Old Ways

Every now and then I get a reminder of the past,  and of the old ways and things that are part of my heritage and, childhood. One such incident occurred just this last week when my dad called me asking for my help in changing and fixing a flat on a tractor.

Us kids, we grew up with my dad working two jobs most of time. He worked as a pipefitter for Goodyear, and as a cowman/ custom haybaler as the other job. My brother and me spent many hours, from jr hi on through our early adulthood, raking, baling and hauling hay, and working around cows. So when my dad called, those memories of hot summer days, the smell of grease, sweat and hay all came back. Pretty good memories, all in all.

Now changing a tractor tire is not easy. It takes two men to handle the tire and move it around. (or one really strong guy, which I am not) For most of us, when we think of tires, we think of going to the tire store, and having the car put on a rack, using air powered tools, and having the mechanic do the work. With my dad, no power tools, those things cost money, just muscle, a five pound hammer and a couple of tire tools.  Yes, you have to hit the tractor tire right where the rim meets the tire, with the 5 pound hammer, with one person holding the tire tool and another swinging that hammer. If you miss swinging the hammer unkind and maybe even unprintable words, are likely to be exchanged, along with a potential trip to the doctor's office. You get the picture. It's hard and maybe even dangerous work. My dad is 80 years old and last Saturday, he had me huffing and puffing. I hope I came do that when I am 80.

I learned much from those old ways of work, like determination, staying with a job until it is finished, working together as a team, and that all jobs, no matter how small are important.

Today, my hands hurt and muscles ache in new places.

My dad working on the tractor tire rim.