So long, farewell, auf Wiedershen, good night, adieu, au revoir, goodbye, to you and you and you!

I now know how Julie Andrews felt in The Sound of Music !

1965 is the answer for all you trivia buffs! (What year did the movie debut?)

Well, this is it from civilization. We are loading, we are leaving. It may be a day or two before I make contact with the blog world. I don't know. Everything is supposed to be hot and ready to hook up at the jobsite, but telephone, internet, and propane are not yet wired or plumbed in.

I drove out and spent the day yesterday. The pace is really beginning to pick up. We are working today, but I had made plans to catch rides in and to drive Krl back to the compound this morning. My guys there said they could handle it, for me to take care of Krl and getting her there.

Those are such nice guys, they don't want anyone to miss out on the fun.

In a quick turn of events, I hired two more on the ground people yesterday. They are "green" having never worked for me or at a similar operation. But if smiles, and exuberance are an important part of the equation, they should do fine. Raul and Carlos are their names!

I missed the first ride of my journey home last night. So I improvised. When I had unloaded and stashed the last of the items I had taken with me, I fueled my pickup, and recruited Delfino to ride with me towards Abilene. I also enlisted the help of Pat. (Actually she had volunteered.) When Delfino and I were on the entrance ramp of I-20, I called Pat and told her to meet us at that famous boot place in Colorado City. We were pulling in just as she was turning from under the bridge. What timing! I actually think that that location is just about the halfway point from our house to our travel trailer in the compound. Since we got a jump on Pat (from St. Lawrence to Big Spring), the adjusted call worked well. Delfino took my pickup and returned to the compound (a three hour windfall for him) While Pat and I motored for Abilene.

It was good to spend some time with Pat. It is very difficult to find concentrated time that is not interrupted with cell phones. (Just as I typed this my cell phone rang.) We had a good visit. We talked about Chloe (Pat just lights up.), and we talked about Memama and Pepa (primarily health concerns and age related things), about Grand Pa Freeman and Grandmother Freeman (She was actually Great Grandmother), about Coach and the Lions, Robyn, Shelby, E, and a whole lot of other subjects!

Just as we were getting on the Winters Freeway, Krl called and told me she had ordered chicken tenders and all the trimmings and she got enough for Pat to eat with us. So that extended and included Krl in our visit.

I know we aren't that far away from Roscoe when we are at the jobsite, but it is a whole different world.

Pat had tried to discourage Memama and Pepa from going to Graham last night to watch Brownwood play. Neither of them felt well, but Memama said she didn't know how she would get the coaches peanut brittle to them if they didn't attend the game. I am sure that the drive home was much longer after Brownwood lost.

It seems the Lions lost some key players to transfers and injuries and most of what they are doing is with Sophomores. The record for the year will not reflect those facts. Give them two years and we will see how the Lions roar.

Well, I must get. I need to finish loading clothes and pots and pans. I know we are forgetting some very important things, but oh well! We know Krl or I will have to drive in next month to meet the guys who are putting our new windows, so if it isn't an emergency we can probably live without it until then.

I seem to be having a hard hard time getting off the keyboard and closing. I guess my brain thinks if I can keep typing my body can't leave for the jobsite.

But as Memama always says, "A man's got to do what a man's got to do!"

And with that, have a day!

FATHER, I need a lot of help today. I am sad, I am blue. I know we need to go and do this work. Give me the resolve, the dedication, the wisdom, I need to make this move and do this job!

The seasonal move became much more real yesterday. I am sad to report that our days at the summer house are numbered. And the numerical sequence is very brief. If it was a countdown, it would begin 1,............... 0. Elvis has left the building.

I spent some time yesterday on the USPS website, doing a temporary change of address, for Krl and I and the business. It was a little strange. This year when I tried to do what we have always done for fourteen previous years, the postal service site would not let me change Krl and my address to the seasonal address. It told me that the address I listed was a business according to their data base and an individual cannot receive mail at a business address. ?? Huh? This is probably big news for the many seasonal residents. I would estimate that the one address will serve sixty plus individuals plus three businesses during this year's run. I did an end run on the website though, I listed our address as a 1/2. The USPS site took the modified address. No machine can outsmart me. I guess I should refrain from that attitude until we get mail.

When I went to do the business change, I had no problem until it told me this transaction could not be done online. It did allow me to fill out and print the change order form for Krl to sign. I then drove to the post office and handed it to a clerk.

The business mail changes today. Our personal mail changes tomorrow.

That's getting pretty real.

My day yesterday was one of preparation. I winterized "the project", and we closed and covered the pool. All the pumps and filters have been drained. I would like for the record to indicate that yesterday's cool temperatures had nothing to do with the closure. I took some mis-shipped drug testing kits to our safety and compliance consultants. They had ordered eighteen kits for our company use to be shipped to their address and for five to be shipped to ours. All of them came here. (Oh well, it was close. Just fifteen miles off.)

The plant ran for the second straight day. Not all day, but they did produce two and three-quarter loads of bales, and double that in seed loads. We shipped two loads of seed and those trucks will be at the jobsite this morning to re-load.

As of last night, the plant had no modules on the yard for today. This crop has been so difficult to plan for. One day you need a bunch of trucks, the next day you hardly need any!

That is fixing to change though. Much to the chagrin of my friends who farm out there, they had a killing freeze Wednesday night. Thirty-one degrees. This won't affect the cotton too adversely, but where it will make the difference is with the milo crop that was still developing. It may have cost them as much as thirty percent of their anticipated yield. They had really hoped for a mid November frost or freeze.

Of course the milo crop is a gift. These farmers had zeroed their dryland cotton due to lack of rainfall. They then planted milo, figuring it would follow suit. But it rained on the milo seed, and it sprouted and grew. And then it rained again and again, very timely rains nurturing as gorgeous a crop of milo as I have ever seen.

The grain markets began the year very strong. Record pricing across the board. Many contracts were offered paying huge prices. But, that bubble seem to burst two or three weeks ago with the restructuring and bail out of Wall Street. On Monday I looked at the posted price on the Co-op milo board and it was $4.24/bu.. Just over a third of what some contracts were let at in other locales.

Yesterday I had admonished my seed haulers to watch the time as they were taking loads to Lubbock. I had received a message that the oil mill was closing the scales at four o'clock in hopes everyone would be gone by five. One truck driver called telling me he was running just a little late, and asked me to verify the mill hours. I called the switchboard and they transferred me to the scales. I asked the question, and the scale clerk asked someone else. I could hear some discussion until the clerk came back on line and told me, "Send your trucks on, tell them to pull on the scales and sit there and a maintenance supervisor will come and weigh them and dump their load". I called my driver and relayed the message. He was happy and headed to Lubbock so he could be back early Friday morning to reload.

The driver lost a little time with a tire problem, just as he entered Lubbock, but he arrived and did as we were instructed. In a bit, a security patrolman came by and told him they were closed until morning. The driver told him what we were told and he called his supervisor. Phones were ringing up and down the chain of command. I asked security to call Gail Kring, the GM of the oil mill (the security guy didn't even know who he was). Finally I called the supervisor and told him of our plight. He was not a happy camper, but finally agreed to go weigh and unload the truck. He called me when he was done, telling me the truck was emptied and on the road. Of course this allowed the truck to meet with a tire service that I had already called and had been expecting the truck for some time.

Worst part of this whole saga is the scale clerk didn't give me her name. I know it was not the Chief clerk. The supervisor had told he had sent out an e-mail just yesterday, so everyone would know the hours of receiving. This clerk had failed to read the message.

I thanked the Supervisor for helping us out. The truck driver is a new hire and had no bedding in his truck at all, and was planning on stopping by his house and putting his stuff in the truck. (His home is enroute.) I continued, telling the Supervisor I could play by anyone's rules as long as they were accurate and consistent. He asked me to call him personally in the future for information.

Of course it does help that we are the largest plant shipping to them.

Krl voiced her concern about this early season fiasco saying she hoped this was not an omen of things to come.

I concur.

So, fellow campers, here is my day. Load office supplies, cooking utensils, and various other items into my pickup and depart for the jobsite. Spend the day there, catching a ride in to Sweetwater on the last bale truck. Then I will catch a ride from Sweetwater to Abilene (the ride is yet to be determined) where I will spend the night at home before getting up Saturday morning and driving Krl to the jobsite in her SUV.

I guess we will see which wheel falls off that plan!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for a good day. I am amazed at the different seasons and with the seasonal changes. I pray for safe travel, for productive work. I pray that the new workers scheduled in will arrive as planned. Use me in this day.

I may embark on a new career. Research. It is either that or becoming a pollster. And of course the one job probably with the most job security is being a mortician. (Have you ever wondered what happens if he is the last man standing?).

Actually, I have been taking some personal notes on one specific health issue. Of late, I have been suffering from heartburn or acid reflux, or a combination of both. For a very long period of time I went without taking any antacid. I had no need. This was a relief because at one point in time I consumed them like they were tic tacs. For the past two weeks I have had major problems, but primarily at night. It is so bad that I will wake, needing to retrieve medication. What I have noticed is that my sleep position seems to affect my heartburn. Particularly if I sleep on one side.

I can or could get some relief simply by changing sides. The problem however is that I am not a comatose sleeper. When I get up, the bed covers have been thrashed about. The nurse who monitored my sleep study told me that I am the most violent sleeper she has ever seen. (No wonder I am so tired in the mornings.) I flip and flop (and probably do tricks) all through the night. One really strange thing is that I seem to turn only in one direction. Hhhhmmmmm!

I thought we might be eating too late. Or maybe my nighttime medications in combination with a late meal contributes to the problem. I don't know but I intend to find out.

