Dear blog, today I want to mention how blue I am today.  Yesterday, I was out
cultivating the field over by the cemetary, when I was heading down the hill
after turn on the end row, I looked over on the right side and saw flames
coming off the manifold of the 630 John Deere.  I immediately stopped her and
killed the engine and jumped off and grabbed the water jug.  I threw the water
on, but I saw gas dripping off the tank back onto the engine.  Since I had
been running all afternoon, the engine was hot enough to ignite the further
drips coming off.  I tried to chuck dirt to try to extinguish the flames, but
I couldn't stay ahead of the flames.  Soon, the front half of the tractor was
engulfed.  Dad came out with a fire extinguisher, but even that wasn't enough.
 We had the local fire department come out, but by then, the tractor was a
total loss.  So, I'm pretty sad that we lost my favorite tractor that I grew
up with.  For some people, it is a pet, for me, it was that tractor.  What can
I say, I'm a bit strange that way.  I almost cried, although inside, I think I
did a little.  Even Dad was a bit blue too.  So, to finish up the cultivating,
Dad is going to borrow a rear mount for one of our other tractors from a
neighbor.  I'll see about getting a couple days off later this week to help
finish the cultivating.  *sigh*  Just a heavy heart when I think of all the
good times I had on the tractor and my little dreams for it in the future.  **