First Day of Autumn

Greetings Readers

Today, I woke up refreshed rejuvenated and ready to Rock and Roll.  And after a night of something something with someone new, young, fit, well... its all good.  Though that was not the reason why for this mood.

Something about the morning was great.  The morning was partly overcast and looked cold which meant I would have to wear a jacket or put something under my bike jersey - which I do not want to do.

I opted out and decided to take a chance.  And it worked out for the better.  I got on the bike and decided to listen to Dire Straits this morning - Brothers in Arm.  I do not know what it was but maybe the combination of my mood, the music, the bike ride and the morning I was in Heaven.  I smiled at everyone I crossed while going to work this morning.  And lo and behold Readers they smiled back.  Yeah I know that is what happens, but I rarely do do that so it is a surprise from time to time for me.

Anyway, there is one convenience store that I visit weekly for the past 8 years going to work.  I have gotten to know the employees whom work there and they have come to know me.  Well, this morning I did my usual routine and then got to the cashier counter.  I was still listening to Dire Straits and then I saw that the employee was talking to me.  I pulled out my earphones and she said "hey there stranger."  I looked at her and I couldn't place her face.  "You don't remember me do you?  You used to flirt with me alot.  I am alot older now"  I took my Oakleys off and took a look at her.  I still could not place the face.  I smiled "Well I am alot older as well" she responds "But you still look the same"  I am still looking and trying to rack my memory "If your working tomorrow morning I will see if I remember you"

As I was leaving the parking lot I think I remember now.  Yes Readers, I am almost positive where I know her now.  I just got to remember her name by tomorrow morning.  And yes I remember, if this is the same person, that I flirted with her when I saw her and was so close to asking her out that, but she transferred to another location. 

Could this be fate?  Who knows.   Things have going great and alot is happening.  If she is there tomorrow and if the same person I am thinking of - yes I am going to ask if she would like to go out for a drink / dinner and catch up.  Granted, I knew her for a while, but I really did not know her so I am not sure if that sounds ok to ask.  Sorry, I did not look at her hands - for all I know she could be married.  And yes she is older than me by a little bit, I think.  Of course, she could be involved or just not interested in me.  But regardless I will ask tomorrow one way or the other.

Now onto other things - well not really, but music.  I really forgot how much I did not listen to my ipods when I was in this recent relationship that ended.  Earlier this year the ex moved closer down to where I live and work and soon thereafter she was driving me to and from work.  It was nice of course.  But now, being back on the bike since 7-19-14 full time I am getting to use the Ipods once more and get to bike to what I want to hear or randomize the songs.  You Readers know that I love variety of music genres and not restricted to one or two music genres.  The ex was limited to two genres - classical and techo (the techno that she listened to is not really techno thou).  As we speak I am listening to James Brown is Dead by LA Style, but all morning I have been listen to a variety - 10,000 maniacs, Queensryche, Prince, U2.   Oh by the way Readers, I downloaded the new U2 album while I was in Albuquerque - and I do like it, but there is but and I can save that for later), the Doors, W.A.S.P, the soundtrack to The Good, The Bad & the Ugly, Tiesto and Johnny Cash.  I am sure there is a bit more, but what I am saying is that I am in the music zone and I am loving it.  Every minute of it.

I am not quite ready for the announcement I was talking about blog post before.  Nothing big in my opinion and nothing new, in a manner of speaking, but I am stoked.  Looking forward to this.  Sorry, that is all I have to say about that.

oh LaMont - well LaMont has left the place where we worked together for the past 8 years.  Kind of sad to see that, but he told me no LaMont stories on my blog.  I do not think that I have any LaMont stories to tell... well I guess I do have one.  Breaking Bad.   Last year, last summer LaMont actually watched an episode of Breaking Bad since that was the final season and of course the talk was the talk on Breaking Bad.  We faithful watchers who have been on board from the beginning were left with the biggest cliffhanger at the end of Season 5 Part 1.  Hank is in Walter's Bathroom and sitting upon the Golden Throne and looks for something to read.  He sees a book and opens up to the first page "To my other favorite W.W. it's an honour working with you.  Fondly, G.B."  And then Hank looks up with that look and then the screen goes black.  Wow.  Just thinking about that moment now gives me the chills and i can recollect the first time I saw that scene and every time I still see that scene - it is awesome.  The beginning of the end.  And just think Readers - We had to wait a whole year to find out what was going to happen.  This is probably the second best cliff hanger for Breaking Bad in my book and I will share my most favorite season end episode that made me think.... well I will save that for tomorrow perhaps.  Anyway, getting back to LaMont.  I let him borrow my DVDs and LaMont crammed all 5 seasons in like 2 or 3 weeks.  LaMont was addicted from the beginning and was not working out, not going out and even LaMont's wife was getting into the show as well.  It was funny to see this since he always had something to say about me - You kept me up, your fault for me watching Breaking Bad, I aint getting any housework done.

On the last day of his work with me - LaMont thanked me again for Breaking Bad.  And as a gift I gave him Season 3 as a parting gift and to remember me when he needs a fix for Breaking Bad.  Oh Readers I had to buy seasons 1 through 4 again since the ex did not give them back to me - She wanted a gift back (though I did pay her 10 dollars for both shot glasses since the guy at the liquor store opened a gift set-I remembered this now, so technically these are mine since I gave her money for them since she did buy at the liquor store), some money and then to look around my humble place after we have broken up.   That may be a story for the down the road as well, but since this is all related I thought to let you know that as well.  I was Breaking Bad less for a while.  Sorry Readers, that's all I can say on that topic of the ex with the Breaking Bad seasons she kept.  I would think that is a sin to do that, but fuck if I know that is one or not.  I would consider that the sin of stealing - thou shall not steal - if I remember correctly.

And LaMont - I want to thank you for your friendship for almost 7 years.  Yes, I had a bad one year relationship I had with you.  Two donkeys, Two type C personalities was the cause of that, in my opinion - as well as my character.  Though I am glad that I/we made up.  I hope the best for you my friend.

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Athlete (still working on a new title)

The Day Before Autumn Begins

Greeting Readers

Or perhaps there are no more Readers anymore since I have not been actively blogging for the past two years.  I would blame the relationship that I basically ended (or that went to shit with the woman being too something... I can not put a label or word on what transpired)  And that Readers may or may not be a blog post later down the road.  Nothing personal on my behalf, but it takes two to Tango so I know it took two to destroy an almost 2 year relationship in 10 days (or less in my view, longer in her view I am assuming).  Technically in 2 days, but I am not counting - LOL

However, I am back.  Although I have to admit my first day back to blogging and back in Denver after being on vacation is a bit rough.  And for the past days (and then some) every morning I have been waking up to the Elk bugling on our Ranch.   What a sound to wake up to.  Every morning about 5:30 or later and until about 7 AM those Elk are calling out with there bugling.  I loved that and then this Morning I am waking up to the car - beep beep unlock, or the back up sound of a truck backing out from a parking space, the sounds of early morning traffic.  Urgh.  Oh well, back to my life and truly my life now since I am once more single.  Although, I am missing the morning something something.  Though that will be rectified here soon.

So, this is just a short update to being back and I think I am going to entertain you once more Readers.  And we will once more enjoying and yes even get you thinking who is the Mr. Charley once more. 

And I will have an announcement later on why I am also back to blogging.  Stay tuned or get re-tuned with me.  I promise to entertain you once more Readers.

with utmost sincerity

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

P.S.  The Fallen Athlete is what I have been using for many years and I do/did have a reason why.  However, I think that I am going to change that as well since I do not think that I am Fallen anymore.  Let me be frank - I think Lance Armstrong.  Oops Readers, I broke one of my past blog posts on that I stated that I would never use his full never again, but looks like I just broke that rule.  Oh well.  I am a better person now and now learning once more not to hold some grudges to my death bed.   Anyway, Lance Armstrong is the true "Fallen Athlete" and now I do not feel that since I am using that title that title could be associated with Lance and I do not want to be associated that way.  So, I think I am going to have to remove that title going forward.  And I will not be using Born again Athlete since that is what the ex apparently has gone through "Born Again"  And I do not want to be associated that way either to an ex-girlfriend.  In the words she used on that last Facebook post she had posted - "nothing personal."

