Two weeks ago I was helping Kris load a horse for a local horse show. The process wasn't going very good at all. Then in one fatefull blast of horse energy the mare raised her upperbody and lunged forward, slaming herself into the side of the horse trailer... I was behind her, but recognized the sound her body and horse trailer made at the collision. I jumped to the front of her looking for blood as Kris gained control of her, saying "now you idiot." I then took of my sweatshirt as I was heading back to the barn and began getting the wash rack ready, Kris followed with the horse. Yup, she opend herself up with a 8 inch gash running at a 45 degree angle across her left shoulder.
So, as most normal people where enjoying there Sat morning coffee, we where waiting on the vet. When Dr Ray showed up a half hour later. He looked at the mare and said. "the good news is everything heals." Dr Ray did a wonderfull job of stitching her up and the mare is doing very well. Then less than a week later I had to remind myself of those insightfull words Dr Ray said.
The following Friday morning I was heading back from a meeting from a potential employer when the ph rang. It was Kris, she was in a jam. At that point I was tired with a lot on my mind and was out of gas. I just couldn't "jump" for Kris like I have done so many times before. But instead of filling her in, I just snapped back and pissed Kris off. I new I had instanly and went back to the barn, realizing I had just runied the whole weekend. The good news was my family and extended family was on Drummond Island camping at that very moment. So, I begged one last time for help for the weekend chores, called Mom and told her I was coming, changed the oil fillter on the pickup, sent a text to Kris that I was leaving for the weekend. Then asked Devin to walk me to my pickup. I told her I needed to get away and that I needed to clear my head.
Yea, without going into the details that was about as bad of a break down between Kris and I that we have ever had. Things are changing at Pine Manor and anger is a secondary emotion. And everything heals.
Drummond Island???? A blast. ATV trail riding, laughing with the family, a stop in Mackanaw City on my way home. A realization that I can't do seven days a week without a day off here and there. And o, yea, even though I drive for a living, getting on that highway with a mp3 full of country music, seeing the highway through the windsheild of a pickup truck and the hum of the black top as the wind wisles through the driversided window and rear slider window, well..... hell that's always a good time.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Horses/200plus miles and a 7 year old
O.k. this is how my mind works. Hey that would be a great idea, no wait a minuite should I do that, k, we are not doing that, o.k. lets do that, yea, this is going to be fun.
That was how my trip to the reginol horse show in Indianoplis with my seven year old nephew went a few weeks ago. I wanted to see what a big time horse show was about and thought the road trip would be fun for J.J. my nephew. Totally not realizing until the last minuite that it was a four hour ride in a pickup to get there and seeing how we couldn't get out of town until noon it was going to be a long day.
What happend? We got to town at rush hour and with the help of the GPS drove straight threw town and made it there by four. The people at the show where so helpfull, they must have realized that I was kinda out of my norm with the seven year old. J.J. seem to have a pretty good time. He was asked what he wanted to eat around seven oclock and uncle Kody didn't realize it was his dinner and bought him ice cream. JJ just wanted to see horses and we saw alot of them. I was able to sit back and see how into he was and the kid couldn't get enough and even told me he wanted to ride a horse in a horse show someday. I was also able to see some pretty good horses and help cement some roads I want to continue down.
What was next? We got home around 2:00 a.m. and by the next week we where doing hay. Hay time is tough and Tuesday Kris and I got our singles crossed and I jumped all over her about her lack of comunication. Then Wed we where back at it throwing hay at Kris's barn. This is a copy of the text I sent Kris around 9:30 that night.
O.k. I just finished up taking the spreader out and re watering the barn, my eyes are burning a little and the left side of my upper body ached when I was on the tractor tonight. But last Friday my 7 year old nephew sat in a old pickup for four hours straight, just because he wanted to see horses. And I think about the gears I shifted through today, just to get the job done. And it all makes sense I may be a S.O.B... hard on myself and those around me. But I remember the thoughts I had at seven years old. Well after days like today. I realize how good things really are.
