Friday night at Southern Nights the group was out in force. We were celebrating Von (10th), Georgia (15th), and my (18th), birthdays along with Valentines! We had a crew. I had invited my buds K.O. and D.O. to join in the festivities.

Earlyene and Andi had secured our regular tables and added one extra before decorating with a Valentine's theme. Debbie had cooked a combination Valentines Birthday cake. When it came time for the cake to be cut, I was instructed to cut 7 cuts on the length and 5 on the width, yielding 35 pieces of cake. When the dust settled one piece of cake went uneaten. I must confess, I for one didn't eat a piece. I got my share licking my fingers (after competing my task) and the knife.

While the majority of our group is composed of widows and widowers, there are a few divorced members along with a few married members. I think the average age for our group is about 62 or 63.

On occasion we join with another group called the Phoenix group. The Phoenix group is comprised primarily of couples. This other group is often referred too as the group that has money. Friday night this group was out in force, actually out numbering ours, but they are a very nice group of people.

To all who attended, thank you for your cards, gifts and birthday wishes!

My Saturday had one major pimple on it. A driver's safety meeting for K.O.'s company. I have been on his list of approved drivers for a long, long time. To remain current I am still on their random drug testing list and try to make one or two driver meetings a year. Since we recently leased on to his company, I wanted to set a good example and also to go see Pepa's and my drivers too.

This drivers meeting was of particular interest because we had DPS officer Arnwine in attendance to explain the new federal CSA 2010 act. I thought it was interesting that it is 2011 before it is going into effect. Leave it to the politicians!

The delay was because of appeals from the industry as to the point weighting for violations.

The big news is that the carriers are now going to receive points for violations which will result in warnings, safety audits and possible suspension of authority.

For the drivers, this meeting held good news. Rumor had it that these points would count against their CDL driver's license. In simplest terms, the driver now have a driving record (their license or MVR) and a driver profile or history (CSA), and the respective points are independent of each other. Also the CSA cannot fire a driver of a carrier or suspend a driver's license.

The MVR will still reflect violations that the license holder had pled guilty to.

The CSA will reflect any violation, warning, plus any positive or good roadside inspection. Moving violations, equipment violations, all of it will be recorded. This is being done to make the carrier's better stewards of their equipment and to try to hire better drivers.

The only detrimental thing the CSA will do for a driver is that it may demonstrate a pattern for a driver that prospective employers might not want in a new employee.

The meeting lasted about 4 hours. Best part was that the company bought barbecue for all of us!

By the way, the meeting was held at Square's Barbecue on North Leggett here in Abilene. Excellent brisket and ribs, sausage was a little off. The sides on the buffet were very good. The South Abilene residents have some good news, construction is well underway for Al's Grill on Buffalo Gap Road between Rebecca Lane and Chimney Rock. It is a new venture for the Square's group. Good luck!

Barbecue, Bar-b-que, -bq, bbq, no matter how you say it, the National food of Texas!

I am 100% Texan. When I was a baby I would have preferred barbecue sauce in my bottle instead of milk!

It is a sign of the times; NASCAR Bud ShootOut last night. The first even of the 2011 season. Fast cars. Kurt Busch won it in his new double deuce Pennzoil 22 POS. Jamie McMurry pushed all the way to victory in a Chevy! Today is qualifying for the Daytona 500. the front row will be determined today, and the fields for the twin 125 qualifiers which will set the remainder of the field for next Sunday's 500!

Well, let''s get 'er done!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for good days, for good friends. I lift Rebecca for YOUR continued gifts of healing and care as she under goes more surgery tomorrow. Be with her surgeons, nurses, and her family as they continue this ordeal. Be with Pepa as he is under the weather. In YOU I trust!