Thursday, May 20, 2004
My Jessica Taylor as a older pup
This is my Apollo
Walking down memory lane.
As a kid I grew up in a bigger city here in Oregon. Back when I grew up it was not as big as it is now. I would walk for miles to get out of town where the animal pound was, this is what we called it back then. We also had horses and cattle around the house. Most of my friends had some kind of livestock, however coming from a railroad father and a farm grown mother, neither one of them wanted anything to do with rural life. I did, I loved going to grandma and grampa's place in Pennsylvania where they had a farm. My parents always promised me a horse, which never happened through them. I took on jobs and worked my tail off for others who did want horses around. I learned a lot working for others.
One job I had I will never forget. I moved to a little cattle town. My older sister had gotten married and moved to her husbands town. I was working three different jobs, one was for my brother in laws auto store. I worked at a Elks Lodge and cleaning houses for people. I had taken on my sisters neighbors house. The older people were very nice. I was cleaning and of course being a newbie in the town a lot of the people liked to talk to me about where I was from and my traveling. I noticed a Ariel shot of a rural house. I asked about the picture. The older man told me about how they have a 1100 acre ranch, which him and his wife moved into town. I said something about how I would love to work for a little while at such a place, this old man said you are hired.
I got the directions to the place, it took me some time to find it for the address was rural route ect.. However when I got there I liked it already.
The fist job they gave me was moving the firewood into the woodshed. This I finished by lunch time. The daughter in law came out to give me my lunch and told me to slow down, however once a person is in a pace you do not want to ruin it.
The old man's son was my imitate boss. He told me what he thought of a female working his place as soon as I saw him. He said I wont live out there in the bunkhouse, but will have to drive to town everyday, he will supply me with gas. I thought o.k. dint think anything different, however I would never say this to this man.
I was young then, not afraid of new things, and new then as now that I can live anywhere for I am a worker. However that son he bothered me, something about him.
The son was impressed with how fast I got the wood in. He gave me a four wheeler to get around the ranch on. I did what he told me to do. I was also given a flat bed truck to drive.
The next job was to follow him to get farm machinery. He asked me if I ever drove with a trailer on, of course I had. When we finely got to where we were going thirty minutes or so later through canyons, sharp corners with drops that would kill anyone if they made the wrong turn, I was told I was going to drive a swather on a trailer to another piece of land. I was nervous for this is not like the western part of the state of Oregon, but the Eastern side of Oregon, curves and such not straight roads.
We started out slow, I was following him with this farm machinery on this trailer. I went as wide as I could on such roads. We got to where we were going, he asked me where did I learn to drive. I told him I am a quick learner and try hard to pay attention when given instructions, I drove hay trucks over the mountains.
We were at the highest point in Oregon, on this side I could see this mountain, on the other side I could see another mountain. I remember the wheat and barley would flow in the breeze as a horses main in the wind. It seamed as if you could reach out and feel it, it would feel soft, the feeling would be as the first time touching a hireling colt. It was so hypnotic, beautiful.
Soon after I was given some chemical and told to go kill every plant of stinging nettle and this plant that looked like bells, I see it in peoples gardens when traveling through cities. These two will kill cattle. I always had my two Australian shepherds with me, one the mother and one a very young pup. I would also take the boss's family dog.
I would head out, gone all day, me and the dogs. I asked the wife when I first started there where are the cattle? She informed me that there cattle operation was ran in the winter, in the summer they were left out on open range. However as I was out on my weed search I would see the cattle hiding from me in brush. Knowing they were wild I kept my guard up. I would pass bones of a long dead and eating heffer here and there. I would notice the buzzards in the ski and go investigate, part of my job was to tell my boss the fresh kills I would find, as well as killing every rattle snake I came across.
As I was out working one day I looked up where the hill turned into horizon, then I noticed part the horizon was black. As I kept looking I noticed cowboys. It was a herd being moved to other pasture. It was so quiet you could hear the cowboys yelling at the herd. The herd rebelling with noise of there own. As I watched this the black kept getting smaller, soon nothing more could be seen. I went on with my work.
I remember I stopped to go up a hill where some of the nasty weeds were to be sprayed. The dogs would go off running and playing in the long grass. I turned once and noticed my puppy was not with her mother and the boss's dog. I looked down where the truck was in the distance, it looked so small. I called out to my puppy, her name was Jessica Taylor. I yelled for her again, then I heard a low howl. I called again and the howl got louder, we spoke back and forth till I saw my little blue puppy, her stub of a tail moving back and forth like it would propel her into the air. She was so happy to see us, what had happened is my puppy fell asleep in the shade of the truck. I was busy and did not notice.