That was how my trip to the reginol horse show in Indianoplis with my seven year old nephew went a few weeks ago. I wanted to see what a big time horse show was about and thought the road trip would be fun for J.J. my nephew. Totally not realizing until the last minuite that it was a four hour ride in a pickup to get there and seeing how we couldn't get out of town until noon it was going to be a long day.
What happend? We got to town at rush hour and with the help of the GPS drove straight threw town and made it there by four. The people at the show where so helpfull, they must have realized that I was kinda out of my norm with the seven year old. J.J. seem to have a pretty good time. He was asked what he wanted to eat around seven oclock and uncle Kody didn't realize it was his dinner and bought him ice cream. JJ just wanted to see horses and we saw alot of them. I was able to sit back and see how into he was and the kid couldn't get enough and even told me he wanted to ride a horse in a horse show someday. I was also able to see some pretty good horses and help cement some roads I want to continue down.
What was next? We got home around 2:00 a.m. and by the next week we where doing hay. Hay time is tough and Tuesday Kris and I got our singles crossed and I jumped all over her about her lack of comunication. Then Wed we where back at it throwing hay at Kris's barn. This is a copy of the text I sent Kris around 9:30 that night.
O.k. I just finished up taking the spreader out and re watering the barn, my eyes are burning a little and the left side of my upper body ached when I was on the tractor tonight. But last Friday my 7 year old nephew sat in a old pickup for four hours straight, just because he wanted to see horses. And I think about the gears I shifted through today, just to get the job done. And it all makes sense I may be a S.O.B... hard on myself and those around me. But I remember the thoughts I had at seven years old. Well after days like today. I realize how good things really are.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Old horses and bums on the corner
Writers are tormented by the hidden thought that people really care about what they think and when the world is foggy and blurry they try to write out of it. Trying to make sense of it by finding the chalk lines of good and evil. There sarcasim will make you wounder if they have a heart and there honesty will keep you up at night. All because they have the ability to converse.
About a year and a half ago we put down a clients horse. The mares name was Lady a 21 year old Morgan. She was lame with cronic back and hip problems unable to stand steady and her owner was worried she might slip on the snow/ice and hurt herself or someone else during the winter.I remember the day like it was yesturday. The thing that hit me the hardest was that by then I had been around a few horses being born and remember how we all antisipated the fouls arival. And then on that winter morning Lady was coming to the end. I kept thinking that 20 plus years ago someone couldn't wait to see this new foul and all the joy and that would come with it and now that little foul was a worn out mare and coming to the end of her life.
A few weeks ago while I was doing laundry early one morning at the laundry mat I ran into a couple homeless guys sleeping at the laundry mat. I didn't call the police, just conversed politey and thought about someone I know who was very close to being homeless at the time. I got the text Saturday while on a fishing trip that someone that I have known all my life was now homeles. A bum on the corner living in a tent. Heres the deal. I know this person well. I know this person's kids, grandchild, brother, ex wife. And new this person's parents and have seen pictures of this person as a young child. I know for a fact that this person was not allways a old man with nothing and that at one point his future was very bright.
From this point as I travel through the dust we call life. I will never disregard a old horse, knowing that at one point it was a young vibrant foul that was loved so much who's future was very bright and as far as that homeless man on the corner we all pass by. Remember that one day that person came into this world. Loved and adord and that probably a women and a man held that child and wished/prayed for a bright future. Also remember that person you probaly past by in disgust is probably someones father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.
About a year and a half ago we put down a clients horse. The mares name was Lady a 21 year old Morgan. She was lame with cronic back and hip problems unable to stand steady and her owner was worried she might slip on the snow/ice and hurt herself or someone else during the winter.I remember the day like it was yesturday. The thing that hit me the hardest was that by then I had been around a few horses being born and remember how we all antisipated the fouls arival. And then on that winter morning Lady was coming to the end. I kept thinking that 20 plus years ago someone couldn't wait to see this new foul and all the joy and that would come with it and now that little foul was a worn out mare and coming to the end of her life.
