【Schedule Destroyed】Mother's orders and 'Tilling-kun No. 1'. The truth about investment and labor realized through crooked furrows.
Hello, this is 'Oyaji'.
A weekend morning. 'Well, time to have some coffee and relax...' The moment I tried to take a breath, **'Mother's orders'** flew at me from behind.
'Go work in the field today.'
...No, you're telling me now!? I think this every time. Being told on the day of is the most infuriating thing. Even if I'm told in advance, I'm still annoyed until I actually do it (lol), but the shock of having my plans for the day crushed is on another level. The concept of 'personal plans' does not exist in this house.
That said, there is no right of refusal. Running away just leads to trouble later. It's the same as cutting fixed costs or mowing the grass. I quietly finished my coffee and headed out to the work area.
■ 🚜 The struggle with my partner 'Tilling-kun No. 1'
Today's partner is the cultivator, **'Tilling-kun No. 1'**. I scattered the cow manure and lime I procured from the home center, and it was time to start the engine!
The vibration of the machine crushing the hard soil travels up my arms. For this moment only, it feels like my daily stress is being pulverized along with the soil, which feels a little good.
However, the real work starts here. The finishing touch: 'making furrows'. This is also deceptively difficult. While a professional farmer's furrows are as straight as if drawn with a ruler, mine are somehow subtly wavy for some reason. 'Ah, this distortion, it shows my personality,' I thought with a bitter smile as the time spent covered in mud passed by.
■ 💡 The 'truth of investment' seen while drenched in sweat
While wiping away sweat, I suddenly thought, **'This is just like investing.'**
It doesn't go well from the start like a pro.
But if you don't move (don't till), nothing will bear fruit.
It's okay if it's sloppy, it's okay if it's crooked. First, just get it into shape.
If I keep tilling steadily, it will eventually get a little better (supposedly). Beside me, Mother says casually, 'The furrows are crooked.'
...I know that! But whether it's pouring 8 million yen of savings into an all-country fund or tilling this soil, it's all for the **'future harvest'** in the end.
■ 😱 The end is a new beginning
'Alright, it's in shape for now! That's it for today.' Immersed in a sense of satisfaction, just as I was about to put Tilling-kun No. 1 away in the shed, that happened.
Snap.
Looking back, the 'warehouse door,' which is Tillage-kun's home, had collapsed spectacularly. The hinge screws had come out, and the door was tilted completely sideways. My mother immediately followed up with a stinging remark.
'It's because you left it broken. Fix it, will you? I'm off to my lesson.'
…I remembered. Last year, when I was taking out the tractor (Tillage-kun No. 2), I bumped into it and weakened the hinge. Today, it finally gave out completely.
■ 🛠️ Life is a series of 'repairs'
Once the field work is done, it's time to repair the door. Once you accomplish one thing, something else breaks. That's just how my life is. But if I have to do it anyway,
'Free gym substitute + bonus vegetables (though the kids won't eat them) + improvement of DIY skills'
Forcing myself to accept that, this dad is now facing the collapsed door.
👉 Next time preview:
'Amateur Dad vs. Collapsed Door. Will Tillage-kun be able to return home next week?' Stay tuned!