Good morning! I’m Lesley, one of the volunteers here at Gentle Giant. Derek and I have been here since June 23rd and will continue working with Maureen and Greg until August 22nd. Every day so far has been a different adventure, but yesterday certainly takes the cake. We were bucking bales, which means that we were wandering around a 10 acre field throwing 50lb bales of hay onto trucks in the sweltering sun and heat all day! Greg said it would be the hardest working day of the year, and now I believe him.
Although the description of our activities may sound miserable, we all had a great time. Heidi and Patrick, who should receive “Friend of the Year” awards joined us and helped keep attitudes positive. Holly, being the smallest and youngest of the crew was a tough, bale throwing superstar. Lift with your legs, perfect form Holly! Maureen and I took turns driving the truck and sweetly endured the tired workers yelling STOP! and GO! with no please or thank you’s. Derek took a turn driving at the end of the day, but will not be allowed to do that job next year. He kept stopping the truck for optimum photo opportunities, rather than optimum bale bucking, further wearing out the team…but he did get a few good photos and we found the energy to laugh at his antics. Greg, our intrepid leader on this mission lifted each of the 970 bales of hay twice over the course of the day. By the time we were eating dinner his hands were putty, but somehow this morning he seems ready for another day of intense physical labor.
After the day was done Derek and I were so proud of our accomplishments. The whole barn was filled with almost 1000 bales of hay. This was definitely the hardest day of work that we have ever done together and it was a thrilling feeling. Thank you so much to Maureen and Greg to teaching us about being farmers. Someday we’ll have our own farm and it will be, in no small way, successful due to our time spent here at Gentle Giant.
Some final thoughts: Quatre, we REALLY missed you while bucking bales. You need to be here next year. And finally, still no baby calves. Where are you babies?
GREAT job Lesley, thank you for taking up the editorial gauntlet!! Take care, M