Tractors I grew up on

I stumbled onto some pictures we took a couple of years ago when we were at the Pennfield ag show. While we were there, I found tractors that I grew up on. During WWII while my dad was working for his father-in-law, he bought a new McCormick Deering Farmall "H". I think I remember the story correctly that it was in storage or something until we moved to the farm in Silver Lake. He and mom started farming there with that tractor, but when I started driving tractor, that was too big. The first tractor I remember driving was a Farmall "B" which could only be used for light work. Although it was just a small tractor, I still remember grabbing onto the steering wheel to hold myself up to reach the clutch and brake. In time I grew into the "H", but soon there was need for more power as other equipment got larger. When dad brought home the Farmall "M", I thought we had arrived. I really thought "Emmy" was strong. I loved to drive her with her straight pipe exhaust glowing in the dark at night as we pushed to get ground prepared in the spring. As the need for power grew, the faithful "H" was traded for a really modern tractor, a Farmall 350 "TA" (which was new technology at the time). At that time, my mind got a little fuzzy because I was not as involved with the farming, but dad got one more Farmall, a 460, I think. Then he got into Fords. Still my favorite was "Emmy". Today that would be considered a small tractor, but 50 years ago she was pretty special. Thanks for indulging the memories of this old man. As my wife often says, "you can take the boy off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy".....

Just the Beginning

For the past 3 years, we have traveled to some really great places and tried to share them as we went. In those travels, we have picked up lots of friends. Once in a while I try to help them to see that there is life here in Illinois and it "ain't so shabby". This morning I was looking out our bathroom window onto the fountain and flowers beginning to emerge in our yard. Thought that although our yard is just beginning to bloom, I would share the view with y'all. If I think about it at the right time, I'll try to follow up during more of the blooming stages. I was able to rescue the tulips from the rabbits, but didn't take pictures; just enjoyed the beauty. We did get some April pictures made and they are mixed among the May ones. See if you can tell which is which. For instance the copper arch Blaine and I made is covered with the 2 year old crepe myrtle, so you really can't see it in May, but in an April pic of the weeping cherry, you can see the "naked" arch in the background.. If you go back a couple of summers, you can see it totally when not covered in vines. I hope you enjoy the pics and can imagine when the buds that are just forming start to explode. Check out the reflection in the window under the vine covered arch.