The Blog Less Traveled

Well, nothing like another blog entry based on a bike ride out in farming country. The above picture was taken today while riding out in the country southwest of my home. The farmer’s field has pretty much been decimated by all the rain we’ve gotten over the past week or so. The only part of the field that was saved was the area that was located on an upslope. There were many fields along my ride that had succumbed to the same fate. A double-whammy is hitting farmers this year. The rising cost of fuel is increasing their cost to fertilize and plant their crops as well as increasing the cost to harvest and deliver them. Add to that the crop loss due to weather and you can see why our food prices are going to be even higher as Summer arrives.

The Midwest has taken a real beating this past week. Compared to some areas in Iowa and Illinois, our local farmers got off lucky. Some of the news stories out of these states are unbelievable. Entire towns and roadways were literally swept away or so badly damaged to be beyond repair. It’s hard to imagine the destructive force that several inches of rain can have on a community. I don’t know how I’d handle my house being severely damaged or destroyed. Between sweat equity, cherished possessions and memories, it would be a bitter pill to swallow. My prayers go out to these people. Feel blessed if things are going well in your neck of the woods.