Another growing season has come and gone. This one reminded me why fall is my favorite season. It was gorgeous..every day. The sun was shining. The sky was blue. The leaves looked amazing. (You really notice when you're driving 20 mph) I couldn't have asked for better weather, could you?
Farming is one of those things that truly is at the mercy of mother nature, just like outdoor baseball. If it doesn't rain, the crops don't grow. If it rains too much, the crops don't grow. One day with strong enough wind is enough to flatten a crop. And there is nothing a farmer can do about it. Yet, year after year, they continue to farm. Without knowing what the weather will do. Without knowing what prices will do. I guess that's what you'd call an optimist.
But now it's the offseason. A time to think about what happened and what can be done to make it better next year. Just like baseball, the goal is to put the best team on the field, year after year.
So as this season comes to a close, let's enjoy the sunshine and the bountiful harvest, and hope it goes as well next year!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Why Hello There
Hi! It's been a while since we've chatted. You may be asking, what has Grady been up to? Well, he has been doing a lot of thinking. Thinking about life. Thinking about what to do with it. Thinking about what I like. And I've come up with a few things.
I like driving. Not necessarily to a particular destination, just jumping in my truck and seeing what the world has to show me. There are some pretty sweet things out there when you're willing to take the time to look. I like farming...on the side. When it was coming home for a weekend and getting away from homework, it was awesome. When I needed to escape the hall, I could go home for a couple hours and recharge. Putting in a 14 hour day was nothing when it was only once or twice a week. But now that I've been home for almost 5 months..it's starting to wear me out. And harvest has barely started. Fourteen hour days are going to become the norm until December. I already need a vacation..
What else makes me happy? Watching movies. I may not get them (Inception...), but I love watching them. Making people laugh. Knowing that I gave someone at least a little happiness makes me happy. Walking..it's good and good for you! These sounds so simple but that's who I am. I am not a complex guy. Give me some markers and some paper and I will be entertained for hours.
I still don't know what I want to do with life..but I do know that I want the above things to stay a part of it no matter how old I get. I may have to get a big boy job, but that doesn't mean I need to completely grow up. Now..where are the Sunday comics?
I like driving. Not necessarily to a particular destination, just jumping in my truck and seeing what the world has to show me. There are some pretty sweet things out there when you're willing to take the time to look. I like farming...on the side. When it was coming home for a weekend and getting away from homework, it was awesome. When I needed to escape the hall, I could go home for a couple hours and recharge. Putting in a 14 hour day was nothing when it was only once or twice a week. But now that I've been home for almost 5 months..it's starting to wear me out. And harvest has barely started. Fourteen hour days are going to become the norm until December. I already need a vacation..
What else makes me happy? Watching movies. I may not get them (Inception...), but I love watching them. Making people laugh. Knowing that I gave someone at least a little happiness makes me happy. Walking..it's good and good for you! These sounds so simple but that's who I am. I am not a complex guy. Give me some markers and some paper and I will be entertained for hours.
I still don't know what I want to do with life..but I do know that I want the above things to stay a part of it no matter how old I get. I may have to get a big boy job, but that doesn't mean I need to completely grow up. Now..where are the Sunday comics?
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The search continues
Just because I don't know what I want to do with my life doesn't mean I'm not trying to figure it out. I keep sending out applications, and they keep telling me they want someone with more experience. How can the unemployment rate be so high if everyone is looking to hire experienced workers?? I read today that the unemployment rate for people 20-24 is like 5 points higher than the national average. I have a feeling that the real percentage is a lot greater. There has to be a lot of people like me that just moved back in with their parents after school and are looking for jobs from their basement. Those sorts of people haven't applied for unemployment..thus, can't be counted as actively looking for jobs.
All I know is...I can't get a job because I don't have any experience, I can't get any experience because I don't have a job. I suppose I could go be underemployed somewhere, but is it really fair to them if any moment I could just jump ship to the first best thing that comes along? I don't think so. I think I just need to keep looking, keep an open mind, and keep my head up, hoping someone will take a chance on me.
