That I slayed the beast.
About 2 months ago now my boyfriend decided to a buy"part time truck". He needed one to haul stuff for projects on his grandparent's house, such as the ton of brick for the garden wall, and for me to haul the animals, feed, or hay. We both needed a "part time truck" so it works out.
The Beast is a 1991 Ford 3/4 ton (250) pick up with manual locking hubs for the 4x4. It was bought from a wood-hauling company, so its complete with chipped paint on the hood and a LOT of dents. She's a beauty. Functional junk as he likes to call it.
July 3rd I borrowed the truck to take out to our old cattle property behind Crescent Valley High and pull up some much needed fencing for the new property. The property is actually part of the Jackson Frazier wetlands,but this is not where I ran into problems. During the two months we had pulled the cows off the property the grass grew past 4ft high. This is where the 4x4 comes in handy. We drove through the field, pulled some t-posts, got loaded up and were ready to go. My sister decided to have a smoke while I turned the Beast around.
In doing so, some hot-wire fell out of the truck and unraveled and got caught around the u-joint on the back part of the drive shaft. My sister flagged me down when she realized something was stuck so immediately I stopped. Bear in mind this was during the first Heat Advisory. Laying in 4 ft of grass we took turns cutting the fire out until we were confident we had gotten it all. La-dee-da. Took off on my way home.
All of a sudden I hear a short squeal. I stop ASAP and check to make sure I properly switched back into 2 wheel high from 4 wheel low. Everything seemed alright, and headed out. On Highland another 2 squeals. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Stop at the Good Sam Pharmacy to pick my mom's prescription, and take another look underneath. Nothing.
Finally I get up to highway speeds and almost make it home. I forgot to grab my stepdad his drug of choice: Mountain Dew. I hop out at the Peoria Corner Market and smell something burning. I look around, don't see anything. Pop my head underneath the truck and the transmission is spewing bright pink fluid. No bueno. I'm stuck. At 4pm on a friday. The 3rd of July. In the heat. I call B.
I am prepared for anger, no, WRATH. There is none. He took off work early, and headed right over. We assess the situation and then spend the next three hours pulling out the rear axles and drive shaft to make sure we don't put any excess stress on the tranny or rear end. It was so incredibly hot.
In the midst of pulling out the axles and taping over them, he starts wiping oil up off the ground. "Man I really hate going for a ride and hitting oil on the pavement, it kicks the tires out." I just caused almost a $1000 in damage to HIS truck and he's worried about getting oil on the road, because of the danger it poses for motorcyclists. Who woulda thunk? That's why I love this guy. He had all the reasons to be pissed. When the wire got caught around the drive shaft in the field the title "How To Piss Off Your Boyfriend 101" popped into my head for a blog, but it was so completely wrong.
A whole blog of my idiocracy just to say that I love him for being different.
-Goose.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Best thing so far this summer...
My half sister came up to visit this summer while her mom relocates everything to Ukiah, California. Its been fun having her around and her getting to experience the farm life since she has lived in Houston practically her whole life.
My plan was to take the girls camping and I have heard so much amazing stuff about Silver Falls. I got online to try and book a tent site, but no luck. They are full until after August which is when she leaves. Bummer right? Bee suggested we take her and my other rival sister Jordan hiking. Its cheap so it fits into my budget well and we hiked the whole Canyon Trail on Monday.
By far it is the best thing I have done this summer. No joke. I figured it would suck major since I was taking an 11 year old and a 14 year old. I was so impressed with their upbeat attitude about all 8.7 miles. They did fantastic, no complaints until the last half mile. I think hiking is something I'm going to continue to pursue.
BTW: I had no idea how long it takes a video to upload on this...urgh. Still waiting...DONE!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Galatea Dunkel
I feel like I know this woman. As I became aware of her travels Eastward, I instantly knew that same very feeling of love and heartache that hopes. I especially know how to loathe the sketchy character Dean Moriarty. The woman who chases her lover all over the country, while he galavants off with whores. Except in this case its not a lover but a dear sister playing Ed Dunkel. And these whores are not women, but in fact so many very different versions of Dean.
The versions of Dean that most all women avoid, but they have a radar that finds Ed. He talks his crazy Gurgle Burble, per usual old Ed nods and clings to every word and follows submissively.
The way Dean can make someone drop everything without warning, he makes my skin crawl. Whether or not Dean can cry or be in fact a Real person is not relevant. He is inconsiderate and hope he does not pull Ed away from us again.
