Thursday, June 29, 2017

I am nobody

though ...

As I look down the aisle I see you slow, stumble and sit on the side of the refrigerated dairy case.
As I approach and ask if you are all right, you smile and look up telling me you are fine.
As I sit next to you I can see my manager looking at us with concern in his eyes, is there something wrong?
I ask you what can be done to help and you say that you want to sit for a bit and then want to go to your car.
We sit awhile and talk, then I stand and ask for your hand as you rise. I take your arm and we walk to the car. As you enter the car I can see a grimace of pain as you close the door smiling at me through the window. You tell me your daughter will be along soon, and thank me. 
I am nobody, though I care.

Months later your daughter comes into the store to find me. She tells me you are in the car and have asked about me.
I walk out to the car and there you are looking out the window smiling as I walk up. You say hello and we talk...
I am nobody, though you care.

The crash was horrific for you. You lay on the pavement telling me how bad your head hurts. I lay down face to face with you and we talk, trying to control the fear you feel, assessing your injuries, at the same time communicating the facts to the first responders. As you calm and relax we even share an intimate laugh, then the EMT's do their job.
Months later you come back through a class, graduating and tell me you are fine.
I am nobody, though you returned.

As I lift the heavy shovel full of snow I start to feel bitter, why am I doing this? 
To serve you is to serve God. Takes me a moment to regroup as I dig in. It has been what 9 years now? Cleaning your driveway, walk and steps. Why did I start this task? well that's easy, it just needed to be done. There were no expectations just a simple prodding from God. " I gave you strength, go now and serve". I do this because you've realized someone cares without wanting anything in return.
I am nobody, though I serve.

As we drive up it is obvious you have crashed.
Your bike is in the middle of the road, a couple of people standing around and there you were bleeding.
As we talk I figure out what your needs are, then administer the basic first aid that I was trained for. You're missing a tooth, your chin has a big digger in it and you are coherent. Good news. Thank God you were wearing a helmet, though if you would have been wearing a full face, well your face would've been full. 
You are able to tell me a family member is on the way to take you to a hospital. You are standing, eyes look good, I fix your chin and I move your bike from the roadway. A few minutes later your family member arrives and off you go. Latter I learn that not only did you bugger your face you also broke your neck. Glad to hear you are fine, next time don't be distracted by your radio...
I am nobody, though I stopped.

There I was, no place to turn, done, don't want to do it anymore and the damn phone rings, really?
Why did I pick up? Why stop the self pity? Why move on?
You are talking and ask the right questions, speak the right words, how did you know? well God sent you. 
As we talk I come down from my funk and start to relax. 
I am nobody, though you were there.

As I watch the crash it is fast, hard and violent. They move towards you but are not sure. Moving forward I see multiple factors. You are down and out, and they are not sure of what needs to be done, blood on the pavement, and EMT's are on the way. 
The audience, well they are awe struck. Right in front of them a crash. 
The audience is managed and the blood is inconspicuously washed off the pavement, back to class.
I am nobody, though I directed.

As I look ahead the road is obviously slicker than snot on a glass door knob. In the distance the white car starts the ever deadly dance.  The rear wheels want to lead, on it comes. Scanning I see two choices, slow and maybe ditch or a head on. As you sit next to me your eyes widen and look over at me, am I worthy to be your son in law, well let's see what happens. As the oncoming car slides past us on the left and we continue on though, somewhat in the shoulder, you look over and smile, job well done! Well God did the work I was just His vessel.
I am nobody, though I was driving.

Two of us on the track. No one else around and let's just say it's a beautiful day to ride. I was sitting in the pits taking a break from my session watching you ride, but you never came back? At first I was thinking maybe you blew a tire, or went off and you will start walking over the hill at any moment. 
At the track sometimes there is nobody around to make sure you come back, other than a brother rider.
I am prodded by well, you know Who... I jump on my bike Sally, and as I come down the back stretch there you are. Low sided into the corner and down you went. You are down, helmet off and you are let's just say a ghost. You are coherent, eyes are fine but your left thumb is a mess. Yes in shock a 1/2 mile from anywhere but we can fix this. I get you to lie down, feet propped up on your broken bike and off I go to the pits for water. When I get back you are much better, though that thumb is definitely pointing in the wrong direction. 
I get you up, you stand. 
I get your bike up, you mount. 
Your bike starts and off we go to the pits, you and me brother. 
You show balls and tell me you are fine and will deal with your hand telling me you do not need help loading your bike. No worries. Then you thank me for coming out to look for you. 
I then tell you a brother never leaves another.
I am nobody, though I searched. 

