State of the Farm
8-12-2014
It’s Ohio that is
the state and always will be, now just what state did you think it was besides Ohio?
Texas maybe , judging from the license
plates, one would never know due to the Marcellus oil shale boom as it draws in
what I would say and hope are now tax
paying citizen’s here in Ohio. My thoughts toward this direction are a result
of a weekend of input and I guess I am ready to export my fair share, having
kept silent on a few things for some time.
Just recently had
my forty year reunion with 26 of the original 186 that I believe were in my class.
Although farm country and somewhat rural, we were what was left of the late blooming
baby boomers. Of those 26, I only
recognized maybe 5 people right off, but they had significantly changed since
the last reunion I was to, 15 years ago. Some faces would come to me that I would
recognize and a flood of names of those who didn’t show kept nagging at me as
to why they couldn’t make it. Could it possibly be that after forty years we
are still harboring resentment towards one another? Or that we may become
entangled in a walker dispute. Tempers would flare and who knows what may
happen, when your school lays claim to being the home of a serial killer. Previous
engagements, scheduling conflicts, and whatever typical middle class excuse
that might serve. I figured we were all criminals in one way or another, having
stolen 12 years of education and having very little to show for it. Also I’m
sure since prison has no policy for class reunions that most were required to put
their time in at their present residence. We know they are safe and secure
behind those high fences with razor wire on them, and that may be the reason
why they didn’t make it.
Unfortunately for
the rest of us, the 26 that showed up, the night was filled with promise. The promise
to be just like we were always and I promise to wear my hip waders the next
time I go to another reunion like this, as I am sure many others wished the same.
The only reason I went to this function, outside of curiosity, was to escort
the fine woman who accompanied me and understood me more than anyone there. Her
show of support and friendship was deeply appreciated. Thanks Lucy. There was
pleasantry and most were civil. A few scratched their ankle bracelets while
adjusting their halos, but all in all, a good time was had.
I guess we all
think that at this point in life, what we are doing is the most important thing
there is, and that our kids are the brightest. Pomp and circumstance abounded. One
would have to talk fast to insert words of praise one would use upon themselves,
only to be drowned out by what others have achieved. Leaving us thinking in
some small way your life has been inadequate at best. Move over Carrie, that’s what
class reunions are for. Boy, am I a dumbass for thinking that this reunion would
be any different. If it wasn’t for my friend Lucy I would have been reduced to nothingness
I deserve according to some who have less.
I hate that feeling
and its kinda like going to a Sears store and standing in front of two official
salesmen with their perky little name tags and their Dockers on, engaged in a
conversation about something that happened two years ago to a friend of theirs
while I stand patiently waiting for some information on a product I was going
to buy. I was inconsequential to these two numb chucks that could care less if I
wanted anything, as I stood there wondering which one should bonk on the head
first. Well class reunion is like that. But out of it I gleaned something, a sliver
of information that made the night right or wrong as the case may be. And that
was the big boom of oil and gas fracking.
I have been there and did that in the last boom.
Working 20 hour days, driving here and there testing and perforating oil wells,
as well I worked on frac and cementing crews. It’s the same old thing just
warmed over with new technology and environmental controls we hardly saw in our
time. I can remember open pits of crude oil and frac fluids that would accompany
flush production of an oil well laying in the open smelling the countryside, as
the pits of caustic frac water that would eventually be released down hillsides and into open streams
with no regard for environmental safety. The new oilfield is the same old
oilfield after being sued enough times. They have lawyered up and learned
lessons from environmental damage, no profits and are now looking for new ways
to get over on the paying public. They have about 20 guys for every one we had
back then. They hauled frac water to a site but never hauled it anywhere else
it stayed there and was eventually absorbed into our landscape, now they haul
it away and overburden our local wastewater plants with treatment while seeking
new sources to pollute. . Most of the new jobs are from bigger investors
seeking huge profits and a desire to cut lawyer fees and keep trouble down. So they
are finally doing things somewhat the way they should have been all around. And
this translates into more jobs. Once the infrastructure and oil wells are
drilled then what?
They are building
roads and pads, installing runoff equipment to contain soil erosion, installing
new pipeline and spending millions. Most of the work goes to out of town companies
that migrate with the drilling rigs as they move state to state where the next
big thing is. We are that for now. Farmers are receiving up to 7000 dollars per
acre for an oil lease, and up to 16 dollars a foot for pipeline that crosses
their property. Straw bales are sourced locally and other supplies are bought locally,
as well the industry does eat and sleep here. Accommodations and food are necessary needs
that we Ohioans have provided. Jobs for Ohioans have been secured also and it’s
nothing to not know 3 or 4 in your own realm of folks you associate with that
are working in the oilfields, or their jobs have been affected by oil field
work. I just hope it’s here to stay. When such a large portion of your economy adjusts
to a certain vocation and it is no longer there, then the whole area suffers dramatically.
Also I have known of a decrease in farming due to farmers finally being able to
retire when the oil company bought the rights to the land. I am concerned how
this is going to affect small farming in our area.
When I was told
by a classmate, it was the next big thing going on now , and he boasted of how
he was sitting on top of the world due to his employment in the midst of things,
I just wondered if that was so. I hope it is for all who have anything to do
with the Marcellus boom. For me and the farm I see something different. For me
and knowing the oilfield I would say slow growth is better. Take time to look
at every facet of the business with caution as some can be snake oil salesmen. I
was told once that that oil and gas we are drilling for now has been down there
for thousands of years, a few minutes, hours, or days. won’t hurt anyone but
the guy who employs us. But the oil industry wants to run all the time, never
walk, and just like that they pull out and are gone. Already Chesapeake is talking
of selling its leases and moving on. Just hope the rest of their entourage
leaves less abruptly as thence they came.
Feelings of
angst surrounded me as we ate dinner and I bit my lip to suppress my feelings
and not say what I should say, having promised Lucy I would not in get into a
fist fight at my class reunion, or be hauled to jail, instead I chawed on a
piece of meat offered up as poor substitute to ruminate on, and tried to remember
that it will be at least five years before I have to go down this road again. A
little indigestion is
worth it I guess.
All four ducklings
are still doing fine as they passed by my window this morning on a walkabout
for food with momma duck or Whackers. It rained needed rain, and filled my pond
again having been forced to add water last week due to dry conditions. Also due
to the rain I wasn’t able to carve but intend to get back into it today and
will provide an update on the totem. It was nice to have a free day and just
digest all that has come my way lately. Good or bad life moves on and so shall
I.
all pictures with the exception of the ducks were taken at Zoar lake, at Zoar Ohio.
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