#AtoZChallenge: Tractor

Photo © Diane Weidenbenner

Have you seen the “American Pickers” show that “follows expert antiquers as they scour the country’s junkyards, basements and barns for hidded gems?” (according to History.com)

Well, my friend Sandy and I are the Indiana/Illinois Pickers. We go for country drives and we never quite know what we’ll find. We have followed highways, byways, side roads and back roads in search of the unappreciated or forgotten treasures. One time we followed a dirt road right into the middle of a corn field. No, really!

Thus far, one of my favorite discoveries has been this Ford tractor. First, my dad loved the Ford brand. He always bought American cars and he could fix just about anything on them. I remember when I bought my first reliable car and it was a Honda Accord. My dad was skeptical – especially because it had 80,000 miles on it. Who buys a used car with that many miles on it? It wasn’t until he got in for a test drive that he felt more comfortable with my purchase. He listened to the engine and saw how clean the interior was and felt better. I had that car until someone rear-ended it when it was unoccupied, damaging the gas tank and fuel line. It had more than 130,000 miles on it.

Second, my husband’s dad used to have a Ford tractor dealership so I thought this was a cool picture to take. My goal is to give Bernie, my father-in-law, a copy of the photo sometime for posterity’s sake. I thought it might stir fond memories of his business venture in Jasper, Ind. I know my husband has fond memories of his dad’s shop and spending time there as a child.

It’s the fond memories many times that these antiques stir in us, that make them valuable again to us. I have to admit that I’m amazed at the items that those American Pickers find, and the price at which they offer to acquire them. During one show, the TV stars ventured onto a man’s property tagged with “No Trespassing” signs and were met by the owner, wielding a double-barreled shotgun. I can’t say that we’ve ever had that experience. I’m so glad.