Thoughts of Dad

Hello all,

The air is especially crisp today. I don't know why really, but it makes me think of doing chores on the farm with Dad. Dad would wear his brown overalls and his green Dekalb coat every day. He had a blue stocking hat that he rolled so it stopped right above his ears. I don't know why he didn't like his ears covered...

When it would get cold like this, there isn't any place to hide from the wind while out in the open. You just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other until you reached your objective. I always would hate to carry corn out the the North hog lot. The distance was not the problem. It was how exposed you were to the wind. Once you filled two five gallon buckets full of corn, you had to walk right into the teeth of the North wind. I never measured it, but it seemed to be a longer walk in the winter. Once you reached the lot, you had to cross the fence, kick the hogs out of the way and dump your bucket of corn without becoming part of the meal yourself. If you think I am making this up, ask anyone who has ever fed hogs about running for your life.

Anyway when dad and I would do this routine, it was not as bad. Maybe it was I only had to carry half of the corn. Maybe it was because there was someone to share the experience with, but I know one thing for sure. No matter how cold it was, Saturdays meant going to town and having a Pepsi at the elevator and listening to everyone talk about how much colder it used to be in Randolph. I would sit and listen. I might even join in if the opportunity presented itself, but mostly I would listen.

After everyone had shared their news, it was time to buckle the boots on again and zip up the jacket. There was always something to do outside -- it just happened to be colder that day than the day before.

Thanks for taking me on those walks dad. More importantly, thanks for all of the Pepsi's you bought me at the elevator.

Love you,

-Andy