Try as I might yesterday, I did not make it to the jobsite. I had trucks there, and we moved two more loads, but I personally never made it there. It was kind of like playing hooky from school. I got a lot done, but I still have a ways to go.

Last evening after I walked in the house, Krl told me she had medication refills at the pharmacy. Her anti-depressant. We might go a day without some meds but not this one. I slipped my boots back on and began the short drive.

Two weeks short of the elections, I am seeing more and more signs in yards. It would seem there are more people proclaiming support of McCain than for Obama. I don't know if the Obama camp is less likely to be sign posters or not, but yesterday I did not see one single sign. In fact if my independent survey is correct McCain should win and Obama should come in fourth. I saw four McCains, one Remax, one Senter, and zero Obama signs.

This morning there is a new poll out that says the race is tightening. Earlier in the week, other polls were reporting that Obama had stretched to a double digit lead. I guess a runaway race would not be conducive to news reporting or advertising sales.

Krl and myself are not sign people. We don't do yard signs or bumper stickers. I guess it was my upbringing. It was always a rebellious moment when Fred and I would put our parking stickers on our cars when we were in college.

The problem with bumper stickers is that you are pretty well stuck with the particular proclamation you made when you first put it on. I still see some "W" '04 stickers, and on a few vehicles maybe both an '04 and a '00. Sometimes I pull up to a light behind one of the "W" supporters and I want to walk up beside them and yank them from their vehicle and ask "What were you thinking!" Other times I pull behind them and shake my head. They don't know how lucky they are that I am a lover not a fighter. I have not given in to road rage yet, but I have wanted to give these "W" people a bump with my big grill guard and then maybe sign to them they are number 1.

O.K., enough bashing "W". We only have a few more months of our country wandering aimlessly without a leader. I wonder if anyone has told "Dumbya" he is going to have to move?

That is going to be a sad day for our country's comedians. Of course if old "pee pants" wins, or even if "Mc attack" wins, they will then become the leading fodder for comedy writers.

Pat took Memama to Dallas yesterday evening. Actually they left much earlier than usual. Most times they get off late and have to hurry. Pat is probably on a first name basis with every highway patrol between here and there. They got off mid afternoon, came to Abilene and had the oil changed in Memama's car, then they were meeting Shelby in Stephenville to eat supper before they continued their jaunt to Dallas. Pat is so very good about keeping in touch with Tj and E's kids. Especially the two oldest ones. I personally am very thankful that Pat takes the time to do that and to go with Memama and Pepa on their medical trips.

It seems that lately Memama has become a lot more independent. It seems that if her agenda doesn't agree with Pepa's it is no big deal. Pepa has not accompanied Memama on her last few jaunts to Dallas.

I had lunch with them yesterday and she asked him if she could borrow his co-op fuel card because hers was not working. He didn't make a move to get his card out. He told her he only had a half tank of gas in his pickup. It wasn't like she was going to keep it. I watched this brief exchange and reached in my pocket for my phone. I called Kelly at the co-op and asked her if she could fix Memama a new fuel card. She told me it would take about thirty seconds to scan it!

Problem fixed! Next!

Maybe I should have run for President!

Naw!

But, since Krl and I have exercised our constitutional right to vote I may mess with the neighbors a little. I may post an Obama sign one day and replace it the next with a McCain. Maybe I could fabricate a sign that says Obama on one side and McCain on the other. You know, get them coming and going! We aim to please! But then they might write me in!

You do your part. Vote!

And a blast from my blog past.

"Prayer is not a time to order GOD, but to report to him for duty" (ODB).

And with that, have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for all the freedoms we enjoy living in this country. I ask YOUR blessings on all the residents as they cast votes making decisions about the future of our country. Thank YOU for people who want to serve in elected office. Instill in them responsibility, integrity, and accountability. I call upon YOU LORD!

Oh what a day. I stayed busy all the day long, but it doesn't seem I got hardly anything done.

I did get one driver qualified. He came in, bringing an application I had sent him last week. He had filled out all but three pages, wanting me to clarify what we needed. I took him to the Safety service and had him do a pre-employment drug screen, then to a walk-in clinic to get a DOT physical.

By the time we were through, it was after three in the afternoon. This is a driver I would like to keep year round. I am going to try to find something he can do between the West Texas and South Texas work.

While I was waiting for him at the clinic I did drive down the street and picked up paperwork on the company's most recent acquisition. I thought the lady there was stressed a little because she told me I couldn't sign the papers, only Krl could. She told me she had a policy that no titles left their office. Since I had just delivered her a check, paying for the truck, I started to tell her that technically that was not her title. I don't know if I had a weak moment or if I was feeling really nice, but I didn't confront her. I picked up all the paperwork, along with a power of attorney and raced across town. The lady had told me she was not going to be in the office later in the day so I needed to get it signed and back to her quickly.

I rushed home, got Krl's signatures and raced back across town. I made it with just minutes to spare. Much to my chagrin, during my brief absence she had discovered she had no weight ticket for the truck (which is required because it is an out of state title requiring a green slip inspection and weight slip). In other words I traveled at break neck speeds only to discover that there was a traffic jam right before the finish line.

Oh well!

When I returned to the clinic I was afraid the driver would be upset at having to wait for me to return. Turns out, I was the one that did the waiting.

When I finally finished with the driver I drove home and got Krl. We exercised our right to vote. We went to Books a Million in the mall. Yesterday that was the second busiest voting location in town. I thought the voting machines were kind of neat. Krl didn't like them and thought they might be too challenging for someone who has trouble with technology. (I hope I said what I wanted too).

The whole time we were in line and voting I kept thinking, wondering, if all those cables and wires were really hooked up. Were our votes actually going to be recorded, or were we going through the motions and all the connections dead ended in a dummy junction box. With the old ballot boxes, it would be hard not to account for something that large at election central.

I know. In this age of instant gratification, we want the quickest easiest way to count and receive results. I understand the why's of computer voting. But I don't have to like it.

I figure one of these days we won't even have to go to a polling place to vote. We'll do it from the comfort of home.

I visited with the plant "Super" yesterday. Three modules. That is all we have had tagged in. We know there are more out there, but for some reasons the producers are not tagging them.

I consider each extra day we get to spend at home a blessing.

Tonight at the jobsite it is supposed to be 38 degrees! Brrrr. It is pretty early to be dipping so low on the thermometer. Tomorrow night it is going to be 39. Then we'll pick up about ten degrees.

At the jobsite I am usually knows for my pocket T's and blue jean shorts. My wardrobe may need to be revamped if winter is coming early.

I visited with Rian late yesterday. He told me he had a very busy day. It seems two sixth grade girls got in a fight in the girls bathroom. I asked if he had to handle that or if the female Principal got that one. He said he handled it. I think he is more the disciplinary authority in their school. He told me he just yelled and barreled right into the bathroom and separated the two participants. He said the fight occurred about noon but it upset the entire school for the remainder of the day.

I think he should hang boxing gloves on the wall in his office and let these fighters get it out of their system. "Fighting out of the red corner in pink trunks with lace ..............."

I talked with Pat late yesterday. I had waited to check on her after her procedure. It was actually procedures. They gave he some conscious anethstesia (sp?) medication and she said it really messes you up. You think you are doing so well, but you are really not. She said one of the procedures was not completed because she was un-cooperative. They are going to re-schedule her and put her out for it.

In the latest medication gaffe. Memama forgot to stop her blood thinner medication so they cancelled her procedure this morning. She is re-scheduled for January.

Pat said they would travel to Dallas this afternoon or tonight to see the optical neurologist. He had done all the testing on Memama's eyes, but a Dr. He is the surgeon. They will come home only to return Sunday night for her surgery Monday morning. (Provided she stops her blood thinner).

I talked with Jeanetta for a while yesterday. Eight of her "crew" had gone together on an Alaskan cruise. She said it was a fun trip. Lots of beautiful scenery. They drove from Anchorage to Fairbanks and she got to see relatives she hadn't seen in many, many years.

I will call the jobsite about eight fifteen or eight-thirty this morning to make a determination on my day. I could sure use another day or two on this end. I've got a feeling when it breaks loose, it is going to get busy quickly.

I talked with several people yesterday. They are all anxious for the work to begin. As am I.

Have a day!

FATHER, I continue to struggle. There is so much I am looking at, so much that needs done. Keep me on task, help me to move toward my goal in this opportunity as well as in YOUR plan for me. Thank YOU for all my blessings.

I shipped two loads yesterday. One of bales. One of cottonseed.

Let the games begin.

I took a load of luxury items yesterday. Freezer, extra refrigerator, and some of the components we use when we prepare Thanksgiving Dinner for the crews. Charles, my most valuable employee took a stack of trailers, and B.R. took a seed trailer.

I also took all of the necessary tools for the seed pokers. As of this moment I have no pokers, but all the necessary equipment. I wonder if they are trained?

I have two possibilities on the horizon for "on the ground" employees. One arrived a the jobsite yesterday (after I had left), and one I told to be there on Friday.

I have one possibility for a driver. This is a gentleman who I have mentioned before. He has just received his CDL and he has worked in the plant for many many years. As I have mentioned, the GM and the Superintendent, the burr contractor and myself all have an agreement to prevent employee tampering.

I visited with Frank (the super) yesterday, and it sounded like he is about ready to give this man his permission to go to work for me. I don't know if Frank is fed up with him and is punishing him by not allowing him his old job or if he just doesn't care any more.

This man is wanting to get some experience. We, as a regional short hall carrier, can sometimes get insurance to cover someone because we don't run into any large cities on this haul.

