Archive for October, 2012

30 Oct

S’more fun…..

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , .

Friday the temperature was perfect….almost hot actually. Just the way I really like it.  But it didn’t seem like October.  Cooler weather was supposed to be heading our way.  Sure enough… by nightfall…. things changed drastically.  The temperatures dropped and it turned downright cold.

We already had plans to have bonfire get together’s for some Middle School kids on Friday night and the High school kids on Saturday night.  The cold air certainly made it more fun.

We fixed a small fire in the fireplace at the pavilion….

And Billy gathered wood for the big bonfire.  Once it was lit…it was perfect warmth for the cold weather.  There is just something about a campfire.  It smells good and feels great.  I love to hear the noises it makes.

The kids seemed to have a blast.  Funny how gathering times like these make up some of our best memories when we are older.

We were amazed to find out how many kids had never roasted a hot dog over a campfire.  We were glad they were able to give it a try.  Between the two events we ended up with about 70 people.  Needless to say….I wasn’t able to take many pictures during the events.  I was a little BUSY.

But I did take a few pics of these crazy BIG marshmallows before hand.  They are probably 3 or 4 times the size of a regular one.

It is hard to tell here….but….

This gives you a little bit better idea of how big these things are! They are GINORMOUS!!!!! 

The kids loved them…..

This is an exchange student, one of those, who had never roasted a hot dog on an open fire or ever had a S’more….until that night.

We all had to watch as he experienced it for the first time.

Once he was able to free his mouth up from all the goo of the marshmallow….he told us he REALLY liked it!

I will have to say that the BIG Campfire Marshmallows are fun …..and worth trying.

However, I think I favor the regular sized  marshmallows.   Golly part of the fun is cooking them….and one of the big ones fill you up in one roasting.

But no matter which one you choose….you just gotta have a S’more before the season is over!

I know Billy and I had one….or possibly two…..(but who’s counting)

It certainly brings out the kid in you……

24 Oct

Some of the Critters

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

I went to the farm with some sweet feed today.

A lot of times I have to call for the girls….but not today.

I think this was Brandy…I’m not real sure…she took me by surprise.  She was ready for a treat.

They squeeze together like sardines in a can….There really is plenty of room for them to spread out, using this trough….but…they are soooo afraid one is going to get a morsel more than the other.

This is May….

We bought her in the month of May….hence her name….the owner told us she was expecting any day.  She was bagged up and pretty round.   But she never had any for us.  She must of had them before we got her.   I watched her carefully for weeks….then I noticed she started drying up.  So…she has been in our pasture five months now.  Maybe she will bless us with one before long.  Gestation is 5 months for goats….soooo just maybe….before toooo long.  HOPE SO.

This is her husband Jed…..Handsome little guy….he is gentle and kind.  But he does smell like an OLD GOAT.

This is Moses….I think he has the most beautiful eyes. Besides that,he also has such a sweet demeanor.

Oh…and this is the rest of Moses….

This is Zippy…it isn’t a good picture because she was too busy being greedy.  Oh… maybe greedy isn’t a nice way to describe her….yeah, she’s greedy.  This is one of her get back looks that she is giving to whomever might be even thinking about coming close.  She makes grunts and kicks her hind legs up if anyone approaches her.  But, if she isn’t eating…then she is sweet.

Even baby Jack just backs off and leaves Mom alone while she eats.

These girls believe that nothing should go to waste.   There was a little bit on the ground….little being the key word.

The three of them thought they each should have it.

Cupid on the left and Punkin on the right had to take it out back…..and settle the matter.  I love Punkin’s tongue sticking out.

They aren’t real forceful with one another, but every once in a while…they butt heads….When they can’t see eye to eye….on a situation.

Sometimes, I suppose you just have to stand your ground.

Even if it costs you something.

Because….Brandy… the third cow…well….she ate the rest.

21 Oct

REST

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It’s been a busy week.  Matter of fact it has been a busy month.  But, I like to be busy.  I would rather be busy than bored.

Billy and I like the saying we would rather burn out than rust out!

However, sometimes I feel as if I am going in circles.  Yesterday I slowed down and did only the things that really, really needed to be done.  I had a lot of house chores to do, and they took a while.  Then onto the NEED to get done list, returning some items back to a couple of stores.  I wasn’t looking forward to it….I was bone weary.  I had planned to do them all in one day, and get it over with.   I gathered my receipts and put them with the items, trying to make it as easy as I could on me and the person behind the counter.

