Testing.
After an extended absence and then a case of brain freeze, mixed with a couple of computer changes, I have found myself.

Crazy times

It has been very crazy around here.  Trying to get the crop out, Holidays, Cold.  Wet.  But it is all good.


We began stripping two days prior to Thanksgiving.  Then we got a break because of wet weather.  It seems we have not been able to run a full week without weather or equipment preventing it.  I will say it was nice to have Thanksgiving off.


When we go to strip again we ran a couple of days before encountering a problem with the cylinder on the module builder.  Prior to the season we sent it to the shop and had it rebuilt to the tune of $1340.  As most farmers do, we southern engineered and were hopeful we could make it to the end.  Two days later our fix tanked on us.  So right in the middle of what would be our longest good weather span, we pulled the cylinder out and I carried it back to the shop.  $397 and three days later we were putting it back in.


Those three days would come back to haunt us.  That is about what we needed to have finished our harvest prior to snow and ice.


We are hopeful we can get in the field today.  I know part of our remaining acres are too wet, but if we can get close I will feel better.  Then the plan is to help Hagerman and come back to ours when we can.


I believe we had 32 for Thanksgiving and 29 for Christmas at Memama's.  Thanksgiving we were missing Stevie's bunch, then at Christmas we were missing Stevie's bunch and Terri's kiddos and Rian and his boys, but we picked a few.


Rian didn't get his boys until LATE evening Christmas Day, Terri's kids went to Sinton and Stevie's bunch had Christmas at Brownwood. 


As Stevie put it to me when we were having lunch one day, he wanted his family to experience a genuine Christmas.


Go figure.


Anyhow, for the faithful crew, we had lots of wonderful food, lots of fellowship and got to enjoy all the little ones as well as Memama enjoying having everyone at her home.


FATHER, thank YOU for the laughter, joy and memories made during the holiday season.  We are thankful for all of the moisture and for the crops you gave us in '15.  We can only imagine what you have is store for us in '16.  We continue to lift Memama for your gifts of comfort and care and ask that YOU continue to bless her and keep her.  Thank YOU for the hope and promise we have in JESUS!

Whew!

Once again I have been derelict in my duties.  So much has been going on, I just didn't make the time.


Slats quit.  For about 6 or 8 weeks we had a minimal payroll.  I saw Marshall Saenz and told him if he had applicants at the gin he didn't need, I was in the market for some help for harvest.  He finally called me and told me he had a call from a guy wanting to move back to our area and work on a farm.  He arranged a meeting and this prospect and I spent an afternoon together.  He was quite impressive, and we made a deal.


This man had previously worked for some other people we know in our area.  Matthew has been a pleasant surprise.  He understands the guidance system but can drive free hand too.  He has an excellent work ethic.  The first job I gave him would have taken Slat's two days to do.  Matthew did it in five hours.


He has proven to be proficient on the sprayer and is an excellent welder, wire and stick.  If he has a shortfall it is probably mechanical skills.  But we are working on that.


We traded some of our junk to a man near Plainview for some of his junk.  We traded a truck rearend for a WABCO air compressor.  We gave a little boot too.  Supposedly the compressor engine was suspect while the compressor was thought to be good.


When we got the compressor in the barn and began tearing it down we discovered the wrist pin in the number piston had come out and rubbed a hole in the cylinder wall.  A search for another engine was fruitless.


I began brain storming and I went to Hawley where I had two engines.  A 350 Chevy and an International 1400 diesel engine.  Initially I thought the diesel would be the most simple, but the difference in size was a problem.  Eventually we began adapting the compressor to go on the Chevy engine.


We have had the rig running but found some oil seals that needed to be replaced on the front of the compressor so we have the motor out of it again.  I think this will be a good chance to sand and paint.


Seven weeks ago Pat fell helping Memama up.  She broke her back in three places.  Memama fell on top of her but wasn't hurt.  Pat goes to see the neurosurgeon November 24.  Until then, bed rest.