There is some risk involved for this man. If he makes the switch, he either sinks or swims. If he can't make the cut driving, he could end up without work.

They have taken the precipitation out of the jobsite forecast. It was a gorgeous day out there yesterday. It is supposed to be thirty-eight degrees tomorrow night. Yikes! Old man winter in just around the corner.

Krl is not well. She has been battling a lot of ulcers and fever blisters. I told her she has some sort of internal virus. I can remember one time having a big bout with them and Dr. Bruce finally giving me another small pox vaccine. It didn't take, but it cleared up all the ulcers and fever blisters!

One of my drivers in coming into town today to bring his paperwork and do a pre-employment drug screen. He is supposed to get on the truck that is in the shop.

I am in shock. I received a call from the shop where I took the truck to get a DOT inspection. They say it has to have a windshield, and even worse it has a steering box seal leaking. Due to liability concerns, their insurance carrier does not allow them to do repairs on a steering box. (They say no insurance carrier will allow it). Add to this the fact that this truck needs four hundred dollars worth of batteries. It is going to cost $2000 just to get the annual inspection and get it to start without boosting.

We had better get to work. Quick!

I had better get. Have a day!

FATHER, I could sure use some help. I am really struggling today!

Back to the old salt mine!

I spent the better part of my Sunday in preparation for my Monday. I drove to K.O.'s shop in Hawley, installed a heater valve in the "Gambler" truck. Then I drove to Roscoe, picked up a trailer and took it to the dock in town. I dropped the trailer and returned to Memama and Pepa's and got the Teal truck with another trailer and returned to the dock. I backed the second trailer up the incline and on to the first. It was one of those strange days where things that are normally easy, aren't. I bet I backed on and off a dozen times, trying to get the loaded trailer "centered". I would go too far one way and then I would go too far the other. Needless to say, I became very frustrated. Finally I decided where it was would have to do. Then I discovered there were no load straps in the truck. I slowly drove two blocks to Alberto's house and borrowed five from his truck. He was nice enough to help me tighten them down. I then returned the truck to Memama and Pepa's.

Once I arrived there I needed a ride to the next phase. I went into their house and got me a Diet Coke. Pepa was rocking Dakota and she was snoozing! Christy was getting ready to go home and Pepa told me he would take me to where the next truck was at. I was wanting to see if it would start and I wanted to do a quick walk around to see what it might need. When we arrived, it wouldn't even try to start. I put Pepa's booster cables on it and began walking around it, making mental notes. I decided the best move would be to take the truck back to Abilene and put it in the shop. This is the replacement truck that I made arrangements for the company to buy with the insurance settlement from the wrecked truck, so I tried to call Jake to be sure he had no problem with me getting the truck to the shop. I left him a message but didn't hear back. When the truck started, I hit the road.

Enroute, I called and made arrangements for Krl to pick me up at the truck shop. I parked the truck right outside the gate and we made our way to K.O.'s to get my pickup.

When we arrived home, I began cleaning out the bed of my truck and re-arranging everything. Finally I began loading the last of the big items needing to go to the jobsite. To be specific, these are the big yellow mail box mounted on a truck wheel, a small chest freezer, and the small secondary refrigerator. By the time I got in the house, my back was telling me about it. I have done this by myself several times over the years, but I think each year my back protests a little more. The trick is figuring out how to grab hold of these bulky items and still have enough leverage to get it in the pickup.

This morning everything is in the truck except my checkbook and two trash cans!

During the course of yesterday, I drove three of the four company trucks. I really got a good feeling about the first two, and the third truck should be good when it comes out of the shop.

So, I am fixing to go shower, get dressed and head for St. Lawrence. Two trucks are supposed to meet me there.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for a productive day. I ask for safety as I return to the jobsite. I pray that YOU will bless me with with worthy prospects for the job openings still to be filled. I ask for YOUR guidance as I make important decisions. Fill this day with YOU!

I made a decision yesterday. I made it with my heart and not my head.

We have so much to do before we move this week to the jobsite. There is probably no way we can get everything done. But to heck with all that! We'll survive.

Krl had asked about a date night a week ago. I had offered on a couple of occasions but she had declined. Yesterday she told me she would like for me to take her to get her hair cut, and for us to go out and eat.

I cleared my schedule. Whatever was there can wait. We, are more important.

These date nights are getting too far between. Krl usually goes to Wal Mart to get her hair done, so I told her if we needed groceries to give me the list. We signed her in, and I retrieved a basket. I had just finished in the grocery section and was headed for the pharmacy when she called me. She was already done. We met in the women's clothing section and finished the list together. Krl did get her some jogs.

We cruised across town, stopping at the post office along the way. We ended up at the truck dealership where the company's new acquisition is waiting to be picked up. I had told Krl about it, but she hadn't seen it.

I told her K.O. had told me this truck is butt ugly! My response to him was that shippers don't pay for pretty. She told me she didn't care what it looked like if it was solid mechanically. Krl and I both would rather have durability and economy than chrome and shine.

We were only a block away from the location where the "project" is stored, so I whipped by, put in our code and drove through the gate. Krl had not seen the project since the major rebuild earlier this year. She told me she liked what she saw.

Then, it was time to decide where we were going to eat. I had suggested three possibilities. Abuello's, Chili's, and Lytle Land and Cattle Company. Since we were only a mile away, we decided on Lytle Land and Cattle.

We were on the leading edge of the dinner rush. When they seated us, only two other tables were occupied. We ordered drinks and appetizers before studying the fares being offered. I pretty well knew what I wanted. I have my standard favorite at all three restaurants. At Lytle, I like the New York Strip with cracked pepper. All I had to do was decide on the two sides. Krl ended up ordering Sharon's rib eye with a salad and rice pilaf.

The appetizers arrived and since Krl and I both had not eaten all day, we were ready! Zucchini sticks, onion rings, and fried mushrooms. Yum! By the time the main course arrived we were stuffed. We ended up bringing three containers of left overs home!

We got home and just relaxed! Watched a little football. Colt and his teammates really did the job.

Yesterday was a good day! Thanks, I needed that.

Today is going to be pretty full, and I don't want to do anything. But I will.

In the morning it is a trip back to the jobsite. I am planning on being back home tomorrow night. Then it is probably back to the jobsite by Wednesday, and if I can figure out the logistics of it back home, before moving out there Thursday or Friday. We might have opportunity to come back home over the weekend but I am not banking on it and I am betting if Krl goes out, she stays.

The logistical part I need to figure out is getting Krl and the pups there. She has asked if I could drive her out there. I just need to figure out how to get there, leave my pickup and get back to Abilene.

Two nights in a row I have awakened thinking about the labor situation at the jobsite. I think I have the trucks manned with drivers, although one man hasn't made contact in over a week. He told me he would be ready, so I try not to worry about that. I have had calls from a few others prospects too. My biggest concern is my on the ground people. Especially my skill people.

Pray that all the pieces will settle in place.

I was looking over my blog from a few years ago (three or four) and ran across some interesting things that I had posted. I feel a few are worth sharing again.

"I am a very blessed but imperfect being ugly sinner saved by God's mercy and GRACE(Gift Received At Christ's Expense)."

I don't know who penned this.

I sent my second letter to the friend who is incarcerated. Two weeks ago I had sent him a two page letter. Last week he responded with four pages. I had worked on and off on a return correspondence and yesterday printed it, signed it, addressed it and got it in the mail. Nine pages. He has asked for some pictures, and I will try to get some to him.

Have a day!

FATHER, I seem to be struggling. Settle and calm me. I need YOUR assurance that things are working like YOU plan. Shine on.

I love a parade!

Yesterday morning, I called Pepa about twenty minutes before 7. He had told me the night before they would be leaving their house at seven in order to be in Brownwood for doctor appointments beginning at 10. Of course there is method to their madness, most appointments are scheduled to coincide with Brownwood Lions home football games.

I had been looking for a seller's affidavit to fill out and have him sign for the grain trailer I sold for him. We were going to meet to do this and he was bringing me the title and registration for it. Later in the day, when I drove to St. Lawrence, I would deliver these to the men who purchased it, and pick up a check.

Pepa told me, "Give us thirty minutes to get to Tye".

I waited around, and a few minutes before his predicted time of arrival in Tye, I called.

"Where are you at?", I asked.

"Sitting at the kitchen table", came his reply.

I had suspected this would happen. Fridays are usually busy at Memama and Pepa's house. Unless it is a long, long way to where the Brownwood Lions are playing, they usually make the trip. They have always been supportive of Coach, throughout his playing career in High School and college and through his coaching career. Memama began a tradition years ago of making a tub of homemade peanut brittle for the Lion coaches to eat while watching game films and working on game plans. She always delivers her famous "Whoop Azz" peanut brittle on Friday nights. (I've told her to stir with the other hand when the Lion's luck needs changing). Many Friday mornings you can call and she is working away. Sometimes you can hear a hammer or mallet as she is breaking the large sheets of peanut brittle into smaller pieces.

You just can't rush perfection.

Pepa knows this, but that doesn't keep him from complaining!

Pepa gave me a new ETA, eight-thirty at the Top-18-Truckstop in Tye.

When I arrived, I parked next to the building and pulled my cell phone from my pocket. When Pepa picked up, I asked "Where are you?"

He told me they (meaining Memama, Kyle and him) had just passed Merkel and to wait and they would be there in a minute.

I busied myself with paperwork I was taking to the jobsite, but after a brief while something caught my attention in the corner of my eye. Flashing red and blue lights. I turned around and I could see a DPS trooper's car sitting on the other side of the fuel islands, lights ablaze. Too many vehicles between us limited me seeing anything else, so I gathered the affidavit and exited my pickup.

