Nothing like starting the day with “keep an eye on that, might start a fire.” It never seems to fail, every harvest there is one problematic piece of equipment and this year it’s my header. I so hope to not talk about fire this week…
The best way to kill time in the field is with banter over the two ways. That banter is made exponentially funnier when the South Africans on the crew can’t tell if we’re being sarcastic or serious. Magda, the other female operator working with us this year, is figuring out quite quickly that sarcasm is a necessary skill for survival on our crew.
Every harvest we cut wheat for River Bush Farms in Eloy, Arizona where they grow certified seed for our local Elevator to be sold for planting next year. In order for certified seed to be harvested we are required to blow out our machines, headers and grain carts so there isn’t a single kernel to be found. A hard working harvester and a very large air compressor get this job done in about an hour or two of climbing all over the combine and into the bin all while under the Arizona sun in 107 degree heat. My brother, Neil, has no problem pushing me and Magda to work but this is one job he refuses to let us do and we are so grateful for that.
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".
