Ouch, I am sore. I tried to ward this off, but to no avail. Sad thing is that I didn't get everything finished up. More to do today. I am probably about halfway to completion. Patience.

The neighborhood kids brought one of those portable basketball goals down and put it between my neighbor to the north and us. It is on the street against the curb. The reason for this is the street light located directly across the street making it possible for late night contests and shoot abouts. Over time (and as the city street sweeper swerves around this obstacle) there has been a slow but steady build up of sediment and pebbles. This had proven to be a useful tool in water retention and preventing run-off that would justify the city of Abilene writing me up (water cannot run down the curb for more than seventy-five feet or you can be ticketed). With the recent rains the accumulated sediment came alive with small growing plants and I decided enough was enough. I thought there might be a couple or three scoops full of dirt and rocks. Therein was my first miscalculation. I had brought a seed scoop home, I positioned the dumpster and began my project. Thirty minutes and a half a dumpster full later I was done. Here was where my second miscalculation was. That dumpster was heavy! It took all the strength I could muster and using every bit of lead in my bumper just to tilt it over where I could roll it! After about ten minutes I had rolled it to its pickup location and I was suckin' wind! I think Krl thought I was kidding about how much I had picked up because with it scattered over a long area it didn't look like much. So now for the duration of the lawn I have been relegated to empty the lawnmower at the curb! Poor planning!

I did get to the point that I took a break to run Saturday errands. It was a very welcome break. Over the years I have developed some casual friendships with some of the different workers and section managers of the grocery store. I have suffered through a couple of remodelings, and of late, a lot of moving around of the inventory, just because I like the people. I am beginning to think that this may not be enough. The store director and I have been acquaintances for a long time. I will usually go through channels if their moves have inadvertently deleted something from the inventory. Since February I have repeatedly talked with department heads, filled out product requests and three weeks ago, went to the store director, all with no results. I have been courteous, I have been blunt, but I hate having to go to another grocery store to complete my shopping. In some instances store brands are O.K., but in other cases store brands suck! Let the record show, one more week, one more opportunity to toe the line.

I laid in bed for a while this morning, mulling over how close to perfect my life is. I am not financially independent, but I have a pretty wife that takes good care of me, we have our home, and ultimately our little slice of heaven on earth. Priceless!

My day today is scripted. Church. SS. Home. Outside work. Inside work. Cook out.

Krl talked with Kali at some point, she got a report on Addie. They took all the remaining stitches out Thursday (I believe). The doctor lifted some restrictions, she can swim now, she can do the Kat, LE, Meme camp out. Basically the limiting restriction is no direct sunlight. I will look for that girl a big sombrero or beach hat. As I had feared, Kali and Garry are hubbing it. Luckily they have not been hit with any medical bills yet, but the lost wages from not working while Addie was in the hospital and the prescriptions and supplies needed to dress her wound is kicking them in the butt just as they are trying to get Addie ready for school. Lots of promises, but some people just aren't any darn good! I said it once and I will say it again. Get a lawyer! I see a minimum of three targets for liability.

Have a blessed day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the weekend. I continue to ask for rest and renewal. Thank YOU for Krl and I ask for her healing and care. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing. I pray for those sad with loss. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I ask YOUR blessings on the efforts to spread YOU. YOUR love lifted me, and I am thankful.

What in the world am I doing up?

Another argument is going on between my eyes and my brain. Once again my eyes are winning. I need to put super glue on the grocery list. More than one way to get some shut eye!

I am sooo thankful that the week is over. I need the weekend to regroup. KO and I have talked about going down the country to look at a couple of pieces of equipment. He has been talking about a day trip. I think I will suggest a couple of days and maybe we will go to the deep south. Kind of a PR information gathering trip. We need to get serious about some options other than our core customer.

It has been a week since the big contract fiasco. The other side's negotiator had asked for some time to put together their side of the agreement. We had asked for a time frame and have heard absolutely nothing. Zilch. Zero. We are considering a stop gap measure to protect ourselves. This whole scenario is crazy. The manufacturer gives the customer a freight allowance for handling their own product, the customer then tries to contract for transportation services below that number and basically make money on the services of the sub-contractors. What has happened is that the customer has not asked for a freight increase in three years, and diesel has gone through the roof. At one point in time the customer was killing a fat hog. Recently with fuel surcharges that margin has dwindled to about three dollars per load requiring the customer to pursue a greater freight allowance to recover our request and to open their margin back up. All of this is pretty common. Most businesses try to make money on the freight. A couple of new twists are a new central dispatch system that was supposed to go in effect was not funded by management, the request for 1.3 million dollars for computer hardware and software was rejected. The other twist is that the other side's chief negotiator position was recently phased out and he had created the new central dispatch scenario to make a job for himself. With the development of us agreeing and signing contracts and then him withdrawing them the following day along with the funding rejection and his past position being phased out, gives the appearance that he is on shaky ground and might possibly be forced out, either through early retirement of an undesirable transfer offer. As the World Turns!

For two weeks Krl and I had promised each other that we were going to try the little Italian Pizza place, that we got the spinach rolls, lasagna, manicoti, ziti combo and canneloni, for their pizza. We had become very intrigued as we watched them turn them out on our initial visit. Krl called our order in and got a large eight topping pizza. Downside is they don't deliver, so I went to pick it up. The pizza was ready when I arrived, as promised. It was huge. Eighteen inches of melted cheese and a meat, veggie blend from the culinary gods. We will eat pizza for days. It is excellent and priced for less than fifteen dollars. Put this in the value buy column.

Pepa is back on his ugly pills and having a spell. I think maybe we all should get together and assess the situation. It is one thing to behave poorly, but Memama shouldn't have to put up with him. I don't know of another person who is as pampered and spoiled as he is. He is too blind and selfish to realize how good she takes care of him.

Have a weekend!

FATHER, I ask for rest and renewal. Thanks for carrying me through this past week. I pray for a blessed weekend and coming week. I thank YOU for Krl and continue to ask for her healing and renewal. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing. I pray for those sad with loss. I pray or those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to spread YOUR word. LORD lead me on.

Finally Friday!

What a week. It has been pressure packed, busy, frustrating, fulfilling, lacking, but most of all it has been very taxing physically and mentally. I didn't realize how tired I am until this morning and I find I am suffering from jet lag without the jet. Eight hours to nirvana. I am really looking forward to decompressing and recharging over the weekend.

LE and Kat came over yesterday to help Meme. I don't know how much they got done but I think they had a good time. Kat is feeling poorly, got a summer cold. LE is growing up. It's interesting to watch them interact. Kat acts the part of the family baby (brat) when other family members are present. She actually is very low maintenance when she is here as an "only child". Both of them are gorgeous, and smart! When I arrived LE was fixing Kat's hair, some kind of extravagant style, put up on top of her head. In a short while she came from their playroom where there is a "dress up" trunk loaded with anything from sequin-ed dresses to formals to wedding dresses. This stop has been a favorite with all the granddaughters. Yesterday Kat was Cinderella (but I kept asking her if she was getting married, she detests boys)! Smart girl.

Krl continues to reman stuff for Robert. I don't see us making the Tuesday deadline we had set for ourselves. That could prove to be a weekend project as well. Of course with all the rain our yard is racing toward the sky! The rain has also made it a big problem to maintain chem levels in the pool, it has kept a tendency to need algaecide ever since the rain began, we have fed it a constant diet of "shock", but with it clouding it is probably going to need the pH balanced. We will not suffer for things to do over the weekend.

Meme and Kat got to talking about the camp out. I think it is still appealing to Kat except for the heat and outdoor plumbing. I have about decided it would be less work for me for them to have a swim party, cookout (complete with marshmallows) and then maybe a inside slumber party. I am really going to be miffed if I put up their tent and it is empty come morning.

Workwise I have finally caught up with my backlog. Of course today it is driver settlements and the cycle will begin all over. Best thing is that at least this Friday I am starting even up. KO and KW have been stripping down the wrecked truck. KW settled with the insurance company and they had been gathering some parts while the adjuster was evaluating damage. Late yesterday they hoped to begin putting on good parts. Maybe by mid-week. We could use it!

I took my meeting with the gentleman concerning the farm. I wasn't far off in my speculations of yesterday. I told him that if he was truly interested the best thing to do was show up Tuesday and bid on the property. The main thing is he wanted to lock in the price prior to the bidding process. He is telling me that he is wanting the place for a hunting/outdoor refuge for his kids and grandkids and he is trying to put together some surrounding properties to total about 1200 acres. While I didn't do what he had hoped for I was appreciative for his not pressuring me after I had told him my thoughts. This man has been a millionaire and a pauper and everything in between on the spectrum, several times over. Stories abound.

The stories remind me a little of Marion Rice Zetzman. I miss old Marion. I would love to play just one song from the "Hooman Jukebox". (Human jukebox).

FATHER thank YOU for carrying me through the week, I am weak and tired and could not have made it without YOU. I ask for YOUR watch and care, YOUR continued strength and wisdom. I thank YOU for the gentle rains and I ask YOUR continued blessings on my farming family and friends in West Texas. I thank YOU for Krl and I ask for her continued healing and renewal. I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, and S.T., I pray for their healing and care. I pray for those sad with loss and ask for their comfort. I pray for those of us who struggle in our daily walk with YOU, keep us centered. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to spread YOU in a world that needs YOUR good news. Victory in JESUS.

Why is it that what is good for you is bad for you?

