Tractor Parade

We watched the news last night and a story caught my eye.  Finally, something different!  This wasn’t a walk or a run for charity, this wasn’t a motorcycle ride (although there is nothing wrong with these and I enjoy everyone I am on), no, this was something new.  

Taking place in Dresden was “The Greatest Tractor Parade: Farmers Driving Out Cancer!”  Their website states “The purpose of the parade is to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Meanwhile we’ll be having fun trying to break the Guinness World Record for the “largest parade of farm tractors”.   As of this morning, the record was 601 tractors, at an event in Sterling, Ontario.  This was going to be different.  On the news, reports were a tally of over 700 tractors.

We decided to hit the road and enjoy a novelty that was pledged to be a one time event.   We soon found the back country road where the parade was to begin.  The time came and the rumbles began as tractors of all makes and models, all sizes huge and small started their engines.  Okay, this isn’t quite what happened.  Many did start, but far more stayed idle for some time as the line up of tractors was so enormous.  It would be some time before they were ready to leave the staging grounds for some time.  

For three hours, we watched John Deere, CASE, International, White, New Holland, Moline, Kubota, Massey-Harris, Massey-Ferguson, Ford, Cockshutt, Leyland, Farmall, Allis-Chalmers and Duetz.  The came in small hobby farm-sized tractors with front-end loaders to move around “natural fertilizer”, medium sized ones that seemed to dominate the parade, and some ridiculously large ones that I just struggle to fathom the need for.  But then again, my choice mode of transportation has just two wheels.  A tractor has four right?  Except for the one with only three, a fair number with six, a few with eight and even one with ten tires!  Who needs that?

The parade started at roughly 12:45pm.  We left at 3:45pm, not long after tractor number 602 left the staging grounds.  I like tractors.  One day I would like to have one, although I don’t really know why.  Maybe it’s a guy thing.  But after three hours, come one.  I had the chance to speak with one lady who seemed to be in the know and she explained that the count was upwards of 1200 tractors and the organizers were overwhelmed with pride.  That’s right, 1200 tractors.  Just three hours into the parade and we were just past half way.  For us, that was a wrap.  We started up the car and headed the opposite direction of the parade.  You know how annoying and challenging it can be to get around one tractor while your trying to get to your destination?  Imagine passing 600!

Everyone has a story.  What a story these farmers will have as they share their experiences in the world’s largest parade of tractors who raised over $70,000 for their cause.

Check out the video link here.

My Indian Brother

After work on Tuesday, a few of us gathered at Legends Tavern for 35 cent wings.  We shared some great laughs as we often do, but for me, this evening was a bit different.  

Riding with a motorcycle ministry, it is easy to wear my colours outside of my own city.  At home though, there is the likelihood that I will encounter people I know, and the awkwardness can creep in.  I need to stand completely unashamed of my faith, (which, by the way, is easier to do when it’s not emblazoned across your back), so this time, I rode my bike and wore my colours to the bar.  I was not ashamed, even though there were people there who I knew, and a few that felt the need to stare, confused why a Christian flag, and a "Jesus Is Lord" rocker would be at the bar.  I’ve been in the bars before with my colours, but typically at the end of an organized ride or fund raiser.  Not this time.  And it was different.  

After wings, Dennielle and I rode down to the beach.  We stopped at Mackies in Port Stanley.  I have been to Mackies more times than I care to count and consumed more calories that I can count, but there was something different this time.  

Mackies is a great place with Orange-ade - the stuff legends are made of - and the best dipping sauce.  I have no idea what it is, but it’s fantastic on fries and this sauce kicks Swiss Chalet’s butt.  The other great aspect of Mackies is their recognition of motorcycles and local sports celebrities.  Joe Thornton’s jerseys from his various teams and leagues are signed and plastered up throughout the place, and outside there is a designated parking section for motorcycles only.  There’s something almost magical about bikes and the beach.

When I was walking through the restaurant, I noticed a man with biker colours on, but I didn’t recognize them.  They looked Native and that was new to me.  

Dennielle and I sat outside for a while just taking in the sights and sounds of the beach.  Two people, presumably a couple, were casually scouring the beach with metal detectors in hopes of finding enough for retirement.  I read that Dave Booth of Scotland who had only had a metal detector for five days made a discovery that rocked his world and changed his life. He discovered an “incredibly rare cache of five gold treasure pieces that were grouped tightly together - three intact necklace and two fragments of another.”  Reportedly, the discovery soon had international interest.  According to Kelly Code Detectors, “these four golden neck pieces, referred to as ‘torcs,’ are estimated to date 300 an 100 BC. Early speculation has been that his "Stirlingshire Hoard" could fetch more than $1.5 million!”  I think it is safe to assume this isn’t happening in Port Stanley, but if it did, this couples lives would be forever changed.

Aside from treasure hunters, the beach had many families enjoying their evening out, splashing in the water, giggles and childhood yells could be heard.  Seagulls had all come home from the Wal-Mart parking lot for the night and were occasionally stirred up as children ran through the flock.