Please hope for my sister.
The versions of Dean that most all women avoid, but they have a radar that finds Ed. He talks his crazy Gurgle Burble, per usual old Ed nods and clings to every word and follows submissively.
The way Dean can make someone drop everything without warning, he makes my skin crawl. Whether or not Dean can cry or be in fact a Real person is not relevant. He is inconsiderate and hope he does not pull Ed away from us again.
Please hope for my sister.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Where is that Jack Kerouac?
"It was a real love dance."
"Isn't it true that you start your life a sweet child believing in everything under your father's roof? Then comes the day of the Laodiceans, when you know you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, and with the visage of a gruesome grieving ghost you go shuddering through nightmare life."
"But then they danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding likes spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'"
Favorite quotes from On the Road thus far.
"Isn't it true that you start your life a sweet child believing in everything under your father's roof? Then comes the day of the Laodiceans, when you know you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, and with the visage of a gruesome grieving ghost you go shuddering through nightmare life."
"But then they danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding likes spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'"
Favorite quotes from On the Road thus far.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
So far this summer...
This is actually a post continued from my xanga! Huzzah. Moving on.
This past May I did a silly thing and moved back in with my Mom, which isn't too bad. Its this nice little house with lots of rhodies and english ivy(BAD stuff!). There are apple, plum, and cherry trees, a million Himalayan blackberry brambles and GRAPEVINES. I was so very happy about all this, especially the grapevines. I wasn't so excited when I found out there were brambles mixed in with a row of the grapevines, they were a bitch to cut out. Huzzah its done.
Another fantab idea my mom had was for us to get more laying hens and a few waterfowl. of course I agreed and now we have 26 hens, 11 ducks, and 4 geese. A few right? Not a chance. We finally got around to fencing off an enclosure for them last week, thank goodness. They had been running around backyard which was all fine and dandy, the epitomy of farm life, except that ducks poop a lot...on our deck. No bueno.
For the 3rd of July I had a blast. No really i did. Brandon's family does the fireworks show in Indy every year, and I got to participate. Unfortunately that meant spending a whole day backfilling a trench that was dug with the backhoe about 3 feet too deep. Oo yay. And then setting mortars, which are a piece of pvc with a cork bottom. the explosives are set in the mortars. Each inch in diameter is the equivalent to 100 feet in the air. Well first off i must say that blowing things up in your face seems incredibly wrong and unnatural, and probably the most fun I have had for 4th weekend ever. Whats even more crazy is that you are set up in teams and covered from head to toe in firefighting gear. The teams consist of one person lighting(me) and someone "backing you up"(creepy old guy). Back you up means putting out any flames on your back. Really. Crazysauce.
Spring term I decided to enroll in a Cuban Salsa class at the University which was incredible fun and I have fallen in love with Casino style. Sadly the class was only ten weeks long and I'm under 21 so I can't go to Latin X Night at Cantina. Bummer. Fortunately the Cuban Salsa Club on campus has open practice at the Women's building, but I have not gone once this summer. Why?! Why?!! Ugh.
Brandon asked for help to demolish a giean pick up sticks pile of wood at his grandparents' house. It was supposed to be a pretty standard task. Arrange the wood into what can be cut with the miter saw and what has already been cut and to stack it. Okay, no problem right? WRONG-O! We were just tackling this woodpile when Brandon went inside to grab the radio. I moved a single piece of wood and saw a few fuzzy Bumble Bees. I figured it was no biggy and I kept workin away. Approximately two minutes later there are bees everywhere. We opted not to use the flying insect spray, so we grabbed the hose and soaked them so they couldn't fly. By this point we assumed there was a nest close by. We kept working and then B found the nest of Bumble Bees. It was a disaster but no one got stung so instead we decided to dig a trench to lay down some brick for his Grandad. The following week we made a second attempt at the wood pile. Same thing. The nest was in some decomposing wood that had started to mulch at the bottom of the pile. We have yet to finish the wood pile. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them without a slaughter?
Camp reunion at Commie's place was great. I love being able to see everyone and meet older staff members. I miss everyone. Camp last year was one of the most defining experiences for me. It brought a light to just about everythign in my life. Thank you.
So far thats it except working at the auction. Yay.
