Thursday, June 21, 2012

Sticks Rocks!

Harvest is over and we can take a little break from farm talk.  Remember, this is a "rambling" blog.  So, time to ramble about work a bit.  There is always music in my office at the university.  Nine ladies, ages 19 to 50ish, listening to one radio.  Our likes range from various modern stuff to country to oldies to the two oddballs who like rap.  The radio is on either country, pop/rock, or a station playing a mix of "oldies" - 1950's to 90's, but mostly 70's & 80's.  Us "older" ladies like that one quite a bit.

The other day I was discussing vacationing and my search for a good concert at the end of June.  Amazingly enough, Styx was playing twice within half a day's drive from here!  Yeah!  Unfortunately, it was the week of harvest and I was bummed that I couldn't even attempt to go.  Dang!  As I'm whining about this, one of our student workers turns to me and asks... "Who's Styx?"  (Though I think in her head she probably was saying "Who's Sticks?") ....... WHAT?!  'Who's Styx?!?'... My face was temporarily frozen in disbelief mode...  o_O ... REALLY?   The elders razzed her for being clueless.  Thankfully she'd seen Big Daddy recently and remembered the court scene mentioning the critics not giving Styx their due.  Not that it actually helped because she didn't recognize any of the incredibly awesome classic Styx songs I played for her.  She did know Mr. Roboto.  Ugh.  (No. I will not include a link to their worst song ever.)

Wow, I'm still in disbelief just typing out the conversation....

Next day, same office, oldies station playing.  "Okay, do you know who the Steve Miller Band is?"... pause... "No.  Why?  Should I?"  I didn't have to respond this time.  Another elder said emphatically "YES!"  That turned into a discussion of what her parents listened to.  Turns out her dad listens to some guy in the pickup on his way to work.  Talk radio?  Nope.  Some old album he really likes.  She looks it up in her phone and asks... "Have you heard of Bob Ci-gar?" (.... ba-hahaha ...) "or Bob Say-gar?" (...ahahaha...)  She's a terrific and obviously very young girl, but... oh my.  Through my laughter and tears I get out - "Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band." 

Seriously... How old am I?

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Parts "Я" Us

"You need to go on another parts run."  This time it's my son calling and, fortunately, no odd descriptions needed.  "They'll have a sack of parts with Grandpa's name on it."  Alrighty.  "But you could also check to see if the part on back order is in."  I think I spoke too soon.  "We ordered it Saturday and if they have it..."  wait for it... wait for it... "it'll be a square with holes in it and pins sticking out." pause ... laughing...   I reply, "Oh man, you guys really need to be on my end when I get these calls.  Okay, I'll go get it and bring it with supper."


At John Deere, they have the sack ready and it's all good, until I ask for the back ordered part.  Joe (I believe Pete doesn't work evenings) goes in the back, then comes back and asks if I really want the something-or-other (he uses the real name, which I don't remember) because it's nearly 8 feet long (my husband says I heard him wrong) and heavy.  I later discover it's something my husband ordered for the combine header to replace after harvest.  "Well, no, that won't fit in my vehicle.  There should be something the guys ordered Saturday."  


This, but silver with less "pins" and a hole in each side.
They check the computer, find that the mystery part has indeed arrived and bring out another sack.  I look in to discover an over sized metal Lego.  I have no idea what it's for, but, yep, that's it. 

Sunday, June 10, 2012

RePete


My husband and son headed to the field at 8 am yesterday for the first day of harvest.  I called at 11:30 to ask about lunch.  Along with the lunch order, my husband informed me he already needs me to run to John Deere (or drive, it’s a little far for a run on a hot day).  Hey!  I get to see Pete on the first day!  Most people have not cut a lot yet.  Not a lot of break downs yet.  That means not a lot of questions and dilemmas yet.  I’m kinda’ looking forward to seeing Pete before mayhem sets in.  If you’re reading this, you may have read the October 2010 post about Pete.  He’s The Man.  I mean, he’s the John Deere parts man who knows pretty much whatever you need him to know.  You need to read Pete’s the Man to know about Pete.

Back to the phone call.  My husband says, and I quote, “You need to swing by John Deere and pick up a belt for the tachometer for the cylinder.”  …. And that’s all he says….. I know, right?  I wait a moment and repeat his words and add, “I suppose they’ll know what that means?”  After a brief explanation of what the belt for the tachometer for the cylinder does (which I immediately forgot), he adds, “It’s for the 7720.”  I ask, “combine?”  He, of course, uses his you-KNOW-this voice “That’s what our combine is.”  You’d think I’d remember that – I help wax it every year and it rumbles by me numerous times each harvest – large numbers on both sides.  He then relays his conversation with Pete earlier in the morning about trying to fix the belt/tachometer/cylinder ailment with greasing or oiling or something – I forget.  But the fix isn’t going to last – need a new belt.  I’m glad to hear he already talked to Pete.  Then he says “You’ll know it’s the right thing if it looks like a big rubber band.”  Okay!

I get a big box of fish & chicken at Long John Silvers and the nice drive-through lady gives me an extra box when I tell her it’s for the guys in the field and one of them might need to take his food to the elevator with him.  Next stop – pick up the big rubber band thing.

I’m in farmerwife mode today and head straight to the parts counter.  The first guy at the counter, we’ll call him Joe, asks what he can do for me.  I see Pete at the far end helping somebody.  I think they strategically place Pete there so the other guys get more practice at part finding.  Oh well, we’ll give it a shot.  I unfold my note - “I need a belt for a tachometer for a cylinder...for a 7720.”  Obviously Joe knows more than me.  He starts typing in the computer before I get out “7720.”  I mention my husband called and talked to someone.  He asks if the part was pulled out.  Umm…huh?  “I …don’t know?”  Joe heads to the back and I realize he was asking if it was supposed to have been set out for me to pick up.  Oops.  Joe returns empty handed and I tell him Pete gave my husband some advice on trying to fix the belt/tachometer/cylinder situation, but we’ll need the part after all.  Joe leaves again and returns with a large clear rubber band looking thing.  That’s it! (I think.)  Pete is free and Joe casually tells him what’s going on and asks Pete if he advised just using a rubber band.  They both laugh.  It’s nice to see Pete in a good mood and it’s nice to get a part without making someone ask Pete.