I can't tell there is any improvement in my summer cold or flu?

The one thing I can tell is that when I go out into the sunlight, it sucks the life out of me.

I have been working on a project at the farm shop. Memama's truck driver requested a leave of absence for a week or so as he wanted to enter a marriage counseling program, so I had him take the truck to the farm shop.

For quite some time the bunk blower has been erratic. It may work one day and not the next.

I had worked on it one day earlier this year and had it going and when I buttoned everything up it would not start again. Terribly frustrating. That day I couldn't even short across terminals and get it going.

As luck would have it, I have piece mealed information together. The factory switches have been replaced with toggle switches. In a lucky stroke, when I last visited my friend who is incarcerated, he told me he made that change several years ago when he was on his way to California and the switch burned up. This past week I was talking to the little wild man truck driver and he told me he and the midget truck driver had taken it all apart trying to make it work, but to no avail.

I had a solution in my mind, and the new information made me believe more strongly that too many hands had meddled in this pie. I felt that where they were getting their power source was totally wrong. The fan was drawing its power from the rheostat temperature control, which seemed totally wrong. Maybe the expansion valve control should draw from there, but not the fan. Add to this the fact that the rheostat appears to have intermittent power. It may be the problem in itself. I believe it is not functional.

So, I took the power supply that the expansion valve A/C switch had and reconnected it to the fan switch. Walla. It worked. At least for a while. Then during one lull, I turned the switch back on and the motor would not come back on. I had replaced the resistor (which gives you multiple speeds), and I had a new motor so I put the new blower motor in and it has worked well. To control the temperature, I scabbed a power lead off the fan switch.

I suppose the true test will be when I return and turn the key on and it either works or it doesn't.

If it doesn't I may cry! I hate stuff that doesn't make sense.

But I am confident it will work!

That leaves me with the engine fan clutch kit to put in and then a steer tire and the truck should be good to go for a while.

Even with the porta cool running a few feet away from the big truck, it has been hot to work in the shop.

I think this may be why I am sick or why I can't get over it!

As many readers know, the lodge that was the site of the McLeod reunion for 45 years was razed earlier this year. A search has been on for a new location. A couple of weeks ago Rian sent me a possibility. Bass Hollow on Possum Kingdom, near the town of Graham. It has a mix of motel rooms, cabins, mobile homes and travel trailers. The motel and cabins will sleep 76 people. Accommodations are for from four to eighteen from the motel room to the largest cabin. Covered boat docks.

A business from Roscoe has had the entire facility rented this week for customer appreciation and when Jason talked with one of the company representatives he told Jason it was a nice facility.

They have a web site; www.basshollow.com

Coach was supposed to go look at it before he got busy with football. If he didn't, Jani is going to try, or Pat and I might make a run over there (we might take Memama as well), or I might even call Colby and ask him to make the trek. Bass Hollow is about thirty-five minutes from Breckenridge, ninety-two miles from Colby, one hundred fifty miles from Roscoe, or ninety miles from Abilene. If any of you family members are in that area you might stop in. Of course the biggest problem could be finding a weekend with enough of the facilities available.

Another possibility was the Baptist encampment at Lake Brownwood. A small group went to look at it on the weekend we had the one day reunion at the Ratliff lake place. I have only heard a report from one and it was not in favor of, and this is from a family member who would not be staying there. (They would be staying at their family's lake house).

It may be that the reunion has run its course. Too many people trying to coordinate one common weekend. As the age of the pertinents now averages about 74 years, it is probably just a matter of time before it fizzles. As I stated earlier, I believe only nine remaining people from the original reunion attended this years, and I think that was perfect attendance.

When I went by Memama's yesterday, she had taken her coffee maker apart. I asked her what was going on and she kind of smiled and said, "I wasn't paying attention and I put the coffee where the water goes, so I had to clean it out". So we cleaned it and reassembled it. Believe it or not, it worked.

I get the feeling this isn't the first time this has happened.

Have a day!

FATHER, heal me quickly!

I'm still feeling under the weather so I subbed out the lawn to a service.

2 Hotties and a Cadillac Lawn Service. Sounds sinister doesn't it!

Eat your hearts out!

Thing is their grandmother had to drive the two sisters over to do the lawn!

