My brother and I
watched the low area at the bottom of the pasture slowly fill with water from
the heavy snowmelt as we brought in the cows each evening.
Our parents were
in town shopping when we decided to hook a chain to the cow trough and drag it
to the new pond. Dad had made the watering
trough from a metal fifty-five gallon drum.
He’d cut off one side with his welder and set it in a frame of short
logs. It would be the perfect vessel to
take us exploring on our lake.
We emptied the
water from the barrel by using the tractor lift. Then we hooked the chain to our
makeshift boat and in no time had it towed to the water’s edge. We even thought to nail a plank to a pole for
a paddle.
It took some
effort to launch the craft, but the bank was downhill and slick with mud. It didn’t concern us that we both had water
in our boots by the time we embarked.
The two of us fit just fine in our craft and we were soon paddling
around the pond. It was heady adventure but the excitement wore off in the cold
evening breeze. We realized we’d
probably get in as much, or more trouble for not doing our chores as for
relocating the watering trough.
My big brother
decided he could cover for me on our chores if I’d take on the task of dragging
our improvised boat back to its place of origin.
We made it to
shore without incident and he hurried up the hill to bring in the cows.
It didn't look like it would be
too difficult to hook the chain to the trough and drag it back with the tractor. I just knew I had enough time to take
a short solo voyage first. I was giddy
with power as I took command of what had quickly become a pirate ship. All went well until the paddle broke and I
was left in deep water with nothing but a short pole. The plank part of the
paddle was quickly floating out of reach and the sun was leaving the sky.
Fortunately
there was still a nail in the end of the pole I held in my hand. I was somehow able to pull in the plank, but
not before both sleeves of my coat were soaked.
I paddled to shore with the plank and had to wade up to my hips to get the chain
wrapped around the watering trough. I was nearly blue with cold by the time I’d
towed it back to the barnyard.
If I remember
right Brother and I both had extra duties added to our chore list for a
week. A sailor’s life is not an easy
one.
The watering trough/boat
14 comments:
love the story as much as i love your painting. too cute!
The two of you sure knew how to make an adventure...who needs technology?! :)
Great story and beautiful painting! Nice work, Leenie!
I absolutely love this story you sound a lot like me:)
It is so nice that you have a beautiful talent to paint and also write about your wonderful memories. Love the water colour. B
I love stories from the farm. Especially ones that involve big brother.
No indeed! Another great adventure you have shared here Leenie! I can just imagine the scene.
That really was an awesome story. Thanks!
Love your cow painting, Leenie! And I was laughing out loud reading you and your brother's adventure. Oh, but it brought back memories! :)
A talented writer and artiste... and now a captain too. I tell ya. (Love that painting!)
What a wonderful story to go with your brillint picture!
This is such a great story!
Gorgeous painting. You are so talented, Lady!
Wonderful story. I was so certain the boat was going to tip and dump you both in the water.
What a great memory of your water trough adventure and the watercolor is beautiful:)
Love the water colour.
I'm surprised you didn't sink!
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