As I was rushing into finish what I needed, there they were. The bus was stopped and the two of you were off loading. Best guess at least 10 people you two had to manage up and into the library. 
Frazzled is a great word. 
If you witness it and walk away what are you? As I slowed my pace and figured out what needed to be done, one of you looked at me with a smile and thanked me, a true utterance of gratitude not a platitude.
I am nobody, though I slowed for all of you.

There you are in the front of the store with your usual stumbled crumpled walk and difficult speech. Looking ahead I see a mother walking past holding her daughter's shoulder. The mother looks towards you and pulls her daughter close. I approach you and offer my sincerest greeting. As you look up head tilted and speak, although I am not sure what you have said but I wait and offer my friendship. As you speak again I struggle to understand, though in my heart God tells me what you are saying. You are the same as me, a person moving forward in the struggles of life. I will always take time for you whenever I see you walking around town my friend.
I am nobody, though we are the same.

As you came to the door of our home I could tell something was wrong. You told me that he should not be here and needed to leave. 17 you were. As I walked out the front door there he was, obviously with a few more beers in him than he needed. As the confrontation moved on the swings started and then the offensive language. I deflected the blows and did not return fire. Slowly he realized that he needed to leave and was not welcome here anymore. You started to calm as he left and went into our home thanking me. Lesson learned.
I am nobody, though I would die for you.
 

W

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

What a week

and it all started 9 years ago.
In 2008 the state of Colorado introduced 3-wheel safety training to our state. At that time I could not afford the cost of the instructor prep training plus the lost income of not working for 8 days.
Since 2008 I have taken the class as a student multiple times and "kicked" cones for our instructors when we held a class at Iron Buffalo. Since Marg & I took over Iron Buffalo 5 years ago, we have repeatedly tried to come up with the $9-10K needed to host an IP. Thanks to changes in our state motorcycle safety training program, they (Colorado) were able to foot the bill and on March 12th, 2017 the second S/TEP IP (Sidecar/Trike Education Program Instructor Prep) was successfully finished. All of the 6 instructor candidates passed and are now certified S/TEP instructors for the state of Colorado, including yours truly. I do not ask our instructors to do anything that I won't do. Of the original 8 graduates in 2008 there is only 4 left training in the entire state. Realizing this growing problem 5 years ago we made every effort to replenish the instructor pool thus graduation day 2017 was a dream come true. 3-wheel vehicles are far more dangerous to ride than the general public realizes. They are also much more physically demanding to ride than the general public realizes. Thus the need for the S/TEP curriculum produced by Evergreen Safety Council (out of Washington state). Their curriculum is by far the leader in the industry.
The S/TEP IP class was 7 straight days from 5am to sometimes 9pm (one day), this includes travel time. The class (IP) was a mix of classroom and range exercises helping us to understand how to teach the information and more importantly how to handle and teach the skills required to operate a rig.


The graduates L-R (Andrew, Deb, William, Wiff, Bob, Kent):

Andrew on The Burro 

Deb on The Burro

William on his trusty steed, The Mule

Wiff on his trike


Bob on the Great Pumpkin

Kent on his Harley (hardest rig of all to ride, great job Kent)

Anyway it was 3-wheel boot camp, extremely demanding, extremely fun (we all had a blast) and somewhat dangerous at certain points. 
Marg & I are blessed that Iron Buffalo has a group of instructor of this calibre to complete the training in a timely fashion. 
We were complimented numerous times by the Chief Instructor/Trainer, that this group of instructor candidates was the best prepared of any class he had taught in the last 18 years (think that is the number of years he said). 
Getting your student to turn their head and look through a corner is usually a difficult task. I have a favorite technique that usually works, producing a laugh along the way...

