Do Cows Eat Wildflowers?{23}
A couple of weeks ago, this blog post from my friend Nell, made me realize that I ought to go out and take some pictures of my field. There is a time of year when it is at a certain peak of beauty. Really it looks pretty amazing all the time – in all of it’s different stages – but sometime in early June. . . it’s really kind of breathtaking.
There are all kinds of wildflowers – I don’t even know the names of most of them. But they’re so lovely.
Now, as they say, there is a time for every season. It’s a good thing I got out there and took the pictures because the very next day, they were GONE! Believe it or not, the season for wildflowers in my field is already over.
See?
I know I’ve mentioned the farmer who comes to mow our field before. It’s a great exchange for everyone concerned. He gets the hay for his cows and we get the field maintained. If it weren’t mowed it would turn into a forest. Perfect. For many years he would come during the first week of August but that has changed to sometime in late June. By August, the wildflowers would mostly be dried up and done for the year. This way, the cows get to eat all of those delicious wildflowers. . . do cows eat wildflowers? I think they must.
The Mowing of the Field has become an exciting annual event around here. When my kids were smaller, they would beg to be allowed to climb on the tractors stored in our yard. I have a lot of great memories (and photos) of them posing on the tractors and bailers and hay wagons. From the time that the first mower pulls in until the last truck (they take the hay away on an 18 wheeler now instead of a hay wagon) pulls out, the whole family is watching and checking on the progress. We are lucky to have this arrangement and I think we are lucky to get to watch the show and not have to do the chore ourselves.
Once the hay is made (while the sun shines), it has to get baled. These days they are making the big round bales – that’s why they use the 18 wheeler instead of a hay wagon now. The round bales are very fetching out there in the field as well.
Yesterday, just after the end of our son’s pool party, our friend the farmer showed up again to collect the machinery and some of the hay. Since the growing season is still in full swing around here, we will get to see more wildflowers before the end of the year. They won’t grow as tall, but they will grow. It’s almost like a second spring for us. Until next year – we say, THANKS, to our farmer friend. See you when it’s time to make the hay again!
I think there is not much that says SUMMER quite so loudly as haying season. Did you grow up on a farm? Do you live/work on one now? Have you ever made or helped to make hay? I’d love to hear about it.
Did you know that I read and respond to each and every one of your comments here at breida with a b.? I do! I love to read them and I love to be able to continue our conversations after the fact! Please do leave a comment and let me know you’ve been here!
Jul 02, 2012 @ 17:35:47
When I was a little girl, a long time ago, my grandparents had a small dairy farm. They made hay with a tractor with mower and rake, but then “made the load” on the hay wagon by hand, pitching the hay higher and higher with pitch forks. The highlight of my day would be toting a jar of Grandma’s special ice tea to them right about the time they finished a load…. If I were very lucky, I would be tossed onto the top of the load of hay and allowed to ride there back to the barn…. Just writing this takes me back to then.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 21:19:15
beautiful image. thanks!
-b.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 17:56:32
my husband is off helping his folks make hay on their organic dairy farm RIGHT THIS MINUTE….and I’m……NOT. ha!
Jul 02, 2012 @ 21:20:52
that’s very cool! for you. i’m sure it’s very, very HOT for him. Haying, because it’s done “while the sun shines” is just about the hottest farm work i can think of. . . glad i get to watch!
b.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 18:26:20
I love love LOVE seeing fields with the round bales of hay sitting in them. I had no idea your property was like that. Gorgeous!
Jul 02, 2012 @ 21:21:15
you know, one of these days, you will have to come see it for yourself!
Jul 03, 2012 @ 08:44:47
That would be so cool! I can’t imagine when on earth it would happen, life is so darn busy lately, but someday I would love that.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 18:33:55
Fantastic! and quite beautiful, too.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 21:21:56
thanks – as usual, Karen. You are very generous. . .
-b.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 21:26:29
I grew up on a farm from the time I was in 7th grade until I graduated high school. We didn’t have hay but our neighbors did and my brother and I would help. Yes, that was back when they baled the square bales and you had to load them onto a hay wagon, and then unload them into the barn.