I had a hunch.

Sure enough, the troopers car was sitting behind a pearl white Cadillac. I walked up just in time to hear the trooper tell Pepa, "I've been trying to pull you over since Merkel!"

If we only had a marching band it would have been a heck of a parade!

By the way, they did make their doctor appointments in Brownwood.

Pat and I visited late yesterday. She didn't go to their appointments with them, because she has a full week next week. She has a procedure Tuesday, Memama has the same procedure the following day, they have to go back to Dallas to the eye doctor Thursday (I think) and that will get them back to a football Friday.

Memama is scheduled for eye surgery on the 27th in Dallas. She has some scar tissue that is distorting her retina in one eye, making the light refract in a funky way. She has been complaining of her world getting dim. They believe this procedure will correct that, or at least stop it from progressing.

With all the tests they have done on Memama recently, they have pretty much ruled out the possibility of her having had a stroke a couple of weeks ago when she fell repeatedly. Yesterday she had one appointment with a neurologist who was doing some testing. One test, Memama had to touch the computer screen in response. I'm sure that spazzed her out! (Computers sometime do that to her!).

Since Pat didn't go with the patients, and since Jani was in Denton and on her way to Stillwater, Oklahoma for Kirby's football game, they enlisted the services of Kelsi to accompany Memama.

So the patients were paired up. Kelsi and Memama, Pepa and Kyle.

Pat did say Pepa is campaigning for a double knee replacement. She is concerned about whether he could wake up from the anesthesia. I figure if he gets serious this won't be a concern. If he wants it bad enough he will agree to undergo the procedure awake!

One quick side note, Kirby is still hobbled by a broken foot. I had wondered why he wasn't getting any playing time and Pepa had failed to relay that information to me.

There is an excellent article in Sports Illustrated on Colt McCoy. I read it on the internet! Not only is he a stellar athlete, he is a stellar person. One of his high school teachers took a picture of him when he was junior, with Colt striking a Heisman pose. Of course that could become a reality if he and the longhorns stay hot! The teacher talked about how that pose was such a cutup and that Colt would never do something like that now.

And finally, they fired the plant up Thursday afternoon and ginned the five modules that were on the yard. The GM and plant super did not even call me, but Delfino handled it. We have 76 bales on a trailer and a load of seed in the seed box. I brought the samples in and dropped them off at the compress last night. We will load out the seed Monday morning and the GM is going to tell me is he wants to ship the partial load of bales.

So, the season is officially underway.

I figure one more week and city life will be a vague memory!

Have a day and a great weekend!

FATHER, shine in us!

I did my usual routine the first part of yesterday, then I got a little wild and crazy (I guess).

I had some guys coming from the seasonal jobsite who had asked me to spend some time with them looking at equipment. They called while enroute and I gave them instructions for looking at some equipment about an hour away. Their projected arrival in Abilene would be after lunch.

With that, I left the house, making stops along the way, until I arrived at a local truck dealership. I had been told they had a truck that pretty much filled my requirements. I walked in and talked with the salesman I had used in the past. "I heard ya'll are having a 2 for 1 sale", I told him. He replied, "I don't guess I've heard that". "Maybe I am in the wrong place", I bantered. We shook hands and exchanged greetings.

This salesman gave me the specs on the truck and retrieved the keys. We went outside and I began looking over the truck. I reached inside and started the Caterpillar engine. As the big rig built air, I made a slow deliberate circle, looking at tires, looking at brakes, looking for any tell tale signs. Finally I told him I was going to take it for a test drive. East from the dealership I drove until I got on the Interstate. After a few miles and testing the cruise control, I exited and began my return to the dealership.

When I arrived, I tossed him the keys, and asked for his low dollar. He gave it to me and I told him I would call with an offer. A little later, I completed my obligation, and gave reasons why I was offering what I was instead of what he had asked. The salesman told me he needed to get with his boss, and that he would call me back.

In the mean time, I took Blacksheep to K.O.'s shop at Hawley and went with him to Anson to look at another truck. Then D.O. rushed me back to Abilene where I was playing catch up with my friends from out West. They wanted to go to the Peterbilt house. I gave them directions as I drove cross town to meet them. When I arrived they were walking among the new trucks. I decided I should ask them exactly what we are looking for. They told me they would prefer a white Pete daycab. I told them in Abilene, Texas that wasn't going to happen, their only option was a brand new truck parked immediately in front of us. Gosh, it was pretty!

"What would something like that cost?" one of the men asked.

"Eighteen?", the other one inquired.

I told them to add a hundred to that. "$118,000?, the second man asked. "Yep", I replied.

Now we were getting somewhere. When we can develop some parameters I will know where to take them.

I pointed out two yellow Peterbilt daycabs sitting in the dealers line. I told them, "Those are 2005 model 379 extended hood Petes, Cat engines, air ride suspensions. They will cost you between $58,000 and $63,000."

I know what kind of trucks their friends own, and I know they would love to own a comparable truck. Thing is, I know how this truck is going to be used, and as conservative as these men are, I just don't think they can justify that kind of truck.

I can't even justify it for myself.

We decided to drive back across town, and we left with me in the lead. About a mile later I pulled over against a fence at a used dealership and walked to their pickup.

"Is this anywhere close to what you would want?", I asked as I pointed to a truck inside.

"That is exactly what we would want!", they exclaimed. We walked inside and I started the truck as a salesman walked towards us.

This was the first leg of a long journey that would consume the majority of the day! By days end, they had a bevy of information to sort through, and they had gained valuable information to work with.

When I got home, it was six-thirty.

Best part is, they bought a trailer, and they have narrowed their search for a truck to two models on one yard.

Their biggest problem is they don't know how to drive it home and don't have the required license. Yep, they asked me to drive it home when they get their deal made, and for a few quick lessons in driving.

I joked with these men all day that all I was doing was exposing them to the trucking disease. If they contracted it, it was their problem!

Oh, the dealer I had made an offer to for the company truck called and accepted my number.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

I am supposed to meet Memama and Pepa this morning to pick some paperwork before I run payroll to St. Lawrence. Memama has an early appointment in Brownwood with a neurologist.

Yesterday she and Chris had eye appointment in Dallas with Dr. Bowman. They scheduled Memama for some surgery in two weeks. It seems she has some scar tissue growing on her retina in one eye.

I am so thankful for the Internet. I was needing some forms and I thought I had a stack of them, unfortunately, when I went to get them, the stack was gone. A quick search yielded an un-ending number of these forms courtesy of the 'net!

And a quick story. Rian said yesterday they were having a staff meeting at his school. Just as it was winding down one of his coaches, an older man, stood. "Mr. Freeman", this man began, "I have something I need to say to you". Rian said he cringed because usually this is where the Principal gets trashed.

The Coach continued, "I have worked with countless administrators, coaches, and support personnel. Yet I have never worked with anyone who lives out their witness like you do every day. You have inspired me and renewed my witness as I watch what you do everyday for your students and teachers!"

Wow! Way to go Rian! What a compliment.

And with that, what better note to tell you to have a day!

FATHER, let our lights shine! To YOU be the glory!

Well, the Presidential debates are over. Thank goodness! I request the record reflect my displeasure the candidates received the questions prior to the "staged" debate.

When I was in school, we called that cheating.

I will make a couple of notes, #1) John McCain comes across a lot better when he smiles. #2) Barrack Obama is one pretty cool dude. #3) I'd still vote for Hillary.

I had seen the analysts take on what McCain had to do, meaning he had to rattle Obama. McCain came out rattling the chain, accusing Obama of consorting with known terrorists and affiliating with ACORN.

All I am going to say is that most people have some sort of wart. Either they have done something they would choose not to do now if the same opportunity presented itself or they have befriended someone who did.

It is all in the presentation. Excerpts from books, events taken from lives, isolated with no preface and no after word can often portray whatever the presenter wants. That is what they call out of context (that is for you Sylvia).

It all gets back to today's media and the microscopic scrutiny candidates must submit to.

I wouldn't want it, and wouldn't submit myself or my family to it.

And with that, I give you this update. As I had mentioned last week, I had located and written to a friend of mine who went through a down spiral in his personal life, made some bad decisions and is currently incarcerated. Yesterday, I received a letter from this man. It was a very moving, heart wrenching letter. I plan on writing again, and if opportunity presents itself I would even consider trying to go see this man.

The letter I received was from a man who lost it all, it was totally his fault by his own admission. He lost possessions, he lost family, he lost many friends. His first paragraph was one of apology, that I would have to contact him in prison. He seems to come across as being ashamed, being humbled, and being penitent. This man told me he had received a fifteen year sentence, did two years in a facility in El Paso and received some sort of extra credit for that time, and he became eligible for parole in June of last year, was denied and will come up again in December.

When I told Krl that I was going to write this man, she asked why. "I just need to", I told her. I continued by telling her that if this man called me or walked up, I would hire him in a minute.

I still stand by this.

I spent my entire day running back and forth across Abilene and surrounding area. I gathered parts, I gathered info, I picked up supplies, medications, hey I even threw in a few honey doos!

Late in my day I went to the storage facility and picked up the "gamble" truck to retrieve a trailer for K.O. from the repair shop and take it to his shop near Anson. I was pleasantly surprised with this little truck. It performed quite well. It is not flashy, but I think it will go down the road. I was cruising and looked down as was running 78! Yikes, and the guy who sold it to the company told me it was a slow truck!

My return trip was in Blacksheep, bringing the "project" back to Abilene, and putting it in the company storage slot. About six-thirty in the evening I was headed home. No telling how many looks and inspections the project is going to receive while it is there.