-Goosey
This past May I did a silly thing and moved back in with my Mom, which isn't too bad. Its this nice little house with lots of rhodies and english ivy(BAD stuff!). There are apple, plum, and cherry trees, a million Himalayan blackberry brambles and GRAPEVINES. I was so very happy about all this, especially the grapevines. I wasn't so excited when I found out there were brambles mixed in with a row of the grapevines, they were a bitch to cut out. Huzzah its done.
Another fantab idea my mom had was for us to get more laying hens and a few waterfowl. of course I agreed and now we have 26 hens, 11 ducks, and 4 geese. A few right? Not a chance. We finally got around to fencing off an enclosure for them last week, thank goodness. They had been running around backyard which was all fine and dandy, the epitomy of farm life, except that ducks poop a lot...on our deck. No bueno.
For the 3rd of July I had a blast. No really i did. Brandon's family does the fireworks show in Indy every year, and I got to participate. Unfortunately that meant spending a whole day backfilling a trench that was dug with the backhoe about 3 feet too deep. Oo yay. And then setting mortars, which are a piece of pvc with a cork bottom. the explosives are set in the mortars. Each inch in diameter is the equivalent to 100 feet in the air. Well first off i must say that blowing things up in your face seems incredibly wrong and unnatural, and probably the most fun I have had for 4th weekend ever. Whats even more crazy is that you are set up in teams and covered from head to toe in firefighting gear. The teams consist of one person lighting(me) and someone "backing you up"(creepy old guy). Back you up means putting out any flames on your back. Really. Crazysauce.
Spring term I decided to enroll in a Cuban Salsa class at the University which was incredible fun and I have fallen in love with Casino style. Sadly the class was only ten weeks long and I'm under 21 so I can't go to Latin X Night at Cantina. Bummer. Fortunately the Cuban Salsa Club on campus has open practice at the Women's building, but I have not gone once this summer. Why?! Why?!! Ugh.
Brandon asked for help to demolish a giean pick up sticks pile of wood at his grandparents' house. It was supposed to be a pretty standard task. Arrange the wood into what can be cut with the miter saw and what has already been cut and to stack it. Okay, no problem right? WRONG-O! We were just tackling this woodpile when Brandon went inside to grab the radio. I moved a single piece of wood and saw a few fuzzy Bumble Bees. I figured it was no biggy and I kept workin away. Approximately two minutes later there are bees everywhere. We opted not to use the flying insect spray, so we grabbed the hose and soaked them so they couldn't fly. By this point we assumed there was a nest close by. We kept working and then B found the nest of Bumble Bees. It was a disaster but no one got stung so instead we decided to dig a trench to lay down some brick for his Grandad. The following week we made a second attempt at the wood pile. Same thing. The nest was in some decomposing wood that had started to mulch at the bottom of the pile. We have yet to finish the wood pile. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them without a slaughter?
Camp reunion at Commie's place was great. I love being able to see everyone and meet older staff members. I miss everyone. Camp last year was one of the most defining experiences for me. It brought a light to just about everythign in my life. Thank you.
So far thats it except working at the auction. Yay.
-Goosey
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Introduction
Eighteen year old sophmore at Oregon State, majoring in Animal Sciences with a beef option. I like long walks on the beach and reading fiction. haha. just kidding.
I do actually love reading fiction. I am currently reading a novel; Jack Kerouac's On the Road. I'll let ya know how it turns out. I have been so busy this summer that I haven't opened a book since June 1! That's incredibly awesome since I'm not in classes, but at the same time it really blows. Reading is a great way to relax I think, it really helps take my mind off things.
I don't really know how I would describe myself. I used to think of myself as a rebel, but more and more I am discovering how plain Jane I really am. I'm the girl that used to wear dickies, beaters, and hi-tops everyday. Now I'm the girl in jeans, a nice blouse, and a pair of flats...that is if I'm not covered in mud and sweat from a long day's work on the farm. Its kinda funny how a girl born in Liberty, New York and after living in Houston for 7 years decides to go to college to be a farmer. Its a good way to go I think.
This kind of lifestyle really makes me feel connected to my family that has passed. My grandparents lived a sustainable life in the Catskills(northern part of the Appalachian Mts. kinda like the Cascades of New York) and I never really got a chance to know them. Now my mom teaches me some of the things they taught her. And despite how much my little sister and I fight, it gives us a chance to work together on some things and prove to Mom that we don't always want to kill each other.
More Later.
