Cliff and his passion for old tractors

For a couple of weeks, Cliff has been watching a Craigslist ad: "1650 oliver good cond. diesel, $4000".

Now, Cliff doesn't need another tractor, so I'm sure you'd have to be another tractor-lover to understand this.

He's watched the asking price on this tractor go down a couple of times. He's mumbled to himself about it frequently. I've told him time after time, "Call the guy and make him an offer."

I don't want the tractor, but here's the thing: When I was looking at Apple Macs, talking about the expense and all, he said, (not knowing a thing about them except that they're pricey) "If it was me, and I wanted it, I'd get it."

These days we have pretty creative ways of buying things without touching our emergency and vacation funds, and without becoming a slave to credit cards. Where there's a will, there's always a way.

Cliff loves all old tractors, but most especially he loves Olivers. The one he's been drooling over on Craigslist was made around 1970. If he were to buy it, he'd probably play with it for a year or so, then sell it.

Last night, finally, he broke down and called the fellow, who said he only received three calls inquiring about the tractor. So he took it to a tractor auction at Cook Tractors in Clinton, where it will be auctioned off this coming Monday.

Yes, I did say, "I told you to call!"

Silly man.