell, I will air dry it. If it is still stained but doesn't smell, its good enough for me. Most assuredly, my "clean" clothes will have dirt, grease, or oil on them after 5.2 seconds of work. Why stress about bright whites. Farming life is dirty!<br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGEDK_2DvMreP1YA3PifJK_ZKLdlSOlQRQ1TQVFFL19V1SoA2Ys-pOeZOyR5FUQNZDMXgQG2TUYmByEVEjxryhcundLRBoYP4HLGYilVFDNRedC596S7YngLD3OnUtcxuOnhiikkAdJue/s2560/1395418335351.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGEDK_2DvMreP1YA3PifJK_ZKLdlSOlQRQ1TQVFFL19V1SoA2Ys-pOeZOyR5FUQNZDMXgQG2TUYmByEVEjxryhcundLRBoYP4HLGYilVFDNRedC596S7YngLD3OnUtcxuOnhiikkAdJue/s288/1395418335351.jpeg" border="0" /></a>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-85303395532276709582014-03-07T07:39:00.001-08:002014-03-07T07:39:24.276-08:00Where did your sense of humor go?<p dir=ltr>I admittedly am the type of person that cracks a joke at adversity. Sometimes its better to laugh about something than cry. I also tend to be a bit self deprecating. My husband has the huge ego in my family. One is really enough. I find it interesting when people take offense at things that have nothing to do with them. If I post a picture of a big tractor, I am not attacking small farms. If I make fun of my job, I am not making fun of farmers in general. I am sharing my experience and my point of view. If you don't understand something, please ask and I would be more than willing to explain. If you disagree, great. The world would be incredibly boring if we were all the same. Please remember to be respectful. Behind every internet page, website, and blog, there is a real person, living in the real world. </p>
<p dir=ltr>Farming is a lot of long boring work (sometimes interspersed with a few seconds of terror.) ;-)  If the brain isn't entertained, its easy to go crazy out there. So I create silly pictures and post them on Facebook, and hopefully I can entertain someone else going crazy working on their farm. Live, laugh, and farm!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2cIVI_WlGUO7S_uICt9cxmddhODkWCQKoP59WhnjUPhenDipZDEJIW_296_nwH34Hx_BTzalc2teaFhcuh55hXvN3kAgqan5xqR5PG8QXGCFFbeaNpdbL7BchPEZkT_ixmow-prgVv0R/s1600/46922907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2cIVI_WlGUO7S_uICt9cxmddhODkWCQKoP59WhnjUPhenDipZDEJIW_296_nwH34Hx_BTzalc2teaFhcuh55hXvN3kAgqan5xqR5PG8QXGCFFbeaNpdbL7BchPEZkT_ixmow-prgVv0R/s640/46922907.jpg"> </a> </div>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-9667839919108108892014-03-05T07:32:00.001-08:002014-03-05T07:32:56.723-08:00John Deere class<p dir="ltr">Yesterday I had class at the local John Deere dealer. They provide classes for free on the latest technology, but also throw in a few videos about products they hope you can't live without. ;-) I do not attend these classes because I don't already know how to do my job. I attend because the technology is always changing! I am the person on the farm that makes sure all the GPS units, the monitors, and the software is up to date. I also collect all the data from the tractors and combines and print reports for my boss. Every year the data is put to more important uses. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I attended three classes and didn't learn a lot that was new, but they answered a few of my questions and I did learn a few helpful tidbits. I downloaded the latest updates and now it is time to program the cards for the spring field work. The tractors are still hibernating for the winter in a shop, but I will be ready when they come out. </p>
