Northwest Arkansas has transformed into a frozen tundra during the last few weeks.
Oh sure, we’ve been gifted a day of sunshine here and there. For the most part, the weather has been bitter and cold. Nobody is leaving this house without a pair of long johns and winter layers. I’m gritting my teeth and praying Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow so we can get on the fast track toward spring.
Our routine on the farm has included checking and double checking to make sure all of our animals have water to drink and fresh hay to eat.
The kids went back to school a few weeks ago. They were glad to be back in the world of academia after developing a case of cabin fever at home during the cold winter break.
Most of our children are not “indoor” kids. Neither is my husband. I can handle staying inside and catching up on reading and housework. I enjoy baking cookies and brownies or just watching a good movie. They, however, cannot sit still.
Recently, our neighbor purchased a used pick-up truck to work on with his son. During the month of January, my husband and the boys turned our shop into an auto mechanic’s playground. I’m pretty sure the “dads” are more excited about this project than the boys. Despite the below zero temperatures, these guys have suited up in their coveralls (along with the kids) to put a lift kit into this project truck.
While I’m in the house cooking, cleaning or whatever it is I do all day, my husband is texting me photos and videos of our young sons elbow deep inside this truck, wrenching away like a little men. The cold weather is not keeping these guys down.
Every day my oldest son greets his dad coming home from work with, “are we going to work on the truck again today?”
My husband laughs and promises when the weekend comes and the weather warms up, they will finish the project.
My own conversations with this child on the way to school have included spark plugs, monster trucks, oil changes and mechanical jargon that simply makes my head spin. I have no idea how he’s absorbed so much about motors and trucks at his tender age. He has recently begun to lobby for an upgrade to our own farm truck. He and his dad are always shopping around and looking at the newest and latest Chevrolet has to offer. Their recent obsession is with Chevrolet dually trucks, the bigger the better.
I’m happy to work on tax paperwork or just get lost in a good book during this dreary winter weather. I get my chores done as fast as I can so I can head back inside the warm walls of our house. I’m entertained by the escapades happening out in the shop with my favorite men. I love their funny videos and pictures taken of the adventures in mechanical learning. If it’s all the same to them, I’ll hang out by the fire with the “inside” kids with a dog on my lap, neighbor.
