It's usually about this point in the harvest season that I begin to reason with myself. I find a new carrot to hang out there and chase, just to get my mind off going home.

I was showering this morning, (yes we do practice personal hygiene here in the badlands), and I began to think about how great it will be when we do get to go home. Don't mis-understand, I really appreciate the travel trailer the company provides, it is a step above the other two I have lived in while on the jobsite. While my favorite part of the travel trailer is the shower, I began to think about the wide open spaces of home. The pristine tub with an abundance of hot H2O, the large bathroom, and a porcelain, not plastic, toilet. Say goodbye to the plastic shower insert and hello tile, and probably the most noticeable in my daily routine will be the porcelain sink. I am a creature of habit, and every day, day in and day out, when I finish brushing my teeth and rinsing my toothbrush (an extremely firm bristle, I might add. I wish I could get a wire tooth brush), I tap it on the edge of the sink. This morning when I went through my ritual I had to laugh as my ears were greeted with the hollow plastic retort of the trailer sink. Oh, for the little pleasures of home. Plink, plink instead of thud!

Just call me simple.

We have been running nip and tuck here at the jobsite. We have thirty something contract seed loads that I need to move but I cannot get the trucks in here to get them. I have dropped two more trucks from the oil mill ranks and I fear I am running these guy's ragged. I keep telling myself only two more days and it will ease up. I have exhausted my phone book calling carriers that are booked to get these loads. I don't think they understand that this party is just about over!

The GM went to Mass this morning in an adjoining community. When he left he made mention to wish him luck as he hoped his attending there would drum up some additional business. When he walked back into the office he had a sly smile on his face and a notebook giving the tagging information for 43 additional modules.

I'm not sure how GOD will feel about him mixing business and religion. Kind of reminds me of a man who attended church where I grew up who sold mail order shoes. You couldn't talk with him without him eventually inspecting your shoes.

A number of concerns for others today. One of our former dispatchers' daughter died a couple of days ago. She had been in and out of trouble throughout her brief life. She was a mother to two small children. Gone at 26. A gentleman who came to my home town to teach, not much older than myself lost a brave battle with cancer. He was 59 and taught to the end. He leaves a wife and young daughter at home. Another former co-worker has been diagnosed with cancer. He is much younger than I, they say his body has been ravaged with this vicious disease. I am not sure what his prognosis is but he has a wife and small children at home. DH begins her cancer treatments tomorrow.

And I think I have it bad.

Forgive me FATHER when I get mired in me. Help me to think of others first and self last. There is so much I don't understand about YOUR world, why the pain, why the suffering. Help us to know that YOUR plan is unfolding as YOU intend. Be with those who are sad from loss, bless them and comfort them. I ask YOUR miracle of healing and care for those undergoing treatment. All things are possible through YOU.