P90X - Day 22

Greetings Readers

Ok. Here is the picture for today.

Today, there is no motivation to do anything really. 33 days unofficially and 22 Days officially. I did not have a regular P90X breakfast. I basically said fuck it and went down to the deli to get some scrambled eggs (yes with yolk) and some hash browns. I have to admit that it did sound good and was good. A different taste from what I remember having it some time ago. Not counting the Village Inn breakfast I had in Albuquerque, NM on 3-3-11.

I skipped eating lunch and I did not run, but that is only because I plan to run on Tuesday and Thursday at lunch.

I had some Hot Tea and water today. I biked about 9.86 miles and that's it. Nothing wrong with me today, but just feel like not doing anything really. Just go home and get caught up on that ever-soap-opera WWF.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

The Denver Post Sunday Paper

Greetings Readers

I blogged perhaps a year or two ago about the Sunday Morning paper and me.

I had a ritual for every Sunday Morning.

However, that ritual was broken when the Denver Post Sunday Paper got smaller, the Sunday paper costs going up and the eventual disappearing of the Sunday comic I loved to read on Sunday.

Also, the news was not that exciting anymore. I admit the other reason why I bought the Sunday paper was for the ads. The ads. Sales and sales to be looked and analyzed over and over.

But, Damn if I was going pay 50 cents more to read a smaller paper when I can get the info from the TV and Internet.

Yet, February 6, 2011 I decided to buy another Sunday Paper. After all, it has been just a year since I bought my last Sunday Denver Post Paper. And I only bought the Sunday Paper back at that time for the same exact reason. Granted, I could have found the information that I was looking for on the Internet, but thought what the fuck I can splurge the $ 1.50 for one paper.

Note: Readers, I have bought many, many Sundays in the past two years, but those are the Albuquerque Journal and only when I am vacationing down in New Mexico.

What? Why did I buy the Sunday Denver Post Paper.

The only reason why I bought the Denver Post, that is, the Sunday Denver Post was for the announcement of the bike tour I did a couple of years ago. No drum roll. It is the announcement of the Ride the Rockies 2011.

I have to admit that I am now looking to see what the route would be the new year. I am not impressed by the route itself. And the starting line is not even a place I thought would be a Ride the Rockies start. Granted, I never new where the starting point of any Ride the Rockies prior to my participating in 2009. And there is an explanation why I did not care/know.

Last year, the Ride the Rockies 2010 started in Grand Junction and if I remember correctly ended in Salida, CO. I actually thought it was nice route and even thought about applying, but decided not to.

Anyway, here we are. I will give it a thought, perhaps two, but I do not think that I will be applying for this year's Ride the Rockies. I will have to look at the Mountain Passes as well as the towns that the stops will be at for me to even consider applying for a spot. I am not impressed and after all I can already state that I have done the Ride the Rockies.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

More Pics From the Past Two Months

Greetings Readers

Here is a picture of the Library that is the closest to our ranch that I can access my blog, or the internet for that matter, while I am on vacation at our Ranch. It is about 60 miles away.

Not a bad place at all, but it is the closest for me to use since there is also a Walmart, a Lotaburger, and most of the time a pinon seller that I can buy some Pinons in Grants, New Mexico.

Grants, New Mexico is located off I-40 and is west of Albuquerque and east of Gallup, New Mexico. Actually Grants share it location with Milan, New Mexico and is located on historic route 66.

Grants, New Mexico has a grocery store - Smith's - that more often than not has the best and freshest meat available for buying. I do not know why that is. Also, their prices are reasonable and not "city prices." Could it be perhaps of the poverty level that is located in this part of New Mexico and the store must adjust prices according or risk customers and worse, closing its door? I do not know. Although, as long as the stores in this town can make a profit they have every reason to make necessary adjustments. Otherwise, the stores that have closed their doors have remained empty for years in this town.

Also, this is where my parents have a mailbox. The only place that they can get mail, in a manner of speaking, since no mail service is available where our ranch is. I know, I know sucks to be us.

Not much else I can say about this town.

This other pictures is of two (Koko and no name for the other dog) of the the three of our dogs and one of the two the cats (Michael or Jackson - I can not remember which one it may be) that are on our Ranch. Our cats and dogs get along very well together. All our animals do not fit the norm. Such as cats and dogs not liking each other. We introduced each of these animals to each other when they were young and none of the animal passed own hatred to each other since so they play and walk with each other as if the same animal. Matter of fact, the young calves are very, very scared of the cats. It is funny to see the cats stalk the calves as if the cats are really going to take down that calves. The only time the dogs get growling is when any animal is near their dog dishes. The dogs or cats do not chase the Guineas we have, which by the way Readers, we are only down to four Guineas as of today.

The dogs play with the horses, the Guineas are okay with our dogs and cats, the cows are okay with us. Not Eden close to Eden, but very doable since we do not have to worry about any unnecessary deaths.

P.S. By the way Readers, did you see the ad for the water? I did not mention this, but did you also see how/where the brunette hand is placed? Is it brushing against the blonde's breast? Is it just poised inside her shirt? I do not know.

P.S.S. Oh boy. Me and Lily Kissed the Earth on Sunday. I kissed hard and scraped my left arm up as well as bruised my left leg to be still hurting today. I turned a corner and hit some black ice and went down so fast and unexpected on Lily.

Tomorrow, I will show you Readers the empty ground silos in New Mexico that were emptied during the Reagan years when that nuclear agreement was made to downside the ICBM's stockpiles. I think, it is pretty neat to see - even from more than 20 years ago. What is more amazing...

until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Back from Vacation

Greetings Readers

I am back from a short little vacation from our Ranch in New Mexico, The Charley’s Ranch.

I needed some time away from Denver as well as from Corporate America.

I decided to take about two days off and make it a four-day weekend.

There is really not much else to add that is any different from my previous visits to our Ranch.

I arrived in Albuquerque on Friday morning; we had breakfast, did some shopping as well as take in my Dad’s new Truck to the Toyota dealership for a check up.

My brother was working so he could not join us for breakfast, shopping or the weekend while I was at the Ranch.

Later that day when we got to the Ranch it was time to relax in a manner of speaking. Get settled as well as feed the animals on the Ranch – the cats, dogs, Guineas, the horses and some of the cattle.

I got my gear and headed into the bedroom that I normally sleep in. I also grabbed some of the grocery and started to bring in those too. We bought Smoked sausage, steaks, ribs, breakfast materials and some fresh green hatch chili and broccoli.

We were pretty tired so we just took it easy. I was tired from the bus ride and my parents were tired since they have been traveling for the past three days and have not had time to be at the Ranch.

Saturday. Apparently, today my parents had plans for me. Nothing unexpected mind you, but it is part of our ritual where I complain and talk like Forrest Gump

“I’m on vacation.”

Then, my mother says my first name as well as my middle initial indicating that I better not cause any trouble.

This is something that we do every time I am on “vacation.” It is funny, but not funny hah hah.

The calfs that were born earlier this year needed to have a respiratory shots in order to get them ready for selling. This will help the calfs when they intermingle with other calfs and cattle at the stockyards.

So, my parents let me sleep in while they rounded up the cattle in the morning.

Probably an hour later I got into my cattle clothes and got ready to go and work on the cattle.

Boy, those calfs got big; except for the calf that lost its mother the last time I visited the Ranch. That calf was still kind of small.

