Author: Ol' Fuzz Face

how to make Portuguese linguica
Breakfast, Recipe, SFH Food Talk & Recipes

How to Make Portuguese Linguiça – Maybe

It is my hope that someday I will know how to make authentic Portuguese linguica sausage. Recently, with the help of four good friends, I made my first faltering attempt using a generic recipe. The results were very good, but not perfect. So, my search for an authentic recipe continues. Come join me on my quest.

Hi! Ol’ Fuzz Face here. – My Dad’s parents came to America from Portugal’s Azores Islands. When they left the island of São Miguel, they had little with them except hope for the future and recipes for the finest breads, stews, and meat dishes.

Today, we’ll talk about one small part of that food tradition – linguica sausage and how it’s made. I’ll also share with you my dad’s recipe for Linguiça and Scrambled Eggs.

A Little Sausage Making Background

There’s no need to go into a lengthy discussion on the sausage making process. In our post Project Sausage, I described how my good friend Tom and I experimented with the rather unusual branch of the culinary arts known as sausage making.

Our most recent sausage making adventure began over a year ago. Tom once again raised the exciting possibility of gathering a group of our brother Knights of Columbus for a day of sausage making and mirth-filled camaraderie. It took a while to organize the event, but finally the date was set – February 29th would be the day.

In the meantime, I consulted with Chef Blondie and the entire staff of the SFH Test Kitchen. We planned for a broad-based endeavor that went far beyond just the making of generic sausage. This event would become the next step on my quest for an authentic recipe for linguica.

The Big Day – How We Made Sausage

The big day finally came. Our Pastor granted our band of five intrepid sausage makers the use of the parish hall. Once again, Tom provided all the necessary equipment (grinder and stuffer). He also procured the pork butt and the hog casings. Our crew operated with military precision. It consisted of the following brave souls:

  • Tom – the master meat grinder and team leader
  • John – the mighty meat slicer
  • Bryant – the powerful vertical sausage stuffer cranker
  • Dave – the sausage stuffer guide man, the bravest one of all
  • Yours truly – sausage stuffer repair technician and cleanup man.

No words can describe all that went on that day. But just as it was for Tom and me on our first sausage making adventure, so it was on our second. – It wasn’t a pretty sight (no one ever describes sausage making as that), but, oh my, it was fun!

The Bottom Line – How I Made Portuguese Linguica

Several different recipes were used on sausage making day. So, several shortcuts and compromises had to be employed. There wouldn’t be time for me to follow my recipe precisely as written. So, I couldn’t really expect perfect results. Nevertheless, I hoped to at least get into the ballpark.

So, watch the video to find out how this linguica was made and whether it passed the SFH Test Kitchen official taste test.

authentic Portuguese linguica

Many of you might not have the time or equipment to make your own linguica. That’s okay. Some stores like Harris Teeter carry linguica in their meat departments.

If you’d like to try out my dad’s simple recipe for Linguiça and Scrambled Eggs, go out and by some linguica. You’ll be glad you did.

Portuguese linguica is a flavorful sausage heavily spiced with paprika, chiles, and garlic. It’s a staple in Portuguese cuisine and has variations, but garlic is a must, and it almost always includes both paprika and hot chiles. This is a generic recipe that our Test Kitchen is adapting for Serendipity Farmhouse use. We intend to continue making changes to achieve a truly authentic flavor.

calabaza con pollo
Main Dishes, Recipe, SFH Food Talk & Recipes

Calabaza con Pollo – They Made the Unexpected Meal

For a weary traveler like me, a dish of Calabaza con Pollo proved to be an unexpectedly delicious meal. Now, these many years later, I have the serendipitous opportunity to share the recipe for that meal with you.

Hi! Ol’ Fuzz Face here.

In the 1970’s, Chef Blondie and I resided in San Angelo, Texas. Many years later, we made several extended trips to Houston. However, we never had the chance to sample a popular Mexican dish called Calabaza con Pollo (squash with chicken).

