Sept. 09-We have 2 old Ford tractors wanting a chance to plow fields again. Tom’s late parents were Verna and Roy Roskos. 1950 the lil’ Ford 8N was their first tractor. That tractor was utilized to plow, disc, plant, drill grain, cut and bale hay, cutlivate corn and haul manure. In 1971 Verna and Tom attended an auction by Gilmanton. There they purchased an 801 Ford and 13 year old Tom drove it home. The 8N Ford was Roy’s tractor to get from farm to farm. He had a wooden platform set up on the back to haul fencing equipment. Wherever the lil’ Ford was-Roy could be found. The 8N Ford is parked inside our old farm garage and still runs. It has a bad rear wheel rim. The 801 sets in the weeds on our lower farm. It’s Hawken’s delight to crawl up on it and pretend to drive it while Skinny Kitty sits on the tractor hood. I walk past the 801 daily and imagine all the trips around the field it saw. Our beef feeder cattle graze around it now. I dive under the electric poly wire and the cattle are munching weeds as I walk past. They keep grazing and a swarm of mosquitos descend upon my presence. I move my attention to the bats that fly directly down the lane towards me. They are lowering the mosquito population for us. Standing @ Thunder Lane, I put forth the song. Now the gnats arrive and the Sandhill Cranes appear. Big Bend is a supreme fishing spot for the cranes. We greet each other and they continually walk up the river out of sight. I wear T-shirts, jeans and pull on a pair of bright blue rain pants all summer and into fall for these early morning adventures. I check and count the cattle herd and reach Sunrise Slough. I stand squarely, raise my up-turned finger tips and exhale. The cattle slowly awaken and stretch. So cleansing to breathe the morning mist and I focus on the space between the fluffy, white clouds. Then I hear the hawk cry and I know I’ve gotten to the quiet spot. Back @ First Pond I notice that I heard a leaf drop in the woods. My boots crush the fall grasses. The feeder cattle are waiting my return. It’s thundering hooves congregating @ the fence line bunk. The day calls me and I eagerly return to Welcome Home Farm and smile as I walk past the ‘so small’ Lil’ Ford Tractor.

Feel the Spirit,

Sue Roskos