Strike training..day 7

Today we got back to work in the field.

But first..Diane and I went to Del's in Monroe

for some 10% sale they were having. We filled up

the bed of my truck with livestock feed, horse feed

dog food and other stuff. My little truck was full to the brim

after we left. Got to DeltaBluez and unloaded all of the feed

into barrels and rested. Diane went to the house and I stayed

in the barn and set out to finish brushing out Em's tail.

So I went into the barn and got the halter and set

out to "wrangle" her in. I put it on her and gave my

"expertly" executed click-click sound and she would

not budge.... hmmmmm.....ok.....I'll try giving her a tug....

nope...that don't work.....OK I'll try bribery. I went into the barn

and grabbed a handful of alfalfa and grain, thinking to myself

this will do the trick. Gave her a handful of grain and a bit of

alfalfa...nope..... not going to budge. So I called Diane on the cell

and asked "What do I do???" she popped her head to the window

of the house and told me to put my hand about 8 inches down the

halter and use the end of the lead and give a gentle tap with it on

the south end. She reluctantly started to move and It was off

to the barn. Finished her tail and she was sure smiling at me!!!

Then it was off to the task at hand...Mig

I used Tess again for the sort and as usual she was awesome.

Mig on the other hand was a bit too pushy today....probably

pent up energy from not working her yesterday. After a while

she calmed down and started to do some good work.

After the second set of five we put them into the exhaust pen

and I gave her the "go get a drink" command.

She bounded across the field and leapt into the stream

like a Lab. She must have leapt a good 4 feet and landed

into the stream, drinking up half of it!!! Tess, Mig and I

just lied down for a while, soaked up some sun for a while.

It's a tough job..but someone has to do it!!

Lazy Days

Today was kind of a lazy day around here.

We took the day off of stock and just played.

I took the dogs with me to Starbuck's and got

the usual quad powerhouse coffee and it was off to

the park for some fun.

I like to take the dogs to the Snoqualmie River and play

fetch with them in the river. These two "knuckleheads"

just love the crap out of each other and playing in the river

just brings out pure joy in the both of them. I think it is also

good exercise for the both of them...I guess it's called low impact

exercise. The bonus for me is I don't have to bath them

(although Kelpies are kinda self cleaning) Buck, my Border Collie

mix is what I've heard from other handlers is a "sponge"

when it comes to.....what I call....farm debris..LOL LOL.

Since today was also the 7th. "anniversary" of the 9/11

tragedy, for some reason, I just felt compelled to stay close

to home today.

I watched a documentry today on the events of that day,

and something they said just rang in my head all day today,

"The events on that day brought out both sides of humanity,

the very worse, thankfully, the very best in us all."

After seeing photos of the firemen running up those stairs

to save people, and never making it out of the structure,

reminds me again of how lucky we are to have these men and women

in our lives

Strike Training day 3

Tess
photo by Diane Pagel

It's day 3 of the strike and so far I have spent

most of it at DeltaBluez.

Today I started the day out by brushing out Emma's mane.

She is such a good horse. Diane told me she use to be a show horse

and was used to folks fussing over her. Today, while I was brushing

her main, she rested her head on top of mine and then on my shoulder.

And while I was brushing out her back, I swear, she had a smile

on her face. My next task is going to be her tail and that is going to

take a little while.

After the horse, it was on to working Mig, my Kelpie

Today I used Tess to sort and act as a back up dog.

Tess and I put 25 or so head into the round pen and then we

took out 5 at a time after working them 10-15 minutes or so.
In the hot weather you don't want to work the stock
more than a few minutes, so every 10-15 minutes
you change them out.

Today, we worked on Mig's push. She likes to work too close

to the stock and this wont do if we a working very light sheep

as they will tend to run and scatter. I've been trying to stop

her from running out of her "lie-down" after I release her
from it. If the situation needs her to walk up to the stock
in a straight line, I use the command "Walk-Up".

We are also working on letting her learn to read the stock better.

I've been trying to not give her any flank commands and let

her figure them out by herself by what way the stock is moving.

One plus for the afternoon....Instead of tying Mig up after our

session and using Tess to put the stock into the exhaust pen,

I felt she was working pretty good and calm to let her put them away

and she did this great!!! (not driving them in...but fetching them in)

After our work, I let Buck and Mig run around in the appropriate

play areas on the farm and they were joined in by the others

while I was cleaning dog stalls and a host of other chores.