After some time, the biker and two women came outside.  They were taking some pictures and I offered to take a couple of the three of them, Lake Erie in the background.   As guys in colours do, we got to talking and it turned out that Bill was there with his wife, Sha, and her cousin.  Bill and Sha ride with Lenape Nation M.C. out of New York state and were in the area to visit her family.

Most members of Lenape Nation M.C. are part of Six Nations in New York who have come together to share their love and enjoyment of riding.  Bill and Sha rode up to Ontario on their 2008 Harley Davidson Street Glide.  I admit a shred of envy.  It really doesn’t matter what you ride though, as long as you ride.

We talked together for quiet some time about our lives and our groups.  We shared some laughs of course; Bill has a patch on his colours that reads “Think you can trust the government, ask an Indian.”  Bill has been riding longer than I have but it didn’t matter.  This stranger, now biker friend, and I connected well as we swapped stories of rides and rallies.  The huge biker world that is often referred to as family has an uncanny ability to break down barriers of all kinds - race, colour and creed.  Bill and I know that each are welcome if we find ourselves in the other’s home town.  Pictures were taken with our colours together and emails were exchanged before we parted ways to meet again on the road somewhere down the line.

Interesting how on the same day, in one place, colours can separate you from people, yet in another they can draw you together as a commonality.

Everyone has a story from the road.  What a great evening.

The Big (3D) Picture

I have heard it said that for everything there is a season.  Sounds good, right?  It gives a sense of hope, that “this too shall pass.”  I suppose that’s what some folks hang on to.  Remember though, with every seasonal change, it leads back to that same place, just one year later. Maybe this year of seasonal changes now carries with additional burdens, failures and struggles.  

I don’t like the picture it paints.  

Maybe, just maybe, the picture is determined from the manner in which we look at it.  Remember the 3D pictures of the mid-90s that half of us saw, many said they saw it, while a few felt alone, like freaks in circus of a different time?  Life could be much the same as staring into one of those pictures.

There is a group of people that just can’t grasp that there is more than meets the eye.  They live in a life of solitude and isolation from success.  They don’t take more than a passing glance at the picture.  Sure they see others living a life, or trying to fit into life, but they remain uninterested, even lack ambition to consider why they would want to be a part of it.  They don’t even make an attempt to see the picture.  They spend their days waiting for “their” cheques, smoking cigarettes and drinking Tim Horton’s coffee like it’s on sale.  They hang out in small parks just passing the day away.  Content with mediocrity (at best).

The second group sees the “successful” people and they want to be like them.  They mimic their behaviours in hopes that something will pop out.  They tilt their head, squint their eyes and play the part.  They haven’t figured out how to get there, but they are a determined bunch.  Given enough time and encouragement, they just might get it!

The remaining group, possibly the group in the minority, know there is something in that picture to be seen and appreciated.  There is something to be grasped.  Their determination pays off.  They have listened to those who have gone before them to learn what is needed.  Their determination ensures that they look at their circumstances from a variety of angles before coming to an appreciation of the facts.

So there is hope! Like the seasons, we will take a time for rest and renewal.  We may lie dormant, status quo if you will, to later break through our cocoon of protection to venture into another year will bring with it a time of overcoming, healing and success!  Refuse to carry a life of burdens and struggles!  Be an overcomer.  Be the minority that goes after the big picture.  

Everyone has a story.  Will yours be one that people want to hear?

Imagine the Freedom!

I have just finished up three weeks of vacation time.  During my time, I rode over 3000 km on my motorbike, watched movies with my children, played tennis and badminton, read during some quiet time, connected with great friends, played in the pool with my kids, went on a couple dates with my wife, had some time in prayer and enjoyed some good music.  Life was good.

During this time I appreciated my time with my children.  I was able to enjoy their contagious laughs, their beaming smiles, their peaceful company and their endearing personalities.  I loved the chance to just be a dad.  I was blessed with the time with my wife to take in an anniversary dinner and a movie that was beyond any expectation.  We watched the cliff swallows dive around in search a hearty meal to share with their young.  We sat together around campfires at a motorcycle rally and grew in our friendships with biker brothers and sisters. It was a simple life built around relationships.

Lotto 6/49 has the right slogan for their sales; Imagine the Freedom.  It isn’t about the money as much as it is about the freedom to focus on the joys in life.  The simple ones like watching the birds, the complex ones like realizing your children are getting to the age when you are providing much more guidance and basic parenting, when your role is changing and you either embrace it or dig in and refuse to accept the shift.  It’s the adventures of a 2500 km road trip in 5 days with friends of all appearances and backgrounds.  It’s knowing you have people in your life that you can call at any hour and know they will be there for you.  It’s all about relationship.  Personal relationships, familial and marital, friends and co-workers, spiritual and faith filled in Christ.

Despite not having a burning desire to return to work, I know I am blessed to have a job.  A good one at that.  A job that allows me the finances and flexibility to enjoy life outside of work.  I fully realize that it takes up a vast amount of my time, but it does not make up my identity; I am not my job.  My job serves as a means to enjoy the life that awaits outside of it.

So don’t frown on your circumstances.  They do not dictate who you are, but rather your true nature shows in how you handle your circumstances.

Everyone has a story.  You choose the ending.