No, it wasn’t until I made a trip to Idaho Falls in 2017 that I was introduced to this dish so popular in Texas! Our close friend Mary, a wonderfully gracious lady, and her equally gracious daughter Carol made this unexpected meal for me. Now, several years later, Carol sent her recipe to us here at the SFH Test Kitchen.

We know that we won’t be able make this dish with all the nuances of technique that made this dish so memorable for me. Nevertheless, we will do our best to follow the recipe closely. Perhaps we will be able to capture some of the essence of what makes this dish so popular in the Lone Star State.

Calabaza con Pollo – A Little Background

Like so many recipes and foods, the origins of calabaza con pollo are uncertain. Early records trace the dish back to the 16th century. Calabaza and calabacita (zucchini) arrived in Mexico in the 1500s. Similar dishes predating the arrival of calabaza may have already existed.

None of that really matters very much. What really matters is that, over time, the dish has become a favorite of many, especially in south Texas.

And that’s where the soon-to-be-world-famous SFH Test Kitchen enters the picture. In this test, Chef Blondie and her able assistants take on the challenge of making this dish just like a Texan would.

Chef Blondie Finally Finds Flavor in Zucchini

By her own admission, Chef Blondie hasn’t ever been very partial to zucchini. She doesn’t like overcooked and mushy vegetables. But as you will see in the following video, she now thinks far more highly of that humble squash. The seasoning and cooking instructions in Carol’s recipe made my sweet spouse a convert.

This is a popular fall and winter dish in South Texas. Our subscriber Carol found the recipe online and adapted it. She realized that it makes a big difference to season the chicken well when cooking. This results in a very rich and flavorful homemade broth. She adjusted the amount of salt added to the spice mixture. The reserved broth will already be seasoned well. Of course, you may add additional salt to taste.  The original recipe only calls for 2 Cups of broth, Carol adds at least 4 cups. That gives the dish more of a thick, chunky soup consistency.

Mr. Monte

How to Avoid the Vet

When you’re tired of pills and too much medical attention, you have to learn how to avoid the Vet. I haven’t found a foolproof method yet. So far, all I can do is try entrenchment and and intimidation. – Anyway, here’s my latest medical update.

Hi! Mr. Monte here.

To my 23,417 faithful feline followers, I have an update on my medical condition. According to the Vet, my ailment is somewhat improved. (My last update was How to Handle Veterinary Daze.)

But (and that’s a very big but), Ol’ Fuzz Face and Miss Blondie are going to have to give me pills for at least another month.

Now, a little bit about yesterday’s visit. – This was the third visit in a month and a half. – I find this greatly disturbing to my feline tranquility.

As I explored the exam room, I realized that the Vet was coming. So, I decided to head back to my carrier and seek refuge there. – I hunkered down and let everyone know – this time I wasn’t coming out without a fight.

Farmhouse Living, Mr. Monte, SFH Food Talk & Recipes, SFH Lessons Learned, Traditions

A New Year for Our Farmhouse

Rested and renewed Miss Blondie and I are starting a new year for our farmhouse. We are in the midst of Christmastide, the lights on the tree shine brightly, and there is a warm fire in the wood stove. This is the perfect beginning for our 11th year at Serendipity Farmhouse. – It just doesn’t get any better than this.

Celebrating the Farm House New Year

My beautiful wife and I lived in Japan for over a decade. Our family grew and prospered there. So, it is only natural that our New Year’s Eve celebrations are highlighted by Japanese food and traditions. This year, Chef Blondie made a large batch of Gyoza. – What a treat!

Perhaps in late-January or early-February, Chef Blondie will pull out the electric skillet and show you how our dear friend Reiko made gyoza for us. She will also explain how to make up a large batch and freeze some for use several months later.

Farmhouse New Year Plans

In looking at the statistics for this blog and for our YouTube channel, we’ve realized we have two separate audiences. The first audience, the one that’s been with us since the beginning, consists of our family and close friends.

