all the work it takes | Life on a Colorado Farm

I cooked the last of our pinto beans last night. The aroma of the beans earthy sweetness suffused the kitchen, welcoming us with a comforting embrace. (Eating beans and corn together supplies all the amino acids necessary for our bodies add in some ham; cook together until the beans are done. Serve with a hot chili pepper —- yum.)

Over supper Terry and I talked about farming this coming year. The big question: ‘Are you going to farm?’ Flashing loud and constant, like a neon sign. The second week of March is when the ground will need to be worked, the ditches made, the canal put in order, the seeds bought.

“I don’t know”, Terry shook his head. ” I really don’t know. But I need to be deciding I have to purchase the seeds (including the pinto beans—he plants Bill Zee pinto beans), the alfalfa field needs plowed up and moved….there are things I want to do to improve the place, a renter just can’t, nor should do.”“I just don’t know.” He shook his head again.

“Besides I don’t want to be like our friend…he sold the farm, moved to town, grew so depressed because he didn’t have the farm anymore he rushed his move of the rainbow bridge one night.”

“That was terribly sad, for him and his family. But we are NOT going to sell the farm.” I pointed out.

“No, but Bob, rented his out and said it was the worst thing he ever did. No one could farm the place properly.”