A couple of weeks ago, Hubby asked a friend he works with to come out and take a look at Dixie.  Despite the fact that she runs, and does not fill the air with black smoke, we wanted someone with mechanical know-how to take a look and listen.

Hubby’s friend Young Steve was raised on his family’s farm.  He is a great electrician and very mechanically knowledgeable.  He and Hubby have had many conversations about Dixie, and he was more than happy to come out to help.

Dixie starts, but fills the air with dark, thick smoke. 

She was built in 1959, well before the modern fuel injections system found in vehicles today.  I did some research (of course, as I am an information junkie), and found that the engine is powered by mixing fuel and air, which is then burned in the metal cylinders inside the engine. 

I love getting packages.

Even when I have ordered something myself, I am like a kid at Christmas waiting for the postman or delivery driver to come bearing a fat envelope or cardboard box with my name on it.  Given I had to order parts for Dixie from a variety of vendors, it was quite a treat waiting for everything to arrive!

This weekend was a whirl of activity on the homestead.  The weather was perfect for outside chores. 

We finally got to work on Dixie! 

Who is Dixie?

For many years I have wanted an old truck.  I love the big, boxy look of trucks built back in “the day”.  Yes, the cars of that era are sweet as well.  For me, there is just something about a truck. 

Last night, the rains came.  Not a steady rain, but sporadic bursts… sometimes noisy, enhanced by thunder and lightening, sometimes quietly dropping from the sky.  After a long stretch of dry, sunny weather, the rain is welcome.  I am not thrilled that it will allow the grass to spring back to life, but I am thrilled for the garden.