EDITOR'S NOTE: I wrote this in late June last year, right after my grandmother passed. As I usually do, I wrote it later in an evening and left it saved to edit again before posting. Well, this one slipped past and I didn't go back and post it amidst a hectic summer. My apologies for the lateness. She knew such things happen.
My Grandmother Rubie (my dad's mom) passed away on the 20th of this month [June, 2017]. Whether you knew her or not, I'd like to share some reflections I have on her life, my experiences with her, and her effects on my rather small family. This last week has been emotional, and the silver lining of seeing someone close pass is the gathering of family and friends.
I am the youngest of my siblings (two sisters) and younger than my two cousins on my dad's side. These cousins grew up in Bozeman and spent summers with their parents, my family, and my grandparents. My Grandma had naturally always been the matriarch of the family, but after my Grandpa Jim passed away in 1995, she became even more central to the family. Until the early-2000s or so, most ranch business was done at her house. Because her house was next to the corrals and barn, all the lunches for brandings, shippings, and other day-works were always there, and of course, so was she.
I have plenty of good memories with her one-on-one, something any grandchild should feel lucky to say. Being the youngest, I got to spend days with her before I was kindergarten age, while my sisters were off to school and both my parents were making livings. In middle school she was especially supportive with my music education and got me to many fiddle lessons.
I came back to the ranch every summer in college, and preferred to stay in the bunkhouse, a former ice-house turned meat cooler turned single room bachelor ranch hand shack, and was fed well by her while living there. She cooked me many a pancake on miserably, unfairly cold and wet June mornings spent out irrigating, and her kitchen was always cozy. She would rarely be caught without a dessert in her kitchen, and was sure you'd gotten plenty. Whether it actually helped or not, I liked being able to check in on her often, though it probably worked the other way round. We always seemed to be on the same team.
While I was in Iowa, her health slowly declined. I am grateful to have been in Montana this last year and to have gotten more time with her. I'd last seen her a couple weeks prior to her going, and I'm so glad I told her I loved her before we left. I also feel grateful for being with my parents and aunt and uncle the day it happened, just to have been there.
We cleaned out her house before it came down of course, and shared what treasures we found in it with her while we could. Our house is being built at this moment on the site of her old house, and now we move onward with the new.
2/28/18
Finishing the house
Well that was a busy eight months of house building and managing the dealership. I should have posted sometime toward the end of last year, but there was just too much going on.
I was around and involved in every stage of the house construction, answering questions on what we wanted as needed. I didn't do any of the heavier duty construction. That's what we had professional contractors for, and we were glad to have them. I was gone too much during that time anyway.
I put up more hay doing demos and setting up new machines for customers than for the ranch. I was gone six or seven days a week from late June through early September. It was a much busier year for the dealership in both sales and service. Dad did field a few service calls, but I handled the majority of them. I also managed the paperwork end of things amidst all the field work. It was challenging, to put it concisely. Everything settled down and became more manageable once hay season ended, but it still finished off as the biggest year the dealership has ever had.
Sarah's job has gone well, and she is more comfortable with pediatrics all the time. Balancing house decisions, helping with finish work, and the daily grind is also a challenge. She and I are both looking forward to having the time and space to get back into hobbies we've had to forego since we left Iowa.
I was much more involved with the finish end of the house, from October into January when we moved in. Jim Robison-Cox and I put in the batting insulation. Jim, Sarah, and I put in the vinyl plank flooring. I also clear-coated some of the reclaimed wood used throughout the house. Jim had his reclaimed wood features well underway at this point. The fireplace was my big undertaking though. The contractors were not familiar with any masons in the area, so I decided to try it myself. Youtube makes rock work look too easy, and that was one pitfall, but after much trial-and-error, I got rocks to stick. Masonry is the world's most difficult puzzle, and it also happens to be a very muddy, dirty job. I got it all to work in the end, though, and am happy to have the fireplace and its coziness, the heritage of the rocks from my grandparents' fireplace, and the point of pride that I built it.
