Had a feller ask me “how many miles you reckon you’ve driven in your farming career?”
How would I know? I never really thought about it much until he asked me.
But I been driving tractor ever since I was about 11, and here I am turning 56 and just now thinking about it. Years have passed with me workin’ the same farm since I was 20, rented it for years before we finally got the opportunity to buy it. Along with that there have been many other farms that have been rented and shuffled around down through the years.
Folks often think of farming as nothing but sweat and toil, filled with hard work and eatin’ dust. But to me this old farm has been my dream and it is full of memories.
I was buying farm chemicals and fertilizer at the CO-OP before I could legally buy a beer. I went from being a kid myself to now having grandkids riding around with me. And soon they’ll start driving too. I went from riding the fender of an old tractor, to driving tractor, to being the one that makes all the decisions and pays the bills.
For the most part I’ve had it good for 56 years, and I’m content with the life I have, though it may not be much to some people. It’s been enough for me.
So, back to the original question of how many miles have I driven?
All I can say is I don’t know. Some of them have been smooth, and sometimes I think I’ve traveled more than my share of the rough roads. But one thing I will say is this… the rougher the road the more beautiful the scenery.
