Digging a ramp so he could drive his tractor into the basement.
The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys.
After the barn was restored, Hubby said, “Hey Honey, I need a tractor. I need it to do work around the farm.” He gave me several reasons why and his plea was understandable. So, we took a day to go to the Kubota Tractor Farm and Garden Store.
“Hey, Honey!” he calls, “I picked out just the right size. Not too big and not too small. Come, get up on the seat and see how nice this tractor rides.”
“Really? Not sure I want to. This is for you, not me.” It looked and felt big, as I hoisted myself up on that tractor, with Hubby eagerly helping me.
Sitting there he was convincing me; how perfect it was. “You can also use this tractor. We can get attachments for you to mow the lawn. You can use the front end loader to put in your weeds and dump them. That way you don’t have to carry them. This is a great size for you to use also.”
“I would rather have a golf cart.” I confessed, silently, so the salesman couldn’t hear.
“Oh no you don’t want a golf cart. Once you get used to the tractor, you will love it.” Trust me, he didn’t need my approval, but I agreed and knew he needed the tractor. So off we went to make the big purchase. He was like a kid in a candy store. Not only did he buy the tractor, but a few other attachments. Like a front end loader, rototiller, backhoe, mower, box scraper and a blade scraper. The salesperson was giving him great deals if he bought them all at the same time. Well, of course, he had a good reason for each and every one of them.
This is so good. I thought. Once we get to the house and I need to buy new furniture, I will have some leverage. I will remind him of his tractor shopping spree.
It is true, he couldn’t have done IT without the tractor. He used it for digging trenches, digging holes, moving dirt, hauling wood and you name it. He used it for almost every outside job. Without it, the project wouldn’t have gone forward.
He also loves just playing with the tractor. One day, he wanted to dig out a stone that was in the field. He started digging with the backhoe. He dug all around the stone, but he couldn’t move it. Instead of stopping, he kept digging. He dug and dug. To his surprise it was not a stone, it was a boulder. He dug down four feet all around the boulder. Now he had a problem. There was no way the tractor was going to lift that boulder out of the hole. Somehow he always lucks out. The contractors from the new development wanted to use our property for drainage. They needed to make a culvert. So he talked them into using the boulder to help construct it. Yep, they moved it for him.
During the time we were under construction, I heard of a song by Kenny Chesney – “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.” So I bought the CD and played it for him. There was a very pleasant, happy look on his face as he listened. I really do enjoy staring at Hubby as he’s chugging along. Sometimes on hot summer days, I take out some ice-cold water for him. I wave him down, and hand him the refreshments. I look at him and say, “Hey Honey, you’re working hard and getting lots of sun. Looks like your getting a farmer’s tan.” He gives me a happy, love ya look and I can’t help but sing, “I think your tractor’s sexy.”
There is a reason tractors are special to both of us. At a youth baseball game, I was sitting on a bench with my girlfriends. I noticed the third basemen. I guess he also noticed me. After an inning, he came right up to me and asked me to go on a hayride with him after the game. He was in charge of getting the wagon for the hayride, because they were using his dad’s tractor. He needed to go and hook up the wagon. I was the lucky one to go with him. He lifted me up on that tractor and took me for a ride. That was our first date. Yes indeed, at that time I really did think his tractor was sexy. Life for me was never the same after that tractor ride.
By the way, I do use the tractor. One time when I was mowing the field, I couldn’t believe all the looks I was getting from the passing cars. Then I realized why he likes his tractor so much.
