Life was not easy. I never understood why grandad bought the block he did. Always on a lean could well have been our family motto.
So I was born into the family’s burden of tending fields cut into the hill in which every square inch of land was important in determining the annual yield. A poor season was disastrous. It meant a tighter budget than normal, less luxuries, pressure that usually resulted in arguments as to how to do more with less. Thankfully this year the season was good and we looked forward to one of our better years.
Written for: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/24-january-2014/
Morpethroad 
mowing it would have been a bastard too I think 😉 I know – you have goats or cows or sheep or…always intrigues me where these photos take our minds – nice little story M.
Thank you Jenny yes you are right, it was, and thanks too for that sympathetic comment.
You know you can count on me
Lovely story Michael. Here in Italy there are many farms like this in Abruzzo, Liguria and Trentino Alto Adige (where I live)…and some other places besides. And yes, when there’s a bad year… good whe the good years come along, everything is sweeter!
Thank you so much Georgia. As always i appreciate your comment
🙂
Life on the land, for some people. Nicely written.
Thanks Sandra, I appreciate your comment.
Wonderful little story, took me into my childhood memories… Thank you, dear Michael. Have a nice day, love, nia
Thank you Nia you have a good day too.
Well done!
Thank you Riya, please call again.
My fathers side come from a lone line of farmers. 🙂 Hard life but I loved growing up around it all.
They do have a hard life. Behind me I have a very good farmer who looks after his fields, grows very healthy crops, he works hard, long hours, as a kid I loved being around their dairy when they had cows. Thank you Anja for your comment I am happy you connected.
We lived on a farm when my children were young. It was a perfect place to teach them to respect nature and all she has to offer, but she can certainly be fickle. I am glad they had a good year.
Thanks Pat, so am I it would have been a miserable story otherwise.
Enjoy the time of plenty.
No drugs over doses, no alcoholics, I guess. The lifestyle does have its upside.
Thanks Patrick, It certainly does thanks for the comment.
Lovely story. You presented the bitterness of a failed crop and then the happiness associated with a successful one. I like how you ended it on a positive, hopeful note 🙂
Thank you Tinkerbelle, yes it had to have a positive ending. Thank you for your comment, please call again…
A positive ending and that’s always good.
Thank you so much Kim…always enjoy reading your comments.
I love the mantra “always on a lean” 😉
Thanks Helen, I had this vision of them evolving with one lg shorter than the other from the constant lean.
A wonderful reminder of how dependent farmers are year by year on a good harvest.
Thank you, yes I am glad you saw that, thanks again.
I think this was great! – thanks! Nan
Thank you Nan, that is a lovely comment I greatly appreciate it, please call again.
Always on a lean… what a fantastic motto. And a happy ending – even better!
Thank you Freya, it needed a happy ending. Have a good day/evening.
You capture life on the farm here nicely. Well done, Michael! It makes me appreciate suburbia and the conveniences of modern life.
Thanks Amy, that’s a very true comment I think I am with you on that.
This is true for all who farm at the vagaries of wind, rain, drought and so on. Nicely done, Michael.
janet
Thank you Janet, have a good evening.
sometimes children do see the family livelihood as burdens but i really respect family farms. many do struggle against the big organized corporation farms in addition to the forces in nature. your story supports the small business community and that’s wonderful. 🙂
Thank you Sun, I think the small family farms are important. There is a family who successfully farm the land behind me and they are very good farmers.
very nice. bless their hearts. ♥
Dear Michael,
I echo the comments above and give you a hearty well done.
shalom,
Rochelle
You describe the life on the margin very well.. how the good years are followed by bad and good one… a great sense of acceptance in your words… very good.
Thanks Bjorn that is life on the farm, good years followed by the not so good.
A stark picture of how hard life is on those terrains-very well described Michael-specially like that it ended on a hopeful note-loved it:-)
Thanks for that look into the adage taking the “bad with the good.”