My New Toy.......

Okay, I admit right up front, this looks more like a *guy thing* than something I would be posting on a blog that only occasionally, of late, has some art involved! BUT! Bear with me gentle readers, there is a good story that follows.
Years ago, as I disposed of items from my parents house after they passed, I had taken some of the massive amount of my father's tools but when we moved to our present location, I had to pare down to the barest of yard implements (motorized and *Anne powered*) and basically electric hand tools. I had gotten rid of his bench grinder and have spent 16 years regretting it, both for practical and emotional reasons. At home, I used it a lot, ripped my hands up on it frequently and listened to him fuss that I shouldn't be near it (the lathe too) but then he would brag to his friends when he thought I was out of ear shot about how I could use all the stuff.
And guys....a woman is NEVER out of ear shot....... ;-)
So for the last 16 years, I have had to sharpen all the yard implements by hand with a file, and the hardest was Dad's scythe, simply because the blade is so long and curved--it is a very old one. Yes, I still cut high weeds with it. If you know what you're doing you can pick one out and not touch the others around it. Plus it is meditative work, and it makes you appreciate the way farm work was done before machinery. AND---it's a good work out.
But I digress. Yesterday my girlfriend and I went to the minister's family Moving Sale, mainly because books were listed and we both own far too many. I turned the corner of the drive and there it stood, not quite gleaming in the early morning sun. Three leg support, so no bench required, good condition, a good stone and good wire brush. I was in love..........sigh........ But I walked past and pilfered the books, yet it was still calling my name. My friend said, after I had stood and dithered far too long, these simple words; "If you don't buy that, you're going to regret it." So I hunted Steve down and we stood there doing the guy-thing of discussing the merits of the machine; could I put a new plug on it, how about a ground, etc, etc. So off the price tag went and I paid for my purchases. As he was carrying it to the car for me, he said he was glad it was getting a good home, as it had belonged to his father. Karma, yes? My father's replaced with that of a friend's father's.
I brought it home, scrubbed it down, hit all the main parts with Liquid Wrench, polished it up a bit and then the moment of truth; turned it on. It purred! And I grabbed the scythe and put an edge on it---a REAL edge that would cut a thread. I went and cut thistles and ragweed and it sliced through all like it was cutting warm butter. Ooooooooo............wonderful!
So in the Fall, when it is not so humid, I'm going to get some paint for metal and repaint the legs, then mount the feet on a good heavy wood block, and maybe add some locking casters. Yeeeeeaaaaaah!
I am in "Tool Heaven"!
I just hope the guys allow a girl in there.
Now go be creative and don't hurt yourself.....!!!