December 11th…“WHAT METHODS DID YOUR FATHER USE TO MANAGE THE FAMILY FARM NEAR KIESTER, MINNESOTA?”
Happy farming was easy when cuddling with Russell Noorlun’s firstborn son; Elliott’s elder brother, Lowell. Circa 1945-46
POEM – “Dad’s Handheld Device” by N. Elliott Noorlun
Russell’s “handheld” device. 😉
My Norwegian father, Had a “handheld device”,
To manage our family farm.
It worked quite well, I’m here to tell,
And it didn’t cost leg or arm.
Russell’s jalopy could help run him around in his farm work, but it also was tons of fun to give rides to Elliott’s big sister, Rosemary, big brother Lowell and others.
Back in the day, When farmers grew hay,
Computers were not to be seen.
Dad used his noggin’ and kept on sloggin’,
On a paper notepad, Really keen!!
Elliott’s father anticipated potential future costs for running their farm.
That wire-bound tablet, That fit in his pocket,
Was “device” enough for my dad,
With pencil point keen, On the tractor he’d lean,
Musing on numbers to add.
Planned income from our farming operation
Dad could track his income, From crops to hogs,
All “data” was in his “device”.
His “gadget” did fine, On plain paper line,
And all for a very small price! 😉
In the mid 1960’s, the only “software” that was needed by Elliott’s dad was a soft, wire-bound notebook that he carried in his bib overall pocket.
I may be only one oat seed in a field of millions, yet I have a story to share of beginnings on our beloved farm in southern Minnesota and beyond to life as I've seen it to this point. Famous? No. Gifted? Unlikely. Yet, I want to leave a legacy to my children and grandchildren of who this gentle Norwegian man was. My happy times, sad times, successes and failures. Someday, those who are tiny now, will have this volume to come to and get to know this Norwegian Farmer's Son.
View all posts by norwegianfarmersson
Norwegian Farmer's Son 