Model B

I grew up with an old Farmall Model M tractor with a bucket loader. It was a work horse plowing fields in the spring and plowing snow in the winter. It was so involved with our projects that it was almost like a member of the family. Need to reach some pears? Jump in the bucket and up you go. Need to repair the stone driveway? Break out the M. Is it time to plow? Then hook up the M and tear up some dirt.

Its been years since I got to sit between the big wheels. So I was pretty excited to jump up on our 'new' Allis Chalmers Model B.

The Model B was released in 1937 and marketed to small farmers (less than 100 acres.) Its main competition at the time was the horse. It sold for $495 which made it affordable for the small farmer.

We picked up this little classic for a little more. Our purchase bought us into the antique farm crowd. It runs great but needs a little work here and there to make the implements easier to use. That will be a fun winter project for my brother Cody and myself. The Tractor opens up a lot of opportunities and will make next spring easier.

Kristin and I realized that the only time we were spending outside was when we were required to make a presance at the garden. Often as that was we decided that we needed some more time outside. We looked at our dog Russell and asked him if he would like a walk. He responded by running laps around the tiny living room. We leashed him and loaded him in the car. Our destination was Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve.

Tucquan Glenn is a sight were several streams combine before dumping into the Susquahanna river. It is a great place to hike and explore. There are some small swimming holes filled with chilly water even in the summer heat. Russell wasn't crazy about the water but he was in the zone while hiking. It was a great outdoor experience for our little family, my wife, russell and myself.

Sizzle

With no rain for days and temperatures today reaching 99.7 degrees F farmers are starting to sweat. No rain can mean a bad yield and a bad yield is not good for their already stretched finances. Our own garden is feeling the heat but with a little watering and the straw mulch locking in moisture things aren't looking to bad.

Driving home from work today the corn all looked like an army holding sharp, green spears in my direction. Hopefully the weather rebounds and we start to get some of the wet stuff.