The Old Ford Tractor

I don't remember when, early to mid 1960's I guess, I was too young to drive and I lived about 3 miles to Jordan or Memphis in the opposite direction.  It too a long time, but riding my bike to either town was the norm back then.  It was that or hitch hike and if you didn't get a ride, it was a long walk.

I don't know how it came about, but I remember suddenly having a gray and red Ford farm tractor to "drive" where I needed to go.  Back then, driving a tractor on the road in upstate New York was common place.  I recall my baseball glove and bat hanging from something... it was my first "vehicle".  My dad must have gotten it for me because it once got a flat tire while in Memphis near Barry Buck's parents house and one of my dad mechanics had to come to Memphis and "take care of it".  I can't remember his name, but it was the pissy one, he didn't ever care about having to help the bosses spoiled kid.  He was a jerk...  I'm sure karma got him.

A few weeks ago, driving in Massachusetts, I spotted the old Ford tractors twin sitting out in the middle of a farmers field.  I stopped, went back and grabbed a picture.

I sat there starring at it...  wanted to go jump on and take a ride, for old times sake.  I sent the picture to Barry's daughter (she's connected to the digital age, he's still out riding the tractor I guess).  Asked her to share the picture with him.  She later wrote: "My father had a wonderful chuckle and walked us down memory lane with that pic! He said to tell you "Good, times, my friend. Good times." He said that you drove the tractor around like a car".  She also referred to us as "hooligans" back then.

I did and we were.