Things I've Learned in this Lifetime!

For those of you who give a dad-gum........from my trove of life-lessons;

Never, Never, Never.................say Never to anything!

Little babies make me cry like a beat-up 7th grader!

Nobody ever really wins...........life is a continual event and the so-called winners are the ones who just happen to be damn lucky at that point in time!

Every successful person I've ever gotten to know has told me to never, ever, ever quit dreaming!

We all have a purpose, just some of us really should stop at digging ditches and cleaning toilets!  Judgemental but true!

Dumbasses are a dime a dozen and I was purchased in someone's grocery list years ago!

Dirt, soil, organic matter, and dust.......it's where we came from and it's where we will eventually end up at!

Whether you see the glass at half-full or half-empty, some son-of-a-buck will always be against you!

Only idiots say, "perception becomes reality" when really "reality becomes perception"!  Think about it!

I can actually say; two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun in my sleep and nobody gives a damn........but me!  In other words.....there are some things in life I've learned that nobody but me really ever cared about!

Ok......I'm done until next time!  

Wake Up America!

First off.....I'm going to start off by saying if you don't believe in gun ownership or gun rights just stop reading this right here.  I have listened to so much crap about gun control over the last few days….I am ready to jump on my horse and grab a rope……if you know what I mean!  What has happened to our nation?  Do people really believe that a government can control something that has been in our heritage since before we were a nation, and is woven into the world's greatest document......our U.S. Constitution?  I've taught history for a few years in the public school system and have been an avid reader of World, United States, and Oklahoma history longer than that.  If you don't learn history, you are bound to repeat the mistakes of others who have preceded you!

I have personally had the unique opportunity to travel this world a bit.  I have been to Israel where when I visited in 2001, the entire country was on active reserve.  Everyone had either a pistol on their hip or an Uzi-Machine gun on their shoulder........and I don't mean a few people, I mean everyone!  When I would go to the hotel people had guns, when I would go to the restaurants people had guns, when I would go to the Ag Embassy and work.......people had guns. Matter of fact about every 30 minutes or so a helicopter gunship would hover around the embassy just keeping an eye on things.  I was there for around 7 days or so and it impacted me profoundly!  The young Israeli men I worked with told me that this is the way it is; they have to be ready at a moment’s notice.  They also related how without guns, Israel would be at the mercy of their mortal enemies who are within a few miles either which way of their homeland.  Guns meant protection, safety, and a relative feeling of being able to operate in their society while at the same time being subjected to hostilities all around them.

In South Africa, you can own a gun but it is a long and drawn out process.  And then, you can only have 200 rounds of ammunition, period.  I have been to South Africa 6 times since 2001 and have witnessed through the lives of several farmers the way life is there.  Guns mean protection, matter of fact; over 250+ (according to some sources) farmers have been killed by roving bands of the native peoples since Apartheid ended in 1994 in that country.  I have been running, literally, on some paths throughout the countryside whereas I would come upon 5 or more native peoples and later wondered what I would have done if I would have not been able to outrun them….not that they chased me, just what the heck was I thinking at the time.  The farmers relate to me how our country, the United States of America, is the last bastion of democracy in the World.  If we fall, then this world is in for some serious issues for future generations!  They’ve also related to me how as an American we are tolerating too much outside and inside pressures to give into the rest of the world.  This could very well be our downfall if we don’t stop with all this infighting! 

Do not misunderstand me, I am 100% for gun ownership and rights……but again let’s go about this in a manner that’s consistent with what our heritage is.  Remember, the winners always…….not sometimes, but always write the history books!  Don’t just believe something just because it’s in print…..study it out…..learn what other sources have to say about the topic.  I do not consider myself a conspiracy theorist, just someone who will give the gun grabbing, goofy-ass dingbats something to think about if they step onto my land someday thinking they can take my heritage from me.  I honestly never thought in my lifetime that we would be having these conversations about one of our most precious of American rights!

Besides the fact, have any of the news agencies reported on the number of stories in this country whereas a shooting was stopped by someone WHO had a gun?  Not very many, but they are out there……..I beginning to believe some folks when I hear that the majority of the news media have an outright agenda, and the way it’s looking that agenda isn’t in many Oklahomans best interest!  Thank God above I live in the Great State of Oklahoma!  I’m proud to be a God-believing, gun-toting, country-boy from this part of the world!

