After what had been an extremely busy day already, hubby called and wanted to know if the grandchildren and I could bring supper to the field. At the time I didn't think I could physically do it, but said we would.
It was a beautiful evening, the weather was perfect. Lunch meat sandwiches, a big glass of iced tea, some chips and little tomatoes always taste like a gourmet meal when eaten outdoors in such beautiful weather. The kids thought it was just great to sit on the old picnic (field) quilt and eat their peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches. Eating oranges slices and being able to throw the rinds out in the field just added to their joy. Simple things.......... After eating the six year old granddaughter said she would love to play in 'that dirt'. She had that questioning look in her eyes as she told me that. One of those looks that said playing in the dirt would be so much fun, but I know Nannie will say "no"! After checking with hubby to make sure there wasn't any chemicals on the dirt, I surprised her with a "Go ahead, play in the dirt!" She kicked her flip flops off and walked barefoot in that freshly worked dirt. She ran in the tractor tracks which Great Grandpa had made right before supper. She mashed the dirt together into a ball, threw a few dirt clods, and wiggled her toes in the slightly cool earth. With the slight breeze blowing her curls and the setting sun shining on her beautiful face all was right with the world. Simple things..............
The two year old grandson joined sister in the dirt, but the walking was rough for his little legs and the old rock road was much more appealing. He could run, Nannie didn't scold if he picked up a rock and threw it down the road and he could find treasures in a rock that was colored differently than the others, a treasure he could bring to Nannie to admire. His hair was curled in tight little curls and the sun gave his little curls a golden color. He had peanutbutter and jelly still smeared on the side of his mouth, but it didn't bother him in the least. Simple things..............
Then we had to take Papa and Great Grandpa to pick up more machinery. The kids thought they had "walked on the moon" when told they could sit on the bench seat in the van with great grandpa. They didn't have to be in those carseats and got to drive down the old field roads........WOW! When we arrived at the other machinery, Granddaughter rode with G. G'pa in "old Blue". "Old Blue is like the Energizer Bunny....It just keeps on going & going & going. It's old, it creaks and squeaks, is rusted out here and there, doors don't open or shut quite right anymore, but what a thrill to ride in that old truck with G. G'pa. I followed them in the van and we moved to the next field. When they arrived at their destination, G. G'pa got out and went around and opened the door for his passenger. When he helped her out and then she looked up at him and off they went walking side by side, G'pa slightly bow legged from being so tired (he's 84 and had been working all day) and little curly headed girl looking up at him with admiration in her eyes, what a picture it would have made! I kicked myself about 20 times on this little outing because I had no camera.
When Papa asked little guy if he wanted to ride with him on the tractor, that little head bobbed up and down and a distinctive "Yes" escaped his lips. I didn't know if little one would like the noise of the tractor, so I stayed close in the van in case I needed to retrieve him. But, they kept on cruising down the field road, so all was OK. When they arrived at their destination, little one had a look of "I'm not too sure about this ride, but Papa is holding me tight and I 'think' it is fun!" After the tractor was turned off, it really was fun to sit on the seat and pretend to drive. Now that brought a smile to that dirty little face.
Finally I buckled everyone in their carseats, packed away the picnic items, and we slowly drove down the rock roads on our way home. We had waved "bye" to our farmers and we were dirty and content. As I drove it got quieter in the back seat. Soon I could see little guys head bobbing. Older sister said bubbie is asleep. Good, he needed a little nap. Soon I noticed Sissy wasn't saying anything either. Sure enough she was doing the head bob thing. Even when I reached the paved road, I kept driving slow. There was no traffic and we so seldom drive slow anymore. It was pleasant.....The peace and quite, watching the birds and seeing the newly planted fields coming to life. Yes, the simple things.....................