I also remember how hot it was out there in the summer sun. Over the mountain where I am from it does not get past a hundred degrees much, however over here where this job was at and where we live now it is very common. Here and there on hat ranch were watering holes made for the cattle and any wild critter to stop and drink. I did not think much of stripping down to nothing and jumping in. There me and the dogs cooled ourselves off in the cool water.
One day as I was doing this I heard what I new was a airplane. My brother in law had several of these to get out of the small town to business meetings in other places. Ill be danged if it was someone from town, they dint go away either! They kept circling the watering hole. I new who it was flying it not my brother in law but his friend and he just grinned at me and waved. I motioned him to get the hell out of there, I could see him laughing. I never lived that one down after my sister got wind of that.
I remembered that day for some time as well, I got so burned. I could not move. The blisters were so painfully. I had no one to help me put on the medicine for them, so I did the best I could the night and a couple weeks after that, as well as mornings before work. I don't go to doctors, if that is I can stay away from them, dentists for that matter as well. One can buy most any kind of doctoring you buy at those places for penny's on the dollar from feed stores. This stuff I got for this sun burn was no different. I pay dearly for this thinking of mine. I have scares and took out a couple teeth. The places I got stitches at, I took out myself, one stitch is in me forever for a made a mistake and there it is. Other places I would not go to the doctors to stitch it up, resulting in a huge scare down the back of my right calf. I have children now, they do go to the doctors. No buying there medicine at the feed store, if they want to do as I do when they grow up that is up to them.
I remember one morning heading off to work, which took me quite awhile to drive there. The road took me into one of many canyons. In one I had to stop. The cowboys were moving there cattle, then I saw what I dint think I ever would, a women. I was a exotic thing in that little town, I was a women who was working and pulling my weight on a ranch. Women did not work like this in that area.
This women was on a horse keeping the cattle, along with some men, moving long down the road. I went slow I was going to part the cattle with the truck and go through them, this the cowboys and this women was getting ready for me to do. When a cow and calf took of the other direction, off the women went on her horse. The calf, who wasn't a newborn stopped, it would not move. The lady was screaming , yelling at it to get moving however the calf had another idea. That calf was not going to corporate. I stopped my truck got out, got into the passenger side where I had rope, told my dogs to stay, and went out. I got that stubborn little shit to move the way the other cattle were bunched up. I was also yelling, well it is kinda a yell. When I train my dogs, horse or whatever I use this terrible sound that tells the critter I mean business. I did this.
The lady after seeing the calf was safe with the herd come over to me on her horse and said thanks to me. Then asked me if I was the gal who is working for so and so. I said I was and introduced myself. She introduced herself and told me she owed the so and so ranch. That tickled me. She told me her husband died and she was not going to give up her ranch, so she took on her husbands duties. After a time we all needed to get back to work.
Those are a couple memory's I have, I refer to these memory's when I have cabin fever, or just needing to remember better times. I do not name drop, mainly because I don't remember names very well!
My sted was almost done, I would be moving on to a different job and a different town soon. Not sure where, but I new it was about time to go. I took off one of my last weekends to run to the little town of Sisters Oregon. They have a nice little rodeo there every June. It was a good 4 hour drive or more from the ranch but I needed some time to think.
I got there at the rodeo grounds, that was when you could camp out there. Since it was jus me and my dogs I made up sleeping accommodations for us under my canopy in the bed of my truck. I have never been afraid of injury and such going places by myself. My god has always protected me from such things. Plus the people I always ran into and talked with usually figured I guess if I was by myself I must no how to protect myself. My dogs of course saved my butt more times then once.
I remember one morning I finally got up, got out of the truck to go relieve the dogs. I got back from taking care of the dogs, bought me some coffee. When I got to the rodeo ground space was open, now though the camping spots were filling up fast.
I noticed some neighbors I had, there were three older men and one younger guy and three or so kids. The fella that was cooking and talking the most yelled over and asked if I would like a pancake. I said thanks but no. He informed me he was going to throw it out if I dint want it. Ok , Ok I hate for anything to be thrown out. So I entered there camp and had pancakes and more coffee.
The men were pretty nice, kinda cute as well, the one cooking especially. I estimated the men were all older then I, I was not twenty yet. The younger fella kept trying to talk to me, however I had never had much in common with people my own age.
