Yes, like the great 80s hairband Whitesnake, “Here I go again!” By the way, all time great video. Tawny Kitaen in that video–monkey wrench.
Trivia–Why is a monkey wrench called a monkey wrench? Supposedly the inventor’s last name was Moncky. I’ve also read that it was Monquet (french?). Might also be some racial slang tied to it. Heck, you readers obviously have the internet…look it up. Who really cares? Either way it tightens nuts and uhh, other things.
And now, here I go again. I have to brag on a kid.
We, the people, that live here at the Kelln piece of paradise, are real keen on setting goals. We did this with Kela. My 2 favorite goals of hers: “We can’t win them all, so I want to be in the ring, showing one of my goats, at every grand drive this year.” She was—won some, had many reserve grands but was in the ring at all from State Fairs, Enid District, Tulsa, Phoenix, Kansas City to OYE. My favorite–“If I make the top 3 in state in public speaking can I quit giving speeches?” Yes. She was not a natural speaker but she WON state and now wishes that she would have continued competing her senior year.
And now, the Duke. Way more laid back. Not as dynamic, but….but…..
Last year, while he and I were driving home from the Tulsa State Fair Ag Mechanics show, he asked “Can Shattuck win the ag mechanics sweepstakes award at one of the state fairs?” My reply, “Yes, if you and your cronies work towards that goal.”
They did and they did. Duke won a couple of divisions and had 3 second places. He and another senior boy built the grand overall ag mech project at the State Fair of OK. Yes, that semi cattle loading chute trailer was grand. Shattuck FFA was named the overall sweepstakes winner in the ag mechanics contest. Great group of kids. For you people that wonder why I am on year 5 of teaching again, when I meant that it was just for a year. See exhibit A–lots of good kids. Turn off your tv and radio news and go work with some local kids. There are good kids out there, everywhere. In all reality, you can learn everything that you need to know from reading this blog. (I apologize)
Take a look at those 3 different goals from 2 different kids. Obviously not the parents’ goals. Too diverse. But, if that is what the kid want to work towards, then let’s go do it.
Just for the record, if Tammy was pushing her agenda, then we would be trying to win a bunch of basketball games. Tammy was part of a legendary basketball program at Arnett. But I managed to breed those skills right out of my kids. And, if I had my druthers, we would have a steer on feed. But noooo. Instead, we have a bad ass welder and a chick pursuing dreams in Hollywood.
For those of you that know Duke, you will agree that he does not show much emotion unless he is pissed. (I don’t know where he gets that from—I’m guessing bad genetics from his mother’s side!?) He is almost 18 years old. He has won an ANLS barrow show, had a reserve goat or three or four or….been in the limo at OYE, won some speech contests, had the grand overall ag mech project at the ’16 Ok State Fair, shot big deer, caught big fish…..but……this is the first time that I have ever heard him yell out loud…..”WHOOO!!!” Two other senior boys called to tell me how pumped Duke was at their win. Duke, Lane Beeson, AJ Carter and Santana Morrow all contributed to this win. Congrats to all the younger kids that helped earned this win.
Am I proud of the win(s) for these Shattuck kids? Well, hell yes. Am I proud as a parent? Yes. Not so much of the win. I/we are prouder of watching the journey/work/prayers all starting to take shape.
The best compliment that I have ever gotten came from some derelict in SW OK. He said, “Yeah, you can be an ass but you will help dang near any kid that wants help. You truly like good kids and you really like your own kids.” I agree.
I’m in a good mood, wicked tunes are playing and I’m about ready to catch some sleep. That’s not a good combination.
