I didn’t find this week’s sign until I was there, I’d been there before, seen the sign, and turned right into the parking lot almost as if the car knew where to go.
My go to sign at the church lists October’s upcoming events and I didn’t find any signs until yesterday evening just before sunset, after I had loaded the car. And there it was, this week’s sign.
Our family has been visiting this farm for as long as I can remember…my first photo evidence is from 2011, that I could find, but that was about the time that Saturdays were filled with kid’s activities of sports and scouts and family and whatever else we could pack in. Now that they aren’t kids any more, we still visit.
The farm is an hour’s drive into the flat plains of northwestern Illinois farming country. Soybean and corn fields lined the road as we drove west. An occasional farmhouse and barn surrounded by trees greeted along our journey. It’s been dry, very dry, and we saw clouds of dust in the fields as farmers rushed to bring in this year’s harvest with their combines.
The farm we visit is a multi-generation farm and the original farmer has since passed on, but his family – his kids, and their kids, and their kids, kids continue the tradition. The daughters run the operation now, and they remember us, even though we haven’t brought our kids in a few years. They grow pumpkins, and the midwestern field crops as well as raise a few head of cattle, too. The farmhouse is decorated with pumpkins and gourds sorted by size and price and there is quite the variety.
They also raise rabbits and goats’ a few years back we almost came home with a rabbit to go with our pumpkins.
We always arrive late in the afternoon and have picked our pumpkins, visited, explored, and loaded before the sun sets over the fields. We always stop for dinner at a local restaurant on our way home. It’s our tradition and it feels right. When dinner is finished, it is dark, and we drive home. It’s been a full day when we pull into the driveway and unloading the car will have to wait until the morning.
I woke later this morning, later than normal, but earlier than the rest of the house. I was rested, the country air is always refreshing, and I was ready for the day. I was a reading a few blogs and I came read Dr. Gerald Stein’s post – Our Questionable Progress, and I thought how appropriate it was as I was feeling overloaded starting the day. Sunday is always a busy day for me I never seem to get everything I need to get done. So today, I am going to breathe and get done, what I can and leave the remainder for Monday. No pressure.
It’s my youngest brother’s birthday – all three of us are sequential 61-62-63 until my birthday in November when I will be two to the sixth power. It’s also my 34th wedding anniversary and it seems like the other day when a ray of light beamed in through window above us and illuminated the two of us just as we took our vows.
Today is going to be an amazing day, I am sure of it. So, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Today is going to be a great day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, being patient, focused, and purposeful.
How is your Sunday going?
Such wonderful pumpkins Clay. Can I offer you early birthday wishes and also a very happy wedding anniversary. Hubby and I are celebrating our 33rd anniversary this year so we’re not far behind you. Thanks for sharing your lovely pics and words. Hope you have a fabulous week ahead!
Thank you! It rained overnight, the first rain in a long while and it gave the pumpkins a good washing! Congratulations on 33…going to be stacking them and moving them this evening when I get home from school. Enjoy your week. Peace.
Clay, I need to know something. Are all or most of those pumpkins edible or simply for decorating? And what happens afterwards? In any case, IF edible, nobody could possibly eat that much pumpkin…. it’s always a bit confusing for me.
I love the rich pickings you brought to your home and I loved your thinking. Beautiful photography too.
Kiki, thank you for stopping by. Yes, pumpkins are edible, but you have to cook them in order to eat them. We won’t be eating these pumpkins as these are for decoration, but when we are finished with them after Halloween, we will take them to a composter who collects pumpkins from the area. At the farm, we purchased them, their cattle were feasting on pumpkins that didn’t make the grade.
A couple of years ago, my daughter and a friend decided they were going to make a pumpkin pie with fresh pumpkin, and they peeled the pumpkin, then roasted it, then you read it, and made the pie. It was delicious. Also, when you carve the pumpkins, you can clean the seeds, salt them, and roast them. They’re delicious.
Sorry for the long reply, it’s almost a blog post in itself! Have a wonderful Monday.
I love this line, Clay:
“It’s our tradition and it feels right.”
I think that’s the best thing about maintaining seasonal traditions. Actually, traditions of all sorts! Hubby Paul picked up some gorgeous pumpkins for our deck and the colors this year– wow – reflected in your spectacular photos. Thank you for sharing…and I love the callback to Dr. Stein’s post. So good!
Thank you. I wish I could make your book talk I am close….I rurally felt his post.. it seems we’ve made so much progress, but perhaps a simpler approach is better. I always sleep better after a trip to that farm or a drive through the country. coming home with pumpkins to decorate the house is a bonus. Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend and week ahead.
I’m with you…keeping those traditions is important. Feeling connected, a trip to a farm. Those rural drives. Good for the soul! Thank you, Clay!
Oops, forgot. Im house sitting in Nirthport. Right now I’m enjoying the view of Lake Michigan from my friend’s sunny deck. People are walking the beach in swimsuits and some are actually swimming. In October. In northern Michigan.
That’s us next weekend, though I am not sure about the swimming part. We have everything out of the lake and it will be a nice weekend to get away up north. Enjoy your time with your friend and I hope there is enough darkness for some night sky shots. Peace.
Those are gorgeous pumpkins! And what a load you bought! No wonder they remember you! Happy Birthday to your son. According to my math you’re still a youngster, not quite ready for Social Security.
Thank you. My wife and I always talk to them and the daughter in charge remembers our daughter because she had a daughter about the same age. We almost visited last weekend when our daughter was in town, but we decided to visit this weekend instead. It was a good time… thanks for stopping in and enjoy your weekend up north.