Thresh'n

Back in the day I would have written Thrash'n, but today it was all Thresh'n in Blyth for the annual Thresher's Reunion.  It was a super terrific day with fantastic weather.  Shelly and I jumped on the bike to check out what it is all about.

The main event is the steam powered machines from the early 1900s.  They were obviously the first tractors, they produced about 30 horsepower, and it really started automated farming.  I guess they scaled down steam powered locomotives and adapted them to suit agricultural needs.  They didn't disappointed as there were about 25 of all shapes and sizes.

We sat in on a demonstration of a steam powered threshing machine in action with all of its belts and moving parts.  2 years ago I was in a play at the Livery in Goderich (mini Broadway actually...) and I played the part of a foreman of sorts, of a threshing with a crew of 3 other farmers.  I wish I could remember some of the lines I had; they had to do with keeping the chaf clear of the exit area of the thresher, being mindful of the belts, and I had this bit about how I had once worked with a feller who got caught up inside of a threshing machine and how we just kept pressing on - there was a real funny line in there somewhere.... I can't remember it now though.

Shelly and I had a terrific time and the day couldn't have been any nicer - that is for sure.

They also had a classic car show, plenty of live music, baler twine rope making, great vendors, and even a steam engine powered saw mill milling timber.  I'll go back again and I recommend it to anyone else.

After leaving Blyth we traversed north to Wingham, then east to Lucknow, then north again up to Shelly's folk's place.  There was a bit of drama with a few flat tires on a wagon so Barry, Ryan, and I changed those up.  We'd be no candidates for a NASCAR pit crew, that is for sure, as our beer consumption took priority over the speed in which the rim & rubber had to be switched.  We also went on a puff ball hunt and I scored 5 decent edibles to consume.  Barry noted he has found 28 this year.  That is his limit.

The first week of school went fine.  I usually try to take a picture of myself on the first day - But alas, I didn't.  I sort of thought at the time how stupid that would be this year, but now I am regretting it a bit.  But no worries with me and the 20 pupils.  I got back into my routine and I am pretty sure I can eek out the next 190 days of work.  And I know the kids will probably learn a lot and have a good time which is important too.