Twice a year, during planting and harvest I try and do my agricultural bit. While Hisself is busy I manage the end of year accounts, annual organic inspection, farm assured livestock and grain inspections, pet lambs, calving and all the related paperwork. To be honest I have not been near a cow this year as No1 [son] has taken over the practical side but the paperwork is still all mine. For added bonus I get all the trips for spare parts too.
People generally have the idea that I am somewhat distant to practicalities of farming. To be honest I just look clumsy at it because Hisself is absolutely brilliant on the job and has trained all the children to outshine me by the time they turn seven. Even little No5 [15 months] went into the tractor twice a day while he was ploughing and sowing and now understands how both machines operate. Like everyone else she will be able to reverse the pedal tractor with trailer by her third birthday.
This new era of modern farmers wife has produced women with an ability to balance career, farm, children and a happy home life. On one hand I respect the modern woman and appreciate what they have done to gender equality, on the other I would like the world to think that being a mother, let alone Mrs. Farmer, is a full time job itself. A job that when properly done deserves respect.
Maybe it is the lack of uniform that demotes the home talent. I wanted to go to our local renewable energy conference with Hisself but it is strictly no children territory. To get No5 in I needed the full business gear, including the female version of business suit. I detest black on principle [makes me feel very mournful] and cleverly found my outfit from the local charity shop for £3.50. But it worked! with 3" heels and full paintwork no-one felt brave enough to stop me at the door despite No5 sitting in her pouch flaunting every rule in the book. Did not feel quite so good after carrying the girl for four hours on those heels but the conference was well worth the effort.
The funny bit was that number of associates in the industry decided to pop by the day after. Very politely in a roundabout way they tried to find out from Hisself if I was the same woman that was with him the day before - do carpet slippers and an apron really make that big a difference????