Otto's Tractor

Today we went to an ice cream social at Benson's Farm in Missoula. A local landmark, it was the beginning of the Orchard Homes area of Missoula and my friend Nancy's father, Otto, was a huge part of it with their dairy farm, orchards and nurseries. Otto passed in March and wanted no services; so the family decided to do him honors the same time they had their annual ice cream social...which was today at 104 degreesF...more weather records broken. The ice cream was going fast and melting just as fast, so we had to smother it with fresh berries from the farm...blue, rasp and straw.
Oh yes, this is his lawn mower which he was on every day mowing 250 acres of grass in the orchards and gardens. He worked every day, had a kind word for everyone and lived to be 96...still mowing the grass. About 200 people showed up to tell Otto stories and we did celebrate a life well-lived. Music and laughter rang through the orchards and no one minded the heat.