When Terry Messick retired from Floyd Shirley Ford, he never expected to have another full-time job. Or two.

Messick runs his own cattle operation on his property located on Pike County Road 3304 between Troy and Brundidge, along with maintaining an “8 to 4 job” as a mechanic in his personal auto shop.

While retired, Messick still has “more than I can get to,” on a daily basis. He manages his farm with over 50 head of cows and wrenches on cars when he doesn’t have farming to do.

“My favorite thing is the cow business,” Messick said with a smile. “I love my cows. I always tell my wife that she has to let me have my cows or she has to pay for a psychiatrist. They are my release.”

In his mechanic shop, Messick has an ever-changing fleet of cars that he is repairing. Currently in the shop are a handful of daily drivers, and one bright yellow Plymouth coupe.

While Messick said he enjoys working on the machines, he has no plan to take the hot rod for a spin.

“I learned a long time ago that those toys are expensive,” Messick said. “I will stick to working on them, and let the customers do the driving.”

During the winter months, Messick has been busy trying to sell his surplus hay, but said it may not all get gone.

“With the rain we had over the summer, everyone is trying to sell what they don’t need,” said Messick. “Almost everyone has a surplus from this year, and some even have some left from last year. It is a difficult year to try to sell it.”

While non-farmers may not notice a difference in they hay outside of the shapes, Messick said horse owners can be very particular about it.

“Most of what I sell is cow hay or goat hay,” said Messick. “ People with horses like their hay to be coastal hay that is barn stored. When it gets wet, it can get some white mold in it, and can get a horse sick with colic. Cows and goats can eat it without a problem.”

Despite the wet weather, Messick still has plenty of hay for sale.