Its been a long fall

Back at the end of August me and dad were finishing hooking up the light on the new flat bed I bought to put on my truck. About 5pm he said he didn't feel real good and his knee was hurting and asked me to drive him to the house witch I did. I finished up and went home. That night mom called about 10.30pm and said dad wanted her to call the ambulance to go to the hospital, I told mom I am on my way.

Well dad went to the hospital and found out he has A-Fib he needs a pace-maker and a knee replacement in the future, And the worst part was the staff infection that had settled in his bad knee. Dad is 75 and this was not what he had in mind. 10 days in the hospital then he was put in a nursing home 2 miles from home till October 18 when he got to come home. He still has a pic line in and still taking antibiotics for the infection but he is starting to get around better now. He hates to use the walker but knows he has to.

I have been taking care of all of mom and dad yard work (2 acres) and everything else that needed to be done around the house plus everything else at my own place. I think the worst was getting all the equipment ready for harvest by myself for the first time, I just didn't realize how much dad was doing till he was not there. I did manage to get the crops in over the last couple weeks but it was tough with out dad being there but he would sneek out on mom and come over and see how things were going with the soybeans. I could tell he wanted to be in his combine and helping me cut beans. If I could have figured out a way to get him in there I would have, But that could not happen this year.

To my surprise mom decided that she was going to help me out as much as she could. First time in my life I saw mom drive a tractor, She did good. It was just hard for her to get up and down off of them. Dad would watch from the house or sit in the van and laugh at some of the things mom was doing. He asked her why couldn't you have done that years ago? Her answer I didn't think I could! Yesterday when my cousin came over to haul some beans off in his simi dad had to come over to watch and see how the yield was going, I thing he just wanted to smell the soybeans and to see how his new toy was doing. The Oliver 1550 diesel utility I just got is going to be his new tractor when I get it done. I have 2 new steps to but on it so he can get on and off easer and can get out there and do what he wants to do. Anyway here is a few pictures of how things went this fall. The beans were real dusty this year but they made 46 bu an acre for a wet year it aint bad. Bandit

ur a good son, prayers uplifted for your dad and family

I remember you bought a no-till drill this year, how did that work out for the beans??

Enjoy both of your parents as long as you can. My father had a stroke twenty years ago. I modified "his tractor" with a step so he could get on and off. I helped him learn to do some things differently and I learned to do things differently. He was like what your father sounds like. He wanted to be involved. We worked together on our small farm until his death 8 years ago. I can still be doing some things here and look up and expect to see him drive up.

Keep your head up, things will get better, and the three of you will adapt and learn new ways of doing everything.

JWalker

Well to tell you truth in the first picture you can see darker rows, I had to replant all the ground I used the drill on, The stand was to thin. I still don't know if I had them to deep or if it was just to wet after they were planted. Ware there were high spots there was a really good stand they made good beans. I am still up in the air on the drill, But I think it will be a good no-till drill once I figure it out. I am leaning towards it being to wet. I replanted with the 8x20 A-C planter that is an early no-till planter. I figured if it got a half a stand then it would better than what it was. They did make 46 bu an acre and for this year it wasent bad. Bandit

We have been there and done that. With no till beans the soil cannot "clump" from moisture when you plant. Also you cannot have rain on them for 24 hours. The ground needs to be warm. If the bean does not swell in that first 24 hours it will never sprout. Also no more than 1/2 deep, if you see a few beans on top of the ground when you plant that's ok. Have your seed dealer help you with the calibration of the planter.

If you need it here is something I built for a disabled man that wanted to get on his tractor. It can easily be adapted for any kind of machinery. If you get to where you want one you can send me a message and I'll give any help I can.
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Good to here from you.Was wondering where you were!Glad your father is doing better now.Mom is going to be a good 'hand!LOL.Best of luck!!Steve

Great to hear from you again Bandit! Sorry to hear about your fathers problems and I will definetly keep him in my prayers.I know not having him by your side druing harvest was hard but I am glad you were able to make things work out.Looks like the old Deere done a great job again.All that dust on the radiator cage makes me itch just looking at it.I will keep sending best wishes your way and hope for a speedy recovery for your father.

Thanks You to all of you out there. Its been tough without dads help but him being there when he was able did make it better. Taking care of my place and mom and dads was hard enough but I also was helping my cousin Cris build his new shop (30x48) at his place. I took the 4400 Ghel and my dump truck down to his place to do the dirt work and spread the gravel out. It was just me and him working on it after he got home from work about 5.30pm and worked till after dark. Dave and his boy Natt come over to help but up the trusses so now its down to the sheeting. I am kinda glad it started raining cause I need a brake to take it easy for a few days and rest up a bit. I guess its true a farmers work is never done. Bandit

Bandit, sorry to hear about all of your dad's trouble and your hardship. Hope things go well for both of you. Jim

Glad to see you got harvest done and glad to hear your dad is doing better. As Mr. Hamilton said, you are a good son. One any parent would be proud to have.
Its tough to hear sometimes, but when the day finally does come and your dad is with the angels at least you know you can carry on his legacy. You proved that this year. Your dad has taught you everything you know and you can carry that on.
I still have my dad, but I can not imagine life without him, it will be a tough day. Your dad should be very proud.

Kris A NC