Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Pat and I returned late Friday night from a few days down at Disney World.  We had a great time, even if she was challenged with some pains in her right leg.  The days were beautiful, (mostly), and we enjoyed many of our favorite restaurants.  We even took in a few rides.  We both enjoyed TRON, and it was even more spectacular after dark.  I also took a ride on Guardians of the Galaxy, and found it even better than the first time I went on it. Other favorites we enjoyed are the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Slinky Dog, Peter Pan’s Flight, Ratatouille, Frozen, and Spaceship Earth.

We attended two “after hours” events.   First was the “Jollywood Nights” at Hollywood Studios.   This event is new this year, and we were there on 11/11, the very first night.  There was a special stage show, and several locations with bands.  Our favorite was the one at Tower of Terror, with ‘big band’ style music of the 1940s.  Another night was spent at “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party”.  That is a favorite.  There were two stage shows, special fireworks, a parade, and festive snacks.   The marching toy soldiers in the parade are the best!

Jollywood Nights was fun!

Even the Dinosaur Gertie cookies were decorated for Christmas

At the MVMCP, the crowds were big, but not like a regular day at the park. Snow on Main Street.

The stage show had many of Mickey’s friends appearing. The music and dancers were really good!

The Toy Soldiers were a highlight for me!

All in all, we had a wonderful 8 days there.

Now, back on the farm, this is a busy week.  Corn and soybeans are being delivered on the November contracts.  The office work is extensive as we prepare for the fiscal year-end on 11-30.  The equipment is all cleaned up, except for the JD S780 combine.  It is in the shop at Alliance Tractor in Vincennes, getting repaired from the fire.  They are making progress on it; it appears that they are ready to start putting parts back on it.  I checked yesterday on the conservation work that was completed this fall.  The rye is growing well, and the new waterways are beginning to ‘turn green’.

I helped load a truck yesterday… the corn looks beautiful.  And the test weight is very good, too!

There are lots of new parts to put into the back end of our combine. We are grateful that it can be repaired, instead of having to be replaced!

The discharge beater will be all new, as well at the wiring harness here on the left side.

Even the Gator got a fresh wash job!

We received about .6″ (16mm) of much-appreciated rain overnight.  Today is overcast and damp-feeling.  Gray skies, too.  But we are grateful for the rain.  That will help establish the new fescue in the two new waterways, and boost the wheat crop.  By the way, the wheat crop is off to a good start, and looks nice and healthy.

A view of the wheat from this morning…

We will be traveling to Moline, Illinois in mid-December for a Gold Key visit at the Harvester Works.  We have a new S780 on order, and we will see it get built on that visit.  It is always an exciting thing to watch your machine come together, and the hospitality that you receive is pretty special.   We are very much looking forward to that trip!

We are in the season leading up to my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving.  Of course, I love the traditional foods associated with Thanksgiving, but it is the spirit it encourages that I appreciate most.  We often need a reminder to count our blessings, and this holiday does just that.  We here at Carnahan & Sons hope that your Thanksgiving is filled with joy!