We mostly grew corn, soybeans and a little wheat. We also had some sheep, cows that we had butchered to have the meat in the freezer, and a couple of horses. My mom always planted a garden and canned the green beans, tomatoes, corn, pickles, etc. I miss that country life! Or maybe I miss not being an adult more! HA!
Jul 02, 2012 @ 22:16:14
Cheryl-
When I was growing up, my mom worked on a farm. I spent a lot of time hangin’ around and I got to see it all. Our farmer actually does still do square bales – just not in out field anymore – i think because we have the steep hill – it’s easier – not sure. My property used to be a dairy farm – back in the day – now the only thing getting farmed here is the hay!
thanks for stopping by again! nice to see you here!
breida
Jul 02, 2012 @ 22:53:54
Hi Brenda, I adore your photos of the round haybales in the field. We have a field near us where they cut the hay, and I love to see the round bales.What a good arrangement you have to have the field mowed.
Jul 02, 2012 @ 23:47:18
hi Jane! pssst. . . . b r e i d a with a b. (and no “n”)
don’t feel bad – almost everyone who READS my name thinks it says Brenda. . . there is only one letter different. And everyone who HEARS my name thinks that it’s Rita – and without all of that confusion this blog wouldn’t have a name at all!
I’m so glad you stopped by again, Jane! Have a great night!
-breida
Jul 03, 2012 @ 00:43:01
Great post Breida! Love all those great photos too. Makes me think of the trips we’ve taken to Holmes County here in Ohio – a large Amish community. The bales of hay and shocks of corn are always make me feel relaxed and slowed down!
Jul 03, 2012 @ 15:28:56
Well, it’s not Amish Country, but it will do. We really are so lucky to have this right outside our own door. I love this property – my first house – and i hope to stay here forever. Thanks for stopping in, Jill!
-breida
Jul 03, 2012 @ 09:19:37
Thank you so much for the mention, Breida! And these photos are ABSOLUTELY stunning! I grew up in the “Garden State” with fields all around. Sometimes they were hayed, but more often than not they were covered in cornstalks. So beautiful! I just drove through Jersey and had a little trip down memory lane! xoxo
Jul 03, 2012 @ 15:30:56
Thank you, Nell! I didn’t know you were a Jersey Girl! My dad is from Avon by the Sea. My kids and I go to Ocean Grove every year. . . not so much farm country there on the shore! Have a great time on your trip! Watch out DC! The Timmer kids are comin’!!
-breida
Jul 03, 2012 @ 09:29:17
Oh to live on a farm and have a field like that. Stunning, just stunning. I suppose you have a big red barn too. That is a desire of mine!
Jul 03, 2012 @ 15:32:47
well, we do have a red barn – it’s not so VERY big though. (and we even have a little stone wall next to the barn, too!) I love this place – a dream come true for me.
Thanks for stopping in, Dana – and for letting me know you were here! I really appreciate it!
-breida
Jul 04, 2012 @ 14:20:45
Hello, Missy! I’ve looked at the photos on this post three times. Your bokeh ROCKS! I also wanted you to know that I nominated you for a Liebster award and I hope that you stop by and pick it up. Happy 4th! http://www.serendipityrefined.com/2012/07/liebster-and-versatile-blogger-awards.html
xo, Kimberly
Jul 04, 2012 @ 18:27:44
Kimberly! You are too kind! I guess I have some work to do!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
breida
Where Does the Time Go? {on blogging for half a year}
Sep 22, 2012 @ 20:57:20
[...] now I’ve been banging on about gardening, crafts, road trips, my kids, cleaning, cooking, photography. . . what have I [...]
Apr 24, 2013 @ 18:03:09
I was born in 1942 and grew up on a farm back in the period of recovery of the depression, when we grew or raised just about everything that we ate. We canned and pickled all sorts of vegetables and fruits, raised chickens, beef and hogs. I have grown a garden for years and done the same thing, but have slowed down now after a heart attack. My husband and I live on a small ranch in Texas now. For many years, I ran the ranch while my husband worked a job. We have had horses, cows, sheep, goats and all sorts of fowl. Right now our pastures are covered with wild Verbena, and yellow Buttercups, and really beautiful!
Jo Ann.