The cook asked me if I was going to go to the rodeo, the way I think I was at the rodeo. However he was talking about inside to axially watch the rodeo. Well thinking to myself, not having but a couple dollars in my pocket which I figured would get me back to work I said no. Heck two out of the three men said hey we will pay common. So I was going into the rodeo. I worried some of the dogs, however the truck was there home for some time now. Leaving the dogs for a short while wont hurt.
I was feeling odd having someone else pay for my admittance, I have never been one for someone else paying. I always made my own way. I started working at thirteen or so, always paying for my own clothing, and entertainment, and critters. Graduating early form high school and my dad giving me his truck before he died had put me on the road even sooner. I also had to think of my next job. Why not have some fun as well.
I went to the rodeo with these people, they also invited me along to go see the town and get something to eat at there camp. The cook fella really took me as a nice person and cute, we got along real well. There was another fella who wasn't a cowboy or dint seam to be. Then there was a quiet one who did appear he new the backside of a horse. Though he did not talk much, not to me anyways. I found out he was the dad of the older guy, and the two twin girls. The cook was the dad of a boy who looked seven or eight, and the older fella who looked kinda out of place was a single fella with no kids.
I spent most of my time with this clan. It was time for them to take off so we said our good byes, and I said my thanks to them. It was time for me to get on the road, I had plenty of time though. I always did like to drive at night. I just hang out at my truck with the dogs.
A little bit later who came back but the cook, he forgot his cooler. He started talking with me again asked if I would like to take the dogs for a walk. Sure why not. He asked me where I was from and I told him I am working at a 1100 acre ranch at the moment. He asked if he could come by and maybe see me. I told him sure and gave him the best directions I could. Thinking he was being polite and would never show up. We said our good byes again. He said he would see me again in a week or so. I said sure, however my feelings were he was being polite.
Back at work. I thought a lot of the rodeo and the people who made it so fun for me. The rodeo being a week or so in my past, not having much more time at this job so my boss kept telling me.
Before I headed for town I needed to get in my truck, on the ranch was a one pump gas pump there so I went over to fill up. There was a car there by where the boss parked the farm vehicles, I dint think nothing of it for there was government agriculture people talking to the boss about planting native plants for the deer and elk for hunting season.
I went over to see if he needed help and who should it be but that fella from the rodeo. Well we spend the weekend together. He took me to the coast. He offered me a job at his place. I thought why not. This ranch job is over anyway.
Well that was almost 17 years ago, that man is my David.
As a kid I grew up in a bigger city here in Oregon. Back when I grew up it was not as big as it is now. I would walk for miles to get out of town where the animal pound was, this is what we called it back then. We also had horses and cattle around the house. Most of my friends had some kind of livestock, however coming from a railroad father and a farm grown mother, neither one of them wanted anything to do with rural life. I did, I loved going to grandma and grampa's place in Pennsylvania where they had a farm. My parents always promised me a horse, which never happened through them. I took on jobs and worked my tail off for others who did want horses around. I learned a lot working for others.
One job I had I will never forget. I moved to a little cattle town. My older sister had gotten married and moved to her husbands town. I was working three different jobs, one was for my brother in laws auto store. I worked at a Elks Lodge and cleaning houses for people. I had taken on my sisters neighbors house. The older people were very nice. I was cleaning and of course being a newbie in the town a lot of the people liked to talk to me about where I was from and my traveling. I noticed a Ariel shot of a rural house. I asked about the picture. The older man told me about how they have a 1100 acre ranch, which him and his wife moved into town. I said something about how I would love to work for a little while at such a place, this old man said you are hired.
I got the directions to the place, it took me some time to find it for the address was rural route ect.. However when I got there I liked it already.
The fist job they gave me was moving the firewood into the woodshed. This I finished by lunch time. The daughter in law came out to give me my lunch and told me to slow down, however once a person is in a pace you do not want to ruin it.
The old man's son was my imitate boss. He told me what he thought of a female working his place as soon as I saw him. He said I wont live out there in the bunkhouse, but will have to drive to town everyday, he will supply me with gas. I thought o.k. dint think anything different, however I would never say this to this man.
I was young then, not afraid of new things, and new then as now that I can live anywhere for I am a worker. However that son he bothered me, something about him.
The son was impressed with how fast I got the wood in. He gave me a four wheeler to get around the ranch on. I did what he told me to do. I was also given a flat bed truck to drive.
