We need rain.
My father spoke those words frequently during different summers. I recall riding frequently so many times with him in his pick-up. He always always drove slowly past his fields, looking into the rows of green corn. What he saw, I didn’t understand. Then.
Dad looked at the height and color of the stalks. He examined the size of the ears, the tassels, the silk.
Was the silk golden or was it already turning rust?
Were the ears full around, or short and stunted?
Were the tassels tall and full, or were they sparse and drooping over?
The stalks—were they robust, strong, and green? Or had they turned yellow?
Was the silk golden or was it already turning rust?
Were the ears full around, or short and stunted?
Were the tassels tall and full, or were they sparse and drooping over?
The stalks—were they robust, strong, and green? Or had they turned yellow?
Dad never spoke much to anyone during those slow, oh so slow drives. He just looked.
Rain.
We need rain.
We have been fortunate in my part of the country and the corn was as high as an elephant's eye in early July. Unfortunately, it has not been the same story for many other areas.
ReplyDeleteHope you get some rain soon.
In the Midwest, the drought has ruined most crops. Here in San Diego, we are tinder-box dry. We need rain, all over!
DeleteRain tends to be fickle, either get too much or too little.
ReplyDeleteThat is what all farmers say. One summer it is too dry. Next summer there is a flood.
DeleteRain has no idea of the inconvenience it can cause by either being early or late, heavy or light.
ReplyDeleteThat is the truth. Even now after all these years, I look at the sky and wait for rain.
DeleteOur corn (or south west Ontario's corn) didn't get very tall this year and looked pretty dry. Poor corn. Quite the eye (ear?) your dad had there.
ReplyDeleteHe was a farmer non-stop (except for WW2) and 'read' corn. Don't know about the 'ear', but he might have even heard the corn growing!
DeleteIt is raining today in Northern Colorado for the first time in a long, long while. It is very overdue and very welcome! And it is making me feel very lazy :)
ReplyDeleteWish we had some of that rain. I think I would go outside and run around in it, like we did as kids.
DeleteMove to Washington! LOL! Actually, we've been on a dry spell too. Our local corn isn't looking so great...
ReplyDeleteWould love to visit Washington!
DeleteIt rained in the UK this summer, not the USA. Maybe next year we'll even out. My well will appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteSome UK bloggers mentioned the excess rain. I would love to be able to complain about rain.
DeleteWhat a great piece! Loved it
ReplyDeleteWe need rain here as well. We have had incontinent pigeon rain (splat, splat and its gone) but really need good soaking rain. Our hills are turning golden before summer gets here which is a bad, bad sign. And doesn't everything smell better after rain?
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteJust what is going on with the weather. Here in Britain we have had the coldest, dullest, wettest 'summer' since records began. If only we could redress the balance and send you much needed rain.
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star! xx