Rain. Nectar of the Gods.

Early yesterday morning I watched KTAB's daybreak news program. Sam Nichols, the weatherman, predicted rain. He made it sound like a "can't miss" and I thought, "Not again".

Throughout the day, Chris kept the animated weather minimized on his screen. We watched as the almost stationary rain s-l-o-w-l-y made its way toward us. Finally, the leading edge came through, raining profusely. then it stopped. We consulted the radar and a hole was opening up, directly over us. Finally, it began raining slowly. In fact, it was raining so slowly, the front porch of the parts store was not collecting moisture.

We had the shop doors open and we were standing in a bay watching and listening to the steady pitter patter of the rain.

Talk about weather made for a big feather bed and a tin roof! Sleeping weather!

When I left the parts store, the rain had increased to a more steady pace, and I drove steadily toward the leading edge of the storm. A short distance from home, I drove into the dry.

I had a couple of errands, stopped and fueled up and headed for the house, just as a few sprinkles began dotting the streets. By the time I changed and sat down in my chair, the rain had arrived.

I was somewhat surprised this morning when I pulled up the radar and it is still raining, and still backed up two or three counties. Although accumulations may not be as much as we had hoped. Any amount is appreciated. Forecasts call for rain until at least mid-day.

What a difference a few days make. It hasn't been that long since we were begging relief from 100+ days.

During our brief respite in the bay of the shop, a farmer came in needing some items. He was very laid back, and contrary to his normal demeanor, he was quite jovial! It is amazing what a rain will do for the mood of a farming community.

Well, I guess the word is out that we did not sign the contract with the seasonal work. It seems I fielded calls all the way home and last evening after my phone went on the charger, I had two more. Many of the calls are from people who had worked with me, wanting all the nitty gritty about the contract issues.

I have been very careful not to "dis" the seasonal work or the current management there, but I was told by one of the other contractors that he would be right behind me. He also expressed some concern about his contract, because he did not take it to an attorney. This man told me he had a one year deal and then he was hitting the road.

I have not tried to handicap management, and I have given all the former subcontractors the contact information to pursue work on their own with the seasonal work.

I guess it is a compliment when I have been told repeatedly that they can't imagine being able to work there if I couldn't bridge the gaps and walked away.

Oh well.

I was told one tidbit. The GM at the seasonal work has told some people that he believes he will buy his own equipment and do the hauling. Heh, heh. Let's see, two forklifts, three bale clamps, eight trailers, four trucks, all the load accessories. That shouldn't cost more than 5ooK, for some solid used equipment. Maybe 200k for some junk. Or 1M for new.

Of course this is all before the DOT red tape, operating authority, insurances, drug program, and then we get to talking about finding "suitable" drivers.

You know what? I must have been crazy to do this as long as I did! Hah!

What I laugh at the most is the part about the GM wanting to buy his own equipment. Of course he isn't talking about spending his own money. This is part of that ego. He is talking about spending the patron's money, promising them it will be a cost saver on the backside.

Every GM I have ever visited with that has tried this, says freight transportation was a money pit, and cost rather than saved. The other side of that is the headache. The GM who retired told me his worst nemesis in his 36 years on the job were the forklifts. In fact, that is what gave him the most sleepless nights, and finally convinced him to outsource the bale handling.

Put me down for one vote for the GM buying "his own equipment". He needs to live the experience.

Whew! Isn't it nice to be retired?

Just kidding.

Some surprising news I learned was that the President of the Board of Directors resigned his position. In fact, he is no longer on the board at all. This is the man who is primarily responsible for bringing in the current management. I have not been able to gather any more information, but I did learn that Rodney G is the new Board President and Chris M was elected to the board to fill the unexpired term.

I figure the more calls I take, the better I can put together the puzzle.

Today is back to the parts store. It is going to be a long day. Any time it rains, our store traffic suffers.

The only variable is that Memama has an appointment with the hand specialist in Lubbock this afternoon. Pat called and asked if I would be on standby to take Memama. A friend of Hag's, along with his wife and step daughter, are visiting and Pat planned on taking the wife and little girl with her and Memama unless Hag nixed the plan.

So I am on standby!

Tomorrow I hope to be in the home office. Saturday I am going to Lamesa to see Leonard. I don't really want to do this, but feel I need to. It has been a while since I have been there. I am very protective of my "off days".

Last Christmas, Pat and Hag, Steve and Jani, and Krl and I went together and gave Memama and Pepa a gift certificate for new cabinet tops for their house. For a couple of years Memama had been wanting them and Pepa had dragged his feet. Of course nothing goes as planned. When Pepa finally came on board with the project, he went "overboard". When he sat down with the people, he told them he wanted to tear our the old cabinets and put in new ones. When the estimate came in, it was over $20,000. Wow! Back to the drawing board! Even when Pepa made changes to what he wanted, the price only came down to $14,000. Finally, Memama told him she just wanted cabinet tops. I haven't asked because I don't want to know what it cost. But Pepa picked granite counter tops with tile back splash. Installation has been ongoing the last two days. They are very pretty, but I just shake my head. What we intended as a gift, now has become an expense.

Go figure! At one point in the shopping process Pepa told me they needed more gift cards. Before the process was over I told him to just give back the card.

Well, Memama should be set. New sinks, new cook top, new ventihood, new faucets, new drains, new cabinet tops.

Well, I must get my day moving.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR blessing of rain! I continue to ask that you bless our friends and family with good crops. FATHER, thank YOU for friends. Lead on.