154,995, that is our big number this morning. Our old record, which was a state record set with the 2005 crop, is 155,889. However, several plants have eclipsed our old record this year. To date the leader of the pack is Oasis which ginned 169,000 bales. Sources tell us they averaged 475 lbs. per bale. We are on track to gin 180,000 or maybe just under, with an average bale weight of 500.1. At the lighter weight we would gin 189,473 bales. All of these numbers seem so out of whack, it is unbelievable.

Sometime in the early hours of tomorrow we will eclipse our record. Every bale thereafter will be a historic bale, with the next one coming out taking over the record distinction. The GM told me yesterday that the final bale will be purchased by the gin and set in a permanent display. We are living history.

The new GM finally showed up yesterday. Three weeks late. He arrived in a brand new pickup, purchased by the Coop. He didn't get his Denali, although I had campaigned for an Escalade pickup for him. He got the standard issue four door, four wheel drive, white pickup that has become the Coop staple!

My truckers have been straggling in. All but one have made it in, for the second day in a row, he is telling me he is almost here. We will see.

Our Eagle Sys computer is telling us 25 days, 22 hours to the end. I can hardly wait. All I want to do is get to the end. I am trying to be "non-confrontational" with my workers, just to get to the end.

Equipment issues seem to be surfacing. Brakes, tires. Everything that can wear out, is either worn out or almost there. Items that we felt would easily make it through the season, suddenly are suspect.

Truth be told, I am probably as worn out as the worst piece of equipment.

Pray us. For the completion of this season.

Have a day!

FATHER, we are so blessed. Thank YOU! Praise YOUR name!