TWENTY-NINE

Rufus – The Farm

I asked Bobby to go with me to my new farm. Martha and I want him to realize he has helped us tremendously. He seemed to have an interest in the way we were progressing. Separately, each of my share-cropper families are responsible for two hectares or close to five acres.

Every family unit was to plant a half of a of Illini extra sweet corn (Illini K̄ow phod wān – ไหไลไนข้าวโพดหวาน,) or a little over one and one and one fourth an acre. The experiment would be a test for the local wholesale fruit and vegetable market, where we would discover if we had a base for our corn.

The plan is to take a truck load of our fresh sweet product to the wholesalers. We will bring a portable charcoal Thai stove, a huge jug of pure water, a large pot, butter, salt and pepper. Whereby, we will prepare for every seller and retailer a free ear of the delicious morsel.

Bobby thought my strategy sounded sensible. He truly believes it might work. My experience as a retired farmer is coming to fruition. Additionally, I have come to know and appreciate my workers for taking on a new way of farming.

We are running well water to the fields to hydrate the ground during the four months that rain is light.

Rotating the crop every two weeks on a different part of the ground will insure freshness. Correspondingly, the life of an ear is only crisp for a few days after harvest, unless it is set on ice, refrigerated or frozen.

I informed him that I had purchased a half acre pond that comes as part of five hectares of land. My intention is to develop it into a catfish farm. I have already stocked it with one hundred baby catfish that are one inch long. If there is any leftover corn, we will be able to use it to feed the creatures. Moreover, we can cut the corn stalks, while they remain green, into smaller chunks and use that for nourishment for the fish.

When the little guys have reached a foot long we put them in smaller ponds. I have been informed that the breed I have purchased will reach that size in less than six months.

After they extend to twenty-four inches. they begin to spawn. As soon as that happens, we will have a new crop of babies. Experiencing delight, I am confident in the direction Martha and I are taking.

The inside plumbing and sewer hookup should be completed in a few days. We have replaced the screens on the windows. The house is sound. We should not have any problems with mosquitos or vermin. We have spray that will not harm people nor animals, but will eliminate pests.

Bobby and Dawkmymy will be getting married soon. He will be moving into their newly renovated house. He has offered us one of the recently constructed bedrooms in their home. Additionally, our abode should be ready before they go on their honeymoon.

All four children will stay with us while their parents are experiencing wedded bliss. We have the refrigerator loaded with groceries. Rakha will be here to pick up Malsa for work every morning and return her in the afternoon.

The residents of our little community are overjoyed that we are moving to our home. They seem to esteem the owner-proprietor's willingness to work side by side with them, rather than dictating what needs to be completed. I guess it is the work ethic taught by my parents.

Furthermore, they are pleased that the province is sending us two new teachers for the thirty-four children between five and twelve. We have converted a vacant house into a school building. The older kids will ride the bus to high school.

Malsa and several of the ladies with which she works are making uniforms from left over material and scraps. There will be no charge for the clothing. They came to the village and measured each student, and made two outfits for each pupil who are to be educated. We were advised that it was part of their mission to give back to those in need.

The manager was our girl, Malsa. She is fifteen years old. Yet, she was supervising mature women. She worked with them and directed by soft example. All smiled, and you could tell they respected and adored her. I admired and was impressed by her calmness and professionalism. My heart was excited to watch the way she worked.

The next day the outfits were delivered. Each learner wanted to wear their attire without delay, but their mothers informed them that they had to wait until school started.

An old saying goes, "It is okay to have differences, but it is not nice to be disagreeable." 'The Thai Way' is a good example on how to carry out the dictates of that implication.

Dawkmymy and Bobby have been stubborn and obstinate. They suffered from not being good models of 'The Thai Way' with each other. Alongside additional folks, they are usually social, fun and caring.

Mae Sua dictated that they be gentle and refrain from arguing. It took Dawkmymy almost being abducted, and Bobby nearly dying from a gunshot wound to show how much they really care for one another. I hope they remember. Maybe they can learn from their past mistakes.