Amen………and pass the ammunition! J

Billy Ray 

Wisdom from our Older Generations!

As I get older I talk to as many older generation folks as I possibly can.  I always ask them what they attribute their longevity to? Their answers have been, not necessarily in this order; 

·        anything you do........do so in moderation,

·         learn what you love to do....and do it,

·         don't stop dreaming,

·         set goals.....then set more goals,

·        don't ever give up on what you want to achieve.....no matter how many times it takes, 

·        care for people, 

·        teach someone how to do something someone older taught you as a young person,

·         work physically or at least exercise regularly, 

·         read and don't stop learning,

·         be open-minded but no so much that your brains fall out the side of your head, 

·        of all the books you read and learn from, the Bible should always be at the top of the heap,

·        exercise keeps you in shape, but a vehicle always gets you further down the road,

·        what comes around, goes around 

I'm always intrigued by visiting with our older generations, there is so much wisdom and good advice.....if only we would take the time to understand it.  Recently I was overseas and I visited with a gentleman and our conversation revolved around the instantaneous access we all have to information through the computer technologies of today.  He relayed how there is no reason why anyone with a computer and Internet access today shouldn't have the equivalent of several PhD's in a few years time, dependent on how much time they spent researching topics.  That led to just how much information is enough information without going into information overload.  

Well, needless to say, we didn't agree on everything........because I am of the old adage from above.........anything you do, do so in moderation.  By the way, the person who gave me that answer.......an 80 year old man who was a 2x past President of the University of Florida and who has hiked to the top of Mount Everest once.  I got the privilege to sit beside this gentleman on a flight from Tallahasse, Florida to Milwaukee, Wisconsin some years ago.   He did not look a day over 60 years of age, needless to say, I had an enjoyable flight learning everything I could from his experiences in life!  And this same gentleman told me to never stop learning, keep your brain active.....but find time to enjoy the things you've learned along the way!

My grandpa's taught me quite a bit about life, as well........matter of fact three of the answers above stem from their words of wisdom.  My grandpa Howell used to say, "be open minded but not so much your brains fall out the side of your head".  As I attended Oklahoma State University working on my educational endeavors through the years, these words kept coming back time and again!

I also remember the words of my grandpa Richardson, he would remark at times..... "that guy is not smart enough to pour piss out a boot with the directions written on the heel"!  So, sometimes it's not that we have the information, it's that we need to know how to use it!  I wish that at times I could have these older generation guys back just to answer some of life's questions without having to live them out!  But, perhaps that's what we are here for......to help each other out as we walk life's pathway!

Enjoy life,

Billy Ray Richardson

Of Cowpies and People!

I wrote this some time a while back, just never shared it until today!

Of Cowpies and People!

In my pastures on my farm, I’ve got cowpies everywhere. Some are fresh, some have been there awhile, and some are in the state of drying up and blowing away. As I literally run around on my farm………..I often think of people who are obstinate, mean, or just flat hard to get along with in relation to the cowpie! Oh, I can jump right into the middle of the cowpie, if I’m not careful………but it stinks, and I stink for it! Takes a while to get it off of me and the only thing I really get out of it is, a smell that’s disgusting!

Some people are a lot like that! If you jump in with em’ you’re gonna get stinky, and if you’re not careful you’ll find yourself wishing you had never stepped into the cowpie in the first place! Fresh cowpie especially in the spring and summertime draws looooooots of flies and other pests! Oh they are annoying, and so are some people! I’ve learned to avoid the cowpies altogether, because over time they dry up and blow away anyway! So the next time you’re bothered by someone who’s rude or mean, just think of the cowpie………..and go around em’! Or better yet, jump right over the top of em’!!!!!

Billy Ray ---

I can't be the Only one!

A copy of one of my Facebook Notes in April, 2012...........

