Dale Smith
Platinum Member
This friend of mine that I have been doing work for the past seven months is the ultimate prepper that could easily live off of the grid for years. He and his wife grow their own vegetables and fruit and "cans" what they grow. He makes his own maple syrup. All "organic", of course. They raise chickens and cows. He is the epitome of the song "A Country Boy Can Survive" because he can skin a buck and he can run a trotline". He had some raccoons that were sneaking into the barn and raiding the cow and chicken feed. He set traps and caught one AND since he has really good heart, he painted it's tail and drove it out ten miles from his farm and let it loose. He painted the tail to see if it returned and if he didn't take it out far enough...
Well, he caught more and decided that "depopulating" the critters was the best bet after a few of his chickens were killed...so he shot a few after he caught them but one really fat one he decided to skin and save the meat. This guy is SOOO "old school" and I tell him he is the last of a dying breed. He can hunt with a bow and is a great shot with a rifle. He is a master mechanic, master electrician, a bad ass carpenter, he is adding "blacksmith" to his list of skills. He has three old tractors that he maintains. He cuts his own hay and bales it.... ALL the while running a mailing equipment rebuild company where he takes old mailing equipment and upgrades it to re-sell AND services it. I have seen him work 12 to 14 hour days and then does the "farm thing". I haven't seen a single thing that he cannot repair. He is also extremely "well read". I am in awe of the guy. He is 6'4 and freakishly strong but has such a gentle nature. I have seen him manhandle tractor tires that are as tall as I am in the heat of Summer like it's nothing. We will be working on a machine and dealing with an electronics issue and the barn cat (Taylor) will come over and lay her paws on his knees and while we are looking at the schematics, he will give Taylor attention. When he has company and if kids are involved? He stops down and gives them priority. He will give them rides on the tractor and he and his wife will put them on their horses and walk them around. Church every Sunday morning without fail.
I have decided to take a job back in Texas that has offered me a ridiculous amount of money but it was such a tough decision because I have learned so much from this guy. When I told him I was going back to Texas, he said "I can't replace ya, but I understand...gotta do what is best for you". When the feces eventually hits the oscillating blades (and it will) I will regret the decision but Texas is home for me. I consider myself very blessed for having come across Derrick.....old school tough with a work ethic and skills that are second to none.
