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Friday, February 10, 2012

Never Thought at 63!


Yesterday it was cool and cloudy with no rain predicted until the night so I made myself climb up on Holly. My Kaci and Bailey have named everything out here on the North Forty.  Since this is a Holland Tractor it was christened Holly.

Holly and I are not close like you would think we should be.



You see I am intimidated by her. Look at the tires on Holly.  When I drive ole John around (the smaller John Deere) I feel okay. But sitting on top of  Holly I get nervous. The view from the drivers seat feels like I am way too high off the ground and when I look down I see nothing but the huge black tires turning and I am thinking it would only take a minute and I could be under one of them.

The only time I use Holly is when I absolutely have too. She has a shredder and since our area has had nothing but three and four inches of rain about every other day for the past month I have no choice but to stop being a sissy and climb up put her in gear and hope for the best. The weeds are just too high for a smaller tractor.

While sitting up there yesterday I drove her so slow it gave me plenty of time for reflections. I thought of my Granddaddy Keeton and how he made his living off of driving tractors. He was a farmer. I bet he never sat up there looking down at the big tires scared. Also I am positive he did not ponder on things like I do. I think of silly things like how did a woman like me at my ole age end up on a tractor named Holly.

I mean I was born and raised on the Coast. We only saw tractors if we visited my granddaddy in East Texas. Sure it was cool when my dad would sit me up on his dad's lap and take my picture but good gosh I never thought when I was in my 60's that I would be the one driving.

Then I thought of how Grand Dad and I both were alone in our old age. I remember going to see him and how I felt sorry for him living alone in an ole farm house down an old dirt road with just a dog on the porch for company. It bothered me as a child thinking that one of us should stay with him instead of us all getting back in the car to go home. You see I had four brothers and in my mind two or three of them could of stayed and kept him company. lol  I wondered if when Kaci and Bailey are driving off waving at me if their thinking the same thing.

On the long trips home I asked my Dad and Mother questions concerning him being alone. I even suggested that leaving one of the boys with him was a good idea. It seems they just told me to sit back and enjoy the ride home. The ride home was sitting in the middle of four brothers and one of them constantly was striking a knuckle sandwich on the brother farthest from them putting me in the line of fire.

I think of my Grand Dad Keeton often on how he lived and raised five children by himself. My dad's mother got sick right after the fifth child was born and they were raised alone by their dad. I was told that Grand Dad was such a good baseball player that he was contacted by the Phillies to play pro ball for them but being a single father he passed up probably his dream in life of playing pro ball.

Baseball though was always a big pass time for the Keeton family. When the farm work was done they played ball in the fields with the neighbor kids. Same thing me and my brothers did when growing up except we played in a empty lot next to our house.

Rumor is when mother and daddy were young he told her he wanted a big family. If possible 9 boys for a base ball team. Well I was the second born and being a girl that put a kink in their plans but they did have three boys after me.

Now my grandson Bailey has the same dreams of playing pro ball. He is only 7 but his plans are to play football and baseball for the University of Texas. Then he plans on playing for the Dallas Cowboys after college. 

I am pretty sure that Bailey will make his dreams come true. I don't think at the age of 63 he will be sitting on top of a ole tractor wondering How did he end up there?

Hopefully if it keeps raining over the weekend I can slow down and catch up with you. I know I keep telling you I am going to be a better blogging buddy but it seems like every day something puts a kink in my plans. lol

Have a wonderful weekend! I will be thinking of you.

Love to all

Maggie 







26 comments:

Unknown said...

Awww! such beautiful memories & moments to treasure! Love that tractor & can see you perched upon on her. Chuckle!

I so love you, Maggie ... you just make our days.

Have a beautiful day ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Maggie Sweetie...
Hugs, hugs andmore hugs to you. What a beautiful write today. I can just see you and your Grand Daddy riding on those tractors of yours. You riding, looking down (instead of where you are supposed to be going) thinking oh I hope I don't fall, but I have got to get this north 40 mowed down. Your Grand Daddy thinking he has to get this field plowed so that he can plant the next crop to feed his family.

I love it that you and the grands have named the tractors, I name things as well. At least I know I am not the only one that has lost it hu?

Hope you are well sweet friend. I think of you often. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Awwwwww Miss Maggie, what a wonderful way your mind drifted to the days of your daddy while on Holly.

I sure enjoyed you sharin' those memories with us.

God bless ya and have yourself a fantabulous weekend!!! :o)

GerryART said...

Hey, gal, if you're only in your sixties you're just getting the peak of your prime.
Driving a tractor is a might different from what most of us might do on a day-to-day basis, but hold tight and enjoy the ride.
Love hearing what's on your mind.
You are just too cool. And very beautiful as well.
hugs
Gerry

Anonymous said...

Wow so great you can drive that big old Holly..Bailey will be ok some of his dreams will come true and best of all he has a grandma who shows him how to meet a challenge head on!,

Sonny G said...

Hi Maggie..

I too let my mind wander when on my mower,, I need to think of a good name for mine.

You're stick just a kid and the best is yet to come.

I am wishing it for you sweetie.

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh dear Maggie, you have a heart of gold! I know your Grand daddy love to to bits! Thank you for sharing such precious memories with us, they were just so sweet. I hope someone has a picture of you on that tractor, if so, please post it!