In October of 1983, I weighed around 190 lbs.......felt like crap and went to the doctor who told me to lose about 25-35 pounds.  So, on February 1st 1984, I started running in full plastic sweats to lose the weight, (wrestling for 12 years at Perry, Oklahoma pounded that idea into my head) and by June 2nd......when our second daughter was born I had lost 63 pounds!  I felt like a new person and was running upwards of 50 miles a week.  I learned to eat right and cut down on so much of the junk food that I had friends and family thinking I had turned anorexic!  I hadn't, what I had done was start a fire in me that to this day still burns............if you want to do something in life.........go do it!  Talk is cheap, now you need advice and wisdom from friends and loved ones......but at some point, dig in, bear the weight and get it done!  Nobody can keep you down but yourself!..........Lesson #1 for me.....if you want it, go for it, nobody can get it done but you yourself at the end of the day.......yes you need help in life, but the drive comes from within yourself!

I had always dreamed of finishing a college degree, but because my heart wasn't in it.......it didn't come to fruition!  I had went to NOC at Tonkawa for two years after high school and came within 6 hours of finishing an A.S. in General Agriculture.  At the end of that time I started at OSU but quit after 2 months and went to farming full time.  In December of 1980, Shonna and I got married and we began growing our farming operation.  Over the years I tried 2 more times, unsuccessfully, to finish school at NOC.......again, my heart wan't in it!  But I hadn't stopped the dream of attaining a college education and by the fall of 1987 I could see the handwriting on the wall for our family in agriculture.  Within that time-frame we had to sell everything we had; now let me tell you something, to see you life's endeavors go on the auction block was something I will not ever, ever, ever forget!  Our equipment, our land, our home, our sweat and toil over the years......let alone the fact I was the oldest son and one of the first in my generations that was no longer going to be able to raise my family on the farm!  That fire within me I had talked about earlier, some people figure out what they want to do when they're little, andl I had...........I wanted to farm, but now that was gone so I had to figure out what else to do!  By the grace of the Good Lord above and a wonderful wife and at the time 3 precious little ones I started back to school at OSU at 29 years of age.  They told me it would take 3 - 5 years!  It took me 2 years and and 1 semester to finish a B.S. in Secondary Education with an Minor in Geography.  And then, I got hired on to teach in my hometown of Perry, Oklahoma..............that same place where in 4th grade a teacher I won't name told me I wasn't worth much in life and wanted my dad to put me on tranqulizers!  Tranqualizers........at 9 years of age, my dad told the teacher that he would take care of that, and he did.........my little butt worked so hard over the next several years that I didn't have time to get into trouble anymore!  My tranqualizers were hard work, being honest, being respectful, and doing what was right, fair, and just the first time around!  But I'm digressing..........I had achieved a University degree by 1991, me.....someone who could never speak in front of anyone or teach anything, me..........................me.....this was happening to me!  Lesson #2, no matter what takes place in your life.......the only one that keeps you down is yourself......try once, try two times, try three times and fail each time................that doesn't make you a loser!  Thomas Edison tried creating a light bulb over 1000 times, that's 1000 attempts before he was successful!  And, remember Winston Churchill's words, "never, never, never give up"!

Running...........back to the running, I had tried to complete a marathon 3 times before I finally finished one in the fall of 1989.  I was so down and frustrated when I had to drop out of the 3rd one, then I remembered the first time I had tried to run when I weighed 190 pounds.  I had Shonna take me 1 mile from the house on a country road and drop me off, then I ran back to the house.....if you want to call it that, then laid on the sofa and whined for hours how I would never, ever run again in my life!  It HURT so much!  I don't ever want to forget that, it is embedded in my memory!  So, when I toed the mark for the Tulsa Marathon in the fall of 1989, I was a little more than apprehensive about finishing.  But I did, and I won the race.............matter of fact, I ran a 6:18 a mile pace and finished in 2:47:02!  Now, this is not bragging, this is about life...........it doesn't matter how many times it takes, don't give up, keep pushing, eventually you will get there!  So this Sunday I am running in my eigthth OKC Memorial Marathon.......last year our son Heston, and I ran it and finished in 3:31:05!  My son.............and I..........together..........you can't have it any better as a dad than that! This year I'm hoping to run a sub-3 hour, not because I want to do it only for personal reasons, but because of what it takes to get there and for all those people who perished in the terrible tragedy of the bombing.  I run to remember them.....I run to honor their memory and to say, " we won't forget"!   Lesson #3, running, an education, personal goals are something that takes an internal drive from within yourself, but also other people helping along life's pathway!  You should always take time to recognize and remember those who have helped you throughout your life!

