Posted on 12.04.2020

More Tales From The Ranch - Soapbox Jr.

People seemed to like the stories about Twin Pines Ranch, so I thought I’d relate a few more memories of growing up there.

As I mentioned previously, we moved between my 8th and 9th-grade year in junior high from Mt. Juliet proper out to Twin Pines which was closer to Gladeville, “Where Softball is King.”

It seemed like we were out in the sticks, which essentially, we were. It was at least 15 minutes down a long, winding two-lane road just to get to the interstate, and Mt. Juliet was a bustling metropolis compared to “The Glade.”

It also took about 7 minutes just to get off the ranch, because the original entrance was a mile-long gravel driveway which wrapped around the small lake on the property, and required someone – me – to get out and open the gates, so you really had to allow extra time to go basically anywhere.

Things have changed a lot, and now a high school and a new convenience store sit less than a mile from mom and dad’s, but back then, we might as well have been on some remote island with the Professor and Mary Ann, sans the coconuts.

Not saying that I didn’t love it there, in fact, I did and still do. It was just an adjustment.

Not long after we moved there, dad said he would pay me $50 if I could rope a steer. It took a while, and I was on foot and basically put the rope over the steer’s head, but that counted as a “rope,” so dad paid up.

Dad used to do team roping in the 80s. Twin Pines has a great arena where they used to do ropings, and even did some local competitions. 

With team roping, you have a header who ropes the head, and a heeler who ropes the back legs as the steer as its back legs are off the ground, dad was a heeler, and was pretty good at it, from what I remember.

We used to put up a steer for slaughter every so often, but not in a long while. When we first moved to the ranch, we had three head of cattle, two steers and one cow which we named Jed, Ellie Mae and Jethro. One night we were having a steak for dinner, and mom blurted out, “We’re eating Jethro!” I love a good steak, but I don’t really like it having a name. I don’t think we gave them cute names anymore.

I learned to ride when I was probably 9 or 10 years old, on a pony. When I was older, I had a beautiful black mare named Beauty. I know, extra points for originality… But she was a good horse, reliable and I loved riding her.

There was one time we were riding along the small lake and I was in a gallop when all of a sudden, Beauty must have stepped in a small sinkhole and stumbled and fell. I just kind of rolled with it, and both of us were unhurt, but I knew dad was worried, so I hopped up as quickly as possible saying, “I’m okay! I’m okay!”

His face said it all. He was concerned, but then relieved. It definitely could have been much worse for both horse and rider.

Sadly, I probably haven’t ridden a horse in over 30 years, but I’m hoping to change that in the new year, if it ever gets here.

2020 has been the longest decade I can ever remember.

One of the saddest memories – which dad relates in his daily reading book, “Let’s All Make The Day Count,” was from 9 years ago when on a cold night in January when mom and dad were at their home in Colorado, the original Twin Pines barn burned to the ground. A pickup truck, a tractor, lots of tack and memorabilia were all lost, and even more tragically, several horses and a bull, including stud horses of a bloodline that had been cultivated by Twin Pines Ranch manager, Thurman Mullins. 

We were all devastated, especially Thurman. He put a lot of hard work, dedication and love into the ranch. I drove as quickly as I could when I heard the news from dad, and when I got there, I think Thurman was in a bit of shock seeing the smoldering remnants of the barn that had been there for over 30 years.

Dad assured Thurman that they would rebuild, and they did. They feared the bloodline was gone, however, one of the stud horses had been bred to a mare, and she gave birth to a stud horse that they named Twin Pines New Beginnings.

More stories coming soon.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops, our police, the peace of Jerusalem, and our nation.

God Bless America!

#BenghaziAintGoingAway

—  Charlie Daniels, Jr.
 

