Thirty plus years ago a fur buyer in Colombia Station Ohio told a skinny zit faced kid to quit bringing him wet coon, rats, etc on the carcass. He told that kid to learn how to skin, flesh, and put up hides. He also sent that kid out of his place with an old home made fleshing beam. That beam took a ride in the front seat of a late 70's Pontiac Grand Prix.
Since that day, that beam has moved around from place to place and taken many rides. It's been a security blanket so to speak for me over the years. It's never argued with me, never not been there for me and let me treat it however I wanted.
Tonight I fleshed my last hides on that beam. I had the radio blasting and a cold one close at all times. I cried thinking about memories associated with trapping, family, and that beam. I've spent countless hours hovered over it in good moods and bad moods. I've contemplated major decisions and stupid shit while coon fat rolled off her. I taught a young man how to flesh on that beam. I always had visions of his fur shed with that beam tucked in the corner.
Tomorrow a young lady who went to school with our son becomes the new owner of that old beam. I'm going to suggest she makes a new base for it, but otherwise it's good to go and ready for another thirty years or so.
Love you Zach!
Since that day, that beam has moved around from place to place and taken many rides. It's been a security blanket so to speak for me over the years. It's never argued with me, never not been there for me and let me treat it however I wanted.
Tonight I fleshed my last hides on that beam. I had the radio blasting and a cold one close at all times. I cried thinking about memories associated with trapping, family, and that beam. I've spent countless hours hovered over it in good moods and bad moods. I've contemplated major decisions and stupid shit while coon fat rolled off her. I taught a young man how to flesh on that beam. I always had visions of his fur shed with that beam tucked in the corner.
Tomorrow a young lady who went to school with our son becomes the new owner of that old beam. I'm going to suggest she makes a new base for it, but otherwise it's good to go and ready for another thirty years or so.
Love you Zach!