The only thing I did not do while I was there was check the antifreeze. I was so miffed. I had bought a new checker and left in the truck I drove to K.O.'s.

I have three men coming in today to look at equipment. They had inquired about grain equipment when I was at the jobsite last week. Trucks and trailers. That is what they are looking for. I discouraged them and told them they were shopping at the wrong time of the year! Of course they don't really have a choice. They planted a lot of acres, not knowing it would come to harvest. Now they can see they will have a crop to harvest and need additional equipment to handle it.

I told them of equipment available from my niece and nephew. This is equipment that is older, and some of it is not pretty, but most of it is mechanically sound. While they liked the pricing, they told me they preferred something they could keep for several years. These men are known for keeping their equipment in prime, pristine condition. The older man restores antique tractors and equipment. All three of the mens farming operations are "top notch". I will show them some trucks and trailers this morning.

I get tickled because I think back to the past year at the jobsite. The Parish was building a new "Hall", and the senior member of these men was the chairman off the committee who pushed for, planned, and oversaw the construction of said project. I have never heard so much belly aching about the "proper" way, or "correct" way to do something. I think that at one time or another everyone on the committee quit except this particular man. Of course all of them came back once they were over their mad, and two weeks ago I saw the finished project and it is very, very nice, and something the entire community can be proud of.

I think it may be difficult to find a piece of used equipment that will hold up to these men's scrutiny.

It should be an interesting morning.

Over the years, Krl has developed a fetish that when she sleeps she has to have a fan blowing. I don't know if it is because she needs the noise or if she must feel the air moving. I just know she needs to have a fan running. Over the years, we have been through several fans. Two ceiling fans and I have not kept count of how many other desktop or oscillating fans. Our home features a split floor plan, meaning we utilize only half the house unless we have company or I am working in the office. The master bedroom and bath are the farthest rooms away from the heating and cooling unit, and usually our room is the hottest in the summer or the coldest in the winter. A few years ago, I was walking through Lowe's and found a window unit on sale. I purchased it and took it home. Krl was shocked and surprised, but allowed me to install it. I must admit, I was shocked and surprised at the difference it made in our electric bill!

For the last few weeks, Krl has been pampering and coddling this window unit. It developed a problem that when she would turn it off in the morning, the compressor stayed on. It would hum until she unplugged it. The unit also has developed a rattle or rumble. I suspect it is a bearing or bearings beginning to go out. Long story short, Krl has been trying to make it last to the end of our stay here at the summer house.

The unit has gotten where when Krl unplugs it, or plugs it in, the plug in sparks. I have not been comfortable with this. My home burned when I was growing up and I don't want that again! I guess you could say I have been sleeping with one eye and one ear open. This morning, about three-forty I got up to go to the bathroom. I had glanced at the clock as I rolled out of bed. When I came back to bed, everything was normal. I could hear Krl's rhythmic breathing, the pups re-arranging themselves, and of course the window unit. As I lay in the darkness, all the sudden, it became quiet. The window unit stopped. I got up and turned the bathroom light on, no smoke, everything appeared normal. When I lay back down, everything was quite except for an occasional noise. This unit is one of those equipped with a thermostat so I wasn't sure if it had quit, or if it had given up the ghost. A brief while later I heard the noise again and happened to be looking the direction of the wall plug when I saw a brief flash of spark. The cord on this unit has a circuit breaker so I wasn't terribly concerned, but when it happened a second time I decided it was time to disconnect it. Then it really seemed to get dark and quiet. So dark and so quiet that I couldn't sleep.

Hmmm. Maybe Krl isn't the only one who has developed this fetish.

I may go to Lowe's today if the opportunity presents itself, and see if they have some seasonal clearance sales on window units. Krl and I had recently made the decision to replace the windows in our house with new windows that are more efficient in dealing with hot and cold, and I would like to at least have the new window unit for when they install these windows in November.

Have a day!

FATHER I am beginning to feel the pressure of our deadline for being at the seasonal jobsite. Help me to make good choices in our preparation. Bless my friend in need.

I missed posting yesterday. I had an early morning departure. Destination St. Lawrence, Texas. I was back in the country shortly after lunch. I cut through he country and ended up at K.O.'s shop. We were wanting to do just a little maintenance on the project before putting it into storage.

The company keeps a slot at a RV storage place during the off season, where the big trailer is stored. I decided this year since spaces are getting to be a limited commodity, that the space should be protected and not turned back. Since it would be empty while we are on the jobsite, I figured I could put it to good use. Its not like the company will need it until I return. Give me a little notice and I can have it out of there.

Last year we tarped the entire project. I sprinkled moth balls and moth ball flakes all over the project before we tarped it in hopes that mice, rats, and other critters would be discouraged from moving in. There is way to much electrical wiring to be munched on, so any preventative measure is worth while. Of course the worst enemy a tarp has in West Texas is the wind. And true to form, early in the spring, the winds began undressing the project.

At the storage facility, the project will be out of the elements. I guess that is the reward for performing so well at the last two shows.

Rain was the name of the game yesterday. Everywhere I went and all points in between. Odd thing was when I left early yesterday, our sidewalk and driveway were not even damp. St. Lawrence received an inch of rain, Roscoe had reports of up to three inches and Hawley reported almost two inches of rain. I can't corroborate it, but I was told Abilene received two inches. ??

When I was at K.O.'s yesterday, he gave me some financials to look at. He changed accounting firms this past year and the new one keeps presenting him with some alarming numbers on his monthly P & L statements. He asked me if this could be true, and I told him it could be, but only if he had deep pockets. I went on to tell him if his business was bleeding like that, he would be bled out. I wasn't trying to be cute or disrespectful, but a business can't lose the kind of money they are telling him he is losing without getting a steady infusion of cash from outside to keep it going.

So I have that extra project to look at some time today. My gut feeling is that something in the GL setup is not coded right or possibly something is double posting. I would like to make some inquiries to the accountant, but I will refrain from it.

I made a call last evening to the gentleman who owns the "big" truck I have been looking at for the company. This man had been allusive, or not taking my calls. I made him an offer, which he declined, and he told me he had a man bringing him exactly what he was asking. There was something about the way he said this that makes me suspect something is not quite above board. Either he is trying to play me or possibly someone else is.

Regardless, I didn't go for his move. I remained solid with my offer and told him if the man didn't come through to give me a call if he could make my offer work. This truck has been sitting on a lot since very early in the year.

My day is geared toward the office. Trying to get office supplies gathered and boxed to make the trek west. In order to do this, I have to haul loaded storage boxes to storage. If I complete this, I plan on cleaning out my pickup, and trying to load the chest freezer, the second refrigerator, and a few other bulky items.

I guess Krl has come to terms with this time of the year because she asked me "when" we were moving. She has been doing very well, especially concerning her foot and ankles. When she got upset with the doctor, she decided to do what he told her he was going to do. She had lugged that boot and post op shoe for so long, they were bothering her back and hip.

We have been talking about putting a security system in, her at the house. It would be one of those that would monitor for "break ins", fire, or even medical emergencies. We are curious if it is possible to have a code within a code, where if someone entered the house, we could tell which individual it was. Logging times would also be interesting. What time, and for how long. I don't know, it may be be cost prohibitive.

This cold front is a stark reminder that fall is upon us and winter is not far away.

Have a day!

FATHER, help me to make every effort count toward our move.

It must be a work week day. I have been up an hour and a half. Yuk!

I had recorded my concerns about my "repeat" or "lead" employees not being on site Friday, and my inability to contact them. All those concerns were for naught. Yesterday my phone rang and it was Delfino.

"Mr. Freeman, it is me Delfino", he began. He went on to tell me he was on his way to the jobsite and was twenty miles out of Abilene. He wanted to know about his travel trailer keys and such. I had made provisions for just such an occurrence and hidden keys for the guys, just in case they called.

Delfino's journey began about eight or ten days ago when he left Guanawato (sp?) on the bus headed for Brownsville. At Brownsville he crossed and caught another bus to Houston where he visited with his son who owns an electrical contracting company. In Houston, he retrieved his pickup truck he had left there almost a month ago. After a few days he drove to Dallas to spend time with his daughter and her family before heading west yesterday for the jobsite.

Ten years, Delfino has worked for me. He has trained countless other employees, and a season without him would be difficult to deal with. In the past he has flirted with the possibility of trying to move up the ranks inside the plant, but has decided against it because it would require him to take a cut in pay to assume a training role, before he would eventually be promoted and make more money. He can do almost anything, he can do some mechanic work, he can weld, he is an apprentice electrician, and of course he is a top flight forklift operator. I have always tried to be supportive, even if he was considering pursuing other work. Thankfully, he has always chosen to stay.

Last year Delfino became a U.S. citizen. He has dual citizenship. In Mexico he has two older John Deere Diesel tractors and does custom farming. He will plow and plant for others for a part of the harvest. He is always wheeling and dealing, to take something back to Mexico on his next trip. It might be a planter, or some other farm implement. Most of the time he will take a vehicle over, and if he chooses to keep it for himself, he will sell one of his other cars or trucks.

Use to, on a specified night he would come to our trailer to use the phone. At that time there was only one phone in his home town, and his wife would be waiting to take his call. He is very good about sending money home each week. I know that last year he had a problem with a Moneygram where his wife was not able to retrieve the funds. He was beside himself, fearing that the problem was a corrupt banker in Mexico. It took about a month but he finally got his money back and re-sent it.