The second audience, started growing in August and September. The folks in this audience are all about good food. They’ve learned that Chef Blondie and the soon-to-be-world-famous SFH Test Kitchen can be relied upon to provide recipes that are top quality. They also have shown great interest in the Test Kitchen’s take on great chefs like Jacques Pépin and Julia Child.

The truth is we consider both audiences to be important parts of the Serendipity Farmhouse family. This year, Miss Blondie, Pierre LeChat, Mr. Monte, and I will do our best to satisfy your interests and build a farmhouse spirit of togetherness.

A Quick Look into the Farmhouse New Year

As I mentioned earlier, you can expect to see a full post and video on Chef Blondie’s rendition of Japanese gyoza. But before that, she is working on a project around a Jacques Pépin recipe perfect for these cold days of January. So within the week, she will introduce you to Beef Stew with Red Wine from the cookbook Jacques Pépin’s Simple and Healthy Cooking. – Don’t miss it. It’s going to be a good one.

Mr. Monte’s New Year

Mr. Monte’s off to a mixed start this year. He has a minor medical problem and had to visit the vet today. That’s never on his wish list. Nevertheless, he made the most of it and finally figured out where Dr. Meyers stashes her fantastic feline treats.

Classical music? Maybe I’ll come out and look around.
Hmmm? Different exam room and toys.
Certainly not big enough for a Maine Coon.
What cute tasty looking birds.
I’m going to capture the high ground.
Mr. Monte now in command!
Now where are those treats?
Found them! Fuzz Face, don’t snitch!

Come join us for this most auspicious

Farmhouse New Year

Rested and renewed Miss Blondie and I are starting a new year for our farmhouse. There’s going to be good food, good fun, and maybe even a good feline. – Err, perhaps I’m expecting too much.

This blog and our YouTube channel work together. In our blog you will find the full, printable recipes used by our Test Kitchen staff. Our YouTube channel provides video demonstrations of cooking techniques used with our recipes.

We want to do the best for both of our audiences. So, Miss Blondie looks forward to your comments on our posts and videos. Your insights and suggestions are priceless. If you like, you can contact Miss Blondie directly at the email address listed below. You can get to our YouTube channel by clicking on the image below or by scanning the QR code.

Have a Happy New Year!

Serendipity Farmhouse
Farmhouse History, Farmhouse Living

10 Years of Serendipity Farmhouse

Ten years ago today, Serendipity Farmhouse became the house of our realities. That was when we signed the papers that finalized the purchase. Our post SFH Anniversary & Birthday tells you a little about that day.

Since early in 2018, this blog has chronicled the living history of this old farmhouse. We have shown you the important, the serious, the sad, and sometimes the hilarious events that take place here. Occasionally, we show you what this farmhouse was like before it became Serendipity. We make sure that we don’t candy coat or cover up what living here is like. But, most of all, we show you that Serendipity Farmhouse has a history with a heart.

Those before us have modernized, renovated, and built additions. Some worked hard to restore the original charm of this old farmhouse. We have made repairs, and worked to make the kitchen a comfortable place to create and experiment.

Serendipity Farmhouse doesn’t grow older with time – it grows better!

This day is special for us in many ways. Certainly the SFH anniversary is important. But today is also the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and it is the birthday of one of our beautiful granddaughters.

A farmhouse anniversary is something we can celebrate. A granddaughter is someone we can love and her birthday is something we can cherish.

This year, we’ve worked hard to add a new dimension to our Serendipity Farmhouse chronicles. Now you can see Chef Blondie in her recently renovated kitchen, testing simple farmhouse dishes created by Jacques Pepin and other fine chefs. You can also watch as Mr. Monte takes us on fantastic camping trips in his Class-C RV El Camino Del Monte.

So, when you get a chance check out our new YouTube channel here and subscribe.

vibrant colors
Autumn, RV Living, Trips

The Vibrant Colors of Serendipity

I prefer camping. She prefers glamping. But it really doesn’t matter. Autumn saw to it that we were both surrounded by the vibrant colors of serendipity. And it wasn’t just in our RV.