First stop was quick and painless.  Second stop….not so much.  The gentleman behind the counter was quiet…he didn’t really act like he wanted to be there….and really didn’t act like he wanted me or any other person in line to be there.  But he began working.  The man finished my return process quietly but efficiently.  I felt as if I had bothered him.  I over heard a supervisor, while leaving the counter, that the man had not had a break.  Perhaps that is why he looked at the LONG line with no expression.  I had to wonder what kind of expression I was wearing?

While I was at that same store I needed to get a band for Billy’s watch.  I went to the department and there was a sign stating –for assistance–go to a certain department.  I walked to that department and saw about 5 workers….each working on something different.  They all looked up with blank stares.  I almost didn’t even want to ask.  Afraid of the response I would get.  But, I did it….Could I have some help with a watch band?  Immediately a young girl said…YEP….that would be me!   She instantly dropped everything and walked with me to the counter.  She went right to work….she carried on a light, carefree conversation while she worked.  She smiled a lot and made me feel like she was glad that she could help me.  She was a very tall girl, 6 feet 3 inches, she spoke of  using her height to help her grandmother shop.  She said she could reach things on the top shelf for her.  I noticed she had to get into an awkward position, due to her height, while trying to use the instruments needed at the low counter.  She stretched a time or two as if her back was bothering her.  She was young….but she looked tired.  Who knows what else she does, like school or maybe helping her grandma at home.  She had a great personality and was good with the public, and I was sure to compliment her on that.  Working with the Public is hard work.

I had one more stop to make with a return.  The lit up sign said OPEN.  I looked at my watch as I approached the door and realized they would be closing in 15 minutes.  I hated to do that to the clerk while they were surely trying to close.  There were other shoppers, but no one was in line.  The clerk was sweeping a rug.  She came to the counter and was ready to help.  I apologized for coming in so close to closing time, but explained I wanted to finish up on Saturday and not have to come back on Sunday.  She smiled and started the process.  She then looked up and said thank you for coming on in.  It is kinda hard on Sunday mornings.  I said….it would be nice if you just didn’t have to work on Sunday wouldn’t it?  She said…yes, it would be nice.  While I was signing all the little paperwork they make you do….I asked her if she remembered the Blue law?  Oh….yes…she said…..it would be nice to have that back.  I agreed.

As I walked to the car and on my drive back to the house I thought about the day.  I was tired….all the clerks I encountered were tired.  Granted some had better attitudes than others….but still they were worn out.

I knew that I was done for the weekend.  I could now just relax.

But, I have no idea about the others….maybe they had to go back to work in the morning.

I used to observe Sunday with more reverence.  I used to not go shopping and out to eat on Sunday, because it made somebody else have to work.  I knew how that felt….because I had to do it too… in my younger days.

Through the years I started thinking…hey…the stores are open anyway….might as well go for just this quick item.

I am guilty of treating Sunday like any other day.  I haven’t kept it Holy.  Come to think of it, I hardly even hear that word any more.

We studied the first part of Genesis a few weeks ago.  In the study we covered how the seventh day was for rest.

We need rest.  We just do.  We get like my mama used to say….so tired we can’t stand ourselves.

So, there isn’t a Blue law anymore….but I’m going to try to finish my chores and little stops by Saturday.

If we all did….it would make a difference….eventually.  Then workers could have a day….a day to Worship….a day to relax with their family.

I will be the first to admit that it is not easy to stay out of the stores…or restaurants on Sunday.   But I think I have let it become a habit…..a bad habit at that.

I am going to try to break that bad habit this year.  Especially as I have the pictures of those tired workers I encountered in my head.

God knows what is best for the bodies he made for us…….We need a day set aside to Worship our creator…..and REST.

I know I need it…..because come Monday….I want to be rejuvenated and…… GO.

Exodus 20:8-11

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.  In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, not your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.  For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.  Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

 

19 Oct

Neat Country Stuff

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

I noticed this the other day….and thought….what is that?

Curiosity made me go closer….It looks like a squirrel decided to turn this log into a table and eat his dinner.

Nuts and mushroom tops must have been on the menu.       CUTE

Spiders are NOT a favorite of mine….but I do admire the beautiful talent they possess.  Especially when they create something this intricate over night.

Absolutely amazing…….