Delfino is an artist in his own rite, at least by his own admission. He likes to play the accordion and sing. In fact, use to when my travel trailer and his were in very close proximity, if he got a little Budweiser in him, it could be a long fitful night. Probably one of the funniest moments was last year when I went to his trailer to give him some instructions before his shift came on. I could hear the musica long before I arrived there. I knocked on the door and when it opened, Delfino was playing his accordion in his long johns! It was quite a site.

Delfino has shown me a video of some celebration in Mexico, and he is up on the stage with his accordion. I guess he is the Mexican version of Johnny Cash because he was dressed all in black.

A few year back, Delfino fell out of the graces of his South Texas employer and needed a job. I hooked him up with Edwin and it has ended up being a win win situation. In the spring Delfino is in Mexico, doing his custom farming work. In mid June, he travels to Ricardo or Robstown to work at the grain elevator. Then he switches from the elevator to the gin during the South Texas cotton harvest, and usually at the conclusion of that, he is needed at St. Lawrence. On rare occasions, if he has any spare time he will work with his son's business in Houston.

Delfino is not just an employee, I consider him a good friend!

My world is a little more right today, because I know he is in place.

I spent a little time yesterday working on my "gamble truck". I was putting together a permit book that will hold all the paperwork required to operate one of these big commercial rigs, and I was putting on the required signage. I had these graphics cut out at a local sign business. The smaller signs worked like a dream, but when I began installing the bigger ones, I had a problem peeling them apart. It seemed every other letter wanted to stay on the backing sheet. It kind of looked like Wheel of Fortune. I finally got one of the big signs on, and it looks good. The other sign was trash though. It did not help that the wind began blowing harder when I was working with the bigger signs, and try as I might to put the sheets back together, I just couldn't get it right.

On the "big" truck deal for the company, I am still $1000 apart, and I can't make myself close the deal. Is that an omen or what? I guess I am going to look pretty smart or have egg on my face.

I have rambled long enough. Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for seeing Delfino to the jobsite. I ask YOUR blessings on him and all our co-workers as we begin the seasonal work. I ask for safety and accord, that we would be productive.

Krl and I are trying to enjoy this weekend. It is probably the last one like it for several weeks and months. We have accomplished a lot. Now I need to haul some boxes of files to storage.

Yesterday I slept later than normal. Thankfully. I checked on the last truck in the shop and it was ready. I asked for the ticket total and made a note. This particular truck is my "gamble". It isn't pretty (according to Krl), it isn't fast, but it seems pretty solid. I had taken it in to have a kit put in the fan clutch, and to have an annual inspection done. Much to my delight, it passed with no major problem.

When Krl woke, I told her that sometime before lunch I needed her to take me to the truck shop to pick up the truck. A short while later we were getting ready to walk out the door. This little truck is 16 years old, and is a throw back to the first year I worked the contract at St. Lawrence. I used a group of 1992 white, model 377 Peterbilts with flat top sleepers, Detroit Diesel engines and nine speeds transmissions. This little truck fits that mould perfectly.

I talked with Cody, the service manager about this little truck and he told me he thought it was solid. He said all his mechanics wanted to work on it because it is easy to access and get around. I don't think he was blowing smoke up my skirt just because I spent $4500 with him last week.

I am planning on putting signs on this truck this afternoon. I've had them since Thursday, yesterday I picked up some cleaner wax to clean the installation area prior to the install. I plan to also check out the air conditioner. (I didn't have the shop fix it because usually it is a $1000 dollars to get out the door. I think if I can trouble shoot it, maybe I can fix it. Of course if need be I can ask K.O. for some help.).

I am battling with myself right now about another truck. I have purchased another one for the company and we are waiting for the insurance check from the wrecked truck. But, I have been looking at one other truck. I just have a "gut" feeling that the company needs one more to be on stand by, should one of the other units have a problem. Use to Blacksheep played this role. I have found a truck that I know the history on that could serve either role. It could be a primary or a backup.

In the past, I could draw from Fred's trucks or Cottonwood's trucks if I needed extra help. This year that is not an option. I have every company unit plus Pepa's written in to handle the day to day work load. Not much room for error or breakdowns.

My biggest drawback is that next year, with the proposed changes in destinations, the company could easily be over equipped. Of course equipment requirements for South Texas could be up almost 200% next year. That could mean that K.O., Pepa and myself could be stretched to the limit next year down there.

Krl and I seem to be fighting a little bug. We both have been a little nauseous. Krl has a summer head cold as well. I am hoping we can bounce back prior to leaving for the jobsite.

The UT/OU game was very good. These are two very good teams and the game could have gone either way until Mo jumped on the Texas side after the faked punt attempt by the Sooners.

Yesterday was a day for upsets and near upsets. TT had a scare. Rian has been telling me how good the Raiders are and how it was going to be interesting to see them play the Longhorns and Sooners.

Having gone to Norman last year to watch the Hurricanes and Sooners play, and after watching yesterday's game in the Cotton Bowl, it is easy for me to say how far Miami has fallen, talent and coaching wise. It also shows how high the bench mark is for Art to try to build the Bears to. It is hard to imagine how big, and how fast these athletes are. Television doesn't do justice to them.

And the stadiums? You can't believe how loud they are. It is deafening.

I began watching last nights NASCAR race in Charlotte. I made it just past halfway before dozing off in my chair. I woke and made my way to bed, figuring whoever won it could do so without my help. The only thing I could do would have been root against a couple of JGR drivers and one of Fenway/Rousch's.

When I checked results this morning I was O.K. with Jeff Burton winning. Jeff Gordon finished way better than I thought he might.

It has been a year since NASCAR brought on the COT (car of tomorrow, now the car of today), yet many drivers continue to complain. My thoughts are that everyone is having to race the same car so shut up and deal with it! If you don't like it, get another job.

Our neighbor hood is beginning to sport a few political signs. I wish I could find one that says "None of the above". I might have to settle for a Hillary sign, just to protest.

Rian told me yesterday that he is going to buy a pickup he had been looking at. In his extended cab, three door truck, he cannot separate the boys enough to keep them from fussing and fighting. He said Holt's car seat has to go in the middle of the back seat, or he can't belt him in. The truck he is looking at is a four door crew cab diesel.

Rian looked at a pickup truck I have been looking at when he was in Abilene. He is encouraging me to buy it. I'm just a little gun shy. It is an '05 with 90,000 miles. I am driving an '00 with 130,000. I have put sixteen thousand miles on my company vehicle since July 31. That means I could have more miles on the '05 in six months then I have on my '00 now. Of course my '00 would have 146,000 if my current driving habits continue. I have my current company truck sold if I decide to do a deal. I can buy the '05 for about 9K out of pocket (after selling the company truck), or I could buy a brand new hold over '07 for 23K (out of pocket, yep, I found a two year old new truck, still on the dealer's lot that originally listed for 47K).

Thing is, both of these trucks are one ton dually's with flatbeds. I really don't want a dually, although I would like to have a flat bed. I don't want a four wheel drive. (At one point in time this was a necessity, but since I am no longer farming or running cows, it isn't now.). What I would love to find is a one ton 2wh drive, single rear wheel crew cab, cab and chassis. I would even consider a 3/4 ton.

Maybe that is why I can't get excited about these trucks, I just haven't found what I am looking for.

I am considering hauling my S-10 pickup to the jobsite and while we are not busy, letting the hands pull the broken motor and install the new one. This is something I need to do regardless of whether or not I buy a different pickup. This little truck is my "economy" mode. That extra ten or 12 miles to the gallon sure makes a difference.

I have made the decision that I cannot justify the three bears pickup truck saga. It will have to be either "Knock around truck" or "work truck".

$2.929 unleaded. All right.

Have a day!

FATHER, heal us. Rest us. Lead us. Guide us. Protect us. Save us.

Long day Friday. While it went pretty well, I didn't get back to Abilene in time to go see Coach.

On a questionable note, at the time I left St. Lawrence, I had not seen either of my employees. In one way this is bothersome, in another, it is a relief. I keep telling myself this is good, that they are communicating with someone, probably an inside plant employee, and they know what is going on. On the relief side, for the time being the clicking wages are held at bay. On the bothersome side, it would sure be reassuring to see them in place. I hope they are O.K..

I took some checks I had received by one of my former creditors to be processed. Most of these checks had been presented for payment on my account before, but it was while I was away and not in "an acceptable form (I had endorsed them to them) and the creditor returned them to me, unendorsed or anything. Over time a sizeable sum had accumulated, but all of them had date expired. Some even had a bank's name on them that I hadn't even done business with in eleven years. Long story short, I had sent these checks in to the maker to have them re-issued.

When I walked in I knew this was going to be an interesting stop. The assistant took my file, and began going through it. Since the bankruptcy, I knew she had no debt to apply these checks to. In a short while she said she needed to make a phone call to her boss. She went into an adjoining office and closed the door. I could hear muted conversation, but before long she came out, and signed and released the checks. Yes! The only drawback was I needed to go to the old bank and get their endorsement as well. Before it was all said and done, I had a nice little windfall!

Before the day was out, these funds had been re-invested.

I continued on to St. Lawrence and went to work. I had done some lock swapping a few weeks ago and needed to get all the door locks back where they belonged. It seems that last year the residents in one of the company trailers left with the last door key. Luckily the trailer was unlocked. In order to secure it, I took the door knob from another trailer and swapped with this one (the other trailer also has a dead bolt). But, in order to keep the key situation as simple as possible, I felt I needed to swap them back.

