We're not in Kansas anymore...actually..?

I'm writing this from the cotton field because right now there's nothing better to do ~ except watch them mend the ball buggie. They need to weld it and we can't move on until they do, so I'm chillin against my cotton module catching up on this. I plan to take pictures of the whole process when it's slow..but stopped doesn't offer a good idea of the process. I've already had lunch, there's no more cotton rollin around on the ground worth pickin up; I suppose I could pull string for dayz but we have plenty for now.
I'm being summoned...
~*~
Weee!! I just got my first lesson in driving a tractor! Which will be my responsibility from now on whenever necessary. I'll check the oil/water in the morning then start em up! Then I'll turn on the module builders (my machine and Harry's) and then climb up and sit on my cushion while I wait for my first load.

Working the builder is pretty cool. It's like a video game or flying an airplane with the levers I'm working. I can get into quite a quick, efficient rhythm of forward, down, up til I slowly approach the end of of the builder, then down twice, then back, down, up... Pretty simple but it keeps my attention concentrated.

It's beautiful out in the fields with blue sky all around, until dusk when we've had gorgeous sunsets. The clouds are also quite amazing to watch float across the sky. It's quite strange that the tree tops are as high as the horizon gets..there are certainly no hills in this flatland. It's been really windy the last couple days though and pretty chilly. The sun is warm protected from the wind but atop the builder I'm right in it.

I'm getting along wonderfully with the team and have been working right alongside the 5 other men. Feels good. Frustrating sometimes though when I'm just not strong enough to heave the bag of cotton collected from the ground up to the builder or pull that tight knot on the tarp over the module. However, that's landed me the tractor job, so I'm happy. And the module builder is great. Right now my builder is facing the sunsets and I'm really good at it. It's fun working the BIG machine! Though it requires strength, it also requires gentleness, which I Definitely possess. Today in the middle of module building, a lovely yellow and black butterfly fluttered-by ~ or did a flutterby butter fly?

Being at the farm has been wonderful. Jon (my boss) and Karin are just great and Harry, Karin's dad, is really an adorable guy. They're all funny too, Smiles and laughter all day, it's great. Ben and I are staying at Ross (head farmer, Jon's dad) and Kerry's house and it's been absolutely lovely. Rocco (Ross) is quiet but sweet and very kind and Kerry is absolutely wonderful in every way! I already feel a strong connection with her and feel very safe and at home. She and Karin are both lovely cooks and we've been well fed! They're all vegetarian here and the food has been delicious! Kerry has also made us some bickies (short for biscuit, which is a cookie) and some yummy banana-white chocolate cupcakes to take in our lunches.

Ben and I make breakie each morning and pack a lunch for the day to put in the esky (cooler.) Then Harry comes to pick us up at 8 and we're off for the day! We've got quite a great team and if the machinery and weather would just cooperate a bit we could breeze right through this harvest! It's fun getting so dirty all day and not having to worry about it. I've decided to just keep my pants by the door and throw em on before I leave because they're getting quite greasy and I don't want to ruin any others but can't put these in the wash until a rainy day (our only chance for a day off.) Thankfully these ones were from Vinnies (St. Vincent's ~ like Salvo, salvation army.)
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Karin just came for a visit and brought lunch for Harry and Jon. She took a few photos and then we climbed up into the builder and played in the cotton, falling in on our backs, seeing who could jump in the furthest, having a cotton-ball fight! The cotton smells like something I can't define. Something I've eaten. Maybe celery seed?
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Whew!!! Once we got the buggie fixed the fuel ran out in the other builder which meant I took every load (instead of every other) and it was exhausting! My arms were tired and I'm trying to think of the exercises they recommend for people who work at computers all day, to keep from cramping up! There's no masseuse around here unfortunately. Anyway, overall it was a very successful day! I'm having a wonderful time working and being part of the process. And evenings are just lovely back at the house. Tonight we had delicious roasted veggies and brown rice and as I was helping clean up I found ginger tea! Hooray!! Seeing my excitement, Kerry showed me her stash (which is loaded with goodies!) and offered me a piece of ginger rolled in rice flour and it was fantastically delicious!

Bedtime now and we'll start it all again tomorrow. We'll have a bit of a later start so I'm hoping to go out with Kerry and meet the chookies! (chickens)

I am THINKING in an Australian accent. I love listening to everyone talk, and their voices in my head are lovely. I also love the expressions here. Especially how everything is lovely and gorgeous! What a wonderful life!