Strip pit report....

Since starting to babysit Lorelei, and with all the other things going on, I have not been getting out to the strip pits. We were headed by there last week and made a run through part of it, and did again this evening. This is one of a few little sunflowers that was growing right in the edge of the road. I love how it is backlit. Believe it or not, I don't think it was even two feet tall.

But that is not what I want to report. What we have seen is Northern Harrier hawks...both times. Only one last week, and just a couple today. Though there were some other birds soaring that just might have been them. I know, most times it is buzzards when there are several, but out there I have seen several Northern Harriers at the same time.

Either way, it was hard not to keep a big goofy smile on my face. I just love seeing them...they are the only birds I have ever seen besides a hummingbird that can just hover in flight. I really hope I can get time to spend out there when they all come back, and hopefully get a good picture or two.

Some of the fields have been partially mowed and some were in the process of being bailed today. Maybe we will be able to see more wildlife if it is not quite so grown up. I would have loved to spend more time out there, but had things I had to so so we just went through one little section of it and went on about our business.

Tobacco sticks

Or as we called them, baccer sticks. You didn't say reach me a tobacco stick...it was reach me a baccer stick. And I can remember our dad having a hard time finding a sawmill that would saw us some new ones.

This is not a good picture...not sure what I done wrong. I can't seem to improve it no matter how I try. But it still brings a flood of images to me every time I see it. Or if I hear the term, tobacco stick...you would probably be amazed at how many times my hands have handled these sticks. Along with those of my brothers.

In one season alone, first they are loaded on a wagon and taken to the tobacco patch. Then I and my brother next to me in age usually spread them, end to end through the tobacco patch. Through every two rows. As soon as we got started, my other brothers Neal and George would start cutting. And as we got older, I think Robert started cutting it also.

Anyway, so now they pick up the sticks and pound one end in the ground, stick a spear on the other end. (I wish I had a picture of one, but I don't.) I think they put 5 or 6 stalks of tobacco on each stick...correct me if I am wrong Neal. I didn't do this job, but was usually picking up any leaves that had broken off during the process.

Anyway, keep in mind that is the 3rd time they are handled...the tobacco is usually let set I think a day till it wilts. Then my brothers handle them one more time as they load the tobacco on the wagon, and one more time when they take it to the barn and hang it on the tier poles. One would be on the wagon handing the sticks full of tobacco to one brother who would be straddling the first set of tier poles, and he would reach it up to the next who would be straddling the second set of tier poles and hanging it on the third row up close to the roof. Now that makes a 5th time of handling those same sticks.Then, after the tobacco is cured, they have to go back and take the tobacco down and stand it in a pile against one side of the hallway. The tobacco is taken off the sticks to be graded, and the sticks are thrown to the side to be picked up and straightened into a pile similar to the one above at the end of the day.

Did you keep count of how many times the tobacco sticks were handled...I lose track every time I try. I think if I am counting right, that they are handled at least 7 times during one season. I really wish I had had more pictures to show you.

Look who was at my house today!

I doubt you can see the changes that I see from these photos.
I still wanted to share them, though.
She is such joy to have around....
usually if she gets whiny, there is something wrong. And it don't last.
If nothing is wrong, then all that is required is to take her outside and sit in the swing with her. Nothing more is required in life...she likes to lay across my lap, and if I don't have her in an outfit she at least likes me to take her feet and legs out of her sleepers. Then she lays there on her back, staring off out in the yard or at the ceiling, jabbering, and normally holding one foot up to her mouth and kicking the other one in the air.