A poem about Owen

Shortly after returning from our visit to Binghamton, mom sent this poem that a friend wrote after meeting and talking with Owen for a short while. It creatively captures his love of tractors and the outdoors. Owen's great grandpa Townsend would be proud. Thank you Linda..

Tractor Trials

My name is Owen Horvath
I was born to work the land
I drive my grandpa’s tractor
I am called a self-made man

Beneath the blue and sparkling skies
Or angry skies of gray
I set out on my tractor
Through the fields of golden hay

I lower the big cutter
Mowing down the grass or hay
My lines are straight and even
For it is the Horvath way

When the skies have turned to winter
And the driveway’s full of snow
I attach my trusty snow blade
Clear a path that’s good to go

I can tow things with the tractor
Make a pathway for the sled
So many different jobs to do
Before I go to bed

There is only one small problem
Though I’m three and have no fear
It is hard to do the harvest
When I’m stuck in the first gear

Rhymes from Crocker Hill
Linda Homa

Lancaster Barnstormers

This past weekend we went to a Lancaster Barnstormer game with some friends... Thank you Amy & Shannon for organizing!

Here's Owen with cousin Marissa listening to some live entertainment outside the main gate while we waited for everyone to get there.

Owen was probably most excited to eat a hot dog....

After a few innings, his attention span was running thin, but thankfully they have a large playground up behind 3rd base where I spent with Owen for most of the remainder of the evening.

Carrie and Aidan shared some cotton candy with Owen. This was his first time and he loved it. He was very proud of his blue lips and tongue.

This was the first Barnstormer game I had been to and the venue is definitely a win for the local baseball fans in my opinion. Parking is free, the concessions are reasonable, and the stadium is clean.

New Car

With a new little person on the way, I decided it was time to start looking for a little bit larger car to replace the Jetta. My primary vehicle size criterea was a back seat that would be large enough to put a rear facing carseat behind the driver, and not be eating the steering wheel. I preferred a manual shift sport sedan and wanted to get something a little bit different than the ever present Camry or Accord. The two vehicle models I narrowed the long list down to were the Infiniti G35 and the Acura TL. Then I found a certified used 07 Acura TL Type S at a local Piazza Acura dealer. After driving this car, I found it to be a very nice compromise between luxury and sport sedan.... and I was hooked.

The new TL body style was introduced in 2004, and it has been the best selling Acura ever. This Type S sport model was first introduced in this generation of the TL in 2007. The interior space is very nice, and the rear passenger room is just about best in class. This trim level had no options, so the car is very well equipped with some facinating electronics and driving aids.


There are several major features that set this car apart from the base model TL. First, the 3.5 lit. engine making 286hp on full tilt, running through a 6spd manual shift and a limited slip front end. For the car folks, I'm amazed at just how well the front diff cuts out torque steer known to plague front driver cars. The suspension is also re-tuned for improved handling using larger sway bars and stiffer dampers. The front brakes discs are almost an inch larger than stock and use 4 piston brembo calipers. The quad exhaust tips are only available on this model, as are the gray rims.

So far, I've put about 700 miles on the car and I love it. With the manual transmission, highway mileage is a claimed 29mpg. I'm very happy to report that with mixed highway/city driving and more than a few grin enducing launches, I averaged 25mpg on my first and second tank. In comparison, the turbo Jetta averaged 28mpg overall, so for the extra size and power of this car, I'm very pleased with the economy.

Every time I move the car in the driveway, Owen wants to ride in the "seat next to you daddy!".

Weekend at Grandma & Grandpa's

We visited Grandma & Grandpa Horvath's over the weekend of June 21st. The big event was Dad's 60th birthday party! We enjoyed spending time with the rest of the family, and Owen loved playing with all of his cousins.


Here's Owen at Grandma's piano.

Aunt Sarah and Cousin Riley

Grandma made up a game for the grandkids one morning to kill some time. They had to hold the clothes line and run as far as they could before they couldn't hold on anymore! There was a lot of laughing and demanding for "my turn!" Here's Owen... tongue out, so he's concentrating. :)

Seth and Mary recently welcomed a little Westie pup into their family. Allison was very happy to share a chair with "the boys". Bailey did very well dealing with Marley and we're excited to watch them play as they get older.

Dad's cake... As you can see, Owen's love of tractors is a family thing....

The weather was great for most of the afternoon and we had a great turnout. It was very nice to visit and talk with friends we haven't seen in years.

Great Grandpa Horvath enjoying the festivities.

Owen's Aunt Jessica, Aunt Carol, Grandma Ruth, and Aunt Sarah.

Family picture time!