The next job was to follow him to get farm machinery. He asked me if I ever drove with a trailer on, of course I had. When we finely got to where we were going thirty minutes or so later through canyons, sharp corners with drops that would kill anyone if they made the wrong turn, I was told I was going to drive a swather on a trailer to another piece of land. I was nervous for this is not like the western part of the state of Oregon, but the Eastern side of Oregon, curves and such not straight roads.
We started out slow, I was following him with this farm machinery on this trailer. I went as wide as I could on such roads. We got to where we were going, he asked me where did I learn to drive. I told him I am a quick learner and try hard to pay attention when given instructions, I drove hay trucks over the mountains.
We were at the highest point in Oregon, on this side I could see this mountain, on the other side I could see another mountain. I remember the wheat and barley would flow in the breeze as a horses main in the wind. It seamed as if you could reach out and feel it, it would feel soft, the feeling would be as the first time touching a hireling colt. It was so hypnotic, beautiful.
Soon after I was given some chemical and told to go kill every plant of stinging nettle and this plant that looked like bells, I see it in peoples gardens when traveling through cities. These two will kill cattle. I always had my two Australian shepherds with me, one the mother and one a very young pup. I would also take the boss's family dog.
I would head out, gone all day, me and the dogs. I asked the wife when I first started there where are the cattle? She informed me that there cattle operation was ran in the winter, in the summer they were left out on open range. However as I was out on my weed search I would see the cattle hiding from me in brush. Knowing they were wild I kept my guard up. I would pass bones of a long dead and eating heffer here and there. I would notice the buzzards in the ski and go investigate, part of my job was to tell my boss the fresh kills I would find, as well as killing every rattle snake I came across.
As I was out working one day I looked up where the hill turned into horizon, then I noticed part the horizon was black. As I kept looking I noticed cowboys. It was a herd being moved to other pasture. It was so quiet you could hear the cowboys yelling at the herd. The herd rebelling with noise of there own. As I watched this the black kept getting smaller, soon nothing more could be seen. I went on with my work.
I remember I stopped to go up a hill where some of the nasty weeds were to be sprayed. The dogs would go off running and playing in the long grass. I turned once and noticed my puppy was not with her mother and the boss's dog. I looked down where the truck was in the distance, it looked so small. I called out to my puppy, her name was Jessica Taylor. I yelled for her again, then I heard a low howl. I called again and the howl got louder, we spoke back and forth till I saw my little blue puppy, her stub of a tail moving back and forth like it would propel her into the air. She was so happy to see us, what had happened is my puppy fell asleep in the shade of the truck. I was busy and did not notice.
I also remember how hot it was out there in the summer sun. Over the mountain where I am from it does not get past a hundred degrees much, however over here where this job was at and where we live now it is very common. Here and there on hat ranch were watering holes made for the cattle and any wild critter to stop and drink. I did not think much of stripping down to nothing and jumping in. There me and the dogs cooled ourselves off in the cool water.
One day as I was doing this I heard what I new was a airplane. My brother in law had several of these to get out of the small town to business meetings in other places. Ill be danged if it was someone from town, they dint go away either! They kept circling the watering hole. I new who it was flying it not my brother in law but his friend and he just grinned at me and waved. I motioned him to get the hell out of there, I could see him laughing. I never lived that one down after my sister got wind of that.
I remembered that day for some time as well, I got so burned. I could not move. The blisters were so painfully. I had no one to help me put on the medicine for them, so I did the best I could the night and a couple weeks after that, as well as mornings before work. I don't go to doctors, if that is I can stay away from them, dentists for that matter as well. One can buy most any kind of doctoring you buy at those places for penny's on the dollar from feed stores. This stuff I got for this sun burn was no different. I pay dearly for this thinking of mine. I have scares and took out a couple teeth. The places I got stitches at, I took out myself, one stitch is in me forever for a made a mistake and there it is. Other places I would not go to the doctors to stitch it up, resulting in a huge scare down the back of my right calf. I have children now, they do go to the doctors. No buying there medicine at the feed store, if they want to do as I do when they grow up that is up to them.
I remember one morning heading off to work, which took me quite awhile to drive there. The road took me into one of many canyons. In one I had to stop. The cowboys were moving there cattle, then I saw what I dint think I ever would, a women. I was a exotic thing in that little town, I was a women who was working and pulling my weight on a ranch. Women did not work like this in that area.
