The week was very, very busy, but was probably one of the better weeks this summer. I have been on the road every day but I have been trying to use this time to get my brain and body in synch.

The truck I am driving was acquired by the company in March of this year. It is a used truck and sports several "character flaws", many of which are reflective of the prior operators personal preferences. Some of these I have corrected, others haven't bothered me. Regardless, I don't plan to pilot this thing forever. (In fact probably about three or four more weeks, tops!). This truck has an almost endless number of storage compartments and gradually I have checked each and every one of them out. Many of these have been put to use by me, storing peanut butter crackers, rice crispy treats and whatever other snacks looked appealing at the last stop!

One particular day I was cleaning a compartment out when I brushed something, way in the back. I pursued it and found a cassette tape. No title, no markings. I slipped it into the cassette player and discovered it is a homemade (or churchmade) tape. The participants are not professional, the production is sometimes patchy, but the intent appears to be very sincere although definitely not ZOE. It is a spritual, faith based, praise recording. I am glad the prior operator left it for me to find as I usually use it getting into or coming out of my quiet time each day. Thanks, whoever you are.

Sometimes we do stupid stuff, and this story is on me. The other day I had a check which had been given to me and I wanted to cash it. As usual I was in a hurry and made a trek to the local bank branch located near my house. This is the branch I frequent so I am familiar with their requirements, signature and identification. As I stopped in the drive-thru I was hurrying, trying to accommodate any other customers who were behind me. I quickly endorsed the check, and reached into my shirt pocket where I carry a small slip with a few essential cards, my fuel card, drivers license, a chosen credit card, a membership card and two participation cards, to retrieve my drivers license. After a few minutes of eerie quiet, the window teller came over the speaker and asked me if I had my drivers license. I replied, "I thought I put it in there". Her response was, "I don't know what you sent me!". I pulled the slip out and sure enough my driver's license was there. Closer scrutiny revealed that the card I had sent in with the check was my Love's Reward Card. No telling what the lady thought, either she just hit the daily double or she was scared half to death! In the end we both had a good laugh.

I try to fuel at one of three fuel stops, as I have "reward" cards for two. My on the road preference is Love's Fuel Stops (it is a chain) which I have their reward card. Locally I use the Top 18 at Tye and they have a Frequent Fueler card. Everytime you fuel, you swipe your card and you get points you can redeem for fountain drinks and other merchandise. Hey, every little bit helps.

Yesterday I was in Lubbock to off load and from there I went to KO's uncle's place at Brownfield. I was picking up a load of pallets for delivery to Stamford, but I was picking them up at the uncle's produce facility. As it turned out they were gathering and shipping watermelons. There were field truck loads waiting to be unloaded and graded, there were road truck loads waiting to be shipped. Millions of pounds of melons! It was mind boggling! DO had made a call and after they had loaded the pallets the forklift operator set a crate of watermelons on the very back of the trailer. (1500 lbs.). When I unloaded in Stamford the forklift operators helped themselves to a couple of melons, then when I dropped the trailer at KO's house, DO gave me a couple for Krl, and we unloaded a couple more for DO's house and her mother. And there are a lot of melons left!

I am sooo looking forward to the weekend. This is the first weekend in about five weeks that I am getting to have a "two" day weekend. Yes!

Quick note: Today is Pat and Kyle's Birthday! Happy Birthday, hope your day is a good one! Love ya!

Be the real deal!

FATHER, thank YOU for the good week and for the weekend. I continue to petition YOU for Krl's health. YOU know our needs, and I am thankful for YOUR faithfulness to fill them.