July

 After eight weeks with no rain to speak of, we finally received some good rains in the first week and a half of July.  It came just in time, just ahead of pollination for the corn crop.  The soybeans had stopped growing, but almost overnight took off growing again.  In all, we ended up with 5 inches of water in a little over a week.  The drought was broken.  The wind that came with the rain flattened a few acres of wheat, but we were very thankful for the rain.  

The wheat was finally ready, and we had the best wheat yield I have had in my career.  Clearly wheat prefers dryer weather than what is typical here in central Illinois.  My haymow was almost empty of small bales of straw, so I planned to bale all of my wheat straw this year and fill the barn.  It rained before we could bale much, but a couple days later we were able to put about 1500 bales in the mow plus we sold about 300 out of the field.  The old farmers wife was at work the day we baled, so the daughters made the baling lunch.  We had trouble finding help, but Wyatt, Wade, John, Cliff, Troy, and Matt were all able to help some.  It was hot and we weren't able to work fast, but we accomplished what we set out to do.  We broke a lot of bales until we figured out we had a bad batch of twine.  We had broken bales in the field, on the rack, and in the mow.  Things went smoother after we put new twine in the baler.  We had neighbor Dave bale for us since I don't own a baler, and I ran his baler for a load and a half while he was at work.  I think it was the first time I ever ran a baler.  We have always hired someone to bale, so I never took the opportunity before.

We had some very hazy days due to the Canadian wildfire smoke drifting over our area. I could actually smell the burnt odor a couple of the days.  We couldn't see the sun even though the days were clear if not for the haze.  It was the first time that I can recall being affected by so much smoke for so many days from fires so far away!

One evening while sitting out on the patio watching grand-kids play, there were some small "cotton puffs" flying around in the air.  We caught a couple and were surprised to see that they were actually insects.  It is the first time I remember seeing Woolly Aphids around.

Mary and Virg celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary (a little early) and we were blessed to be invited to the celebration.  We got to see a lot of family, most who are from out of town, including many Iowa relatives.  It was a nice evening.  John and Ella had celebrated their anniversary earlier in the day, so some of their family was also present.

Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.           Isaiah 14:31