Fall soybean harvest is in full swing, as evidenced by the dust clouds that can be seen throughout West Tennessee.  Farm families call it “money”.  Others might call it “the reason it does no good to wash your car in the autumn” and “the reason the throat feels tight and allergies have kicked up”.  Once the soybeans dry out, a combine comes along, cutting and pushing the plants into the combine and collecting the seeds.  It then discards the chaff out the back. The whole process results in a boat-load of dust and debris being kicked up into the air where it can be seen for miles around.  And, as Isaac Newton said, “What goes up must come down”.  Fortunately, “This, too, shall pass”.  Soon, harvest time will be over, the dust will settle, and once again life in the country will return to normal.

“Dust is a protective coating for fine furniture.”  ~Mario Burata