The Birth of a Nickname

Let me preface this entry by stating that there is much to be aknowledged by a nickname. My Father has been the master of dolling out nicknames without any explanation. I was known to my family as Freddy for the first countless years of my life. When I ask my Dad why, he really has no justification for the name, its just what came out.

This brings me to the present. We (meaning my father, myself and Elias) were bailing hay last week and had to "drop" alot of the bales due to the fact that we were unable to pull the wagon behind the bailer. With Elias being the smallest out of the bunch I thought it would be a good time for him to cut his teeth driving the old farm truck while we loaded the bales. It started out very simple with me saying, "Okay just drive straight and let off the brake."  He was doing just fine and gaining confidence, so we moved onto me not riding the side of the truck, but me walking in front and him to follow my exact path.

So this brings us to the near incident.  I had mapped out his path to the next row of bales when we had our break down.  It started with "Elias brake.... brake.... stop.... STOP... STOP.... STTTOOOOOPPPP!  OH MY GOSH STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He stopped just shy of the only post in the field. 

I was immediately second guessing my attempt to garner Elias some driving experience.  We... well, I... backed the truck off the post to which he asked, "Did I dent the truck?"  I explained that he didn't, and gave him the speech about needing to watch were we are driving, all the while I was thinking I shouldn't have put him in that position.

After we unloaded the truck we were back at the field and had about 50 more bales to pick up.  I had already spoken to Dad while we sent Elias to get water in the house hoping he wasn't upset about the whole ordeal.  My Dad reasurred me that at some point I had done just the same.

Back at the field Dad was driving, Elias in the middle and me shotgun.  Dad looks over and says, "Move over Louie, you're driving."  All you could see was a smile from ear to ear.  In other words- he had no problem getting back on that horse.  I am proud to say he did and rode that horse without any other issues.

Next time, Louie, you better watch it!

Ya, you.