I've gotten to the point in my life whereas I really do not care about what anybody thinks about me anymore!  Not saying that disrespectfully, I'm just saying that I've attended enough funerals, seen friends and loved one's suffering through illness and sickness to realize that life is way too short to not tell your friends and loved ones, I love you and care about!  Now don't take me wrong, I'm not just a warm and fuzzy farm boy, I'll still give some people on this earth a good ole' fashioned black bear creek bottom butt whoopin' from time to time, but for the most part..........it's about taking the time to care for others.  I wrote this in response to visiting with a friend yesterday, he told me that shares as much as he can with people to help them overcome obstacles in their lives.  I got to thinking about that, it takes each of us............we aren't just living here on this planet by mistake, I believe, it takes us all...............and through that there is nothing that is impossilble!

Shonna and I now have 4 children, 3 married, and 3 grandchildren and life is good!  I am a blessed man!

Respectfully,

Billy Ray Richardson

Guns and Liberty!

Regarding all the rhetoric we are hearing in the news and such regarding gun control, please go read your United States Constitution and it's Bill of Rights. We as Americans, are unique in this world....in this respect.  Not many countries allow it's citizens the right to keep and bear arms.  This is one of the greatest rights we have; it allows us to own, maintain, and use our arms as is fitting (within the constraints of the law) to ensure our own safety and that of those around us. Our United States Constitution in the Bill of Rights declares:

Article [II]

[A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.]

I highlighted the last part just to show emphasis on how I feel.  My heart goes out to the folks in Connecticut, especially those who lost a loved one. For me, I cannot imagine a more horrifying thing than to lose a little one due to some crazed individual's loss of connection with reality.  Personally, I'm for arming some of the teachers, not all of them......just the one's that could pass the highest levels of certification for that honor, and to me that's what that would be....an honor to carry a weapon to protect our kids!  

I could paste a slew of quotes into this Note but you all can read, go Google "history of gun control around the world" and you will be surprised on what you read!

___________________________________________________________________

The following was taken from a page from Paul Harvey's site, not exactly a nutcase, in my books!

CONSIDER: In 1929 the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, approximately 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1911, Turkey established gun control.   From 1915-1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1938 to 1945, 13 million Jews. gypsies, homosexuals, the mentally ill, and others who were unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

China established gun control in 1935.   From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Guatemala established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Cambodia established gun control in 1956.   From 1975 to 1977, one million "uneducated" people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

That places total victims who lost their lives because of gun control at approximately 56 million in the last century. Since we should learn from the mistakes of history, the next time someone talks in favor of gun control, find out which group of citizens they wish to have exterminated............

___________________________________________________________________

Read and educate yourselves, it's one of the most powerful tools we have to not allow our government or some segments thereof to take away what we as law-abiding United States citizens have as a right!  It may seem silly or even way overboard to some of you all, but I'm sure if any of the citizens from the aforementioned countries could come back and give us any wisdom; it would be "fight like hell to not let them take your guns away"!  That's my quote, my words, but I feel very strongly about it.  And besides the fact, many of us, including members of my own family have had loved ones fight for that honor and to do away with that would be to spit upon the blood of our county's heroes!  

Be prepared, but be educated about what you're fighting for!  Passions have achieved many great things in world history, but just the same......they've started every damned war we've had since the dawn of time!

Thanks for listening!

Billy Ray Richardson

Crossing One Gigantic Ditch -- The Grand Canyon!

Floyd May is a friend I met back in 2010 and he had told me about a trip he and some other guys had made the previous year to the Grand Canyon.  He talked about how they had hiked from the South Rim to the North Rim, spending the night at Phantom Ranch, which is located in the bottom of the canyon.  A trip that takes 2 days, if you push it and are in decent athletic shape.  A trip that few people who go to the canyon ever actually make.......the vast majority of Canyon visitors peer over the edge and take lots of pictures from that vantage point, but never make it down one of the trails to the bottom, much less all the way to the North Rim..........and back!  That distance is roughly 45 miles, let alone the elevation change and all the dangers that  you can encounter along the way.  This, all along a set of trails that have seen a huge number of people perish.....losing their lives because they miscalculated the pure massiveness of nature, and not taking into consideration the respect to which it deserves!

