Golden August

In many parts of the world, summer is the time of verdant greenery, lush foliage and bright flowers. Here on the Canadian Prairies, we're waiting for everything to go yellow - more a colour associated with autumn. But, here on the Prairies, we grow grain. Lots of grain! Grains that get shipped virtually every place on this Earth. We are the bread basket of Canada! Wheat, rye, oats, barley - we grow it all. It's a major part of the Prairie economy. And grain's time is now - it must ripen now, be harvested and stored before the rains of autumn. Farmers are anxiously watching their fields, watching the weather and praying that there is no hail. Grasshoppers would be really bad right now, too. Fortunately, they don't seem to be much of a problem this year. Within the next few weeks, Aagaard Farms will be surrounded by miles and miles of gold. And then, chaos will set in. Weather permitting, the farmers will be busy like little bees. Swathers and combines and large trucks full of grain will be up and down our dusty gravel road. They will go from before first light until well after dark; day after day without a break, as long as the weather holds. Farmers' wives and families will be taking care of the other chores around the farm, and packing large lunches and dinners to drive out to the fields. And then, there is almost a palpable sigh of relief, a bit of serenity descends on the Prairies. And the farmers start thinking about upcoming curling bonspiels and Hockey Night in Canada!