I suppose I don't have much to write about. But thought I would just let folks know I'm alive.
I'm alive!
We plowed part of the oat field today, and it was surprisingly tiring. I never had a chance to use the walk behind single plow last year, but I'm already dreading plowing under the rest of the fields. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun, but it was a hell of a workout. Tricky footing, while I jogged behind the plow trying to maintain a straight furrow. Didn't work to well. The first four or five passes were all sorts of not straight. But after that I started to get the hang of "left to go right, right to go left". It uh...it took some getting used to.
The oxen didn't have any trouble pulling the plow though. I was worried about it, as plowing is one of the hardest things for a single team of oxen. Constantly pulling for the length of the field. They got a really good workout. Steve took them up to pasture after we got our work done for the day, "they never dropped their heads once to eat on the way up. Went straight for where we pitch them hay". This is a thing unheard of. The boys are always trying to sneak some grass. It's kind of like trying to keep a team of 14 year olds on task during a drill at practice. Always giving them commands, correcting improper behavior/mistakes...it's kind of draining driving oxen.
I started working with the horses this past Sunday. Mike and Spike, the white team of Percherons, Cory talked me through the harnessing process, then we did a bit of ground driving, and I logged a couple of hours driving them with an oat wagon. They are much easier to drive than the oxen. Most of the effort driving them is holding them back from running. Not stopping them from eating grass and playing ox whisperer.
Anyway, that sums up what I've been doing.
Buck
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And I think I'm tired after a day with six-year-olds.
ReplyDeleteDad Said "Try plowing with a team of cats"? Now that would be interesting. They are called beasts of burden for a reason ya know... I can't relate, but we could try trading days anytime...You sit in the three hour council meeting that gets nothing done.
ReplyDeleteHorses actually LIKE to work, unlike the bovine helpers I've gotten to work with. I do not envy you your job with the horned beasties, but trying to control Ben and Judah and keep them from being stupid runaway horses was never fun. Spike thought that because he was bigger than me, he could be more stubborn than me too. And for a mostly short person like me, harnessing a team up was a challenge in and of itself. I'm boggled that this could be easier than driving oxen.
ReplyDeleteby the way, did you hear Garrison Keillor had a minor stroke. He's doing fine and should be back to a regular schedule on Monday, but I've been thinking about him today.
ReplyDeleteOh, Dad. Can I cuss in this council meeting? How about throw things? I seem to remember this teacher I had, Mr. Flescher... Threw a desk out a window...How's that for management?
ReplyDelete