Some thoughts and pics from driving through western Oklahoma over the weekend. We depend on the farmer, then we fuss when we get stuck behind his slow-moving tractor or a load of cattle. It is feast or famine for him. His livelihood is a gamble, his life a sacrifice. He is not appreciated as he should be. So here’s to the farmer and their families. My Grandpa Warren, my Uncle Billy, Aunt Joyce and their boys, my friend’s dad ~ George, and so many more. Thank you. Thank you. What else can be said? 
“He gets up before the dawn
Packs a lunch and a thermos full of coffee
It’s another day in the dusty haze
Those burnin’ rays are wearing down his body
And diesel’s worth the price of gold
And it’s the cheapest grain he’s ever sold
But he’s still holding on.
He just takes the tractor another round
And pulls the plow across the ground
And sends up another prayer
He says, Lord I never complain I never ask why
But please don’t let my dream run dry
Underneath, Underneath this Amarillo sky
That hail storm back in ’83
Sure did take a toll on his family
But he stayed strong and carried on
Just like his dad and granddad did before him
On his knees every night he prays
Please let my crops and children grow
Cause that’s all he’s ever known.” (Performed by Jason Aldean)
stuff i tell my sister 
Beautiful pictures and lyrics…
Isn’t the beauty just in the every day “stuff”…..we just have to look and appreciate! Thanks for reading ~
So true!
Amen Paula! Thank you to those who keep this country fed and bust their butts doing it! We are so ungrateful and wasteful.
so true, Rebecca ~
Well said! I love the poem, too.
It’s a wonderful country song by Jason Aldean. If you jump on you tube…you can take a listen. Thanks for the read! ♥
Love this…I grew up in an agricultural area…and it’s so easy to take for granted all that goes into our fresh veggies and fruits. Summer wouldn’t be summer without fresh corn, ruby red tomatoes, basil, juicy peaches and the perfect apricot, just to name a few…thanks for helping to remind us where all that goodness comes from and how hard they work to bring it to our tables!
Bonnie ~ I did as well….I really miss all the extra cotton fluff that used to line main street where the elevator was located. I used to pretend it was snow. My grandpa would give us the okay to pick his cotton. We’d get a sack and head to the field and last about five minutes. I know he was laughing to himself and thinking, “that’s pretty much what I figured”. 😉 I never tried to help dig the peanuts cause I didn’t like dirt under my nails. I also did NOT understand why they didn’t taste salty fresh outta the ground. You are right though, melons, squash, cucs, tomatoes…..wow….and we fuss about the prices.
Oh, you had cotton fluff…we had the tomato cannery in our town, thankfully far enough from our house, but as you drove by, whew…I can still remember the smell. I can remember traipsing through orchards to see friends or just hang out…they are all gone now…houses and streets instead. And apricots..lots and lots of cots! I didn’t last very long in the cutting shed either 🙂
Ps…check my blog on Thursday…you might recognize someone you know 🙂
http://paperkeeper.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/treasury-thursday-watermelon-sunshine/
thanks for the idea!
Thank you so much for this! My granddad and daddy were both farmers and my husband, as well. It’s a hard life and so dependent on things we have no control over: weather, market prices, etc. You have once again done a great job of honoring our American farmers!
There’s a lot of thinking time between here and Enid, Christi. I have always had great admiration for the farmer……I just needed this drive for a reminder. Kudos to the farmers in your life!!!
I enjoyed that, Paula, thank you. The pictures and the slow cadence of the poetry soothed my soul. I agree with you; there is an abundance of goodness to be thankful for, if only we look for it!
~ Cara
♥♥♥ Thanks, Cara ~ appreciate you…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc823UD0LeU This is the “link” to listen to the above song by Jason Aldean….pretty amazing ~
Enjoyed the words and pics!! 🙂
Thanks, Dottie!
another wonderful post….wish everyone could have the exposure to the farmland. educational and eye opener……wonder how many executives good survive the farm lands??? tougher than wall street…and an unknown out come
a gamble both ways! but good point, sister! 😉
And in Oklahoma we have something no one else has. It stains your clothing, grows great crops, and makes the most beautiful ponds. (and it is magic!) 😉
I have soaked many a little boys socks to rid them of this “magic”. It lingers, regardless! Still ~ you miss it when you move away. Gotta love that red dirt! ♥
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You always have to most beautiful pictures and thoughts.. what a sweet kind person you are.. I’m so lucky I’ve gotten a chance to get to know you….
Carri
you are always so sweet, Carri ~ While I might have a heart for people and history, I love giving folks a hard time, too….so ya better watch out for “the other side”. Great getting to know you, too. Wish you were my neighbor….then I could sample all the great stuff you cook! 😉 ♥ paula (and maybe learn to sew? naaaaa)
From Eastern farm stock…to Mid-west farm stock…yur darn tootin! Thank you thank you thank you!
😉 yee-haw to that!