I was gone in a cloud of dust and gravel...

I just returned from a ride across the pasture, riding three abreast in the Ranger, with two of the passengers yelling,

"Faster, Grandpa, go faster!"

I guess when you're ages three and five, a fast ride across the pasture is akin to riding the bumper cars at the park. I, on the other hand, know of the hidden dangers of a fast trip across unknown ground......armadillo holes, rocks, and wash-outs are not pleasant experiences when they're unexpected.

So rather than going faster I let Lilah take over the controls. Standing on the floorboard in front of my seat, she navigated from left to right with no apparent rhyme nor reason, but at a pace that allowed all of us to enjoy the scenery......much safer too.

It took me back to a time when I learned to drive my dad's old GMC truck. It was green, and I suppose I was a little green as well. Powered by a trusty old six cylinder engine and a three speed on the column, it was the perfect teaching machine.

We lived on a dusty old road with trash trucks rumbling by every day as they made their way to the city dump. The dump was about two miles away, and when I was eleven or twelve years old, Dad would let me accompany him on the short ride to dump our two barrels of trash. On occasion, he let me drive until we arrived at the entrance to the dump, where he would take over the duties of backing the truck to the appropriate dumping spot. There was an old black gentleman who would walk slowly to our truck, take a slow walk around to check the contents, then point his bony finger to the area where he wanted us to unload......To me it all looked the same, but he had very definite instructions as to where our load would go.

I hadn't completely mastered the use of the clutch, and had never used reverse gear, when I decided one day that there was no need to have Dad come along on that little old trip to the dump. After all, he was busy, the trash barrels were half full, the truck was parked in the alley, and I knew the way. Good to go!

I was a strong kid, so loading the barrels was no problem. Neither was starting the truck. Finding first gear, and setting the whole thing in motion was a different matter, but finally I was pulling out of the alley and on my way to the dump......alone. I suppose I might have wandered from left to right a little aimlessly, but I never went all the way into either ditch. Those old trucks tended to have pretty loose steering, and power steering was unheard of for an old work truck. Soon the entry to the dump rolled into sight, and I saw the old gentleman rise from his stool and get ready to meet me at the gate.

I sat up straight in the seat and waited for him to point the way. He raised an eyebrow, and for the first time ever I heard him speak, "Old Jack lettin' you come by yourself today?" Uh oh, two things immediately hit me. He knows my dad, and next time he sees him I'm in deep doodoo.

Oh well, too late to worry about that now, as he pointed to the assigned area for my load of trash, and I realized it would require a new skill.......backing-up, or should I say backing-down, a slight incline to the trash heap. I concentrated mightily, used all of my abilities, and did it. I really did it! I was feeling pretty proud of myself as I dumped the barrels and climbed back into the cab and engaged the clutch......

Suddenly the truck is rolling backwards down the incline......Oh #$%$#%!

I slammed on the brakes, calmed my nerves, and thought it through....I can do this.  So, with my heel on the brake, toe on the gas, left foot on the clutch, I started that little six cylinder motor......It was all good until I tried to take off....buck, buck, die.....and again, and again. Then, I looked up to see the black gentleman shuffling his way to where I was sitting. In a panic, I repeated the process, gave it a "little" more gas, and let it fly.......literally!

Gravel was flying, barrels were flying, tires were spinning, and that little old black gentleman.....he was flying too as he scrambled to get out of the way of the wild-eyed kid in the out-of-control GMC truck.

No harm, no foul.....I was gone in a cloud of dust and gravel.

I'm not sure if my dad ever found out about my escapade.....if so, he never mentioned it. Soon after that, the trips to the dump became a part of my regular chores, and with experience, I became a better driver. As for that old black gentleman........after that first experience he would just shake his head when he saw me coming. Then, while still sitting on his stool, he would point his bony old finger to a nearby pile of trash.

Funny thing though, he never again came out to look at my load, and he always directed me to the flat ground......I suppose it was out of respect for my driving expertise.....but really, What Do I Know.

Tilting at windmills....

You know what I miss?

Character!

No, no, not "Characters" 'cause I'm well acquainted with a lot of "characters" who make my life quite entertaining, and in some instances those folks are people of character as well. In fact, I had breakfast this morning with a few friends who fit that description.......but I digress.

In my work, and that's a word that loosely describes what I do for a living, I have the opportunity to interact with a lot of different people. Some of them are quite successful, while others are striving to be, and others are simply looking for a way to get there without putting forth the effort it takes to make it happen.

Studying people, and what makes them tick, has become a passion of mine. What I've found is that the folks with character are the ones I'm attracted to. Not necessarily the ones who have attained some level of success, but the ones who, whatever their status, have developed core values that make you want to see them succeed.

Sadly, it seems that those traits are becoming less and less prevalent in our society. From our highest elected officials, to the people trying to scam the system for all of the "free stuff" they can lay their hands on......Oh wait, I can't tell the difference anymore. And, you know what's missing, character!

Has everyone abandoned the concept of right and wrong? Have we really become a society where anything goes as long as we get the things we want? Have we become so intolerant of the views of others that we refuse to acknowledge that we can have different opinions about the same issue? It certainly seems to be the case.

Yes, I miss people of character. In fact, I think it's high time that we reintroduce this concept that seems to have taken a leave of absence. Lets start with our families, our schools, in the workplace, and in life. Surely if enough people begin to demand honesty, integrity, and accountability from everyone from their own family members to their elected officials, we can make a difference.

Of course I was raised in a time when we listened to Paul Harvey on the radio, watched Roy Rogers on television, and witnessed Billy Graham impact the lives of thousands with his sermons. Was it a better time, or just a different time that's now a distant memory?

I sometimes lose myself in the thoughts of an old man who seems to be out of step with everything, and who like Don Quixote, is tilting at windmills. Is it worth it......I think so, but as always, What Do I Know.


 

A sad good-bye....

Well, I'm about to become "unemployed" again. You see, the funny thing about being self-employed is that every time you lose a client, or have a contract expire, you're technically unemployed. How long it lasts is simply a matter of how quickly you find another client and sign another contract. Sometimes it's a matter of weeks, sometimes a matter of months......either way it's still a stressful time.

This time it's a big one. In 2002 I contracted with a start-up group in Southeast Kansas to provide business assistance to area residents. The intent of this fledgling Non-Profit was to stimulate the local economies by helping local businesses succeed. A great and noble effort it was, but it has now run its course. In other words it has run out of money to continue.

It's a sad day, for in fact, the effort has been highly successful in accomplishing its goal. Over 120 new businesses were started, over 350 new jobs created, and nearly 700 clients were served. Think about it, in four of the poorest counties in the state of Kansas, with a population of less than 20,000, we were able to create a glimmer of hope. I am very proud to have been a part of it.

But, now it's time to shift gears and find new challenges. At age 62 it becomes more difficult, however, business consulting is one of the few careers where a few years, and a little gray hair, works to one's advantage. People have more confidence in your knowledge if it appears you've experienced the ups and downs of business cycles a few times. It's too bad that same thing can't be said for jobs in the corporate world where youth is king. The thought of hiring some old fogey like me never crosses the minds of the twenty-somethings working in the HR office.

I've been self-employed in one form or another since 1995. I do a little ranching, own some commercial real estate, and have started a new venture with a colleague which appears to be promising. Yet, I'll truly miss the people, who with a hope and a prayer, created the QUAD Enterprise Facilitation Program. They are fine people, and good friends.....

Life goes on, and no doubt I'll survive until the next contract comes along....sooner than later I hope, but as always, what do I know!