When you live in the country….even the dogs get a country looking house.  This is one of the latest projects in progress.

 

This project just finished up….the Bee house.  It will hold supplies for Jeff, the Bee Man.  So…..it needed to be cabin looking too…right.  I passed by it the other day and saw Mabel all stretched out on the front porch.  She really looked cute….and relaxed!  However, she likes to greet Jeff when he comes to work the bees.  Twice so far she has come back to the house with a swollen face.  I have had to give her something to make the swelling go down…..her little face really gets distorted when it swells.  Poor thing….I suppose she will eventually learn to stay away while he is in his “Bee Suit”.

We have all heard the joke….why did the chicken cross the road?

But…. I have been wondering that with the ducks around here…..

I was going down the road the other day and they started to cross……so I stopped and watched.  Thankfully, I had the camera with me.  I thought that I wouldn’t have time to get it out and get a picture before they were finished crossing.

 

But about the time they all got across……they turned around and went back the way they came……

So, I grabbed the camera.

 

Oh….wait….wait…yep…they turned around again…..

They did this several times….about the time the whole flock would get to one side…..they would do the old switcheroo.

It usually would start with one…..

 

then most of the flock….would waddle by quickly….and then there might be one or two bringing up the rear…..

 

But if he didn’t hurry…..he would never make it all the way across the road….before….

 

They all came waddling back……all 51 of them.

I found it amusing.   However, I wasn’t in a hurry.  I pulled over so I could take several pictures.  Another man was coming from the other direction.  Upon approaching I guess he thought while they were in one lane he could go around them…..but….they would turn on a dime and go back, ending up right in front of the car.  So he tried to go around using the other lane….but…..well…you get the picture.   He did eventually inch around them.

They have recently started the road crossing thing.  They were just coming up to the edge of the road…but they wouldn’t cross.

So…we have to go back to the same question they ask about the chickens……

Why did the Ducks cross the road?

We may never know……

They do however, provide a lot of entertainment….

The kind of entertainment you only see in the country!

NEAT STUFF!

 

 

18 Oct

Apple Pie

Posted by ivegonecountry in Recipes. Tagged: , , , .

This time of year there are fruit stands with beautiful baskets of apples all along the county roads.    I knew I was getting close to one the other day, as I drove down the road…. I found myself having a mental conversation.

Oh….I think I will stop and see if they have apples….

No…I don’t need to buy a bunch of apples….

Oh…I bet they do…I bet they are really good this year….

Maybe I will just pull in and look…..

Sooooo……

I purchased some apples from the fruit stand the other day……

My thoughtful mother in law sent some apples home with Billy the same day.   But the really good part of that is…we really like apples and we had different kinds!!!!  So, since I have made….PLENTY….. of Jelly….this summer….I decided to make a pie.

I found out that my sweet Aunt makes an apple pie about once a week for my Uncle.

I thought that was soooooo sweet.

She was gracious enough to share it with me….also stating that it was really easy….

A pie that taste good and is easy….now that is right up my alley!

Here is her recipe…..It’s GOOD…..Really, Really GOOD!

6 Cups Apples-(Granny Smith)

1 Tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

3/4 Cup Sugar

2 Tablespoon Flour

Cinnamon to taste….I used 1 teaspoon

1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1/2 Cup raisins (or dried cranberries or chopped walnuts)

Pastry for double crust—or you can just use top crust.

Here is a beautiful Granny Smith apple my mother in law sent our way…..

This is one of the Golden Delicious apples that I bought…….I decided to try both kinds.

My Aunt lives a LOOOOOONG way away from me….so she couldn’t show me how she does hers.  I am sure she does a MUCH better job and has it down to a fine art if she is making one a week…..

This is how I decided to go about making mine…..with her recipe

One time I saw a picture of a pie cooked in a skillet…since we live in the country….I gave it a whirl.

I do not make pies often….obviously….so I bought my crust.  I knew it would have to taste better than me making my own.  Besides, I didn’t want to waste those good apples on a bad pie!

I melted some butter in the bottom of my skillet, it just looked like it needed some good ole butter in there……then I placed the first crust down….

Mixed all my ingredients and placed them on top of the crust.  Billy chose walnuts to go with his apples….

After I put the top crust on I brushed the top with egg white and made a few slits.  I cooked it for about 1 hour and covered it with foil the last 10 minutes so it wouldn’t over brown.

