Dads Water Jug

Growing up one of my favorite things was when Dad would get home from work; it was a race to get to Dad and get the first love.  He also had a water jug on his work truck that was always full of ice water.  We would stay out talking, laughing and drinking ice cold water.  Shon was just a little guy well he has never been little.  He was always taller and broader than the average kid his age.  Any way he loved ice water.  He could drink gallons.

As we got older we stopped racing out to see dad.  I never thought about how it made dad feel.  We just figured we were getting too old to do that.  I think I know how Dad felt now that I have experienced some of the same things.

The boys used to be really excited when I would get home from work.  Like me I think they think they are too old.  I come home now they do not even get up off the couch to give me a love.  Oh I know they love me and I should not get the poor me attitude.  Maybe I should get a big old ice jest and fill it full of sodas and I could bribe them into racing out to see their old man. 

On a more serious note this really makes me feel bad that I done the same thing to Dad.  Dad I am really sorry.  I want you to know that I love you and always have loved you.  I have few regrets in life but if I could redo growing up this is one thing I would defiantly change.  Mom I know you talked to us about this when we stopped racing out; I wish I would have listened better.

Well maybe if any younger people read this they might learn from my mistakes.  The time we spent out at that water cooler was some of my happiest times.

The Phesant and the Mail Lady

I was thinking of when I was younger and how important pheasant hunting was to us.  Now you have to understand it was a community event.  I remember the sports stores having longest tail feather contest.  Heck even in school we had the longest tail feather contest.  If you had the longest tail feather you got your picture taken with the tail feather and your gun.

 I think the thing that made it the best for me is hunting with my Dad.  Now my Dad had the best dogs in the whole Uintah Basin.  They could find a bird no matter what the weather or terrain. 

We would get up early opening day and get the chores done so we could start hunting at sun up.  Usually our uncles and cousins would meet us at our house.  We would start right at the house walking the ditch banks going down one then move over and up the next one. 

The most coveted hunting spot was the gulch it was full of willows and sage brush the only good way to hunt it was with dogs.  We would start at the top end right by the road and hunt down to highway 40.

I remember one year we were just starting to hunt the gulch.  It was Dad, Uncle David, Tavis, Steven and I.  We were just getting started Uncle David and Tavis was on the South side Dad, Steven and I were on the North side.  The pheasants were running really badly that day making it difficult to hunt.  We started down the gulch the dogs Brownie and Buster were working hard.  Dad said watch close they have a sent.  We were watching them closely it looked like the pheasant was running it ran up the gulch then flew.  It was a rooster.  We all pulled up to shoot but the road was right there and the mail lady.  I think the pheasant almost flew right into her open window.

I am not sure what scared her more the pheasant or five shot guns pointed at her.  She laid over in her seat but did not wreck.  After she realized she was okay she sat back up and waived.  We all looked at each other with an embarrassing look and waived back.  Dad said come on were burning day light.  We hunted the rest of the day.

It’s kind of funny now looking back on it.  I bet she thought she was a goner.   

The Elk Hunt

I was thinking about elk hunting.  One year comes to mind; it had snowed about six inches and I was going to be hunting on Black my horse.  I figured for sure I could get on some fresh tracks and follow them until I could get a shot.

Well I started out early that morning; I rode for several miles and had not seen anything.  I was starting to get discouraged and then I saw what looked like tracks crossing the trail.  As I rode up closer I could see it was a lone elk.  I started to get excited; one elk by itself, it must be a bull and the tracks looked pretty big.  I sure was hoping it would be a nice bull.  I started following the tracks they look fresh.

I felt like I was getting closer I even thought I could smell him.  I rode as fast as I could without making too much noise.  The trees were getting thicker I could not see very well but I knew the area quite well.  I was hoping he would head more toward the face of Taylor but he didn’t he headed right for the pole timber.  The young trees were so thick I thought for sure he could not get through them. Man was I ever wrong I don’t think it even slowed him down I think he knew he was being followed and was going where it would be hardest to be followed.

I know I don’t even know for sure if it’s even a bull and I am talking like he is trying to outsmart me.  Well this is what was going through my mind as I was tracking him.

The pole timber got to thick to ride anymore but I could not give up I knew we were coming to a clear cut timber sale.  I figured this is where I would get my chance.  I got off Black and I lead her.  It was tight for me to fit through the trees let alone dragging a horse behind me but Black was doing okay she was a good horse. 

I could see we were getting close to the timber sale I slowed down and kept my eyes and ears pealed.  I looked back at Black once in a while knowing she had much better ears and eyes than I had;  I had hunted on Black enough to know that if she heard something her ears would point in the direction of the noise.

Sure enough she looked toward the East end of the clearing with her ears pointed the same direction.  I did not even look I just went straight for my gun in my scabbard.  I reached back, panic set in.  My gun it was gone.  The bolt must have got caught on a branch and jerked out of the scabbard.