<p dir="ltr"> While farming is easier than it has ever been, if you don't keep up with the technology you are going to be lost. I skipped one class last year and learned that the hard way! </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95dPumASci3CgKbEsHQdbwH-lES404LtWOPshQkLOk8-c9oQBPJgOz7x9SSN52gXF_KuODapq-6_EXYhbzUIcgDvXTMdpzGpDrDqAnCWQB_FZJhuydcSfNoSveOlEjqrOIffb7Mcs_B8o/s1600/DSCN5803_20130817083713780_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95dPumASci3CgKbEsHQdbwH-lES404LtWOPshQkLOk8-c9oQBPJgOz7x9SSN52gXF_KuODapq-6_EXYhbzUIcgDvXTMdpzGpDrDqAnCWQB_FZJhuydcSfNoSveOlEjqrOIffb7Mcs_B8o/s640/DSCN5803_20130817083713780_wm.jpg"> </a> </div>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-37514611870215261612014-03-04T07:05:00.003-08:002014-03-04T07:13:19.750-08:00public blasting, wow<p dir=ltr>I realized when I decided to put my life on a public forum that I would be a target for crtitcism. This morning I got my first real dose of that. On one of my pictures, someone said I was a slap in the face to real farmers because real farmers are 24/7 365. I am actually just sad for this person. They must be under a lot of stress and lashed out as someone they don't know. This person doesn't know the sacrifices my family and I have made for this farm. We have lived here for twenty two years. I have survived blizzards and dust storms. I have seen animals born and die. I have worked more hours in a day than I thought possible, went to bed and did it again the next day. My husband and I are a farming team, and everything we do revolves around the farm.</p>
<p dir=ltr>I didn't want to be serious on my tractor page. I wanted to make funny pictures and laugh about something that I love, but still struggle with. I wanted to remind myself why I love it. No matter how you chop it up, farming is hard. Whether it is a wheat farm, a dairy farm, an orchard, or any other type farm big or small, we all need to support each other. We share a common struggle to raise food for a populace that doesn't appreciate hard dirty work. Lets not make this a war about which farmer works harder. It reminds me of the mommy wars. Instead of supporting other women, we are tearing them down.</p>
<p dir=ltr>I am a part time, poser farmer. I don't own the farm. I just work here. I don't own the equipment, I just play with it. I don't receive any difference in wages depending on the outcome of the crop. I could just be a worker. I could work the minimum hours and put out the minimum work. I work long hours, drive through lunch, and give up weekends and off time, because that is what is required to do it right. When my kids come home from college to visit, they visit me on my tractor. I am not a farmer, but tractors fill my days 9 months of the year and in my dreams every night. I don't farm because I have to, I farm because I care.<br><br><br></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWN9viS1bffhUrQ5QPzwLOZhlczkUe_pE9hACAutkVaoKJZInnChYmiF3IVlMgguCpKkehCO0MW8Te7DgtXd8lDRBR3rOZAzMfIqwpmyHgSXHVVcNfFeJCkOJqkRFiprxWSugxPbMPasp/s1600/IMAG0663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWN9viS1bffhUrQ5QPzwLOZhlczkUe_pE9hACAutkVaoKJZInnChYmiF3IVlMgguCpKkehCO0MW8Te7DgtXd8lDRBR3rOZAzMfIqwpmyHgSXHVVcNfFeJCkOJqkRFiprxWSugxPbMPasp/s640/IMAG0663.jpg"> </a> </div>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-23680232134635324962014-02-07T07:46:00.001-08:002014-02-07T08:22:16.317-08:00Cultiweeder photo essay<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
The cultiweeder was scheduled to go to Waterville for some work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCveFLdDX8nk7lydlLdDGlERgIpYTbdIRtPjgyKdz-x3yw3c3XHXhY3WXAE6vX5thdfM8-rgP6ONZNRauDtmsnBIiWHrV2s68yf3qqy57l-pNEW9RKZNzExUnhXeh0nZbSPSCFjGj8cklP/s2560/1391787766717.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCveFLdDX8nk7lydlLdDGlERgIpYTbdIRtPjgyKdz-x3yw3c3XHXhY3WXAE6vX5thdfM8-rgP6ONZNRauDtmsnBIiWHrV2s68yf3qqy57l-pNEW9RKZNzExUnhXeh0nZbSPSCFjGj8cklP/s288/1391787766717.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 162px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am headed out to hook up the cultiweeder.