Well, once Floyd relayed the story to me........I was hooked!  Let the adventure begin!  We took off on the Friday before Labor Day, 2012 and begin a journey that lasted 4 days........but the memories will be for a lifetime!  Floyd May, myself, my son Heston Richardson, Steve Daily, Blake Blackwell, Todd Blackwell, their dad Jim Blackwell, Chip Webber, and two brothers.....Lance and Mark Heiliger headed to the Grand Canyon to see what we were made of.  Now, for probably a 4-6 month period of time Floyd kept each of us through emails, etc. up on what we needed to be doing to get in shape for this endeavor.  That involved a lot of physical training, I know each of us who took the trip shared how we had trained ourselves for this adventure and a lot of that involved strenuous physical activities.

We drove through the night to get to the Canyon in two different vans; Jim and Todd Blackwell had flown into a local airport and met us out there to begin this adventure.  The following are a few pic's of our group at various points along the South Rim the day before we began our quest.

From left to right; Mark Heiliger, Chip Webber, Floyd May, Blake Blackwell, Lance Heiliger, Heston Richardson, and Steve Daily.

Far beyond this image, to the north, is the valley we will cross the following day to reach the North Rim of the Grand Canyon; a distance of about 22 miles.

The next morning we began this quest at about 5 a.m. winding down the narrow South Kaibab trail, which is 7.5 miles to the bottom of the canyon.  This was on a Sunday morning, at about 3.5 miles we stopped and had breakfast and Floyd presented a short Sunday School lesson and shared scripture.  This really took on a whole new meaning all the while sitting on a narrow-rimmed trail that is very hard to understand the grandeur of, without seeing it in person.

From left to right; Chip Webber, Heston Richardson, Jim Blackwell, Blake Blackwell, Todd Blackwell, and Floyd May.  This was taken at Skeleton Point and this picture does not do this view justice!

Shortly after continuing on our journey we reached the bottom of the canyon.  This image is the trail, from the South Kaibab's perspective, of the bridge that is used to cross the Colorado River.  

Heston, alongside one of the many signs telling hikers to take care and that mule riders have the trail right-of-way anytime that you meet them.

We continued on toward the bottom of the Canyon and reached Phantom Ranch at about 11:00 a.m.  It was starting to get very hot, so we refreshed with cold water and a quick lunch at the ranch headquarters.  To stay here, you have to have a reservation and that is typically, at least, a one-year in advance only option.  We didn't stay here for very long, most people will have turned around about a mile or so before this and begin the ascent back up to the top of the South Rim.  Our quest was going to take us 7 more miles up this canyon, then about 7 more miles before we reach the top of the North Rim.

This is the south end of our north bound group at about mile 10, heading up the canyon towards the North Rim.

In the foreground you can make out Blake and Floyd, we are just beginning our ascent to the top of the North Rim at this point.

This is Heston Richardson, as we take a breather along the North Rim trail......notice the small, narrow, thread of trail to the right of the image.  That is the North Rim trail, if I had known it was going to be this dad-gum narrow and steep, I might of had second thoughts!  But, it was a blast and you cannot actually understand the enormity of all this without actually going there.  This trail was blazed by native Americans for years before any white man ever knew of it's existence!  

Another shot of the North Rim trail.

This is our group at about 16 miles into the hike, taking a short break for fluids and nourishment.  From left to right; Steve Daily, Heston Richardson, Blake Blackwell, Jim Blackwell, Chip Webber, Floyd May, and Todd Blackwell.

Heston and I at about 17 miles into this adventure; mere words cannot express what enjoyment I've had on this earth with this young man!  He is my grandpa, my dad, and myself all rolled into one; and the closest and most dearest man I know of on this planet!  (I've decided some years ago to speak my heart; not my head anymore.......I don't want to wait until it's too late to let people know how I feel about them, especially family).

We are just about to reach the summit of the North Rim with the sun beginning to set.  

