The Year in Review
It’s the middle of December, and a blizzard is moving through town. The wind chill is thirty five degrees below zero, and snow is whipping past the windows at forty miles-per-hour. It’s the perfect time to stay indoors and take a year-end inventory. This could be a deeply introspective time of soul searching, but my roommate is at the other end of the table sorting teddy bears to the hip-hop music of Faith Evans. He is preparing Christmas gifts to the beat, and wearing a funny hat. It’s good to have him around, he keeps things on the lighter side.
Now back to our reasonably introspective year in review:
I began 2008 working on the engine rebuild crew on the m/v Roger Blough. I’d enjoyed doing similar work the year before on the m/v Edgar B. Speer, and was surprised that this year my immune system decided to spoil the occasion. After a week, it became clear that my allergies had become a severe issue.
A series of medical tests in Minneapolis took patience, as I’m not very good at lying around waiting for irritation to make its mark. Thankfully, friends offered their home as a place for me to relax. Lounging and itching in front of the fireplace was much better than at a hotel. It made the experience more bearable. After a week of poking and prodding, I had a diagnosis. I also had several holes burned through my skin where the test patches revealed without a doubt that an allergy can be a serious matter. I am allergic to all forms of formaldehyde, and have the scars to prove it. There is no definite answer as to why I had no reaction on the Speer and a severe reaction on the Blough. Trying a third rebuild should be a tie-breaker and provide a few more answers.
Spring arrived and Moogie became part of our daily activities. A little guy with a big appetite and lots of personality, he has a way of bringing laughter to chores on the farm. Not a shy animal, getting up close and personal is his trademark.
I took a break from the farm and vacationed in Sturgeon Bay. I was familiar with the area, as the Speer engine rebuild was done at Bay Shipbuilding. When Mom suggested that we vacation there I told her, “What a great idea! I could show you the shipyard, and you could learn to weld!” She was hoping to see the scenic side of the peninsula, and we did enjoy the traditional vacation spots. She was also a good sport when we drove to the shipyard and I pointed out a few intriguing aspects of the facility. We stayed at the Maritime Inn, a familiar spot for me. The hotel staff is always cordial, and made our stay there a positive experience. We also discovered a fantastic restaurant and were not shy about eating there several days in a row. We visited lighthouses, museums, and enjoyed the low-key atmosphere of Door County.
In July, I pulled my belongings out of storage in Minneapolis and moved to a house in Huron. It was an odd experience to unpack boxes that I’d sealed up four years earlier. I’m now settled in and feel very at home, which is a substantial improvement in my quality of life. I have my own bedroom, bathroom and den. Best of all, I have a place to call home.
I continue to broaden my rural education at the farm. The boss allows me to repair equipment without supervision. Often I ask him to double check my work. He responds with, “No need, I trust you.”
As the wheat harvest began, I learned to drive a combine. Gordie gave me an overview of the controls as I rode along with him. He looked at me and said, “Do you want to try this?” I nodded, “Yeah, I do.” He grinned and asked, “Would you rather I stay, or do you want to do this alone?” I responded, “I learn best by figuring it out myself.” He nodded, opened the door and climbed down the ladder.
The technology and touch screens were the easiest to learn, driving in a straight line was the tricky part. Eventually it all came together.
Eric is a generous friend. His family has a cabin on the lake and they graciously share it.
A surprising aspect of this summer was the opportunity to meet several families at the cabin. Eventually I felt like I was absorbed into the community, an unexpected bonus.
More summer photos at: http://lakebyron.blog.com
As the harvest wore on, it wore on us. Unexpected rainfall produced record crops, but also brought headaches of muddy roads, and difficulty getting the crop out of the fields. As we waited for the fields to dry, I spent many days behind the wheel of the semi hauling grain to local elevators. It was a pleasant vantage point to watch the world go by.
As the snow drifts against the house, it occurs to me that 2008 went by quickly. There was laughter, good food, and plenty of fond memories. There were also disappointments and grievous moments. I think that’s what keeps life balanced. A calf that likes to play can take the edge off of a long day. A child at the cabin who wants me to read “Clifford the Big Red Dog” puts life in a larger perspective.
About a year ago I was introduced to a couple while I was home for the holidays. They asked what I did for a living. I explained that I’d worked in broadcasting for twenty years, but was now exploring life as a hired man on a farm and working as engine crew on merchant marine ships. They averted their eyes for a moment, as though they were embarrassed by my appalling life choices. At the end of our brief conversation they said, “I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for.” There was pity in their remark, as though I was wandering aimlessly across the nation and its waterways. I guess not everyone understands that it’s possible to start again. Not everyone comprehends the adrenaline of walking into a completely unknown situation. To wonder, “Can I really do this?” A new beginning is within reach, it is attainable, and it is a rush.
The thrill of climbing aboard a massive ship and contributing to its operation was beyond my comprehension. Setting up a tractor to interact with satellites was also a new experience. Combining wheat, soybeans, corn, and a long list of other tasks are valuable knowledge I’ve gained. I’ve also developed a fairly convincing “Moo.” Ask any cow, they’ll tell you I’ve got it figured out.
For years I worked in a radio studio and wondered if anyone ever heard my voice, my writing, or my production. My career wasn’t connected to the rest of the world. But now, my new skill set is linked to the tangible, and feels concrete. The world is wide open with opportunities, populated by people who are generous, and filled with circumstances that are fascinating. Yes, there are pitfalls, danger and cow pies – but that is part of the balance. We work, we laugh, and at the end of the day we use the pressure washer to clean off our boots. Somehow it all fits together.
If you are thinking about goals for 2009, I’d recommend a broader horizon. Push yourself and the boundaries around you.
Make sure your boots are waterproof. You never know what you might find, who you might meet, or what you could step in.