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Check out "Geechi Geechi Ya Ya Blues" from Beau Weevils - 'Songs in the Key of E'

 

 

Comments

Dawning Of A New Day
Amen, Amen & Amen Charlie Jr, a very good read. I totally agree that even though I do not want to wish away one minute of the life that God has given, I will be glad when 2021 arrives and we have a new day. Hopefully the election will be settled by then also. Appreciate the insight. God Bless Plowboy
Posted by Plowboy
Soap box
Love reading these stories! You do a good job with writing. Keep them coming. God bless you and your mom
Posted by Les
The Ranch
I totally agree seems like 2020 is Never going to END!!! Ready for a New Year and New Beginnings. Praying that 2021 will be a turn around year for all of us. I love reading The Soap Box stories. Some how they take me back in time. I was reminiscing about the first time I rode a horse. Now that was quite a few years back. I don’t ride anymore but I still love horses. They are truly one of Gods Majestical creatures! Yes I’m ready to see 2021 not that I’m not thankful that God has given me 2020. There’s been so many that didn’t get to make it this far. Time is a precious gift and we all need to spend it wisely and be thankful and grateful for it. Time is something that’s very valuable and shouldn’t be taken for granted.Thats why I love the phrase your dad had “Make Everyday Count” He definitely had a lot of wisdom in his words. I for one am so thankful for his words. I want to wish you & your Mom a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year. Keep up the writing it means a lot to me and I’m sure others as well. Take care & God Bless!!!
Posted by Lena
Ode to Fire on the Mountain 2020
The Devil went down To Ga.cause he was looking for an election to steal. He was in a bind 'cause hew was behind and willing to make a deal. When he came across a great big man, holding our country up. And the Devil jumped upon the stage and said "boy let me tell you what!" I guess you didn't know, but I'm a politician too. And if you care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you. "Now you play a pretty good hero boy, but give the devil his due. I'll bet the USA against your soul 'cause I think I'm better than you. The hero said, my names Donald and it might be a sin. But I'll take your bet and your gonna regret cause I'm the best that's ever been. Donald gather up your strength and play your lawyers hard, cause hell's broke loose in Ga. and the Devils dealing the cards. And if you win you'll take back that presidential roll. And, if you lose the Devil will take our Country's soul. The Devil opened up a ballot case and said "I'll start this show." And fire flew from his pen as her started marking no. And he ran them through the voting machine and it made an evil hiss. And a band of socialists joined in and it sounded something like this! When the Devil finished, Donald said, well your pretty good, old son. But sit down in that chair right there and let me tell you how it's done. Fires in CA run boys run. The Devils in the house of socialist ones. Dems in the ballot box stealing our votes. Where we gonna end up no child knows. The Devil bowed his head because he knew he had been beat. And he laid the stolen ballots on the ground and Donald's feet. Donald said, Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again, I done told you once you son of a b****, I'm the best that's ever been!
Posted by Trumper
Living in the sticks
Always enjoy your ranch stories. Being a horse trainers son, I can relate to so much of your experiences. It is sad about the barn burning ... Many wonder why horses don't just run and get away from the flames. It was told to me that many horses only know that that barn is home and so many are lost due to them returning back to the barn as its burning. Growing up, horses were my life as I learned to ride solo at about 3 and competed in shows by the time I was 4. Had a horse then that was about 16 hands high and I was a little thing. In the ring, one of the gaits to perform was the canter. Dad would tell me, turn the horse's head to the rail and tap the outside shoulder with your toe as you asked the horse to canter. Well my little leg was about 24 inches shorter than the distance to the shoulder and the horse would just keep plodding along. I finally got the hang of it but got yelled at alot as I was learning. I haven't ridden in about 30 years either but really don't miss it, my dad was the horseman, not me. After about 40 years training horses, he got out of the business, completely gave his life to the Lord and was on staff at that "little" church your family attends. Good folks down there in the 'Boro. Keep 'em coming Charlie Jr and give your Mom all our best. Mark in Shelbyville
Posted by Mark
More Tales From The Ranch
Lil Charlie, I just have to say I love your writings. There are times I get a really good chuckle and times tears are welling up, but either way, I love them and I love you for keeping this going. Your Dad, you know was a very special unique man. He was a mentor to people he didn't even know. When he left this old earthly place, I made a promise that "I would always make the day count". I want to strive to be more like Charlie. The world needs more of them and well, we all had the best teacher... your dad! Stay safe, give your mom my love and so many prayers for all of you and the CDB family. Merry Christmas, Karen Fann
Posted by Karen
CD SR...MISS YOUR DAD DEARLY
I LOVED YOUR DAD......FRIENDS FOR OVER FORTY YEARS....
Posted by WAYNE
The Devil
Trumper .... 2 thumbs up for your rendition!
Posted by Mark