I know I promised you I would show you my completely delightful surprise that Terry gave me for Christmas.

All the kids were here and their families; we had just opened all our gifts and watched the kids open their gifts (we don’t give lots…one gift a piece).  Terry and I exchanged our presents…Carhart jackets.  Perfect for those cold but not over the top cold days.

When Terry went outside for a short while and then came back in.

He walked over to me and handed me

THIS!

A NEW Scoop Shovel!!!

I so desperately needed one, but figured I would just have to use Terry’s Grandfather’s

Until I could pick out the one I want.  It’s a nice old shovel, but it’s heavy.  Still I was glad I had one to use.

(I’m really picky about my shovels…there are lots of scoop shovels and shovels out there, but I want one with a solid wooden handle, the scoop or the shovel bolted into the wood and the size of the shovel not too big or not too small.)  You can buy those things just about any place, but they are cheaply made, the scoop comes off the handle after a couple of uses — I think you get the picture.

My other shovel broke in two…too much use this fall after years and years of use already.  (Remember we had to scoop out the pinto bean hopper and the corn hopper because of break downs.  Then our neighbor, Sam, wanted us to grind corn for him.  He forgot to bring his scoop shovel so I threw him mine—the first scoop finished it off.

I was sick.  I almost cried.  I didn’t, but I sure thought about it.

I know, it’s just a shovel.  But it’s the shovel I use the MOST!! I use it for all sorts of things. I thought about just replacing the handle, but I’ve done that before and it’s never really a good as it could be.

I decided to wait.

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Terry said that when he pickup the shovel.  When he went to pay for it our oldest daughter was with him and she asked if the cashier could wrap it since it was a Christmas present for her Mom.  Terry said that caused LOTS of conversations: one man said he would never give his wife something with a handle on it as she might use it on him.  Another man said if he gave his wife a shovel he might as well move on out.. the jokes were rapid and wild.

Shannon asked again if the shovel could be wrapped…the poor checker said she wasn’t sure what to do, then reached down and stuck several bows on it!   The customers clapped!

Terry said it didn’t bother him what was going on because he KNEW I really wanted a new scoop shovel!  No diamonds for me–nor a fur coat –nothing of that nature, but I will fall for a scoop shovel, or a pitch fork, or a new wheel barrel!!

There you  have it…my gift of the year!  Have a good one everyone!

Your friend on the farm,

Linda