Overwhelmed!  That seems to be the feeling of the day.  It’s July 1st and the 4th is just around the corner.  Sherry and I are involved with the celebration here in this little town, she with her task and me with mine.  Usually I can free myself up to help her, but this year it is not the case.  Why?  Hay.

I vote not to cut and bale hay until after the 4th from here on forward, too much, too soon.

I have yet to look in the POS for range stuff and I hope there is enough cardboard to cover the range for the shoot on the 4th.  What if there isn’t enough?  I’ll be in big doo doo!  So put that on my to do list, I have to check things out and do it soon.

Today is “finish up the cutting” in the field, which includes the back swath.  Hook up the rake to the Massey in preparation for the raking that begins in the morning.  At 7:30 tonight I have my turn at the rehearsal for the talent show that happens tomorrow night at the church.  I have several phone calls to make to see if other people want hay…we have had some “back out” because they have their own celebrations to attend and vacations to be had and hay is not in their plans on the 4th of July (another reason to put off cutting and baling on the 4th).  There are some final details to work out for the shoot on the 4th and I still have not heard from the fire chief about prizes…hmmmm…am I pressured?  Is he pressured?  I can always give money as prizes so I’m not worried about that.  What about the parade?  On the evening of the 3rd I have to go to the gravel pit and set up the range…I have helpers for that, but what about the raking of the hay?  We are marching in the parade to advertise the shoot right?  Are we going to have a float?  What trailer?  We are going to use Wapitis 3 place for the porta potty that has to be picked up on the 3rd of July.  But won’t we still be raking the hay on that day?  And that is the night for the fireman’s dinner and dance right?  Parade at 9 a.m. on the 4th, then the races, bingo, display in the city hall (Sherry’s deal), grab some lunch at the concession stand…we have to support the firemen right?  Then at 1 p.m. it’s time for the shoot…gotta be there by noon to make sure the gate is open and things are ready!  Expecting over 50 shooters this year…this shoot is turning into a big deal and I’m really glad.  I’ve had calls from some of the “old timers” that say they will be there…way cool!

Then there is the situation with our own back yard party.  What about setting up the big awning…who is going to do that?  It covers not only the 4th of July party, but also the end of the hay season party on the 6th!  It all takes time and manpower.  And Donnell is moving in on the morning of the 5th to begin the baling!  Gotta be there to help with that…and finish the raking!  One more time to turn it over to make sure it’s cured enough to bale!  And we have to have at least 500 bales on the ground for Gary and Brenda to pick up on the afternoon of the 5th.  What about Hartline’s hay?  Will there be enough for him to pick up on Friday as well?  Can Donnell get it all baled on Friday so the other hay buyers can pick up on Saturday morning?  Who’s stressed?  Heck the barn isn’t even cleaned out yet alone the trailer checked to see if the tires are flat or not!

I sure like the 4th of July….usually….

Bears Butt

July 1, 2013