Homebodies - Here’s to the old 110
- Details
- Published on Saturday, June 24, 2017
Rita Friesen
The Neepawa Banner
My daily walk allows me to become acquainted with the people in my neighbourhood. Now there are days when the 30 assigned minutes (I make the assignment!) became 40 or more. And that suits me fine. One of the yards I regularly pass has a well kept and well loved 110 John Deere garden tractor. Oh the memories the sight of it brings.
Our 110 was a part of the package when I married Ed, way back in 1974. With it, the lawn was mowed, the garden tilled and the children entertained. It was used to motor down the road to play with the cousins, it became a gypsy caravan or a pioneer cart crossing the prairie when the trailer was attached. It was a common sight to see the trailer filled with playmates and toys, tucked under the shade of the trees or careening down the trail.
The clutch became a bit lazy, allowing even a too young child to relax the clutch enough to shift gears. There was a time when one of the children misjudged the distance between the hydro pole and the guy wire, and the tractor slowly, and steadily, rose to a dangerous angle before the shrieks brought adult aid.But there were several incidents, so some memories merge! There was the time a grandchild hooked the rope swing dangling from a mighty limb. The limb sagged a tad under the impending weight and once again, shrieks and screams brought the rescuer. Or the time one of our young friends misjudged the distance between two trees – the scar remains on the young tree that gave way. It was all good fun and all a learning experience.
The 110 was in for more than one motor overhaul, it spent a short time in the ACC shop, when one of the sons attended shops there. It got a paint job, survived a fuel filling fire – quick thinking saved the shed- and more life lessons learned. Preferably, you should wait till the engine cools before filling and preferably fill outside.
There were seasons when there were no children or grandchildren to play with the 110. There were seasons when the 110 was excused from tilling the garden. But always it was loved, kept in the shed and cared for.
There came a day, back in 2012, when with reluctance, the little green 110 was placed in the lineup at Ed’s dispersal of collections auction sale. I noted with satisfaction, how the family that purchased the unit did not wait to load it up and transport it home. With them went a hunk of wonderful memories. And a little bit of me. The 110 became my workhorse, we bonded, I knew what it was capable of doing and we accomplished great things.
