I was shocked when Rankin said he was 65 and still doing manual labor on his farm. 65 is getting up there in age. I could not even imagine lifting boxes, loading trucks and actually having to do physical work that old. However, another quote that caught my attention, "If you didn't life your work and have pride in it, you wouldn't do that" (Walker). This quote put everything from all three articles in perspective for me. I could not imagine doing these things because it is not something I enjoy doing. But farmers are so incredibly passionate about what they do and they take pride in the products they produce, it truly is admirable.
Because farming is a full time job, (18 out of every 24 hours according to Aunt Katherine Haynes) some farmers aren't able to receive an education. After reading Aunt Katherine Haynes story, she didn't seem all too upset about not getting an education. She says, "They wasn't much to think on when you didn't have no education...I'm just a flat out old hillbilly. That's the only way I know to talk and the only way I'll ever try to talk." I don't think she seems unhappy because she didn't receive an education. I also don't think she was unhappy with her work. I think she is unhappy with how much working wore her down. She is 77 years old and talks a little bit about how her body just can't do what it used to anymore. Naturally, as we age our bodies begin to shut down but I think the amount of stress she put on her body from working is really getting to her.
Here's some food for thought: Rankin talks about taking Aleve at least once a day, he also talks about the harsh conditions farmers go through. Is there a way to reduce the amount of labor farmers have to endure? Walker talks about having a great amount of pride in his work however, is having pride in your work enough of a reward for everything you put your body through both physically and mentally? And finally, is having a life of strictly farming and housework an acceptable life in exchange for a good education?
Until next time...
Camille
Hi Camille,
ReplyDeleteReally good job. I love that the articles spurred you to think about bigger issues like the strain of labor and the underrated nature of farmers. Good.
I would like you to give this a readthrough, though. There are some mistakes and a few run-on sentences (can you identify these?).
Also, now that we've talked about context sentences in class, I'll expect you to identify the works and authors (and main characters?) in future blogposts. Here, you don't mention the author of Working, and I think you can do more to let your implied reader in on what you're talking about. Who's Rankin, for instance? I know, but even as a reader who knows, I want to feel like you have full mastery of what you're talking about and one way for you to get to that level is to identify everyone thoroughly.
Really enjoying the quotations. What a perfect way to get us involved. You would never have a conversation about what so-and-so is like if you didn't tell your friend who so-and-so is and what so-and-so says. We should remember that in class, too.
Grade: 1/1
DW
Camille,
ReplyDeleteI think in class you said you taught swim lessons? I don't know about you but I would be sore after teaching. And I would only teach three 45 minute classes three times a week. When Rankin said that he was 65 and still doing all of this manual labor I was appalled. I understand that he takes pride in his work but enough is enough. Totally agree with your concerns and thoughts.
Camille,
DeleteI completely agree with you when the customers don't know what goes on behind the scenes, because I personally get mad when the prices rise, yet until I read this article, I had no idea far much a little increase in price goes. As for the work aspect, I cannot imagine doing all of that work now at age 19, let alone 65. I do feel that all of the work would be worth it, though. To be able to look at his farm and realize that it's all because of his hard work must be a truly special feeling.
The work that farmers do does get harder as they age. The problem with manual labor like this is that this work can't be done forever. Traditionally, the farmer's children would take over the farm so people wouldn't be doing that work until they died. The problem, as shown with Walker and Hayes, is that the children have moved on and away from the farm, forcing them to continue working at the age that most people retire, just trying to not sell their land.
ReplyDeleteCamille,
ReplyDeleteI was also shocked to find out how old Rankin was, yet still doing such demanding labor at the farm. I could not imagine doing such hard work until that age and for that I envy Rankin.
Also, I agree with you that the work farmers put in day in and day out and have pride in what they do in is admirable. I hope that one day I have the drive and passion that Rankin does.