random

Some Iowa guy on a tractor message board mentioned that he and his grandson were looking for a 550 Oliver that they could restore together; after checking with Cliff to see if it was OK, I posted Cliff's email address on the board and told the man Cliff had two of them, as well as a Super 55 (a similar tractor).  
He contacted Cliff and then they talked on the phone.  Cliff priced the best 550 for $3,500... it's my favorite, and the one he was going to paint next... and the more worn-out one for $1,200.  The man and his grandson drove all the way from Iowa to look at the tractors, and he talked like he'd be back after MY tractor, the good 550 Oliver; perhaps today.  No cash changed hands, however, and he hasn't called back.  
I haven't decided whether I want this guy to show up or not:  I personally talked Cliff into driving clear to Kansas to get that tractor!  It has power steering, something that's hard to find on an Oliver 550 tractor.  I've been looking forward to seeing it painted up like new.    
On the other hand, if both tractors, the cheaper one and the more expensive one, were painted and restored, they'd look identical sitting side by side.  What's power steering to me?  I don't drive the tractors around here.  For that matter, what's power steering to Cliff?  He wouldn't be using the tractor for farm work; he has a perfectly good John Deere for that.  So if the man buys my favorite tractor, it really doesn't matter.  
I should mention that Cliff has offered to call the guy and tell him he's changed his mind about selling that particular tractor.  I feel as though if someone comes all that distance (400 miles round trip) to look at a tractor, it wouldn't be right to back out now. 
We'll see if MY tractor stays or goes.  I'm going to assume that whatever happens is for the best, because that's usually how things work around here.  
As a result of posting Cliff's email on the message board, he also got a couple of inquiries asking whether he ever paints tractors for other people; they have seen the pictures of his 1855.  He is not so sure about doing this because he has no idea how to price his services. 


Yesterdays steak turned out just dandy, if a wee bit overdone.  It was tender and tasty.  
Iris is still sleeping in the bedroom.  She doesn't even get out of her bed until we are both out of bed, and at one point yesterday she was in there during the day, instead of in the computer room with me.  Who knows what goes through their little doggy-brains?  
Jody no longer has a headache and has forgotten she ever had those little nubbins of horns.  She already looks much better without them.  She is the color of a purebred Jersey, but the shape of her head shows her Holstein genes.  
Bonnie-the-Jersey-cow could be bred any time, but I haven't witnessed her showing signs of heat.  Come on, Bonnie!  Get with the program.