I know that when many women go shopping they will look at shoes (and yes I do need a new pair of warm gumboots for the winter), or new underwear (reaching for a rag in the milking room yesterday there was a pair of my knickers on top of the pile – they are getting so ‘used’ now that when I folded the washing in a hurry I must have thought this pair was just another rag and put it on the rag pile), and my hair is in desperate need of a cut – (I have not been off the farm for more than a few hours since March – was it March?). Maybe a new blouse – (I have one good going out top this summer and it is in the “Good Clothes” pile because it has no holes or stains on it).
But I am not shopping for any of those. John has found a second hand truck in a near-by town that is not a bad price (though I will have to do some wheeling and dealing to get it down to what the farm can afford). It has reasonable mileage for its age and a long bed. It is hard to find a one ton double cab pick up truck with a decent sized bed but that is what I need. 
I care not at all for the latest fashion of tiny truck beds behind the cab – how useless- this is to be a farm truck that needs to pull the stock truck, fit a good load on the deck of the truck and seat five, so all my workers can fit in too. To get all this I need to go back in time evidently, so this is not a young vehicle. Today I am going to leave my Young Farmers in charge and drive over and bring this truck home for everyone to look at and we will make a decision. (Unfortunately it is a Martha Stewart beige too – my least favourite colour but a little mud should fix that).
But first I must get started early on my chores so as to carve out some time for an expedition. Then i will change into my Cleanest Dirty Shirt and set forth.
If the farm does buy this truck its second job is to drive to Indiana and get another couple of those Porta Huts the pigs sleep in. Its first job is to transport mine and Jake’s chickens to the abbatoir on Monday. (OH how much easier that sounds!). I need a reliable heavy farm truck desperately.
And Sheila is not giving up her bed thank you very much.
Yesterday it was finally dry enough in the garden to plant three good rows of late summer greens that I will cover with double cloches and hopefully keep going until it gets really cold. Diane from Missouri has challenged me to do this so I am looking forward to seeing how it goes up here in Illinois.
I hope you have a lovely day – mine will be an adventure driving back in this long, pickup truck.
Much love
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
49 responses to “Shopping as Therapy? Nope.”
I’m hoping we can call it the good luck truck. Clothes are over rated. I have clothes that are more than 20 years old and continue to wear them. I bought my first new bras this weekend. They were on SALE!!!! I didn’t throw out the old. Yet. I’ve found men’s shirts at the thrift store are cheaper and more serviceable for working in than women’s shirts. I don’t feel so bad about what I do to them since I spent so little. I get one new outfit a year, sometimes, at Christmas. If there is anything out there I want to wear. It’s coming to a place where I’ll have to make my own because it’s ugly out there.. Keeping my fingers crossed for your shopping therapy.
I am the same – I should have gone shopping when i was in portland – bet they have some good shops.. c
Yes, we do. I absolutely love it here and have lived all over the world. Well not in the southern hemisphere yet. Can’t do heat. This is a great small town/big city. 🙂
Portland has Value Villages. Excellent thrift shops. Much love, Your penny-pitching Gayle
I so understand the need of a good pick-up truck. Good luck! I hope you like it!
Linda
I bet one of your talented farm workers could paint a fresh peacock or Sheila portrait on that beige truck. My grandmother used to make her girls clothes from bleached flour bags, those days are gone. Safe travels with the new truck!
I can totally relate!
For me the best therapy is a good book and a cup of tea OR a cartoon movie (one I used to watch when I was a kid lol)
Best of luck with the truck deal Celi
Good on your John for finding the truck. We recently bought a pick up and had a devil of a time finding a four wheel drive, four door with a 6-1/2′ bed. The four doors mostly have that stingy 5′ bed. I believe those trucks are for the yuppies in denial and their four wheel drive or tow/haul mode never gets used!
This is exactly why we hand onto BIG GREEN. A 1996 Ford F350 long bed crew cab with the tow package.. a 150K on it. I wish it was 4WD, but alas… you just can’t have it all! 🙂 I can’t wait to see your purchase!! Practical items are always great therapy for farm women!!
Just a little note to say that I find your pictures grounding and nurturing. I’ve had a busy day/week and just seeing the earth, the animals and the colours of the farm and nature has lifted me up. I look forward to reading your blog and seeing your pictures. Thank you for sharing ☺
A new pre-loved Farmy truck, with decals and / or signwriting… thekitchensgarden.com & women farmers rock ♡
YES! The Perfect comment
Nothing is as much fun as adopting a truck looking for a home. (Ones without long beds are simply high schoolers’ ego vehicles)
I hope the new truck works out splendidly! So nice to be able to get something one really needs to make their job a bit easier.
my stress reliever