Farmer Kristin: Tractor Tiara

Driving home from work one day, I saw a fellow farmer on his tractor stopped at a red light. My first thought was "What is the farmer wave?" and then was instantly pissed that one does not exist. I wanted to make a connection with that farmer. To say "Hey! I'm a fellow farmer too! I drive a tractor too!" I wanted him to know that just that day, I used a pipe to make my wrench handle longer so that I could loosen the bolt on my tractor's oil tank. I wanted him to know that I cleaned out my air filter with the air compressor, that I greased the dozen or so grease points so that my tractor continues to run smoothly, and that I know how to take on and off several tractor implements all by myself. The feeling is similar to when you were a kid and it's your birthday so you just want everyone to know that it's your birthday and you want them to make a big fuss over you because it's your special day! Besides the fact that at 32 years old I still tell random strangers that it's my birthday and I have thought about wearing a birthday tiara just to call even more attention to myself, I have similar urges to make it known to the world that I am a farmer! I'm pretty sure I know how rock stars feel because the times that I am introduced or recognized as a farmer, I just feel so excited and wonderful! This past Saturday, I represented Fernbrook Farm CSA at a local Health & Wellness Fair which gave me the self-serving opportunity of saying "I am a farmer" over and over again each time new people came over to my area. A middle-aged woman stopped by my table and mentioned that she needs to get her tractor up and running to prepare her large garden. I asked "What kind of tractor do you have?" She said a make and a model that I have never heard of but responded as if I was a tractor connoisseur "Oh, that's a great tractor. Runs real smooth." I may never know the makes and models of all the tractors, but after only two weeks of driving one, it feels great to gain confidence on my machine! I wonder how long I will boast to random strangers that I am a farmer? I hope forever because I plan to be one forever. Hmmmm, maybe I can get a tractor tiara made to draw even more attention to myself as a farmer.....