Working in winter weather can take its toll on one's body. Four days of logging in the snow followed by four days of being sick. On the bright side though, this week was absolutely wonderful!
The sun came out to play Friday beginning with a sunrise of spectacular colors. The high clouds that floated by during the day were beautiful. Snow covered hills could be seen to the north and east of our work site. The day passed quickly and the quitting whistle put a smile on all our faces.
This is the first time I have had the energy to write anything. I guess it must be the sunshine and that crazy bunch of guys I work with that has brought out the writer in me. My job as chaser on the landing gives me much time to ponder the things that we sometimes take for granted.
Sometimes the simplest of things can bring the greatest pleasure. Appreciation for all that we are given in this life is a reward in itself. A sunrise or sunset, a view from a mountain top, or perhaps a small object that catches our eye such as a flower or an odd shaped piece of wood or stone. Pleasure is where you find it and it does not have to come with a price tag.
Look around and let your senses find the simple pleasures of life. The smell of coffee in the early morning or bacon cooking on the stove. Step outside and feel the cool morning air and breath in through your nose sampling the air for a pleasent odor. Taste your food when you eat, don't gulp it down just because you "don't have time". Yes you do and saying you don't is just an excuse.
Have a wonderful day and please, take a moment to enjoy the simple things around you. Open your eyes, mind and heart and you will find joy all around you. God bless you and may your prayers be answered.
Rescue Dog
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
"Where's Justin?"
January weather makes logging difficult, especially snow. It was 12:30 pm and the snow began to fall. The ground had not thawed out all week so the accumulation was rapid. We had just changed roads to log the next section of the unit and the first two choker setters arrived from a long walk up the steep hill.
After only a few turns Tyler hollered out to me, "Where's Justin?" Good question as he is usually the first one back up the hill after a road change. "It's been an hour already. If he doesn't show up real soon we will have to go on a manhunt for him."
Within fifteen minutes we had stopped all work and the crew set out on a quest to find our missing man. I had heard the descriptions of the hill we were presently on and was quite happy that my job didn't include traversing the rock bluffs and steep slopes. I walked up to the trailhead that the crew had established and listened as they hollered out his name. Soon the dense brush and old growth timber muffled any sound of the crew.
The snow was falling quite heavy by now and we were getting quite concerned that no contact had been made with our missing man. Tyler had just returned to the landing and we discussed what to do next. The boss wasn't thrilled with the idea of having to call in the county search and rescue team but if we couldn't find Justin soon there would be no other choice.
Tyler waved to me to follow him and we made our way down to Larry's pickup and went for a short drive on the road below us. I stood by to monitor the radios as Tyler walked down the road to search a new area. I got a good laugh when I heard Larry remark, "I been doing this for 35 years and haven't lost a choker setter yet! I guess there's always a first time for everything."
Soon amongst the chatter I was listening to on two different radios was the voice of our MIA. Next was the question of where is he geographicly to our position? Tyler and I had just started back to the landing when he heard Justin say that he could see Larry's pickup. We stopped and hollered to him. A voice came back to us and we searched the open hillside to pinpoint his location. Finally I was able to spot him and was a bit confused as to how he ended up there.
Back on board the crummy the crew was full of questions for Justin. Since we had spent almost two hours looking for him the questions were inevitable. Seems that instead of following the established trail, he had gotten quite lost in the old growth timber. He had veered to the right instead of the left as he neared the top of the hill thus missing even the short spur road we were on.
After hearing his tale the crew figured out what road he had come out on. My question was why didn't he use his talkie-tooter to call us when he realized that he was lost? Logger pride perhaps or sheer stupidity, I guess we will never know for sure but our man was back on board and we were on our way home.
Another day done but with one logger that will not soon live down getting lost.
Rescue Dog
After only a few turns Tyler hollered out to me, "Where's Justin?" Good question as he is usually the first one back up the hill after a road change. "It's been an hour already. If he doesn't show up real soon we will have to go on a manhunt for him."
Within fifteen minutes we had stopped all work and the crew set out on a quest to find our missing man. I had heard the descriptions of the hill we were presently on and was quite happy that my job didn't include traversing the rock bluffs and steep slopes. I walked up to the trailhead that the crew had established and listened as they hollered out his name. Soon the dense brush and old growth timber muffled any sound of the crew.
The snow was falling quite heavy by now and we were getting quite concerned that no contact had been made with our missing man. Tyler had just returned to the landing and we discussed what to do next. The boss wasn't thrilled with the idea of having to call in the county search and rescue team but if we couldn't find Justin soon there would be no other choice.
Tyler waved to me to follow him and we made our way down to Larry's pickup and went for a short drive on the road below us. I stood by to monitor the radios as Tyler walked down the road to search a new area. I got a good laugh when I heard Larry remark, "I been doing this for 35 years and haven't lost a choker setter yet! I guess there's always a first time for everything."