Keeping the string alive I woke once again needing zantac and tylenol. Strange thing is I also was suffering from muscle cramps. As many of you are aware, the most effective fix for muscle cramps for me has proven to be dill pickle juice. Of course this isn't too kind to the tummy. I have been fortunate in that it has been a week since I've needed any but with the blood pressure med with the built in diuretic the cramping has proven to be a constant. In my home cure contributions I may make it zantac with pickle juice chasers.

A very busy day in the office yesterday. I still am not caught up. I got very close before my copies of the monthly bill paying session made it to my desk. I'm not spazzing, I am just trying to stay steady.

I took a phone call from my brother yesterday. He was serving as point man for another gentleman who I have known for years. This gentleman however cannot place me, he did try to give me that warm fuzzy feeling of a long time family friend by citing his long time friendship with my dad. He was wanting to approach me about purchasing a farm from us. I have already explored this possibility, I've discussed it with legal guru's and they tell me it is not a do-able deal. Through some creative glitches by some unethical lawyers from Utah in cahoots with some wannabe henchmen from Dallas, there is a potential problem with a deed of trust related to the failed family business in that the afore mentioned people are trying to wrap it around and make it all encompassing, beyond scope. I had already thrown my hands in the air and told the office holding the note on the farm to sell it on the courthouse steps to clear up the title. While many people think there are holes in the Utah groups "expanding" deed of trust, they currently have a lot more resources than I am willing to spend taking them on.

When I told this gentleman I had explored this possibility before, he told me not to worry about it, he was aware and he could get around it. He told me he travels in circles of great wealth, representing clients that include former politicians with statewide, regional and national impact. I don't know about you but I probably wouldn't put all that on a business card. Instead of becoming more comfortable, I feel like squirming. I received four more calls late in the day before I finally returned one. He is insisting on a meeting. I think I have figured out where he is going. He is wanting to buy the farm below what is owed against it, leaving a deficiency that could be remedied through bankruptcy and in return I could receive some $$$ at a future date. Well guess what! I don't look good in orange, I don't like jumpsuits and I like coming home at night. I am going to take the meeting, not to do the deal but to tell him thanks but no thanks. At the present I may not have a pot to pee in, but I do have my ethics. If they are really interested in buying the property they need to go to the court house Tuesday. I know my attorney will breathe a sigh of relief.

I called my Dad to inquire about rainfall. In the course of our conversation we discussed all the above mentioned activity. He is telling me that a lot of pieces are falling in place. Turns out he had a per chance meeting with the above mentioned gentleman earlier in the week. Dad appears to be in a mood. He is pretty much house bound after breaking his foot and he may be going stir crazy. There are also some tennacles of the failed family business that still attempt to entangle them years after their disassociation with the business. I know it is difficult, I know it is not fun. For them, for any of us. His advice to me was "Do the deal". Basically he said "nice guys finish last". (My interpretation). I would rather be a nice guy.

I made a phone call to St. Lawrence yesterday afternoon. They are reporting anywhere from eight tenths of an inch of rain up to three inches! Tremendous! Roscoe is reporting one and a half inches up to five inches of rain. Outstanding! I didn't get a report from Coyonosa, but with their water wells, the temperature relief may be enough. Thank YOU LORD!

FATHER, I ask YOUR blessings on this day. Go with me. FATHER I ask for YOUR wisdom, guidance and strength. FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR wonderful blessing of rain for my many farming family and friends. FATHER I continue to thank YOU for Krl and to ask for her continued healing and renewal. I pray for Addie, for Memama, for Pepa, for Hag, for B., for Lillie, for Aimee, for Jennifer, for Ashlyn Kate, for Jess, for Dr. Mackie, for Jeanine and for Verlin. I ask YOUR care and healing for them. I pray for those heavy hearted with loss. I pray for those of us who stumble as we try to follow YOUR way. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to spread YOU in a world that needs YOU. Fill us with YOU.

Well, its that time of the morning again. Tylenol and Zantac. I am sure beginning to understand Krl's stomach problems. The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar! Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow. Sad thing is, it's always a day away!

Tough two days. Highways miles, lawyers, government officials. I need a break. In a way it was with a great sense of relief that I finally made it to the office late yesterday. I had a difficult time staying focused but I was able to muddle through. I am still behind on data entry but a good day today will change all that.

Weather outlook is hopeful. We could use a little relief, cooler temperatures and some moisture. If Doppler can be trusted the grids hold much promise for most of the Big Country along with the St. Lawrence area. We will cross our fingers.

When I first awoke this morning I just lay in bed, telling myself how I needed to stay in bed and go back to sleep. My eyes won that argument of course, and I am up. I had lay there watching the nocturnal activities of our little family. There was a faint light from somewhere in the house, either the computer monitor or a rogue light left on, and I could see three of our four hound's silhouettes.

One was Prissy, at eleven years and being the last born she is the youngest of the old guard. She had had a nap and was busy cleaning up. She is eleven, a pureblood Standard Poodle, black in color. She is a peace keeper. Anytime a new hound or guest hound arrives, she is the one that takes them under her wing. She would have made a good momma. For some reason she loves to sleep with her head under the bed. I still haven't figured that one out.

Maple was in the middle. In fact as I was watching she was making her way up in the bed. She and Krl are sleeping buds, usually when I leave in the morning they are putting trees on the ground and sawing logs! Maple was a February addition to our group. She came from Rescue the Animals. Initially I think they believed we were a foster home for wayward hounds but usually if a hound comes through the door they are "home". I can only think of two exceptions in eighteen years. Maple is a Minature Poodle, apricot in color, full of spit and vinegar. She has two jobs, one is to keep the other hounds on their toes and keep them young, and most important, she is a care giver. She has this ability to know exactly where Krl is hurting and will curl up against it and lay for long periods of time. She has slipped into her role quite well, she is quite mischievous and always ready to play. While we aren't sure of her age, she gives the distinct impression of being only a pup. We think less than a year old.

Shadow, the patriarch, is a real work. He too, is a black Standard Poodle. He is the father of Prissy and Lady. He is twelve. He has good days and bad days. I believe he has arthritis. He gets a bufferin regiment everyday. He is set in his way. When he is ready for bed he is ready for bed, he will stand in the bedroom door trying to coax us in there. He hates anything out of the ordinary. He likes scheduling. As he has aged, it has been interesting to watch. He has started greying. Now instead of solid black he is "salt and pepper". He sports big, bushy eyebrows which have greyed and given him a very wise appearance. These eyebrows have also give him the nickname "Bink" after Bing Crosby. I always halfway expect "Bink" to belt out a couple of verses of White Christmas. He no longer moves with the fluid motion of his younger days, he will set for long periods of time giving the impression of deep thought. Krl thinks he has mastered the ability of sleeping with his eyes wide open. Probably the most sad thing is that he is almost blind. You can certainly tell this if any piece of furniture is out of place. While he is not as good as he once was, he is still king of his domain. The pups dote on him, and him on them. Once Duchess, the pups mother, had weaned them she was through and it was his job to raise them. He has been quite the dad. We were training the pups to sit, lay and shake and if they didn't respond properly in an appropriate time frame he was nipping at their hocks to make them lay or do whatever we were trying to teach. In the wee hours this morning, our house slept under "Bink's" watchful eye. I sometimes call him "old man" He will go to Krl's glider rocker wanting loving and rub his neck on the chair arm gently rocking her and satisfying his need for contact, over the years it has left that chair arm smoothly polished. He is a neat hound and I can only imagine what he thinks about. Oh, and contrary to what people say, he loved to watch TV when he could see. (Especially if there are dogs on the show, at one time he would bark and talk back to them).

Lady, or Black Dog as I affectionately call her, is a different hound. She too, is eleven years old, another black Standard Poodle, and the oldest surviving hound of our pups. She has always been "my" dog. Stillborn, I labored long and hard before finally convincing her to fight. She likes her space. Anyone encroaching is going to be met with a deep rumbling growl and maybe a sharp bark. You gotta draw the line somewhere.

All of our hounds are special as are all the ones we have loved before. It has been a joy to watch as Shadow, Lady and Prissy have slowly mellowed over the years. I wonder if they have enjoyed watching Krl and I mellow as well. I wonder if we have been as big a blessing to them as they have been to us. Krl has always said when she dies she doesn't want to go to people heaven, she wants to go to pet heaven. What a crew would await. Sadat, Datter II, Duchess, Precious, Sockers, Rachel, Andre, Cocoa, and Ralphy just to name a few.

This has been an interesting blog time. Almost an hour ago I heard loud exhausts and then a loud crashing noise, I opened the door and peered out but didn't see anything. Occasionally we will get some rowdies who will come through, turning over dumpsters or worse, beating mail boxes with baseball bats. I could hear an engine running but couldn't see lights or vehicles. I slipped some clothes on and walked down the walk and two doors to the north I could see vehicles haphazardly scattered across the street. It seems that someone cutting through our neighborhood at this hour had veered off the road into the yard of my immediate neighbor before trying to correct it and get back on the roadway. The result was that the pickup struck one of the boy's car (that was parked at the curb) from two houses down pushing it into the brick mail box and ultimately into his brother's "tricked" out vintage pickup (which was also parked at the curb). Our street is one block long. Go figure. Three car pile up, film at eleven. One added special effect was that when the vehicle exited my neighbor's yard it clipped one of the lawn sprinkler heads. As timing would have it the station timer went off shortly afterward and water was spouting just like in the movies! I hate it for the neighbor boys. They have gradually gone through some progressions of vehicles and just recently acquired the ones involved in this mornings activities. Gotta have wheels!

