Projects

Since I talked yesterday about all the projects Jon and Missy are about to undertake, and I've been writing about the Kitchen Project for weeks, I think it would be good to introduce you to a couple of others that are on the horizon.

Project #1 is to build a shed in the back yard to house most of the junk that lives in the garage. The "junk" includes an engine hoist, engine stand, table saw, pressure washer, numerous spreaders, weed whackers, edgers, and a hoard of shovels, rakes, picks, and other yard maintenance equipment. Who knows, I might even be able to get a vehicle in the garage some day.

The first picture is Restoration Project #1. It's a 1954 Ferguson (no Massey, it's older than that) TO-30 tractor that belonged to Marilyn's Dad. He bought it slightly used when he returned from the Korean War, and used it constantly throughout his life. Toward the end of its farm existence, Fergie was primarily used to schlep wagons from one place to another, and to mow weeds along the road. Bob and Slade towed it home on a rented trailer about a year ago. Since then, it's been used to move things around Bob's back yard. It still runs quite well, has been converted from 6 to 12 volts, and seems to be mechanically sound.

Once the garage is cleared of stuff, Fergie will be moved over here where we will start pulling diseased sheet metal off. Once it's cleaned up and painted, it will be used as an antidote to all of the green in the local parades of antique tractors. It may also do a little landscaping work from time to time.

Restoration Project #2 is my truck, a 1989 Dodge Dakota 4x4. It's been a member of the family since it was new, has accumulated 450,000 miles, and is still a reliable vehicle. During the course of its life, it's had the engine, transmission, and most of the interior replaced. Planned enhancements include removing most of the trim, a few small dents, fixing the air conditioning, and applying a coat of paint since the original has lost its grip on the primer. Plans are to let Tyler inherit it when he turns 16.

Between all of these planned projects, and the usual un-planned ones, I think I should be spared boredom for quite a while.