I love a breeze. I love a good strong breeze……most call it windy. Crazy, me, huh! It invigorates me. It makes me want to skip, and run and swing and hang the laundry out to dry! The breeze just puts me in a good mood!
Last Thursday was one of those “breezy” days. As I was enjoying my walk to the garden to pick a few tomatoes, I heard the combines close by. This always puts a smile on my face to have our guys working so close to home. I decided to hop in the car and head over to the field, just across the highway. I wanted to see them in action and shoot of few frames of the soybean harvesters. At the crossroads I was met by our county firetruck. Hmm..
My thoughts, “Aww, someone is in trouble on this blustery day.” Just behind him was one of our workers in a tractor and disc…….which I thought was a bit odd. I crossed the highway and looked to the north to see our men. The bean field looked rather abnormal, First I thought it was bare dirt, then I realized it was burned soybeans! “OH NO! THE FIRETRUCK IS HERE FOR US!!!!!”
One truck was already in the field and had put out the rest of the blaze. Mr. Farmer was off in another town getting parts. His cell phone was making all sorts of noises and his foot was heavy on the foot feed. Bill was in one combine and Joe was in another when the fire broke out. The extinguishers on each combine were quickly removed and off they rushed to take care of the flaming soybeans (in the very windy field)!! Immediately they realized it was too much for their little extinguishers to handle so they called the fire department and sent one worker to get the tractor and disc to contain the fire.
The chaff got too hot by the engine. When the debris was whirled out onto the ground, the wind quickly ignited a spark and off it grew.
Little did I know this was second time the fire department was called to this field!!
And as I was sitting in the farm entrance taking these photos, another fire erupted!!!! (See below)
It was time for “Big Yellow” to take a shower and get cleaned up. Fortunately the shop was right around the corner.
In our little community we are so very thankful for our volunteer firemen who stop what they are doing in their regular work day/night and take off, on the run, to help folks like us who are in immediate trouble and need some helping hands and big equipment. Remember to support them and encourage them. Their work is extremely important!
As I look out the window this morning, I see the trees swaying in the breeze. It’s going to be another windy day. I might not be as giddy about this windy day.Today I will be praying for safety in the fields……with no breakdowns and NO FIRES! And I am thankful the Lord watched over our guys and our equipment. No one was hurt. The combine had no injuries either.
All across the Midwest there are thousands of workers harvesting today. Please pray for their safety.
I Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Enjoy this breezy day!
Here in Chickasaw Co, NE IA, the fire trucks have been out several times a week due to fires related to harvest. One of those trips was to a corn field on our farm and the guys were very lucky.
The fire started in the end rows not far from a semi. The semi, full of corn, had earlier refused to start so service man was there. He got it started and moved just before fire got to it. Field had one round left and fire missed most ot it. Neighbors were done with their field which was good because fire moved their way and did burn a few acres. Like you, we are grateful for the volunteer fire departments in the county. We have one large and 4 small ones. Depending on the nature of rural fires 2 or 3 depts are called and they do a great job of working together. We are also thankful for great neigbors who believe in helping when there is a need. Had a few neighbors show up with tractors and tileage equipment to help control the spread.
The fire depts here have been called to personal dryers, combines, fields and a big dryer fire at our local coop which took everyone plus bucket truck from another county. I am like you in liking windy days but think it is time for wind to die down and/or for some rain to fall. We have not totaled an inch of rain since harvest really got started.
Hope the rest of your harvest is safe and no more fires.