This little guy seems oblivious to the activity around him as he lazes on a blanket with his International toy tractor. I waited patiently for just the right moment to capture his "not-a-care-in-the world" demeanor.
IF YOU PLOPPED me down on a bench in the middle of some crowd-drawing event, I could sit contentedly for quite some time just watching the people.
Sometimes they can be as entertaining as the entertainment.
That’s not to say I don’t appreciate whatever activity has drawn me to a location, like the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines, Inc. show in Rice County this past weekend. The rows and rows of tractors and steam and gas engines and other activities kept me plenty interested.
But so did the people.
From the arthritic old man I watched shuffle between tractor rows to the “look-at-me, I’m a John Deere guy” guy to the cute little kids, this show presented plenty of people-pleasing moments for me to photograph.
I like best of all to snap images unobserved and then, afterward, to ponder the emotions I’ve photographed.
Here are some of my favorite people shots from several hours of wandering at the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines show on Saturday.
The expression on this baby's face is precious. And so is the loving way the father holds his child as they await their turn in the tractor parade.
I like the determined look on this retired farmer's face as he passes a gigantic Rumely steam engine.
One can only imagine the thoughts fleeting through this boy's mind as he sits behind the wheel of this Co-op (I think) tractor. He seems genuinely focused to me.
And then there was this guy dressed in flamboyant John Deere clothing. I turned, saw him and quickly snapped one unforgettable image before he was gone.
© Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I am the “flamboyant John Deere clothing” guy. Found out about your picture from my niece, who put it on her Facebook page.
My daughter made these pants. She originally wore them when she hosted a bridal shower for her sister, and the theme was “John Deere”, and there were prizes for the best outfit, etc. When the bridal shower was over, she knew she would have no further use for the pants, and gave them to me (much to my wife’s dismay! – LOL).
Yes, my whole family could be described as John Deere “fanatics”. When my youngest daughter got married last July, their “limo” from the church to the reception was a decorated (and cleaned up!) manure spreader driven by my brother in my antique 1936 B John Deere tractor. The rest of the wedding party was on a haywagon driven by an antique early-50s D John Deere owned and driven by my nephew.
Anyway, THANKS for the free press! I am sure everyone will find it….amusing!
Whew, Jim. I’m quite relieved that you found my post about your flamboyant John Deere clothing amusing. But then I figure anyone who will parade around in public in such attire must have a sense of humor. I’m most happy to have given you the free PR. Who knows, maybe this could lead to a career in modeling…for John Deere.
Just for the record, I grew up on a dairy farm and my dad owned a John Deere with that distinct putt, putt, putt.
A John Deere bridal shower? Now that’s a new one for me. I bet that’s one memorable shower still being discussed by family and friends.
I would love to see a photo of the bride and groom in that manure spreader. I would even post it here and give your family some more free press.
Anyway, thanks for reading Minnesota Prairie Roots. You never know what will show up in this blog.