My mother, my father and I then started the work. Separating the calfs from the cows. Not as easy as you think. We soon funneled them into another fenced portion of the corral and were just about ready for the shots.

My Dad got the shots ready and I got the camera ready for their “mug shots” or record keeping. We had to use the big cattle chute since the calf table was too small to handle these calfs that were now larger than they were months ago.

Our cattle are not like other cattle. Meaning, we treat our cattle with care and do not yell, hit or chase cattle like most ranchers do. Our cattle are pretty tame and use to humans being near them. We try not to frighten our cattle when they are young or make the shots, branding, and spraying of the cattle a frightening experience for them to dread the next time we round them for the next time. Cattle do remember certain experiences.

Yet, such as myself there is always one cow in the group that is ornery. Readers, I am actually scared of this one particular cow when we get her riled up. She will look at you and will give the indication of charging when you get too pushy for her liking.

Other than that we use sticks to strike their hindquarters or head in order to get them go in the direction we want them to.

We finally got done about an hour or two later and this time I was injury free; however my mother got her hand caught while pushing a cow through a cow chute to the cattle chute for their shot.

After working on the cattle I got to smoking. Meaning, smoking those rib as well as the sausage for our dinner tonight.

Sunday – was spent moving things around the Ranch as well as cleaning up here and there in the morning. In the afternoon we had barbeque to go to.

Readers, do you remember me showing you the plaque from the 4-H club? Well, the 4-H club was throwing another barbeque and my parents were once more invited. I was actually excited to go since I have never been to a 4-H function or a function that was honoring my parents.

My parents made a donation of $ 500.00 to the 4-H club. What I found out that donation help out a young girl in high school to buy a sheep and helped her raise that sheep for showing.

What I did not know and what touched me the most about this was my parent’s contribution helped a girl who lost her mother on September 11 last year. She was staying with her stepbrother or brother since her father was abusive and she did not want to be with her father, from what I gather was said.

A 4-H member, the speaker of the group I imagine, brought over the young girl to the table we were at and personally thanked my parents for their help and also what was done with their donation. As you Readers can read I was touched that this girl came over and thanked and shook both of my parent’s hands for the sheep she was able to purchase and raise. I think what was important to me was that she looked happy and was happy. I do not know if this was the reason why, but I want to believe that it did since this young girl apparently seemed to have a hard life already – which her life has yet to begin for her.

After the barbeque, I wanted to fix some of the erosion that has happened around the road to the Ranch. This is my thing that I do – meaning when I do work on the road I feel I am contributing to the state of the Ranch as well as earning my room and board while I am on “vacation.” I also do most of the lunch and dinner cooking as every now and then I will cook breakfast, but tend to leave that up to my Mother.

Sounds kooky, but that is what I believe. I do not ask for help since this is something I do on my own. I grabbed a wheelbarrow, a shovel and two cans of Coca-Cola’s and headed off to the areas I was going to work on.

Here is the crazy thing Readers. I listen to my Ipod when working down there. Music and working seem to go hand in hand for me. Anyway, the weather is still hot during this time of the year and with that said the rattlesnakes are still out; meaning they are not in their burrows hibernating for winter yet.

I always forget that I cannot totally put in my earphones and crank the volume up. After all, without the music all that can be heard is the wind blowing and me shoveling dirt into the wheelbarrow. I would not be able to hear the warning sound of a rattlesnake rattling its tail should I come close to the area that snake is at or if that snake slithers into my area I am working at.

And should I get bit or anyone else, death could be very likely since the nearest hospital is over 40 miles away. Of course the older the snake the less likely; whereas if the bite was from a younger rattlesnake the bite is so much lethal than a full-grown rattlesnake. Yet, multiple bites from a mature rattlesnake are just as fatal.

I digress Readers. So, I have to be alert to any rattlesnake’s rattler when working with my earphones pumping music into my ears. There are a couple of other snakes that are where we live, but Rattlesnakes are the ones to be careful of.

Monday – Just this and that were done before I had to leave the Ranch once more.

Soon, the time arrived that we had to left the Ranch for Albuquerque. My brother has plans to take us out for dinner before I leave for Colorado.

As we left the dirt road of the reservation behind we sometimes make a stop at a Trading post for something to drink, since our drive to Albuquerque is about 2 hours further from that point.

I was not interested in getting something to drink this time around, but my Mother indicated she saw a Mountain biker and perhaps we should stop for something to drink and find out where that biker is riding. I have to admit I was curious.

I got out of the vehicle and proceeded to walk to the Trading post. I immediately saw the bike rider, a white older guy, and saw that he has the same bike set up as Colin, the guy I met in Salida in June during the 2009 Ride the Rockies. Matter of fact, the same heavy duty looking mountain bike with the same type of bike trailer rig. That bike did indeed look like it was ridden long and hard and yet this bike had the rest of New Mexico to traverse before the United States / Mexico border.

I looked, but made sure that he did not noticed that I was looking at him. Now, even though I was on vacation I sure as shit did not blend in with the locals. I looked and talked like a “white man,” even though I am 100% pure Native American Indian in this part of the Navajo Nation. Matter of fact, I bet I was only the only Navajo in this part of New Mexico who could not fluently talk Navajo.

I went into the Trading post with my dad and bought drinks for all of us.

Soon I left the Trading post and knew this was the moment to introduce myself to this biker.

I cannot remember what was exactly was said, but I asked if he was riding the Continental Divide. Readers, if I never met Colin during the Ride the Rockies I would not cared to talk to this bike rider, but since I learned something new about another core of bike riders in the world I was curious. Now, when I see a bike rider in the middle of nowhere along the Continental Divide I now know why there is a bike rider out in the middle of nowhere. As oppose to me just an ordinary bike rider and not thinking whom, where, what about that bike rider.

The bike rider nodded yes while he was eating some Nachos outside the Torrean Trading post in New Mexico.

He said yes and that he was riding South. Which of course made sense since it is probably getting too cold to be riding North on the Continental Divide.

I told him to be careful of Navajo Gangs at night, but otherwise he should be okay. I also told him to be careful of drunk drivers. He asked where he could camp – I said nowhere really. What about Chaco Canyon? I said that is bout 60 miles west and another 30 miles north from the path you are taking. Also, with the rains in the evening you make get stuck in the mud since the mud out in the part of Southwestern United States is slick and sticky.

We talked a bit and soon I told him that I met a Continental Divide Bike Rider in June this year in Colorado during the Ride the Rockies bike tour. His name was Colin (Amazing how I could re-collect his name without thinking about Colin since the first of August). He replied that he did not recall that name, but he said to me “he is not that crazyguyonabike is he?”

I replied “sure enough”

The Same. This rider outside the Torrean Trading post said he met him in Canada or Montana about a month ago.

What a fucking small world. Yet, Readers I would not know this information if my mother had not mentioned this particular bike rider outside the Trading post. Further more, if I had not mentioned this information to my Mother after the Ride The Rockies I did earlier this summer she probably would not have even mentioned this lone bike rider in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico. I probably would have never given this bike rider a second thought.

Knowing that I was talking too long with the bike rider and my parents waiting in the truck for me we had to get to Albuquerque. I soon bid him farewell and hope the best for the rest of his trip South.

On the way to Albuquerque I could not believe that I actually ran into some one that knew someone that I met months earlier.

Back to the story, we soon met up with my brother and had dinner. Dinner was nice, but our waiter sucked. He must have been new or did not want another table at the late hour we were eating at – who knows. We ate our dinner, which was great. We talked about this and that and soon the time for me to catch the Americanos Bus was approaching.

We left and soon they dropped me off at the bus station downtown and that part of my vacation was over.

