One of Makoto’s favorite new words is ‘Combine.’  A month or two ago while at his cousin’s house he had an opportunity to sit on their combine harvester tractor.  He declined the offer preferring instead to cower behind his daddy.

He has grown in courage but only at a distance.  This is probably a good thing considering the danger of a close encounter.

Here is Makoto yesterday watching (or was watching) a combine harvesting the rice crop:

Shortly after this photo was taken, Makoto made his first 親父ギャグ.  He said, “コンバインは.”  I couldn’t have been prouder.