Got Window?

We've all heard the expression, "Make hay when the sunshines," but have you heard the expression, "Got window?" This one I had never heard until I met William and I rode along in the combine when we first met. He gestured over his shoulder to look back at the corn or soybeans filling the combine hopper and told me to let him know when we had window meaning the corn completely covered the window and the hopper was full.

Here on the farm the expression "Got window!" also means an opening or opportunity. You may or may not recall that August was pretty wet. We had a lot of rain out here in Western Wisconsin making it very difficult to make hay or get much farm work done. As soon as the clouds parted about two weeks ago, William told me, as he surveyed the weather forecast, "We've got window." Window in the fall means there is work to do and a weather window in which to get it done. This window of dry weather means William works from sunup to sundown (or later) trying to make up for all the lost time he had during those rainy days. He's putting up hay, repairing broken bailers, moving equipment, making hay sales, loading and unloading wagons, filling the hay mow, and taking care of all the other harvest that is on the doorstep. A farmer that was deprived window at any point in their main growing season really has to hustle when window opens again. Needless to say, the plate feels pretty full at the moment.

Fortunately farm busy, instead of overwhelming, can actually be pretty invigorating and exciting! The weather has been beautiful, the harvest bountiful and all this made better because we have window!

Our muscles will be strong as we head into a long quiet winter soon enough.

Looking for a backroads adventure this weekend? Check out the Fall Fresh Art Tour in our neighborhood. It's your chance to poke your nose into artist studios, find some fabulous holiday gifts and of course, stop in and check out the Farm Store here at Lake View Organic Farm!

Friends, may you be well. As always, I send love from the farm.

Sarah