Fast-forward – I went to the Colin’s website when I got back to Denver and sure enough on his website I spotted the picture of the rider I met at the Torrean Trading post in New Mexico. Wow. What a small world indeed. I am so grateful that my Mother pointed out this rider to me as well as I am grateful to myself for not being the typical me and introducing myself to a total stranger on a bike, which I probably in all honesty would never given him the time of the day. The link below is the link to see his journal and I have posted the only picture that I know of the guy I met that last day of my vacation.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=RrzKj&page_id=126321&v=2I

And that my Readers was the re-cap of my short vacation.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

May Day - Back from Vacation Day

Greetings Readers

I am going to recap some moments while I was on vacation…

This is the first sighting of my first lizard of 2009.

I did not think it was proper to show you the cow that died within hours before me showing up at the Ranch so that is why I am posting a picture of something living. Also, I would hate for any of you Ranchers try to claim this dead cow as yours and try to write it off on next year’s taxes as a loss.

Damn Readers.

I have not even reached the main gate of the Ranch when I saw that we had some work to do ahead of us.

Usually upon arriving at the Ranch I go to the room that I stay in when I come up for vacation and get situated. Also, we unload our groceries and whatnot before leaving Albuquerque. More often than not I sometimes just lay down to catch some sleep after unloading. Not this time.

I unloaded my stuff and then it was time to get the cow buried.

I do not know what other Ranchers do with their dead animals, but I have seen them basically do nothing. Meaning, they leave the animals lay as they died. And there is a reason why. You Readers, you try moving a dead horse, a dead cow, or a dead bull. Dead weight. I will tell you it is almost impossible to move by hand.

And us Ranchers in this part of New Mexico do not own tractors. Tractors are kind of useless in our part of the state – not to mention nothing really to justify owning a tractor at the elevation we are at.

Unlike our neighbors we bury our dead animals. Such as the horse who passed away the past six months or so. Let me tell what is even sadder – it is not even our horse. We were taking care of the horse for a family member and the horse has past away from old age. Not since the horse died has our family member even inquired about his horse is doing.

Well, their horse died outside our corral and there was no way to move that 1-ton plus horse. Also, the ground was solid and frozen. That being said, we just covered the horse with dirt and now there is a mound outside our corral.

Cows, Bulls what not do not really look for a place to die at. If they do die they die right where they are. Unlike some animals that know death is near they try to go the place they know.

I digress. I changed clothes and then headed off to where my Dad had already dragged the cow to a nearby arroyo for burial. My dad hooked up the Ford, the tow cable and the dragged the cow to a nearby arroyo.

I shortly arrived where my Father towed the cow and then we discussed where to put the cow. We located a spot in the arroyo and then tried rolling the cow. No fucking way. That cow was heavy with dead weight. Heavy. We pulled and pulled as hard as we dared, but the cow did not move an inch. So, My Dad hopped into the Truck and then drove to the other side of the arroyo. We were going to have to hook up the towing strap and then drag the cow into the arroyo from the other side of the arroyo.

Ten minutes later we got the cow into the arroyo and now was the time to place rocks over the dead cow. Reason being, we do not want any coyotes, wild dogs or black birds to ravage the dead cow carcass.

We could not use small rocks, but large rocks. Coyotes and wild dogs are able to move small rocks when they are hungry enough for food. So, we had to go and get some large rocks and bring them to the arroyo.

Oh man oh man. That was tough. All three of us. My father, my Mother and I walked here and there looking for large rocks and stones. My Mother had the wheel barrel while my Father and I had to carry our rocks to the Arroyo.

About 10 to 15 minutes pass when I decided to head over to the area that my Dad was picking up rocks from. I see that he moved a rock and then steps back. I kind of looked at him and decided to help him get a hand on the large rock.

I position myself on one side of the rock. And then I hear my Dad calmly say

“Watch out for the snake.”

Readers, in our part of the United States when you say snake you automatically know what to expect. Rattlesnake. There is no other snake that you can really count to see or expect. No Copper mouths, no Water Moccasins snakes, no Gardner snake. Just Rattlesnakes and the Diamondback Rattlesnakes.

Fuck me Readers. I fucking moved like a football wide receiver going for the game-winning pass. I zigged this way and zagged that way. I know that a snake is not fast, but my thinking at that moment I heard my Father say “Watch out for the Snake” was to run and run not in a straight line.

I can fucking laugh now, but at that moment I was worrying about not getting bit - I was scairt. In the area where we reside any snakebite could be fatal if not treated in time. We are literally in the middle of nowhere and the only help is the flight for life, via helicopter. Otherwise, after getting bit by a rattlesnake you have a very long drive to the nearest hospital / clinic for an antidote / treatment.

Readers, I moved like my ass was on fire. I was worried since I literally did not know where the snake was since I did not see where it was, until I was about 15 to 20 yards south of where my Dad said that statement to me.

I finally looked back and saw my Father almost in the same spot looking at where the snake was. Baby Rattler, pink and resting under the large rock. Baby Rattlers are the worst since apparently they are more poisonous that an adult Rattler. Even more of a reason for to run like I was running from five O. Hah hah. Again Readers, I can laugh and make this humorous, but when this actually happened it was not funny.

The snake was eventually killed since we could not afford to lose a cow to a snakebite by a cow accidentally stepping on a Rattlesnake. The snake was close to the area where our cows, heifers and calfes gather so we had to be sure to get rid of the danger of losing cattle to a Rattlesnake.

Readers, My father would never put me in harm or in danger. And with him knowing this particular son he knew that I would fucking move like my ass was on fire. He was right and there is no resentment or anything from me to him. Damn, I saw the smile on his face and then registered that he had just woken up the Rattler and knew there was no immediate danger. Thank goodness, I can run and have a few Marathons under my belt.

However, for the next 30 minutes I was scarred and scared. I was being very, very careful on moving any rocks I saw and needed. I moved, lifted the rock and then listened very, very carefully for that unmistakable rattle of a Rattlesnake.

Again, I can laugh and write humorously about this, but at that moment in time I was like a scared bitch - waiting to be slapped, in a manner of speaking.

Eventually we got all the rocks we needed for the burial of the cow.

Not to leave you Readers on a sad note, but let me tell you Readers, there is nothing sadder than seeing and hearing a calf standing in the area where it’s Mother died. The calf mooing and waiting for its Mother to come. Sad to see and sadder to hear the cow’s mooing in the dark of a moonless night in New Mexico.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My Brother's New Bike

Greetings Readers

My brother was surprised when I told him that was his bike in my bedroom when he came up on vacation with my parents.

Flashback - My parents and I had to tell “a lie” to my brother that he could not bring up his bike since I was going to have a lot to bring down in our Father’s Toyota Tundra. My brother does love his bike, but more importantly he did not want to borrow / use any of my bikes since he has a tendency to get into accidents whenever he rides one of my bikes.

Yes, Readers he has ruin one of my bikes completely and damaged a couple of others slightly, in a manner of speaking.

So, I understand why he asked and perhaps pleaded with my parents to take his bike up to Denver, Colorado.

Present – My brother was on vacation at the same time as my parents were, but he wanted to be mobile. Meaning, that he was going to stay with his old friends and go bike riding wherever he had planned to go riding.

I told him that the bike was nothing fancy, but the bike was my gift to him. He liked the disc brakes, but did not like that there was not shocks under the seat post.

Again, my brother loved/liked the bike, but just like me he complained about the things that were not on the bike. It was funny – basically looking at myself in the mirror. I too would be happy to get a nice gift, but complain that it does not have this or that. No Readers, my feelings were not hurt. I really thought that it was comical that he said that and I thought that I would have done the same thing.

Yet, what I stressed to him to him was this was an extra bike to use for anything, so he could keep his other bike in good condition and from being stolen.

He whole-heartedly agreed with my logic. I am sure that he is going to understand how good it is going to be to have an extra bike to use in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A New Bike for my Brother

Greetings Readers

Well, I have gone and done it. I bought the same exact model and type of Mountain Bike for my brother this weekend.