I had taken the lock with the missing key to a locksmith in Abilene. It was strange how I located them. When I looked in the phone book, they were the only locksmith listing an address. I didn't want mobile, I didn't want a business at their home. I wanted to walk in and conduct business. Even with the address, I drove by three times before I zeroed in on them. "Garbo's Locksmith". Turned out the locksmith was a lady and her name was Greta. She was very good and very reasonable. I gave her the lock, and told her my story. She made a suggestion that I key this lock with a key that I use personally. Her theory was that I would always have my key. That made sense and that is what we did. $7. But before I left I found several other items I needed and ended up having eleven keys made. (I even bought one of those hidden key boxes that you place somewhere on your vehicle. Last year I locked the keys in my truck two times. Once the Sheriff Deputy unlocked it, the other time Krl was enroute when I discovered the passenger door was not locked. Hey, at least the top wasn't down.).

My yesterday at St. Lawrence ended with everything connected to the camp trailers except, dish tv, telephone, the large propane tank, and sewer lines. Piece of cake. I'm feeling good about camp.

My final stop on the St. Lawrence end was in Garden City at the tax office. I needed to register some equipment. (Part of the my deal is that I will register some of the equipment out there). It is unbelievable how much simpler it is to do this there than at Taylor County. This office is only a two person office, the tax assessor collector and her chief deputy. In thirty minutes time, I was done. Minus some pretty serious coin though.

I hit the road and was just hitting my stride when my cell phone toned, Rian was on the line. He and the boys were enroute to Abilene. They were taking a baby gift to the new baby, and going to eat supper and go to the Brownwood/Wylie ball game. He was inviting me to go with them. Turns out, they were way ahead of me. I made my way to the NAPA store in Roscoe where I picked up some papers Pat had retrieved for me from our attorney. Then I picked up Alberto for the ride to Tye to pick up his big truck from the shop. As I was making a quick stop at Albertson's to pick up groceries for supper, Rian called again. They were headed South on Buffalo Gap from Sonic. Reidman wanted to see Meme, so they wanted to know if they could eat at our house. Sure, I said. I got home just enough before them to help Krl prepare places at the table for all of them.

I had been told this was a "man" trip, so I was looking for four. Rian, Reid, Holt, and Drew. When they arrived there was no Drew. Rian got the boys seated and began distributing their supper. Sonic breakfast burritos for the boys, a foot long coney for Rian. Krl and I sat at the table and visited with them. Reid ate very well, in fact he finished his burrito. Holt was another story. I laughed and laughed after watching him with his. He takes one bite from one end of it then flips it over and takes a bite from the other end. I guess he is playing both ends against the middle! Anyhow, it was a good visit, albeit a quick one.

Reid and Meme had a good visit, he sure likes aggravating her. Holt was very intrigued by our puppies. Rian had to look at the house, he had not seen it since the redo of '06.

Finally they had to go. I'm betting they were late for the ball game.

I had begged off because I needed to go to Petsmart to get dog food. The pups had been mad at Krl all day because what they began with, was all they had. On my jaunt there, I stopped by Sonic and picked up Krl and my supper. (wonder where I got that idea?).

Best sign of the day, $2.949 unleaded gas at Alberson's. I had filled at Tye for $2.989. They wise man from the jobsite looks pretty smart. He said two dollar fuel by year's end. We can hope!

Chris has guests in this weekend. Four or five of his friends from the school for the blind in Little Rock have converged on Roscoe. He went with Pat Thursday to Lubbock to meet two of them on a plane. One of these was a co-student, the other was one of the instructors. The remaining guests were coming in on the bus, I think late yesterday!

Pat said it has been an experience. She said Chris is an enigma to these guys. Since he has a little sight (mainly peripheral) Chris is the ring leader. I have heard stories about Chris gathering a group of them on a regular basis in Little Rock and catching the bus, or a cab to the mall or Wal-Mart. Later he learned it was cheaper and roomier to rent a limo. Pat said most of these friends are considerable older, and they are of various race. I'm sure that lack of vision tears down many social walls. Looks are not a consideration.

Pat said her first awakening was in Lubbock. Chris and his guests wanted to get something to eat. Pat was reading fast food signs as they drove down the street and finally they all chime-ed "Taco Villa". She pulled into the drive thru, and asked them what they wanted. "What do they have?", the group replied. ??????? O.K., and Pat began reading the menu. "What's on that?", was a frequent inquiry. Pat said the boy on the speaker got extremely testy, and finally one of Chris's guest told him, "Hey, I'm blind, so this may take a little while!". After that, the speaker boy was a little nicer. Pat said it seemed like they were trying to order for an hour!

When I talked with Pat later in the day, she said Chris stuffed all three of them in his mule and drove them from the Napa store to his house. He was intent on driving them home. Pat said she ate lunch with them at Tita's in Roscoe. She arrived after they had ordered (hmmm, I wonder if that was pre-planned). She said when their food arrived they told each one of them where what was on their plate. (It's kind of like clocking it. Rice at 10, beans at 2, tamales at 6.).

Roscoe may never be the same. Unfortunately, one of Chris's friends, Charles was unable to make the trip. His father had recently passed away and Charles was dealing with his estate.

Pat said Chris had taken they guys sight-seeing, and in their travels around town, they stopped by Pops to visit. Pop wanted to show the guys his motor home so he took them to it. They made their way in, canes and all, and Pop told Chris "Let me turn the lights on where they can see better". Chris told Pop, "It's not like it is going to help!". Pop got a little miffed.

I'm sure those guys would love for someone to turn the lights on where they could see better. I asked Pat if these men were blind at birth or if they had suffered injury that cost them their vision. She said she didn't know, but all of them were considerably older than Chris. She also commented that it is odd how they use "sight" terms in their conversation very frequently. ("Hey, look here", "Good to see you", are just a couple of examples).

I can't imagine being blind. Yet these men function. I guess we all find a way to carry our burdens.

Somehow my load seems much less today.

Have a weekend!

FATHER, forgive us when we complain of our problems. I don't know why there is blindness, why there are deaf, why there are disabilities and handicaps. I'm sure YOU have an explanation. I'm sure it makes YOU sad. Thank YOU for using these people in teaching us. Bless Chris and his friends during their reunion.

Another yikes! I can't believe my eyes are already open.

Congratulations are in order for Stacey and Paula on the arrival of their baby girl!

I've criss-crossed the city of Abilene so many times this week it is not funny. But........, I think I am getting a handle on things. It is amazing how in this time of endless technology, some things have managed to slow down.

I can remember when a business opened in Abilene a few years back and in their name is the word "fast". Then, that meant in a couple of hours or before close of business day. Now, that means sometime in the next week.

Yesterday, Alberto brought the third truck to the shop, and was supposed to return home in the second truck. It happened that they forgot to write down part of the work order. Luckily, Alberto checked it all out before he left, and caught the repair shop miscue. We had a thrash but got it all figured out. His wife had dialysis, so in a round robin way, we got him where he was supposed to be when he was supposed to be there.

I have not vocalized plans for my day until this moment, but I am going to try to make a mad dash for St. Lawrence today. What makes it very hard is that this will be the fifth trip this year, moving out there (at about $85 per trip) and we have not turned a tap, and it appears we won't for another week. Employees are supposed to begin arriving today, at least two of them are. We can hope. I realize these guys have given up other jobs to come to the seasonal jobsite. For one employee, this will mark ten years for our affiliation. For the other it will only be two years. If I can get these two guys in place, I will rest a little easier. Both of these are trained forklift operators, and the senior employee has trained several more for me. The other positions can be filled with warm bodies having way less talent or skill.

I will begin "payroll" when either of these guys get her. I won't give them excess hours, but I will guarantee them forty hours. They know, that when the plant begins rockin' and rollin', eighty-four hours+ will become the norm. These guys may not be rocket scientist, but when it comes to figuring pay and overtime Warren Buffet has nothing on them.

I wrote a letter to a friend the day before yesterday. It will be interesting to see if he responds. This friend went through a rough split up and lost his way for a period of time and is currently incarcerated. I still have faith this friend can be reclaimed. Krl asked me why I was writing him and I just told her I felt I needed to. I told her I would hire him in a minute if he was to be paroled.

If the "no news is good news" adage is correct, I am pleasantly surprised my nemesis has not made another move, no matter how bad or wrong it might be. I'm sitting back watching, thinking that if I give him enough line I can file a harassment lawsuit, and then make his termination part of the settlement. Right now I have a good grip on my fishing pole and I'm dancing the bait right in front of his eyes.

If things go well, I plan on going to the pre-game at Wylie this afternoon. I haven't seen "Coach" since July and this is probably the only opportunity I will have until maybe Christmas or after. This is as close as the lions will play all fall.

We live in such different worlds.

I picked up the "required" signage for the company trucks yesterday. Now I will have to clean the trucks (meaning wash and wax) before installing them. I can remember a day when all the signage was "freehand" paint or stencils with spray paint. I don't think graphics was even a word back then. To this end, it has been a marked improvement.

I am interested in one of those "wraps" like you see on city buses and many commercial vehicles. That would be so trick for the project. I am afraid however, that the cost would be astronomical. I know of some friends that checked on a wrap for their hauler and it was like six grand! That wouldn't be bad if it was part of a sponsor package and the sponsor was paying it, but to bear the cost yourself is just crazy.

My biggest fear would be, what if I don't like it.

Krl and I have almost reclaimed our home from the files and papers that have stretched throughout. Bad news is the dumpster is already full and they don't run again until Monday.

I hate paper and paperwork. The only good paperwork, takes place in the bathroom!

Sorry to have kept you this long and not said anything.

My bad.

Have a day!