All I know is...I can't get a job because I don't have any experience, I can't get any experience because I don't have a job. I suppose I could go be underemployed somewhere, but is it really fair to them if any moment I could just jump ship to the first best thing that comes along? I don't think so. I think I just need to keep looking, keep an open mind, and keep my head up, hoping someone will take a chance on me.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Maybe I should do a happy post..
I like to think of myself as a pretty positive person. I try to make the best out of every situation, and to always see the light at the end of the tunnel. Well, looking back on my first entries into the blogosphere, I haven't been all that positive, about anything. But there is one subject that will always make me happy-Jenny.
She is my everything. Those of you that know her know what an incredible person she is. She's so fun and full of life and I love that about her :) Today marks our 21 month anniversary. (I think anniversaries go a lot like babies in that, until they're 3 or 4 years old, you have to give the length in months.) A lot has happened since the day she said yes. We've taken trips, seen some awesome things, and had an absolutely incredible time :)
She makes me feel good about myself. She cares about me more than anyone ever has. She is my Jenny :) In my eyes, the perfect day would be me and her laying on the couch under a blanket, watching movies and just being with each other allllll day :)
She's super busy right now getting her hall ready for move in day, but once that settles down, I will be making a trek out to Brookings to see her. I'm very excited :) A weekend here and there isn't a lot, but I know that in time we'll be together and every day can be movie day :)
She is my everything. Those of you that know her know what an incredible person she is. She's so fun and full of life and I love that about her :) Today marks our 21 month anniversary. (I think anniversaries go a lot like babies in that, until they're 3 or 4 years old, you have to give the length in months.) A lot has happened since the day she said yes. We've taken trips, seen some awesome things, and had an absolutely incredible time :)
She makes me feel good about myself. She cares about me more than anyone ever has. She is my Jenny :) In my eyes, the perfect day would be me and her laying on the couch under a blanket, watching movies and just being with each other allllll day :)
She's super busy right now getting her hall ready for move in day, but once that settles down, I will be making a trek out to Brookings to see her. I'm very excited :) A weekend here and there isn't a lot, but I know that in time we'll be together and every day can be movie day :)
That's Stare, not Steer
People have been saying my last name wrong for a long, long time. Probably since before I was born. I don't know why, to me, it's pretty straight forward. Do I get upset when people call me Steer? Not like I used to. It's understandable that not everyone can know how to pronounce every word. I know that I am certainly guilty of butchering a name or two..over and over. And I'm sorry to any of you reading this that I have butchered.
While we're on the subject, let's talk steers. Steers, as most of you know, are delicious. I have been raising them since last summer. I sold my most recent one on Wednesday. He was an ok size, but I would have liked him a little bigger. When you're an out of work college graduate, you'll take every cent you can get, and the check I got was less than I was hoping for. 1200 dollars should seem like a lot to me, and it might to some of you. The problem with agriculture is, you have to spend money to make money. I didn't get that money without having to buy the steer and pay for feed. At least I still have 13 more to get nice and juicy for your next hamburger :)
I won't be able to farm for a living. As much as I've wanted to do it since I was a little tike, it's just not going to be possible. The money and knowledge required are way too much for me. The problem is, that's all I've ever thought about. Nothing else sounds appealing. I did the ResLife thing for a while, but there's no career in that for me. There comes a point when you're no longer working with your peers and you become a glorified babysitter for college kids. Not for me.
I'm sure in time I'll see that perfect job listing and just know that that's what I am meant to do. But...I suppose I won't know what perfect could be unless I give something new a try. Hmmmm..I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open. Almost like I'm stehr-ing...
