Corn Update: Week 14

A quick visit to the corn tonight ... just enough time to learn how to use nature as a toothpick, just the way Owen's great grandpa used to when he was inspecting the corn on his farm.

It's great getting out to see the corn at this point in its growth. We're both just waiting now for the day we drive up and the field is picked clean. Leaves are starting to change colors in the area. It's warm, but rains are coming and fall -- true fall -- is not far away.

In some ways, the weekend was filled with inspecting plants, including those of the face-plant variety. Look again at the top picture of this post and you'll see a little red scab on Owen's chin. He was out on the bicycle Saturday and managed to go top over teakettle after cruising down a neighbor's driveway, across the grass, and into the back side of the curb. Going over the handle bars and into the pavement, there was a bloody nose, a bite on the inside of his lip, and much sadness.

Thankfully, he loves wearing his helmet.

Owen sprang back quickly. The neighbor kids were a great help, too. They all came over to see him when he re-emerged from the house, with a popsicle to take down the swelling in his mouth. And the Merrill kids brought him some lollipops.

Speaking of the Merrills, earlier in the day, Owen, Amy, and Amy's parents and sister Pam, went out to celebrate Owen's buddy Philip's birthday at the nearby Ropp's Dairy Farm.

There was a hay wagon ride, some cow milking, and lots of fun with a turkey, some baby cows, and the big hay loft.

I stayed home with a napping Maya. I put up the shutters we'd repainted and watched a little of the Iowa football game. We lost, but the ladies were still happy to show off their Iowa gear later in the day.