Grandpa's Tractor

 

Grandpa’s tractor has an endless fascination by kids.  Our nephew Austin was all over it and it was a hit on Easter.   As far was what Dad has told me, it was purchased in 1946 or so by Grandpa Nick.   It was running as recently as last year and I think has nothing wrong with it except it has to be pull started.  I recall Grandpa Nick driving it around with only one wheel on the front.

 

When I was a kid (30 some years ago), I put a bunch of beer cans on the front of it and shot them with my BB gun.  I think we were pretending we were in the TV show “S.W.A.T.” which I loved.  A couple days later, my Dad came storming out of the field and grabbed one of the cans and tore it in half. He was not a happy camper. When he had started the tractor, water sprayed all over the place because we had unknowingly shot holes in the radiator.

 

I probably hid when I saw him like I used to do when he wanted me to cut the lawn. 

 

 

 

 

more Easter dinner

My first Coconut cream pie - yummy

Easter 2010

Easter Bunny Bread   sooooo cute

Amy & Michael in Tucson, Arizona

The Myers have  settled into our April digs in Tucson, Arizona.  Our drive down went smoothly -- we spent 2 nights on the road in Joplin, MO and Roswell, NM. 

 

The name of our little desert home is Hacienda Elena located on Vista Lejos translates "distant view."  We do indeed have views of the mountains.  We found the home last November on VRBO Vacation Rental by Owner and when vacationing here then, we drove by but could not get inside.  So we were in so many words "taking a pig in a poke."  

Much to our delight, the home is wonderful.  It was built in the 60's and still has much of that original charm but with some modern conveniences like air conditioning and Wifi.  The owner is an artist who lives in Santa Cruz, CA where she teaches at a university.  Some of her pieces are displayed on the walls.

The weather in Tucson during April is ideal.  The nights are very cool especially in early April and it warms up to the 70's and 80's by midday.  The hacienda has a pool - with the cool nights now the pool doesn't warm up enough for us wimps.  But with the heat of the day, we may be taking some shocking plunges soon.

 

Yesterday, we went hiking in the mountains.  The drive to the trailhead took about 15 minutes and we set out with naive enthusiasm.  Thirty minutes later our hearts were beating in overdrive and my thigh muscles were screaming "stop."  We trudged on passing a few exhilirated hikers coming down who asked us "Are you going to the top?"  Nope, not in this lifetime.

My sore muscles may be an incentive to do some strength training... Michael did not have any muscle pain.

I'll keep you posted on that plan.

But look forward to more photos from the Myers.

 

 

 

Grandpa and Erin

Here is a photo of Grandpa and Erin.  They have a really great relationship!