The move went smoothly. Since I was making daily trips to the house, I took truckloads of boxes to the house most days for a couple weeks before the big move. Despite it being late January, the weather and roads were good; no one got hurt, and no furniture or belongings were damaged. Some carpet and tile on the main floor weren't done until right after we moved in, so we lived upstairs for the first week. Unpacking is never-ending, but we get more done all the time.
I owe many thanks to many people:
I was around and involved in every stage of the house construction, answering questions on what we wanted as needed. I didn't do any of the heavier duty construction. That's what we had professional contractors for, and we were glad to have them. I was gone too much during that time anyway.
I put up more hay doing demos and setting up new machines for customers than for the ranch. I was gone six or seven days a week from late June through early September. It was a much busier year for the dealership in both sales and service. Dad did field a few service calls, but I handled the majority of them. I also managed the paperwork end of things amidst all the field work. It was challenging, to put it concisely. Everything settled down and became more manageable once hay season ended, but it still finished off as the biggest year the dealership has ever had.
Sarah's job has gone well, and she is more comfortable with pediatrics all the time. Balancing house decisions, helping with finish work, and the daily grind is also a challenge. She and I are both looking forward to having the time and space to get back into hobbies we've had to forego since we left Iowa.
I was much more involved with the finish end of the house, from October into January when we moved in. Jim Robison-Cox and I put in the batting insulation. Jim, Sarah, and I put in the vinyl plank flooring. I also clear-coated some of the reclaimed wood used throughout the house. Jim had his reclaimed wood features well underway at this point. The fireplace was my big undertaking though. The contractors were not familiar with any masons in the area, so I decided to try it myself. Youtube makes rock work look too easy, and that was one pitfall, but after much trial-and-error, I got rocks to stick. Masonry is the world's most difficult puzzle, and it also happens to be a very muddy, dirty job. I got it all to work in the end, though, and am happy to have the fireplace and its coziness, the heritage of the rocks from my grandparents' fireplace, and the point of pride that I built it.
The move went smoothly. Since I was making daily trips to the house, I took truckloads of boxes to the house most days for a couple weeks before the big move. Despite it being late January, the weather and roads were good; no one got hurt, and no furniture or belongings were damaged. Some carpet and tile on the main floor weren't done until right after we moved in, so we lived upstairs for the first week. Unpacking is never-ending, but we get more done all the time.
I owe many thanks to many people:
- Brad and Kevan Dana for their patience, flexibility, professionalism, and knowledge
- My parents and Sarah's parents for their support and patience with two young adults trying to figure things out
- Chris and Jim Robison-Cox for their many hours building a beam light, window sills, closet doors, and helping with ceiling beams, stairs, flooring, and much else.
- Court, Aaron, and especially Elayna Kellum for their advice and for their moving help
It's likely that 2018 will be a quieter year than 2017, and I'm OK with that. I am happy to live in this house after we've put so much into it. We're looking forward to hosting any visiting friends and family in the future! We have room!
6/23/17
Getting ready to build a house
It has been a hectic spring.
Building a house is stressful. Our general contractors, Brad and Kevan Dana, are great, and I am certain we would not get it done without them. The steps to get everything in line just to start a project are baffling, and I would be surprised if we ever attempted to build another house anywhere. In the last few months we have:
Building a house is stressful. Our general contractors, Brad and Kevan Dana, are great, and I am certain we would not get it done without them. The steps to get everything in line just to start a project are baffling, and I would be surprised if we ever attempted to build another house anywhere. In the last few months we have:
- Cleaned out two houses
- Either stored, sold, or given away most items from said houses, including some of the building materials
- Lined up financing, which in this case was complicated because it is a construction loan and because Sarah and I do not own the land. Worth a novel on its own, though only for those fascinated by boredom
- Researched many pre-drawn house plans and styles
- Gotten custom plans drawn up to fit the spot the old ranch headquarters was in, because it is particular. We figure if we are going to spend the rest of our lives here, we want it to be exactly what we want
- Picked out many of the finishings of the house, so it can be bidded appropriately be contractors
- Arranged for two aforementioned houses to be demolished, put into piles, burned, hauled away, then have the site cleaned up and the foundation hole dug. Interestingly, except for the burning, virtually all of this was done by one talented individual. He needed a spotter to help him dig the foundation hole to the correct depth and flatness, but did the rest himself.
