I can’t wait for Christmas. I’m going to meet my new best friend. Her name is Alexa, and I’m sure we’ll be stuck to each other like a farmer to his truck.

Let’s be honest. Women can be bossy. So, farm wives can be bossy. They must be. How else will anything get done according to their plans? Hello, Alexa! I’ve decided Alexa will be great for honey-do lists.

I’ve read that farmers can ask Alexa, “What’s the price of corn this morning?” or “Give me today’s headlines, Alexa.” I like “Alexa, remind me to call the scrap dealer.”

“Alexa, turn on the electric fences” can turn into “Alexa, remind me to pick up parts at Pigg Implement.”

My husband, Terry, will like telling Alexa to turn on the tractor’s auto-start feature in the winter. 

I’d like to be able to tell Alexa to call the cows, but I think training the machine to make livestock sounds could be difficult. I can’t imagine having to mimic “sou-eee” for pigs or “come on, baby dolls” for our cattle to an electronic device.

Alexa will be great for poop cleanup. “Alexa, please tell Terry to wipe his boots.” Or, “Alexa, please remind Terry to load up the manure hauler this week,” or “Alexa, tell Terry the lagoon WILL BE emptied this week.”

It sounds softer when Alexa gives orders rather than me. “Terry, honey, we’re tearing down the hog building this week,” and “Terry, sweetheart, Susan’s found buyers for the old pickup trucks.”

I’m looking forward to, “Alexa, ask Terry when he’s coming in for dinner.” Or better yet, “Alexa, tell Terry we have a date night tonight.”

Terry thinks Alexa has a sexy voice. There goes date night.

Hayhurst writes from Terre Haute, Ind.