It was around halfway through the dusty, hot slog of my first day on the job – a 14-and-a-half-hour shift – when the crew boss’ truck pulled alongside the tractor I piloted and motioned for me to stop. Don’t forget! Clutch and then brake. I came to a halt and opened the door. “How’s the first day going, Ryland?” he asked. “Pretty good,” I replied. And then in a goody two shoes, new hire sort of way: “I’m making mistakes, but I’m learning.” He chuckled. “That’s good. Just make sure they’re not big mistakes.” I sure came close, though. My tractor and rake For starters, I was more or less in that tractor against my will. It was my decision, but the only available option for my first summer job. The age-old teenager paradox: needing money to buy a car, but needing that car to get to work. So I got the same job as my older sister, and she graciously let me tag along every July morning to the headquarters of Boshart Trucking’s custom baling operation ...