Read's Apple Orchard remembered...

It's one of those wonderfully 

mysterious mornings 

here in the center of Indiana.

One of those mornings where you wonder 

just WHY you choose to live in this state.

It changes from ice and then back to rain several times

in a ten minute period.

  

The trees are iced over

so, of course, 

the wind is blowing briskly.

I was laying in bed this morning 

I am listening to the branches 

breaking off of the trees.

Why do I still live in Indiana?

Family.

Pure and simple.

My children,

parents,

siblings,

GRANDCHILDREN.

So, here I am.

"Temptation" is completed and it has been framed.It is approximately the size of a record cover (remember those?), it is in oil and the cost is $350.  
It would make a great addition to anyone's home or business.

I have another painting on the verge of being completed.  

It has been rather complicated here of late to get art work done.  

I have been in a "real" job for the last month or so.

Getting back into the swing of holding down a job

and painting too has not been easy for me.

It is a stress issue for me.

This next painting coming down the line is of a grey wolf.  

He will be the first in my North American Animals Series.  

He has beautiful amber eyes.  

I am very excited to bring him to completion.

_______________________________

My Grandfather Read's tractor.

I got a call from my brother a few weeks ago 

asking that I come out to his place and take a few pictures.

He had been working on our Grandfather Read's John Deere tractor. 

To be honest, I was rather hesitant to go out to his place.  

You see, he lives at my (our) grandparent's old home place.  

I still miss my grandparents keenly, at times.

Al and I decided to make a trip of it and drive out to 

Russiaville, together.

I grew up with two sets of wonderful Grandparents.

I was also blessed to have Great Grandparents 

for much of my childhood.

As the oldest grandchild

I got to spend a lot of time with

all of these people before my sister 

came along four years later.

When I was a child my mother's parents had an apple orchard.  

It was normal for me to be out in the orchard, 

even as a toddler.  I drank cider out of a bottle.  

They made me my own apple picking bag

so that I could feel like I was a part of the family business.

Those memories come back to me in my dreams, sometimes.  

Playing in the apple trees and the sun shining down through the leaves.

My Grandmother Read in her head scarf 

picking up apples from under the trees.

And in the background of those memories is my Grandfather 

and the "chug" of that tractor.  

My brother (Matt) has been working on this tractor for a while with his youngest son (Matt Jr).  I knew that I would cry, but I also knew how important it was to my brother to have pictures taken.  

He works on engines and enjoys painting cars.  

His artistry comes out in his abilities with things on wheels. 

He is very good at what he does.

My Grandparents bought this tractor sometime in the mid 1960s.  

I do not know if it was specifically for use in the orchard.  

My mom has told me in the past that my Grandfather wanted to have a business to fall back on outside of Crosley Radio (Delco).

  

My dad said that Grandpa Read had several acres of peach trees, 

but in the winter of 1963 it got to 26 below zero

and the trunks of the peach trees cracked.

He had apple trees then also and they survived.  I would say

that there were around 20 acres of apple trees when I was little.  

My dad had a few stories to tell me about the whole operation.  

I'll share those in a later blog.

Because....I really should be painting right now.

ANYWAY,

here are some pictures of how the tractor is right now:   

Nice work on the seat, Matt.

Looks complicated....

I was always afraid of this round thing
when I rode on the fender.

Yup, she's an "A".

Nice job, Matt.

So, I probably should go on with my story so that I can go paint.

I was okay (as okay as I can be) until Matt wanted to start it up

and take some pictures outside.

When I heard the chug, I lost it.

  

I miss those times.

I miss my Grandfather.  

I miss hearing that tractor and knowing that he is out there

working in the orchard.

My brother Matt.

So many memories wrapped up in steel, green paint, tires 

and the chug of  a "one lung-er".

My brother is carrying on with the making of John Deere memories.  

He is making them with one of his sons.

The original steering wheel.

OK, guys.

I have to go find some Kleenex and clean up.

Then...to the easel to PAINT!

Have a wonderful Indiana day.

  

Ice is over, rain has stopped....next snow!

Where or where is Spring?