Our farm community was deeply hurt when Harold Risch, 76, was trampled and killed by one of his bulls last fall. On Saturday at least 1,000 farmers gathered for the auction of his farm equipment and cattle. 
That's Don in the burgundy jacket with grey hoody.
It was a frigid spring day, the snow and wind cut through the crowd like a cold blade. But the warmth of the people shone through for Harold and his well loved farm tools and animals.
Don wanted this hay wagon, but we left the auction to warm up our cold faces, toes and fingers, and when he went back later, it had been sold.
I don’t think he could have afforded it. Other hay wagons went for over $500. You have to build bottom and sides to carry the load. Our load would have been people on farm day for a hay ride. Hay rides are something I grew up with in my rural hometown. Load the wagon with hay, then load the hay with young people, and you have a riot of fun . . . and lots and lots of hay stuck down the necks of shirts!
When you want to bid at auction, of course, whether it’s Sotheby’s or Risch’s farm, you have to first register and get a number.
I wonder if this farmer was getting a phone bid?
What’s this?
Most of the farmers wore Carhartt coveralls, lined with quilted flannel. But the man in the second photo below wore a snowmobile suit. Whatever we wore, it had to be WARM.
Harold had a beautiful herd of British white cattle. Each cow went for $1,000-1,500. Our emotions were mixed looking silently at these sweet, powerful animals, which sometimes cause terrible accidents.
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