I guess since I have wandered around this long in this blog I might as well continue. Who knows, I might say something eventually that is astute, enlightening or possibly entertaining.

Krl and I had been summoned downtown Tuesday morning for a nine o'clock appointment. I had caught the local morning news show and was aware of the train derailment and possible hazardous spill near the downtown area. I wasn't quite prepared for the emergency response team's actions. They had barracaded from North Sixth to South Seventh and from Pine to Treadway. When we finally arrived at the meeting (thirty minutes late) we had parked three blocks away and walked. Downtown was a mess. Actually we were summoned downtown under false pretense. We were asked to attend and bring our copies of some paperwork that they said they were missing. Thirty seconds into the meeting they had satisfied that problem and said "The real reason we wanted you to come in today is ...........". Another blast from the past! Just when you think you have put it behind you it surfaces with a new face. Actually this was not totally unexpected. I guess my attorney is psychic because he had cautioned me of this possibility Monday. I had remained below their radar for some reason but I guess I had a problem with my stealth shield. Anyhow, it isn't anything that can't be overcome or fixed with about five hundred fifty-nine thousand dollars. I may have a telethon or maybe Bridger would go around the neighborhood collecting money for me! The people were nice enough. They have a job to do. Best part of it all is that Krl is not mixed up in this equation. Are we having fun yet or what? Or what! (that's my answer and I am sticking to it).

Man I could sleep about now. I am secure in the fact that Abilene's finest are in the neighborhood and the insurgents have been beaten back. My biggest fear is that officer "Barney's" gun will discharge, but with only one bullet what are the odds? Hhmm.

Enough is enough. I am outta here! Sorry for the inconvenience of your having stopped by to read today's insignificant post.

FATHER, carry on. I am frustrated, I am tired, I am angry. I need YOU. I ask that YOU purify my heart and mind. Redirect me, use me. I realize that for everything bad that happens I have many good blessings that counter and I thank YOU for them. Help me to learn the lessons YOU are trying to teach me through these trials and tribulations. FATHER I continue to ask YOUR healing and renewal for Krl. I ask that YOU energize us both and get us through the week. I ask that YOU open the heavens and pour out YOUR blessing of rain for my farming family and friends in Roscoe, St. Lawrence and Coyonosa. I pray that YOU will bless them with bountiful harvest. I pray for moderate temperatures, I pray for relief from the heat and the dry conditions. FATHER I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin and S.T.. I ask you blessing of healing and care for them. I pray for those who have suffered loss, I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for those of us who struggle in our daily walk. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to spread YOUR good news. Send YOUR angels.

That was a monster Monday.

I went to the office and got a quick start. I had downloaded some reports and was making some phone calls when I was made aware that I needed to go to Lubbock. I called Krl, made some quick plans and began shaping my day to its new form. About eleven o'clock I left the office, made a stop at the bank for the office manager, cruised by the house to pick up Krl and hit the road. I have made the trek from Abilene to Lubbock in just over two hours, I don't really like to press it like that, but I have found if I will set the cruise and keep the wheels spending and the doors close I can make the trip in just less than three hours comfortably.

We made the trip, spent almost three hours in a meeting (which went very well, thanks for asking) and set out for home. Once we got on the road we realized we were hungry so for a long while we threw possibilities around. Finally we decided on either the Shack in Snyder or Buck's in Sweetwater. When we got close to Snyder Krl decided on Bucks, just in case her tummy got mad. It has been a while since we ate a Buck's. Use to it was a weekly occurrence. We decided to splurge and order steaks complete with appetizer. After a long wait our waitress finally breezed by. I had a premonition of things to come but ignored them. We placed our order, stressed that we would like the appetizer prior to the meal, and made our way to the salad bar. We finished our salads and sat, and sat, and sat, for an hour. No appetizers, no meal, (often no tea). Our little waitress was constantly bustling about but doing nothing. She really reminded me of some past co-workers who worked at "looking busy", but didn't ever really accomplish anything. We finally slowed her down enough to tell her that we wanted our meal in take out boxes when it was ready. Miraculously it appeared and then it became a major production to bag it, go get our ticket and then she had no change (for a $100). So another wait while she made change with fellow wait staff. I really wanted to say something but didn't. I thought long and hard about the tip and ignored my basic instinct and left one. Not my normal tip percentage but still ten percent. I had looked to see if Mike or Sandy were there (the owners) and they weren't. I will have a word with them. It may be at the next family reunion but I will have that word.

On our way home I took a call from Kali. Addie was wanting to come see Meme and Dandy. I relayed where we were at and agreed to call when we approached Abilene. They came over for a visit. This was the first time since we had seen Addie since the dog bit her. Krl and I both were apprehensive. We were somewhat relieved. She is such a pretty little girl. The doctor did a good job and she is healing nicely. It is still too early to tell about scarring. I would guess at this juncture it will be minimal. Thank GOD! This whole incident was totally uncalled for. We had a good visit and Addie enjoyed herself! Next week we are having her and Kat over!

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe day, the safe travel. Thank YOU for taking control and getting this week started off upright. I ask that YOU be with us in meetings today. Keep us tempered and calm, help our responses to be weighed and carefully thought out. FATHER, thank YOU for Krl, I continue to ask for your care and healing for her. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing. I pray for those sad with loss and ask comfort for them. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU, give us resolve. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Every tree, every knee, bows to YOU.

I awoke very early this day. Lots on my mind. Needing some tylenol and antacid. I will be so glad when I have my current personal project behind me. We will know where we stand with that tomorrow (I hope).

I am amazed. I usually turn the telly on and I listen, more than watch, the CBS all night news magazine "Up to the Minute". Of course Lance Armstrong is splashed across every news avenue. His accomplishments are remarkable. It is enough for many to dream of winning, but after a bout with cancer, and then to win seven times. I did notice in the online version of the Reporter News that Lance's Mom is going to speak at the Civic Center in the near future. She has a book out at the present (Raising Lance, Raising me). I haven't read it, just excerpts and the book jacket, but what I have seen is a pretty remarkable Mother and some of Lance's drive to succeed comes into focus.

My other amazement this morning is about a drag racing team named "Follow a Dream". The team owner/crew chief is blind. Totally. Jay Blake was injured when a tire blew up in his face eight years ago. Prior to that he had been a diesel mechanic. After ten hours of surgery to rebuild this man's face he was ultimately fitted with two glass eyes. This year the team won its first National event and in September they will attempt to do it again. On the film footage it showed him working, directing his team. Away from the race track he works with teens who have sight disabilities, talking about choices. His team members praise his efforts, racing, motorcycles, water skiing. A remarkable story and he continues to paint it with broad strokes, he wants to become the first blind drag car driver. I wouldn't bet against it. "Life is too short" he exclaimed after his near fatal brush with death that cost him his sight. He is getting married next year. He may be blind, but he has tremendous vision.

It is somewhat ironic that this news bite came up because just this past week I was reading Val's blog and he mentioned taking a friend to pick up his car from the shop. Turns out his friend's mechanic is a genius at brakes and air conditioning, he also happens to be legally blind.

As regular readers are aware, I have blogged from time to time about my nephew Chris who is in Little Rock attending a small engine repair school for the visually impaired. I haven't been on the campus but my sister and her family along with my Dad have, and they talk about it in amazement. To watch students totally disassemble an engine, laying it out, assessing parts, trusting their other senses. Chris will complete his studies later this summer and will return to Roscoe where he plans on hanging out his shingle and fixing mowers.

Against all odds. Getting the most from what you have. I think of the faith required for any of these accomplishments. Blind faith if you take Lance from the picture. The fullness of living from within. Not being distracted by the coverings but by peering beyond.

FATHER, I am weak, my faith pales when I look at these remarkable people and their accomplishments, and their tremendous faith. Help me to look no further than YOU, knowing YOU are the master of the universe, knowing YOU are in control, knowing YOU have a plan in place for me. Forgive me when I get off track. I thank YOU for Krl and I continue to ask for her healing and renewal. I pray for relief for her from her pain. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin and S.T., for YOUR gifts of healing and care. I pray for those sad with loss and ask YOUR comfort and care for them. I pray for those of us who struggle daily as we try to follow YOU. I ask for strength, and resolve and that YOU will keep us centered in YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Oh for such a faith as this.

As Saturday's go, I have had better, but I have had worse.

This humidity is tough! Krl had a difficult Friday night so I was trying to not to do anything to wake her yesterday morning. I was really antsy because I was needing to mow the side and back yard which would route me repeatedly by the bedroom Krl slept in, so I waited until she woke up. The temperature was not that bad but when you went outside you were instantly drenched with sweat. I got everything in place, all the hoses rolled, the pool toys out of the yard, and the flower planters back on the porch, grabbed my weedeater and made quick work of the borders. Krl had come out and started mowing. We had a little mechanical miscue with the mower, I guess that happens when its as old as ours is. After about a ten minute repair break we were going again. We tag teamed the yard and made quick work of it. Immediately upon completion I jumped in the truck and headed to the pharmacy to pickup Rx scripts before they closed. While I was there I made a trek by the deli and pickup up fried chicken with all the trimmings. When I arrived back home Krl had everything put away and all I had to do was close and lock the gate. We took a few minutes to cool down and recuperate before we sat down and ate. Krl was feeling pretty weak so she laid down for a while and I got comfortable watching some mindless television show and I dozed off as well. I woke up grabbed a shower and began to make plans for the Saturday errands, Lowe's and the grocery store. I was running really late but thankfully it did not matter.

