I’m still hanging around in this wheat field waiting for the plant to ripen. It has already started to dry out, and when the whole field turns a golden-brown color, we’ll be ready to be harvested. I’m looking forward to harvest time because it’s kind of boring inside this wheat kernel. As stored energy, all we can do is sit and wait until we’re needed. It won’t be long, though, until the rest of the wheat is ripe. Then, the farmer will come out here and cut us down. Then, I’ll be on my way to the mill. That should be pretty exciting. I’m kind of scared about this harvesting machine they call a combine. I sure hope that the farmer knows how to use it! I miss you. Wish you were here!

Love,

Captain Carbon

Hi sis! How are things at camp? I just got out of the combine, and I’m feeling fine. A combine is a huge machine that cuts wheat and separates the kernels (where I’m staying) from the stems. It was kind of scary going through the huge blades that cut the stems off. I just knew that the blade was going to cut me into pieces! While the dry stems were rolled into bales of hay, my kernel and all of the others went through a little tunnel. We went so fast it was like a roller coaster! Then, we were blown out into a truck. Sounds pretty exciting, doesn’t it? You should be a starch when you grow up. Well, have fun and stay away from those single oxygens. We don’t need any more carbon monoxide in the family!

Love,

Captain Carbon

Hi! How are you and Aunt Cynthia? I’m having a great time on my way to the wheat mill. I’m seeing a lot of the countryside on the road to Topeka. It’s nice to be with such a wonderful bunch of wheat kernels. We’re packed together pretty tightly in the back of this truck, but everyone is managing to stay on speaking terms. It would be terrible to get mad at one of these guys and be stuck right next to him the whole rest of the trip! There’s a long line of trucks ahead of ours full of wheat to be processed at the mill. I guess you could call it a grain train! Well, enough bad jokes, I’ve got to go. We just arrived at the mill. I’ll keep in touch!

Love,

Captain Carbon

Hi! How are you? I’m feeling great. We just arrived at the mill yesterday, and today they began processing us. First, we were toasted in a big oven. It was pretty hot in there, but I got a good tan! Then, we went through the grinding machine. It was kind of rough, but when it was all over, I felt so free! The other starches and I were released when they crushed my kernel. I’m so glad that I’m no longer cooped up inside of that seed! We’ve been ground into a course flour called farina. They tell me that all farina is destined to become a breakfast cereal. I’m so excited! After the grind, we were bagged up and placed on another truck. This time we’re headed for Illinois! Well, I’ll write again soon!

Love,

Captain Carbon

How are you? I’m pretty tired. I’ve never seen as many machines as I went through today! The first machine mixed the flour I’m in with lots of other ingredients to make cereal. (I’ll try to get the recipe for you Grandma.) Then, another machine rolled us out into huge sheets and cut us into small flakes. Next, we rode on a conveyer belt into an oven where we were toasted until crispy. After we cooled, a different machine put us into clear bags and sealed the top. The next machine put our bag into a box and glued it shut. Just before I went into the box, I saw the name on the outside. It said WheatUp! Aren’t you proud of me, Grandma? I’m in a breakfast cereal. The final machine put our box and many others into a huge shipping box. Now, we’re on our way to a grocery store in North Carolina. Well, hope to see you soon!

Love,

Captain Carbon