Many couples find a way to enjoy one another’s hobbies, or at
least they find the grace to be supportive, but Dan and Linda
Hamling of Albion, Neb., figured out a unique way to stitch their
leisure-time passions into a remarkably innovative demonstration.
Dan, on one extreme, enjoys restoring and showing old tractors,
while Linda, an avid quilter, enjoys a different patchwork of
is.
“I was getting a little tired of not being able to do much at
the tractor shows we were attending,” Linda shouts as she signals
Dan to kill the engine of the couple’s 1944 International Harvester
I-4 tractor, running at its governed speed of 1650 rpm. With the
tractor quieted, Linda explains that their solution was to belt the
tractor to a generator, which would in turn supply the electricity
to run her sewing machine. The result keeps peace in the family,
and provides food for thought to show goers.
“I thought it was a good idea,” Dan says with a smile. “This way
she can do what she wants and I can do what I want at the same
show.” Neither thought their formula for marital bliss would end up
making such a popular exhibit though. “We have quite a few people
stop to ask questions,” Linda says. “I don’t always get much sewing
done, but we get lots of nice comments.” Both agree they have more
fun together at the shows than ever before. Dan won’t go so far as
to admit to actually running the sewing machine; however, Linda
does enjoy driving the tractor in parades now. Either way, the
Hamlings provide a fine example of how past and present can be
belted up with a remarkably fruitful outcome.
