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Imagine a nasty black cloud over my pictureThis morning is the 1,453rd morning in a row I have awoken to rain. (Disclaimer: I tend to exaggerate when I am in a bad mood.) And, I know I will get hate mail for cursing the rain--but enough, already. Enough of the muddy driveway and the sloppy roads. Enough of the mud on my good work shoes, and the pile of dried mud under my desk. Enough of feeding animals in the rain. For years, I have suspected that my family is solar powered. Whenever we go for a few days without sun, things get a bit hairy around the Martin household. The grumpy moods begin and the energy level is decidedly lower. It turns out there's actually a syndrome for this kind of thing. Of course there's also an exploding head syndrome. (Disclaimer: I also tend to get a bit cynical when I'm in a bad mood.) The weather-related syndrome is called seasonal affective disorder. As the days become shorter, those affected become depressed, even going into a hibernation of sorts. Now, I'm not that bad. But let's just say, "It ain't pretty." As I drove past the ready-to-harvest corn fields this morning, I wondered, how do farmers take it? How can they stand seeing their hard work standing in a field of sloppy mud, deteriorating with each passing day? For all my whining, at least I get to drive my nice warm vehicle to my nice warm office and sit in front of a computer all day. There's no need to get out unless I'm craving a cappuccino or something urgent like that. Farmers, however, can't escape it. Depression and stress for agricultural producers are no laughing matters. They can bring an otherwise healthy adult to his knees, without the proper help or guidance. A study in Tennessee showed that farming is one of the top 12 most stressful occupations. It's no wonder. There are many things to be worried about, including poor weather conditions. More often than not, it appears that other factors are the root of a farmer's stress and weather only compounds the problem. As we enter into the winter months, when there's a lot more time for farming families to think and worry and less time to be outside working, let's be cognizant of the risk of depression. Dealing with it may be as simple as getting more exercise. Or it may require a visit to a counselor. But whatever steps need to be taken--take them and get the help that is needed. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, as soon as I see the sun. But one thing is for certain: it's a good thing I married a western Kansas boy instead of a Seattle native. It hardly ever rains 1,454 days in a row in western Kansas. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 620-227-1806, or by e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com.
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