While we're on the subject, let's talk steers. Steers, as most of you know, are delicious. I have been raising them since last summer. I sold my most recent one on Wednesday. He was an ok size, but I would have liked him a little bigger. When you're an out of work college graduate, you'll take every cent you can get, and the check I got was less than I was hoping for. 1200 dollars should seem like a lot to me, and it might to some of you. The problem with agriculture is, you have to spend money to make money. I didn't get that money without having to buy the steer and pay for feed. At least I still have 13 more to get nice and juicy for your next hamburger :)
I won't be able to farm for a living. As much as I've wanted to do it since I was a little tike, it's just not going to be possible. The money and knowledge required are way too much for me. The problem is, that's all I've ever thought about. Nothing else sounds appealing. I did the ResLife thing for a while, but there's no career in that for me. There comes a point when you're no longer working with your peers and you become a glorified babysitter for college kids. Not for me.
I'm sure in time I'll see that perfect job listing and just know that that's what I am meant to do. But...I suppose I won't know what perfect could be unless I give something new a try. Hmmmm..I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open. Almost like I'm stehr-ing...
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I miss good baseball
Being a Twins fan in my early 20's..I don't have any memories of their two World Series Championships. I went to a game in second grade..but outside of that, my first memory is Major League Baseball trying to get rid of the Twins. That must have sparked my interest in the club. Seeing stories on the news and seeing how angry people were getting must have made me realize that this club was worth saving and something I should invest my time in..I know..pretty deep stuff for an 11 year old.
The next summer, I stole my dad's walkman and listened to every game. It was awesome. The Twins were the little engine that could! They went from the brink of contraction to being involved in a pennant race! Since that year, all Twins fans have been blessed with a lot of regular season success, a game 163 win, and 1 postseason series win! But watching them this year has been like watching them in the postseason. The pitching has been awful. The hitting has been sporadic. And the fielding..oof da.
Maybe all baseball fans need a season like this. To bring you back to reality. I mean think about it..how fun would it be if the same team won their division every year? And when someone finally puts a good enough team together, they win the wild card? I can't imagine how hard it must be to be a yankee fan. Always knowing your team will advance to AT LEAST the second round of the playoffs. I mean good grief..they've won 27 World Series! Sure they've been around for a while but that's just unreal. 27 Championships in 88 years. That leaves 61 years for the other 29 teams. There has been about half that many Super Bowls and no team has more than 6 of those, and I don't see the Steelers winning 21 of the next 44 Super Bowls.
This isn't meant to be a Yankee rant. But it's so easy for this to become one. I hate the Yankees. I wish they would lose every game. Same for the Red Sox. And to a slightly smaller extent, the Rays. Let's give the fans in Canada something to cheer about. They call it a WORLD Series after all..not a New England Series.
Anywho..another Twins loss is in the books. I'd say there's always next year..but when you live in a state that hasn't had a professional sports championship in the last 20 years....well..at least we have Target Field...
Go (find some starting pitching) Twins!
The next summer, I stole my dad's walkman and listened to every game. It was awesome. The Twins were the little engine that could! They went from the brink of contraction to being involved in a pennant race! Since that year, all Twins fans have been blessed with a lot of regular season success, a game 163 win, and 1 postseason series win! But watching them this year has been like watching them in the postseason. The pitching has been awful. The hitting has been sporadic. And the fielding..oof da.
Maybe all baseball fans need a season like this. To bring you back to reality. I mean think about it..how fun would it be if the same team won their division every year? And when someone finally puts a good enough team together, they win the wild card? I can't imagine how hard it must be to be a yankee fan. Always knowing your team will advance to AT LEAST the second round of the playoffs. I mean good grief..they've won 27 World Series! Sure they've been around for a while but that's just unreal. 27 Championships in 88 years. That leaves 61 years for the other 29 teams. There has been about half that many Super Bowls and no team has more than 6 of those, and I don't see the Steelers winning 21 of the next 44 Super Bowls.
This isn't meant to be a Yankee rant. But it's so easy for this to become one. I hate the Yankees. I wish they would lose every game. Same for the Red Sox. And to a slightly smaller extent, the Rays. Let's give the fans in Canada something to cheer about. They call it a WORLD Series after all..not a New England Series.