- Had a new well drilled and the old one sealed and abandoned, because it would have been in the middle of the new foundation.
- Arranged for septic permitting. Fun history: the old houses didn't have septic systems, because they weren't a requirement way back when, and they drained to the creek. No, Cliff, we're not going to just see if we can let it slide through without one.
- Helped move things along to the point where we have a foundation poured and framing will begin in a few days!
On top of the house project, we also have our jobs. Sarah's has been going more smoothly with a year under her belt. Mine has a long way to go before it's quite that stable...
I've taken over many aspects of Cox Ranch Equipment. Last year I covered mainly the labor-intensive activities (shop work, deliveries, calling on customers, service calls). At the first of the year, I took over more of the money side and have learned a lot by untangling many questions that my dad never needed to answer. As I figure more out, more things should get smoother, but I've largely been my own mentor for those activities.
The winter was slow. Spring picked up some, and the season is just starting so I am hoping business picks up more, because it's hard for me not to be a pessimist otherwise. We've got a new house to pay for after all.
3/5/17
Arizona Wedding
Sarah and I traveled to Phoenix last weekend to partake in Alicia and Jeff's wedding festivities, and had a blast! Long story short, we spent the weekend with lots of family, from both my parents' sides, from all over the country.
Though not my idea, I officiated the wedding ceremony. The couple and their attendants all looked great, and it went smoothly. It was none too long, as requested by the bride and groom. Though sufficiently scripted, there was an exception of an ad-libbed "YAY" on my part, to fill an awkward moment when the cue to start the recessional was missed. The couple didn't seem too upset. I am afraid, however, that I plan to retire from wedding officiating on that note, because it seems like a high one.
The wedding was at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Scottsdale, which was a truly memorable venue: cacti and more flora than you'd ever imagine in the desert in a sprawling, labyrinthine complex of a park. It was fascinating in the daylight, then enchanting in the dark: the park was just isolated enough to seem like the reception terrace was remote and floating on its own with a mountain behind it, covered in lit up cacti.
I have a total of four cousins on both sides, and despite this being a very small number, I don't recall the last time all of them plus my sisters and I were together. I hadn't seen my cousin Andrew since 2010, for example. We don't get together often enough, and I wish we could, along with much other family that we get to see all too seldom.
In any case, we relish that time together and savor it until the next get-together. Congrats Lic and Jeff!
Though not my idea, I officiated the wedding ceremony. The couple and their attendants all looked great, and it went smoothly. It was none too long, as requested by the bride and groom. Though sufficiently scripted, there was an exception of an ad-libbed "YAY" on my part, to fill an awkward moment when the cue to start the recessional was missed. The couple didn't seem too upset. I am afraid, however, that I plan to retire from wedding officiating on that note, because it seems like a high one.
The wedding was at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Scottsdale, which was a truly memorable venue: cacti and more flora than you'd ever imagine in the desert in a sprawling, labyrinthine complex of a park. It was fascinating in the daylight, then enchanting in the dark: the park was just isolated enough to seem like the reception terrace was remote and floating on its own with a mountain behind it, covered in lit up cacti.
I have a total of four cousins on both sides, and despite this being a very small number, I don't recall the last time all of them plus my sisters and I were together. I hadn't seen my cousin Andrew since 2010, for example. We don't get together often enough, and I wish we could, along with much other family that we get to see all too seldom.
In any case, we relish that time together and savor it until the next get-together. Congrats Lic and Jeff!
2/12/17
Service School
Without waiting seven months to return to Iowa like the previous trip, I traveled back to Pella for a service school in early February, flying this time. I spent three days in classes with the Service group and other dealers, mostly from the midwest; none were from as far away as Montana. I remembered many of the big topics discussed in the classes, but found the most value in the reinforcement of the littler lessons that I'd learned and relearned before, but don't see often enough to keep them fresh. I had previously worked on an item or two mentioned in each class, which helped reinforce my contributions as an engineer. In-person time with the Service guys is valuable as well, because I like to maintain those relationships and meet new dealers.
