Ted Emerson is one of my all-time favorite Big Men In Trucks (there is no small dogs). He is an excavator but is known to me as Ted The Brushhogger. Ted and his sons brush hog almost every pasture and overgrown field in the area.

This is essential to keep grass healthy and green for the next year (we also put fertilizer and lime down in the field). Ted loves his versatile blue tractor with a brush hog in the back.

He has a curious Bedlam Farm tradition. Every year, I warn him not to go into the marsh, and every year, Ted – ever thorough and conscientious – drives into the marsh.

Sometimes he gets stuck and his very big and competent sons come and pull him out.

It took me years to realize that getting stuck in a marsh with a tractor is great fun for Ted, it’s both relaxing and entertaining. I asked his sons why he does this, and one said: “because he can.”

Ted is the nicest man and a loving father. People like Ted are one of the reasons I love living here.

I never see Ted come, and I never see him leave. I have to go out and find him for our annual handshake and greeting.

He opens and closes the gate by himself and eventually, I get a bill in the mail, hand-written in a tiny piece of notepaper.

Ted is a big man himself with an impressive white beard. He comes, shakes my hand, lets himself in and out of the pasture, mindful of where the animals are and does a great job.

I’ll get a bill in the mail in two or three weeks, the bill will be lower than it should be, and I give him what I think he deserves, which is always more than he charges. Ted is blessed, he loves moving down weeds and brush in fields and pastures.

Ted’s arrival really marks the end of the warm weather, long days and bright colors. His is the last task before the winter and a key to a fruitful Spring. I’ve learned here to take good care of the pastures, and we will have happy and healthy animals.

Ted is a big part of that.