Krl asked me repeatedly why I was mad and who I was mad at. I told her I am mad at me. I don't like realizing that I can't go and do like I used to. That after mowing, the rigor mortis sets in and I am stiff and achy. It makes me mad that even after I disassembled the blown down basketball goal it is a monster to move and load into the pickup to take it to storage. It wasn't that big a chore to cart it around fifteen years ago. It makes me mad that I now have a medicine bag and a regular prescription intake. It makes me mad that I am dependent upon pickle juice to ward off muscle cramps. It makes me mad that I made decisions years ago that haunt us now. Maybe I need to forgive myself and try to age gracefully. Ouch.

The creme de le creme to my day was late last evening. A vicious sneeze, and I broke my glasses. Talk about the blind leading the blind. Krl and I were scurrying about trying to find the broken piece but it is beyond repair. Today I will wait until Krl wakes up to drive me and hopefully Lenscrafters will have the parts to fix them. I had considered attempting to drive to church, I could probably keep my glasses on my face for that distance but I am finding that I get one of those "eye pulling" headaches when I "try" to see without them. I guess I am squinting.

FATHER, forgive me, but YOU have YOUR work cut out for YOU today and this week. Thankfully I know YOU can get it done. Take control. Instill in me YOUR perfect peace, the confidence that YOUR plan is unfolding as YOU intend. I thank YOU and ask YOUR blessings and care for Krl. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR healing. I pray for those sad with loss. 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 efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Peace perfect Peace.

My "Finally Friday" became frantic Friday at the office. I had gone in for a half day before leaving to do personal "stuff"

Thursday evening when I left things were top notch. We had a very productive day negotiating the new "can" contract and the other side's chief negotiator was coming to the office to look things over, visit on our turf and then KO was taking him out to eat. When this gentleman arrived he carried the new contracts. They went over them, signed them and enjoyed a light and friendly evening. When KO came into the office Friday he was in the best mood in a long, long while. That is until he checked e-mail. One of the e-mails he received was from the chief negotiator for the other side thanking KO and his family for their hospitality and meal and oh, by the way I am going to withdraw that contract that we signed yesterday! KO nearly went through the roof. Immediately he began accusing me of rigging e-mail to spoof him (I have been guilty of shenanigans before but nothing involving something as serious as this) and then he began to quiz the office manager. Finally he realized we were very somber as we had been copied on the same e-mail. Immediately we began an offensive of blunt (and near offensive) correspondence. Their negotiator was telling us he had over stepped his positions authority and his superiors from Atlanta had collared him and yadda, yadda, yadda! Our e-mails were not obscene or vulgar, no cursing, nothing like that (we are way too professional for that adolescent stuff), but we did put a few pin pricks in this guys ego! ie.: "What's the deal? We were under the impression that we had a signed agreement and now you say no. We thought we were dealing with a mover and shaker who could get things done and whose word was his bond, and now this. We are holding related contracts for annual equipment lease renewals that at this juncture we are not comfortable in signing due to the inability of our counter parts ability to carry through." Basically we were trying to make this guy feel like a pimple our backside and to convey our willingness to walk away from not only negotiations but the job itself. We made a couple of calls and found out some details of changing some freight allowances and it shouldn't be a big deal for this gentleman to "git 'er done" where our agreement will fly by his superiors. KO did tell the guy that he was going to have to give us the half cent from our original request just for mental anguish. Our last report had this negotiator headed to Dallas, his tail tucked between his legs and a cell phone to his ear! If I were a betting man............ By midweek at the latest.

I had a call from the GM concerning the presentation I had made earlier in the week for the other business I consult with. The GM and his board of directors had reviewed and approved it so the one year remaining became a new agreement spanning four. This was doubly good news for me because I will get three or four months of work at the jobsite each year. Its a job and I like to eat.

My afternoon was very productive. I got lots done, saw some people I hadn't seen in a while, and just took a little time for me! I did get by Chris' Napa store to pick up the new A/C compressor for my truck. Thankfully it was under warranty. They are doing a straight replacement, with the exception of the freon and oil charges. I had to give Pat a difficult time about that. Hopefully I will make the swap today and have the faulty part returned to her later in the week. I am currently trying to decide whether to replace the accumulator. If it was a bearing and clutch assembly failure as I suspect, there was no trash forced through the system that would damage the new compressor. If there was internal failure as well, I need to replace the accumulator, and flush the system prior to pulling a vacuum and charging it with freon. I would much rather drive this pickup than work on it.

I did stop by to visit with Memama and Pepa for a minute. Last weekend at the family reunion Pepa had an altercation with an out of control golf cart being piloted by a two year old and the golf cart won. Earlier this week he went in for some x-rays and found that his left foot is broken. Now he is having to wear one of those rigid shoes. Memama had a meeting at Lubbock. Pepa, Pat and Hag went with her. This pertains to some of the never ending parade of festered boils that continue to pop up from the defunct family business. Pray for a suitable solution to this matter. It is amazing to me that state and nationally chartered establishments can be irresponsible in the ethics of conducting business and yet be totally absolved from any responsibility by agencies that look the other way.

Krl and have been dealing with some credit reporting agencies and these folks are out of control. One instance has a company sending Krl something unsolicited, Krl refused delivery and the delivery company refused to return it because the code doesn't authorize payment for return (it did finally disappear from the front porch). The company that sent the unsolicited item told Krl to pay the invoice ($300.00) or it would go on her credit report. (Sounds like extortion to me). She told them if she didn't order it she didn't think that was possible. They told her they could do anything they choose to do. Talk about smart ass! I would like to be like that man on the TV commercial who goes into the company to straighten things out, I would definitely take a large helping of "whoop Azz" for the guy that talked to Krl!

I don't have a whole lot on my plate for today. Lawn, bank, grocery store. Hopefully it will be kicked back. We continue to try to put our next week together. I didn't get home last evening until eight. I had to make a quick trip to the store for Krl and while I was out I picked up Chinese. A week after we went for it we finally got it! Krl is suffering from a terrible, terrible headache. She hasn't classified it as a migraine but I suspect it might be. It can make her eyes tear up. I haven't had too many like that but I can sure sympathize. I don't like it when my sweetie is hurting!

FATHER thank YOU for the week, for YOUR help in seeing us through it. We thank YOU for our victories, and ask that you keep us humble in our celebrations as it is not us but YOU through us that is responsible. May we remain in YOUR favor and be pleasing and acceptable in YOUR sight. Help us to be honorable and fair in our dealings. FATHER I thank YOU for Krl and I pray for her healing and renewal and I ask for relief from her pain. FATHER I lift up Memama, Pepa, Addie, Hag, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, and Verlin for YOUR miracle of healing. I pray for a suitable solution to the problem presenting itself to Memama. I ask that all the parties involved will be fair and honest. FATHER I pray for those sad with loss and I ask YOUR comfort and care for them. 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 efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. FATHER, forgive us when we fall short. Thank YOU for loving us. Bless-ed be YOUR name!

Wow. I don't see how the week can continue like this. Each day is just better and better.

This has been a week of negotiations. For the business I consult with and the business I am currently doing the spreadsheets for. Surprisingly it has been pretty fun. At one point in time I wasn't really comfortable in these situations but then I developed a new theory. So far it has worked. In recent weeks we have been evaluating a "what it is worth to us" pricing scale. "This" is the amount it is worth for us to do the job, anything less is not acceptable and we don't need to be doing the work.

The business I consult with is in a little different situation. Their contracts span three years and a lot can happen in that time frame. I had told the General Manager I was not unhappy with the current numbers and he agreed. Only some minor tweaking seemed to be in order. While we had verbally discussed and agreed on new terms, it was formally submitted late yesterday. While there is still time left on the current contract, it is in the best interest of everyone to have things in place for on down the road, giving some stability and making it possible to do some long term planning.

The business I am doing the spreads for works on twelve month contracts that automatically renew unless someone yells calf rope! There are some basic parameters that allow some negotiation, but these mainly pertain to back hauls, roundtrips, and fuel surcharges. KO and I had cussed and discussed what his magic number was and how best to achieve it. A month ago we had started posturing ourselves for the negotiation. Just this week we had put our magic number on the paper and began our wait, dangling the cheese for the mouse. Yesterday we got invited to the dance. Surprisingly their initial offer was close, much closer than anyone had anticipated, but still short of our target. We decided just to cut to the chase and lay it all out and told the other side "Here is where we are going to have to be or it is not worth it." Their counter came back structured a little differently but came with in fractions of a cent to our target. A couple of minor changes and the deal was done and will be in place by August 1. We even got some incentives that could make the deal surpass our expectations. Sscchhweeet!

I got tickled at KO because he told the other sides chief negotiator that his (KO's) kids were going to have to alternate days to eat but he guessed eating every other day was better than not eating at all. They were all going to Lytle Land and Cattle last evening to seal the deal. Morale was really good when I left their offices.

My "finally Friday" is under revision. I was supposed to be out of the office all day but now I will be in for the morning. Initially I had been scheduled for a long trip on personal business but it now appears I may just do a hundred miles and put the longer trip off to Monday. I know at some point I need to "defrag" before I fizzle. These negotiations are an adrenaline rush but when it is gone it sometimes leaves me flat.