I wouldn't spend a week in Pella and not spend some time with friends there. Unlike the Christmas trip, this week was more relaxed and I got to spend evenings with several different families. I appreciated the welcome back, and getting to see everyone again.
The week was topped off by a trip to Hessenhaus in Des Moines on Friday night. This tradition started in 2013 to celebrate two January 27 birthdays. This was the fifth such trip. About ten of us went to those first couple outings, but twenty four people came out of the woodwork for this one. We took up two large tables and no doubt annoyed the staff, but had as good a time as I can imagine and had one too many Das Boots. I miss our Iowa friends, and can't wait to do it all again.
1/16/17
Iowa Christmas Trip
Noticeably absent from my last post, I should cover our Christmas trip.
We drove to Iowa this year, due to waiting until early November to look for plane tickets, when they were already too high. Driving penciled out, including a rental car, so we bit that bullet. The rental also saved 3000 miles of winter wear and tear on Sarah's Subaru, and would have provided an immediate option to keep traveling had an accident happened. We had a nearly new Ford Fusion that performed better than initially expected.
We got to visit several friends along the way, had a couple days in Indianola with Sarah's parents' and brother, about 24 hours in Pella with many of those friends, and the Christmas weekend in Sarah's grandparents' garage, as per tradition. It all goes too quickly, as usual. We can't wait to see everyone again. If only Iowa were about one state closer...
Despite some wintry driving, we made the 3040 mile trip back without issue, and got to visit with my cousins Noah and Emily and their families, including newcomer Robbie, Emily and Sven's son. We only get a couple visits a year with everyone so spread out, so we have to savor what we do get.
Happy New Year!
We drove to Iowa this year, due to waiting until early November to look for plane tickets, when they were already too high. Driving penciled out, including a rental car, so we bit that bullet. The rental also saved 3000 miles of winter wear and tear on Sarah's Subaru, and would have provided an immediate option to keep traveling had an accident happened. We had a nearly new Ford Fusion that performed better than initially expected.
We got to visit several friends along the way, had a couple days in Indianola with Sarah's parents' and brother, about 24 hours in Pella with many of those friends, and the Christmas weekend in Sarah's grandparents' garage, as per tradition. It all goes too quickly, as usual. We can't wait to see everyone again. If only Iowa were about one state closer...
Despite some wintry driving, we made the 3040 mile trip back without issue, and got to visit with my cousins Noah and Emily and their families, including newcomer Robbie, Emily and Sven's son. We only get a couple visits a year with everyone so spread out, so we have to savor what we do get.
Happy New Year!
Long, Pleasant Fall...aaand WINTER
It seems I've got an entire fall and half a winter's activities to update on.
Last fall already seems like ages ago. We didn't get any other overnight camping trips in, but we did get in several day hikes around Mt Helena and the Beacon. I'm proud to say I stood with Lane Gobbs in his wedding. It was a memorable weekend! Sarah's parents were here for a week in October, and we enjoyed having them. We were outside as much as we could be through the long, pleasant fall, then hunkered down once winter started, rather seriously and suddenly, in early December.
I made some passable rawhide from twin stillborn calves during calving season. I also built my first rawhide quirt, which has been dropped off with Jesse Munk to see how long it lasts and what can be done better next time. Besides a couple small scarf slides I made before Christmas, my rawhiding will probably be on hold for now: it's too cold to make any, we have limited space for braiding, and I need to prioritize house and dealership projects.
The majority of the progress on the house project has been the acquisition by the ranch of the Schmidt house (previously owned by old family friends) adjacent to my grandparents' house, and considerable cleaning out of generations of stuff in both houses. Much of the furniture in my grandparents' house has been stored for later use. It all takes time, and I'm trying to not leave it until the 11th hour.
