harvest

Can you feel it? The way that summer is slowly drawing to a close? I can. The nights are slightly cooler, the greens are a little bit duller, and the biggest tell-tale sign, my allergies are acting up. But there is another more picturesque thing that will tell you summer is almost over. The grain harvest.

Grandpa and Gran had us out to their place a week or so ago when their neighbor was harvesting their grain.

We've seen it before, (last year) but it is still fascinating!

There are lovely big tractors to see.

And Combines to watch...

...and ride in if you are lucky! (I spy a Little Guy, on his Grandpa's knee...)

We also learned a neat thing from Gran and Grandpa.

You get yourself a head of wheat.

You rub the kernels in between the palms of you hands.

Then you end up with a handful that looks like this.

Then you have to blow on it to separate the wheat from the chaff. And then you can pop the wheat kernels into your mouth and chew them. And they turn into a sort of tasteless, chewy gum. (all thanks to the miracle of gluten, she says sarcastically) It doesn't taste good, but it is oddly satisfying, and the activity itself is fun.

On a side-note, I'd like to comment on how my child is dressed. Which is like a miniature redneck with access to a Mall. My point is that I have been letting him dress himself. And also make some decisions about the clothing that we purchase. And since he is six, he favours superheros and lego marketing tie-ins. Oh, and he has a soft spot for fluorescent green. And while I like Lego and Spiderman and fluorescent green, its all a bit much for me. If I had my way, it'd be a bit more, erm, stylish, and logo/movie character free but I'm letting him go for it these days. Just sayin'. Oh, and also, he's kind of a maximalist in terms of accessories and embellishments. Note that he has added Hallowe'en cat stickers to his sunglasses, and refuses to take them off. They are his favourite sunglasses. Ah well, his outfit might make me wince, but his pride in his new hat and Lego themed shirt warms my heart. And there was a lot of beauty out in the fields that day.