I am tuckered out.

For yesterday to be a day off it sure was a lot of work.

I left the house about normal time, stopped by Memama's and Pepa's to wish her a happy birthday (#78) but when I went into their house "not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse". I left her a note and went on to the parts store.

Rian had called asking if we had a couple more things for his pull tractor. I made short work of his request and hit the road. Destination Lamesa, Texas.

I hooked up with some one (identity unknown) just West of Snyder and we "sped" westward. We ran right on the edge of the computer chips on our vehicles. Needless to say, it was a quick trip across Borden County.

My truck driver from Lamesa told me how to get to the Smith Unit, but his instructions proved to be wrong, so after one miscue I finally found the right road.

The trip to the Smith unit was a new experience for me. One I didn't particularly enjoy, but my friend Leonard had asked if I would come and see him.

When I arrived, I drove to a check point where I as asked to get out of the vehicle, and to present a picture Id. The guard recorded all the information from my pickup, and inspected the interior. Finally he asked me to open the engine compartment and he did a quick inspection and told me to go on.

Thankfully, there was no one behind me, and I told him, "This is my first visit here, could you tell me where to go?"

He directed me to visitor parking and pointed out the "sallyport" I would have to enter through. He further instructed me to empty my pockets except for change, and to take a single key and my picture Id and proceed.

When I entered the small building, there was a line of people. Being a rookie, I was trying to take in as much as I could.

Finally, it was my turn and the guard asked me what the number of the inmate I was visiting was. "1379417", I replied.

"Kite-ten", she replied.

I said, "Kitten".

The guard laughed and said he had told her "Kite-ten".

We shared a laugh and I told her if I was incarcerated I wouldn't want anyone to think I was Kitten. The guard asked me if I had emptied my pockets of any items. "No cell phone, no tobacco, no paper money?", she asked. Her final inquiry was if I had no more than twenty dollars on change and was the change in a bag.

Finally she directed me out the door, through a gate and up a sidewalk to a visitation center. There I had to empty my pockets, remove my belt and boots and they ran a wand and then patted me down. Then I was told to put the items back in my pockets, and to put my belt and boots on. Then I went to a counter and gave them my picture Id and key and they signed me in and put my Id and key in a drawer.

From there I was directed into a waiting room. Through a glass and door opening I could see inmates sitting at tables visiting with family member. It didn't take me long to realize what the change was for. I could hardly believe the pricing. I don't know who has the vending business, but either a vendor or the state is making a killing. $3 for a microwaveable hot dog. $2.75 for a cold sandwich. $2.50 for a microwaveable burrito. $1 sodas.

I felt I was ill prepared when they called out "Kitten". I was directed to station #6. On the other side of the glass partition sat Leonard. No mustache, closely shaved, buzz cut. I picked up the phone and told him "White is not your color". He began by apologizing for being there, but thanking me for coming.

We talked briefly before I asked him if we were on a time limit. "Yes", he replied, "about a two hour limit".

I was somewhat shocked, expecting it to be fifteen or thirty minutes. What ever would we talk about for two hours?

Much to my surprise, when the guard gave Leonard a five minute signal, we were still talking quickly. We wound it down quickly and I promised to try to get back before too long.

I began back tracking through security, returning to my vehicle and replacing all the contents of my pockets before driving back to the check point. Once again, I had to get out and open the engine hood for inspection. To be honest, it was with a sigh of relief I turned on the highway.

One thing, it seems that since I was not family, we were restricted to visiting over the phone. The area I observed inmates and family was for just that.

It was good, but it was bad to see Leonard, especially in that situation.

From there I headed North toward Lubbock. I had six missed calls during my time "in the slammer", so I was driving and talking. Rian called me and asked me to come to their house to eat blt's for lunch. I did, but with one diversion. I stopped in their local grocery store and went to the bakery where I bought a cake. I know those little boys like cake, especially Holt!

When I was walking up the sidewalk, the two bigger boys ran to meet me!

Holt was almost as glad to see me as he was to see the cake!

We ate, and shared chips while visiting, and Rian gave me a quick run down of his day to that point. Two guys had prep'ed and painted his tractor this past week and he had been replacing the fenders and wheels, so we could load it to go to the graphics shop for wrapping.

The tractor looked good. Rian and I unloaded and hooked up one of the three batteries to the winch. Shortly, Rian told me to run the control and we began loading the tractor. This project was quickly finished and we parked the truck and returned to Rian's house.

Once we arrived there we began separating "pig". We've got a lot of pork. Before we knew it, we had filled the big chest. (Rian had loaned me a 96 quart one because he thought my two 48 quart ones wouldn't hold it all). Surprisingly, all my meat fit in the one big cooler. (Let's see 48+48=96).

During this time the boys had been waking from naps so I got to spend some time with them. Reid was riding a scooter or shooting hoops. Holt was busy, climbing and running. Drew was still asleep so Erica woke him about four thirty so I could seem him awake. He is such a chunk and such a happy baby!

When I went to leave I asked Holt if he wanted to go to Abilene and he said yes. It wouldn't have take much encouragement for him to load up. But, his Dad talked him out of it!

By the time I got home I had been 454 miles according to my trip meter.

The last part of my drive I talked with Memama to wish her a happy birthday.

Pat had called me, telling me it I was up to it, they were cooking steaks and bakes for Sunday lunch to celebrate Memama's birthday. We will see.

Lastly, I returned a call to a guy who I went to college with. He actually started with Fred and had only recently learned of Fred's passing. He was offering his condolences and wanting to know what happened. By the time I got off the phone it was nine in the evening.

By then Krl had gone to bed, but had colossal cheeseburger on the stove!

And, why is it when we change to daylight savings time I have less time.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank you for safe travel, for expanding my boundaries, for getting to see Rian's family.