Today marks eight years in Afghanistan. Roughly 900 Americans have lost their life there during that span.

I have mixed feelings about being there. I am torn by a sense of responsibility and debt to those who have lost their lives.

Yet at what price, and for who?

Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan.

Korea was deemed a Police action.

Vietnam, I have been told was a conflict America didn't want to win.

Iraq, there are accusations of oil interests, and a personal vendetta carried by the latter Bush for the former Bush. The actual use of force was in response to weapons of mass destruction, only later to reveal none were found.

Afghanistan, this is where American retribution for 911 was launched.

I have serious questions about modern wars in comparison to the "big" wars. (I knew a man who use to tell me "I fought in the big war"). I look at the sacrifice of so many for World War II. Factories converted to build munitions and weapons. Women going into the work place to provide adequate supplies for their men deployed. I have heard of coupons for fuel and tires as well as many grocery items.

It seems as though in the "big" wars, there was sacrifice across the board. It seems in every action since, someone or some group has profited from the action. Of course these people were not the ones who put their lives at risk.

Personally, I probably would prefer using soldiers of fortune to infiltrate terrorist cells and take out individuals like Bin Laden.

History would seem to indicate Afghanistan could be another Vietnam, battling an enemy on their own turf, a rugged terrain.

While I have mixed thoughts, I think we need to be all in or all out. There is no place for in between.

Personally, I am relieved I am not the one having to make these decisions.

Wow. What about this Fall weather! Brr. Not what some of the young cotton needs. I know the farmers have to be very concerned about the temperatures but also the possibility of hail. It is hard to get a crop almost to harvest, only to have a natural act turn it into a disaster. But that is the nature of the beast. You can't raise a crop without it, and it can turn on you in an instance.

I am so relieved yesterday is over. There was all sorts of maneuvering it seemed by the pertinent players in the company insurance saga. Ultimately it came down to simple economics. $$$$$. The lowest bid was by the renewal agent but they wanted to exclude the man we have paid all year to get back to the cotton season, when his expertise will pay off. Once that agent began to try to cover this driver, her rates went through the roof. Finally, a late entry into the fray blew them all away. $2000 savings per truck. I was leaning toward proclaiming them the winner when I got a call from the agent requesting vehicle identification numbers. She said, "We need to get this thing done!" I tried to temper her, telling her "I haven't made a decision yet." She informed me that she had just been on the phone with Krl and Krl pulled the trigger.

I did get to call the other entries, thanking them for their participation and telling them they didn't win. I always get the tough jobs.

My mega million ticket was a winner, just not a big one! $145M Friday.

Well, hump day! Make it one!

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR blessing of rain. FATHER be with our leaders as they make hard decisions. Be with those protecting our liberties. Expand us. For YOUR love, I am thankful!