A few weeks ago while I was doing laundry early one morning at the laundry mat I ran into a couple homeless guys sleeping at the laundry mat. I didn't call the police, just conversed politey and thought about someone I know who was very close to being homeless at the time. I got the text Saturday while on a fishing trip that someone that I have known all my life was now homeles. A bum on the corner living in a tent. Heres the deal. I know this person well. I know this person's kids, grandchild, brother, ex wife. And new this person's parents and have seen pictures of this person as a young child. I know for a fact that this person was not allways a old man with nothing and that at one point his future was very bright.
From this point as I travel through the dust we call life. I will never disregard a old horse, knowing that at one point it was a young vibrant foul that was loved so much who's future was very bright and as far as that homeless man on the corner we all pass by. Remember that one day that person came into this world. Loved and adord and that probably a women and a man held that child and wished/prayed for a bright future. Also remember that person you probaly past by in disgust is probably someones father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
finishing class, lame horse, horse show and a test
My title for this post is long but sums up what the last week was like. And the week's events actually started months ago. When about the same time I started putting things in motion to get licensed to drive a commercial truck. (cdl) and Devin and I started making sure the show horses got in shape ready for the show season.
Monday was good, it was the last week of training for me at Rivertown CDL Aacademy and I was excited and nervous about taking the state skills test. By Wed Keyaana was lame, thus potentially ruining a chance Devin would have to ride her at a show. This was killer news as I received it while coming home from a defensive driving class in Marshal MI. Everything that we had done last winter had May 14 in mind and then not to be able to show the mare was devastating after all that hard, but that is the name of the game.
As the girls where getting ready for the show with or without Keyaana. I was starting to feel the pressure of taking my skills test. By Friday afternoon the horses including Keyaana where in the trailer and heading to Hudsonville for the night and I was making plans to take my cdl test on Saturday.
Then Saturmorning as the girls where prepping one last time for the show I was heading to G.R. to take my test. I ended up passing my test, then I grabbed Burger King and made it to the show just in time to see Devin and Leydia walk in Th's show ring for there class. I couldn't have planed it any better.
The girls did a good and everyone placed and I was making thoughts about my future.
Now it's off to get a job.
Monday was good, it was the last week of training for me at Rivertown CDL Aacademy and I was excited and nervous about taking the state skills test. By Wed Keyaana was lame, thus potentially ruining a chance Devin would have to ride her at a show. This was killer news as I received it while coming home from a defensive driving class in Marshal MI. Everything that we had done last winter had May 14 in mind and then not to be able to show the mare was devastating after all that hard, but that is the name of the game.
As the girls where getting ready for the show with or without Keyaana. I was starting to feel the pressure of taking my skills test. By Friday afternoon the horses including Keyaana where in the trailer and heading to Hudsonville for the night and I was making plans to take my cdl test on Saturday.
Then Saturmorning as the girls where prepping one last time for the show I was heading to G.R. to take my test. I ended up passing my test, then I grabbed Burger King and made it to the show just in time to see Devin and Leydia walk in Th's show ring for there class. I couldn't have planed it any better.
The girls did a good and everyone placed and I was making thoughts about my future.
Now it's off to get a job.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Goin Truckin (Part 2 1st week of school complete)
The first of the three weeks of truck driving school are complete. We drove without a trailer all week and next week we are putting on the trailers. Which I am very excited for, I can't wait to start making those 500 plus horse power motors work a little. Am I a pro at shifting something with 13 speeds?? No. But I noticed the other day I started talking while down shifting and it was a sign I was getting comfortable.
I was on the go all week this week. Up at 5:00 a.m. to be in the barn by 5:30 to able to leave the farm at 7:00 to make it to Grand Rapids by 8:00. I still ran shavings two nights this week and keeping up a little with things at Pine Manor. I am riding with Dad and it has been fun to catch up on things during our commute to and back from Grand Rapids.
