Delivering The Goods ...

After many hours in the hay field, the boys were excited to finally be delivering their last load of small square hay bales!  Despite being only 8 and 9 years of age ... this is their baby ... their deal!  For the 2nd year in a row, they've made and delivered hay to the Calgary Stampede Ranch!  In a world full of "entitlement," I guess you could call us "old school" parents that are trying to teach our kids that you have to "earn" things in life and that usually comes with some hard work, respect and gratitude for what you have!  The boys worked very hard and in the end, they are getting a pay check from the Calgary Stampede Ranch with the understanding that they have to pay for rent for the use of the haying equipment and fuel! (I think their Dad will be fair on the rates!)

After helping 5 cowboys, along with their Mom and Dad unload the hay bales ... they were quite happy when Tyler told them that he would see them again next year ... that this would be a yearly thing!  

Good job boys!  We are so very proud of you!!!  

The Last BIG Chore ...

With the bales made ... we returned to the field this afternoon to help the boys load the last of the bales onto the flat deck!  I'm not sure what the exact temperature was but I don't think any of my lads overly enjoyed this lil' chore with the sun beating down and the thermometer likely reaching around the 30C mark.  However ... they were troopers and got the job done!!!

... Although at one point, their Dad reminded them that this would certainly help build their "pipes!"  Haha!  They boys laughed knowing I took a picture but certainly groaned at their Dad for his comic relief!  LOL!  

Eventually, we reached the final two bales ... and you have to take a ride up the bale elevator at that point!  

Woo Hoo!  DONE!

... And It Goes On!

Well, the boys were back at it again today!  

While the boys finished off the last of the small square hay bales they needed ... I finished baling the remainder of the field with the round baler!  Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE my round baler and how much FASTER it is than the small square baler?  Hee Hee!  

The boys, along with their Dad, delivered the remainder of the loads throughout the day, with the exception of a couple of loads being picked up in the field and the boys delivering a couple of loads via the flat deck trailer.  So with that ... we started loading and stacking bales!  

The boys worked till dark and got the first of the bales loaded!  I think all of us were more than happy to head for home at this point ... the mosquitoes were getting fairly HUNGRY!  

That Haying Season ...

Well, we dodged the rain but it has certainly extended our haying season!  However, the sun is still shining and it looks like the weather is going to cooperate for a few days ... just in time for our boys to put up some small square hay bales!

These two put in a very long day today but they managed to make 4 loads of small hay bales and they helped their Dad deliver 3 out of the 4 loads.  That's a pretty good day's work for an 8 and 9 year old!!!  We are very proud of our young lads!

July ... That OTHER Part!

So, while one might have 'escaped' for 5 days ... the hot, dry spell at home certainly through haying into the limelight on our return!!!  And with that, our haying season began ... just don't try to burn your first field down!  Eeeek!  That will get the heart pumping!  If your heart is still pumping ... then resume cutting!

Followed by ... raking and baling!  

... And a flat tire thanks to a deer antler!

Followed by a bit of late evening maintenance before heading off to the next field ...

Which is delayed due to RAIN!

But after the rain ... cutting resumes!  

Of course it would appear cutting hay attracts storm clouds ...

If your lucky, just a few drops fall and raking and baling can resume!

BUT it would appear the clouds like to threaten ...

When the threat is only a threat ... the hawks do their "thing!"  (I LOVE hawks!)

BUT ... if we are going to continue doing our "thing" another tractor tire needs to be replaced!  

In the meantime ... the night sky was calling me (from twilight to 3:00am)!!!

I often think back to when I was young and I remember just how much darker that big ole' beautiful night sky once was!  Light pollution is a bit of a pet-peeve!!!

Alas ... haying STILL isn't over and equipment needs to be moved north!

But as one man cuts the hay ... the woman patiently waits and therefore checks on hawks, cows and the odd moose!

But with the dawn of a new day ... raking and baling resume!

But as the day proceeds ... don't let your husband install air conditioning like this, despite the +30C temperature!

Make sure your children are involved ... that's how the learn!

And ALWAYS kiss your washing machine and keep the best laundry soap on hand!!! (And kiss your husband who works endlessly!)

And when you have most of the hay baled that was cut and the dust is beginning to settle!  Say "Good-bye to July!"  (Don't worry ... we're not done!  LOL!)