Gettin' Dirty

They say that if you don't use it, you lose it. And it is true in some circumstances, but somethings are burned so deep into your memory, that forgetting them would be like forgetting your name.

My Summers through college and even a year after college, were spent working for my dad's lawn care company. My first Summer working for them, let's just say....boy, oh boy. I was lower than the lowest on the totem pole. I didn't know ANYTHING about ANYTHING when it came to lawn care. My dad has been doing this for as long as I can remember and I never once, up until day 1 of work, paid any attention to those stripes in the yard.

 I can honestly say I thought to myself, 'How hard could this be? Riding a lawn mower all day.' By mid-morning I remember thinking, I need a break, or water, or lunch, or a shift change. ASAP!

Without saying, it was not the most glamorous of jobs for a 19-24 year old girl. I was naive to the idea of heat, allergies, scalp sunburns, and using a filthy dirty sleeve to wipe the sweat from my face before eating lunch.  I was unprepared for the look-there's-a-girl-doing-the-same-job-I-am stares from some very small minded men in other companies. And, good luck finding a bathroom!

But, I am SO grateful that he hired me.

Here's why.

Tonight, I got to do something I haven't done in a few years now. I did yucky, labor-some yard work. Raking and leveling out dusty gravel, lopping off tree limbs, throwing heavy logs and limbs in the brush, and clearing a path in the woods for the Bobcat to do its thing.

It was tiring and hot. But as I was climbing the hill back to the house, I thought to myself, I miss this work.

After that first Summer of working for my dad, I went back to school with a knowledge that no other female friend of mine had. I learned how to start and run a commercial zero-turn mower. I learned how to re-string a weed eater and sharpen blades. I learned how to drive a truck and trailer, a dump truck, and how to back them both up. I learned how to change the oil in trucks. I learned how to leave a yard looking great and not spending all day to do it. I learned how to use chain saws and hedge trimmers (and learned to keep them away from my knees, too). I learned to drive a Bobcat and a tractor. And, I learned the value of water-proof boots!

Really, what my dad may not be aware of, is that he taught me skills that if I had to do use them today on my own, I could. He built confidence in me that can NEVER be taken away. He opened my eyes that this is a tough job, but some of the toughest lessons are the one's you'll learn the most from.

Wouldn't mind a day, or two, doing it again....


....but I sure do love my access to indoor plumbing...

Long Over Due

I know we have all used that line, "Time just flies by," and I'm going to use that now. TIME JUST FLIES BY!!!

No, I didn't not want to write. I just didn't make the time, or maybe I had blogger's-block. Whatever the reason, I am back! :)

I don't have a huge following of readers, but I do have loyal ones and because of them, I had stored in the back of my mind, "Sarah, you better write something!" So, I received a couple of request of blog topics: Chicken Salad and The Slowness of Summer.

Two seemingly un-challenging topics, so maybe, just maybe, I can combine the two.....here goes nothin'!

Chicken Salad:
This request came from my dad. Now, I'm suspecting this idea came from a humorous (maybe a little twisted) thought. See, about 2+ months ago, Fred and I became chicken guardians. 6 hens now call Fredsland Ridge home.

Their names are Shirley, Toby, Tuxedos, Georgia, Franco, and Haley. Interesting creatures, chickens are. Well, our chickens will be for eggs only. That is unless, one of them doesn't produce or ends up being a chicken-cannibal then we will delight ourselves in some, should I say, chicken salad.

But the on-going joke between my family and I are that every time we eat chicken, I am asked, "Did one of your chickens not produce well?" or "Did you kill this chicken this morning?" So, do you see where I think the 'Chicken Salad' request came from?

Here is my tried and true recipe for Chicken Salad. Yes, I know everyone has their version, but I like mine....Sorry no measurements...I eyeball and make-to-taste everything.

Homemade Chicken Salad

Chilled Cooked Chicken Breast (Make anyway you prefer. I like mine seasoned and grilled. Others will just boil)
1 part Miracle Whip with 1 part Real Mayonnaise
Grapes, halved
Celery leaves and celery heart chopped (I like these because they are softer and don't have too much crunch but still have the same great celery flavor)
Generous amount of salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients. Chill for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Now that you have your chicken salad, a glass of sweet iced tea in a mason jar, and your sunglasses, lets enjoy the slowness of summer! (request from my mom!)

Even, the word 'summer' has a laid back sound to it. It's the easy-peasy season. I'm sure I'm not the only one who reminisces about long Summer vacations, the care-free attitude of life, and ride-with-your-windows-down kinda style. I think the one's who explain it best are DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince in 'Summertime' Go ahead. You know you want to listen to it. Hell, play it a couple of times. Let your friends enjoy it. Have a mini-dance party at your computer! It's Summertime!

"Summer, summer, summertime. Time to sit back and unwind."

Chicken Salad and Summer....what a perfect pair! ;)