I ask myself, why would anyone would want to run for public office.

I have observed this past week, our new President taking office, and evaluations being made of his first day in office, of his first one hundred hours in office, and of course speculation on his first one hundred days in office. I even saw a lead line, "New Administration glitches". I am sure that the new President and his entire family and staff have to be totally blown away by the scrutiny they are under.

I have read countless editorials in the local papers criticizing the President's lifting the ban on funding for foreign countries that give abortions.

Truly this is a controversial subject, but it really came as no surprise and with no fanfare.

I believe that a number of our elected officials pursue office simply to serve. I feel a greater number pursue public office for personal gain, while others run to feed their egos.

I am thankful for those wanting to serve, and I have little use for the other two categories. However, to vet our system, I am in favor of term limits.

I am hopeful, for our new administration.

You know it is quite remarkable to sit back and analyze the political climates I have witnessed. I was born under a Republican administration, started school under a Democratic administration, Junior High went back to Republican through High School until about College graduation, then four years of Democrats, back to Republicans for three terms to Democrats for two, to Republicans for two terms to our newly elected Democratic President.

I have seen right wing, left wing, radical conservative, radical liberal. I have seen left move right and right move left. It is really mind boggling.

Yet I cannot believe this would not be a much different country if JFK had not been assassinated, and Robert Kennedy had lived I believe he too would have been a two term President. I wonder what might have been?

I read an article yesterday about Caroline Kennedy and her abandoned campaign to replace Hillary as a Senator from New York. The article asked, "What is next for a bruised Caroline Kennedy?" It talked of how the almost reclusive, very private woman of 51 had been abused by the press and staff of the Governor of New York, and whether or not she will attempt to pursue office again.

I hope she does.

W-2's are printed. Thank you very much. In fact I handed out the very first one last evening, the remainder will be going in the mail in the coming week. Of course these are just the employee copies as we will wait to print the copies for our records and the Social Security Administration after the grace period of the next month in case someone can prove a correction that needs to be made. Actually I did read that this year the W-2's and 1099's don't have to be in the mail until February 2.

Late yesterday Krl took some left over roast and threw together a stew. We tweaked it just a little, and she made a big pan of cornbread. Yyuummmm! It sure hit the spot!

Rian and I have exchanged e-mail over the weekend. He and I are going halves on a pig and we are trying to work things out on taking it to Post for processing. Tomorrow I am planning on being in St. Lawrence and I am going to check on the pig. Actually it was supposed to be ready the week of the eleventh, but I haven't heard from Tara or Paul.

In Rian's e-mail, he told me he had a call from Mark and Karen Davidson, some of our old neighbors from Roscoe. Rian and their son John Mark were friends growing up, even though John Mark was a few years older. Tragically, John Mark was killed in a car accident several years ago. Mark and Karen now live in Sundown and their church there uses four preachers in a rotation. For some reason the preacher scheduled for today couldn't be there and none of the other regulars could cover for him. Mark and Karen's nephew goes to church with Rian and Erica and he suggested they call Rian. They did and Rian talked with the head youth minister at Greenlawn, and he told Rian to go! I am sure it will be a good day for Rian and the Davidsons.

I have settlements to do today. The driver who came by to pick up his W-2 was actually dropping off all the paperwork for the week. He collected it all at the mill at Lubbock and on his way to Bangs, looped by my house. It is amazing how cooperative these guys can be when it involves pay!

Have a day! I am hopeful for rain later in the week.

FATHER, thank YOU for all the blessings we enjoy. Thank YOU for the elected officials who serve with their heart. I ask YOUR blessings on them and pray for their safety. FATHER, I pray for rain. For our home area, for our family and friends in Roscoe, for our friends in St. Lawrence and for those on the Gulf Coastal Plain. I ask that you pour down YOUR bless-ed rain from the skies and wet and wash this earth. I love the clean smell after a rain shower. FATHER, we are blessed.