Soon amongst the chatter I was listening to on two different radios was the voice of our MIA. Next was the question of where is he geographicly to our position? Tyler and I had just started back to the landing when he heard Justin say that he could see Larry's pickup. We stopped and hollered to him. A voice came back to us and we searched the open hillside to pinpoint his location. Finally I was able to spot him and was a bit confused as to how he ended up there.
Back on board the crummy the crew was full of questions for Justin. Since we had spent almost two hours looking for him the questions were inevitable. Seems that instead of following the established trail, he had gotten quite lost in the old growth timber. He had veered to the right instead of the left as he neared the top of the hill thus missing even the short spur road we were on.
After hearing his tale the crew figured out what road he had come out on. My question was why didn't he use his talkie-tooter to call us when he realized that he was lost? Logger pride perhaps or sheer stupidity, I guess we will never know for sure but our man was back on board and we were on our way home.
Another day done but with one logger that will not soon live down getting lost.
Rescue Dog
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Home in time for Father's Day.
Last year, the day before Father's Day, our department received a medical call for a subject "not breathing, not conscious".
When we hear these words several questions run through our minds as we scramble to our vehicles.
How long has the patient been down? What is the patent's medical history? Am I prepared to start CPR? These are just a few of many.
I was first to arrive and the friend who had found her was standing outside by his motorcycle. Not a good sign. I proceeded in to find the elderly woman in a chair on her sun porch.
She was gone.
The ambulance and paramedic arrived a couple of minutes later. "She's in there", I replied as I made my way back to my pickup. Neighbors were coming out of their homes to see what was happening. I greeted them and told them the solemn news.
When there is nothing you can do for the patient it is important to remember that the survivors, both friends and family have become your patients now. Just taking a few moments to talk with them can have awesome healing power.
I listened to several people that day and as I was traveling down the highway the next morning their words and the realization of what particular day this was, suddenly a whole new picture was painted of yesterday's lament.
The neighbor said that she was sitting in her favorite room and in her favorite chair.
The paramedic noted that she was reading The Holy Bible, her favorite book.
She had told the friend who found her , "I have travel plans for this weekend.. Don't tell anyone".
A smile came across my face followed by tears of joy for this dear old woman. All the tidbits of conversation from the day before were now quite clear.
She was in her favorite room, in her favorite chair, reading her favorite book and she did indeed have travel plans....to be home in time for Father's Day.
Now if you will excuse me, this big hearted firefighter needs a tissue......
Rescue Dog
When we hear these words several questions run through our minds as we scramble to our vehicles.
How long has the patient been down? What is the patent's medical history? Am I prepared to start CPR? These are just a few of many.
I was first to arrive and the friend who had found her was standing outside by his motorcycle. Not a good sign. I proceeded in to find the elderly woman in a chair on her sun porch.
She was gone.
The ambulance and paramedic arrived a couple of minutes later. "She's in there", I replied as I made my way back to my pickup. Neighbors were coming out of their homes to see what was happening. I greeted them and told them the solemn news.
When there is nothing you can do for the patient it is important to remember that the survivors, both friends and family have become your patients now. Just taking a few moments to talk with them can have awesome healing power.
I listened to several people that day and as I was traveling down the highway the next morning their words and the realization of what particular day this was, suddenly a whole new picture was painted of yesterday's lament.
The neighbor said that she was sitting in her favorite room and in her favorite chair.
The paramedic noted that she was reading The Holy Bible, her favorite book.
She had told the friend who found her , "I have travel plans for this weekend.. Don't tell anyone".
A smile came across my face followed by tears of joy for this dear old woman. All the tidbits of conversation from the day before were now quite clear.
She was in her favorite room, in her favorite chair, reading her favorite book and she did indeed have travel plans....to be home in time for Father's Day.
Now if you will excuse me, this big hearted firefighter needs a tissue......
Rescue Dog
Saturday, January 12, 2008
A note to my readers.
As you may have noticed, there is a bit of a gap in my posts. This due to the fact now I share this computer with three other people in my home. The fact that I seem to have have a case of writers block has not helped either. Maybe its this nasty weather we been having too.
Hopefully the sun will come out this weekend and give all of us in our home a recharge. I have lived here on the Oregon coast all my life so the rain is usually no big deal. However some winters can get you down a bit and cabin fever sets in.
God bless all who read my blog. I will have have more very cool stories for you soon.
Rescue Dog
Hopefully the sun will come out this weekend and give all of us in our home a recharge. I have lived here on the Oregon coast all my life so the rain is usually no big deal. However some winters can get you down a bit and cabin fever sets in.
God bless all who read my blog. I will have have more very cool stories for you soon.
Rescue Dog
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