I also bought the second new Mountain bike from the same store manager I bought the first one from. Of course, there was the usual "Hey didn't you buy this bike a couple of weeks ago?" from other employees (not the store manager though)

"Yes, I did. So what. I can not buy another bike?"

And that was that. I did ride the new Mountain bike home making sure that I did not get the bike too dirty. After all I want the Mountain bike to be as clean as possible.

What?

No, I am not going to give the first bike to my Brother. Yes, logically I have a choice, but in reality I bought the first Mountain bike for myself. And I have named that bike Lily. For me to give away Lily and re-name the second bike Lily is just wrong.

Yet Readers, a certain ignorant cyclist who says I am the rudest person he has ever known would keep the newest bike for him/herself and give the older bike (about 3 weeks old) to his/her brother/sister if the roles were reversed. That young inexperienced attitude and thinks he/she is all that and a bag of Chips.

Granted, I think and know I am all that and a bag of Potato Chips, on some subjects. And of course I am not too arrogant enough to admit that fact to you Readers. Unlike my junior ignorant cyclist.

In closing, the temptation to just ride that new second bike is soo tempting. But alas, I do have Lily and she is more than enough for me to keep myself content with her. Hah hah.

I am pretty proud of myself for buying the bike for my brother though. As I wrote in the past I do buy things for my brother from time to time and costs vary from a few dollars up to about 50.00 dollars or so. Yet, I think I have exceeded my spending purchase this time around.

My brother does have a GT Mountain Bike - early year 2,000 I-drive model before the reversed I-drive was introduced. Color Red and pretty darn nice. However, the bike is getting old and is slowly falling apart piece by piece. I did get the I-drive model, but at least I got him another GT model. That is better than nothing right.

Unfortunately, he is the type of person that would not buy a new bike for the sakes of buying a bike - LIKE MYSELF - (11 bikes). Could be due to money on why not buying a new bike. Could be due to why should he buy a new bike when the old one works. Could be many reasons.

I did talk to my parents and told them to be aware just in case that my Brother does start talking about a new bike to discourage his purchase until I get him his new bike I bought for him. I am not sure when I will be able to get his new bike to him, but I estimate in about 2 to 4 weeks when I think I will be able to get to Albuquerque and deliver his new bike.

What? Am I expecting something in return. No, but I would not mind it. Although he did buy me the DVD The Dark Knight for Christmas since I did not have the DVD, but only Blueray The Dark Knight version. And no I would not take any cash from him.

There you have it Readers. And one would have to ask themselves would the rudest person you have ever known done that for a sibling? Or even expect that from a sibling?

P.S. - If you can not tell from the picture - My brother's bike is on the left (with no dried mud on the tires) and Lily is on the right (Dried mud on the tires and broken reflector). And I put both bikes in the picture so no one would think that I am taking two pictures of the same bike individually. I do not want you Readers to think that I am lying. After all - my shit does not smell better than your shit.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

My Piñon Roasting

Greetings Readers

Roasting Piñons.

Oh Readers the definition of Piñon (Webster 1989) – 1. Any of various pines, esp. of the Southern Rocky Mountain region, bearing large edible seeds. 2. the seed.

As I said in my last post I am far from being a Piñon roasting and salting expert (A god), but damn it I was going to try on Sunday, which is my first weekend since being back in Colorado. After all, I have about ¾ Gallon zip lock bag full of Piñons. Even though I replaced the Piñons we roasted I still had a very full bag of Piñons. Apparently, that 40-dollar zip lock bag was stuffed to maximum capacity of Piñons.

Anyway, I have that many Piñons to experiment with and practically a full day to make myself learn and perfect Piñon Roasting and Salting.

I had a clue from what my mother and me did together and from what I saw my dad did. Also, I learned some new information from my Dad’s sister about roasting and salting. With that information I was going to use that knowledge to roast Piñons on my own for the very first time. Unsupervised, and no way to call for help I was determined to do this roasting on my own.

After all, I am the one that can cook.

Sunday morning I got “the tools” that I needed for roasting and salting and turned on the television to what I saw in the TV guide I got in the Sunday’s paper that was just about to start – Bring it On.

Who does not like this comedy? I think goes down with the classic comedy movies. With lines like this – “Cheertator!” ”That’s all right. That’s okay. You’ll be pumping our gas someday” “Touched by an angel.” “Go Toros” etc.

Anyway, I was ready to start my ambitious project and I was destine not to fail.

I cleared all counters and had everything lain out on all counters. Pans, cooking mittens, 4 gold dollar coins, and the zip lock bag of raw Piñons. Salt, Cast Iron Skillet, strainer, dish clothes and a couple of other items.

The first batch I got started, which was the hardest and the easiest since this was my first time going solo on Piñon roasting.

Roughly an hour later things were going like clockwork. While I was roasting one Piñon Batch I was salting another batch, and I was rinsing another batch, and I was testing another batch for done-ness – all at the same time. I started to lose count and time of roasting and what not. So that is when I has to use the dollar coins, on top of that using my G shock watch stopwatch / timer and the clock on the wall to make sure that I am not over roasting (or not roasting enough) to make sure I was not shorting myself five minutes. Though sometimes I forgot to reset my timer on my watch so at times more than 5 minutes elapse here and there.

I was able to watch TV, but was very limited since I was doing all steps at once and I had to be very, very careful not to over roast a batch of Piñons.

About 5 hours later I was done with Roasting and Salting. And I have to say that the last batch I made was “da bomb.” Meaning, I roasted and salted to perfection. I fucking nailed roasting to a tee. And I really did not destroy a batch of Piñons, which I was afraid that I thought I was going to do no matter what. After all, if I over roast a batch I was going to force myself to eat the over roasted batch, since I did pay a lot of money for the Piñons.

The kitchen was a mess – counter tops were covered in hot pads, pans, and dried up salt was everywhere. And then near the edge of the counter was a nice pile of empty and cracked Piñon shells that I was tasting and eating all throughout the roasting process. And that pile was pretty big. First of all, I did not think I tasted and ate that many Piñons, but apparently I did. But, I hardly made a dent in my Piñon Stash.

After all said and done I was pretty happy about myself. Yes Readers, tooting my own horn once more. Then, a few seconds later I thought about how much money I could make by selling my stash in those little zip lock bags. Oh yeah. My stash is what I now think of my Piñons. I could not put my Piñons back into the original Zip lock bag. I actually have my own Piñon jar, which basically is an empty Folgers Plastic container that is the net wt 34.5 oz container of coffee. The container says aroma seal so I am assuming that this will keep the Piñons airtight against the air. Boo yah.

Then, the other half of my brain kicked back in – no way I am selling my horde of Piñon nuts. I bought and roasted my own Piñons so departing with my Piñons I worked so hard to bring from New Mexico to Colorado and eventually roasted – I put in some serious time with my stash of piñons. I cannot sell my roasted Piñons.

I did give some of my freshly roasted batch of Piñons to three of my friends that I knew would care to have.

Oh the stories of them eating the Piñons were funny to listen to. I was just like someone on the Soprano’s perhaps. First bag is free then it will cost "a dime" a bag. Friend prices. Or just like Pulp Fiction “Choco” Anyway, I am glad they loved the free Piñons I gave and the smiles and the stories of how they ate my Piñons made me giving them some of stash priceless.

Matter of fact Readers, one of my friends had to listen to one of our friends eat their Piñons I gave to them. Anyway, my friend could hear our friend spitting out Piñons shells. It made her laugh since she could hear all day the spitting of Piñon Shells.

I guess, that is all I have to say about Piñons to you Readers. I hope you enjoyed my blog posts of Piñons.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

A Piñon Story

Greetings Readers

piñon ("peen-yone"). Oh yes Readers, I bought some Piñon while on vacation last month.

