Farms and Flowers

Spring planting has finally begun. Area farmers are working around the clock to get their fields prepared. My brother Daniel works for the Smiths (no relation) in Overbrook. The Smiths live just down the road from my grandma Moore's house. They are several generation farmers just like the Moore's. They are good people and are part of a unique rural community where people still take care of one another when someone is in need.

Neil is kind enough to let Daniel give the boys joy rides on his farm equipment. Gabe had a look at the Smith's cattle on the Ranger a couple of weeks ago and ever since his poor cousin Bryson has been begging to go "farming" with Uncle Daniel. Yesterday morning he got his opportunity. We packed a sack lunch early in the morning and headed east to the Smith farm. The boys were absolutely elated to get to ride in the tractor with Uncle Daniel. The boys had a good two hour ride on the tractor before we called it a day and broke for lunch. Bryson goes to school at 12:20 each day or we could have let them "farm" longer.

After dropping them off I went on down the road a bit to Grandma's and worked in her flower beds. I've been working a little bit a couple days a week on her beds. It feels so good to be working in the soil on a regular basis, being in the sun, and best of all, helping out my sweet Grandma who has given so selflessly for years. Barrett chills in the stroller most of the time while I'm working, sometimes he gets down and roams around, pulling leaves off of plants he probably shouldn't be.

Here's a collection of photos from the boys time riding the tractor and working at Grandma's. Some are from my phone, so the photo quality may be lacking. Others I took with a borrowed DSLR. Still haven't gotten mine into the shop yet. Fearing how much it's going to cost me.

Working in the flower beds on a chilly day.

She loves her babies.

A May Day surprise for her back door.

First flowers up.

 

 

 

Uncle Daniel taking the boys to see the cattle.

Super hero farmer helpers.

 

When the boys first saw Daniel Gabe asked, "Will you take us for a ride in the big green tractor?" Bryson followed immediately with, "You know that's a song?"

 

 

Bib pockets are great for holding pacifiers.

 

In the field east of Grandma's.

Seems to be broken.

I don't smile, Mom.
Nice try.