Right now I have the confidence I can learn and do this and look forward to seeing the rest of the country a top of a 80,000 pound 500 plus horse power chariot.
This weekend will be business as normal. Had dinner tonight with the barn crew, then went back to the Lamb's for a movie. Tomorrow we are moving 200 bales of hay from Lamb barn over to Pine Manor. One of the guys in my class said to me the other day. Sounds like you are burning the candle at both ends. My reply was "I have been doing it for years." But actually I feel pretty good. I am learning something new that I enjoy learning about and look forward to the "next step"
I was on the go all week this week. Up at 5:00 a.m. to be in the barn by 5:30 to able to leave the farm at 7:00 to make it to Grand Rapids by 8:00. I still ran shavings two nights this week and keeping up a little with things at Pine Manor. I am riding with Dad and it has been fun to catch up on things during our commute to and back from Grand Rapids.
Right now I have the confidence I can learn and do this and look forward to seeing the rest of the country a top of a 80,000 pound 500 plus horse power chariot.
This weekend will be business as normal. Had dinner tonight with the barn crew, then went back to the Lamb's for a movie. Tomorrow we are moving 200 bales of hay from Lamb barn over to Pine Manor. One of the guys in my class said to me the other day. Sounds like you are burning the candle at both ends. My reply was "I have been doing it for years." But actually I feel pretty good. I am learning something new that I enjoy learning about and look forward to the "next step"
Monday, April 25, 2011
Goin Trucking (Gear jamin; part 1)
Today was the first day of class, to my surprise I wasn't all that nervous. I guess being in class and learning how to drive something with 10 plus gears is not as stressful as being in charge of a barn and trying to keep several people going and keeping track of the happenings of the Critter Barn.
There are three other guys in class. Tim a middle aged gentlemen who did factory and construction work and wants to hit the road, probably to North Dakota first. Doug another middle aged gentleman who is a tall and a little on the heavy side. He is a former welder and team leader at a local factory. He has been out of work so long he could no longer collect unemployment. Doug is very motivated and really raises the bar for the rest of us. He has job with Warner Transportation lined up. Then there is Mon, he is probably in his twenties and is from a small country near China. I am sure he will tell more of his story once he gets more comfortable with us Yankees.
Firsts of all I am glad I decided to go to school instead of learning how to drive a tractor trailer on my own. The manual transmissions in these trucks are nothing like the manually transmissions in our passenger cars and pickup trucks. The RPMs and MPH have to be just right otherwise you won't be able to get into gear. Unlike our passenger cars and pickup trucks. Where you basically push the clutch in and put it into gear and let out the clutch. Also when you start out in a car; you push the gas and let off the clutch at the same time. In a big rig you don't use the gas at all. You let out the clutch; until you feel it start to grab, then ease off the clutch as the rig starts to roll forward.
We probably spent half of the day driving today. First around the parking lot, then around the industrial park then out on the public road. It was jerky with us rookies learning how to shift and from what our instructor Dave said was not having a trailer behind you the truck is very jumpy and shifts better with weight behind it.
The classroom work was a introduction to the truck and it's workings. Which I understood pretty good, probably because I have been around this type of stuff for a while now.
All and all I feel good about my first day of class.
There are three other guys in class. Tim a middle aged gentlemen who did factory and construction work and wants to hit the road, probably to North Dakota first. Doug another middle aged gentleman who is a tall and a little on the heavy side. He is a former welder and team leader at a local factory. He has been out of work so long he could no longer collect unemployment. Doug is very motivated and really raises the bar for the rest of us. He has job with Warner Transportation lined up. Then there is Mon, he is probably in his twenties and is from a small country near China. I am sure he will tell more of his story once he gets more comfortable with us Yankees.
