Power

I think this is Mel's harvester, a huge machine that tears corn ears from the stalks and strips the kernels from the cobs (probably by magic). The kernels come out of the chute on the left and into the trailer seen yesterday.

You can get a rough idea how tall this is from figuring out where my eye level would be. Heaven knows how much it costs. Best to stay out of its way.       

The Force Awakens

Mel keeps his giant harvester in a shed, looking ready to burst into action. It seems menacing to me, like some evil machine in a Star Wars movie. There was a post a year ago showing it in action on a sunny day.            

Seven-Toed Farm Monster

This behemoth sits out back on the old family farm, now run by borther-in-law Mel and his wife, Pat. I think these cost the better part of a zillion dollars and do something mysterious, possibly involving the harvest of corn. Their automation is so advanced that once you have run it around the perimeter of a field, you can press a button and the machine will, on its own, finish the rest precisely without human intervention. And some people want to know where their food comes from. Probably one of these.

Below, niece Tricia's husband Steve goes bombing around on one of several ATVs on the property. They have some purpose for work but mostly they are used for, well, just bombing around.