An interesting nut and not to mention a nut that adjusts to cost and demand of the time of harvest.

I would have to say that I am good without having any Piñon for a while. Meaning, Once I lose the taste, run out of my stash of Piñons or been more than a few weeks I do not crave any Piñons.

I would have to say it has been a few years since I really enjoyed eating Piñon. I do have Piñon almost every year, but once every few years that I get hooked.

I would have to imagine that “hooked” is probably not the best word to use. “Addicted” is a better word. Once I tasted the first good Piñon harvest of the one good year out of four years I must have more Piñon.

And that is what happened to me while on vacation.

I had the first Piñon nut of the year when I got to my brother’s place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a small zip lock bag from the stand where we buy some of our fresh vegetables when we need fresh vegetables. And most of the time this place has fresh fruit, vegetables and chili when each of them is in season. Well, they had Piñon Bags that were from this year’s harvest and were already roasted and salted. I think my mother paid $ 7.00, which is about average price of a zip lock bag that size.

I had couple of them, but only a couple of them since I was ready to go out for our annual breakfast meal when I arrive in Albuquerque.

24 Hours later my mother was showing me a gallon size zip lock baggie that was half full of Piñons, but were not roasted or salted. My eyes went big and then there was a goal in my head, finish all the Piñons that were roasted so we can get to roasting and salting those freshly picked Piñons. And do it as soon as possible. Oh, that bag of Piñons came from my father’s sister.

Three days later, perhaps, all the Piñons were gone from the bowls and Baggies at my parent’s house. I, or perhaps all of us, finished the Piñons and now there was only one thing left to do in order to have more Piñons. Roast and salt.

Unfortunately, I am not an expert at roasting and salting Piñons. Nor was my mother. My father, her husband, was the Piñon Roasting and Salting Master of the house.

Under some guidance my mother and me worked together to roast and salt the Piñons. I thought my mom was not roasting right since I thought the Piñon nut was soft and a bit rubbery. Then again, I am not a Piñon expert taster. I was relying on the Piñons that I ate days before where the nut was roasted, and not rubbery.

I was reluctant to really enjoy those nuts and felt they needed to be roasted longer. Again, this is my opinion only.

My dad roasted some Piñons a bit longer after my mother roasted them and he cooked the Piñons almost perfect, to me anyway. The Piñons were roasted a bit longer than normal and in some of the Piñons they tasted “burnt roasted,” but in a good burnt roasted way. I did not mind, after all they were not rubbery and I felt okay with eating well-done roasted Piñons as opposed to wondering if I am eating not quite fully roasted Piñons.

Mom complained that some were burnt, over roasted. I did feel bad for her, but what was done was done.

Yet, we all ate the Piñons regardless. The Piñons were very good. A few were burnt noticeably, but others were perfect

Fast forward.

The last Saturday of my vacation we decided to go to town, which meant we were going to what is probably the “unofficial” Piñon Capitol of New Mexico. My Mom had mentioned that there is place just outside town that they buy wonderful tasting Piñons from people selling out of their vehicles.

With the past Piñon roasting I knew that I had to replace that batch of Piñons that were roasted more than they should have been. I was going to buy a sandwich size zip lock bag Piñons to replace the over roasted Piñons.

I saw only two vendors selling Piñons and both were inside their vehicles from the cold and blowing air. Though their fold up tables were just set up on the front left side of their vehicles.

My mom and me drove up to the first vendor and I got out. My mom rolls down her window where the vendor had gotten out of his vehicle to greet us.

“yá'át'ééh”

My mom says the same thing back to him. While I say “hello.”

I start talking “So whatcha got here? And what are the prices?”

He starts pointing the all the different shapes of zip lock bags that were lying on the table. “5, 10, 15, 20 and 45” “All these are roasted and salted.” And then he points to the far end of the other table which was East “and that is un-roasted” Which was the largest 1 gallon zip lock bag filled to probably maximum capacity.

Readers, I saw that huge bag and I knew that I had to get that bag.

Meanwhile, my mom was conversing with the vendor.

“Let me go check out your competitor, be right back.”

With that I walked over to the other vehicle, which was about 10 yards away.

This vendor had a nicer set-up than the first vendor. A nice white sheet draped the table; Prices were written on white pieces of paper and taped to the sheet to show what size of zip lock bag was going to cost.

A girl comes out of the vehicle and greets me “yá'át'ééh”

“Hello. Just looking at your Piñons”

I noticed right away that this vendor was five dollars more than the first vendor. That huge bag of Piñons that the first vendor had on his table was 45 while at this vendor it was going for 50.

I did not even stay any longer to make talk with the vendor. “Thank you”

I walked back to the other vendor, glanced at my Mom shook my head in a no gesture and went back to the first vendor.

Now! Game on. I walked back into view of the first vendor and he came out and greeted me once more.

“Well, the other vendor is higher than you, which means I am buying from you today.” I say with a smile and already knowing what I am buying.

“Good.” He replies with a smile, but giving off the signs that he was cold and then says to me “It’s cold today.”

“Actually, air is alright it is just that wind blowing is making the air much colder than it is.”

“Your not from around here are you?” he says politely.

I ignore this question since I get this sort of question a lot from my own people (Native American Indians)

“Ok.” I was looking at the table and pretending to decide, ponder, what I wanted to buy.

Oh yes readers, Pretending. My mother and I are pretty damn good pretenders when looking for a deal. The showing of interests, the showing of looking like a decision is being thought of and the deliberate silence of not saying anything. Basically, I am looking like that infamous statue – The Thinker, but not as blatant as the Thinker.

I think I spent about 30 seconds looking at all the zip lock bags while the vendor waits for me to make a purchase. My mom was waiting in the car with the window up waiting for me to make a decision. I looked at my mother and then looked back at the table.

Fully remembering how much that big bag of un-roasted and unsalted Piñons were “I asked again for confirmation “45 right?”

“Yes” he answers, which I noticed he is shivering. I look at the big zip lock bag for about 5 seconds and then I look towards the other end of the table and pretended to pass on buying the big bag of Piñons.

I look and zero in at the ten-dollar zip lock bag.

He says, “I will take forty.”

I look up at him. “Okay. I will buy that bag and then I buy that 15-dollar zip lock bag for a total of 55. Ok?”

“Ok”

I walk over to my mother and she rolls down her window and hands me a five-dollar bill and smiles.

I walk back to the first vendor. “Thank you very much sir.” I say to him.

“Thank you and have a nice afternoon.” He replies.

With that I am now able to replace the Piñons I ate and hopefully make my mother forget that over roasting Piñons earlier that week.

Fast Forward – About ten minutes before leaving the Ranch to return to Colorado I walked to the kitchen with my 40-dollar zip lock bag of Piñons and replaced what I saw when I first showed up at the Ranch. I also said that the other bag is yours too.

“Here’s your portion” or something to that effect. “Thank you.”

My mother said thank you back to me.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

I'm Back from Vacation

Greetings Readers

I found the blog picture posted today from using Earth Google. Pretty amazing to see our main portion of our Ranch from space in New Mexico. I had never used Earth Google before and was sort of curious to use. This picture was not as close as I could zoom in, but I wanted shot that showed the front gate and the road leading up to the Ranch. Of course you can not see the condition of the dirt road, the steepness or terrain, but it was neat to see the road actually laid out and how much the road curves to the Ranch.

One would expect that the road would be straight, but it is so far from not being straight. Again, that is due to the terrain (geography) Speaking of the road, a.k.a. driveway, I actually worked on the road on my vacation. Meaning, I had the shovel, wheel barrel and pick axe working on portions of the road. Mostly, filling in holes, divots, trenches cause by rain run-off.

