Human Condition: For all you do, my endless love and … a rain gauge

EDITOR'S NOTE: Irwin says this piece was inspired by Billy Collins’ poem “The Lanyard.” I travel the sugar cane belt day after day observing the fields, listening to farmers, scientists, agronomists and crop consultants while you, my adoring and loyal wife, stay at home planning the grocery shopping, arranging the refrigerator and communicating with our far-flung children spread across the world. It seems I toil endlessly and travel far, but the work is not very hard in the grand scheme of things. I mostly hobnob with outsized men and women...