Monday, Monday, don't like that day.

I know, Monday takes it on the chin just because of placement.

My Monday followed a fitful night in our household. Krl had a horrible night, probably a side affect from the monster antibiotic injection Dr. Mackie prescribed. It has to be a nightmare for doctors to determine what medication to prescribe knowing that side affects may vary from patient to patient.

Our visit to the doctor over the weekend did "enlighten" me. I had decided I was fast tracking through the aging process, and figured I was just becoming arthritic. Dr. Mackie told me that one of the side affects of my cholesterol medication is muscle and joint pain. He described the "ache-y" all over feeling.

I was in no hurry yesterday. I dragged my feet as much as I could knowing I would still be running ahead of my drivers. I left the house at nine, spent an hour at Memama's and Pepa's and then began my drive to the seasonal jobsite. While I was at Memama's and Pepa's, he volunteered his little yellow Volkswagen for the trek west. That little car is a very "fun" car to drive. It will run a hole in the wind, I'll tell you that. You have to really resist the urge because you get a feeling you are running really slow.

I arrived at the seasonal jobsite at 1 o'clock. Perfect. I didn't want to disrupt the girls in the office lunch. I presented a bill to the office manager, and purchased a gallon of cottonseed oil. Then the other girl that works there asked me if I still wanted the seasoning I had talked to her husband about. I told her yes, and she went to her car to retrieve it. The seasoning is called Popo's Voodoo seasoning. I had become familiar with it at the season ending party at the jobsite. It has garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper, looks like jalepeno seeds, and all sorts of other spices. It is pretty potent mix.

For years my family has used Todd's seasoning. We use a seasoning for beef, and they have seasoning rubs specifically for pork and chicken. About the only place you can get it is direct from the factory up in Iowa or Ohio (I think). It had become extremely expensive, so much in fact, that Rian quit using it for his catering.

I thought it wouldn't hurt to expand our horizons and see how Popo's Voodoo compares. (Popo is the grandfather of the man Rian and I purchased the pigs from last week).

Back to Monday, I still had a little time to kill, waiting to deliver checks to the drivers, so I spent some time at the conference table in the lobby of the office, looking over farm auction flyers, and other items of interest. The GM came out and sat down to visit. We had only began when he had a call he needed to take so he went back to his office.

My drivers began cycling through the scales for empty weights, and I took a few minutes and visited with each one.

Shortly, the GM returned and sat down at the table, signaling to me he wanted to talk. I could tell he had something he wanted to say but was having a hard time finding the right opening and opportunity to bring it up. Finally he said, "I think it is only fair that you should know, you will not be the only one presenting a proposal to the board of directors for your hauling on the nineteenth. Greg has asked for and received permission to present a proposal on the hauling you have done for the past fifteen years."

Greg is the son of the burr contractor at the seasonal jobsite.

I didn't flinch with this news, and quickly asked, "If Greg is going to be allowed to bid for my hauling am I going to be allowed to bid on his hauling?"

You could tell I had startled the GM, he spittered and sputtered before finally responding, "I would think that would only be fair."

I told the GM, I really didn't want to haul the burrs, but I am on site anyhow, and what is good for the goose is good for the gander. If Greg is coming after my hauling, I'm going after his.

This revelation comes as no surprise. For two years I have been aware that Greg was swimming just below the surface, talking with some of my subcontractors, trying to form "unholy" alliances with them against me.

I think back to what Greg's uncle who is a good friend of mine told me about Greg's father and Greg. Don't ever think you can trust them.

I also think back to this past season, calls from Greg when he was away from the jobsite (at home), asking if I would help one or the other of his drivers with a problem, or borrowing parts he didn't have the foresight to buy. Come to think of it, he was going to repay or replace those parts and never did.

I hope I don't ever come across as untrustworthy.

On my way back to Abilene, I made several contacts, beginning to put a strategy in place for handling burrs. I am going to have a proposal prepared, and if Greg chooses to go head to head, and if the board allows him, I will launch my proposal. If Greg is wanting to compete, he had better be willing to lose it all.

Actually, I am surprised the board would allow this situation to develop and it makes me wonder if the GM is playing both ends against the middle. The GM and Greg had become "tight" dealing with the milo crop this past year. (I didn't want that added responsibility because my plate is usually full with seed, bales, and motes). I have been told by sources that about three or four weeks ago, the GM and Greg had a falling out of some sort.

I try not to read too much into a situation and I sure don't want to be spoon fed what information Greg wants me to have. Rian has expressed concern that the GM might share existing information from existing contracts to Greg. I think the GM is more ethical than that.

Interesting thing is, Greg submitting a proposal will not change what I intend to submit. I'm not going to do a bargain basement fire sale, and if it is worth doing, it has to pay accordingly.

I got to figuring what it would cost Greg and his Dad gear up for the hauling I do and it would cost them a minimum $200,000. I can be in place to do the burrs without spending a dollar.

It's not what you know, it is a combination of who and what you know!

Oh well, I am disappointed (again) in Greg, but I am not surprised. Eventually, his past will catch up with him.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe trip. I continue to pray that YOU will reveal to us YOUR next work for us. Help us to be diligent, and worthy workers. And when I'm lost and alone, YOU strengthen me.