Harvest is long. Really long.  In actual minutes spent, it is a relatively short piece of the year, of the whole farming process. And it is rather significant. Mike ever so faithfully, puts in long, long hours. I ever so, well um, ever so endure it all. Yes, the weather has been beautiful. The fall colors and multiple layers of dust (?) add to the richness of the season. But when it comes to the last few weeks, I get an attitude and then I drink too much coffee. I don’t why this is. The coffee part.

I know the attitude part.

When Mike’s not around, I try to do too much. Stay busy. And then I’m up late, because I get all fired up to do more.  He’s always been the stabilizing force in our marriage. When he’s gone, I get a little off kilter.

Don’t get me wrong. I am thankful for harvest and all that it means to putting food on the table and teaching young men to work hard.

The kids have been gems, though one of them has begun showing the effects of not having his dad around as much. I have to pull the child closer and even keep him from some of his normal activities. He stays near and helps do stuff. And I offer him coffee but he says, no thank you. At least he’s polite.

 I let the kids stay up last night and hang out with Dad while he wasn’t snoring. Little Miss was glued to him. When Mike did fall asleep on the floor, she laid down beside him with her pillow and blanket. Sweet.

This past week, we had a much needed breath of fresh air. My brother, sil and niece came for a much-too-short visit. Little ones amp up the energy and excitement around here. My niece is a honey, and full of good times. I had to share her with way too many people.

Little Miss and G took advantage of our warm October days, swam and ran in the sprinklers.

We all took a walk to see the horses in the pasture down the street. This is my pregnant sil Emily who bless her heart, informed me she was craving a burrito from the taco truck. Oh the joy!

If you asked Mike, he’d say harvest is going well, minus the fifty different equipment brake downs. He likes all the crazy, though the glossy eyed look might make you think otherwise. I’m just going to continue keeping myself busy, drinking my coffee and dreaming of harvest end, when I fly off into the sunset with my farmer turned beach bum, to breathe in a little aloha and celebrate 15 years of dust marriage.