This women was on a horse keeping the cattle, along with some men, moving long down the road. I went slow I was going to part the cattle with the truck and go through them, this the cowboys and this women was getting ready for me to do. When a cow and calf took of the other direction, off the women went on her horse. The calf, who wasn't a newborn stopped, it would not move. The lady was screaming , yelling at it to get moving however the calf had another idea. That calf was not going to corporate. I stopped my truck got out, got into the passenger side where I had rope, told my dogs to stay, and went out. I got that stubborn little shit to move the way the other cattle were bunched up. I was also yelling, well it is kinda a yell. When I train my dogs, horse or whatever I use this terrible sound that tells the critter I mean business. I did this.
The lady after seeing the calf was safe with the herd come over to me on her horse and said thanks to me. Then asked me if I was the gal who is working for so and so. I said I was and introduced myself. She introduced herself and told me she owed the so and so ranch. That tickled me. She told me her husband died and she was not going to give up her ranch, so she took on her husbands duties. After a time we all needed to get back to work.
Those are a couple memory's I have, I refer to these memory's when I have cabin fever, or just needing to remember better times. I do not name drop, mainly because I don't remember names very well!
My sted was almost done, I would be moving on to a different job and a different town soon. Not sure where, but I new it was about time to go. I took off one of my last weekends to run to the little town of Sisters Oregon. They have a nice little rodeo there every June. It was a good 4 hour drive or more from the ranch but I needed some time to think.
I got there at the rodeo grounds, that was when you could camp out there. Since it was jus me and my dogs I made up sleeping accommodations for us under my canopy in the bed of my truck. I have never been afraid of injury and such going places by myself. My god has always protected me from such things. Plus the people I always ran into and talked with usually figured I guess if I was by myself I must no how to protect myself. My dogs of course saved my butt more times then once.
I remember one morning I finally got up, got out of the truck to go relieve the dogs. I got back from taking care of the dogs, bought me some coffee. When I got to the rodeo ground space was open, now though the camping spots were filling up fast.
I noticed some neighbors I had, there were three older men and one younger guy and three or so kids. The fella that was cooking and talking the most yelled over and asked if I would like a pancake. I said thanks but no. He informed me he was going to throw it out if I dint want it. Ok , Ok I hate for anything to be thrown out. So I entered there camp and had pancakes and more coffee.
The men were pretty nice, kinda cute as well, the one cooking especially. I estimated the men were all older then I, I was not twenty yet. The younger fella kept trying to talk to me, however I had never had much in common with people my own age.
The cook asked me if I was going to go to the rodeo, the way I think I was at the rodeo. However he was talking about inside to axially watch the rodeo. Well thinking to myself, not having but a couple dollars in my pocket which I figured would get me back to work I said no. Heck two out of the three men said hey we will pay common. So I was going into the rodeo. I worried some of the dogs, however the truck was there home for some time now. Leaving the dogs for a short while wont hurt.
I was feeling odd having someone else pay for my admittance, I have never been one for someone else paying. I always made my own way. I started working at thirteen or so, always paying for my own clothing, and entertainment, and critters. Graduating early form high school and my dad giving me his truck before he died had put me on the road even sooner. I also had to think of my next job. Why not have some fun as well.
I went to the rodeo with these people, they also invited me along to go see the town and get something to eat at there camp. The cook fella really took me as a nice person and cute, we got along real well. There was another fella who wasn't a cowboy or dint seam to be. Then there was a quiet one who did appear he new the backside of a horse. Though he did not talk much, not to me anyways. I found out he was the dad of the older guy, and the two twin girls. The cook was the dad of a boy who looked seven or eight, and the older fella who looked kinda out of place was a single fella with no kids.
I spent most of my time with this clan. It was time for them to take off so we said our good byes, and I said my thanks to them. It was time for me to get on the road, I had plenty of time though. I always did like to drive at night. I just hang out at my truck with the dogs.
A little bit later who came back but the cook, he forgot his cooler. He started talking with me again asked if I would like to take the dogs for a walk. Sure why not. He asked me where I was from and I told him I am working at a 1100 acre ranch at the moment. He asked if he could come by and maybe see me. I told him sure and gave him the best directions I could. Thinking he was being polite and would never show up. We said our good byes again. He said he would see me again in a week or so. I said sure, however my feelings were he was being polite.
Back at work. I thought a lot of the rodeo and the people who made it so fun for me. The rodeo being a week or so in my past, not having much more time at this job so my boss kept telling me.
