Momma told me there would be days (and should have included nights) like yesterday.

We had a major major break down in the plant today. We went down shortly after lunch and didn't come back up until well after midnight. The ram on the press began leaking down making it nearly impossible for the gin-glo to tie out the bales. Continental told Frankie it was in a valve bank in the press pit. Frankie spent three hours chasing these goblins, tearing down and rebuilding, then a subsequent test showed no improvement. A quick note of enlightenment, the press pit is like a basement only it is about twenty-five feet deep, then there is a ram hole which goes another sixteen feet below the pit floor. The crew pulled up the flooring to inspect the ram hole and found it holding several feet of hydraulic oil. Two sump pumps were put into use and over several hours were able to pump out a large quantity of oil before the thick slurry took its toll and burned up the pumps. The final few feet of oil was bailed out the good old fashioned way with buckets and ropes and a human relay. Finally enough oil was removed to reveal a blown o-ring on the eight inch pressure line supplying oil to the ram cylinder. Continental support was called and arrangements were made to meet the GM in Lamesa to pick up the much needed o-ring. By the time the GM returned everything was at the ready for installation and the plant came back on line shortly. My parking area looks like a truck stop! All the trucks cycled in and just after shift change I made the thirty-two mile trek and picked up burgers for those who wanted them. Hopefully with full bellies my truckers got in their trucks and got some rest.

Thankfully the election crapola is over. Who were the winners. No-one. Who were the losers? All of us. I saw a news program which revealed that in excess of one billion dollars had been spent on campaigns. America, land of excesses, excuses and egos!

FATHER, thank YOU for getting me to this point. I ask that YOU continue to get me through these times. I pray for Hag, for Lillie, for Rene', for Carol, for Michelle, for Aimee. FATHER we need you. Fill the earth with YOU!