I did not even look to see if it was an elk that Black had seen and heard.  I tied Black up right there and started back tracking.  I figured I might see where it fell in the fresh snow.  I walked clear back where I first started tracking the elk.  I had no luck I was pretty upset I figured I lost my gun for good.

I started back to get Black feeling sick to my stomach.  I decided to give it one more try I swept my foot back and forth through the snow as I walked.  I was not having any luck I was getting close to Black I could see her through the trees.  I kept running my feet through the snow.  I was about thirty feet from Black When I felt something I got down on my hands and knees, brushed the snow away and there it was my trusty old 270 rifle.

I was so happy to find my gun I cleaned the snow out of the barrel.  I carried it out of the pole timber, as we got in the timber sale I put my gun in the scabbard climbed on Black and headed back to camp.  It had taken me several hours looking for my gun.  I figured that big old bull elk was long gone and I was exhausted.  I did learn a valuable lesson that day that I will never forget.  You guessed it when I get off my horse my gun comes out of the scabbard and into my hands.  I often wonder if I would have got my elk that day if I had only been a little bit smarter.    

The Bull

Whenever I need a good laugh I like to think of the time uncle Van brought his bull over to my place on the creek.  You see I had more pasture than cows so I made a deal with Dad and uncle Van to run some cows with mine.  Uncle Van had a bull he had just got from the bull sale I had not seen him yet.  Dad told me he was a good looking bull.  I met uncle Van at the gate by Mr. Price’s house.  We decided to unload him right at the gate.  The cows were just on the other side of the house. We figured he could find the cows okay. 

Well I have to tell you I was pretty excited to see this bull I knew uncle Van had paid quite a bit for him.  The stock trailer was squatting pretty good, all I could see was the bulls back through the rails of the trailer.  I had uncle Van back up right in the gate next to the gate post so I could pull the gate up against the trailer just in case he was on the fight from being hauled.  Dad had always taught us to never trust a bull.  Uncle Van told me that would not be necessary he was a pretty gentle bull.  Just to be safe I left the gate close.

Uncle Van opened the trailer door finally I get to see him.  I figured he would jump right on out but he was in no hurry.  He finally started out; just picture this in your head, the old trailer rocked with every step as he got to the back the tong of the trailer was trying to lift the back of the truck.  As he stepped out of the trailer it bounced back to its proper height.  He was an awesome bull I was impressed.  I could see uncle Van was pretty proud also.

Now the bull he looked around.  There was a big old Grease Wood just through the gate the bull went over and just destroyed it with his head and front hoofs; I never really liked it anyway.  After destroying the Grease Wood he looked around like he wanted to destroy something else I pulled the gate a bit closer.  About then one of the cow’s mood as to tell him they were over there.   The big old bull lifted his head curled his nose and let out a moo and trotted off with his tail lifted high; now let me tell you this was not a normal moo.  This moo sounded like a calf stuck in the fence by his jewels.  It was high pitched and the way he trotted off with his tail in the air.  I have to tell you I was a bit worried about the other bull; I thought he may be more interested in him than the cows. 

I started to laugh; here was this massive bull that just destroyed a Grease Wood and he mooed like a girly bull.  I could not help myself.  Uncle Van did not laugh, I don’t think he thought it was as funny as I did.  I felt kind of bad for laughing at his bull but it was funny.

Just so you know he did a great job the cows all loved him and he produced some really good looking calves and I never seen him acting funny toward the other bull.  I guess he might have just been going through the awkward stage of life when his moo was changing and he ran like a girl.  I think they call it puberty.           

My Brother Steven Stubbs

My older brother Steven Stubbs you are an amazing brother.  I got to tell you I am envious of you sometimes.  You have so many talents; music, art and writing are just a few of them.  I have seen you listen to a song and play it back like you wrote it.  I have no talents I can’t even start to play a tune.  I have seen some of the pictures you have drew, I can’t even draw stick people.  I still have some of the letters you have written me.  I dabble around on my blog but it is nothing like what you can write.

Brother I know I have not been the best brother in the world.  I know I have not been there for you like I should have been.  We were always so close growing up we started to grow apart.  I guess I need to take most the blame; I was only worried about myself.

Steven one of the things that impressed me the most is your loyalty.  If Steven Stubbs is your friend or family you can count on him having your back no matter what the circumstances.  I think this might have got you in trouble a time or two.  I also know you love your family.  You even loved me when I done some really crappy things.  I cannot get back the time that I wasted but I can do better today.

Brother I love you so much I am so happy to have you for my brother.  I may not have your talents but I have learned something from you.  I will be a loyal brother, you can always count on me to be there for you; I have your back.

My Grandma Stubbs

My Grandma Stubbs I really love her and miss her.  My Grandma was an amazing person.  She was pretty blunt she did not sugar coat things she was able to tell it the way it was in a loving but effective way.  I asked her for advice often in my teen years.  I always knew I was getting a strait up answer. 