Anywho..another Twins loss is in the books. I'd say there's always next year..but when you live in a state that hasn't had a professional sports championship in the last 20 years....well..at least we have Target Field...
Go (find some starting pitching) Twins!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Welcome to the Internet!
Hello web-friends!
You probably thought I would be the last person in the world to get a blog..well, at least I did. But reading over my friends blogs lately got me thinking; it's not fair for me to get insights into their lives without giving a little back...so here goes nothing!
I don't want to break down the whole title in one post, I'm planning to take my time..it's built-in material. So let's start with the one that I've come upon most recently: Senioritis. Most you have experienced a from of this at some point in your life..not wanting to do homework, just watching the clock tick down to graduation. But in this case, I'm talking about a different kind of Senioritis..the one where you miss everything about your senior year.
I've been graduated for a couple months now and I am definitely missing school. Take this blog for example. For the last 16 years I couldn't stand writing papers. I'd wait until the last minute and be done as soon as I met the three page minimum. (as an ag major, I maybe had one paper that needed to be over 5 pages) But here I am..writing for leisure. What's next? Creating a Powerpoint of what I've had for lunch the last 3 weeks? (P.S. lots of corn dogs)
But obviously, it's not the school work that makes me long for the days back in good ol R.F. It's the people. UWRF has to be the most friendly place I have ever been..I made so many friends there and met the woman of my dreams. I got a quality education and met quality people. The problem is...we've all gone our separate ways. I've seen this trend starting the last few years..friends would move off campus and because it was easy, they were replaced with new on-campus friends. So what happens now? Sure, facebook is great for keeping in touch, but there's something to be said for hanging out. It's just nice.
Obviously, a get together will always be just a phone call away. Maybe it's time for me to start calling people for some hanging out. After all, people can't be busy all the time can they? I really have enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and looking back to see how much they have truly changed my life. I hope they (you) can remain a part of my life for a long time to come!
From the bottom of my heart..thank you to all the people that have helped shape me into what I am today. :) and together..I hope we can find a cure for this terrible disease.
You probably thought I would be the last person in the world to get a blog..well, at least I did. But reading over my friends blogs lately got me thinking; it's not fair for me to get insights into their lives without giving a little back...so here goes nothing!
I don't want to break down the whole title in one post, I'm planning to take my time..it's built-in material. So let's start with the one that I've come upon most recently: Senioritis. Most you have experienced a from of this at some point in your life..not wanting to do homework, just watching the clock tick down to graduation. But in this case, I'm talking about a different kind of Senioritis..the one where you miss everything about your senior year.
I've been graduated for a couple months now and I am definitely missing school. Take this blog for example. For the last 16 years I couldn't stand writing papers. I'd wait until the last minute and be done as soon as I met the three page minimum. (as an ag major, I maybe had one paper that needed to be over 5 pages) But here I am..writing for leisure. What's next? Creating a Powerpoint of what I've had for lunch the last 3 weeks? (P.S. lots of corn dogs)
But obviously, it's not the school work that makes me long for the days back in good ol R.F. It's the people. UWRF has to be the most friendly place I have ever been..I made so many friends there and met the woman of my dreams. I got a quality education and met quality people. The problem is...we've all gone our separate ways. I've seen this trend starting the last few years..friends would move off campus and because it was easy, they were replaced with new on-campus friends. So what happens now? Sure, facebook is great for keeping in touch, but there's something to be said for hanging out. It's just nice.
Obviously, a get together will always be just a phone call away. Maybe it's time for me to start calling people for some hanging out. After all, people can't be busy all the time can they? I really have enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and looking back to see how much they have truly changed my life. I hope they (you) can remain a part of my life for a long time to come!
From the bottom of my heart..thank you to all the people that have helped shape me into what I am today. :) and together..I hope we can find a cure for this terrible disease.
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