Monday, August 25, 2008
Harry's Farmall
Playing Farmer
The hardest part of quitting the active role of farming
was parting with our friend, the big White tractor.
It served us well thru thick and thin, for richer or for poorer,
when costly break-downs could have been a factor.
A farmer can’t give up his old ways overnight, you know,
needs something of the past to pacify him.
A wife both wise and loving supports his little whims,
would not stand in his way or dare defy him.
He bought a little Farmall, now old and past its prime,
to mow the yard and drag the gravel driveway,
a toy that he could play with and show off to his grandkids,
no farming, though, no gardening, no payday.
They say the only difference, when push may come to shove,
between the grown-up men and little boys
is not so much their stature or amount of worldly wisdom,
but mostly in the size of costly toys.
The hardest part of quitting the active role of farming
was parting with our friend, the big White tractor.
It served us well thru thick and thin, for richer or for poorer,
when costly break-downs could have been a factor.
A farmer can’t give up his old ways overnight, you know,
needs something of the past to pacify him.
A wife both wise and loving supports his little whims,
would not stand in his way or dare defy him.
He bought a little Farmall, now old and past its prime,
to mow the yard and drag the gravel driveway,
a toy that he could play with and show off to his grandkids,
no farming, though, no gardening, no payday.
They say the only difference, when push may come to shove,
between the grown-up men and little boys
is not so much their stature or amount of worldly wisdom,
but mostly in the size of costly toys.
Harry built a three-point hitch for the 1948 model International so he could use the shredder and blade at the farm. There the young grandsons loved to try their hands at driving. His last big job after moving to the mountains and selling the farm was to bring the tractor and the framework of an old iron-wheeled wagon to our new home. The wagon sits in the front yard near a windmill replica he built, silent memories of the past. But the Farmall is still active, with son Jay sitting at the wheel looking much like his old farmer dad, mowing his two acres of grass and weeds, plus some for neighbors, plus taking care of their gravel road and keeping it clear of snow in the winter, plus showing off in a parade last Saturday. Maybe we’ll send Harry pictures. He would be so proud.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