"Turn your head, look at me, yeah I know it's painful"

W









Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Colorado snow

My God
     it is still so beautiful 
As the flakes fall I reach a new calm
     life changes and all is well
A Colorado snow

If you have not cherished one
     lived through 40 years of them
Well

I still love them
     I still wait for them
A Colorado snow

As I look out the window
     the past becomes clear
The future starts to change
     maybe tomorrow will
Be as beautiful as this moment

A Colorado Snow

W

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Eye of an artist

Until I went to the Open Air Museum in Holland with my wife (who studied/practiced art), I never really understood what art can be or how to appreciate what a person is able to create.
My wife had opened my mind/heart/eyes to art.
Think for minute, heck maybe a day or two, about the greatest artist of all time? 
God.
Yeah just look around you right now at His creation. If you are/can see outside what do you notice? I see firsthand as I am writing a remarkable light blue sky dotted with pillowy white clouds, with just a hint of gray. The trees visible from my view are two different winter trees. Aspens with their cotton ball white bark and barren of leaves, with a Colorado Blue Spruce to the right showing off that distinctive dark green/blue color. I can also still see the green lawn of my neighbor accented with the unmelted snow from earlier this week. 
All this from a view inside looking out as I sit behind my desk. 
No wait, the sun just went behind a cloud and well you know everything changed, or that difference a single shift in time can bring. 

When was the last time you actually stopped what you were doing, texting on your phone (as you walk head held down) and just looked at the magnificence in front of your eyes?
Or when was the last time you swept your hand across a texture that well let's say intrigued you? 
Last time we were in Hawaii I asked my brother in law to stop and pull off the road. I saw a pine tree that I wanted to feel, yes feel. I had never seen this type of tree before and well sight, touch and smell all came together in an art form. A pine tree...
All of our senses need to be used to understand and appreciate art, it is not just a picture on the wall to look at. 
It can be as simple as sitting in the neighborhood park on a bench with my wife at twilight. We take in the remarkable view we have of the sky and the front range as the sun starts to set. All on a spectacular evening during a mild fall day. 
The sky and clouds actually looked like the surf hitting the beach. Yes, with a type of inlet swooping around to the left...
Guess you had to be there, the colors were magnificent. 
This was a gift from God for us together as we appreciated His art. As the sun settled behind the mountains and the light started to fade, He sent us an owl who flew over us calling out "hoo hoo." We knew that this was our art appreciation moment for the day/month/year. 
True story.

As I looked at the board and ran my hand over the surface I started to realize that I was in awe. There in front of me was a person's artistic vision put down through mosaic glass on a snowboard. Yeah, when was the last time you fixed your eyes upon and felt artwork like this? Maybe never?

The whole board is covered with individual pieces of glass. Each individual piece combines to make an image from the artist's mind. All of this was done from her mind's eye, there were no preliminary drawings made.
Think about this; the artist envisioned, the artist crafted the glass and the artist created a spectacular image on a snowboard. Wow!
This artist has also done this type of artwork on skis, picture frames and tabletops. 




Art is something that you can find anywhere. You just need to see what is usually right in front of you. When you discover something awe inspiring take that moment, even a short moment to actually see what you are looking at. 
Create a memory. 
Heck, if you can buy it, hang the piece on the wall and then appreciate it every time you experience the artwork...

W

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

6 Gun

A good friend sent me this link today. Great video about an amazing machine.

Jay Leno's Garage and 6 Gun

Guess I am not the only one with good taste...
Presenting our unrestored original 6 Gun.









Sunday, January 01, 2017

First ride

for the year 2017.

As things were quiet on the home front, for various reasons...
Time to get The Mule out.
First time this year, weather was bearable, 40 degrees + or - a few.
Four layers of upper body gear, winter gloves, thermal underwear and well looking like the Michelin Tire Man I was ready.
An hour later my right foot was rather cold, The Mule had ran like shit for the whole ride but I started my New Year with a ride.
Going to ride more this year, one way or another.

