As a young man, I enjoyed driving places, including driving to no place in particular…just driving, exploring, and checking out back roads. As time went by and traffic got worse, and life’s schedules got more packed, taking to the road for no particular reason became less and less appealing.
I have found a replacement, sort of. It enables me to be behind the wheel of a moving vehicle as I enjoy beautiful scenery and, occasionally, come across interesting discoveries. All this at a pace of my choosing without the hassles of dealing with other drivers. That sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is.
I have been unable to access this for more than a year. I didn’t realize how much I missed it: the slow pace; the sun on my face and the wind in the hair that I have left; the ease of which I can find a parking place when I choose to stop along the way.
The vehicle is a tractor. 40 horses of noisy power. Mower or box blade on the back and a loader on the front. It has plenty of functionality, but sometimes its greatest function is the joy and comfort it gives me as I tootle around my little piece of property.
The environment and the pace tweak memories of my heritage and my youth.
My paternal family line were farmers and chicken raisers. When I asked relatives why so many of them stayed in Mississippi while my grandfather moved to San Antonio, one of them said, “Probably for the same reason a lot of folks left. He probably got tired of the smell of donkey farts.” I think of the labors of my grandfather and other kin, guiding the plow while walking behind a donkey. How much easier things are riding atop a diesel-powered machine.
As a young man, I was a big fan of Leon Hale who wrote an outstanding column for the Houston Post. He wrote about country – lifestyle, wisdom and life. One story that has always stuck in my mind is his encouragement to not get frustrated with the slow-moving pickup truck meandering down a country rode, particularly near the end of the day. Leon reminded us that the driver is likely a farmer, looking over his land and reflecting on a hard day’s work. The driver is admiring with respect – the land for what it produces and for the labors that work the land.
Even if you do not have a tractor to ride, find ways to slow down and enjoy the view in life.