Today was the day for the annual company picnic, and it was everything a summer company picnic ought to be: Mostly a goof-off afternoon, lots of tasty artery-clogging food, blissfully few speeches by the boss, blazing heat.
One of the recurring events at the picnic is an all-comers cruise-in, where people from the various shops and departments show whatever vehicle they want to display. An old Studebaker, couple of new Mustangs, '57 Willys jeep, 2007 Mercedes-Benz Crossover, big old beautifully restored Plymouth, gorgeous mid-50s Chevy pickup, etc. Last year I admired the pickup and thought my faithful Super M would look good next to it, so this year I drove the tractor to work (about 12 miles, 45 minutes) and parked it next to the pickup at the cruise-in.
I told the show organizers I didn't want the tractor to compete in the popularity judging, just wanted to display it with the other old vehicles, but they decided if the show can include a 57 jeep and a 2007 Mercedes it probably has room for an old tractor. So I cleaned up: First prize in both the "People's Choice" and "Ladies' Choice" categories. I was embarrassed, but eventually decided that I've been waiting 50 years to be the Ladies' Choice in something so I might as well take what I can get.
Dean Vinson
Dayton, Ohio
http://www.vinsonfarm.net