I do remember a time when I was young I was riding my bike and stubbed my big toe.  It was when they were building the new home just south of the old home.  My toe was hurt and I went to Grandma looking for sympathy and loves but what I got was tough love.  I showed her my toe she asked me to let her see it.  So I lifted my foot up to her she grabbed my half torn off toenail and gave it a yank.  I was in shock I wanted her to baby me and tell me how bad she felt for me.  At the time I did not appreciate what she had done.  As I got older I really appreciated her not babying me.  She knew that was the only way to make it better.  She also knew I needed to toughen up.

Another time I had went to Saint George with Grandpa and Grandma to help moves some stuff back to Vernal.  We loaded up the van and Car the car was a bigger car I cannot remember what make.  Grandpa drove the van I was going to drive the car.  Grandma rode with me we had some good talks.  I was falling way behind, the car did not have much power every hill slowed it way down.  I put the Cruz control on and man that old car came alive it started gaining speed and not slowing down.  It did not take to long for Grandma to tell me we better not use that.  After a while she dozed off I thought she was sound to sleep so I set the Cruz figuring I would just use it to catch up to Grandpa.  I still don’t know how she knew.  She told me she was serious and if I wanted to drive I had better behave.  She had a way of letting me know.

My Dad was not a drinker but one Christmas Eve he had a few drinks at his work Christmas party.  He got really sick.  I remember Mom was pretty upset I think Dad just wanted to die.  He was in the bathroom all night and Christmas Morning.  Grandpa and Grandma came over Christmas morning I remember her asking where Dad was I can’t remember exactly what Mom told her.  All I remember is Grandma marching right into the bathroom and giving Dad a lecture I am sure he has never forgot.  Steven and I thought it was kind of funny Grandma lecturing Dad.  I was pretty young so this is how I remember it.

I loved my Grandma dearly when she passed away I was going down to see them.  Mom caught me just before I left and told me she had passed away.  I ended up not going down since they were going to have the funeral in Vernal.  After Mom had told me I did not cry I guess it really did not sink in for quite a while.  I was walking around outside by myself when it finally hit me she was gone I would never see her again.  I was pretty upset Mom must have sensed something because she found me and gave me some loves.  This helped but I still was hurting I went off by myself.  This is when I felt Grandmas presents around me I knew then that she was not gone completely.  I still feel her presents often mostly when I am starting to make a bad choices.

I had never seen my Dad, Grandpa or uncles cry until Grandmas Funeral.  I know they all loved her so much.  She was such a great wife, mother, Grandma.  I know she loved her family and she had a strong testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father Knows Best

I have been thinking about what is important in my life.  It has always been my family but some of the things I want for them and I have changed drastically.  I used to think we needed money to be happy.  I worked really hard to see that my family had all the material things in life.  It took a lot of hard work to get these things.  I worked seven days a week, long hours, on call twenty four seven.  I missed family vacations, family outings, and sporting events.

 I thought I was a great dad, I really did.  It took a divorce to wake me up.  My ex-wife told me that I was not a very good dad; I was in shock I could not believe she could say such a thing.  I thought for sure she was just trying to hurt me.  So I called her on it, I told her that was not fair that I was a good dad I worked hard for my boys and loved them dearly.  She told me that she knew I loved them but I was never around.  I remember really thinking about this I cried for a long time I realized I had not been there and material things did not cut it. 

Well I have to say this is when my life started to really change.  I could not relive the past or make my ex-wife change no matter how much I prayed.  I learned as much as Heavenly Father loves us he will never interfere in our agency.  I learned Heavenly Father loves me no matter what I have done and that I could be forgiven.  Church became a very important part of my life.  I realized it is the time we spend with our family not the things we buy them that makes the difference. 

My boys were really forgiving they joined me in church and family prayers.  Our lives were changing for the better.  Trevor decided to go on a mission.  The other boys became active in other church activities.  I was starting to see through my spiritual eyes.  The spirit was so strong in our lives.  I had never really felt the spirit like this.  I wanted to feel it all the time.  I was told it would even get stronger I could not comprehend how this was possible I was already feeling like I was on top of the world.

I prayed all the time Heavenly Father was with me continually.  He helped me through the tough times and the good.  I felt so blessed but I was missing not having someone to talk to and share all these amazing things. 

Then I was blessed to meet an amazing woman Michelle (my Pretty Girl) she is such a blessing in my life.  I know our Heavenly Father help bring us together.  I gained an amazing wife and two more sons that I love so much.  I won’t lie there has been some lessons and learning and I am sure there will be even more yet to come.

I again am working a lot and am not home much because of some choices we have made.  I felt we made these choices by praying and following the Spirit.  I have had some doubt about whether we made the right choices.  After much pondering and praying I feel Heavenly Father wants us to go through these trials for a greater purpose.  I believe he had work for me to do in the places I have been and has work for me to do in the places I am going.  I also believe he is preparing me and my family for things to come.  I don’t know what he is preparing us for but it must be important. 

I have to admit I have had some difficulties the last while but my faith is getting stronger not weaker.  I miss my family dearly and want to be home with them more than anything but I also know I need to be strong and endure for as long as Heavenly Father wants me to.