If you’ve visited our About Serendipity Farmhouse page, you know Blondie and I have a special definition for the word ‘serendipity’. – Serendipity is the answer to a prayer you never prayed but should have.

For us ‘serendipity’ is not mere chance. It’s something you must seek. It’s like the trail marker hidden in the shadows. You must look for it and recognize it for what it is. It’s far more common than you think. You can find it everywhere. – Even on an RV trip or in your own backyard.

Serendipity is not just good luck. It is a gift freely given by a firm Guiding Hand. And accepting that gift is an act of faith.

Vibrant Colors – First Reflections

October 24th was the first day of the last RV trip for the year. There was no special purpose for the trip. It was just an opportunity for us to break from routine farmhouse chores and be together. Little did we know that during this trip we would see some of the most spectacular Autumn views ever.

Unlike Monte’s Feline Fantasy RV Trip last June, I did the driving to Shenandoah River State Park. Unfortunately, Mr. Monte is just as obnoxious as a back-seat-driver as he is when he’s behind the wheel.

Despite Monte’s criticism and complaints, we arrived at Site #1 with no undue problems. Setup was quick and easy. Sweet Miss Blondie and I took a short rest and then headed down to the river. We decided to walk along River Trail. And that’s where the surprisingly vibrant colors of our serendipitous trip came into full view. They reflected off the still water and made fast a pleasant memory in my mind. – Here’s just a bit of what we saw.

vibrant colors
Views along River Trail

As afternoon turned into evening, Chef Blondie performed her kitchen magic in our somewhat less than commodious RV kitchen. She decided that her ever-popular Indian Chicken Curry – The ECDM Way would suit the weather and the season.

I assisted with the menial tasks of making rice and general cleanup. My great diligence and effort were rewarded by one of my favorite camper meals.

vibrant colors
vibrant colors
Indian Chicken Curry for Dinner

Upon Further Reflection

This wasn’t the trip of a lifetime. This trip was but another treasured part of a lifetime with the one I love. It was a moment in time. Serendipity is knowing that those special moments are always there.

Those moments can be as simple as waking up in our RV and doing the morning chores surrounded by magnificent Autumn colors. Should you want more than that, you can have a brunch cooked outside. Perhaps you would start with sizzling, fried bacon. If you’ve planned ahead, you just might have a fresh loaf of homemade sourdough bread. – Could anything be better for brunch than French toast on sourdough bread with crispy bacon and hot coffee?

Brunch on an Autumn Day

After brunch, we set out to do just exactly what we had planned to – that would be not much of anything. Basking amidst the vibrant colors, it was so pleasant to simply take another walk, play a few hands of Rummy, and spend time relaxing in the shade of the RV awning. After all, this trip was just an opportunity for us to break from routine farmhouse chores and be together.

The afternoon silently slipped away, and the shadows began to lengthen. Soon, the setting sun intensified the hues and vibrance of the Autumn colors. We took it all in for one final moment and then closed the RV door. There would be no supper this evening. Brunch was more than enough for the day.

Mr. Monte requested Blondie and me to join him in watching Jacques Pépin. He did his best to persuade Blondie to have the soon-to-be-world famous Test Kitchen try more of Jacques’s recipes.

With all the fresh air and beautiful views this day, though, Mr. Monte soon joined us in closing our eyes. We all slipped off to the Land of Nod. – The day was beautiful, but even the most beautiful days must come to an end.

vibrant colors
Mr. Monte Watches Jacques Pépin

Vibrant Colors – A Final Reflection

Yes, it was a wonderful and relaxing RV trip in the Shenandoah Valley. But when your farmhouse is at nestled in the Blue Ridge, within sight of Skyline Drive, the vibrant colors of serendipity are present right there on your doorstep.