Felt great! Time in the saddle makes me smile and well, feel whole again. Nothing but me, my trusty steed and the road ahead.

Happy New Year!


Wednesday, December 21, 2016

The doorbell rang

It was 5pm and there I was at the 'puter checking the news when the doorbell rings? 
Really? who would want to come by after dark @ 5pm to see me in Firestone?

As I opened the door it brought tears to my eyes, yes really. 
A person that we have known for over 8 years, who has lived (until recently) with his family in a trailer with no running water had a gift under his arm. He and his family are the poorest (financially) people we know personally.
They brought us a gift, how can you come to grips with that? This is one of the most heartwarming, tearful nights I have ever encountered. Ah the Christmas spirit...

He has done various landscaping projects for us over the years, bringing his wife and family with him as he did work on our property. 
He and his family are always welcome in our home. Many times we would take his sons down into Bryce's train room to play. Or Marg would take time holding the newest baby in their family on the rug in our living room with the proud mother at her side. 
Guess that is why it is called a living room...

He is one of the hardest/strongest workers I have ever encountered. 
He is one of the most polite & trustworthy people I have ever known.
His family became our extended family, as every year they would knock on our door for Halloween, or come over monthly to fill water jugs for their home.

On one job he brought his Vaquero father from Mexico to help shovel/create a driveway for us. His father does not speak English, I do not speak Spanish. We got along well, as we could both see and respect honest hard working people. I could see and appreciate the respect a father has for a son. No matter where they come from.
It reminded me of my honeymoon in Germany when an older Hausfrau/housewife that my sister in law knew wanted to see my hands. I graciously turned my palms up and presented my hands to her, she looked at them, ran her fingers over them and smiled and told my sister in law that we were welcome in her home. One of the greatest compliments I have ever received.

Every year we would witness his family grow, from one to five children. From a young daughter translating for her father, into a young woman celebrating her Quinceanera that we were invited to attend. 
What an honor!
As a tradition, most every time he came over to do work for us we would send him home with extras from our cupboard or freezer for his growing family.
Maybe a cerveza or two for him for a job well done.

Tonight he and his family paid us the greatest honor anyone can give, a simple Christmas gift from a family that has so little.
As he presented the gift to me he apologized for the writing on the wrapping, meaning he was not sure of what he should have written. As I lifted the gift to my chest/heart and held it close, I thanked him and said; "Merry Christmas" and he replied "Merry Christmas." Nothing else needed to be said...

I can not wait to tear open the beautiful green wrapping on Christmas morning and admire a gift from the heart. 
The heart of a respected friend.

Merry Christmas

W
P.S. I add this postscript after Christmas. His gift from his family to ours was a special box of Hershey Kisses. Marg was born in Hershey...


The Christmas letter

For as many years as I can remember Mom & Dad had always sent out a "Christmas Letter" to family and close friends. Numerous years ago we started this tradition in our family. A great custom to try and uphold, though one that is hard to maintain. This type of endeavour takes dedication, stamina and a good editor, my wife. 
Every year the daunting task of condensing your life onto one page shows up around Thanksgiving. 
"Oh no, the Christmas letter is due."

Earlier this year my external hard drives (yeah two of them) both died and they were full of 30 years of family pictures! 
I started digging, and digging, praying and praying...
Low and behold in my picture file search (from another 2 hard drives that had been removed/stored when the last computer died) I came across a file titled; "Christmas Letter. "
The file was in a drive that had a backup from 8 years ago. When I opened the file there were quite a few years of letters saved and waiting for me to blow the dust off.  As I began reading into our past a nostalgic feeling started to warm my soul.
Happening to remember (amazing how the mind works) that I also had a hard copy file of previous letters stashed in an old file cabinet. Along with the left over sheets of unused Christmas letter stationary. Combining these two cherished discoveries 13 years of Christmas letters were now sorted out. 
A few years are missing but good to go for now. 
You never know what will turn up next time a piece of technology crashes! Maybe I'll find my New Year's resolutions from 20 years ago? 
No wait, don't want to see that list...
The Christmas letter has become a family tradition carried forward for what, 50 years? 
Goin' ask Mom about that one. 
Other family members partake in this practice also (thanks bro). 