And it was not an easy process as it seems. Due to terrain and different soil types in our area I had to make sure I was fixing the road with the "right" type of dirt and not sand or a sand consistency soil. Otherwise, that sand would wash away in the next rain shower. With that in mind, I got soil from one area and wheelbarrowed that all over the road that needed the dirt.

"Thunder" and "Python" got a work out. Oops Readers, I have talked about "Thunder" and "Python" perhaps once or twice this year, but not often. "Thunder" and "Python" are the names of my "huge" biceps! These were named after a friend and I were joking about how I was getting bigger biceps when I was working out at the CAC and she had said jokingly "yeah Thunder and Python look good." After that this is an on going thang and I do refer to my biceps as "Thunder" and "Python", though I do not know which bicep is named "Thunder" and which is named "Python"

Getting back to the dirt. Yep, I had to wheelbarrow out dirt from one specific area and then more often than not I had to wheelbarrowing that dirt to the area of the road that needed the dirt.

"Wheelbarrowing?" Is that a word? That sounds funny. For example, can I say that "I was wheelbarrowing dirt from one side of the road to the other." or should I say "I moved dirt from one side of the road to the other using the wheelbarrow." or "I used the wheelbarrow to haul dirt from one side of the road to the other."

See? Now, I am confused. Fuck it. It's my blog and I am not that too analytical about "Wheelbarrowing." Let me get back to the story

So, I got to shovel, wheelbarrow, and dump dirt over a few portions of our road that needed the work to be done. Otherwise, we have to drive real slow or we could go airborne in our vehicles from the holes and bumps in the road when driving over them.

This was a job that I planned to do, since I really, and I mean really, did not want to haul shit from the corrals and fence line our ranch to the area where we do haul shit. Oh yes, that is other common duty I get to do when on vacation in New Mexico. Some times I like to do that job, but this time around I did not want to. No reason - I just did not want to.

So, I got windbreaker, my new work gloves that my brother gave to me on my arrival in New Mexico. Readers, I think this was planned by my parents and brother for having work gloves so I had no excuse saying that I did not have work gloves hence I could not do work. Sneaky. The joke's on me. Yet, I did and smile and it was pretty well thought out plan to give me work gloves upon arrival in New Mexico. Dang, I just did not put two and two together at that time. And then I grabbed my Ipod and that was my road fixing gear.

For two days I worked on the road and I have to say that I am quite proud of myself? Oh yes, Readers I am tooting my horn once more! The road looks great and was smoother in portions I fixed. Oh yeah. I just did not take a before and after picture. A camera was not part of road fixing gear and it never occurred to do a before and after picture.

Though thinking that would have been, just as my ex-co-worker would say "Just so awesome!"

Anyway, as the title of the blog reads - I am back from a little vacation. With Thanksgiving in last week of November and month end close the week before I was able to leave for an extended amount of time this Thanksgiving. Barring any bad weather that would keep me from travelling.

I will try to catch up on some things that may be of interest soon. Tumble weed burning, Pinons, cooking and the new Stephen King book.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Race for the Cure 2008

Greetings Readers

Today was the first rainstorm of autumn that I got caught riding in. And the falling rain was fucking cold Readers. Icy cold.

After the summer heat and light rain I had encountered before today I was okay with the rain falling on me. Yet, the rain showers that came in today were cold. Cold, heavy and very wet.

I waited and waited for any opportunity for the rain to let up and stop, but it never did. So, I had to wait for the opportunity for a light rain falling. Readers – I was riding in my regular summer riding gear and that meant just a normal short sleeve bike jersey and short bike pants with my customary bandanna wrapped on my head.

Oh, I just hate riding in the cold rain. Although, once you get soaked you are soaked and any rain falling does not matter since you are probably soaked to the skin.

I am not sure that you can tell from the picture’s post, but the rain is falling hard. And the rain would not let up until 10 minutes later when I decided that waiting was useless since the rain was not going to let up.

Now, The Race for the Cure.

Most of the time I have done the Race for the Cure when I am in town. Otherwise, most of the time I am out of town and unable to participate since I am usually in New Mexico. Every year the Balloon festival starts the first week of October and I usually try and make the Balloon Festival.

However, this year I decided to stay in Denver, but I chose to stay away from the Race for the Cure. I am beginning to despise how large the event has grown over the years.

Supporting Cancer is the biggest charity I support each year since the middle 1990’s. With Denver’s Race for the Cure getting larger and larger each year. I just do not like fighting getting a ride on the Light Rail to Downtown. After that I have to fight all the other runners to get a place at the starting line. Then, after the start I have to weave in and out of thousands of runners to actually run.

Yes, there was certain thrill weaving in and out of other runners, but now I just see them as obstacles hindering a decent running time per mile.

Another thing, I never, ever register early and each year they run out of T-shirts. Which means that I have to pick up a T-shirt at one of the Runner’s Roost the following or so when they print up more T-shirts. Oh yes, it is always about the T-shirt.

As you can see I located my first official T-shirt from the first Race for the Cure I registered for. And this was back in the day when the start and finish line was in front of the State Capitol building and Civic Center Park. This was also back in the day when the event had kept timing. I love this T-shirt and it is nice to have this T-shirt as a reminder of the time that I officially became a contributor of money to Cancer.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

First Day of Arrival on my Mini-Vacation

Greetings Readers

I arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico about 4 A.M. on Saturday and waited about an hour or so at the bus station until my Dad came and picked me up in Downtown Albuquerque.

We then headed across town to go to my brother’s place on the East side of Albuquerque.

We got to my brother’s place and this was the time that I actually look forward to when arriving in New Mexico. I am not home, but I am home. My home is Dallas, Texas, my actual home is Denver, Colorado and then perhaps my Native American Indian home is New Mexico.

Anyway, sitting on my brother’s couch early in the morning, smelling and hearing the Starbucks coffee brewing, the television on and our family together is a nice feeling. This is usually only one of the times that are family is together and in harmony.

Though, perhaps I think this is my time that I enjoy the most. For me this is the time that I get to give gifts to my brother, Mom and Dad. I have to say I like this time of the day and moment when arriving in New Mexico.

This time I was able to reward with gift to my family the Coca-Cola gifts that I just redeemed a week or so ago. I gave my brother and Dad the Coca-Cola lunch bags and then I gave my Mom the Coca-Cola tub. Then, I gave my parents the Mountain Man nuts (Corn nuts and Almond nuts) I bought a couple days before at work.

Before giving out the gifts I pulled out two VHS tapes that contained the recordings of Ice Road Truckers – Season Two. I knew that they loved the first season I brought down for them last year so I was excited to bring down Season Two for them since they all liked the first season. Unfortunately, I never fully saw the first season and I did not see the second season since I was just really recording for my family since they watched the first season. Anyway, my brother started up the first tape and they immediately got into the show.

While this was going on my Mom was getting cold and asked for a towel from my brother in order to put over her legs since she was just wearing a night gown. Lo and behold this perfect. Since I bought two US Open towels – one for me and one for my parents they did not know that the US Open just happened and that I bought another US Open towel for them.

Actually, I think it is expected of me to buy a US Open towel for them, but not really. Hell, it was my fault for starting this new tradition of buying them a US Open Towel. Yet, I have no problem buying another expensive US Open towel for them – since they are my parents.

So, when my Mom asked that question to my brother. I reached into my bag and pulled out the plastic wrapped US Open Towel and said here you go.

She opened the plastic bag and saw that it was this year’s US Open towel and she said “Thank you.” She immediately covered her legs.

Lastly, I pulled out the Obama Buttons I bought during the DNC convention and gave them to my mother. “Oh Daryl” she said, but I said this is gift and I am not for Obama. Or McCain. This is just a gift from the DNC that was in Denver last month and perhaps this might be worth something should he be elected for president. I gave a rubber bracelet to my brother, just like the one that I was wearing.