Whether you go to the Rappahannock County Court House to vote or walk to the mailbox or pray for the Poor Souls, the Autumn colors are there to remind you of how that firm Guiding Hand brought you here.

Vibrant Autumn Colors of Serendipity on our Doorstep

Upon final reflection, the vibrant colors of serendipity are one more answer to a prayer we should have prayed but didn’t. – We are thankful for trail markers and the firm Guiding Hand that brought us here.

vibrant colors
There’s more to see in the video of the Vibrant Colors. Check it out and subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Autumn cleanup made easy
Autumn, Farmhouse Living, Seasons, SFH Lessons Learned

Autumn Cleanup and Maintenance Made Easy

At Serendipity Farmhouse we have a plan to make Autumn cleanup and maintenance easy. It may not be the world’s best plan, but it works for us. Perhaps some of our tips for cleanup and maintenance will work for you too.

lawn tractor blues

Hi! Ol’ Fuzz Face here.

Despite what my 24-pound, Maine Coon cat tells you in his posts, I’m the one who does the real work around here. – More precisely, I do what Miss Blondie tells me to do – or else.

That said, Blondie and I both know, we would get nothing done if we didn’t have a plan. So, Let’s talk about our 2023 Autumn Cleanup Plan and how it works.

How we make our Autumn cleanup easy.

We’ve been living in our beloved Serendipity Farmhouse for almost 10 years. The seasons here follow a pattern unique to the Blue Ridge and rural life. We synchronize our tasks and chores to that pattern. With each passing year, we are more attuned to that pattern.

Lesson Learned: We let the pattern of life and experiences of preceding years be our guide. Because we do, our Autumn cleanup planning becomes easier every year.

Best Use of Time & Effort

Early Autumn is a tricky time of year. One day it’s in the 80’s and clear, the next day it’s in the 40’s and rainy. We’ve learned that our cleaning plan must be flexible. So, we break down our work by indoor and outdoor chores. On good days, we work on the three outbuildings, the yard, and the gardens. On rainy days, we work inside to put the house in order before the holidays arrive.

October 2023 was for outdoor work.

This October has been very dry. With just a few exceptions, we were able to complete almost all of our outdoor work before we headed out on our last RV trip of the year.

Miss Blondie and I tackled Vegetable Garden #1 first. We weeded the asparagus and cleared out the old plant debris from all the boxes. The we turned over the soil and added a layer of new soil and our own compost to each. Finally, we planted almost two box sections of garlic.

Autumn cleanup made easy

Outbuilding Autumn Cleanup

In our post How to Have a Firewood Party, you saw how the woodshed had to be cleaned and how the new firewood was stored in the shed. Well, thanks to the previous owner of SFH, we also have a large storage shed with three ground-level bays and an upper storage area. During the Summer, it gets exceptionally dirty. Additionally, all the hornets and wasps in these parts think our shed is the perfect place to set up housekeeping.

My sweet and industrious wife tells me that I must play the role of the nasty landlord and evict all the unwanted tenants. Once they’ve been removed, Miss Blondie insists that each bay must be cleaned to the same standards as a room at the Inn at Little Washington. – It comes down to a simple question: Stinging Insects or Unhappy Wife? As you can see, the shed is getting cleaner every day.

Autumn cleanup made easy

Outbuilding #3 – The Portal to Hades

I usually don’t admit my fears. But as you saw in Mr. Monte’s post My Security Staff Jackwagons, I have been very unhappy with Monte’s employee Rusty the Rat Snake. The well house has always been a place of dread for me. Rusty has only made it worse.

Well, I finally mustered the nerve to enter this place of dirt and filth, infested with vermin of every kind. In fact, I was actually somewhat proud of myself when I saw the progress I had made.

Before
Autumn cleanup made easy
After

Yes, I was really proud of myself for being so brave. I went into that Portal to Hades, and I had survived.

That is when reality hit me in the face, almost literally. – As I was making a victory lap around the well house with the leaf blower, I encountered this guy, just six inches from my nose.

