Wow!

We are back in Abilene, and it is wonderful! We have been on the jobsite two weeks, yet when I walked in I wanted to do a snow angel on the floor!

Weather has been a constant problem out there. Last weekend the area received moisture ranging from eight tenths of an inch to four inches. Just when equipment was returning to the fields scattered showers returned with heavier rains predicted for the weekend.

While we have made massive strides setting up the jobsite, we are still without internet. I am finding it very difficult to work on and at my desk. Maybe this next week. I have all the pertinent pieces but I am mindful of the problems I encountered last season with the wireless router.

We have processed just over four thousand bales of cotton. A good beginning. We should be somewhere between a tenth and a thirteenth through.

I am going to be able to write a book. Kyle Patrick is working with us (somedays) and while I know it is sometimes trying for him I know it is an exercise in patience for me. After a horrible first day on the jobsite, he rallied for a very good ten to twelve days. The last couple have not been too good. After learning we had no cotton to gin Thursday morning, he asked if he could sleep in. He emerged from his trailer after dark, only to eat supper with Krl and I. While he is beginning to understand the concept of pay and the time clock, he hasn't totally grasped the idea of productive time. Yesterday he reported for duty at eleven but thought he had been on the clock since he had been drinking coffee since nine-thirty. I suppose if he remembers anything from this experience it will be my asking him, "Am I paying you for this?"

Probably the most difficult thing for us at the jobsite is to let Kyle stretch his boundaries. If Aunt Krl had her way she would ask him over for every meal. We have tried to limit this to an every other day schedule and only for supper. It's pretty easy to figure out Kyle is a carnivore. Chicken fried steak or roast on the menu and he is ready. Something from the grill is even better! The boy has lived on baloney sandwiches for the past two weeks. His mother had tried to get him to buy some frozen dinners but he didn't. Last weekend the plant shut down two hours early so everyone could go to town to get supplies. Kyle rode in with us and followed me with his basket. Finally he bought a huge bottle of gatorade and a twelve pack of Dr. Pepper, some powdered donuts and he was done. Krl and I went down the frozen food aisle pointing out different items. "Kyle, here is chicken fried steak!", we would say. He would respond by saying, "Yep, but I bet it's not as good as Aunt Krl's!" I pointed out, "Kyle, this is roast with brown gravy and mashed potatoes!" Kyle said, "It doesn't look as good as Krl's." Krl and left the frozen food aisle defeated, every highlight we pointed out was countered by "Kyle" logic.

On Wednesday we made a run to Midland and on to Odessa for parts. Kyle had ridden on a truck to Lubbock with motes. One of the last stops we made was at an Albertson's and we made quick work of our list. Krl finally made a confession that she had brought some of Kyle's money from his envelope (we were keeping for him) and she intended to buy him some frozen dinners. We ended up selecting a bag of microwaveable chicken nuggets (one of Kyle's favorites), a chicken fried steak dinner, (even though it probably isn't as good as Aunt Krl's), a turkey diner, a sliced roast beef dinner, hamburger helper, and a box of chicken quesidillas. When we returned to the jobsite and delivered these to Kyle his first question was, "How much did this cost?" We told him, and that we took money from his funds (it is much less painful for him if he doesn't personally have to surrender it). He seemed pleased with our choices and pricing.

Thursday night, after staying in all day, when he came over for supper, he confessed that he had eaten all but two of his frozen dinners. (I knew the boy was tired of baloney!). We may have created a monster.

The key may be in how you present it. This week was "A taste of Stouffer's". Next week may be "the Banquet parade".

As you can tell I need some R & R.

Hopefully "more" before we return to the jobsite tomorrow!

FATHER, YOU reign.