I'm not sure if I can appropriately put it into words or not

but working my dogs and being on the farm is sure

"mental floss" for me. I would rather be on a farm
than anywhere else.

Jeff and Mig (Kelpie)
Photo by Diane Pagel

It's been a long time

It's been a long time since I've posted and a WHOLE lot has changed since then.

Since the last time I posted, I was working at a wood shop in Redmond.
I applied at Boeing in Feb. of '07 and was hired in April '07

I'm a mechanic on the 777 and I currenly working on the aft bulk cargo door

I really love what I do and am very proud of that airplane.

As probably most of you have heard, the union I belong

to is on strike against Boeing.

So this has become my GOLDEN opportunity to get

some training in on Mig.

I worked her some on Friday and today we had

and AWESOME session!!

I use Scotty at first as a sorting/back up dog and he

worked great for me..he really respects me and listens

very well. I used him to put all of the stock into the round pen

and used him to "cut out" 5 at a time.

Mig was working like a dream dog (a little pushy at first)

but she quickly calmed down. She was covering like a dream too.

Boy she can cover well. If she pushed to stock in front of me, I just walk

away from the stock and she would go wide and bring them back to me.

I love it when I see her doing her "Kelpie crawl" stalking like a cheetah

We did three 5 sheep sessions with Scotty and then Tess decided

it was time for her to work too!! So away Scotty went and Tess

stepped up to the plate. In the next session..one ewe broke loose and

Mig looked at me to see If I wanted her to go get her. I said "lie down"

and Tess knew it was her time to work. Mig covered the four and Tess

very calmly brought the one ewe back to us...What a good girl!!

I was trying to let Mig figure out what way to move the stock and stop

relying on me so much for flanks... so I would hide behind the big stumps

and let Mig decide what way to bring the stock to me based on what position

they were in. She did this great!! She has reduced her "looking at me time"

and starting to show more confidence in herself.

Boy folks, I sure have on TIRED Kelpie at my feet now as I type this

to you, She worked hard and I'm very, very proud of her.

Jeff-Buck-Mig

__._,_.___

April 1, 2006

It has been two weeks into my new job
And I have to say, so far, I like it. I was hired there
To assist and train under a very talented computer
Draftsman and learn AutoCAD. I have to say, I have been
Using TurboCAD for 6 years now, and I don’t know how I
Ever got along without AutoCAD for so long. It is such a
Superior product and VERY powerful.

Because of my back round in production and in machine operation,
I was asked this week to don my tape measurer
and go out to shop and operate the beam saw and do my part
to help the company get caught up on some orders that have
to ship shortly. It has been about 12 years since I ran a beam
saw for more than a couple of hours at a time, but I guess
it’s like a bicycle, once you know how, you don’t forget!
it feels great to show them my versatility, in a couple of
hours, I felt completely at home on the saw, just like
old times. I’m hoping to get an opportunity to get on their
edgebander or CNC machine too.

As far as the company goes, they really treat their
people good. It is a great change to work for a company
that treats their people like members of the family. It
means a lot to me to have the one of the owners come up
to you and thank you for working hard as well as the other
owner thanking you for working overtime on a Saturday.
that may seem trivial to some, but that is more than the
usual “hmmph” that I got from the owner of the old place
I came from. Acknowledgement sometimes means more
than money.

It’s also great working with the crew at the new place.
there is a real sense of artistry and craftsmanship in the
new place. It’s not like “making a bunch of dumb boxes”
that I was used to in the old place. The
guys have a real emphasis on quality and not quantity.
Not to be forgotten, the level of maturity and professionalism is a
real bonus too.
All in all, it’s a far better place to work, aside from
a few key people at the old place, I don’t miss it.
It’s also nice being in a place where you are not held in
contempt or
treated as a beast of burden in the stable with all of the other
draft animals. What a better way of saying “Fuck You”
to the semi-retired ownership and the next generation to the
throne is to get a better job,
with a better product that pays better.

3-15-2006 (New Chapters)

It's amazing how much your life can change
In the span of less than a week.

Last Thursday, the job that I held for almost 19 years
Was severed, for reasons that aren’t worthy of even
mentioning.