Autumn cleanup made easy

Next year, maybe I can talk Son-in-law #1 into cleaning the well house. It’s worth a try.

Here’s what our Autumn Cleanup List looks like today.

Now you know how we go about our Autumn cleanup. Here’s the list of what we’ve done so far, and what we have yet to do.

Autumn cleanup made easy
SFH Autumn Cleanup List

Sperryville
Farmhouse Living, Main Dishes, Recipe

We Need Your Help

Dear Friends & Followers, we at Serendipity Farmhouse need your help.

Blondie, Mr. Monte, and I have been working hard to develop our blog SerendipityFarmhouse.com. Our goal is to provide folks like you with interesting and entertaining content. We focus on our simple, faith-centered, farmhouse life. The blog presents our take on cooking, gardening, RVing, and life with an overly intelligent, 24-pound Maine Coon Cat.

Your comments and suggestions to improve our format and content would be greatly appreciated.

We also need new subscribers. If you like our posts, share them with your friends.

Serendipity Farmhouse YouTube Channel

Recently, we started a Serendipity Farmhouse YouTube channel. We think the video format will add a useful dimension to the way we present the joys and foibles of farmhouse living. Learning videography techniques has been a challenge, but we’re getting better. Today, we’re premiering a video demonstrating Julia Child’s recipe The Way to Cook Chicken in White Wine.

Earlier this week, we posted the recipe on this blog here. Today, we published a video version for our YouTube audience.

Here’s the link to the video:

The Way to Cook Chicken in White Wine

way to cook chicken

Please check out the video and tell us what you think. Your input will help us work out the bugs and make our channel worth your while. If haven’t already done so, please subscribe to our channel.

By the way, we know we need to work on our audio recording technique. – Mr. Monte’s working on it now

Yes, we need your help. Your support means so much to us. Many thanks in advance and God bless! – Serendipity

A 30 Second Break, Farmhouse Living

Back in the Saddle Again!

Yahoo!! The lawn tractor vet returned my mighty yellow steed to Serendipity Farmhouse on Monday. They fixed her up and gave her a good cleaning. Upon seeing her back in the driveway, my Case of Lawn Tractor Blues😒 was instantly cured.

Early on Tuesday morning, I saddled her up and we mowed the north 40. After lunch, my old Cub Cadet and I took on the south 40. She was in fit form and more than up to the job. Yup, I’m back in the saddle again!

What it Means to be in the Saddle

Many, many years ago, I learned that some work can be enjoyable. Back then, I had the privilege to work with not just one, but several horses and ponies. I first took riding lessons and then graduated to being an instructor myself. When a hard day of work with student riders was over, I would take one of my favorite horses out riding bareback for an hour or two. In the 50s and 60s that was every boy’s dream. For me, it was a cherished reality.

As we were approaching Labor Day one year, Mr. Brown, the owner of the horses, asked me to represent his riding school in the Great Geauga County Fair. His sons were now too old for the fair, and he would be greatly pleased if I rode one of his horses in competition.

The Great Geauga County Fair is Ohio’s oldest continuous county fair and one of the oldest existing agricultural fairs in the nation. It was established in 1823, and it is held annually in Burton, Ohio every Labor Day weekend. I would ride my Favorite horse Buckeye in three different events, and I wore the #4 proudly on my back. – It just doesn’t get any better than that.

I took home some ribbons that day. And those ribbons were accompanied by memories that have lasted a lifetime.

From Horse to Lawn Tractor and Other Big Changes

Nearly sixty years have passed since that Labor Day, and I’ll probably not have another chance to ride a horse again. So, forgive me for my bit of fantasy about my mighty yellow steed. The hour or two that I spend mowing this vast 1.203-acre estate, allows me the time to think and dream, just as I did back in the days when I was riding old Buckeye.

