How to be an asset during 'hurry up and wait' time

It's "Hurry up and Wait time" again at the farm. Only instead of waiting for the ground to dry, as we have the last two springs, we're waiting for the corn, soybeans -- or anything harvestable to dry.

Of course, there is never a lack of things to do around the farm.

And my husband is "so fortunate" that his wife is able to drive a truck and tractor, so "she can help him."

At least that is what I heard another farmer tell him the other day. Imagine my surprise when I heard him mumble something like "Oh yeah, REAL fortunate." He sure didn't sound very sincere.

Why just last week, I had helped him with one of those before-harvest chores -- moving a pile of dirt beside a grain bin, which would be in the way of the trucks during harvest.

"Honey, I know you need to move that dirt before harvest, and I have some places I need it, so if you'll just put the loader on the tractor, that will be one less job you'll have to do. I'll do it for you."

(You see how I mentioned it would help him -- I like to do that, just in case I need to call in a favor later!!)

He seemed to think it was a good idea ... at first.

With the loader on the tractor, I proceeded to get my first load of dirt and take it into the yard.

But on my way I realized I would need to pull out an old dying bush, in order for the landscaping to really look "right." So I went back to the shop to ask my husband to help me find a chain.

After 15 minutes of looking he finally found me the "right" one.

I went back to pull the bush. For some reason the chain kept slipping off, pulling leaves off the bush, but leaving the roots squarely in the ground.

I went back to my husband, who by this time was located underneath a piece of equipment trying to work on an illusive broken bolt.

"Haven't you heard me yelling? I think I need some help," I said.

He grumbled as he wiggled out from under the tractor, but came anyway.

An hour later, the two of us had pulled three more bushes and one "weed tree" -- all, I assured him, were necessary if he wanted me to "help him" move the dirt pile.

He went back to his tractor and I went to get another load, sure now I could do the project "all by myself."

On the way back with the fourth load I heard a "pop." I'm sure it wasn't anything I did -- but the tractor had a flat tire.

"Honey," I yelled again. "I think we've got problems." (Notice it now became a "we" project??)

By the time "I" got done with the project, hubby had made two trips to town, helped me hook up three implements, find the grass seeder and harrow, fixed two flat tires and pull five bushes.

But it was done!

"Look, honey. Aren't you glad you taught me how to drive a tractor," I asked, looking over my new landscaping. "Now I can do these kinds of things all by myself."

"Looks just great," he grumbled as he walked away.

I don't know what he's so upset about.

Look at all the time I saved him.