My brother asked about the DNC and I told them what I told you readers when I blogged about the DNC. I told them what I did and of the experiences I had during the DNC. I basically told them Denver, in my opinion only, had become one of those countries in the Middle East.

With that it was the end of gift giving and story telling it was time to get ready to go out for our customary breakfast tradition when I get to New Mexico.

Breakfast was nice – we ate at Village Inn.

After breakfast we hit a few garage sales and then we dropped off my brother at his place. Soon, it was just my parents and me and we had a long drive to the Ranch ahead of us.

Before going to the Ranch, a hundred miles plus away, we had to stop at the Grocery Stores. We stopped at Sunflower and Smith’s and in between we stopped at our Hatch Chili place we buy our Chili from.

Let me tell you Readers it is now the season for Green Hatch Chili in New Mexico and this year the crops did not get destroyed like they did last year. When I stepped out of the vehicle I smelled the Hatch Chili being roasted nearby in the roasting containers. Ok - the smell was fucking intoxicating. That roasting is the smell that I love to smell. I compare that smell to the smell of the fragrance Woman’s Escape and the smell of French Vanilla Roast Coffee brewing. Those smells make me gaga. I love the aroma.

I walked around the store and took in the different Hatch Green Chili and the roasting. I was in heaven. We bought a bushel of Green chili. We do our own roasting so they gave us our burlap sack full of Hatch Green Hot Chili. Hot.

At Smith’s that is where I shopped for what I was going to cook and make for meals while I was at the Ranch. I bought Steaks, fish, 2 pound bag of shrimp, King Crab Legs, Brats, Spaghetti materials for making spaghetti sauce, Coca-Cola and Clover’s Chili Potato Chips. The bill came to about $ 133.00 for which I paid one hundred of and then my Mom paid for the rest. I did ask her if that was okay and she indicated yes. After all, most of it was mine, but it was all for us.

At Sunflower, I bought supplies for making my Salsa for my parents and brother. At Sunflower the supplies were cheaper and fresh. I could not wait to get to the Ranch and start my famous Salsa.

After the shopping was done we left Albuquerque and soon headed for the open road to the Northwest of Albuquerque. I pulled out my cassette adapter for my ipod and soon we were listening to my new Johnny Cash CD’s that I bought a few months ago. I was waiting for this moment to play Johnny Cash for them since this is what I listened to when I was a young child. I knew my parents loved Johnny Cash’s music and for me to play his music to them I knew that they would enjoy this. I was right. And they loved the live recording from New Jersey – The Lost performances.

On our way home to the Ranch we stopped at a local store and I bought the traditional Ice Cream we have while going home to the Ranch. Nestle Crunch Ice Cream bars and pop if anyone needs some pop. This was also the last store before going home not to mention that this is the closest store to us - 20 miles or so away from the Ranch. When I say store, it is not a store – more like an A & P of the old days. Only the necessities are available, nothing else.

An hour later I was driving up to the first gate to the Ranch and I knew I was truly home. I saw the damage the rains have done to the road I fixed last year. It was kind of sad to see all the work I did last year get washed away. Yet, I knew that later I was going to have to fix the road. I was already thinking of when and how to fix the damage to the road.

Then, I reached the second gate and I saw our dogs welcoming us home. Goofy was smiling, just like Bullwinkle did (when he was alive). I saw Koko hesitantly approach the truck since he sort of did not recognize me, but as soon as I jumped out the truck Koko jumped back scared and then saw it was just I and came to greet me. A dog never forgets his family owners. I saw most of the animals and I saw my car. I saw my parent’s home.

I was home

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete

Last Cattle Working of the Year

Greetings Readers

Well, this past Monday was the day that I had to leave our New Mexico Ranch and head back to my home in Denver, Colorado.

I did have a nice three-day weekend. I relaxed, I cooked and I just sort of took it easy. I did not worry about life beyond the Ranch, I did not think about work, I did not bring my laptop, I did not bring the PS3, and I did not bring a book. Matter of fact I came lightly packed.

I was woken up to the smell of breakfast, music from the transistor radio that was in the background and then I heard my dad telling me time to get up, eat and get ready for work.

“Work?” I say softly trying to wake up from my sleep in the spare room.

About one hour later I was at the corral and there were our heads of cattle in the corral. Shit. I knew this was going to happen, but somehow I just did not want to believe that this was going to happen.

Don’t get me wrong Readers, I do not hate this work, but just the thought of starting this on my last day of vacation was not pleasant.

Yet, in the end I did enjoy doing what needed to be done. After all it is just my Mom and Dad that are at our Ranch and no one else can help or that we want to help us with our cattle. With that in mind it is either my brother or myself or the both of us that has to help out our parents with the cattle when there calls for more than two people to do a job handling the cattle.

We have our Cattle Chute, our Calving Table, our portable Cattle fences, but most of the time it takes three people to do what we do all the time. And that would be giving shots, branding, castration, ear marking, dusting and ear tagging. Two people can technically do the job, but at a very slow pace. Three is better and all four of us is the best.

I am not sure if it just our family or not, but when doing the work on the cattle or feelings come out. We sometimes argue, sometimes question, but this is just what we do. There are no hard feelings at the end of the day when the last cattle is done. When the cattle are not co-operating or something goes wrong we tend to get riled up at whose fault it might have been.

Every now and then I will curse in front of my parents at the cattle. They understand, I think, that this is just what is expected of me and also I know that is when I am absorbed into the work. Not to mention that I am wearing the work. Cow shit on my shoes, my jeans, and my T-shirt. I am in zone.

At that point I actually love doing what needs to be done to the cattle.

My Dad and brother are usually the ones giving the shots and ear tagging & clipping the ears. My mom usually marks down what is being done to the cattle, the sex and what ever information that we need onto a clipboard for record keeping. Me – I help force the cattle through the chutes and then I take photographs (mug shots) of the cattle that shows the ear tag number and face of the cattle. This is for identification should our cattle gets lost, stolen or whatever. I also have a black marker to re-mark the ear tags since the ear tags fade throughout the year due to the sun and the weather in New Mexico. I also usually have a can of antiseptic to spray on the ears after ear clipping. I also use the spray on the behinds if the mosquitoes and horse flies are biting through the soft area of the cattle’s exposed skin.

During this time of the year, the calves are about 8 month old and are no longer small. These calves are now about my height and no longer fit through the calving table chute. This almost means that it takes more strength to force the cattle through the chutes. And more importantly if I am forcing the cattle through different parts of the corral and the cattle decided to turn towards me and start running I have to basically look menacing or get the fuck out the way in order not to be stampeded by out cattle(s). Yes readers, I get scared since the calves are no longer waist high to me anymore.

Six hours later we were done. Those six hours flew by and the next thing I knew it was time to get ready to leave for Albuquerque. The time was about 5 PM and it does take a few hours to reach Albuquerque. We did not have time to eat so I showered and got my gear packed. Though I was packing light since I had unloaded my Coca-Cola Reward Gifts to my parents and brother as well as the Mountain Man nuts I brought from them. I did pack all the Coca-Cola reward points that they have collected since my last visit. Considerable less, but more than I have so there is no complaint from me. And more importantly, I rewarded them for collecting the Coca-Cola points for me.

Fast Forward – I slept pretty darn well on the Americanos bus going to Denver. And that was because of the workout I got from working on the Cattle. And yes, I felt that my biceps, my pecs and basically my upper body got a fucking good workout. And it was a nice break to take from running to and from work the week before. I did not run once while on my mini-vacation.

In closing, the three best things – I did not have to shovel and transport and shit from the Ranch to the dumping ground away from the Ranch. Two – the weather was mid to high eighties and Sunny. Three - I got to spend time with my parents. Oops – there is a forth – got two presents.

Until the next time

Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete