We started on the road to making our marriage richer (in experience) - broadening our horizons beyond the farm and family. Jarrod and I camped together for the first time last night. We decided finally to just do it, packed up a few things, picked up a few things, and headed for one of our pastures. The cows have kept the grass mowed close to the ground near the pond and it's a quiet, secluded location. We worked together to set up our tent for the first time and couldn't quite figure out what we had wrong...the poles kept wanting to warp sideways. We thought maybe we had it stretched too tight, so we adjusted the stakes, but ended up with one pole that was still wapperjawed come morning.
Since we got a bit of of a late start, we didn't do much but sit around and watch a storm, talk and drink beer, and go to bed. Thankfully the bulk of the storm didn't hit our area, but we did get to enjoy the lightning show from a distance and listen to the gentle rain as we tried to sleep. Neither of us slept very well (we'll have to find a pad or mattress of some sort next time), but it was nice to wake up to the birds talking, evidence that the cows had been over investigating at some point in the morning (fresh tracks in the mud nearby) and a cool morning. We had some poptarts and sunnyd for breakfast, tore down, checked the cows and went home. But I woke up feeling much more at peace and much less stressed and we both had smiles on our faces all day.
Next time we'll have to try for a weekend of camping instead of just an overnight. :) And hopefully this is just a start to experiencing more of the world and more of life - together. Here are a few pictures:
I just love the hurry-up-and-wait game (do you feel the sarcasm dripping off my words)?!! The whole harvest felt like a lot of rushing out somewhere and then twiddling our thumbs for one reason or another. Harvest finished up on Monday the 16th. We cut a bit on Saturday, and got rained out. Sunday we had another storm brew up. Monday we finally finished up the last little bit. Wednesday the machines were parked and the paperwork is all caught up. The bills have all come in and just as much or more is going out than came in. Be doing good to break even on the wheat harvest this year.
The good news is that the cows are still alive and healthy. About one month away from calving! yeah baby calves. Jarrod has been able to get some field work done and the rains have helped the milo and sowed feed grow well. The weeds like the rain too. Guess you can't have your cake and eat it too. The house is clean again, we have groceries again and we have clean clothes to wear. Should be thankful for all that we have. Is the constant need for better situations something that ever ends? Do you ever just happily, contentedly appreciate what you have, or do you strive for better until the day you die? I guess moderation or balance is the key. Appreciate what you have but still keep trying to improve. Everything in moderation. One of the giant important lessons/keys to life. I think. Not 100% sure.