The Plowboys won the district title.  Congratulations to Jake and all the Plowboy nation.  They won bi-district this past week over Wink and this Friday they face Hamlin for a second time this season.  Hamlin won the first meeting quite handily, but Jake's team has jelled since then.  Should be a good one.


Lots of interesting college and pro football this year.  I got to see Texas Tech and TCU in person.  I've watched a lot of big 12 games on tv.  I suppose I have been pulling for Baylor but after last weekends loss I think Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will play for the conference title.  Of course there is a possibility for having several co champs.


NFL football has been fun to watch as so many teams were unbeaten and gradually the number has decreased to two after Cincinnati lost last night.


I would be remiss if I didn't mention the upcoming final race of Jeff Gordon. the end of my favorite driver's career.  I'm hoping he goes out as series champ.


Let's see.  Joni has some surgery coming up on her neck, she is also in line for a big promotion very soon.  She moves into her own place this week.  Joni and I have been carrying the Sunday lunch load by ourselves since Pat has been down, although we had a guest potato creamer this past weekend.  Memama creamed the potatoes.  First time in two or three years I think.  I had them drained and butter in them with the mixer sitting right there, so Memama went to work!


Dillon joined the army last week.  He will be learning to fly drones after his basic training.  He reports in March.


Rian got a new job.  He will be selling moisture probes, but for a company out of Colorado.  He had been laid off last  month.


Scott, Makai's husband began truck driving school yesterday.  The oil field welding has about starved them out.


Noble called his Dandy a few weeks ago wanting to come to the farm and work about $35 worth.  He has found a new toy he wants to buy and he doesn't have enough money.  Life lesson, there is never enough money!  LOL!


Merrit has stayed out of jail, although she has pending court dates.


We have prepped all of our cotton.  I actually thought we might try to strip some this week but we had rain over the weekend and last night too.  I am really getting antsy to get this done.  We need some drying weather and then about a 7 day window.  Oh, and minimal winds!


That's going to have to do it for now.


FATHER, Thank YOU.  Heal our hearts.  LORD lead us on.

Lots of catching up!

Lots has happened this summer.


We all still have open wounds from losing Devon.  I still see something almost daily and think of him.  I really blame the railroad for his death.  Their bump system for employees is not a good thing in my books.  I know Devon was exposed to a lot of places he would not have seen (Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana).  But I don't believe Devon would have been where he was at when he was killed had it not been for the bump system.  Yet, it was his decision and he had a dream and was living it.


Now, I will say I believe Devon would have loved being a coon ass Cajun bayou boy.  I think he would have enjoyed the people and especially the food.  He is missed and will be missed.


As many of you are aware, we were blessed with tremendous rains in early July.  The old rule of thumb is that if you have a rain the week of July fourth you will make a good crop.  We were unable to get our wheat out timely and we still have about 57 acres of cotton underwater.  We had a stretch of 11 days I believe of 100 degree (or over days).  Enough of that.  The high temperatures and humidity have been tough.  The cotton has looked good until lately and it has been stressing in the hot afternoon.  We have had light scattered showers today but a really good chance of rain tomorrow and the next day.  A couple of inches could put this crop over the top.


Some of Rian's friends have lost cotton in recent days to hail.  We sure don't want that.  We had enough of that last year.


The end of June and the beginning of July Georgiana and I took our long planned vacation.  Nine days to South Dakota and Wyoming.  We went to Mount Rushmore, The Hot Springs Mammoth Dig, rode the 1880 train ride from Hill City to Keystone and back, ate a chuck wagon supper with family entertainment, drove to Deadwood and Spearfish, went through the federal fish hatchery in Spearfish, saw the Devil's Tower, drove through Spearfish Canyon, saw many buffalo, drove some of the little roads that have switchbacks and tunnels through mountains, but my favorite was what I went to see, The Crazy Horse Monument.


It was a good trip with beautiful scenery.  That country is pretty, but it is rough.


We put close to 3000 miles on the motorhome in July.  It has performed like a champ!  (Knock on wood).


Georgiana and I are about to get this motorhome living figured out!


