[MOturkE]

Just realized that my CC #122 turned 46 years old this month. I bought it from a retired gentleman who enjoys fixing small tractors, but after his wife fell and needed constant care, he no longer had time to spend in his garage. He told me when I bought it that it had been abandoned/forgotten when its PO was going through a bitter divorce. Many of his valuables were hidden away so his ex wouldn't get them, the 122 was hidden in an out-building on his property. After a time, he forgot it was there until 20 years later when the building collapsed, he was cleaning out the place and he came across it again. No longer needed, the 122 was sold to the retiree, and then to me so I can pull my barrel train in warm weather, and plow my drive and walks in the cold.

Now, I'm a realistic enough man to know it's only a bit of steel and iron, but I'd like to wish it "Happy Birthday" just the same. It's a piece of who we once were in this country; proud and productive, aware that an ideal of "quality above profit" was a good and decent thing.

I work a union job in an age where union labor is considered to be a frivolous waste of time and money, but I guarantee that if we allow the unions to pass into history as the ideal of quality above profit has, we all stand to lose more than just a small, lifeless pile of iron and steel.

Happy Birthday Cub, and MANY more!!!