Let the festivities begin!

Today is going to be a fun day. I don't care who comes over and who doesn't (I take that back, there are a few who wouldn't be allowed through the door) but we are going to have a good time! Of course Meme stayed up late cleaning and making other preparations. I halfway expect a call wanting us to make a pick up run so the pool can be put in use earlier. We have told the girls they can bring someone with them if they want. I am fixing to ice down soft drinks, get out some cantaloupes and cut 'em up, I even think I may put the water melons (Krl got a yellow meat and a red meat) in the bottom of the coolers and sprinkle a little rock salt on the ice, really chill 'er down! We probably won't even fire the grills till around noon. Why rush, we have all day!

A year ago today I lost one of my childhood friends. I think about him everytime I go past the Milsap exit.

An interesting article on the net yesterday. Arlington National Cemetery is being expanded. This is due to the requests by WWII veterans wanting to be buried there. Statistics show 1200 of them die a day.

Golly it is going to be warm. Yesterday 105, today 105 to 110. Calf rope! I don't mind the heat in moderation, maybe ninety-four to ninety-six.

Actually heat units are what the growing crops need. Cotton loves it hot, to a point. When I recently visited at St. Lawrence they were hoping for a Fourth of July rain. In fact one of the former presidents of the board of directors told me if they got a July fourth rain and a August tenth rain I had better bring a sack lunch. He went on to tell me if they just got one rain between the end of June and mid August that he felt like last year's record would be in jeopardy! You go guys!

I visited with my Dad yesterday and asked him what his crops were looking like and I don't think I ever got an answer other than they had a lot of wind come through in a cloud Friday night and that they were spraying roundup over the top of the cotton. They have lots of acres to cover quickly before the cotton gets too big to broadcast spray over the top. I sometimes wonder what my grandad would think about farming with chemicals. "Nothing will replace hard work" is the first quote that comes to mind. Of course with high oil and fuel prices the more acres covered using the least horsepower equals $$$$ savings.

Have a safe Fourth!

FATHER, thank YOU for the many freedoms we enjoy. Help America to always be a beacon the world over. Help us to help others while not becoming bullies and forcing our will. Father I ask YOU for gentle timely rains for my farming family and friends. I pray for successful growing seasons free, from inclimate weather. I ask for bountiful harvests. Help us to be good stewards of YOUR earth. FATHER, I continue to ask that YOU strike down the infidels. I pray for Krl and her healing and renewal. I pray for Memama, Pepa, Hag, B., Lillie, K.R., Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Dr. Mackie, and Jeanine and I ask YOUR miracle of healing for them all. I pray for those heavy hearted with grief. I pray for those of us who wander in our journey with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I ask YOU blessings on the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Oh thou fount of ev'ry blessing!