I started there in 1987, when I was 22, full of myself and
Thinking I had the world by the balls. I went through the death
Of my Father not too long after starting there, broken relationships, pain, happiness, sorrow and glee.
I made some good friends, friends that I would give my
life for, and yes, I made some enemies. I started there with all the motivation of
Needing a paycheck, nothing more. That slowly turned into
A sense of duty and pride in my work. Many nights driving home
After work, I remember feeling that “buzz” of doing a good job
And giving an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.

There is a saying somewhere, that say’s
“If women don’t find you hansom, they should at least find you handy” Well at my last job I was handy. I loved making things with my hands and I was fairly good at it.
I also learned about the world of industrial machine repairs/operations and CAD

Out of my whole tenure there, I came out of it with a
Handful of good friends (you know who you are) so I think that
Because of this, I’ve departed a rich man!!

The first few days facing unemployment were rough.
I’ve used the term “wobbled” and that’s exactly what I did
I wobbled. Aside from the friends at the old place, I also
Have some good friend outside of work (you also know who you are) and I was embraced by the bonds of friendship or what I call
“The salve that soothes”. I was helped making a resume and was
given lots of advice.

It’s sometime hard to admit, being a 41 year old man, but
Even a 41 year old man, can still need “his Mommy”.

When I get really stressed out, I have a hard time eating. My gut rolls and churns. The first few days, aside from a few
Crackers, I didn’t eat. Sunday my Mom invited me for over for dinner.
I have totally forgotten the symbolism of Mothers cooking.
Her cooking is, as a child, what warmed you up after a cold day in the snow, cheered you up after being teased by the neighborhood bullies and generally
made you feel better. As always, her cooking Did the trick again….I love her.

Monday I received a call about a resume I sent out. I called
Her back on Tuesday and had a phone interview with her
And got a good “vibe” about her and her company. We set up a
Interview for Wednesday (today) and it went good. I was
E-mailed an offer and I am very happy to say that I’ve accepted
Their offer.

On Monday I start a new chapter in my life…………….

Feb 20, 2006

What a weekend!!

Sunday I helped Bob, an Aussie handler,
Build a hay shed at Diane and Jeff’s.

We got started at 8:30am and it was 16deg.

The crew was Bob and his friend Dan, myself, Getty
Diane’s brother and his friend, Audrey and her husband
And Amy showed up.

The first thing we had to do was dig 6 postholes
That were 18” dia. And 36” deep. As I said it was
16deg, and the ground was frozen and the gravel we
Were digging through was like concrete. This took the
Most time. The whole experience gives me a new
Respect for people who do this for a living!!!

My body gave out on me @ 2:30pm after Jeff’s
Authentic New Orleans Gumbo for lunch. I went home
And crashed hard!!

Tuesday, Feb 14th.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Yesterday I missed most of the day at work
due to a flare-up of the dreaded diverticulitis.
If anybody knows anything about this, you know how
painful this can be. I came home and took to aspirin
and took a long nap. Woke up an got my ass to the doctor
and the doc gave me some antibiotics and I hope they work.
It sucks going to the hospital and laying there hooked up to an
I.V.

Today I went to work and it was much better.
Although in the morning it still hurts.

Today I got a hold of Al at Plywood Tacoma http://www.plytac.com/
And Set up a delivery of 11 sheets of ½” O.S.B. for the hay shed that
we are going to build this weekend. Big Al gave me a
screaming deal on it!! Diane let me use her truck, so I can take it
to work and load it up after I get off. WHAT A BRUTE OF A TRUCK!!
A big diesel 4X4!! I’ll drop it off once I get it unloaded and be forced
to take my girly-man truck home =)

The boyz and I (Buck and Ray) had an intense game of fetch
In the house tonight!! Buck, who is afraid of my woodstove,
Would go and retreat to the bedroom as soon as I lit the stove.
So today I got the idea to light the stove and get a game of fetch in
The house going, so he would get the idea that while the stove is going,
Being in the same room as the stove can be fun.
And I think it started to work!!! (Although it will take some more time)

Monday Feb 13

Hello all.

Sunday I went to Fido's Charity Dog trial
to benefit
the Diane Pagel/Jeff Freeman barn fire.

What a great time! I rode down there with
Diane, Amy and Erin and of course, Scotty.

There was a pretty good turn out and it was
great putting faces to all of the e-mails
that Amy and myself have been receiving.
I have put pictures up of the event:
http://www.jeffboone.com/jeffs_website_008.htm

Fido's http://www.fidosfarm.com/
donated 30 bails of field grass and we managed to get

it all on the truck. Special thanks to Fido's for that!