Pray for moderate temperatures and precious rain. There is tremendous potential in the fields along the roadways I have traveled. My grandad used to say to watch the ag economy because main street would mirror the cycle later down the road. Ie. If the farmer/rancher prospers so will the man in the city. Grassroots economics begins at the food and fiber source and spreads upwards. The sad thing is that for many years the farmer/ranchers have just "maintained". It is tough when you buy retail and everything you sell is wholesale. The only saving grace has been their ability to find cheaper ways of producing more product, but it is a catch twenty-two. Usually more product availability means depressed price, good old supply and demand. You got to love it because it is a tough life.

FATHER thank YOU for the tremendous week. I am thankful for YOUR out pouring of blessings. I continue to ask for safe travel. I continue to ask for YOUR wisdom in each decision I make. Thank YOU for the successful talks and negotiations this week. I thank YOU for Krl and ask YOUR healing and renewal for her. Help us to enjoy and appreciate our time and company. FATHER I ask for YOUR blessing of moderate temperatures and gentle precious rains for my farming family and friends at Roscoe, St. Lawrence, and Coyonosa . I pray for their success and bountiful harvests. I lift up Addie, Memama, Pepa, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, S.T., Jeanine and Verlin for YOUR gifts of healing and comfort. I pray for those heavy hearted with grief, I ask comfort and care for them. I pray for those of us who struggle in our daily walks to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Praise YOU from whom all blessing flow!

Whew, two down and one to go. Travel days this week, that is.

My Wednesday had run late from the git go. Once Krl and I arrived to do our sworn statements and sign them it turned out that we had to wait for the person we needed to see. They had stepped out of the office. After that I decided to stop in and get a little warranty work from my barber A.C.. He had one in the chair and one waiting ahead of me and a lady was waiting back in the beauty shop chairs in the back. A.C. and his mother share a building. Barber shop up front and beauty shop in the back. Turns out the one waiting was one of the old school shave and a haircut kind of a guy. Then it turned out the woman was not getting her hair done in the beauty shop, she was getting a hair cut in the barber chair. Finally the chair was mine and A.C. began to remake me. As he progressed, a steady stream of customers filled the waiting area. When he finally removed the barber apron from me I offered him my best consolation line I could muster. "If I wasn't previously obligated I would grab a comb and pair of scissors at the other chair and help catch up!" Everyone laughed, either they were thankful that I was previously committed or thankful that I would be so thoughtful.

Finally I got on the road at eleven o'clock. My first meeting was set up for two o'clock, but I had three hours of drive time to get there. I broke my own rules as I had a late Tuesday and had not really prepared. I kept a legal pad and a pencil on the dash or on the console as I traveled and jotted notes. I never have liked to do that. I would hate to have an accident and have to tell the patrolman "I was just crossing a "t" and it got away from me!"

The first meeting went really well. No haggling, just pretty much general agreement on everything. Of course the major concern is fuel price. About the most fair answer appears to be a sliding fuel surcharge that will protect the contractors if fuel price goes up and yet protect the processing facility if fuel price goes down. We have had such a scale in place in recent years but now it is going to have to be extended upward to include current fuel prices. Who would have ever thunk!

The second meeting went good. This is one of the vendors I have used in recent years. We kind of did a fifty-two card pickup. I threw all the cards on the table and then we began to bounce possibilities off each other. I am somewhat optimistic. I was really pleased with a piece of leased equipment I had left for repairs before returning it. This is one of those situations where you can see that this man and his people take a great deal of pride in a job well done. They do your work like they were working on their own equipment.

Crops are a mixed bag. There is some cotton that was replanted. The drip irrigated cotton is lush and gorgeous, growing. The dryland crop is beginning to stress. They are going to need some rain or some moderate temperatures in the next week or two. The scenarios B.J. gave me was that if they receive no rain from here to harvest we will gin fifty-five to sixty thousand bales. If they get one rain between now and mid August we will gin ninety-five thousand, if they get a rain in the next ten days and another rain near the tenth of August they could ring the bell. While last years record harvest was tremendous, they didn't enjoy some of the across the board yields that the plains area did. "Git 'er done!"

It was a good day. I missed my hopeful return time by an hour but Krl and I did a double team and cranked supper out! Do you ever eat breakfast for dinner? All in, all said, all done, by the time I got home it was after eight and I had done three-hundred fifty-five miles and two meetings since eleven. It was a good day!

Krl spent part of her day with a friend. They did lunch and then rambled around looking at some sale stuff. When I walked in the house last evening, Krl was duded out in a new outfit and looked gorgeous! I got tickled because it sounded like they had gone to the nine dollar store (instead of the Dollar Store). She had had a good day, and her spirits were as high as they have been since early in the year. For this I am thankful! One good day plus another, plus another, plus ................. . Yes!

For some strange reason yesterday my brain kept on reflecting on my hometown newspaper when I was growing up. The Roscoe Times. It was owned and operated by George Parks. George was the son of a Baptist preacher, could have been a professional baseball player but his Dad thought it was sinful to get paid to play a game, he was jilted at the marriage alter and never forgave the feminine gender for that offense, and he directed his energies to the newspaper and to his true purpose, the Roscoe Boys Club. The Roscoe Times featured an editorial column named "Pickin's" which was over laid on top of a cotton boll. George covered it all, from local politics to national, and no subject was "too sensitive" if George was passionate about it. George was the only full time employee of the Times. You could take your news items by and he would be sitting in a modified cane bottom chair (the legs had been shortened to get the right height) at the key board of an old Linotype machine, making type. Then he would take the lead type and set it, do a quick proof read and move on to the next news worthy item. It used to facinate me to watch his old press work on Thursdays.

George had quite a baseball program for the Boys Club. It began with the youngest teams, they were the "Ginners" and the "Bankers" (reflections of their sponsoring entities). Then there was the "Midgets", The Little League, the Pony League and then the Teenage League. While the Ginners and Bankers only played each other repeatedly, George had put together a small town bush league that participated in all the other age groups. Loraine, Ira, Hermleigh, and at one time the community of Silver fielded teams in addition to Roscoe. The remarkable thing was that all the teams had full fledged uniforms, it wasn't just a cap and a T-shirt. Some of the players really excelled and one I know played college ball on the national level. George would not be happy but the "ball field" in Roscoe now bears his name.

George constantly made the trek from Roscoe to Abilene. You could take in a movie nearly any day of the week. Often times he would drop the guys off at one theater and he would go to another to preview a movie to see it it was "up to standards". I can't remember but I want to say he saw The Sound of Music over two hundred times at the old Majestic Theater in Abilene. You could bet the trek home would be spent listening to baseball on the radio from somewhere across this land.

George devised a plan. The Boys Club collected the green bolls from the five cotton gins in the area. These bolls were not open and were once sent to the burrs or trash for disposal. The Boys club would take them and spread them on a deserted piece of highway and they would be stirred and turned until they opened and then they were returned to the gin and processed. The funds generated were distributed between the youth programs of the community and everyone and everything flourished. Of course there was summer camp but the big Boys Club activity was a summer trip. The Boys Club would charter a Greyhound Bus and George would take off (as the only adult) with fifty plus boys ranging in age from six to eighteen for a two week trek across the country. Disneyland, Grand Canyon, Canada, Florida, New York and Niagara Falls, and repeated trips to Washington DC were just some of the destinations. A boy could take fifty or sixty dollars, a bed roll, and one suitcase and "see the world". Everyone checked their money in with George and anytime the bus stopped he stood at the door with a handfull of "ones" for anyone who needed to "draw" on their funds. Every night the group settled up and the ledger adjusted. I don't know how George remembered it all. George would make arrangements and we would sleep on the floor in gymnasiums of high schools, other Boys Clubs and even colleges and Universities. We sat in on sessions of Congress, we were guests in the Congressional cafeteria, and we were once guests of Lady Bird Johnson at the White House. There are a lot of us boys who saw a lot of things we otherwise wouldn't have because of George and his dedication to the youth of Roscoe. He brought the world to the youth of Roscoe.

Life was good in the small West Texas town of Roscoe. Thanks Moose! (on one trip we met a moose named George and the nickname stuck).

FATHER, thank YOU for the good week, the tremendous days. Thank YOU for the productive meetings. FATHER thank YOU for my past, for the opportunities and for the experiences. I am confident YOU have much in store for the future. YOU are good. FATHER I continue to ask that YOU bless the efforts of my farming family and friends in Roscoe, St. Lawrence, Coyonosa, and the Gulf Coastal Plains. FATHER I ask that YOU meet their needs with warm sunshine and timely and gentle rains. I pray that YOU will bless them with bountiful harvests. Help them to be good stewards of YOUR earth. FATHER I continue to thank YOU for Krl. Thank YOU for the good day yesterday, I pray that YOU will continue to bless her with more of them and that YOU will continue to heal and renew her. I lift up Addison, Memama, Pepa, B., Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin and especially Lillie, FATHER they are all in need of YOUR miracle of healing and renewal. I ask special blessings on Lillie as she seems to face obstacle after obstacle. I pray for those sad with loss. Lift them and care and comfort them. I pray for those of us who struggle as we try to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I ask YOUR blessings on the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Worthy is the lamb.

Tough, tough Tuesday. Let me re-phrase that! TOUGH, TOUGH Tuesday!

Got an early start, made the first two travel legs of the day and then sat and sat. Five hours. Waiting. I do not understand the deal. We are required to call ahead and make appointments but they don't honor them. I also learned that they haven't been honoring demerage time (after two hours). I bet they don't. It would cost them a fortune.