Before I headed for town I needed to get in my truck, on the ranch was a one pump gas pump there so I went over to fill up. There was a car there by where the boss parked the farm vehicles, I dint think nothing of it for there was government agriculture people talking to the boss about planting native plants for the deer and elk for hunting season.
I went over to see if he needed help and who should it be but that fella from the rodeo. Well we spend the weekend together. He took me to the coast. He offered me a job at his place. I thought why not. This ranch job is over anyway.
Well that was almost 17 years ago, that man is my David.
Today I am wanting to finish the story of my horse, however I had to take some anti biotic for these dang sinuses, terramiycin is a wondrous thing.
Ok back to pasture.
David ran into the farmer a couple days after we bought our hay from him. David mentioned to him about moving our one horse closer to town. After some time of talking to the farmer and trading for hay, which we changed, the farmer came up with a great idea. Lets trade for pasture for our horse and future horses we might buy. Well this went over great!
David came back to the house and told me the new situation, this was fine with me. We headed over to the pasture and started on getting the panels in place. The farmer had to run to town so he said he would be back soon. Something came up with farmer so me and David did what we could and called it a day.
The farmer called that next morning saying his daughter called and needed some help in town, he was gone longer then expected the previous day. He also told David that one of his black Angus heiffers got out and stuck in the water line. He was angry about this for people keep trespass on his property, this time not shutting the gate behind them. The farmer also went on saying how much he paid for each one of the herd. At the end of the conversation we were to meet him at the pasture to get up the panels which were to make a great fence for my horse.
David was unctuous to get over there. I was not awake drinking my coffee and talking to my friend on the phone. David left to drive over there and I would just walk.
At the end of my conversation with my friend, who is actually the neighbor to the farmer, I had her help as well.
I got out there to the farmers place and I was not surprised to see the men talking under a tree. I walked up and the farmer dint miss a beat after he said hi, and started telling me the rules of his place. One his main house is his, the way he put it was, "If I am taking a leak on my property I do not want someone walking up on me". This I can live with for I don't look in other peoples tents anyhow. Two the old farm house and the house trailer is off limits as well, the house is unstable and he doesn't want anyone hurt. Also no kids on his place. These rules are no big deal, I can live with these.
Then we started work, not putting up panels however, we were removing dead tree's and brush. Well being that David and myself had both been raised over the mountain and the woods this wont take to long and not a big deal.
David and myself both could tell this man is not a woodsmen. This is ok though. David had ran more then one crew in remote places in the woods. Hence David took over. The farmer did not seam to mind this at all. The farmer thanked us numerous times, he claimed we did not have to do the tree job. The farmer was also quite impressed with how I dealt with dead tree's. I put wait on the trunks as best I could and the whole tree's would come down and the stump too. The tree's were not all that big from over the mountain standards, however this is the high desert.
When my friend came over and jumped right in this tickled the farmer. He asked me if I had anymore friends! When I introduced the two the farmer said hi and "this place don't pay so well". I told him don't worry about it, this is my friend.
We worked for hours doing this, the brush pile was getting to the point it was hard to throw the dead tree's and brush on the top of the pile. We put up the panels in no time, the place looks real good and just about ready to be a home for my horse.
We all were sitting around talking. Learned a lot about this farmer,he doesn't seam to bad of a person. My friend needed to get home, the farmer told her he is going to be slaughtering here soon and she gets some of the meat, as well as us for the help.
The road his main house and this pasture is on is not traveled by anyone but the people who live down it. We had what seamed to be everyone's attention while we were out there working. One truck we saw quite a few times, I am thinking he was curious as to what we were doing.
My impression of the farmer is this, he lives all alone. He farms over 300 acres on his own. He has kids however they are both girls and not wanting to farm. People have burned him before this is obvious and he mentions this. He has been on that same piece of ground for over 60 years. He will tell one how it is, this is not to me something to fear. The farmer loves critters this I believe from the ram he has out in front of his place, then two mini goats in a pin in the back of his house. His dog the farmer feels guilty for having to tie. He told us anyway he feels guilty, I think he was telling the truth. As well as not shooting the cats that were on his place. I no way to many people who shoot cats around here, and why not? There are hundreds around here, most are wild. We do not have a human society for them. People spaying there critters around here is not common.The farmer sounded serious when he said to me bring whatever critters you want here. Well I had to stop his next sentence for he doesn't relies who he is talking to.