There’s been one big change since the days when I was a lone rider. Back in the early 70s, I found a partner to ride with me. We’ve been riding together ever since.

lawn tractor
lawn tractor blues
Farmhouse Living, Pray, Prepare, Preserve

A Case of Lawn Tractor Blues😒

They say you should prepare for nasty seasonal diseases, but how can you prepare for the most frightening of them all – a case of lawn tractor blues? And this year it hit me hard. The weakness and pain persist. I’m only beginning to recover. – So, let me tell you how it struck; what I did to ease the pain; and the nearly miraculous cure.

Onset of the Lawn Tractor Blues

I felt the blues coming on at the worst possible time. The National Weather Service predicted a sustained heat wave. At the same time, Serendipity Farmhouse was in the midst of a severe drought. I was hot and tired, but the farmhouse chores had to be done.

lawn tractor blues

There’s a lot of rugged terrain on the vast 1.203-acre SFH estate. Even the best-made lawn tractors would only have a limited lifetime here. The rocks, holes, and ridges make it a rough ride for driver and tractor alike. On the 2nd of September, my Cub Cadet and I were both very weary.

This is what happened.

We were clearing leaves, mowing weeds, all the usual things. The north 40 was done, and we were just finishing off the south 40. That’s when it happened. The old Cub Cadet just stopped moving. – The motor was running. The blades were spinning. But we just stopped.

I checked everything I could. It seemed that the drive belt was still in place. With the little I had to go on, I had to conclude that the worst possible thing had happened. – It appeared that I had just witnessed the death of the tractor’s transmission. And along with that, I foresaw the death of large portion of emergency funds. (Fortunately, we plan ahead and have some emergency funds.)

Of course, it was a holiday weekend. Nothing could be done until Tuesday. When I finally talked to the repair tech, he said we’ll pick it up later this week.

On the scheduled day, I singlehandedly pushed my beloved tractor to the front drive. Later that day, they took it away.

Meanwhile, because it’s that time of year, I ordered two cords of firewood. – Like everything else, it cost more than last year.

lawn tractor blues

The Pain of Lawn Tractor Blues

Yep, my case of the lawn tractor blues was setting in hard. Then, when I talked to the repair service, it only got worse. Let’s just say the estimate for repair was somewhere around $1,800.00. – That’s when my dear wife Blondie and my erstwhile companion Mr. Monte caught the lawn tractor blues from me. – It was over 100 degrees outside, and inside we were all moaning from financial pain.

lawn tractor blues
Loading up the shed
Back for more wood

The firewood was coming soon. The tractor wouldn’t be fixed for many weeks to come. That meant that the Cub Cadet wouldn’t be available to haul wood to the shed. Every cartload would have to be pulled by hand. – I felt very sick, indeed!

A Nearly Miraculous Cure

Yesterday, I received a call from the tractor service repair technician. He had already told me that he was preparing to order the replacement transmission from Cleveland. So, I figured he had called to give me the final estimate. I had some tissue sitting next to me to wipe away the tears. – – – – I waited for his words with the same feeling of agony as someone awaiting the sound of the blade sliding down the guillotine.

“Sir, the problem with your lawn tractor isn’t quite what we originally thought. I had my technician bring it in so we could check it again. That’s when we found the oil residue around the front drive pulley. We also found a lot of oil on the drive belt.”

“Sir, it’s not often that I get to give this kind of good news to a customer. There’s nothing wrong with your transmission. The oil filter was loose and dripping oil on the belt. We tightened up the oil filter and replaced the drive belt. We can return your tractor next week – Of course there will be a service charge, but it will be nearly $1,500 dollars less than our original estimate. – Is that okay with you?”

Suddenly, all the symptoms of my case of lawn tractor blues disappeared. And when I told Blondie and Mr. Monte, they were instantly cured as well.

The Moral of this Story

Blondie and I prayed that things would work out for us. But we didn’t see how they could. And, as I’ve said all these many years, “Serendipity is the answer to a prayer you should have prayed but didn’t. – The moral of this story is: The cure for a case of lawn tractor blues is prayer and a little bit of Serendipity.

lawn tractor blues