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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer August 8, 2005- - No. 55 |
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The farmer was walking home after having returned a borrowed horse to the neighbors farm. The midday sun was hot, the air very humid. State Road's gravely surface sounded muffled underfoot, was dusty and dry in the summer heat. Shimmering waves of warm air blurred the horizon at the ends of the fields.
Out in front of the old "Elenbass house," Rodger C. was digging a hole in his front yard. "Sure isn't the best of weather for that kind of work," mentioned the farmer as he stopped for a chat. "Have to locate the phone cable," said Rodger, "the backhoe man will be coming in the morn'n to update this old drain field of ours."
On down the road a piece, a woman and her two kids stopped. She offered a ride; handed out a container of bottled water from the air conditioned interior as they moved on. The car struggled to keep ahead of the dust spewing from beneath its tires, as automobile accelerated on to the East.
At the crossing of 88th Avenue, the pavement smelled of hot asphalt in the sweltering sunlight. The road jogs a bit, then on west a half mile to the welcoming shade of the maples along the farmers driveway. A tall glass of water from the kitchen tap, then sit for a spell in that old rocking chair on the front porch. The kids will miss having that horse named "Speckles" here on the farm. Maybe the neighbor fellow will lend him out again next summer! |
