Going to Roscoe to work on a day I don't usually go really messes with my mind. What little mind there is to mess with!

And to prove the old adage about best made plans of men and mice, I didn't get hardly anything done.

Yuk.

Recently I had done some work on the walk in door of the farm shop. While they were locking it, access was hardly more than slowing you down a step to get in. When I arrived yesterday, I found my old trick to gain entry no longer worked. And since Pepa had put new locks after the departure of some old employees, I was locked out.

I walked the entire perimeter of the building, made another attempt, and decided to go to Pepa's and get a key.

Once I had retrieved a key, I drove to Sweetwater to have a copy made.

When I returned to the barn, I was talking with Frank the plant superintendent at the old seasonal work. I was giving him a heads up that I had a truck coming to his area to pick up a few items we usually left there from year to year. Pepa was just coming out of the barn. He had told me where a key was supposed to be hidden, and he had driven out to check on the hidden key and to feed his barn cats.

As I was standing by my pickup finishing my call, I spotted a coiled rattlesnake just a few feet to the left of the barn door. I pointed to the snake and Pepa kept asking me what I was pointing at. I stepped near the snake and it raised it's head, but never rattled. Finally I told Pepa to watch the snake while I got a hoe. The snake never rattled, never tried to flee, never tried to strike.

I realize it was cool yesterday, and this snake was in the shade. If it was sunning earlier in the day, as the sun moved to the west side of the barn the shade reached the snake.

My biggest problem with the snake was when I walked the perimeter of the shop, I walked directly in the path where I found the snake.

I hate snakes!

The company that built the engine we put in the little S-10 called me yesterday. They want us to pull the engine out and submit it to them for inspection. Their options really suck. They say if there is a problem with the engine that they feel is their fault, they will replace the engine. If they do not feel it is their fault they will return the engine in pieces. The other option was to buy another engine and then submit the current engine and if they determine it is faulty, they would refund the money.

If you are considering a rebuilt engine for whatever reason, contact me and I can tell you who not to buy from!

I pulled the warranty out and it says 75,000 miles unlimited mileage.

Yeah right.

Well, I have to report one of those dumb deals I did. As many of you know I usually go to Roscoe to the parts store on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I have such a routine that on my way home last evening I stopped and purchased a few Megamillion games lines. Then this morning when I first got on my computer I went to the website to get the winning numbers.

Ha! If they would post them the day before, I might figure out a way to win!

And finally, when I grow up and hit forty, I want to be just like Brett Favre. The man played inspired football last night against his former team the Packers. He was hurling that football leading the Vikings to a victory!

Have a day!

FATHER, bless this day. I ask YOUR guidance as important decisions are made today. Peace, perfect peace.