YUMMMMY….it smelled so good cooking!

Who can wait until it cools….I cut us a piece and topped it with Vanilla Ice cream…

I served Billy and went to get the camera so I could get a picture of him and his beautiful slice of pie….a la mode….

When I returned….and I was only gone for a minute….it was pretty much GONE.

So this is the only picture I got….

It is safe to say…….. he liked the pie!

I said…. well…. Billy!…..I sat the camera down and inhaled mine as well….so still no picture!  Oh, well…..

Thank you Aunt Janet…..it was VERY, VERY, GOOD.  I think I shouldn’t tell Billy that some people get a homemade pie every week……If you know what I mean!!!!!

Oh….and Uncle Pat…..you are a very blessed man!

This saying came to mind…..

Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in a seed!

16 Oct

Happy Birthday Daddy

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

Today is my daddy’s Birthday!  He would have turned 77 years old.   That seems so unreal to me…..because I have an image in my head of a very YOUNG man.  He was just 29 years old when he passed away.

I was thinking about how things have changed through the years, especially 47 years.

For instance….Neil Armstrong walked on the moon for the first time.  If I remember correctly we were visiting at my Grandma’s house when that happened.

My Mom and Dad didn’t own a car with air conditioning…..now that is standard in most all cars.

Kids didn’t have to be in car seats or wear seat belts.

Grocery Stores had cash registers that had buttons not scanners.  Price tags….not bar codes.

No more party lines, or rotary dialed telephones.   He never even saw the push button phones that came and went.   Now a lot of people do not even have a land line anymore. Even the Pay phones are just about obsolete.  If you did find one…it wouldn’t be a dime!

My Daddy was a FORD man.  From what I can tell the average car price in 1965 was about $2,350.00.  That was a lot of money back then….I’m sure that is why He and Mom had used cars.  He would have loved to have seen all the changes that have taken place in the auto industry.

Gasoline was about .31 cents a gallon.  Now we have Gas stations…not service stations….and you pay at the pump….with plastic.

An average house was about $21,000.00…although I know they paid less.  Mom talked about cutting costs by replacing  iron railing for the stairway instead of wood.   They had hardwood floors instead of carpet…now Iron rails and hardwood flooring is expensive.  They also opted to not have central air, only central heat.  Air conditioning wasn’t standard in homes.

A postage stamp was .05 cents.  Now we can send a letter practically free….with e-mail.   But it doesn’t have the charm of a handwritten note.

He had a turn table with BIG speakers and a diamond head needle to play his record Albums…..not an I-Pod.

He enjoyed an occasional ice cold Coca Cola from a bottle…not a can.

Home cooked meals were an everyday thing….now eating out is an everyday thing!

Hand written paychecks and pay stubs were the norm.  Electronic paychecks, bills paid on line with automatic drafts are now the norm.

Every area of our lives have changed with technology in one way or another.

It’s pretty fun to think about the changes when you take time to just sit and reflect.

However, some things never change….Like remembering our loved ones on their birthdays!

Always in my heart…always on my mind.

No matter how many years go by!

15 Oct

FALL

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The mountains are beginning to show signs of Fall.

The colors are brilliant….

It seems it happens overnight.  Why just last week I didn’t notice all this color…..

I had to just stop….. I watched the sunshine pour through these trees.  I tried to capture the beauty…..but ….it was impossible.

The yellow leaves appear golden when the sun shines on them at just the right angle.

I saw this little guy yesterday while Billy and I were out….but I didn’t have my camera.  Today, I went back to the same spot….and there he was.  Once again enjoying the water puddle in a ditch.  I love it when critters make new little places their home.

With all the flowers fading away for the impending winter….it is neat to see this bee enjoying the last of the wild flowers.

Why even these mushrooms have a beautiful color…perfect for autumn.  I don’t believe I have ever seen any this color before.

Amazing ….. the beauty and color is everywhere you look.

The weather was absolutely beautiful today, a perfect time to enjoy the leaves.  All too soon they will loosen one by one and gracefully fall to the ground.  Did you know that if you are really quiet in the woods when the leaves are falling…you can hear them hit the ground.  I know it sounds crazy right….but try it some time.  Actually most of the time we have been in the woods for a walk  I couldn’t help but notice how quiet nature really is.  Sure there are the occasions when the owls talk to one another or you hear the rustling of the leaves as a bird searches for worms…or squirrels scampering from one tree top to the other.  But on most days…it is very peaceful and quiet.  Now night time….that’s a different story.  The sounds of the coyotes will give you goose bumps…..

