Small scale farming would be my first pick. The way my Dad farmed in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Besides the help from my younger sister and I, he was a one man operation. Combines so small they’d fit into the cab of one of today’s monsterous combines.
Some land sewn to grain but some saved for hay and pasture. A small herd of cattle that I spend so much time with, I get to know their personalities. Yes, cows have personalities.
I can only imagine the satisfaction he felt watching the seed go in the ground, come up as little green baby plants and then grow taller and ripen, ready for harvest. Finally, taking the crop off the ground and later selling it.
Upside of it is, you are your own boss. Downside is you are at the mercy of the right weather conditions. Too much snow in winter or even spring can put seeding off, too much rain when you’re trying to seed mucks things up and makes the seeding late. Too much rain when the crop needs to ripen causes problems. Not enough rain is just as bad. Then there are bugs and grasshoppers hungry for your crop.
One year my Dad had a fire in a field. We still don’t know what the cause was. It was harvest time and he and I were combining a few miles east of where the fire took place. We saw the smoke. Jumped in the truck and drove there.
This field had been a golden beauty. Nice thick bursting husks, just ready for the taking. It was going to be a real money maker this one. When we got there, it was all just blackened ash, soot and smoke. It brought me to my knees, literally made my stomach sick. I can’t imagine how he felt.
Farming really is a hard knock way of living.
My second pick is waitressing. I loved that job. Tips can be great but depends where you work. It was so much fun, seeing and meeting people all the time.
And my third pick would be owning a consignment or thrift store. I’m not sure how much money is in it. A second one recently opened up here and I was envious of the lady. What a great job, combing through those treasures all day. And you’d get first pick of the coolest stuff!
bloom.planted.north 
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