I grew up on a farm. I remember having conversations with other farm kids complaining about boredom during certain parts of the year. They had literally nothing to do for a few weeks several times a year. During the winter, which was long in North Dakota, there was basically nothing for a farmer (as opposed to a rancher) to do. They would do things of little value to pass the time, maybe they'd overhaul an engine if it was needed, but for the most part they could have watched TV all day if they wanted - and many of them did that or went to the bar.

My situation was different because my dad ran a business on the side that was booked a year in advance, and in the winter I was in school.