I loved reading your family memories. The story about the carrot whiskey was wonderful. My own grandfather used a scythe to cut long grass too. However he was not that great with it. He cut the leg out of his trousers with it once and I don't think he was allowed to use it after that.
Thx Gillian! Ha, my Grandad chopped his RH forefinger off when he stuck it in the chaff machine when it got clogged up - so he wasn't always so careful, or rhythmical!!
Well my Dad didn't learn the lesson, as he poked his finger in the fertiliser spreader, again when it was clogged up; chopped the end of his finger off too!! So far, all my fingers are intact!!
Oh, no! It's easily done though. You think it's a quick and easy thing to fix and the machine has other ideas. I electrocuted myself once by tightening a screw on the plug of an electric strimmer - without unplugging it first. Luckily I was wearing rubber wellies. I am glad you still have all your fingers though.
Exactly ! Sometimes you're so focused on getting the job done you don't necessarily heed the consequences of a quick fix! Thanks heavens for rubber wellies!!
Such a lovely piece, Carolyn. It is fascinating to explore the origins of our creativity and I loved reading of your memories of your grandfather. It is extraordinary, isn't it, how the farming landscape has changed within our lifetime. Well done for promoting your work too and completely understand how hard this is!
Thank you Deborah - glad you enjoyed the post! Absolutely extraordinary how much has changed - and although we tend to look back with rose-tinted glasses, I'm not sure all of it has been for the better! And yes, self-promotion is hard isn't it!!
I know it must have been extraordinary hard work, but when I look at fields being harvested now, I like to imagine how it would have looked years ago and how the firlds would have been populated by workers, and now there is a lonely machine.
I squirm every time I have to do something promotional and wish I found it more comfortable!
PS Writing this I suddenly remembered my dear Nan who would occasionally toot on an imaginary trumpet. when asked why she was doing it, she would say, "I am blowing my own trumpet, because if I don't, no one else will!"
Yes, when my Grandfather first started farming he had two shire horse, Violet and Major...sounds very bucolic, but as you say, in reality, very hard work!! And yes, squirm is right! The amount of times my husband rolls his eyes when I tell someone the price of my work, and then promptly apologise!!
I loved reading your family memories. The story about the carrot whiskey was wonderful. My own grandfather used a scythe to cut long grass too. However he was not that great with it. He cut the leg out of his trousers with it once and I don't think he was allowed to use it after that.
Thx Gillian! Ha, my Grandad chopped his RH forefinger off when he stuck it in the chaff machine when it got clogged up - so he wasn't always so careful, or rhythmical!!
Oh my goodness! That's dreadful. Your poor grandfather. It was a close call with mine but at least he remained intact.
Well my Dad didn't learn the lesson, as he poked his finger in the fertiliser spreader, again when it was clogged up; chopped the end of his finger off too!! So far, all my fingers are intact!!
Oh, no! It's easily done though. You think it's a quick and easy thing to fix and the machine has other ideas. I electrocuted myself once by tightening a screw on the plug of an electric strimmer - without unplugging it first. Luckily I was wearing rubber wellies. I am glad you still have all your fingers though.
Exactly ! Sometimes you're so focused on getting the job done you don't necessarily heed the consequences of a quick fix! Thanks heavens for rubber wellies!!
Such a lovely piece, Carolyn. It is fascinating to explore the origins of our creativity and I loved reading of your memories of your grandfather. It is extraordinary, isn't it, how the farming landscape has changed within our lifetime. Well done for promoting your work too and completely understand how hard this is!
Thank you Deborah - glad you enjoyed the post! Absolutely extraordinary how much has changed - and although we tend to look back with rose-tinted glasses, I'm not sure all of it has been for the better! And yes, self-promotion is hard isn't it!!
I know it must have been extraordinary hard work, but when I look at fields being harvested now, I like to imagine how it would have looked years ago and how the firlds would have been populated by workers, and now there is a lonely machine.
I squirm every time I have to do something promotional and wish I found it more comfortable!
PS Writing this I suddenly remembered my dear Nan who would occasionally toot on an imaginary trumpet. when asked why she was doing it, she would say, "I am blowing my own trumpet, because if I don't, no one else will!"
Yes, when my Grandfather first started farming he had two shire horse, Violet and Major...sounds very bucolic, but as you say, in reality, very hard work!! And yes, squirm is right! The amount of times my husband rolls his eyes when I tell someone the price of my work, and then promptly apologise!!