So much for them Damn Groundhogs

Ah, but I came home with two Farmalls, a 350 and a 1456. They are never going to get grease on me, not going to be any heavy lifting for this old guy, and I'll bet the TA will never give any trouble either.

Auction started off slow, prices increased on average as the day went on. I got my tractors very early in the day, did bid on some others. I got my two for $30. and $45. respectively. A white 1066, supposedly the 5 millionth IH tractor only brought $45. A couple of red 1066s did better. Olivers were the hot tractors yesterday, can't remember any going under $100.

Anyhow I was just about to place my 4th bid on a Deere 8650 when I noticed my good better half standing behind me, she had come with Duncan. I quickly abandoned that $90. bid on the 8650. Luckily the 2nd next item was a set of Farmall M wind chimes. I don't have a Deere this morning, but Marg. has a set of wind chimes. I would like to have had a couple of those Olivers, but at those prices I'll pass.

Sandy picked up a set of Farmall Ms, three tractors sold as a set, M narrow front, M wide front and an MV. He also bought implements.

BTW - a friend who lives in Punxatawny has told me "Wiarton Willie" is a fake(!) ...Bob

Sandy phoned, about 15 min. later and they had driven in slush to Kitchener, then it rained all the way to Toronto. If Marg. and I had waited even another 1/2 hour it wouldn't have been much of a fun drive. I had too much experience with No.7 highway that winter I hauled logs to treat that drive lightly. Remembered what that old gentleman told me at the Middlesex Plowing Match in Lucan summer of 2003. He said, "No. 7 highway was built along the edge of a snowbank one July." I didn't argue.

Perhaps we should try "Agua Fria Freddie" - diamond-back rattle snake somewhere in AZ that's supposed to be able to predict winter weather - a try. (He sure couldn't do any worse!!!)

And you are right the toys here do get dusted very regularly. But try coming in from the real tractor with grease on your trousers or shirt. Sure gets me in the doghouse, especially if I don't notice it and accidentally brush up against some household fixture.

But, I do have it on good authority though, that Shubenacadie Sam correctly predicted the recent storm in Nova Scotia!! I think they feed him some of that good black rum down there!

I remember a story about a group of guys out hunting. At the end of their hunt they were enjoying a good drink under the warm Oct. sun. One of the guys had set the bottle down beside a stump without the cap on. A few min. later one of the hounds came along lifted his leg and nailed the open bottle dead on. The owner of the dog a banker told me this story. He had a hard job convincing the guys, it shouldn't be death by fireing squad.

I haven't seen the 400 with cultivators. This auction yesterday mainly the collections of two collectors plus some added consignments. Around 400 items, mixture of probably 1/3 each of tractors, trucks and cars. I was tempted by the 58 Chevy Impalla 2 door hardtop and the 59 Cady Elderado convertable.

The Farmall 350 is a MI tractor, limited edition for a show or function in MI. Has a crest with eagle on top, letters FFA in center with the words agricultural education around it. It was cast by Ertl. Sandy has the sale catalogue as he stayed after I left. That has more detail on the MI connection. Looks to me as though it once was narrow front and someone did a cheap conversion to wide front. I'm going to look at narrow front for it.