Hugs,
Nancy

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Just take it very slowly and you'll be fine on the tractor. It takes me 30 minutes to set out a bale of round hay and it takes Daniel 10 or 15 minutes but he's also 20 years younger and has been driving a tractor since he was 9 years old.
It's not about getting the job done quickly; it's about getting it done safely.

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi sweet Maggie!! It was so good to hear from you....I love that you ride that big ol' tractor!!! Just be careful sweet girl ~ I hope you've been doing wonderful, hugs and love, Dawn

Tam said...

Maggie how the heck are you? Been a while since I have commented but I did want you to know that I am around just mainly stalking.
You simply amaze me. I am not too far behind you in age and I don't think I would or could climb up on a Holly or a John unless it was maybe for a picture.
Got a big laugh from what you said about leaving one or two of your brothers to keep your grand dad company. I would imagine having four brothers would make one think of ways to make life easier.
God has a plan for you my sweet friend and until then you just go slow on those tractors and think safe.
You would be missed too much around here if you got hurt.
Boy Texas is catching up with some of the rain levels. I guess after our drought this past summer we can not complain too much.
Thinking of you as always
your friend
Tam

yaya said...

Great memories. I have 4 brothers and if they were bugging me like that I'd want them to stay with Grandpa too! I bet your Granddaddy is proud looking down from heaven and seeing you flying around the back 40 on that huge thing! I know I'm proud of you! Think how many friends he would have had if blogging were in his day...he wouldn't be alone now would he!

Kim said...

That is a great story. I bet your parents got a chuckle out of you wanting to leave a few of your brothers behind.
I'm so proud of you for driving Holly around. You go girl!!

Gorges Smythe said...

Admit it; there's worse places to be! ;-)

Susan Anderson said...

Great memories, Maggie, and I hope Bailey makes all his dreams come true!

=)

June said...

Hi dear Maggie,
I Just think you are so cool. I love that you drive that big Holland tractor around your place. If I came to visit, would you let me drive it around??? I used to do some of the baling for Dale when we had the dairy, but I can't even remember how to drive one now.
I loved reading more about your family....oh, I bet you would have liked to leave a few of your brothers behind with your granddad:) I would have left mine behind with just about anybody when I was young.
Thank you sweet, for your sweet note. Come on over and have some cookies with me. We'll bake up a fresh back as soon as you get here!

Gosh, that would be a scream!
hugs from here...

Darlene said...

Sorry you have to sit up on that big old tractor Maggie. I hate that you have to work so hard, but I keep telling you that, and in my heart I know that you probably have to do that in order to survive. Still, I can't help but wonder if there isn't an easier way???

I hope that Bailey works hard to make his dreams come true.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Loves the story! Sounds like the tractor driving gives you plenty of time for reflection.

Hope you are able to catch up and get 'er done

Julia said...

Dear Maggie, what a nice story. I'm glad that even if you like pink you are brave enough to climb on the big Holly and cut the grass with that big mower. Driving slow is just fine. You are getting it done.

You are braver than me as I don't even want to drive the truck or the tractor. I know that once I can drive the tractor it will be another job I'd have to do . So far I've refused to even try. Our tractors are hugs.

Sending love & hugs. JB

Carole Burant said...

At least you KNOW how to drive a tractor, I wouldn't have a clue! lol I so enjoyed reading of your memories of your grandpa and I see that you were in the same situation as I was growing up...being the only girl with 4 brothers!!! Fun, eh? lol It truly is heartbreaking to think of your grandpa having to let go of his dreams of playing baseball professionally but he did the right thing in putting his kids first on the list of priorities. We all have dreams but how many of us really have them come true.

No doubt you never imagined being on top of a tractor in your 60's but life tends to be funny like that, you just never know what's going to happen:-) And hey, where's the Cowboy when you need him?????? xoxoxo

Sybil said...

Oh how I would just love to see you sitting up on top "Queen of all you survey !!"
glad though that you are getting the grass under control.
Keep smiling,
love Sybil xxx

Arkansas Patti said...

How thoughtful of you to offer up one of your brothers. I'd have done the same.
I found it really sad that your Granddad didn't get to live his dream as a ball player. Seems like he had a good plan B though.
Like you,I do some of my best thinking while mowing.
Ride Holly in comfort and safety.

My Grama's Soul said...

Hey Maggie......You are one great farmer...er.....farm woman. Who knew you could drive a tractor? I'll bet you can even milk a cow. teehee

xo

Jo

A Tale of Two Cities said...

Wow! i have a new found respect for you, my friend. To take a ride perched up there on Holly means you are one strong lady! Hope your Valentine's Day brings you special love from the ones you love!

Debbie said...

Oh Maggie, what a great blog! I so enjoyed reading your memories!
You so inspire me, I could not even be able to climb up on John or Holly, much less drive them!!! I am in awe of you!!
Have a great Sunday!! Love ya!

God Bless~
Debbie

Sweet Tea said...

With 684 Followers, you are never really alone. That's a beauty of a thing that your grand daddy never had - the internet. What a gal you are, riding that big ol' tractor. You would make him so proud!

Lora said...

Considering I'll be turning 50 in August, all you do & accomplish is truly an inspiration.

I feel better having stopped by for a quick visit!

Lora