Fruits of your labor

DICKINSON, N.D. -- What a year to be a farmer and what a month to see the fruits of your labor. Overall, it's an exciting time of year.

While farmers are in a curious situation this harvest -- creating hills of crops on the ground -- no one is complaining that the yields are the highest in years. And after a harsher-than-harsh winter, spring floods and other as-always unpredictable slaps in the face by Mother Nature, this is turning out alright.

The combines are in the home stretch now and the hardworking farmers soon will have a little breather. Hopefully, this harvest leaves few worries about keeping cattle fed and pocketbooks full the winter.

Not only are the farmers smiling while heading to the grain elevators, but gardeners also are plucking away at what they have dirtied their fingers for all summer. And it shows. Co-workers are sharing loads of tomatoes, cucumbers, plums and more while residents toss extra peppers, potatoes and squash over the fence to their neighbors.

Wood chopping continues and the summer clothes begin to end up at the bottom of the pile.

Hunters are sighting in scopes, scouting land and prepping to fill their freezers as soon more hunting opportunities will open up -- particularly pheasant in October and deer gun season in November.

Not only does hunting provide recreation for local outdoor enthusiasts, but the out-of-state hunters are a big boost to the local economy.

So as the cold creeps in and we pull out the extra quilts, stock the fire with another piece of that precisely chopped wood, go ahead and break into a jar of those colorful home-canned tomatoes, pull some potatoes from the cellar, thaw some of that meat, make some stew and sit back, relax and tell stories of how it was a great year to be a North Dakota farmer.