We will see what happens when we move my horse over there tomorrow.
Ok back to pasture.
David ran into the farmer a couple days after we bought our hay from him. David mentioned to him about moving our one horse closer to town. After some time of talking to the farmer and trading for hay, which we changed, the farmer came up with a great idea. Lets trade for pasture for our horse and future horses we might buy. Well this went over great!
David came back to the house and told me the new situation, this was fine with me. We headed over to the pasture and started on getting the panels in place. The farmer had to run to town so he said he would be back soon. Something came up with farmer so me and David did what we could and called it a day.
The farmer called that next morning saying his daughter called and needed some help in town, he was gone longer then expected the previous day. He also told David that one of his black Angus heiffers got out and stuck in the water line. He was angry about this for people keep trespass on his property, this time not shutting the gate behind them. The farmer also went on saying how much he paid for each one of the herd. At the end of the conversation we were to meet him at the pasture to get up the panels which were to make a great fence for my horse.
David was unctuous to get over there. I was not awake drinking my coffee and talking to my friend on the phone. David left to drive over there and I would just walk.
At the end of my conversation with my friend, who is actually the neighbor to the farmer, I had her help as well.
I got out there to the farmers place and I was not surprised to see the men talking under a tree. I walked up and the farmer dint miss a beat after he said hi, and started telling me the rules of his place. One his main house is his, the way he put it was, "If I am taking a leak on my property I do not want someone walking up on me". This I can live with for I don't look in other peoples tents anyhow. Two the old farm house and the house trailer is off limits as well, the house is unstable and he doesn't want anyone hurt. Also no kids on his place. These rules are no big deal, I can live with these.
Then we started work, not putting up panels however, we were removing dead tree's and brush. Well being that David and myself had both been raised over the mountain and the woods this wont take to long and not a big deal.
David and myself both could tell this man is not a woodsmen. This is ok though. David had ran more then one crew in remote places in the woods. Hence David took over. The farmer did not seam to mind this at all. The farmer thanked us numerous times, he claimed we did not have to do the tree job. The farmer was also quite impressed with how I dealt with dead tree's. I put wait on the trunks as best I could and the whole tree's would come down and the stump too. The tree's were not all that big from over the mountain standards, however this is the high desert.
When my friend came over and jumped right in this tickled the farmer. He asked me if I had anymore friends! When I introduced the two the farmer said hi and "this place don't pay so well". I told him don't worry about it, this is my friend.
We worked for hours doing this, the brush pile was getting to the point it was hard to throw the dead tree's and brush on the top of the pile. We put up the panels in no time, the place looks real good and just about ready to be a home for my horse.
We all were sitting around talking. Learned a lot about this farmer,he doesn't seam to bad of a person. My friend needed to get home, the farmer told her he is going to be slaughtering here soon and she gets some of the meat, as well as us for the help.
The road his main house and this pasture is on is not traveled by anyone but the people who live down it. We had what seamed to be everyone's attention while we were out there working. One truck we saw quite a few times, I am thinking he was curious as to what we were doing.
My impression of the farmer is this, he lives all alone. He farms over 300 acres on his own. He has kids however they are both girls and not wanting to farm. People have burned him before this is obvious and he mentions this. He has been on that same piece of ground for over 60 years. He will tell one how it is, this is not to me something to fear. The farmer loves critters this I believe from the ram he has out in front of his place, then two mini goats in a pin in the back of his house. His dog the farmer feels guilty for having to tie. He told us anyway he feels guilty, I think he was telling the truth. As well as not shooting the cats that were on his place. I no way to many people who shoot cats around here, and why not? There are hundreds around here, most are wild. We do not have a human society for them. People spaying there critters around here is not common.The farmer sounded serious when he said to me bring whatever critters you want here. Well I had to stop his next sentence for he doesn't relies who he is talking to.
We will see what happens when we move my horse over there tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
We had to buy more hay so we called our usual hay man who informed us he was out. We have a hay man just across the way, so we called him.
I am not great about meeting new people, for the old one's have not been what you would call some of the greatest. However this farmer could sell us some so we waited for uncle and his flat bed truck and off we went. We backed up to one of the long rows of hay bales and waited for the farmer to show.
