The comfort of dreams

All I ever wanted to be growing up was a Cowboy. I dreamt about it constantly, still do. I realized early on that some dreams are for kids, and some dreams are special. These Special dreams are not just for us alone. These are not the dreams of being a professional athelete, fireman, or even a buckaroo. These are the kind of dreams we share with someone else, that give us purpose to get out of bed every morning and pull on our boots. I've chewed on some of my childhood dreams, and savored every taste. I've rode for my money, and roped for short pay. I loved dang near every minute of it, but there was always something missing. Something bigger than just me. Dreams are only half as good if we don't have some one to share them with. My dreams are different now. Don't get me wrong, I still dream about trailing cows across fenceless ranges, and riding down buffalo. But, those dreams are just to keep me young. Now I dream about building a good life, and a family with my wife. We dream about things together, what we want and even what we think we might want.
I think about that when I don't want to get out of bed and put my boots on.

Happy Birthday Terra Jean! I didn't like you when I first met you. Its ok, not your fault. I didn't like Bry then, and he is most likely to blame. I love you both now though, so everything is fine.

I have to share a funny story about Terra Jean. The first night I really hung out with her was after a football game. Terra and Bryan and Josh all decided to drink. Alot. I was an upstanding citizen back then, (I think one of Rathdrums top ten infact), so I didn't partake. All I heard was a lot of tough talk about how much "I can drink". The night ended with Terra and Josh tandem puking in the bathroom sinks. I think they were both crying too. It got worse from there, just ask mom. Boy, you sure showed me. Happy Birthday!

Spring Rain

My memories are triggered by certain scents, and the images explode in my brain for a mila-second taking me back to the place and even giving me back the feelings for a brief moment. I love spring rain. It takes me back to seasons of little league baseball coached by my Mom. Greening grass, bright yellow dandelions, red clay and dirt. I can even remember looking through the dugout fence to see what girls were in the stands, wondering if I was going to get a hit.
I grasp a sense of peace in the spring rains. Even though I may have to work inside, I remember getting poured on turkey hunting up in Hayden Creek with my Dad, seeking shelter from an old cedar tree. I remember fishing in Mockins bay with my brother Josh, the night he caught three very large bass. I catch glimpses of faces, landscapes, and even shades of light. And If I think hard enough about it, I even can remember the smell.

a little down time

I slept in until almost eight this morning, something I have rarely ever done in my life... even in college. It feels good to have a little down time right now, even though I have so many things to do. I have a lot on my mind. Here is a list: My family, I think about them all the time and wish I could see them more often. My friends, the same as above. Hunting and fishing, fishing is good right now. Last night we went out looking for bears and saw over a hundred elk, a bunch of deer and two moose, one of which had only three feet. I don't know if it was a birth defect, car accident, or even a predator attack it was kind of sad. She had four legs, but one was much thicker than the rest and was stumped at the bottom above where the hoof would attach. Although after watching her for a while she seemed very healthy, even though she had trouble getting around.
My rights, people are campaigning around here to end trapping on public lands. They are uninformed, unreasonable, and somewhat uneducated. Public lands are intended for the use of the public. Limiting your rights is never a good idea. Trapping is important for the proper management of wildlife, and is an important part of our heritage. Despite what you may have been told, it is not inhumane and cruel, and not easy. You don't just set out a trap and catch poor little helpless animals. It is a very difficult process which requires a lot of dedication and knowledge. Nature is much more vicious and cruel than any trapper. Just watch a wolf kill an elk, or a bobcat kill a rabbit. People make the mistake of assuming animals think and feel the same way that we humans do. Animals don't reason, and definately don't feel sympathy. Traps also don't kill and maim countless pets, that is total Bull Shit with no numbers or proof behind it. Pure propaganda spewed and consumed by the ignorant.
Wrestling, I have donated a trip to SaveBakersfieldWrestling. Many division 1 wrestling programs are beign cut and it sucks. I just found out yesterday that UC Davis' program has been dropped. Urijah Faber wrestled there.
My summer, I am not booking a ton of fishing trips but will probably be very busy with construction. I just got my Independent contractor exemption for construction, and should get a lot of work from other contractors.
My day, I was overwhelmed this morning at church with love for my wife. I am blessed to go to the same church where I married Lena. I am reminded of that day and all the promises we made to each other up on that stage in front of nearly everyone we cared about. It still makes me emotional thinking back to those moments.
I have to go rake the yard now.

spring is here

If feels good outside. Sunshine, blue skies, and the grass is getting green. I've been busier than a one armed paper hanger these days. One more week of house sitting, then I will finally get to slow down a little. I doubt it though. It is always feast or famine for me anymore. Either I am too busy, or too slow. I would take being too busy any day though. I will get back to writing next week when I'm not so busy.

Happy Birthday Buckwheat

Happy Birthday to my brother Bryan. A devoted husband and father, and good friend. I love you buddy.

This picture was taken behind the dugout at the baseball field in Spirit Lake, Idaho. I'm pretty sure we won it all that year, and that game (Randy). One of the only times we were teammates. I can still remember how bad the mosquitos were.

more...

You boys like Mexico?!!!!

Mexico. Fishing, sunshine, ocean. Awesome.

Back Home, kind of...

Lena and I returned home to Montana after a wonderful vacation in Mexico with my Parents, Aunt and cousin, and two great friends. (I like to call Randy my Near Brother, because basically that is what he is.) I feel so fortunate to be able to do something like this, and it truly is a humbling experience. I am thankful to God for everything from where I was born, where I live, my health, my family, my wife, my friends, and my ability to make a living. I am reminded how fortunate I am, and try to promise myself to never take that for granted. I am reminded to never be too proud for any work, which I am pretty sure I have never been, (except substitute teaching because I would rather dig holes with a spoon). I am also reminded that everyday is a blessing when you get to spend it with the people who matter most to you.
Lena and I got back just in time to start a house sitting job, so we aren't really home yet. We are watching a house for the next couple weeks, Thank the Lord because we just had to put a thousand dollars into my truck. I don't want to talk about it. Luckily I am getting back to work in other ways too. I will write more later, and post some pictures.