I was one of those girls who wanted to play with the boys' toys because they were so much cooler. But you tell a story we can all understand. Brought tears to my eyes. Thanks again Adam.
Yepper - I was the 5-yr-old girl that got the toy barn and animals( and 2 bales of hay - I remember thinking what will I do with only two bales of hay - I'll need hundreds to get through the winter) for Christmas. Only gift I remember from that year.
And a few tears for my Dad. With him it was horses, and here I am, feeding a horse who's as antique as I am ...
Years ago, I beat my boss at golf—eight years after our first match. That night, I was bragging a little to one of his friends, and the guy just nodded and said,
“Sell the clubs, Adam. This is as good as it gets … the pinnacle.”
I laughed, but you know what? I golfed against that boss for six more years and never beat him again.
I think about that a lot.
And now I’m wondering if your compliment is that same moment—just with writing instead of golf. If so, I’ll take it. This made my day. (And my dad’s, too.)
Just plain assed wonderful!
I was one of those girls who wanted to play with the boys' toys because they were so much cooler. But you tell a story we can all understand. Brought tears to my eyes. Thanks again Adam.
🥹
Yepper - I was the 5-yr-old girl that got the toy barn and animals( and 2 bales of hay - I remember thinking what will I do with only two bales of hay - I'll need hundreds to get through the winter) for Christmas. Only gift I remember from that year.
And a few tears for my Dad. With him it was horses, and here I am, feeding a horse who's as antique as I am ...
Omg. Why am I sobbing so hard right now?!? 😭
It’s like walking barefoot on frozen gravel. 😆
And I don’t have these memories, don’t have a toy tractor at all, and didn’t even know what an Ertl was until you told me.
But this is so real! And you’re right, it’s not about the toys…
Sheri’s photos are incredible.
Thank you for these timeless stories! 🙏
Me too. But I live in a town where I am a few blocks away from a lot with the real ones for sale. And I see them travel down the highways.
Great story—awesome writing as always. Great photos by Sheri—my favorite is the one with Kev and Adam in the background.
Of all the farm toy stories I have heard over the years, this one is the BEST!
Jane Ertl, Dyersville, Iowa
Jane, I have to tell you a story.
Years ago, I beat my boss at golf—eight years after our first match. That night, I was bragging a little to one of his friends, and the guy just nodded and said,
“Sell the clubs, Adam. This is as good as it gets … the pinnacle.”
I laughed, but you know what? I golfed against that boss for six more years and never beat him again.
I think about that a lot.
And now I’m wondering if your compliment is that same moment—just with writing instead of golf. If so, I’ll take it. This made my day. (And my dad’s, too.)
Thank you. 🌱
I once had a tractor a day desk calendar that came with a little die cast John Deere. No one appreciated it adequately in my opinion.