For a farmer, work depends on weather, seasons, and the calendar.
As the snow falls on the farm this December day, you call it reflection time.
"I'm glad I'm sitting in here looking out rather than try to pick corn in this weather," said farmer Les Anderson and President of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
He's reflected on 2019.
"You just sort of want to get it behind you and move on," said Anderson.
He speaks for many when he says this past year was one of those historically bad years.
"It just affected a lot of people in a lot of different ways," said Anderson. "In the spring, delayed spring. Wet spring. A lot of fields didn't get planted especially western, northern Minnesota. Turns into a long fall. Sugar beets didn't get harvested, Potatoes didn't get dug. A lot of corn left out in the field."
The most recent USDA reports say the state's corn harvest was below last year's and the five-year average.
So winter is a natural break to look back on that.
It also helps Les and other farmers look forward to a new year and a new beginning. A reason for optimism.
"Can't be much worse. I guess put it that way," said Anderson.
He says no matter what, he'll be ready to go come spring.
"A lot of people are going to be glad to see 2019 in the rear view mirror," said Anderson. "And move on to 2020.