Reading into the past our past, I became aware of various things.
  1. My style had pretty much stayed the same (content order) not sure why, just the facts?
  2. I had forgotten some of the key life events that are mentioned in the letters from various years.
  3. We have been married for going on 35 years and have a wonderful life full of memories.
  4. We, and our family have been blessed by God in so many ways.
  5. By combining all the leftover Christmas stationary we don't have to buy any more for a few years...
Looking at the news every morning and witnessing what is taking place in our world, the simple fact that we live in America is truly remarkable. Why did God put us in this wonderful country instead of one of the troubled spots in our world?
What do I have to complain (so much) about? 
Not really anything, nothing at all. 
I have a loving wife, yeah she still loves me. We have 2 wonderful girls and 3 grand children. All of us have a roof over our heads and well, we live in America. Celebrating traditions freely and openly. 
No, our lives are not picture perfect. We have all had our difficult times, times that each of us must bear. Through faith and family we have been able to prod along in our given path.


From now on we will make a point of saving the Christmas letters we write/ receive. Placing the hard copy in the 3 ring binder we have started for, "The Christmas Letter". 
Our life, one year, one page at a time...

The Christmas Letter.

Thank you Mom (& dad)  for your perseverance. Thank you for teaching me how to be a man, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather and well I pray, a decent human being...

Write a letter sometime soon to someone you love just for kicks, & see what happens.

W

Sunday, December 18, 2016

The meaning of the Candy Cane

By: Rev. Donald J. Barthelmeh (Cincinnati, OH.)

     Of the scenes of Christmas none is more beautiful than the shepherds on the hillside watching their flocks by night, with crook in hand, about their humble business of guarding and keeping safe their flocks. From here they receive the announcement "unto you is born a Savior." Then they joined together to go "see the great sight which had come to pass."
     The Shepherds' crook was at the first service of worship of the Christ. Its counterpart is our candy cane so old as a symbol that we have nearly forgotten its origin. We are immediately attracted by its color - the red and white. Red is for sacrifice; white is for purity. The body of the cane is white representing the life that is pure, or that may be pure. " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
     The broad red stripe is symbolic of our Lord's sacrifice for us. We may celebrate the birth of the child Jesus, but we must also be mindful of the man, Christ. Christmas always brings us ultimately to Calvary. He gave his life of the cross in sacrifice for our sin.
     And then the many smaller stripes - these symbolize the sacrifices we must make as Christians - the offerings we would bring to be intertwined with the supreme sacrifice of our Savior. The may mean the wounded sheep he has brought into the fold, or the sufferings we must bear in witness to Him in whom we believe.
     The form as a staff suggests a symbol of service, and it suggests life is a service even as the Christian life is a worship. But of course the color and form give way to the aroma of peppermint and its pungent taste. Peppermint is akin to the aromatic herb hyssop. Recall the old Psalmist's plea: Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7
     Old Testament scholars suggest the use of hyssop not only for its delightful taste but also for medicinal purpose. A healing nature is suggested. What better symbolism at Christmas for us for we are told, "We are healed by His Stripes."
     It is candy and the candy cane is to be shared - broken into pieces for all to share. It draws us into fellowship of sharing. How good it is to remind ourselves of Jesus' statement, " This is my body broken for you." Just as Jesus' body is broken to be shared, just so, our lives as good stewards must be shared. We come to realize as children of God and sharers of Christ's life that "only as we give, shall we live!
     Love came down at Christmas all lovely and divine. Now in the Season of Christmas we seek to spread that love among all men. One symbol is the Shepherd's Crook, made visual in its implications through a candy cane. It calls us to serve; its red bands direct us to a life of sacrifice; its essence of mint relates the tastefulness of those who would share. We are also reminded that our life might be pure, made white by who would share. We are also reminded that our life might be pure, made white by sacrifice of the Savior circling ourselves and spiraling up into a life of love and peace.

