Patience and pace.

That's my story and I am stickin' to it!

Today is my annual trek westward. A day of renewal, a day of information, a day of laughter and of catching up. It will be a long day. Patience and pace.

I plan on leaving the office mid-afternoon for the two hour forty-five minute drive. (If I really whip on the S-10). Today is the annual membership meeting of the co-op at St. Lawrence and in a new twist, that meeting will be followed by the annual family fun day and barbecue! I can only imagine the men in the meeting looking toward the courtyard where some of the women will be keeping the iced down kegs company! It could be more than some men can take! There will be a catered meal followed by dominos for the older folk, playing on the playground for the kids, and then there is that niche that is old enough, but not old enough to know better. The last group will do their best to float the kegs.

I hope to get there early enough to take a leisurely drive through the countryside. The reports I have been receiving are phenomenal. They seem to think this crop is way ahead of last years crop. That is almost unimaginable. "Tex", one of the older stalwarts has always told me that one of these years they will wear my butt out and gin 125,000 to 150,000 bales. I plan on concluding my tour at The Hall just before the business meeting is over, find me a Diet Coke and play like a sponge and absorb all the info and enjoy a good meal. I figure by nine most of the people will be "relaxed" enough I can slip away un-noticed, and make the drive back to Abilene.
My goal is, my house by midnight!

Trc called me yesterday afternoon saying she couldn't get hold of Krl. She had been trying for hours. This concerned me so I began to call and finally got through to find out that the bug I fought all weekend had landed on Krl and she had been fighting a stomach virus all day. She finally unplugged the phone and laid back down.

When I arrived home I quickly found out why Trc had been calling. We had a new boarder in the house. Mystery. That is what Krl has named her. It seems that Lauren and Taylor were coming home from school (they are trying to get some courses out of the way this summer) and they ran across this dog. I don't know what flavor she is but you can tell she has been abused. She cowers at the slightest raised voice. Funny thing is, she went straight to Krl and began giving her kisses! Trc cannot believe how pets love her Mom. Lauren has this gift as well. To the best of my recollection the only dog who Krl can't cast her spell on is the dog behind us from H E double L. He is just mean. Maple Syrple sure doesn't like this development. She sure feels like someone is infringing upon her territory. How quickly we forget! Anyhow, the old hounds are excited about the new pup and are thrilled she isn't a midget! Shadow was really showing his age yesterday. He is really hurting. Krl gave him his bufferin but he can barely get around. He is a sweetie but it sure is hard watching him hurt.

I was looking around the internet newspaper sites yesterday and did a quick look at the Snyder Daily News. One of the headlines read "Alleged Cattle Rustler in Scurry County Jail". Leonard is in custody. He was arrested after he was found sleeping in a stolen car behind the truck stop on the north edge of San Angelo Sunday night. Lots of weird details were uncovered after his arrest. Lucky for Leonard he lives now instead of a hundred years ago or he would be swinging on the end of a rope right now. I am wondering if he is going to implicate Tricky Ricky just because he wants him as a cell mate. Sad deal. Reminds me of one of Rian's posts talking about failure. About selling out what you want in life for what you want at one particular moment. Living for the moment versus long term gain.

FATHER, thank YOU for the day yesterday and YOUR walking me through it. I pray for a good day, a safe day and I ask for safe travel. I look forward to seeing my many friends in the St. Lawrence area and ask for a blessed evening with them. FATHER the reports I have received say that YOU have blessed them with a wonderful start to a new crop. I pray that YOU will continue to bless them with gentle timely rains as well as for my friends and family in Roscoe, Coyonosa and the Gulf Coastal Plains. FATHER I pray that YOU will bless them all with bountiful harvests and that they will be good stewards of YOUR earth. FATHER I pray that we may all be uplifted as we once again witness YOUR miracle of nature from planting to harvest. FATHER I pray that the news will be good this evening, that hearts will be light and joyful. I thank YOU for the opportunities, for work and friendships that YOU have helped me to mold over the years and I pray that these will continue into the future. I pray for Et in his new job, that it will be rewarding and fulfilling to him. FATHER I continue to pray for Krl's healing and renewal. I pray for Memama, Pepa, Ol, Hag, B., Lillie, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Tj, Anna, Jess, those continuing their recoveries, Dr. Mackie, Yaenga, and Jeanine. I pray for those who are heavy hearted with grief and in need of YOUR comfort. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the success of the efforts being made to expand YOU kingdom. Love lifted me!