The sun warmed me through the windows of the Makers Bakery in Aurora. The prairie wind rustled the leaves on trees lining the square and sent the flags dancing. I smiled – summer, my favorite season, has arrived.
Summer means days filled with different rhythms, activities, and foods. Mornings out-of-doors replace our school books. Swimming and baseball games anchor our hours. To keep the house cool, I grill, rounding out dinner with watermelon or juicy berries.
Summer also means time with extended family. As a child, I loved the days spent with cousins at my grandparents’ homes. On the farm, we constructed forts in the grove. At Camp Davy, we splashed in the sandpit. I hold those fond memories close as I watch my children build similar ones.
The kids and I drove two hours on Monday to spend the week at my in-laws’ farm. My Middle is attending a day camp near their home – a highlight from last summer. Last week, Big had her turn, attending camp with two cousins. Several cousins also arrived for this week. The house filled with shrieks of laughter as they reunited.
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Spring fever hit the Springer family hard this year. After months of cold, the temperatures rose into the 70s. Nebraska, notorious for its wild spring temperature swings, experienced pleasant weather this year, minus a few cold days here or there.
We longed to get outdoors to feel the sun on our faces and warm ground under our bare feet. Little details vied for our attention.
What plants are pushing their way out of the ground? Where is that robin taking that straw?
So much beauty. So much distraction. We could not wait for summer to arrive.
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One spring morning we gathered around our kitchen table during our lessons. The sliding glass doors offered a tempting view of life outside.
Little hollered from his bedroom, “Mama, I need you to get my Lincoln Logs down!”
A lack of space in the boys’ room necessitates toy storage out of reach on closet shelves. I stepped from the kitchen, where the older kids sat solving math problems. The bright sun and our cats frisking in the lawn pulled their gaze from their work.
I returned from my building supply mission to find the table vacated. I glanced outside. The scholars galloped about the yard yelling “Giddy-up” as they rounded up imaginary cattle.
Spring is hard. I wanted to finish school as quickly as possible and get outside too. My garden called me. The kids could not focus, and my patience waned.
The outdoors beckoned, and we responded. We strung hammocks between two oak trees in our front yard – perfect for reading. We took schoolwork to the patio. We got it done, but it took double the time.
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Spring fever affects farmers too.
“Have you started planting yet?”
When the calendar turned to April, the farmers at church asked each other this question. They felt the itch, and compared notes, discussing plans and new equipment.
Planting in our area usually begins mid to late April when the fields are dry enough to get into and runs into May. The preparation is just as critical as the actual planting.
The farmers check and service the equipment, waiting for the soil temperatures to reach 50℉ for corn planting and slightly higher for soybeans.
We upgraded the planter this year, installing a vacuum system that allowed more evenly spaced seeds. Modern technology lets the farmer track the accuracy of the seeding, measuring the number of seeds per acre. Last year, our goal was 97% accuracy, but we struggled to keep it above 95%. The new system saw a 99.8% or better. It was worth the upgrade.
We use no-till practices to optimize soil health and prevent erosion. While we typically avoid plows or discs, we still prepare the ground. The fields that grew corn last year must be sprayed before planting soybeans to prevent volunteer stalks crowding out the beans. If the ground is severely compacted – say from driving over it or piling heavy manure on it – the soil will still need to be turned over. A chisel plow will break up the soil, and a disc will smooth it. A disc is also used to ready a field going from corn or soybeans to alfalfa.
After weeks of prep, planting takes full days interrupted by one pause for much needed rain. While the farmers worked their fields, I impulsively expanded my garden, doubling the tomatoes, beans, and peppers.
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As the solstice arrives, the crops are in. My tomatoes take over their cages. The neighbor’s sweet corn grew a foot overnight. The temperatures hover in the 80s.
We survived spring fever, finished the school year, and jumped into summer. These days will be at once full and slow, a welcome break from school and other seasons’ chores. Camping trips and a beach vacation, baseball and all the glories of summer await.
Enjoy these summer months.
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How do your daily rhythms change during the summer? Does your family have favorite summer activities? Are you looking forward to something special this summer?