We are still working on a floor plan that would make the best use of the site and have the features we feel a ranch house needs, eg: mud room and utility room access from the corral side; driveway visibility from the kitchen; master bedroom on the main floor so we don't have to climb stairs when we're old; etc. Despite months of internet searching, we aren't satisfied with what we're finding for ready-made plans, so we may need architect help. If anyone has insight on good architects in Helena or Bozeman with relatively short lead times, I'd appreciate it.
As for work, Sarah is getting more and more comfortable all the time, and is doing great. The dealership is slowly making modern changes, such as organizing shop space and planning more, attempting to keep track of inventories electronically, and drumming up winter tune-up work more aggressively. These changes are slow, however. There have not been as many winter tune-ups as anticipated, but that allows more time for other projects. The respectable winter and its icy roads have made it difficult to retrieve equipment, so I am actually thankful to not have a backlog.
I've been playing regularly with the Helena Irish session crowd, who have played at the Rathskeller in the Montana Club since September. The group is largely the same as it was when I left. It's great to be part of the community again, and to have that outlet.
We invested in skis at the Bozeman ski swap in November. Sarah now has a full setup, and I switched to telemark. Sarah has only been out once so far, and I've been out twice. She can already notice a difference between her good, newer gear and the worn out rentals she had been in. I'm glad that I committed to tele with the purchase of gear, otherwise it'd have been too easy to return rentals and go back to downhill upon discovering tele is actually quite hard. I'm still intrigued by it, and will keep on trying. We hope to get a few good days in this season.
Last fall already seems like ages ago. We didn't get any other overnight camping trips in, but we did get in several day hikes around Mt Helena and the Beacon. I'm proud to say I stood with Lane Gobbs in his wedding. It was a memorable weekend! Sarah's parents were here for a week in October, and we enjoyed having them. We were outside as much as we could be through the long, pleasant fall, then hunkered down once winter started, rather seriously and suddenly, in early December.
I made some passable rawhide from twin stillborn calves during calving season. I also built my first rawhide quirt, which has been dropped off with Jesse Munk to see how long it lasts and what can be done better next time. Besides a couple small scarf slides I made before Christmas, my rawhiding will probably be on hold for now: it's too cold to make any, we have limited space for braiding, and I need to prioritize house and dealership projects.
The majority of the progress on the house project has been the acquisition by the ranch of the Schmidt house (previously owned by old family friends) adjacent to my grandparents' house, and considerable cleaning out of generations of stuff in both houses. Much of the furniture in my grandparents' house has been stored for later use. It all takes time, and I'm trying to not leave it until the 11th hour.
We are still working on a floor plan that would make the best use of the site and have the features we feel a ranch house needs, eg: mud room and utility room access from the corral side; driveway visibility from the kitchen; master bedroom on the main floor so we don't have to climb stairs when we're old; etc. Despite months of internet searching, we aren't satisfied with what we're finding for ready-made plans, so we may need architect help. If anyone has insight on good architects in Helena or Bozeman with relatively short lead times, I'd appreciate it.
As for work, Sarah is getting more and more comfortable all the time, and is doing great. The dealership is slowly making modern changes, such as organizing shop space and planning more, attempting to keep track of inventories electronically, and drumming up winter tune-up work more aggressively. These changes are slow, however. There have not been as many winter tune-ups as anticipated, but that allows more time for other projects. The respectable winter and its icy roads have made it difficult to retrieve equipment, so I am actually thankful to not have a backlog.
I've been playing regularly with the Helena Irish session crowd, who have played at the Rathskeller in the Montana Club since September. The group is largely the same as it was when I left. It's great to be part of the community again, and to have that outlet.
We invested in skis at the Bozeman ski swap in November. Sarah now has a full setup, and I switched to telemark. Sarah has only been out once so far, and I've been out twice. She can already notice a difference between her good, newer gear and the worn out rentals she had been in. I'm glad that I committed to tele with the purchase of gear, otherwise it'd have been too easy to return rentals and go back to downhill upon discovering tele is actually quite hard. I'm still intrigued by it, and will keep on trying. We hope to get a few good days in this season.
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