I've had my eye on this baby for about 30 years. Originally was on five acres purchased by one brother-in-law and was used to water cattle in a then large pasture. Another brother-in-law traded a motorcycle for it. Since my sister and this b-i-l are getting close to retiring and selling where they are now, they swapped me for it. Cost was to provide a camping site for them when they come and visit (which at a bit over 900-acres, they have lots of options) and for one of their sons and a son-in-law to come deer hunting (have farm leased out but not something which can't be overcome).

Windmill vanes were damaged in taking it down. After calling around I found a place in Memphis which will repair it for me.

Will basically be a yard ornament, but having a windmill is just something I've always wanted to have. Adds another country setting to already a rather nice country setting.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 16, 2002

Answers

Sounds good. Just don't go up on it in a storm lke that farmer in the Blue Bell Ice Cream commercial.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 16, 2002.

Good deal. 20 years ago, when I was in my 20's, my brother and I spent nearly every weekend staying out at our ranch. There was a windmill supplying the stock tank only 30 feet away from a window. Every time I hear "windmill music", I get nostalgic; it really brings a lot of good memories.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), January 16, 2002.

That's super fantastic....we're always looking for one too. Our neighbor has one, she had always wanted one, she's 82 now.

-- Suzanne (weir@frontiernet.net), January 16, 2002.

Great! My grown children got me one of those little yard ornament types, 8 footers, to get me by until I get a "real" one. My husband's older brother gave his wife an old Dexter like the one her family had when she was growing up. He asked whether we thought she would like a diamond or a windmill for their 30th anniversary! Think he had to pay $1000 for it, but it's neat. Looks out of place in their small front yard, but you can find their house easily! Lucky you! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

Congratulations Ken! I just went outside to stare at the one in the back yard used to water the livestock, and I can't see the attraction. HA! They are useful and after being around them all of the time, you kind of tune out the sound. Best wishes, hope you enjoy it!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.

I'd sure love to find one. My Dad's family farm had one I climbed when I was about nine years old to try to see my Dad and uncle out in the field while we were visiting there. Well, not only did I see them but they saw me, too, and came a running. That windmill had been out of use and just rusting since sometime before WWII. Of course, at nine it seemed just fine to climb.

Everyone was terrified I'd fall off or it would topple with me on it but didn't want to frighten me, of course. All they could do was talk me into coming on down as no one else could climb the rickety old thing to get me. I was having a great time up there thirty or forty feet (seemed like a hundred, then).

It's amazing any of us live to become adults, isn't it?

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

Congrats Ken! Windmills have been a frustration here. We've tried to buy them as we see them, (abandoned and in disrepair) but the owners always have grand plans for them. I don't think I've seen one fixed yet and I've seen a couple toppled over. I like the price you paid, maybe that was my problem I just offered money!

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), January 16, 2002.

Hey, congrats Ken! There's a whole lot of those where I come from so naturally I have a lot of miniatures in my home...wooden shoes, too, chuckle, chuckle Ann

-- Dutchy (avdb11@canada.com), January 16, 2002.

Windmills are still manufactured today. Leading company is Aeromotor Windmill Co, P.O. Box 5110, San Angelo, TX 76902 - 800-854-1656 - www.aeromotorwindmill.com (website) or inf@aeromotorwindmill.com (e- mail - may be info@).

Places which do repairs:

Dakota Windmill & Supply Co., 28043 SD Hwy 19, Hurley, SD 57036 - 605- 238-5110.

O'Brock Windmills, 9435 12th Street, North Benton, OH 44449 - 330-584- 4681.

Paul's Windmill Service, 214 County Road 2600 E, Boradlands, IL 61816 - 217-834-3026.

Ralph Wiebusch, Rt 1, Box 214, Zumbro Falls, MN 55991 - 507-753-2415.

Also, Aeromotor can refer you to the nearest dealer who may or may not do repairs. That's how I located the place in Memphis to repair mine providing I brought it in to them.

A source of parts for many older models is Big Country Windmills, Rt. l, Box 43, Maxwell, NB 69151 - 308-582-4451. They also have reconditioned windmills starting at $600.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 17, 2002.