Nostalgia

Hi there. It's skib. You know, that guy that never really contributes anything but poorly thought out remarks to otherwise intelligent conversations? Hi!
I don't quite remember when I was last on. I've been busy, you see. Busy trying to go places with my life, be successful and healthy and happy. Let's see here- I've only failed on only two of those.
I left the dude ranch two weeks-ish ago, drove a grand total of two hours northwest to Encampment, Wyoming. I got a call a few weeks ago from my grandfather, who is good friends with the ranch manager of the ranch I've wanted to work for since I was about twelve. He said that I should give Mark a call about next summer, and that me may have a spot for me. I called him and set up a meeting for the next weekend, the day our last week of guests left the ranch. So, I drove up the night before and called him, just to verify that he was still free. He informed me that, actually, he might need me this fall. I nearly pooped myself at this point. My interview was about ten minutes long. I filled out my employee information papers, and we chatted with the head mechanic, Ben Cline for five minutes or so. Mark told me to let him know when I would be able to start.
I did my last week (my last terribly sad, yet very happy week) for Dickie and Christine, not really knowing how to break the news that I might not be back next summer. Christine extended the invitation back three weeks early to me this year, and basically begged me to come back, but reiterated the fact that I was always welcome. I took my last ride with Pinto the day before we pulled shoes on all the horses. He'd been out to pasture on grass for a month due to his end of the season temperament being on the crappy side. Two things were a surprise- I had to open my girth another notch he was so fat, and it had been so long since he'd been off the ranch, he spooked at nearly everything. But to be totally honest, I don't recall ever having a smoother ride with him. He was also terribly out of shape, but that didn't matter. He was the mouthy, argumentative, fast walking turd I have grown to know and love. Yes, I will admit to shedding a few tears when I yanked my saddle for the last time. (see attached pic. my crappy internet may or may not allow this to happen.)
I sold my old truck, the White Bastard to a hippie that lives in Boulder, CO. I find this extraordinarily humorous, considering I put more redneck/conservative stickers on that truck than all of Boulder owns. A girl we worked with was a little too drunk to be driving and totaled this other girl's truck on a boulder (haha, ironic, I know) and gave me the opening to get rid of that gas hog. I do miss the security of knowing I could go head to head with a tank and come out alive, but hey. I love my little Runt.
I don't really know what other news I can bear to tell until I have a few hours to sit down and share in complete detail. By the time that happens I'll have forgotten it. Anyway, I'm working on the ranch I've always wanted to, hopefully working my way to a full time job here. It is the most beautiful time of year. The aspens, cottonwoods and willows are all changing. I just drove the west side of Independence Mountain last weekend, and the aspen groves are absolutely vivid gold. The days are not so hot, the nights are cold, and fall is here for sure. My first day on the job started out at 18 degrees- on September 11.
Life is good, but my phone is broke and my internet sucks. I can live with both of those. I wish I had the connection to say hi to all, but I'm not even sure I'll be able to post this correctly.