It is a delight to be the spouse of a hard working, joy-filled, dedicated man.



Monday, November 17, 2008

The Orange Tractor Rides Again, to the Rescue!


So, if you remember from earlier today I was going to completely clear out my lawn border and replant it. I figured I wouldn't finish the project today, I expected that I would be replanting tomorrow. I remembered that Siberian Irises are a bugger to move but I forgot the extent of how much of a bugger they are.

After Dirt was done with all of his after-work projects he came by to see how I was doing.


Now mind you, I was already way behind schedule because earlier I decided that I would do the right thing and clear my honeysuckle off of Dirt's unique fence. On top of that I looked for quite sometime for our blower only to come up empty so I borrow Norine's and blew all the leaves and stuff away.

When Dirt arrived home it took him a minute to see why Norine's blower was here, but once he did he was very pleased. (I'll include pics of the other side of the fence when I finish the whole project.) That meant that he was in the mood to help me out.

When he saw my struggle, the shovel completely sunk in under the iris clump had no effect on it, he asked for the shovel with the statement "I'm a big strong man, this is what I am for."


You got that right. I wish he was around for more of my large plant verses Lanny moments, but he is here now so that shovel was released as quick as Dahlias die back from a frost. Well a few stabs and lifts, attempted lifts, with the shovel and he leaned back and suggested he get The Tractor.

"Nah, it would be a hassle to get it into the backyard."

"No, it wouldn't. Remember, I made the gate specifically to get The Tractor into the backyard."

"Okay, if you think."


No sooner did I say it than Dirt went after The Tractor. Yes, you see correctly dear reader, it only has one front wheel, luckily it is what is known as a tricycle tractor. We can talk about that later, for now lets get back to the iris removal.


Dirt must really have wanted to not finish digging the clump out by hand because he really likes his lawns, he had just been noticing how nice his lawn looks moments before he began to help me. I can't imagine him wanting to drive The Tractor on his lawn even as much as he likes his Tractor. It is usually the case with Dirt gardening with me, he is always quick to get out the heavy equipment, I just thought that his lawn would keep him from jumping to that solution. Clearly I'm not the only one who has issues with the Siberian Iris.


On the back of The Tractor is a "shelf" and on it ride a pile of chains, various chains, different sizes for different projects. Dirt carefully chose his chains for the evenings work, he even put one back and chose another in its stead, they both looked the same to these uneducated eyes.

With the chain securely wrapped around the base of the clump and fastened to the pulling chain Dirt begins to pull. Out it came. Slick as a whistle and over in a second and too quick for our slow camera.

Tomorrow I will finish my job and plant my red tulips and maybe if the day goes really well I will pot up my Princess Irene tulips and my Woodstock and Gypsy Queen hyacinths.
Thursday and Friday I will be cutting back my tender perennials that refuse to die back a little. Clean out their home for the winter and get them put away finally. I hope that by the end of this coming weekend I will have everything done that really should have been done last month. Then I can sit around and look at the seed catalogs that are beginning to come in.

8 comments:

KathyB. said...

Wow ! We NEED BIG toys around here !You're gardens are going to be even more fantastic next year....good thinking, making the gate so nice and wide. Tractor wide !

I also was thinking that if Dirt leans on the side of the one front wheel it will help him keep his and the tractor's balance on those tricky inclines....or maybe Mr. Mike can help him out with replacement wheels .

Really enjoyed the pictures Lanny, they make things more understandable for tractor ignoramuses like me.

Connie said...

You are fortunate to have Dirt and his tractor come to your rescue! :D

This was fun to read, Lanny. I would be there struggling with the shovel too with such a chore.

Sounds like you had a very productive day.

Susie said...

Well at least he helped you out. It's funny how we start out thinking we'll get our little project done quickly and it turns into a big, big project. I always hate that and it happens more often than not.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

oh i LOVE the tractor!!! what fun!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxooxox

Captain's Wife - Jennifer said...

That sounds like my husband! Get out the BIG equipment. Once, he went to the job site he was working at and brought home a giant piece of equipment to shovel our driveway and the neighbor's. I thought he was going to take out the power lines or a garage door! Gotta love them! :) Thanks for sharing.

Paula said...

Yay for old tractors!! Even though Hubby is a Farmall man, I'll show this to him- he'll be impressed!

WingMaster said...

I am suffering from acute machine envy at this moment. I'm sure Mrs. WingMaster would appreciate more help in the landscaping department, but my old back doesn't even want to consider it.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

I just love these old tractors like this. They sure help with the work load. I have not seen a Siberian Iris, I would love to see the bloom. Have a good week, blessings, Kathleen