on the farm
One of my favourite pictures is of a ruddy faced, bearded man and his finely honed, hand polished machine in perfect harmony.
The man in question is Corinne's husband, my brother in law, Johnny (a name that has stuck since my then small daughter started calling him it many years ago). The machine is his tractor. I don't know its name. It could be Cuthbert.
If you ever see the picture you will agree that it depicts a man at total peace with himself, happy in his work and happy in his overalls and, well, just thoroughly enjoying life like only a man in overalls on a tractor can.
Johnny is not exactly what you'd call exciting. He's not even exactly what you'd call alive some times. He is, oh dear, how can I put this without in some way appearing rude, quite boring. He likes diesel engines (an interest bordering on unhealthy if you ask me), lawn mowers, gearboxes, chainsaws, knives, Land Rovers, taking things apart and mending them. So he's my sort of chap. I do boring exceptionally well too so I believe I can call out a fellow bore. Although looking at parts of that that list he does meet many of the requirements of a psychopathic killer.
But scratch below the surface, pick away at that veneer and you'll find what I like to call him - the nicest man in the world.
And do you know why he's the nicest man in the world? Because he keeps my sister happy.
Oh yes, before I forget, it's my wedding anniversary today. Lisa and I bumped into each other in the registry office 14 years ago today. Here's to the next 14 :-)
The man in question is Corinne's husband, my brother in law, Johnny (a name that has stuck since my then small daughter started calling him it many years ago). The machine is his tractor. I don't know its name. It could be Cuthbert.
If you ever see the picture you will agree that it depicts a man at total peace with himself, happy in his work and happy in his overalls and, well, just thoroughly enjoying life like only a man in overalls on a tractor can.
Johnny is not exactly what you'd call exciting. He's not even exactly what you'd call alive some times. He is, oh dear, how can I put this without in some way appearing rude, quite boring. He likes diesel engines (an interest bordering on unhealthy if you ask me), lawn mowers, gearboxes, chainsaws, knives, Land Rovers, taking things apart and mending them. So he's my sort of chap. I do boring exceptionally well too so I believe I can call out a fellow bore. Although looking at parts of that that list he does meet many of the requirements of a psychopathic killer.
But scratch below the surface, pick away at that veneer and you'll find what I like to call him - the nicest man in the world.
And do you know why he's the nicest man in the world? Because he keeps my sister happy.
Oh yes, before I forget, it's my wedding anniversary today. Lisa and I bumped into each other in the registry office 14 years ago today. Here's to the next 14 :-)
Isn't it lucky that you were in the same place at the same time?
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteIt should also be pointed out that John restored that tractor from a pile of rusty parts. If only he had been a plastic surgeon.
ReplyDeleteMassey Ferguson TE20? Used to drive one on a farm I helped out on as a kid growing up in Bishopston......happy days. Hope you are feeling better soon and look forward to a chat when you get home.
ReplyDeleteNige
Deleteyou'll have to meet John and talk tractors!!
Could be a fairly short conversation Nick!!!!
Delete