Yesterday on THE FARM

Yesterday was Memorial Day. It was another one of those days... warm and sunny all over. Buby slept through the night, even though he wasn't in his own bed. We woke early in the morning and played outside. After breakfast at George's diner, Buby rode his tricycle along the parade route in the small village where Daddy grew up. There were horses, firetrucks, two bands, and a few officials. Smiling townspeople filled the streets. A minuscule parade compared to the grand-scale NYC escapades to which we've come accustom, but by far the most gratifying Memorial Day yet. Buby sat on the sidewalk and yelled "HONK HONK" as the firetrucks passed. He waved "BYE BYE" to the flag-bearing horses as they strut down this classic Main St. USA which seems from another time.

Back at the farm Buby ran free, chased Jazzy (but never caught her), rode the old tractor with Grandpa J., and then cheered on as Mama and Daddy took turns racing the dirt bike. It was the perfect day. We had a 5-hour drive ahead of us and didn't care. We just relaxed and rode out the day as if nothing in the world mattered but the moment we were in.

Buby pretends to rev up the engine.

Only one of the dirt bikes would start for us yesterday, despite some pretty silly (or clever, however you see it) attempts involving Daddy, Grandpa J., the tractor, and rope.

Mama turning the corner

Buby & I made up Daddy's cheering squad. We waited for him to come over the big hill and--each time--began jumping up and down, waving hands in the air, and chanting "Go Daddy, Go Daddy, Go!" Total uninhibited enthusiasm all around. Daddy caught our crazy display and grinned from ear to ear, as to say... "yeah, those are my people!" I will never forget the look on Buby's face when it was me coming over the hill on the bike. A new smile for him. He was in awe, in LOVE with the whole experience. As soon as either of us would zoom by, Buby signed and pleaded "MORE, MORE!"

Spencer and Gracie (our oldest nephew & niece) took their first spin on Grandpa J.'s Ford N Series tractor 4 summers ago. Yesterday, it was Buby's turn. Made from 1939-1951, this vintage farm giant is a beauty, rust and all. Grandpa still uses it all the time to mow the fields and transport things around the farm.