That night my camera bit the dust, I think it got wet from my perspiring so darn much that it shorted out.  So I don't have many more pictures, only more story.  We ended up spending the night at the North Rim lodge in some really nice cabins and had a wonderful meal at the lodge itself.  The next morning several members of the group decided to take the van back to the South Rim but Floyd May, Mark Heiliger, and Lance Heiliger decided to hike back.  Now the van ride is 5.5 hours and you have to drive about 200+ miles to reach the South Rim, this is only 22 miles if you hike but because of the depth and enormity of the Grand Canyon this is the distance you drive to get to the other side by vehicle.

We reached the South Rim and went into a souvenir shop whereas we purchased shirts that said we had survived the R2R in the Grand Canyon, that's Rim to Rim!  

Heston and I in our shirts!

The only one we could actually buy the R2R2R shirt for was, Floyd May.  So after we left the souvenir shop we went to the top of the Canyon at the trails head and waited for the Heiliger brothers and Mr. Floyd May to emerge.  Shortly after 5 p.m. here they came and Floyd had a mile-wide smile for he had attained something very, very, very few people can lay claim to.......making the hike from R2R2R.  We crowned Floyd the toughest of all of us on this trip!

To say this was an adventure would be the truth, it was a life-time experience that all of us were very fortunate to have been able to complete together.  I believe that's what life is about; learning to take an adventure, take a chance, live a little, have fun, make friends, and grow closer with your family!  As I look back on the memories I don't think I will ever forget the closeness that we 10 men shared; even if it was for just 4 days..............it will last a lifetime!

Thanks Heston, Steve, Blake, Todd, Jim, Floyd, Mark, Lance, and Chip!

Billy Ray Richardson

South Africa -- September and October 2012

Life Lessons with Dad on a Ford 8N Tractor!

I know a lot of you have fond memories of how you learned to farm with your dads, grandfathers, or other people in your lives.  My earliest and fondest memories were with my dad, Ray Richardson, and aboard a Ford 8N tractor.  Dad rented a place just on the south edge of Perry, Oklahoma in the mid-1960's and we started "farming" on that little piece of land with one little tractor, a Ford 8N.  I cherish the times that I had with him teaching me how to drive that little tractor pulling a 2-16's bottom plow and all the related equipment to work the ground.  The following is an image of the place we "farmed" in the 1960's.

I have went through what I feel like is a lot in life.....I'll expand on that in future posts, but for me the Ford 8N always held a special place in my heart for what my dad instilled in me.  So when we purchased a piece of land in 2002 and I started "farming" again, I needed a tractor.  For me the obvious choice was a Ford 8N.    It's what I knew, what I felt good about, what I grew up on learning all the little kinks about farm safety.  I looked long and hard and finally found one that fit!  This is it in the following pictures after I had the engine rebuilt.  Needless to say, I was pretty proud of this little workhorse!  It had a few cosmetic blemishes, but to my knowledge there are more of these around today than any other tractor of its size in this country.

I learned a great deal about life working on that little 8N tractor, as a boy and even into my adult years.

• Don't push it too hard or the engine will heat up and boil over..........in relation to our lives how many times do we see that happening in our society today.  
• Take care of it and it will take care of you............in relation to our bodies......take care of it and with the Good Lord's help, your body will last you a long time.  The last of these tractors were built in the early 1950's.
• Watch pulling the plow too deep, (these little tractors were notorious for farm deaths due to turning over on farm kids)...........in life sometimes we need to pull the lever up just a little or slow down and realize we don't have to run that hard to enjoy life.
• Don't get too close to the edge of a hill, again these little tractors were notorious for their pto's not stopping after the clutch was pushed, whereas the tractor would continue in forward motion and many farm accidents occurred because of this.  In life, when we're near the edge we need to learn to stop...and don't push ourselves too far to when we tumble down the other side, and then wonder why!
• Always, always, always be in the tractor seat when starting the tractor!  In life......you should be the one alongside your family making decisions when starting any new project or attempting to follow a new endeavor.  That's the safest route to take, every time!
• Slow down when moving from field to field, these little tractors had a 4th gear that could put you in a predicament very quickly, if you weren't careful.  In life, need I say more!

As I grow older and hopefully wiser, I cannot help but look back to all the flood of life lessons I learned from my dad and a little tractor, called the Ford 8N!

My Travels to South Africa through the Years -- Part 2.