Here in Witch Falls, and in the Ridge River District in general, we’re blessed to have abundant fresh water; thanks to our spring-fed river, creeks, lakes, and ponds. I’ve written fairly regularly recently about the lack of rain, and while we’re not having the terrible drought troubles that are affecting so many places in the country this summer; not having rain is making the farm work a lot harder this year.
We didn’t get any rain again today, and Rowen and I went for another bike ride into the valley, where we got to see some really cool irrigation systems in action; and found out just how much extra work it took to keep the crops growing whenever mother nature wasn’t in the mood to help out. The water cannons are amazing to watch, but adding that work to already tough, long summer work days looked like it was really wearing down some of the farmers.
I knew that Landry’s Automotive was always busy with the farm equipment end of their business, but we stopped to talk with Tim’s cousin, Kyle, when we saw him working on a tractor with his Dad near the road in one of the fields we were passing; and he told us that they were working really long days too trying to keep up with all of the equipment that was breaking down because of the heat and extra work hours.
Kyle’s about a year younger than Violet and Dillon, and is definitely his father’s son. He’s been the best football player on our school team since he could start playing in Grade Nine; and even though Rowen and I aren’t into watching the games, we do hear that the other teams’ players do their very best to run away from him whenever he’s anywhere near them – especially if they’re holding the ball at the time!
Anyway, Rowen and I learned a few things about tractor repairs, and more about the farming and equipment problems that were going on everywhere this summer while Kyle and Lee continued to work. We left them with a pair of the bakery cookies we’d brought along for snack breaks; and I had a hug for Lee too – something that I’ve done pretty much every time I’ve seen him since the little combine accident that Mom, Uncle Adam, and I helped him with. Rowen and I both felt like little pixies again while around Lee and Kyle; and back to normal once we were on our own again.
We saw a few of the ‘farm kids’ from school while out in the valley, and while they were all a little older than us, I felt a bit guilty that we were playing all afternoon while they were all working hard. Yeah, I know that I do a lot of work too, but my hours of computer time on the family business is play time compared to a lot of farm jobs. Even spending the morning getting ahead on this week’s yard work at home was a breeze by comparison.
Moving along, when Rowen and I got back to town, we checked in at home; went for a swim; and had an ice cream break with Mom, Alicia, Violet, and the twins. We went to the park for the rest of the afternoon, and played with some of our friends until dinnertime. It was another easy-dinner night, and then Mom had her ball practice while Rowen and I took Ethan, Ehlana, and Naomi to the park playground while the Arrows were busy getting ready for their next game that was just a week and a half away.
Rowen needed to go home after that, but I was watching Ethan and Ehlana again tonight while Mom and Aunt Leanne were busy with Aunt Deborah again. I had Violet’s help; and Dillon’s too when he came over after finishing work at the Inn. Dillon was in time for the bedtime story and snack, and after putting Ethan and Ehlana to bed; I came up to bed too. Those earlier feelings of guilt may have been part of the motivation, but I did want to get some computer work done tonight too; and I’ve been doing that for nearly three hours now.
I’m sure that I’ll get used to it eventually, but it’s still weird now to be working on business projects that are one, two, or even three shopping ‘seasons’ ahead. We’re not really even into back-to-school season yet, and tonight I’ve worked on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas plans and projects. The good part of that is getting to find out early which toys, games, gadgets, and clothes are expected to be hot for Christmas this year; and even things like new holiday movies or specials coming up that are tied into retail sales; marketing; manufacturing; and transportation. Too bad I can’t talk about any of this with any of the other kids or teens; except Rowen. Information like that would be very popular on the junior gossip network.
I’ve had enough fun for today, though, so it’s time to wrap this up and call it a night.
Live from Witch Falls; this is Cassie Proctor, signing off!