FATHER, a little help here. (Or I would take a lot of help). I pray that YOU would heal our hearts and bodies. That YOU would make us whole. I lift up Stacey and Paula and their new baby girl and ask YOUR blessing on them, that the baby would grow in YOUR ways and in YOUR favor. I ask for safe travel. I pray that I will make wise decisions. I ask safety for my seasonal employees as they travel to the jobsite. Sing glory, glory, hallelujah!

I read in yesterday's Sweetwater Reporter on-line that a task force is looking into restoring and re-opening the old Texas theatre.

I couldn't help but smile, and nod affirmatively.

My first encounter with the Texas theatre came on a Saturday morning and involved milk carton tops from Gandy's milk. (I don't even like Gandy's and have no idea where we would come up with the tops). Usually we were the guests of Mr. Walt Disney. For a long time a movie had to have his name on it before it was acceptable. I suppose Disney was a rating before G and PG, R and X, at least according to my Mom. (I think the movie theatre was another child care tool much like the interstate bridge. My Mom would drop us off and it would be almost like coordinating our watches because at a certain time the movie would be over and at a specific time she would be our front.).

A milk top, and taking serious study time to get the most for our money at the concession stand went a long way in a good Saturday morning. Usually a box of milk duds, a drink, and maybe some popcorn. In a new strategy, if we would share we could expand our tastes.

Ah, the big screen. In it's inner cloak of darkness, the theatre resembled most, but if they turned the lights on it lost it's luster. Not a very pretty site.

I can vaguely remember going to the movie at the Joy theatre in Roscoe with Uncle Wade and Freddy. We kept our feet up in the seats to keep the mice and rats from running over them! Yuk!

The Texas was the theatre through my teen years, and dating. One of my very special memories of the Texas theatre was going to see Hank Williams in Your Cheatin Heart with Uncle Wade and Aunt Judy, along with Freddy, and Steve and Becky Lincoln (I can't remember if Pat was included in that trip or not). It took a very special draw to go somewhere else. I can remember going to Colorado City with George Parks and the Boys Club to see The Alamo, (we still lost). I can remember going to the Majestic Theatre in Abilene more than once to see The Sound of Music, (once again with the boys club). I remember many trips to the gorgeous Paramount Theatre, its stars twinkling in the ceiling, and the grand opening of the Westwood theatre was major. There was the Westgate Mall theatre and several more during my college years. In fact I think Abilene used to have three or four downtown theatres that with their marquees lit up, gave the downtown area the look of the big city!

Many of the theatres were renovated during the seventies, catering to viewer comfort and smaller theatres. I had a banker once offer me 100% financing to put a new theatre in Sweetwater on Lamar street. I'm glad I didn't. That particular banker was trying to change the main flow from Broadway to Lamar, I think they had some money loaned in that area. It wasn't very many years until that banker (and the bank) were history.

The VCR made its debut at the expense of the theatre, the DVD another blow. I must confess, Krl and I have been to one movie during our dating and marriage spanning 20+ years. We will wait to see on HBO, or if we are really excited, on pay for view (now movies on demand).

Oh the thrill, to be in your seat, soft drink, popcorn, milk duds, as the curtain rolled back and the big screen came to life with "coming attractions", cartoons, and finally the main attraction. Ushers walked the aisles, flashlights in hand quieting some, seating others and of course patrolling the back rows. You could see the swirl of cigarette smoke in the air as the projector beam broke through it en route to posting the movie on the big screen.

Me, I preferred about halfway down, left hand side, aisle seat.

How about you?

FATHER, are we really progressing? Is this part of YOUR plan? Sometimes I think YOU need to save us from ourselves. I sing the song of the redeemed. Thank YOU FATHER.

Is it real or is it memorex?

I watched the majority of last nights Presidential debate. Yawn!

I think they should just put on the gloves and let 'er rip!

I don't understand. Town hall meeting. O.K.. Selected members from the audience asked to participate. O.K.. BUT, why pre-screen the questions, both in house and by e-mail, and let both candidates see them prior to the bright lights being turned on?

Last nights debate came off for me as a very carefully staged production. Sure, Obama and McCain traded barbs and did the required accusatory finger pointing, but neither rocked me.

It seemed as though McCain wanted to come across as your dear old grandfather. Soft spoken and seemingly caring.

Obama came across as being a very eloquent speaker and was honest enough to not try to tell us that he and McCain are middle class Americans. (You can imagine my shock to recently learn that I am not a middle class American, I am poverty level. But hey I'm happy, I just didn't know any better!).

Both seemed to be trying not to lose what they have in the current poles. (I hate polls by the way).

I suppose the most aggravating thing last evening was McCain repeatedly beginning his foray multiple times with the phrase, "My friend......".

What I want both of these gentlemen to know is, I am not your friend, even if I vote for you. I am one of your bosses. And don't forget it!

I think back to Charlie Stenholms initial run for Congress. "I'm asking for a two year contract", he proclaimed.

I cannot imagine wanting a job in the political arena. I just can't fathom it. What drives these people. Who would voluntarily put themselves and their family under the giant microscope of the media, where learning experiences are never forgotten.

Don't get me wrong. I am thankful that someone wants to run for office. But I am more thankful that our forefathers had the foresight to design our system of government with checks and balances.

'nuff said.

I'm running a little tight this month on my budget. I think I will call Washington tomorrow and see of they are interested in bailing me out.

What are the odds. I don't need 700 billion, not even a million. Hey, I would be satisfied with just a few hundred.

I had wondered a few weeks back about the federal governments decision to let Lehman Brothers go into bankruptcy. As congressional hearings progress, I am appalled and furious that while they (meaning Lehman) were seeking help, they were paying executives millions of dollars in severance.

I hope those in Washington that have access to this big stack of money are smarter than I am. Can you imagine the choices they have to make? I heard they have hired someone to help them analyze and turn this thing around. I don't know if it is a consultant or what, but they are going to pay him a million dollars a month! ?????? Huh? Wouldn't it just be cheaper to buy his magic wand?

This morning the internet reports the Nikkei was down 10%, Moscow has suspended their trading until Friday, Iceland (the country) is poised to become the first country to file bankruptcy! I wonder, if we had had technology in 1929, what would the news headlines have said? Trillions of dollars have been lost, by individuals, by retirement groups, by companies.

I think back to what a wise man told me. Don't ever gamble with money that you can't afford to lose.

I am afraid we not only have the curse of the disease (Wall Street tumbling and being reformed and reshaped), I am afraid we also have the curse of the cure (meaning bailout) as well. Did we pull the plug in our own boat?

Row like hell!

Krl and I spent the entire day working in the office. Ugh! We have purged and packed away a ton of files, and we have about a half ton to go. This has needed to be done. I am just thankful we had opportunity. We have found a couple of things we had been searching for.

One was my forklift maintenance notebook. This notebook goes back fourteen years. It tells the story of every forklift I have used, filter and fluid requirements, and a bevy of repairs that have been made! It tells the story in repairman terms. At some point I am going to have to figure out how to keep the protective covers on the front and back. The spirals have about worn out the cardboard.

The other thing I was glad to locate was the company's 2008 payroll tax deposit requirements. I have been arguing with Rita in Ogden about why I didn't file a Schedule B with the first quarter 2008 941. This piece of paper should be the knockout punch I needed. I had told her what it said, now she can "read it and weep!"

Krl put together a huge file of correspondence from my nemesis. We have kept everything, from proof of delivery slips to envelopes, to letters and responses. Best part is my nemesis, in his very own letters, has given me proof that he is wrong. So, "Let's get ready to RUMBLE!"

I even found a letter telling me if I had questions or problems who and where to call. Yes sir-eee! Now I need to call, give them my nemesis's name, ID#, and office location. Two can play this game!

I had modeled my day, not knowing what K.O.'s schedule was. I had stayed close to the house, run minimal errands, figuring he would call me and tell me what time he wanted to leave for Stephenville. Finally about three something, I called him. He told me, "I was going to call you when I got on the road!" Hey, don't invite me if you don't want me to go. It's not like I have any more hours in my day than you do.

It really didn't bother me that much. I don't have a dog in the fight that was happening last night. I was just going as an unbiased observer, just to keep K.O. company and awake. However, I might have done something different with my day if I had known of the change in plans.

I had one of my driver prospects call me last evening about eight telling me he was a half hour out of Abilene. He was wanting an address to go do a pre-employment drug screen. I told him it was a little late to be setting up to do the test. I'm wondering if he was feeling lucky or what?

I had one driver who had been calling me wanting to go back to work for me. I had lost him to tickets last year (meaning insurance cancelled him), and it seemed every time I turned around he was calling wanting to go to work. Just yesterday, I got the O.K. from the new insurance company that they would cover this man. I called and left a message for him, and when he called he hem hawed and said he had changed jobs and was in road construction. He decided he didn't want to drive this fall. Thanks for the call. I told him when it gets cold and he is freezing his butt off, don't call me.

And finally, I had a call from the other contractor at the seasonal work. He has been out there a week, just hiding out. (I've done this too). He reported that they got rain Sunday and it would keep producers out of the field most of the week, meaning they will not spray as scheduled. He says he thinks it will be another week after this one before we need to be on site, and he was leaving to go home this morning. Now if I can get the blessing of the GM I will go with the flow.

On the plus side, that does mean I can do the announcing at Boyd on the 18th. What miffs me is that we had the project rented out to do this show and gave the show to one of our competitors. That's like having a hole in my pocket! But, we make the best calls we can with the information we have available at a given time. Oh well, give me my briefcase and show me the mic!

And, I will stop my rant there for today!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the gift of finding lost items. Thank YOU for the gift of finding ourselves and YOUR purpose for us. Thank YOU for Jesus! My hope is built on nothing less.