In Missouri, as well as a good portion of the midwest (primarily farms, though), there are some very distinct attitudes and ideas about how certain things are meant to be dealt with. There are very few problems that can’t be handled with rope, tractors, know how, elbow grease, and a sense of determination. Just move straight ahead; nothing fancy.
And that’s not to say that there isn’t room for intellectual prowess and knowledge, but sometimes it takes less time to just get the work done than to spend time thinking of ways of getting around it.
Where I come from and where a lot of my ideas originate says a lot about who I am. Most of my family is from Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and several of the midwest states. I’ve spent many years of my life on farms. I’ve lived on them a time or two. I’ve spent time mucking the stalls, taking care of the animals, slaughtering when the season came, providing bucolic comfort, and smiling at the contented clucking and lowing from the barns.
I’ve watched the fields light up as the lightning bugs drunkenly wandered and aimlessly provided their comfort in the waining shreds of the day. I’ve walked the fields at midnight, in the glow of the moon, and listened to the wind brush the wheat gently against me.
There’s something very simple and calming about life on the farm. There’s no rush, but always work to be done and you’re always behind.