How I got my tractor

[Sackett2]

There are several things that add too the grief.
Rick and I were 1 year 3 days apart, (him older) so most every birthday was shared. We both loved motorcycles-him the Harley's and me the Jap bikes, but we loved to ride. I think riding together are some of my best memories of him. We both retired from the Air Force as Aircraft Crew Chief's
I wanted a closer bond with him-would have loved to been able to call him every night, but there was a divide between us; he competed with me a bit to much. He exaggerated things. His house was a bachelor house, ok to stop in, but you don't feel comfortable to stay a while. In the 7 years he lived in the house, I don't think once did he entertain anyone with a dinner or BBQ. It was hard to get him to open up.
I was pissed on our last dinner we had together. I had a cow butchered, and Mom was cooking up the tongue. When it was served, I was looking for the tip; after all, this was my cow; Mom had already fed it to Rick. That was on Wednesday, he passed the next Monday, now I am happy he got it.
He died of an undiagnosed and untreated bleeding ulcer. He was too darn stubborn to go see a doctor. Ulcers can and do kill-please let people know.
We question why it had to be him, Why didn't we see the signs. We have a sister that has never contributed anything to society; she is now in prison for meth. The Dr.s make sure she is healthy.
Anyway, Sorry to take this thread to such sad points; it was suppose to be more about pulling one over on the wife.
But thanks for letting me get some of this out.
Steve

 

[LBrown59]

There are several things that add too the grief.
Rick and I were 1 year 3 days apart, (him older) so most every birthday was shared. We both loved motorcycles-him the Harley's and me the Jap bikes, but we loved to ride. I think riding together are some of my best memories of him. We both retired from the Air Force as Aircraft Crew Chief's
I wanted a closer bond with him-would have loved to been able to call him every night, but there was a divide between us; he competed with me a bit to much. He exaggerated things. His house was a bachelor house, ok to stop in, but you don't feel comfortable to stay a while. In the 7 years he lived in the house, I don't think once did he entertain anyone with a dinner or BBQ. It was hard to get him to open up.
I was pissed on our last dinner we had together. I had a cow butchered, and Mom was cooking up the tongue. When it was served, I was looking for the tip; after all, this was my cow; Mom had already fed it to Rick. That was on Wednesday, he passed the next Monday, now I am happy he got it.
He died of an undiagnosed and untreated bleeding ulcer. He was too darn stubborn to go see a doctor. Ulcers can and do kill-please let people know.
We question why it had to be him, Why didn't we see the signs. We have a sister that has never contributed anything to society; she is now in prison for meth. The Dr.s make sure she is healthy.
Anyway, Sorry to take this thread to such sad points; it was suppose to be more about pulling one over on the wife.
But thanks for letting me get some of this out.
Steve

I had a frend when I was a kid whos dad died from a bleeding ulcer several years after we grew up.

 

[putt_putt_green]

Sorry for all the sibling losses.

As far as purchasing the tractor.

1) The value of the tractor doesn't go down much. We can sell it for close to the same price we bought it for.

2) It'll last forever, so if we are going to get it someday, we might as well get it now. I really didn't need a tractor now, but anticipated needing one when we retire.

Now I use the line, its a good thing we purchased the tractor instead of putting that money in the stock market.

 

[Megado]

Here's how I was able to purchase my tractor. Notice that smile on her face! Of course there's been challenges at times for my own seat time, but hey...if she's happy then I'm happy and I got my tractor to boot!

 

[Window Geek]

Steve,
Thanks for the story on your tractor and the stories about your brother. I bet there are a few more good ones to tell before this thread runs through. I'm sure your brother rides with you always.

Many years back my wife thought we should do more work on our property. My buddy had just bought a new Ford 1910 and I wanted the new 1720 4WD with FEL etc. The day I put $150 down on the tractor she talked to a cousin in the NY State who said, "Don't let him buy one of those old Fords. He'll get hurt." She never told me about talking with cousin Bill and just said something like, "The tractor or me!" (Yes, I let the dealer keep the deposit)

Twenty years later we are working to move a few bigger rocks in the yard with my ATV and a couple of pry bars. It was hot outside and the rock wasn't moving. Then she said, "It's too bad we never got that tractor.."


After putting down the prybar in a very gentle and deliberate manner I asked why she said that and she told me what cousin Bill had said.

"Honey, it was brand new. It had a ROPS on it. It's safe if you use it safe. It sure would be easier to build gardens, move rocks, fetch firewood, and rototill your wildflower beds. We could plant a big veggie garden. I could do all kinds of projects around the property. And not hurt too much after doing them."

Well Steve, the rest is history. It's in my byline.

 

[pitt_md]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your brother.

I got my tractor the old fashion way. I bought my wife a horse and took her to the Dominican Republic for a week. No questions asked.

 

[Redbug]

Steve,

Family, friends and pets are all intertwined in each other's lives. Part of each...is what makes part of us. And it's a two way street.

Your brother is smiling at that tractor and the work and enjoyment it can do. The most versatile equipment there is. Your brother may even suggest more implements in the future.

Sorry for your loss. I have lost close friends and family... you never really get over it, you just learn to live with it...