John woke up early this morning. It was cold, the temp was barely 40 degrees, but there was work that had to be done; after all, nobody was going to fix that combine for him. A phone call at 6:00 a.m. to his wife and a quick cup of hot chocolate was the only interruption so far today. The welding done, John needs to fill the fuel tank on the utility truck and then go move that last pivot so he can start to winterize it.
He’s got a list nobody can see- it’s in his head, the same place the daily “to do” list is always kept, and he’ll work until long after sunset tonight to get it all done. Since yesterday was no different, I doubt tomorrow will be either.
He won’t visit with anyone today and won’t make it up to the café for lunch either. He’ll pass his brothers on a gravel road once or twice as they have fields ready as well, but there’s no time for talking…there’s work to be done.
We talk about disaster resilience a lot in this blog, and perhaps this is one of the best examples of “resilient”. While Wall Street and Washington both seem shocked after the results (or lack of results) from the bail-out bill, it is not really effecting John, nor is it effecting his banker- a long time friend and farmer himself.
Why is it that the effect is not felt here on John’s farm or at his bank? Because of conservatism. John has invested in his life, in the work of his hands and in family. The local bank has invested in folks like John.
It’s what makes Nebraska great.
In a KHAS interview yesterday with Five Points Bank President Terry Anstine, Anstine said: "Nebraska is a little bit boring. We missed out maybe on the boom, but we can smile that we are not missing out on the bust.”
He won’t visit with anyone today and won’t make it up to the café for lunch either. He’ll pass his brothers on a gravel road once or twice as they have fields ready as well, but there’s no time for talking…there’s work to be done.
We talk about disaster resilience a lot in this blog, and perhaps this is one of the best examples of “resilient”. While Wall Street and Washington both seem shocked after the results (or lack of results) from the bail-out bill, it is not really effecting John, nor is it effecting his banker- a long time friend and farmer himself.
Why is it that the effect is not felt here on John’s farm or at his bank? Because of conservatism. John has invested in his life, in the work of his hands and in family. The local bank has invested in folks like John.
It’s what makes Nebraska great.
In a KHAS interview yesterday with Five Points Bank President Terry Anstine, Anstine said: "Nebraska is a little bit boring. We missed out maybe on the boom, but we can smile that we are not missing out on the bust.”
Sometimes boring is good.