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQCmELegDlV7AyouuJeblBLd4PnqG_rfyXAQ4YYxbVsFRKuB2FjOjXlQDcb3Mz-slec1xPsYnjzF_yDLmtX8YpLt9uANdbgII2HllGrNW94a0etNjQT8SRtmRLPbiVgYDoiARSjP2Fo5i/s2560/1391787826211.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQCmELegDlV7AyouuJeblBLd4PnqG_rfyXAQ4YYxbVsFRKuB2FjOjXlQDcb3Mz-slec1xPsYnjzF_yDLmtX8YpLt9uANdbgII2HllGrNW94a0etNjQT8SRtmRLPbiVgYDoiARSjP2Fo5i/s288/1391787826211.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 163px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cultiweeder takes up some roadway<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDK1WJwHFR1bzXEpBdrES7_4r9nO-O6I6H_UXmrTsf4SoiRAZKXL2htVlA5Zq1UVpQS5lZFd4D0rRkUMp4gPdh8VVUNgVQO_ZeRxYbsuNmNT09nxmkJ7caxDSSU7LlZ4yMaLs0FH0jADa/s2560/1391787843931.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDK1WJwHFR1bzXEpBdrES7_4r9nO-O6I6H_UXmrTsf4SoiRAZKXL2htVlA5Zq1UVpQS5lZFd4D0rRkUMp4gPdh8VVUNgVQO_ZeRxYbsuNmNT09nxmkJ7caxDSSU7LlZ4yMaLs0FH0jADa/s288/1391787843931.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 162px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfolding the cultiweeder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIHwdChthf5wKn7EuwDvYyRs7XuGZ2tQGv0Jl9X4uHHAz2adJMXH4obl4UFJG_aOoNfDhHDWe8x8oWSWBbQmW-ZMIhM4tqEWlLpw_cjvDnbyoGgA3O1Ui4CJFHYScrkcQUNiWia0ghnFb/s2560/1391787904779.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIHwdChthf5wKn7EuwDvYyRs7XuGZ2tQGv0Jl9X4uHHAz2adJMXH4obl4UFJG_aOoNfDhHDWe8x8oWSWBbQmW-ZMIhM4tqEWlLpw_cjvDnbyoGgA3O1Ui4CJFHYScrkcQUNiWia0ghnFb/s288/1391787904779.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 162px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Unfolded. I took all the drivelines off so Barnes can convert it to hydraulic drive.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f9HW87rQwLVjvc2TaxB1fheV6HSL4-XZZnmYo2ygOJIim18bi0GCDGzVF-42ityndjYD7qkRvccdlMJ3VmfHyKahM-LjuTUJHfn3TWDCJtfzeAUgCkTGdLlqfi-6nMAqPWDY3zqZ4GsY/s2560/1391787956720.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f9HW87rQwLVjvc2TaxB1fheV6HSL4-XZZnmYo2ygOJIim18bi0GCDGzVF-42ityndjYD7qkRvccdlMJ3VmfHyKahM-LjuTUJHfn3TWDCJtfzeAUgCkTGdLlqfi-6nMAqPWDY3zqZ4GsY/s288/1391787956720.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 162px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Randy drove to Waterville with the machine and Jessi and I flagged. He had to take a back road to get to highway 2 due to road restrictions.</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Nice day to take it over with plowed roads and no fog. Blew an implement tire as we pulled into Waterville but still a success. :-)</div>
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Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826490992238527988.post-10420687628815526992014-02-01T08:53:00.001-08:002014-02-01T15:37:51.456-08:00Blog startAfter having a Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tractorjen" target="_blank">Tractor Jen</a> for a while, I have come to the conclusion that a blog would be a nice addition. Facebook is great for sharing photos and quick status updates, but some things would be better explained in detail and not be lost in the sea of Facebook posts.<br />
I love farming and love sharing it with others, but farmers are busy and there might be absences. Stick with me though and I will show you a farming good time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUpbfvMs1t_cQMTYAwQofg5vpUjqPY1ACt3cDYT1ALu_ZnLkCiUPKqim7sgXwFa4MM7iiMbMHRapn4Kwzk19bNecSRwbVrvC-y1U2EQl9KixJnYYvF6_2WIUJQWwMcaqUTpaRgJXrQn3c/s1600/JPEG%252520Image%252520%2525288255625%252529_20140116084300131_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUpbfvMs1t_cQMTYAwQofg5vpUjqPY1ACt3cDYT1ALu_ZnLkCiUPKqim7sgXwFa4MM7iiMbMHRapn4Kwzk19bNecSRwbVrvC-y1U2EQl9KixJnYYvF6_2WIUJQWwMcaqUTpaRgJXrQn3c/s640/JPEG%252520Image%252520%2525288255625%252529_20140116084300131_wm.jpg"> </a> </div>Tractor Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16785706816255140472noreply@blogger.com0