I finally arrived home last night at ten fifteen. I am a whipped puppy! Once again I got to take the older truck with the recently overhauled engine. It is a fun little Peterbilt, runs good, drives good but needs a lot of TLC inside and out. Yesterday I had carried a cooler and a sack of lunch and goodies. When we arrived in Waco KO came to my truck after we had signed in and we ate lunch. We figured we were fuel $$$$ ahead if we ran only one truck to keep the A/C going, after about an hour the A/C gradually did less and less until finally if was only mixing hotter air with hotter air. Needless to say the rest of the day was miserable. When they finally called me to the door I found out that my load required an additional pick up. Finally I pulled away and went three miles to another warehouse to complete my load. KO had loaded after me but was finished before me and came by the second warehouse to wait. While we were there he did find a sensor on my A/C that was not carrying the load. He made an override loop and it worked fair. When we arrived in Abilene he asked how the A/C had done and I told him it works great in the winter!

I think I need to be hydrated. Yesterday sure zapped me. Today is going to be some better but still involves a lot of traveling. Probably three hundred plus miles. Since I did two days in one at work yesterday I am taking today to do some personal stuff. I have a nine o'clock appointment downtown and then I will meander westward with multiple stops. The most important part of the day is the afternoon because I have two afternoon meetings regarding my work this fall. My goal today is home by seven. It appears that there are a couple of class action lawsuits through the USDA that may mean procedure changes and destination changes for some of the shipments, at least until the suits are settled. It sure has gotten the industry scrambling to cover their butts! Cover your other rear!

Well apparently I am going to be disappointed with Emily. Preliminary movement indicates that we may have a high pressure system near us that is pushing the moisture down and toward the east. It was a fortunate development that the storm didn't directly hit the fertile cropland of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Sounds like these areas may get lots of rain though. We will keep these guys in mind as they have a full growing season waiting to be harvested.

I did learn that Et ginned sixty something bales last Friday. He finally found the glitch in the plant. His farmer did get the distinction of producing the first bale of cotton in Nueces county. Good job! I bet it is a while before things dry out enough for the harvest to begin in earnest.

Well, I had better get. Gotta "git 'er done!

FATHER, carry me. I am tuckered out. FATHER thank YOU for the safe travel yesterday and I ask the same for today. I continue to ask for wisdom in making my decisions through my meetings today. Help me to be fair and honorable in my dealings. FATHER thank YOU for Krl and the good day YOU gave her yesterday. I pray that YOU will give her more of them and continue to heal and renew her. I continue to pray for those who are near and dear and in need of YOUR healing power. I pray for inner strength for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR Kingdom. Glory and power and dominion!

The best laid plans...............
were made to be changed!

I'm in a hurry and just can't........

Big day. Busy day. Ab-Fw, Fw-Waco, Waco-Ab.
Being short the wrecked truck and that driver has been unavailable (I don't know if he is quitting or what) the owner of his former truck wants to suspend him for a while. Anyhow it has thrown me in the mix for today.

Have a Tuesday!

FATHER, thank YOU. I pray for safe travel, I pray for good decisions. Thank YOU for Krl, I ask that YOU continue to heal and care for her. I pray for those near and dear in need of YOUR miracle of healing. I pray for those sad with loss. I pray for those of us who are struggling to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. Bless the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. To YOU be the glory!

Monday. Let's get it out of the way. Git 'er done.

Krl and I had a very productive weekend, got lots done that needed doing. We kind of trashed the house but it is all coming back together. Isn't it strange that you have to totally disorganize before you can get organized.

We have been watching hurricane Emily with interest. As I write this I have heard on the telly that Emily is lashing Cozumel. One of Krl's and my favorite places and memories are from time spent at the Paradisus Resort on the East side of the island. I can only imagine the damage to the structures, the gorgeous white beach and the thatched roofs on the out buildings. Talk about "on the water front", this place is on the water front. It probably isn't two hundred feet from the water and the sea wall is probably only fifteen or twenty feet above sea level. Ah the price of paradise and convenience.

Just a thought but maybe Brently should take his construction business on the road.

Ever since Krl and I went there I have contended that I wanted to move there. I could get a bicycle and a paper route and Krl could open a snow cone stand on the beach. We could be beach bums! (I do think Krl would look better in a bikini than I would in a speedo!)

We might have to see what the time frame is on re-opening the Paradisus. While some contingents have always promoted Christmas in Colorado, I am partial to Christmas in the tropics, especially since we moved our Christmas to February. Might be a special, after holiday and before spring break. With some luck we could combine paying off an incentive program as well. I have always joked with the women in the office out west that should they meet certain production criteria by the conclusion of the season there, Krl and I would treat them to new bikinis and a week in the sun. Until last year it has never been a real possibility. Hoojay has made a standing offer of going as a chaperone, but I don't think he would do justice to a bikini. Last year the season was completed February fourth but production fell just short (a tad over ten percent shortfall). If Emily will pump a little moisture up here this might just be the year! I would bet some of the farmers and contractors might be up to kicking in if it would ensure a successful crop year.

Looking at my day planner, it will begin with downloading weekend fuel activities. Mid-morning I have the driver coming in to fill out his accident report for last Thursday's incident. I am not looking forward to this because KO wants someone else to be the bad guy, but he wants to pull the plug. This is probably the biggest difference of opinion that we have had since he convinced me to go to work with him. I think a stern reprimand, written and signed by both parties, placed in his personnel folder, specific job duties and expectations, and a clear directive to either step to the plate or get out of the game are more in order. I believe this driver did his best in this particular incident, but cumulative other problems could cloud the total picture.

I had to borrow a company pickup from the lot. I had thought that if I disabled the clutch on the A/C compressor I could continue to drive the S-10. After I had done that I cranked the engine and killed it immediately. Apparently a bearing in the pulley assembly is the culprit, resulting in burning the clutch up and ultimately losing the freon charge thru the damaged seal. Rats. I did talk to my personal parts person and they are going to check on the warranty. Six weeks to the day from when KO and I charged the system it shelled. With three dollar R-134 freon it wasn't bad, luckily I had a partial case stored but this go I am going to have to buy some of the ten and twelve dollar freon. Yuk!

I don't know who is more pathetic. Dubya or Rick Perry. Both are cry babies, both think they are above reproach. I am so tired of hearing of the CIA operative being revealed by administration staff. Dubya made a statement about taking action should the allegations prove true and now he is craw fishing so bad it looks like he is trying to and moonwalk. (I wonder if Dubya has ever been an overnight guest at Neverland Ranch, I wonder if Tricky Ricky has). RP is wanting to rape and pillage the teacher retirement fund, he has enamored himself so well with educators. I guess in the major leagues you rework social security and in the minor leagues you rework teacher retirement. Sign 'em both up for Peace Corps and ship 'em off.

FATHER, take control. Make this week what YOU want it to be. I ask for a safe, productive and blessed week. I continue to thank YOU for Krl and ask YOUR care and healing for her. Be with her as we pack and plan. Be with me in my special projects. FATHER I pray for Addie, Memama, Pepa, Hag, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, and Verlin. I lift them up for YOUR healing and care. FATHER I ask YOUR comfort for those sad with grief, surround them with YOU angels. I pray for those of us who stumble as we follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Let us declare YOU.

Sad Sunday, which means Monday is just hours away.

This week should be pretty easy, at least what is scheduled, but who knows after what happened last week. It would appear that I will only be in the office three days and on the road and in meetings the remainder of the week. I am not scheduled to relieve anyone in a truck this week and we are fortunate to have added more drivers. Right now, with the exception of the truck damaged in the wreck we are enjoying the greatest capacity we have since I have been there. I am faced with a bunch of miles between meetings. If things would totally fall in place I would even get by to see Et, I just don't want to go that way and meet Emily! I am hopeful that if the hurricane hits, that it will be kind to the crops which are near ready for harvest and I am hopeful that it will force moisture up into West Texas. While I don't want to offer anyone up as a sacrifice, you have to bet that Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and surrounding states have to be thankful for some relief. It had begun to appear that the hurricane God's were picking on them.

I did one, (1), errand yesterday, a modern day record. It did require two stops because the first one didn't have everything, but oh well. It was a pretty peaceful day. Krl is still up to her neck making file folders and re-organizing and packing.

We had a message on the answering machine from one of "three's" roommates at the commune. I don't know what he wanted, don't really care. Here's a quarter call someone who cares!

Krl has tried to encourage me to go to the family church service at the reunion at Lake Brownwood. I am going to have to make up my mind in the next twelve minutes. I need to get a lot of stuff done here at the house today. Decisions, decisions. It would be much easier if she felt like doing something with me.

Surprisingly, Krl s getting excited about the upcoming trip. Her only reservation is Trc and the girls. Me, I am traveling footloose and fancy free! I think Krl can see the girls on selected weekends as paths intercept. Krl is even wanting to leave early and stay late! Maybe I can get the girl back in the game!

Gotta git 'er done!

FATHER, bless this day. Thank YOU for Krl, I ask for her healing and renewal. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR healing and care. I ask for comfort for those who are hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who struggle as we try to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Deliver me.

I am really glad to have the week behind us. It has been a roller coaster, and I hate roller coasters!

First matter of business today. An apology is in order. Lots of times things get out of hand and out of our control.