He showed up in a little four by four truck with a cow dog in the bed. I staid on the back of the flat bed as the guys started to jaw. I waited for my cue to start loading, my horse my work is the way I see things. I got my cue and within minutes I had the flat bed loaded with half a ton of hay. I was done with my work, however the men were not done jawing, worse then what people say about women I tell ya! Found out the men had lots in common with each other. They talked about the customized flat bed dodge truck now loaded with hay, they talked about farming,family, and cowboy poetry, and music. The music got a whole new conversation started. We trade jerky with a western singer who is getting more and more popular as the day goes on. This farmer just happens to like this mans singing and cowboy poetry however he does not know how to order his CD's and other material. We handed him over two of his CD's and told him we will trade something in the future.
After a time of the men jawing I went over to the dog in the back of the truck and gave her some attention, that opened the door up for conversation directed at me from the farmer.
Finally I had to tell the men day was wasting and I had another load to get into the shop where we store the hay before the day ends. This is the truth, however I really needed a smoke and I do not smoke around someone else's dry hay. I will dip if I am in the car for a long period of time, I just dint no I was going to be listening to men talk for two or three hours so I did not prepare for this.
However before we left a deal was struck up to trade jerky and music for hay and of course we went for that one! We trade jerky for the CD's, then trade those CD's for hay.
David ran into the farmer a couple days later. We agreed that trading the farmer for hay wasn't right for this is his lively hood. David talked to the farmer about this. The farmer told David he likes that and that he has pasture he will trade, so we jumped at that one! Instead of driving to my horse I can just walk right over there.
I am not great about meeting new people, for the old one's have not been what you would call some of the greatest. However this farmer could sell us some so we waited for uncle and his flat bed truck and off we went. We backed up to one of the long rows of hay bales and waited for the farmer to show.
He showed up in a little four by four truck with a cow dog in the bed. I staid on the back of the flat bed as the guys started to jaw. I waited for my cue to start loading, my horse my work is the way I see things. I got my cue and within minutes I had the flat bed loaded with half a ton of hay. I was done with my work, however the men were not done jawing, worse then what people say about women I tell ya! Found out the men had lots in common with each other. They talked about the customized flat bed dodge truck now loaded with hay, they talked about farming,family, and cowboy poetry, and music. The music got a whole new conversation started. We trade jerky with a western singer who is getting more and more popular as the day goes on. This farmer just happens to like this mans singing and cowboy poetry however he does not know how to order his CD's and other material. We handed him over two of his CD's and told him we will trade something in the future.
After a time of the men jawing I went over to the dog in the back of the truck and gave her some attention, that opened the door up for conversation directed at me from the farmer.
Finally I had to tell the men day was wasting and I had another load to get into the shop where we store the hay before the day ends. This is the truth, however I really needed a smoke and I do not smoke around someone else's dry hay. I will dip if I am in the car for a long period of time, I just dint no I was going to be listening to men talk for two or three hours so I did not prepare for this.
However before we left a deal was struck up to trade jerky and music for hay and of course we went for that one! We trade jerky for the CD's, then trade those CD's for hay.
David ran into the farmer a couple days later. We agreed that trading the farmer for hay wasn't right for this is his lively hood. David talked to the farmer about this. The farmer told David he likes that and that he has pasture he will trade, so we jumped at that one! Instead of driving to my horse I can just walk right over there.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
We moved to this town almost three years ago. We can get on the hwy and drive to California if we want to, or over to the city of Portland Oregon going north if we want, we do this often. Mr likes to go food shopping over there, prices are much better on food. I however like to stay home. Mostly on my computer.
I do get out sometimes, to feed my horse mainly. If I have to I go to town, only if I have to. Otherwise I am content with my African Grey Parrot Omni, the guinea pig, the hamster, Rusty (Red Dog) Australian shepherd, and Jeb (the other dog) Aussie/Boarder Collie mix. As well as the wild critters I usually get brought to me by the kids of the town, mostly baby birds who have fallen out of there nests, occationally a dog or cat or whatever needs a home or is hurt ect. I wish I could take in and keep all the critters, Mr would throw a fit though, in fact he has already lol!
I do get out sometimes, to feed my horse mainly. If I have to I go to town, only if I have to. Otherwise I am content with my African Grey Parrot Omni, the guinea pig, the hamster, Rusty (Red Dog) Australian shepherd, and Jeb (the other dog) Aussie/Boarder Collie mix. As well as the wild critters I usually get brought to me by the kids of the town, mostly baby birds who have fallen out of there nests, occationally a dog or cat or whatever needs a home or is hurt ect. I wish I could take in and keep all the critters, Mr would throw a fit though, in fact he has already lol!