     If you turn the cane upside down, it is a "J" for Jesus. We pray God blesses you and your family at Christmas in the year to come!

W
   



Thursday, December 15, 2016

Facebook Hiatus continues

This just amazes me...
Why would you be so stupid to go to Facebook for the news?
Really? 
Guess that is why I have stopped my personal FB page interaction. Tired of the BS from friends and family who do not get it, the truth is easy to see, for some...

http://newsroom.fb.com/news/2016/12/news-feed-fyi-addressing-hoaxes-and-fake-news/

Do you really need Zuckerberg to tell you what is happening, truthfully, in our world?

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Yes it feels

kind of weird. Wallowing in my self initiated exile...
Though I find it interesting that what's being reported (yes you can gather news, real news without Facebook) is that I am not the only one that's removing myself/oneself from the "social media" world and the overload/stress that come from being addicted. Yeah I am still shaking a little as I type, withdrawal symptoms have set in...

My newly developed quest is to try and post/express positives and stay away from the oh so many negatives in our lives that we are bombarded with almost every minute/second of our waking lives. The curse of certain forms of technology.

With that semi, little itty bitty negative statement made, here is my positive statement/post for the day, or should I say; "I am turning over a new leaf"...

Colorado weather even after 44 years sometimes still surprises me.
We were @ 81 degrees yesterday:
The problem with trees is they always leave you with something...

Today we are @ 31 degrees and snow, with a lot of moisture in it, thank God, we need the moisture in a bad way. 
The Colorado snow fall to me is one of the most calming sights/experiences that a person can encounter. A quiet, and smell that you can't truly explain with words, some of you will remember...

W


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Gone to ground

One thing that I have learned from this insane election cycle is that it is better to step back, accept who you are, look at your faith (seriously, or maybe lack of faith) and then shut up.
God is in control, there is nothing that we can do to change an election, OTHER THAN VOTE and pray!
Reportedly 85% of the Christians in America voted, well just look at the results.
Most of us do not believe President Trump is the best choice just the only choice in a flawed 2 party system.
The uber liberal/progressives failed miserably, sucking vast amounts of manna from George Soros, the great manipulator of our generation. I am so glad his check book has been lightened, and us poor whitetrash screwed him and the 1%'ers. take that to your bank and choke it down... Nothing worse for the rich than to be taken down by the low life working class that outsmarted you, makes you pissed doesn't it, wake up jack off...

Due to the division in our country that started with the current administration I relieve myself from the burden on being social (on Facebook). I have taken a hiatus from the addictive junk that comes from FB. I have unfriended some, changed some to acquaintances (yes family included) and well basically shut down my personal FB page.
Unfortunately I need FB for our business, otherwise I would have closed all of my accounts permanently? 

My blog allows me to speak my mind without the constant dribble of the whiners...

W

Wednesday, November 09, 2016

The truth inevitably offends...

I voted, am white, have no college education and guess what? all of us lowlifes changed the world, for good or bad.
All of the elitists college pukes think they can control us. They look down their educated nose at us, they laugh at us, they hire us to do the work they could not even imagine doing and now they are being the usual Liberal/Progressive/Democrat! 
Whining. 
Or sadder still, some Republicans that refused to stoop so low as to have to make an educated choice, yeah and educated choice. The lesser of two evils. 
Guess that college education isn't working out so well...

"The factory workers, the veterans, the cops, the kitchen help, people who plow the fields, make the trains run, pick up the trash and keep the country together and keep it moving — they are all now winners. As one, these cogs of our daily life rose up in a peaceful revolution, their only weapons the ballot box and their faith in the future." (Michael Goodwin NY Post)

When was the last time you were in a public bathroom and witnessed a worker (of any color) cleaning up and then took the time to look them in the eyes and say: "thank you, you are doing a great job"? Well I can honestly say that I do this every time I see some undereducated worker doing the work that over educated people take for granted and well just look down upon. If you have never cleaned public bathrooms before you have no room to talk, yes I have done this kind of work. 
My father & mother always told me that no matter what job you have, do it to your best abilities. Well let's just say I have had my fair share of jobs.

