Thursday, January 16, 2014
Some of my fondest memories growing up was visiting the farm and watching Grandpa busy in his workshop. For years I witnessed the creation of his miniature steam tractor. Fabricated from scrap metal and using only basic hand tools and homemade equipment, the progress was slow and tedious. He once lamented to me that his art of manipulating metal was becoming increasingly computerized and that his friends would laugh if they only knew what equipment he was really using. It didn't seem to make a difference what tools he used, after years of visiting Grandpa and watching his project come to life, the end result was a masterpiece suitable for the most critical of collectors. Grandpa's steam tractor seemed to be more than just a hobby to him. For me it represented his passion of history, the traditional art of his craft and the masterful use of his skills. For me that tractor became a symbol of life lessons that I will pass on to my children of tradition, perfection, simplicity, passion, art and skill.