I want to apologize to Krl for subjecting her to a lot of baloney that she really shouldn't have to tolerate. I apologize for the three stooges and their lame brains and pathetic attempts at life. I apologize for their inability to be truthful and forth right, for the disappointment of them talking the talk yet never delivering. I apologize for the idiot daughter who is a gold digger, the one who brought a crack cocaine pipe into our home stashed in her makeup bag (didn't think we knew, huh? It was a clear bag laying on the bathroom vanity), the daughter that for over a year I have suspected of being juiced on meth, the same one who makes good money but is always broke, the same one who is a thief and a liar. I apologize for the idiot son who sees no wrong in having pirated cable for several years, for having a gray area if it benefits him, for inappropriate conduct, the same one who is a thief and a liar. I apologize for another idiot daughter who was raised to know better and yet has sold out, and decided to expect and settle for less, who can be more and can be better, and is another one who is a thief and a liar.

Until the DNA tests I will cross my fingers. It is depressing and frustrating to think you contributed in raising a prize hog and then find out it is just a pig. Multiply that times three!

Onward and upward! This should be the final blog concerning my "alleged" off spring. And they're off!

One piece of advice for the last one invited to the dance, RUN!

I was able to get out of the office fairly early Friday. I ran to the house and picked up Krl and some paperwork and then we rushed downtown to an office where the papers were to be notarized. As luck would have it, they closed at four-thirty. We'll try again.

On the way home we made a few stops and then decided we would pick up our supper. About once a month we will eat Chinese and last weekend I wheeled into Wok to find that they were closed for vacation. Yesterday I turned in at the Wok drive through and we were one vehicle back to order. Krl and I got to talking and when the vehicle in front of us moved we turned out and went around to a small Italian joint. We decided to do different entrees and expand our taste buds. We ordered some spinach rolls, a combo entree with lasagna, manacotti, and ziti, and for the other entree we ordered cannelloni. It was all pretty good but I prefer the cannelloni, pasta squares filled with ground beef, cheese, and spinach. It came with salads, garlic bread and marinara dipping sauce. Yum. Excellente. While we waited we watched the man making pizzas. I don't know how many he made while we were there but he was fast and steady. The amazing thing for me was that he didn't use pizza pans yet he repeatedly made near perfect shaped crusts. Most of the pizza was conventional but they also had some that were more like meat pies. Another neat thing was that the entire time we were there the pizza man was talking to a co-worker in Italian. Atmosphere!

Krl and I got to laughing about going for Chinese and ending up with Italian. Close.

We got our afternoon rain. This is almost an everyday occurrence. Gotta love it! It appears that the next window for our yard work is next week. I think rain is in the forecast until Wednesday or Thursday.

Just before I left the office the wrecked truck arrived. I was pleasantly surprised. It is hurt but apparently not too bad, especially if there is nothing bent like the frame, axle or spindle. The owner of the truck has really been upset with the driver. I don't think he has the mindset to operate trucks. Regardless of intent, sometimes luck runs out and accidents happen. I think it is very possible that the driver in question did the absolute best he could with the situation and thankfully no one else was involved and no one was injured. The owner has already said he doesn't want the driver back in the truck after repairs are made. KO is trying to decide what he wants to do with him. We have had some problems with this driver, mainly running behind and putting down product, still my recommendation is to bring him in to fill out an accident report, dress him down, write him up with a warning and give him one more try. With all the cards on the table, he either toes the line or if he steps over it, is shown the door.

I've been chasing a noise from my little pickup. I had actually though that it was possibly an exhaust leak, a cracked manifold or a split exhaust lead because the sound resembled the stacatto sound of a tuned exhaust. Friday morning it was horrific on the way to work. I soft pedaled it and made it without incident. I kept sweeping the gauges and everything was normal. When I opened the hood I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary except that the air conditioner compressor was extremely shiny, like covered with oil. Like I didn't know better I reached to wipe it with a finger to see if there was oil residue on it. It was so hot that the paint was actually trying to melt. I was surprised when I got in the truck for the half hour drive home that the A/C was still working, but luck ran out just as I entered the city limits and by the time I got home it was blowing hot air. I popped the hood and the compressor clutch was smoldering hot. I checked it before Krl and I left on errands and thankfully it had not caught fire (I was wondering though). When we got home for the evening we took everything in the house and I went back out to close the hood and while I was there I tried to turn the compressor, while I can turn it minimally, I believe it has some internal problems in addition to the clutch. What really aggravates me is that it has just been on the pickup a few days short of six weeks. I guess I will have to call my personal parts person to check on warranty, I haven't even seen a bill on this one.

Krl and I have a full weekend and a busy week coming up.

FATHER, I pray for a blessed weekend. I thank YOU for Krl and I pray for her healing. I pray for Addison, Memama, Pepa, Hag, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, and Verlin. I ask YOUR gift of healing for them all. I pray for comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who stumble as we try to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Surround us.

Yippee! Another fabulous "Finally Friday".

Am I ready, you bet! This week has been pretty intense. We have had some lax moments but when things revved up, Katey bar the door! Today will be the first week day off from the dedicated "can" run since the build up for Memorial Day and the carry over through the Fourth of July. We were fielding all sorts of requests for "long weekends". Of course anyone wanting to work can haul product loads today. We only have two drivers doing doubles today, one Ab-FW-Waco-AB, the other being a Ab-FW, FW-Ab, Ab-Dal, Dal-Ab. The rest of the guys are doing singles and should have their days done early! They deserve it.

Yesterday's crisis was an accident in Fort Worth. We had been laid back at the office when the call came. A driver had crested a hill and there were cars as far as he could see. Stopped! He was in the inside lane and went left toward the cement barricade and the emergency lane, which was a good move, the problem was he made too hard a cut and hit the barricade. Damage included broken spring hanger bolts, a fiberglass break in the hood, ruined steer tire and wheel, and a bruised ego for the driver. A couple of hours later, a hefty wrecker bill ($$$$), and we had a plan in place to get the driver and the truck back to the fleet shop. I don't know if this driver will be back or not. If not, it won't be his choice. Luckily KO was in Fort Worth and was just a couple of miles away and he was able to go to the site and assess the situation. I was kind of proud of KO, he doesn't handle "situations" well. Fort Worth's finest in blue called a wrecker in to do the tow and the guy who responded will not be a contestant for the congeniality award. After it was all over KO told me it was difficult, but he kept his cool because that wrecker dude was "a fecal orifice". Preliminary investigation reveal that the truck was traveling between fifty and fifty-five miles per hour and the officer commended the driver for avoiding any other vehicles. I guess that is like a consolation award. I have the driver coming in this morning to fill out an accident report. Red tape. The pilot of this crash vehicle had over slept and got a late start. Hmmm. Kind of re-enforces my theory about being in the right place at the right time.

It is officially official. Krl and I had taken the pressure off concerning the reunion at Lake Brownwood and figured if things fell right, fine. If not, fine. Well, everything is fine! We will be home for the weekend. Krl had a really really good day Tuesday, but Wednesday and Thursday have been the other end of the spectrum. She made the remark that sometimes it appears GOD has a warped sense of humor. If she can have one good day I have hope that she can have another. And then another and then an.......... O.K.!

Chris is flying in from Little Rock for the reunion, it has been about ninety days since he was last in. He is really getting independent. He is currently enrolled in his final course and would probably be done this month but they are waiting for two more students to begin this class. Business Administration. Chris is bringing one of his friends from school, his friend is totally blind. Chris told Pat "Not to worry, I will be his sighted guide for the weekend!" Sounds like maybe school has really mellowed Chris and that he realizes what sight he does enjoy is a blessing. He's turning out to be quite a young man.

I received another call from the contractor that had called last week. He was asking me to forward to him some fuel surcharge options as he was meeting with B.J. yesterday morning. I faxed an updated schedule and then received a call asking me for a practical example of application. When that was done B.J. asked me to come there before next Thursday for a meeting to discuss my job contract. I advised him that one year remained on the current one but he wants to rework it now. I talked with the contractor again after he concluded his meeting and he told me that there is a new mentality out there after the scare of losing the Plant Superintendent and they are wanting to tie everyone up for the next three years. According to what the contractor told me, his tentative agreement calls for an increase five times what I have been hoping for. I am not going to get greedy though, I am not wanting to rework my deal, just tweak it a little. I would rather eat regular than binge! I am excited about this development, I could use some stability in my life!

Krl and I are beginning to make small preparations for the annual pilgrimage. It won't be long. I am thankful for the opportunity and for the developments that have happened that will let Krl be with me this year from the start. I just feel better when I can put the eye ball on her an assess her situation. We have really been laughing about the "culture shock" Maple Syrple is going to go through when we move to the jobsite and she realizes she is a trailer park hound!

I didn't get a report yesterday on Addie. I haven't talked with Kali but Krl and Memama have. Kali has told them that the account of what happened that is written in my blog is not totally accurate but offered no consistent alternatives. All I can say is what I wrote came from Merrit's mouth. We may never know the real story. I continue to catch Merrit in fibs. She told me the dog has been destroyed but it hasn't been. She also failed to tell me that this dog was purchased by her and given to the current owner. The girl seems to have a problem (and telling the truth may be just a small part of it).

No word on Verlin yesterday either. I suppose I will use that old adage that no news is good news!

Word is that Et has cotton at the gin waiting to be ginned. One of his farmers wants to have the first bale down there this year. Problem is after Et arrived at his new job he found that the gin was far from being ready to gin.

When I woke this morning I was greeted with the puzzle for the day. Krl had told me "Before I go to bed I am going to clean out the refrigerator and scrub it down." The puzzle was a maze of shelves and drawers strewn through the kitchen. She did leave me a note, apologizing and saying she couldn't get them back in. Of course the key is sequence. If you start wrong or make a mis-step you cannot tilt and lock (or unlock) the next shelf. I got them all in there and I am hopeful the spacing suits Krl. The rest of the day should be a piece of cake!

