Hay season 2024 is in the books for Taana Blom and her hay helpers. I asked her about the “hay baskets” they were using and she said they don’t actually bale the hay themselves, she buys it from a farmer in the Baraga area and then hook up to the “hay basket” wagons and drive them to her Chassell barn to unload and pile the small square bales in the barn. Once unloaded, Taana returns the empty “hay basket” wagons to the farmer. Baling hay is a big job and completely dependent on the weather for proper drying once the hay is cut. Putting the hay up in the barn is a big job, also...a sweaty, hot, sticky job, not to mention the scratches you get from handling the hay bales. One thing I never understood though, in the years we farmed and baled hay, why are these bales called square, they’re actually rectangular in shape.

Taana’s bottom photo shows a field of the large round bales that many farmers make now, too. These you need equipment to handle and to feed them to your horses or cattle, you can’t pick these up by hand. I guess there are advantages to both the small square bales and the big round bales.

We have a video from Cylon Rolling Acres that shows how the Hay Basket Wagons work on the farm.

The real fun is the bale or bales that have a live
snake baled in it.....

OMG...I couldn't imagine a snake to boot!

We helped to "make hay" yearly as kids....whether
it was for us or the neighbors....we helped
wherever....and it is hot, sticky, smelly, itchy
work.

These are awesome pics too!

That’s a lot of work, I hope they appreciate it
or they can sheep up or sheep out.
You ain’t seen nuttin till your down
on your muttin.
And if you’re religious, it’s called
a Christian Bale.

I meant to add this in my notes:

Copper Shores is delighted to put on the third annual Community-Wide Picnic this coming Sunday, July 28, 2024. This year, the event will be heading north to Ahmeek. Join the team for a day of family friendly fun at Gabriel Chopp Park from 12 to 3 p.m.

FREE food and refreshments...
Copper Shores is serving up local favorites: pasties from the Mohawk Superette and subs from Sundae at the Park, along with refreshments, including water and sports drinks. Tables can be found under one of the park’s many new pavilions (that we funded last year!), providing shade and comfort for those enjoying the food.

While visiting, try to locate these five finds and get the fullest experience. You can check out the "five finds" here:
Copper Shores Community Wide Picnic

I know it's an old joke, but the cows were boycotting those round bales of hay because they weren't getting good square meals anymore . . .

I wouldn't want to do the work,
but I love the smell. Nice work
and great pictures.

The picnic sounds like fun!!