Tractors, Hercules and Birthday Parties
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382408)
Rockingham, Australia
April 23, 2016 3:36am CST
While we were at the music festival a fortnight ago we had some quite heavy rain. Our gravel road that leads to the house has washed out a bit so we put the blade on the tractor and Vince was going to try to grade the road a bit and adjust some of the drains. The tractor had a carry-all (tray-type attachment) on it so we completed another small job with that before removing it and replacing it with the blade.
He parked the tractor in front of the house while we had a cup of coffee. When he went out again it wouldn't start. After several hours of tinkering and trying all sorts of things, he eventually got it going again.
By then it was too late to start but he has finished what he needed to do now. Yesterday we also had to bathe Herc's eye (Herc is our pet sheep) and put some ointment in it. Shortly we're going to a 70th birthday party. Once we went to 21sts and weddings but now all our friends are turning 70. In July it will be my turn. I'm tempted to have a wake instead of a party but perhaps I should be careful what I wish for. 
19 people like this
19 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
23 Apr 16
I am not far behind you, I'll be 69 in August.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
24 Apr 16
@JudyEv Yes, the even numbers do sound worse than the preceeding number for some reason.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Apr 16
69 doesn't seem nearly as bad as 70. I might answer the rest of these responses later. I'm getting depressed.
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 16
That is so true. We would SO miss not having a bit of land around - but the time is getting closer. Herc's eye is okay but he is now blind in it. He has aged a lot. I've bought him some sheep pellets to supplement his diet but he is looking very old and tired. I will miss him so much when he goes.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59828)
• Philippines
25 Apr 16
Surprising how fast time flies! Enjoy the party!
Your last two sentences made me chuckle!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Apr 16
@allen0187 I wouldn't miss it for quids!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
24 Apr 16
poor vince! i imagine that 'twas most frustratin' 'n i'm glad he got't runnin' 'gain. mine'll start, jest needs spendy new sneakers'n that aint gonna happen any time soon.
purty please don't 've a wake! that'd sadden me deeply. instead, celebrate all the livin' ya've done 'n all that'cha still got 'head'f ya :D
big hugs 'n i hope that poor herc's eye mends quickly.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
24 Apr 16
@JudyEv lol yes ma'am, i've heard'f such. i reckon 't depends'n folks sense'f humor? i forgo birthdays all together, 've fer years.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Apr 16
@crazyhorseladycx Some of my friends are very devout but talk of having even a Clayton's wake makes them suddenly become superstitious and a bit iffy about it all.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
23 Apr 16
you have a pet sheep? I haven't spent too much time around a sheep, what is that like?
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 Apr 16
@JudyEv oh now that is the most adorable thing ever!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Apr 16
@Jessicalynnt He's lovely, isn't he? He is very special to us.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Apr 16
We have always had at least one or two sheep. Herc is no trouble. If we let him out of his small paddock, he tags along like a dog and enjoys joining in with whatever we're doing. I think he'd like to join us in the lounge if I'd let him.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Apr 16
Yes, you should. I hope the party went well. I'm glad the tractor got started again. Your roads aren't paved? Why would it be your responsibility to take care of the road. Wouldn't it be the city or county that would do that? Just curious.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Apr 16
We live at one end of 18 acres and the entrance is diagonally opposite the house end so the track on our property from the gate to the house is our responsibility. There is then 830 metres of gravel to the bitumenised highway. The council takes care of the gravel road and the state authority looks after the highway.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Apr 16
I'd be just as pleased not to have a party but my friend says I have to! I know I can ignore her but I also know I'll enjoy it too so I guess I'll have something. As my friend says it's a big one (turning 70) and by the next 'big one' circumstances might be very different.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43650)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Apr 16
The last actual birthday party I had was when I turned 40. I'm sometimes in awe of myself that I've made it this far.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Apr 16
You are very close to your next birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day. 
@xFiacre (14790)
• Ireland
23 Apr 16
@judyev You might as well enjoy your own wake , see who turns up - and who doesn't. But doesn't life just keep getting better and more enjoyable after the vanities of youth have been punctured? My life's certainly better at 58 than it's ever been in many ways.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382408)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Apr 16
If I have a wake hopefully someone will say something nice about me. And there might be cream cakes after. :) As regards 58, I didn't take the time to appreciate being that age and suddenly I'm so much older.