-Goose
I do actually love reading fiction. I am currently reading a novel; Jack Kerouac's On the Road. I'll let ya know how it turns out. I have been so busy this summer that I haven't opened a book since June 1! That's incredibly awesome since I'm not in classes, but at the same time it really blows. Reading is a great way to relax I think, it really helps take my mind off things.
I don't really know how I would describe myself. I used to think of myself as a rebel, but more and more I am discovering how plain Jane I really am. I'm the girl that used to wear dickies, beaters, and hi-tops everyday. Now I'm the girl in jeans, a nice blouse, and a pair of flats...that is if I'm not covered in mud and sweat from a long day's work on the farm. Its kinda funny how a girl born in Liberty, New York and after living in Houston for 7 years decides to go to college to be a farmer. Its a good way to go I think.
This kind of lifestyle really makes me feel connected to my family that has passed. My grandparents lived a sustainable life in the Catskills(northern part of the Appalachian Mts. kinda like the Cascades of New York) and I never really got a chance to know them. Now my mom teaches me some of the things they taught her. And despite how much my little sister and I fight, it gives us a chance to work together on some things and prove to Mom that we don't always want to kill each other.
More Later.
-Goose
Mmp tis mmp tis mmp tis
I have finally upgraded from my middle school xanga account! I think that's pretty damn exciting.
Fantab news yesterday; the four cows we thought were bred and due any time now are actually only 3 -5 months preggers. Which unfortunately means winter calves. Translation: I have to rearrange and restack 14.7 tons of hay so that we can build stalls in the barn for calving in December. I lied that's not fantastic, it blows. That's just been the swing of things lately.
Everytime I think I've got things under control, the North Wind blows. For instance, I'm working at the Eugene Livestock Auction every Saturday and the second Sunday of each month. My official title is "Livestock Handler". I like it, it's fun. The only downer is that's once a week, 8-10 hours at minimum wage. It's just enough to cover gas for the month plus $40. Since its minimal work I applied for a part-time postion driving combines for a guy out ot Crescent Valley. I got the job about two weeks ago, but have yet to be trained on the equipment. 0 hours! Bah! Some job I must say.
Did I mention that I am a mondo fan of Craigslist, I have managed quite a few bargains! A few months ago I was checkin out the site and noticed everyone was selling their cattle, I thought that was a bit odd since Fall is the best time to sell calves. Didn't think much of it. I started workin at the auction about a month ago now, and horse sales are goin way up. You can buy a perfectly healthy and saddle broken Thoroughbred gelding for $300!!! Who woulda thunk? To sum this up, I'm not getting any work in the hay fields, because the people that usually buy all the hay have been selling their animals. No demand. Prices for hay are down too, but i'm still broke! yay for being a college student in the summer.
Try not to let this post taint your thoughts on my blog, I usually don't complain this much ever. Hope I can keep some people interested.
Fantab news yesterday; the four cows we thought were bred and due any time now are actually only 3 -5 months preggers. Which unfortunately means winter calves. Translation: I have to rearrange and restack 14.7 tons of hay so that we can build stalls in the barn for calving in December. I lied that's not fantastic, it blows. That's just been the swing of things lately.
Everytime I think I've got things under control, the North Wind blows. For instance, I'm working at the Eugene Livestock Auction every Saturday and the second Sunday of each month. My official title is "Livestock Handler". I like it, it's fun. The only downer is that's once a week, 8-10 hours at minimum wage. It's just enough to cover gas for the month plus $40. Since its minimal work I applied for a part-time postion driving combines for a guy out ot Crescent Valley. I got the job about two weeks ago, but have yet to be trained on the equipment. 0 hours! Bah! Some job I must say.
Did I mention that I am a mondo fan of Craigslist, I have managed quite a few bargains! A few months ago I was checkin out the site and noticed everyone was selling their cattle, I thought that was a bit odd since Fall is the best time to sell calves. Didn't think much of it. I started workin at the auction about a month ago now, and horse sales are goin way up. You can buy a perfectly healthy and saddle broken Thoroughbred gelding for $300!!! Who woulda thunk? To sum this up, I'm not getting any work in the hay fields, because the people that usually buy all the hay have been selling their animals. No demand. Prices for hay are down too, but i'm still broke! yay for being a college student in the summer.
Try not to let this post taint your thoughts on my blog, I usually don't complain this much ever. Hope I can keep some people interested.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
