Always be on the lookout for something to celebrate

When you work all hours of the night and day for weeks on end, you’re always looking for a good reason to stop for just a little while.

Sleep requires a cessation of labor, but other than that, justification for long pauses are hard to come by.

I mean, it’s hard to find a really good reason to stop and take a break. That’s why it’s best to be very liberal and open-minded about what constitutes a good reason.

Company doesn’t always justify a long stop, but at least long enough to slow down and let them ride in the tractor with you.

People always want to know when’s the best time to come out and visit. They want to come when we aren’t busy. That time does not exist. We are always busy.

Therefore, the best time to visit is when you show up. That gives us a reason to be less busy for a little while.

The point is, we’re always looking for a reason to slow down and celebrate something. Got a new tractor? Put a little dent in the note? Shipped a load of cattle off? All these things are at least a reason to stop and have a cup of coffee or a glass of iced tea.

While most of these impromptu (and quite a few more planned events) occur in the field or in the barn, they are no less enjoyable and, in my view, sometimes more fun than a get-together in a more civilized location.

The last party that happened was in a barn. I learned about it just in time to bring the pizza, and arrived just in time for the main event.

It was an engine-starting party. A new block, all put together and turned over for the first time is not just an acceptable reason to have a party, but a great reason. It sounded great, it was suspenseful and exciting and, even better, it was a success.

My advice is to always be on the lookout for something to celebrate. Life’s an adventure, not a trial.

Audra Brown wishes she had a new engine to start. Contact her at [email protected]