Saturday, I am going to help a friend of Diane/Getty
to build a temporary hay shed for the hay.
It has been a long time since I have ran a skill-saw
so lets hope I come back Monday with all ten fingers.

So, how about that Melanie Troxel in Top-Fuel huh?
I knew she was going to be off to a great start.
With Don Schumacher and his dough behind her,
She should be a real contender. I'm glad that there
were no team rules so far.

I loved the thrash in the John Force camp, especially
having to use the AAA show car's body for the semi's
I met Robert Hight a few years ago and he was
(and probably is still) a real nice guy. He deserves it.

Jeff Boone
http://www.jeffboone.com/

I love Fridays!!!

I love Fridays!!

My panel dividing saw at work went down Wednesday after a power
surge, and I spent most of the day Thursday on and off of the phone
with a technician in Charlotte, NC, trying to track down the source of the problem.
Since I am what I call "schematically challenged", this can be a difficult
task. Finally we determined if that it was a faulty auxiliary contactor
that is part of the safety control voltage system. Without control voltage,
no saw, no cut wood, no make furniture. I just ordered the part by the 5pm EST
cut off, and got it on the UPS truck. I called a very talented local technician
Dave Gullet, and today he came out to install the contactor. He determined
that it wasn't a auxiliary contactor, but a faulty emergency push button switch.
He temporality bypassed it and it worked!! The saw was making furniture again!!

It was such a beautiful day today, that after work I took the dogs up
to the park and decided to have an impromptu "That'l do" (come here) and
"Lie Down" (self explanatory) session. All I needed was a Chuckit Launcher,
a tennis ball, and the boys (my Buck and Diane's Ray). They had a blast running
and barking at one another. They also did really good at listening to me and my
commands, I was a proud Dad!!!

I don't have children (at least that I know of) but I tell you what, I get and idea
what joy parents must have when their children take a nap and experience
the quiet, because tonight as I type this, both dogs are sound asleep at my feet
as I clack away at the keyboard! OH WHAT JOY!!!!

I love Fridays!!

Jeff

Feb 7th

The last couple of weeks have been crazy!!

My friend and herding instructor Diane Pagel barn burnt
down on Jan 19th due to an electrical short.
She lost 7 sheep and 3 lambs, 4 cats and chickens.
Not to mention all of the necessary paraphernalia needed to have
Farm animals (tack, feed, medical supplies, ect.)
Her husband Jeff, a musician, lost his rehearsal space along with
4 irreplaceable guitars (one of them being a 1957 Telecaster), and
a lifetime collection of books and photos.

It was so devastating for the both of them and loosing so much
But, slowly with the help of the community, it will be re-built.

If you would like to read Diane and Jeff’s first hand account of the fire
Go to: http://www.jeffboone.com/january_19.doc
Or: http://www.jeffboone.com/jeffs_website_007.htm

This weekend marks the return of the 2006 NHRA Drag racing Series!!!
and I am so exited!! It has been a long dry period with no Drag Racing but it’s
back for the season. I think we need to look out for John Force in funny car,
Tony Schumacher or Melanie Troxel in top Fuel. In the Pro Stock field, look
out for Dave Connolly. Pro stock bike, I’m gong to have to go with
Andrew Hines. I’m hoping to make it to the races this year at Pacific Raceways.

Welcome to my Blog

Well hello there!!

My name is Jeff Boone and I put up this blog so anybody
can post comments about my site, share opinions,
or just say hello!

As you can see I'm a big NHRA Drag Racing fan and I love photography.

Also, I am a herding enthusiast. Herding.....What's that????

Herding is a wonderful activity that involves me and my
Border Collie/Aussie mix, Buck and of course, sheep
(hopefully this will one day include ducks and cattle)

Buck is a 4 year old that I got from a great place
Ravensgate Border Collie Rescue (http://www.ravensgate.net/)

We train with a wonderful instructor, Diane Pagel
at DeltaBluez Farm (http://www.deltabluez.net/ )
Buck and I have had only a 7 lessons so far. He has progressed pretty far
but you would have to ask Buck how I'm doing :)
I hope that we can start competing in a year or so.

Here is a few link to give you skinny on herding:

http://www.osds.org/
http://www.usbcha.com/

I hope to update the blog every few days or so, thanks for stopping by

Jeff Boone