Speaking of goose bumps…..I saw these little evergreens and they instantly made me think of Christmas.  In just a few short weeks we will be bundling up for walks and decorating trees that look very similar.  That time of year holds lots of wonderful things too…but I’m not ready for the cold weather just yet.  Matter of fact…I have a saying….For every cold day we have….that is one less day of cold.

For now….I’m enjoying the beauty of Fall…..and all the things that go with it!

11 Oct

Lesson learned….from a child.

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My granddaughter Layla  is four years old and attending Pre-school.   She loves to go to school and play with all her friends.   I was surprised the other day when I received a phone call from her.  She was bawling her little eyes out.  I asked her what was wrong.  She explained to me through the sobs that she had gotten a red face.  The teacher sends a folder home each day, containing papers the students have completed or important information for the parent’s.  Her Father had opened the folder and found the paper.  Surprised, because it was her first one…. he questioned her about it……she became very upset.

I asked her why she got a red face?

“Because I didn’t get off the tire swiiiiiing”….sob…sob…sob.     So the teacher told  you to get off the swing? I asked….“yes”…sob, sob.  And you didn’t mind? “Nooooooooooo….sob, sob, sob.  And I goooooot a RED faaaaaace”…..sob, sob, sob.  “It broke my hearrrrrttttttt”…..sob,sob,sob…..booooo hoooooo….hoooooo……….”ohhhhhh….I’mmmm so SAAAAD” sob, sob, sob.

My goodness that is hard to sit and listen too.  Yet, I know how important it is for her to obey.  I, of course being a Mom and now a grandmother thought I should talk to her about what she could do differently next time.   I asked her why she didn’t listen to the teacher and get off the swing.  She said….“Because I didn’t want to get off……..I wanted to keep swiiiiiinging”….boooo hoooo…..  “But now it makes me sooooo sad”……sob…. sob.

I told her that God wants us to obey.  If we will do what we are supposed to do, we really are much happier.  By disobeying and staying on the swing she ended up not being happy…even though she did what she wanted.  I explained that the teacher was probably sad too…. because she doesn’t like to give red faces.

We talked a little more and the sobbing finally subsided.  She told me that next time……. she was going to get off that swing.  Sniff… Sniff….

Later, I was studying my lesson for a new Bible Study Class I am attending.  We just so happen to be studying Adam and Eve.  We are at the part where they chose to disobey God.   As I reflected back on the conversation with Layla ….it helped put things in a different light.  Helping me to relate on a personal level.  I suppose with age I have become, well…… calloused….. to the wrongs that I do.  I couldn’t help but wonder when was the last time I  had a broken heart over disobeying God.   When was the last time doing something wrong brought me to tears, or the last time I sobbed, over doing wrong.   How long has it been since I took sin that seriously.

Then, I thought about how hard it was to listen to Layla cry.  Her little heart was so heavy, once she realized the consequence of her actions.  From just listening to her…it broke my heart.  Even though I knew she was having to learn this hard lesson for her own good.

I thought about God….how His heart must break when He hears our cries…Especially after we realize the consequences of our actions.  Why do we choose to learn… the hard way?  Knowing that we usually aren’t happy…until we do what is right.

Layla went to school the next day….smiling and ready to try harder.  She was careful to mind.   She had a great day and came home with a green face!  She and the teacher were very happy!   Of course so was I!

I know I am happiest when I live according to God’s guidelines.  He made me…..He knows what is best for me.

I hope that I too will be more mindful like Layla.   And before I choose to do wrong the next time…I pray I will think twice.

Sin breaks God’s heart…. it should break mine too.

So, I thought I was going to give Layla wise words of wisdom……but it seems that she lived her example out, and it spoke volumes to me.

I suppose we are never too young or too old to learn from one another.      Thanks Layla.

6 Oct

Hey…Chick….What’s Your Name?

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

The first week the girls were at their new home, they didn’t really know where they were supposed to be sleeping.  Each night for about a week, I chased chickens around the yard at dusk, so I could put them to bed.  Most nights I was successful.  Sometimes one or two would hide under the coop.  I would have to wait until dark and go back see if they had tried to roost somewhere.   I would shine a light onto the front porch and sure enough….those that had hidden…would be perched on the rocking chair arm or in the flower box.