We went from one extreme to another.  In South Dakota the night time temperature was in the lower fifties.  The other end of the spectrum was in Halletsville (to announce a tractor pull).  If you were not close to an air conditioner you were sweating.  On Saturday I sweated out three shirts.  Friday night we consumed all the water we took for the entire weekend!  I bet it took me two or three weeks to get hydrated.


Noble came and spent 8 days with Memama and me.  It was a really good week.  He is very ornery, but he has such a good heart and is so well mannered.  I have been going through withdrawals since I took him home.  He and Memama really connected.  On Friday he stayed at the house with Memama and Frances and he made a pallet.  When I came back to check on him Frances told me he got Memama to get in the floor with him.  When I returned to the living room I asked if Noble took a nap.  Memama replied, "I don't know if he did or didn't, but I did!"


Slat's quit Wednesday afternoon.  No notice.  Just a text.  Now I am kicking myself for not letting him go in February.  Work to keep him busy all summer because you need him on the harvest crew and he sucks you dry and walks.


Merrit had another brush with the law.  She was driving on the loop and was rearended and side swiped by another car that didn't stop.  She called 911.  The cops came and she was arrested for DWI and evading arrest.  She spend about four days in jail.  She has been off her rocker lately.  I have encouraged her to commit herself to a state mental facility for a full assessment and to get her meds right.


You pack your own parachute.  That's all I'm going to say about that.


FATHER, heal our hearts.  Thank YOU for the varied lands on this earth, they are things of beauty and awe.  FATHER we pray for rains and relief from the hot temperatures.  We ask for bountiful crops.  We know YOU know our needs and are faithful to meet them.  I pray Merrit gets some help.  Bless the little man and Meme and Grandpa as they raise him.  FATHER, YOU are good!

I'm still here

I am still here.


No, I have lots to write about so it isn't I have nothing to say.


Memama is good.


Noble is visiting.


Crops look good, but beginning to stress.  Sure could use a rain.


Tired of 100 degree days.


GOD is good, all the time.  Even when we don't understand.


"For I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you and not to harm you,  plans to give you hope and a future."

Thanx

Thank you LORD!

Slow process

It is a long slow process working through the loss of Devon.  To tell you the truth, every time I hear a train or see one, I can't help but think of Devon.  This is much like Pepa shaking his empty tea glass of ice or just holding up an empty coffee cup.  When I see or hear one of these, I can't help but think of Pepa.  Similarly, when I hear a certain song at church or something the Potbelly Boy's sang, or if I see someone pursing their lips with a finger held over them, I think of Fred.  With Terri, it is a contagious laugh or the mention of chicken spaghetti.


Sometimes, it is a small world indeed.


Memama and I have often talked about "exposure" for tragedy increasing as the size of the family increases.  We had been fortunate in 1985 with Chris.  We weren't as fortunate with Devon.


Jason, Christie and Dillon went to Louisiana last week to retrieve Devon's personal belongings left at the hotel.  They said the room had a notice posted and had not been disturbed.  When they walked in all the lights were own, television on, lap top on, personal cell phone on the charger.  It was almost as though Devon had run a quick errand and was coming right back.


The investigation will drag on several more weeks as more and more questions pop up.  Originally speed was thought to be a factor.  People involved in the process now say Devon was running 74 miles an hour at impact.  It took less than a half second to come to a stop..  Also the truck's position is in question.


Only one person knows exactly what transpired, and it is a real possibility we may never know exactly what transpired the final minutes of Devon's life.


Has it affected the family?  Profoundly.  Freemans are made up of generations of drivers who pride themselves in their abilities.


Yesterday I was driving Memama to Dallas for eye doctor appointments and I realized I was much more cautious in my driving.  Watching the other guy, allowing other vehicle's more space.


One conversation Memama and I had was about being organ donors.  I am one.  It is easy, you can make it known on your driver's license.


If we had to lose Devon it would have been a good feeling to know some people benefited with his death.  An eye, a kidney, who knows.


FATHER, we ask that you continue to heal our hearts.