And the "eyes" have it! (But they wish they didn't!)

That sure seemed like a short night. I don't know what possesses my eyes to be spring loaded. "Bong!" Try as I might, toss and turn, twist and shout, I can't go back to sleep. I know it isn't fun for the other "bedmates". I sometimes think Maple Syrple is trying to coax me into being still and going back to sleep.

It is almost comical when night comes, our little family rituals. The pups usually "play themselves out" while the two older houndgirls quietly begin to migrate towards their ergonomically correct beds. Once the pups think you are making your way to the bedroom it becomes a contest for them. Who can get there first and stake their claim to prime mattress location. Not that it is going to matter because seniority has it's privileges.

While Maple Syrple didn't like Baby Phooey (the new pup) in the beginning, they have become great playmates. They have an arsenal of toys which are becoming "well worn". Maple will parade directly in front of Phooey with the "bait" dangling and then the game is on. They will wrestle, flip, chase, and nip at each other until they are exhausted or Krl or I call them down. But every relationship has it's limits. Maple has drawn her lines with me and her sleep time. You don't mess with me and you don't interrupt her sleep. Maple thinks she has to be between Krl and I and most of the times she is adamant about it. On rare occasions she will relent and it looks like a cartoon where something is burrowing underground. (This is also her mode if Krl or I are snoring). You will see the covers moving and to the bottom of the bed she goes. The one thing you can bet on is that sometime during her sleep, she is going to cuddle. She gets so close, practically under you, that you sometimes fear you will hurt her. But oh that must be a fine sleep! While I am usually miffed that I awaken at all hours, I sense that Maple takes great joy in "expanding her boundaries". What a little Jabezell! (O.K. that's a play on Jabez and Jezabell.)
Bless me oh Lord with greater mattress area!

Krl tells me that Maple now lingers in bed a good half hour after all the other houndgirls have started their day. Finally she will drag herself out of bed, make her trek outside, get a drink, a little Purina One, then maybe grab some "rays" while laying on the back porch. All this is a ruse giving Krl enough time to make the bed at which time Maple will burrow through the throw pillows until she is hidden on the backside where she can catch a little snoozer!

Hey, a girl has gotta have her beauty rest!

My Monday wasn't too bad. I returned one leased trailer which needed some major maintenance to Fort Worth and picked another one up in Dallas, loaded it and returned to Abilene. Today is plastic shells to Dallas and then to Minute Maid in Waco before returning to Abilene. Not a bad schedule but usually a Waco day is a long one.

Another note to the recent family reunion. As I had stated, the auction revenue was down. There were several reasons. It's kind of like dominos. One affects another. Tj and her family's absence had an affect. Tj has a spastic hand that will "just spring up" anytime something mildly resembles a bargain. Frances (in Tempe) has had another bout with treatment after her cancer recurred. Her situation was compounded by having to have "by-pass" surgery on the heels of her other treatment. As a result of her absence we didn't have a single "Diamondback" article in the auction and the family is probably not as healthy because we didn't get the fruits of her backyard! Frances' sister Linda went to Tempe and also missed the reunion which meant her daughter and her kids were no shows as well. Linda is kind of like a conscience for all the other bidders. She may not really want what is being bid on but she's going to make you pay what it is worth. Her grandkids are also good for the kids items. We missed all of these and hope things will be where they can make up for it next year!

This weekend, Justin Snow of the Indianapolis Colts is having his youth football camp in Abilene. He is a 1995 graduate of Abilene Cooper. I like seeing someone who has enjoyed success return to their roots to give back. I honestly feel that if he hangs on, he and Dominic (another Cooper grad on the Colt roster) along with Peyton will get that ring! Eat yer heart out Edgerin!

Well, let's git 'er done!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the good Monday. I pray for a safe and productive day today. I lift up Frances to YOU for YOUR gift of healing. I lay it all YOUR feet. LORD reign in me!