I never chose/wanted to go to college as I had an unpleasant time in high school and knew that I did not fit in. I learn by doing, not by what a teacher tells me I have to learn from a book. 

Though I love to read and have learned a lot by reading (what I choose to read), not what I am told to read. My wife the librarian taught me this simple fact. Every night before we go to sleep we are reading something...
My favorite book or books, you ask? easy, the Bible (New King James Version & Grandma Damon's King James) and Walden and Other Writings. Both I have read cover to cover numerous times and underline, circle and highlight what is significant. 

Well here is a list of some of the other low life, white uneducated people that have, well let's just say changed the world (a partial list that I am happy to be apart of):
Abraham Lincoln
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Jackson
Anne Beiler
Ansel Adams
Barbara Lynch (a chef no less)
Benjamin Franklin
Carl Lindner
Charles Culpeper
Dave Thomas
David Green
David Neeleman
Frank Lloyd Wright
George Eastman
Henry Ford
...

http://elitedaily.com/news/business/100-top-entrepreneurs-succeeded-college-degree/

Do I need to go on. 


I guess maybe all of us uneducated white people are not so stupid after all? How many people of "any color" have had their lives changed in a positive way by a caucasian, white person or any other slang word you choose to call us? 

The only one any of us (any color) need to look at is, Abe. 
How 'bout you?
Maybe just maybe we (uneducated white people) operate businesses that employ people that then take care of their families, pay taxes and well let's just say get pissed off and vote their conscience. Most of us believe in God, have probably read some of the bible, maybe attended church and well are usually decent people. 

We do not go down to the street corner and protest, riot, burn businesses, loot, all because of a person that instigated a perceived problem. 

Or their candidate did not win an election.


America is made up of people, not a color, not a party, not an education level, not a job, not a home. 
We all are Americans and yes our newly elected President has pretty big shoes to fill. Do you pray for our president? God asks us to pray for our leaders, no matter their color, race, party or beliefs. 
How 'bout we give him a chance to prove that he can lead. 
Leadership is missing in our great country. 
Strong leaders (no matter the party) make strong countries, thus making happy citizens.

W

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Morimoto Waikiki Beach Honolulu Oct. 2014

It all started for me many years ago...
Once while I was watching the Food Channel (my favorite), a show called "Iron Chef" was on. I had never heard of it before and well what the heah,  I decided to give it a go.
Needless to say after watching every episode, taping, yes VHS taping most of the shows I was hooked.
The show was produced in Japan by Fuji TV with voice over in English as it was broadcast in Japanese.
What the chef's were doing was mind boggling to me. Eventually Marg also became hooked.
There was a young Chef named Masaharu Morimoto who first appeared in 1998. His cooking genius became legendary.

Well yesterday October 21st 2014 Marg & I were able to eat at one of his restaurants in Honolulu.


The experience is something that is difficult to describe. You really have to be a foodie, food snob, chef to understand...
You also have to truly enjoy eating sushi, and the art of sushi itself.

What is your passion?
Mine is eating! 
To achieve the level of eating I enjoy I have spent years cooking, learning and eating. 
In the past I have attended various culinary schools. Spent numerous hours watching the finest chef's in the world via various cooking shows and movies, learning through it all.

We had made reservations as I did not know how busy the restaurant might be, and we had a very small window to attend. 
Waikiki is not just around the corner from Firestone Colorado...
I chose lunch as it would fit our budget and schedule best. 
Our almost private lunch is to date the greatest culinary experience Marg & I have ever experienced. 
Lunch at Morimoto Honolulu...

A light rain was falling as we left our hotel, with my trusty smartphone and GPS it looked as if we could walk there. Off we went on our adventure.
Even with the blasted GPS I could not find Morimoto's. I had to ask for directions from someone who was standing outside the entrance to the restaurant, DUH...
No worries, we had arrived.