It looks as if they go into a trance when they sleep.   Come to think about it…I guess we do too.

I could walk up to them….pick them up…without any fussing on their part and put them in the coop.

One day it was like someone turned a switch.  They went to bed on their own.  I thought something was wrong….but when I checked on them…they were all tucked in for the night.   They have all adapted…..and it sure made life easier for me.   I can almost set my watch to the time that they will go into their house for the night.  Now, I just go close their door….of course I have to go inside and count them all….and I tell them goodnight.

In the mornings…. I open their little doors so they can walk outside.  And…well….I have to sing —rise and shine—to them.  I sing as I feed them…and they waste no time running to eat.  Maybe they are just trying to get away from the singing.  In any case…they hurriedly make their way to breakfast.

And every morning….. the rooster just has to stand in the feed trough.

This is the little culprit.   He is easy to tell apart from the girls because his comb is bigger, he is thinner than they are…no offense girls… and his legs are a good bit longer.

They are all really sweet.

I have always named every critter that has come to our little farm.  Well, with the exception of the goldfish.   I tried…but that didn’t work.  Anyway, I really want to name them and know who they are.

I sat on the stairs to the porch, so I could just observe them.  Hoping that I might see different feather patterns or something.   In a matter of a minute or so, they all ended up on the porch with me.  One by one they came up close…..observing me….I suppose.  They are very inquisitive.

This one was interested in my camera.

She had a little mud on her beak from free ranging in the wet yard.  But, I didn’t tell her….you know it is kinda awkward…like when someone has something stuck in their teeth.   Maybe that is why she was looking at me like that…maybe I had something stuck in my teeth!

They all look so much alike… I truly cannot tell them apart.  I thought that after a while I would be able to distinguish who was who by personality or something…..NOPE.

So, I have come up with a great idea to solve that problem.   I think I will paint each hen’s toe nails a different color.  Then I can memorize who is who.

I’m not so sure these girls are up for a pedicure.   I just might be back to chicken chasing.

Meanwhile…. I guess I will just enjoy being around them.

Although… I am still thinking up names….and…. rounding up nail polish….

JUST SAYING.

2 Oct

“Cotton Pickin”

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So far Fall has greeted us with rainy weather.

However, that allows little girls to wear cute rain boots…..I sure wish they made these for big girls.

It is also the time for picking cotton.

The brown part of this field is where they have already harvested the cotton.  The white is the cotton waiting to be picked.

This is a cotton boll.

Here is what a boll looks like when it first starts to open.

Interesting how it is divided into sections.

Inside each one of those puffy white sections are cotton seeds.  When cotton gets to this stage it reminds me of pop corn ….popping out of the shell.

It begins to hang….that is when you start to really notice it from a distance.  Here you can see the rain drops on the cotton.  When the cotton is dry it is really fluffy and pretty.  The fields look white from the road.  It is a beautiful sight.  This time of year the farmers really try to get the fields harvested before the rain sets in.

The cotton plant is considered a shrub.  I find it most amazing that someone figured out how to turn this…. into….yarn and cloth.

Here is some of the equipment that they use.  Of course that green beauty is a John Deere tractor…the other container is called a Module Builder.

The cotton pickers… of today.  Unlike years ago when the fields were harvested by people.  The teeth on the front of this machine goes between the rows.  Making it easier to gather most all the cotton that is on the plant. The container on this machine that holds the cotton is called a Boll Buggy.  Once the Boll Buggy is full it is taken to the Module Builder where it is pressed down by an arm looking device.  Once the Module Builder is full and firmly packed then it is removed…and all that remains is the Module.

The machines make quick work of it.  Here it is all covered up to keep it dry and clean.  It is my understanding that each module can weigh over 16,000 pounds.  It usually stays at the side of the field, covered until it is time to transfer it to the gin.

The gin separates the cotton and cleans it by removing leaves and dirt particles.  The seed is separated from what is called the fiber..the fluffy white part.  Once the fiber has been ginned it is called lint. It is then pressed together and made into great big bales. Once baled the cotton gets sent to merchants.  The cotton seed can be sold for animal use, it can be crushed having the oil extracted or there is another process that can allow the seeds to be processed and used for paper, plastic and batting.  Of course the seed once processed can be sold and used for another crop.

Pretty amazing.