May 14th………“DID YOU ENJOY GOING BAREFOOT DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL ON YOUR FARM IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA”?
POEM – “Bare Feet So Bold” by N. Elliott Noorlun
When young on the farm, And oh so bold,
Our joyous Spring, began to unfold.
Off came the layers, Every boot and socks,
To try my bare toes, Outside on the rocks.
At first came the oooches n ouches of pain,
But I knew by each day, I’d eventually gain,
The callouses to make, My feet really tough,
And be able to run, And play in the rough.
Now sand, then rocks, Now even gravel,
Never hampered my play, Or need of travel.
So tough that I came, To have no trouble,
Even stomping the fields, Of alfalfa stubble.
At first, in the Spring, I felt every zing,
Of objects so tiny and small,
But by end of Fall, T’was no bother at all,
My skin leather soles were on call.
But, with age now it shows, My former farm toes,
Have been inside my shoes way too long.
They’re tender again, Remembering way back when,
They were tough as I sang young life’s song.
Norwegian Farmer's Son 