Firsts of all I am glad I decided to go to school instead of learning how to drive a tractor trailer on my own. The manual transmissions in these trucks are nothing like the manually transmissions in our passenger cars and pickup trucks. The RPMs and MPH have to be just right otherwise you won't be able to get into gear. Unlike our passenger cars and pickup trucks. Where you basically push the clutch in and put it into gear and let out the clutch. Also when you start out in a car; you push the gas and let off the clutch at the same time. In a big rig you don't use the gas at all. You let out the clutch; until you feel it start to grab, then ease off the clutch as the rig starts to roll forward.
We probably spent half of the day driving today. First around the parking lot, then around the industrial park then out on the public road. It was jerky with us rookies learning how to shift and from what our instructor Dave said was not having a trailer behind you the truck is very jumpy and shifts better with weight behind it.
The classroom work was a introduction to the truck and it's workings. Which I understood pretty good, probably because I have been around this type of stuff for a while now.
All and all I feel good about my first day of class.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Back in August I started "Out Here" and in the first few post I think I mentioned about hanging on because it was going to be one hell of a ride. The truth is "Out Here" wasn't started to be a blog strictly about horses or farming. No it was started for the future as a place for you all to tag along for the ride and for me to have some fun along the way.
So here I go. My last day as a Critter Barn employee was Friday and my first day as a student, enrolled into a truck driving school, starts Monday. I want to thank everyone at the Critter Barn for all the good times and hard work and am hoping to be back around Christmas to help out with "live nativity".
Never before have I felt like I am standing in the cross hairs of life. It is go time and I feel it. At this moment I don't know what state I will be living in next month. It is a uneasy feeling. Not wanting to leave what is called home. But yet feeling that there is more out there for me. Feeling that for the last nine years I have helped Pine Manor chase there dreams and wander if it is time to chase my own dreams. It may sound weird but I feel like I have to give up what I know and love in order to have my own sunsets.
All I know is I want a live stock farm of my own someday. I also want to breed/raise horses and chase a national championship. This dream has been festering the last couple of years and by late last summer I knew what I would need to do to make it happen. The only way I can do that is to have my feet moving 24/7.
I have wanted to be out on the road forever. All those years of helping Terry and Kris with There trucks and trailers, then watching as those diesels tugged those trailers off. Delivering shavings helped scratch that itch for a while. I learned a lot and met some great folks along the way. But now it isn't enough.
Hang on this is going to be fun!!!
Kody
A special thanks to those who listened as I battled with this the last couple of weeks.
Devin
Monica
Susan
Bev
Denise
Roger
Mark
Marry
Wally
Dale/Ray
Betsy
And a huge thanks to my parents.
You have stood by me through so much, thank you.
So here I go. My last day as a Critter Barn employee was Friday and my first day as a student, enrolled into a truck driving school, starts Monday. I want to thank everyone at the Critter Barn for all the good times and hard work and am hoping to be back around Christmas to help out with "live nativity".
Never before have I felt like I am standing in the cross hairs of life. It is go time and I feel it. At this moment I don't know what state I will be living in next month. It is a uneasy feeling. Not wanting to leave what is called home. But yet feeling that there is more out there for me. Feeling that for the last nine years I have helped Pine Manor chase there dreams and wander if it is time to chase my own dreams. It may sound weird but I feel like I have to give up what I know and love in order to have my own sunsets.
All I know is I want a live stock farm of my own someday. I also want to breed/raise horses and chase a national championship. This dream has been festering the last couple of years and by late last summer I knew what I would need to do to make it happen. The only way I can do that is to have my feet moving 24/7.
I have wanted to be out on the road forever. All those years of helping Terry and Kris with There trucks and trailers, then watching as those diesels tugged those trailers off. Delivering shavings helped scratch that itch for a while. I learned a lot and met some great folks along the way. But now it isn't enough.
Hang on this is going to be fun!!!
Kody
A special thanks to those who listened as I battled with this the last couple of weeks.
Devin
Monica
Susan
Bev
Denise
Roger
Mark
Marry
Wally
Dale/Ray
Betsy
And a huge thanks to my parents.
You have stood by me through so much, thank you.
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