Have a weekend on me! Enjoy!

FATHER, please deliver me through this day. Thank YOU for seeing me through the week. I ask for a good day and a blessed weekend. I pray for safe travel for those traveling to and from the reunion. FATHER I thank YOU for Krl and ask YOUR healing and care for her. I pray for Memama, Pepa, Hag, Addie, Verlin, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, and Jeanine. I ask YOUR miracle of healing for them all. I pray for those sad with grief. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU, keep us centered. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts to expand YOUR kingdom. Fill me.

Thrilling Thursday!

We are over the hump! Yea!

Yesterday was probably as broad a spectrum as we can get at the office. It began in crisis and finally made the full swing and was laid back. When I arrived at the office, KO and his wife were both there. Now that is odd! Usually it is an hour after I arrive that they straggle in.

We had a driver making a metroplex delivery and then picking up a load of boxes and trays to bring back to the production facility in Abilene. The delivery was uneventful but the pickup didn't go as well. It is extremely tight getting in to the dock, the streets and parking lot were design for much smaller equipment than what we use. In addition to this the entrance has a large hump that the trucks must cross over, this hump is like a speed bump on steroids, short ramps on and off, high elevation. When the driver was trying to enter, both fuel tanks dragged and the passenger side tank's elbow fitting was broken off. Diesel was streaming out, the driver dashed to the dock office and asked them to have maintenance bring a plug. When the maintenance man arrived he looked under there and told the driver, "You need a plug!" He went back to his shop to look for one and while he was there he called 911. In quick time police, fire trucks and ambulances responded. By this time the damaged tank was empty. It had lost thirty to forty gallons of fuel (at $2.319 per gallon). The firemen wanted to pump the fuel from the other tank (????), but the driver told them "No, that tank was not damaged". The firemen called the Hazardous Response Team and they came and began putting out speedi-dry. The woman in charge was really nice and explained everything to the driver. They would soak all the liquid up with the speedi-dry and then they would pick up the speedi-dry, seal it in drums and dispose of it at a hazardous disposal site. While all this was transpiring, our driver learned that he was the fifth truck this week to have a problem with the entry to the dock area. The driver plugged the tank, completed his pickup and was trying to make it back to Abilene so the tank could be re-plumbed, he was due for a fueling on his way back even before he had his problem. Just a few miles down the road, the big truck sucked air and was "dead in the water" on I-35. What apparently had happened was that the on board computer had directed the return fuel to the tank with the lowest fuel level, the one with the plug in it! The fuel return is supposed to equalize the excess fuel that is returned from the injector pump to the tanks. While the initial plan was a quick fix, it was flawed. Luckily we had another truck in the area whose drive is very mechanical and carries tools with him. The office had found a parts supply house and he picked up the parts and headed out to the aid of the broken down truck. They made short work of the repairs, primed the fuel filters and went to start the truck. Nothing. They tried to short across the solenoids. Nothing. Finally they hooked a chain up and "pull" started the ailing truck. It made the trip back to Abilene with no more problem and I picked it up late in the day and took it to the fleet shop. By that time fifteen hours had elapsed. The dispatch board was a mess of eraser marks and nearly everyone's schedule had been altered to try to cover all the loads we could. I think by days end we had only two loads that had to be rescheduled for today. Now KO is worrying himself silly about what the hazmat cleanup is going to cost. I told him don't worry, that is what insurance is for.

We had a conference call scheduled with the core customers top executives. We are going to be a "pilot project" for some new procedures. KO held his own but these guys are pretty big, smooth players. They didn't get where they are at by being wall flowers. When the crux of the meeting was over KO mentioned being up most of the night with the fuel spill and everything that went on. When these gentlemen learned that the load pickup was for them, they got very interested. They assured us they would look into the problem. A couple of hours later one of them called back and said they had talked with the GM at the box manufacturer and he said that they would have the entry fixed by Thursday afternoon and they would pay for the hazmat cleanup and any damages. Walk softly, carry a big stick and know who to talk to.

After all that, the rest of the day was a piece of cake!

Addison is home. I still don't know if that is good or not. Effectively her summer is ruined (Thanks "M"). She can't be around other kids (the doctors say she doesn't need to be hit or bumped) and she cannot be in the sun. She cannot have any spicy or salty food (chicken broth is too salty and burns the cuts inside her mouth) so apparently her new favorite food is eggs. Soft and bland. She probably needs to come over here and let Dandy fix her some of his famous oatmeal. Krl says that Addie probably needs counseling. Kali told her that Addie is very traumatized with dogs now (I wonder why). Krl talked about whether or not she should offer to keep Addie but then we do have a house full of hounds (even though they are lickers not biters). Addie is already concerned that other kids are going to make fun of her. She did ask her Mom if she still has a tongue. She is still experiencing a good deal of pain. (Thanks again "M").

Verlin takes two steps forward and one back. The pump is removed. His heart is trying to do its thing, but they have been unable to remove the breathing tube. Everytime they try his function becomes erratic. On top of this he has pneumonia in both lungs. The best thing that could happen is for him to be sitting or standing but as long as he has that breathing tube in, that is not an option. He is alert and responsive.

Well, let's "Git 'er done!"

FATHER, YOU are in control. Take this day and make it what YOU want it to be. I continue to thank YOU for Krl and ask YOUR care and healing for her. I lift up Addie and Verlin to YOU for YOUR gifts of healing and comfort. I continue to ask YOUR healing and care for others who are near and dear. I pray for those sad with loss. 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 efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Bless me oh LORD, and expand my boundaries.

Wild Wednesday!

Today is a grab bag! I don't know which way it will run once it is out of the bag!

Finally I am caught up. It has taken a week and two days but I have finally cleared my desk of all backlog. Now I am back to daily projects. KO had made an early delivery to the metroplex yesterday, picked up some repair materials and supplies and made the trek westward. Once he arrived in Abilene, he picked up a trailer from CC&S that had a floor issue and brought it to the office. I was ready to get busy! Hop on it and "git 'er done!" KO told me he was very tired and wanted to get a nap first. I told him he would sleep until I had left for the day. After four hours I had finished clearing my desk, shut down my computer and was gathering a few items that needed to go home with me when the sleeping giant awoke. "What? You're not going to stay and help me with the trailer repair?" It was probably ugly but I told him "I am not in the mood any more!" I had done eight and a half at that point and still had one stop to make on the way home. Add to this that Monday was a ten hour day and yes, I had been brutally honest. I was not in the mood.

Krl and I had been continuing to do a mental inventory of the company travel trailer trying to be as sure as possible that we give insurance as complete a list of missing items as possible. The latest addition was a Bosch cordless drill kit. This too was a recent addition to the trailer inventory. It had been purchased in November of '04. Surprisingly, the smaller items are really adding up. On my way home I decided to go by Lowe's just out of curiosity to see what replacement cost would be. Surprisingly, replacement cost is seventy-five dollars more than what I paid nine months ago. When I left Lowe's it was starting to rain. I had one more stop to make when the bottom fell out. I was following a pickup down Buffalo Gap running fifteen miles an hour and still could not see a thing. Lots of wind, sideways rain, pea sized hail, it was coming down! I decided to stop at Skinny's to buy a mega million ticket and parked on the side of the building away from the weather so it wasn't too bad when I ran to the store. When I got in there, I found that the weather had their phones down and I would have to wait to get a ticket. I am a firm believer in being in the right place at the right time, everything happens for a purpose, and getting ones ducks in a row and aligning the stars, so I decided to wait out the storm. Water began to come under the doors. Luckily, our store clerk was a storm veteran at this location and she opened the away side doors and as the rain came under one sides doors she swept it right out the other sides doors. When the storm let up, all their equipment came back up, I got my ticket and headed home. When I arrived at the house I found the basket ball goal had been blown down and it was laying across the driveway. It appeared that just at ground level there was an inside rust ring and it had weakened the vertical tubing just enough for the wind to take it to the ground. Luckily I was at Skinny's or it would have hit in the middle of the cab of the pickup! See I am already a winner!

Officially (at the weather bureau at the airport) Abilene only received .15 of an inch of rain. I have about decided their rain gauge is inside. On the southwest side, water was over the curbs side to side and the water crossings were running a foot deep when I was on my way home. Quite a bit of damage reported across our area from this storm. Power outages, transformer fires, blown off roofing, and grass fires from lightning strikes.

I did receive a report that St. Lawrence received an inch and a half of rain since the fourth. That is good news. Pepa says that he has received nine/tenths to 1.2 inches of rain at Roscoe depending on where you are looking. This is excellent news for my farming friends and family!

The office manager is buying lunch today. A while back we had a bet and I won. We just haven't settled up yet. I thought the bet was for burgers from the local restaurant, but since she has included the payoff to be office wide, the other team members are pushing it toward one of the more expensive eating establishments in Jones county. I don't think that was the intent. KO is going to be out of the office on a truck today. Heh! He would have a cow!

No word on whether or not Addie was released from Children's hospital. I am still trying to keep my distance to avoid coming unglued. Meme talked up there earlier but had not talked late in the afternoon.

Word continues to be "improving" for Verlin according to my last report.

Well, I guess it is time to "git 'er done!"

FATHER, take this day and mold it. Make it what YOU intend and use me in it. I thank YOU for the good news for Addie and Verlin and ask that YOU continue to heal and care for them. I continue to thank YOU for Krl and ask YOUR care and healing for her. I pray for those near and dear who are in need of YOUR gifts of healing. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. FATHER, have it YOUR way!