Harvest Tales - Dickinson County 01
Harvest stories submitted by Kansans for the online exhibit, Wheat People.
Submit your own at kshs.kansasmuseum@ks.gov.
Evelyn Shetter
Evening on a Threshing Day
When the sun began to sink in the western skies, tired men started leaving one by one. As each one emptied his last rack of bundles, he would head for home. Even the horses seemed to know that they were homeward bound. When the huge machine had gobbled up the last bundle and blew out the straw it made into the straw stack and the grain into the wagon box, it was stopped and all was quiet.
Soon it was dark and I saw my Dad and little brother set their tired and weary bodies down on our big southeast porch . . . where they could drink in the evening breeze that was beginning to cool down from the heat of the day. The shoes and socks soon came off and as my Dad leaned back against the house my Mother joined him and I heard him say, "That sure was a good dinner today, Mildred." Then I heard a hearty laugh and Dad added, "Did you see that mound of mashed 'taters John took? I didn't know whether to pass the dish or his plate!" And Mother joined him in quiet laughter, realizing that these few comments from my Father were his way of showing appreciation for the big job she had done that day and his way of saying "Thank you."
It was a big day for all of us . . . but it was a family affair and a team effort. Baths were soon taken in the little round wash tub and a night's rest would help refresh us all for there would be another big day tomorrow.
Evelyn Shetter also submitted Noon Meal for Threshers.
