Monday, August 25, 2014

How to Check the Corn

 Look for some nice long ears.
 Make sure the sun's rays are covering the field.
 Notice the tasseling.
 Hope for bug free ears.
 Find a random ear that grew where the tassels should be.

 Send the farmer in for a height comparison.

 Take the stick in to really get a good idea of how tall it is.  9ft+
 Demonstrate how you were holding the stick.
 Do a Vanna White impression after you shuck an ear.
 Notice how many rows and how well filled in the kernels are.
Wish there were even more rows, because you just can't be satisfied with what you grew.
Check the stage of drying.  Dough stage right now.
 Find a few kernels that are starting to dimple.  Good sign that it might be dry enough to harvest before the snow falls.  Good thing for the wife who chose a longer day corn.
 Watch the sunset on another day of growing.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

How To Water Corn (A Dog's Perspective)

 Run up and down the ditch bank, ear's flopping, checking for evil creatures like skunks or mice.
 Get your nose low to the ground to sniff and identify what has passed this way recently.
Take a minute to refresh yourself after all that hard work.
Stare at the camera woman.
Resume hydration.
 Go back to searching for something to kill.

 Practically disappear in the tall hay that hasn't been cut because of the frequent rain storms.
 Continue searching.
 Emerge and collaborate on discoveries.

 Move from varmint searching to checking that the siphon tubes are flowing properly.

 Check the ditch level.
 Ponder jumping back in.
 Decide that the head gate is a better spot to swim in.

 Get out so that the other dog can have her turn.

 Stare fascinated at the water flowing in the culvert.
Repeat repeatedly.
Get a closer look.
 Wonder out loud why the farmer doesn't take you with him every time.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

How To Water Corn

 Walk up ditch, get the tubes, walk back down the ditch.
 Repeat repeatedly.
 Make sure the yellow dog stays out of your way.  Teach her to just jump in the ditch so you don't trip on her trying to walk on the narrow bank.
 Don't forget to toss a shovel over your shoulder.

 Check level of water in canal on your way to the field.  Make sure there is just enough water to keep the tubes running, but not so much that you flood over the ditch bank.
 Be glad that the cooler weather got rid of the moss problem for the most part.

 Keep carrying the tubes until you see your fancy, glow in the dark dike marker.
 Drop off a couple of tubes at each cut out/pit.
 Go back for more.
 Once you have moved all of the tubes, it's time to start them.
 Hold on to the fabric end while dunking the open end in the ditch.



 Pull quickly.
 And drop the fabric end lower than the end in the ditch.  Waa laa  siphoning happens!
 Repeat repeatedly.

 Make sure the tubes stay running.

 Check for whirlpools on the ditch end.   Calm water is steady flowing water.
 Smile because at least this change is in the daylight.
 Give your wife a look that says, "I wish you would put down that camera!".

Clouds - March 14th