Yes we had high expectations as we had followed his career for over 20 years! 
The wait staff was very helpful and patient with a couple of hillbilly's like us...
We asked our waitress & waiter for recommendations and started on our culinary extravaganza. 
No expense will be spared, as we never thought that we would be able to do this again...
Every dish was beyond our expectations. 
The Saki sampler warmed Marg's tummy and gave her a "sun settin'" glow...
Being able to eat this caliber of food is still mind boggling to me. Marg & I had lunch at Morimoto on Waikiki...

Someday we hope to experience his creations again. Though once you have climbed Everest what else is there?

W

Tending to the herd

Motoagriculture, yep that's what I am now a master of. With 50 in the herd there is always something that needs fixin', fed or corralled. Thank God I do not have to breed them!
I now have even more respect for farmers/ranchers taking care of their herd and grazing land.
As a motoagriculturist extraordinaire I spent this amazingly hot end of October day, trying to finish up herd maintenance before winter sets in.

Replace a clutch cable
Replace a front tire
Replace a fork seal
Diagnose a no starty fucky problem, then fix it
Air up them hooves
Diagnose/fix a slipping clutch
Fix The Mule (Junior) belching problem (exhaust pipe just about ready to blow off, loose studs).

Rotate the stock from one container to another
Test ride the shit out of each of the animals I worked on (got to ride 'em like a student, ya' know).

All work done in a fenced in corral around our two 40' steel barns for our trusty herds storage.
No bloody knuckles! 
Only (yes only) a few expletives verbalized, we had a class going on near the corral. 

Couple of days before I had to do maintenance on our "grazing field" (parking lot). There was a massive divot that showed up, engineers said it was ground water problem. A few of my most trusted instructors/cowpokes and I felt that a meteor had hit the west end of our field and bounced/skipped at least another 1/2 dozen times down the parking lot/grazing land leaving smaller divots. 


Anyway we were able to repair our field damage (painting a lot of lines and dots) after the massive asphalt repair trucks came in and tore the shit out of our lovely field.
Ah life of the motoagriculturist.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Distinguished Gentleman's 2016 Ride

Wow it has been a year and Bryce & I are ready for round two.
Last year (see previous posts) was hectic just getting The Mule road worthy. Since then we have put over 4000 miles on her!
This yearly event is truly amazing, on one day throughout cities all over the world people ride motorcycles to raise funds for this wonderful charity.
Here are some of our pictures from last years event with my pillion Bryce.





Now some pictures of The Mule since last years ride, yes she won 1st place in class at a show, really I have witnesses...



Stay tuned!


Wednesday, February 03, 2016

Ever the entrepreneur...

Well normally I would not share my brilliant entrepreneurial expertise with everyone, but...

Iron Buffalo is moving in a new direction. Thus we are looking for ground floor investors.
First we secured the much sought after GO 4 (Meter Maid Mayhem Machine, aka 4M) contract with the city of Denver.


Now we are moving onto a bigger/better, truly unique (OK brilliant) business model. 
OK here it is, the "Money Ball".

Our first stop will be the mafia, "Need concrete boots"? Give us a call. 
Easy Quickcrete money, Boom Batta Bing.


Right?
Come on I can tell you are starting to see it aren't ya! 
Wish you had thought of this first don't you. Hah!

Need to send something to the bottom of the river, lake, ocean, bog, give us a call.
Ya' need concrete work quick? 
Iron Buffalo has got your back (or is that feet?) no job to small, size 4's are fine! No job to big, size 14 & 15's are common in this clan...
The Russian mafia will be all over this (or is that under). Heck the Ural is made in Russia! National pride angle, right? 
They really care about their comrades, "How many bags ya' need Vlad?"

Next comes the hard part, marketing. 
What should we call her? Come on get those creative juices flowing, I can't handle all of this brilliance myself.
We already have The Mule, 4M (3M was already taken) and now? 
Every machine has to have a name to effectively market to a specific demographic.

Let'r rip, this could be huge! Don't hold back tell me what you think. Yes I'll share our massive fortunes with you for the honor of naming the next beast, really!

If you are interested in investing, just send me a check.

Your budding financial adviser,
Bottom of The Bog Bill 


Maybe I should run this by Marg first, nah.