Wow.

I've been battling a summer cold. Dangit!

I started some antibiotics Friday but they are playing catch up. Three fitful nights of coughing and hacking!

Yesterday morning I felt well enough to go to church but by the time I returned I was running fever again, coughing and my sinuses were raw to breathe. The afternoon showed no improvement.

Last night my longest stretch of sleep was almost two hours.

Sure wish there was a market for snot!

Have a day!

FATHER, heal me quickly!

I'm back!

Memama and I returned from Shallowater yesterday afternoon.

I have mixed feelings about our trip.

I have never liked "staying" with someone. Even family. I have always felt that the hosts need a break as do the guests, where you can just back it down and relax. (No entertaining).

This trip found Rian ailing. Try as he might, he did not feel well. He has been to the doctor, been to the hospital for further testing, and is scheduled back to the doctor this week. While a preliminary diagnosis is in and steps are being taken to medicate and treat it, further attention is warranted.

Rian had a small project he wanted help with, but while we looked at it and analyzed it, he obviously didn't feel up to it. So we still have his project.

Erica stays busy and is a good little hostess.

The three boys are a puzzle. They can be the sweetest things one moment and they can be the most unbelievable miscreants the next. Biggest thing I noticed is that what one does, the others do.

Shortly after our arrival at their home, Rian and Erica were fixing a drain in a bathroom sink. Prior to them going to work on it, Rian was loading pellet guns for the boys to shoot outside. Erica was expressing her concern over the safety of it. Rian was explaining that the new pellets were "soft" and wouldn't hurt or damage anything if shot with them. And the boys have been instructed on gun safety.

There are three boys and only two guns, so the biggest two boys went outside first. Moses was sitting in a chair watching televisions so I sat in the floor and was talking with him. In a few minutes Reid, the oldest, came in the house low on ammunition but not out. I stretched out on the floor, rolling over toward where Reid was at. When I looked up He had his pellet gun cocked and pointed at me. I told him he knew better than to point a gun a someone, and reminded him that you don't shoot a gun in the house, and that his Dad had given him specific instructions.

Reid began smiling a little grin as he pulled the trigger and shot me on the back of my left side just below my armpit. The most alarming thing for me was he made a conscious decision. A close second was that it hurt like hell!

I closed the distance between us quickly and ripped the gun from his hands and put it up on the bar.

In the mean time, Holt came had come in and saw what Reid had done. He thought it was funny. By this time I was sitting on the couch next to Memama. When he walked to the middle of the room in front of me he pointed his pellet gun directly at my face. I really thought with his love of hunting and the amount of time he has spent with his Dad, he would be the least likely to shoot at someone. Just to be safe, I raised an object in front of me, just as he pulled the trigger. The pellet ricocheted away. Just when I thought the crisis was over, Moses appeared having retrieved the gun from on the bar. I became somewhat alarmed when Holt helped Moses cock his gun. Then Holt positioned himself in front of me again while Moses had gone around to my right side.

Having determined that Holt was the greater threat I was talking to him and had extended my right hand to protect my face and eyes. Holt pulled the trigger shooting me in the middle finger, right at the base of it.

While Moses struggles to cock a pellet gun of pull the trigger, somehow he pulled the trigger shooting me just in front of my right ear.

I was up in a flash, ripping the gun from Moses' hand and I was going for Holt's gun. He thought it was funny and began running, but I caught him and grabbed the gun barrel. As I lifted the gun he was screaming bloody murder while refusing to release his grip and dangling from the gun at the end of my arm.

Almost immediately Holt's mother appeared. I am sure I looked like the villain. Holt dropped to the floor crying and telling her I hurt his side and arm.

Right behind her Rian appeared wanting to know what was going on! He had a hard time suppressing a laugh until I touched my sideburn and when I moved my hand away, blood ran down my finger.

Rian was surprised that the soft pellets had broken my skin. He asked me for the confiscated guns which I had in my pockets and he took them and locked them away in the gun safe.

Then came the summons for all three boys to come to Rian and Erica's bedroom. After an extended period, I heard the swat of a board and Reid came out, swat,then Holt came running by shouting that he didn't like me (that's o.k., I didn't like him much right then either) then swat and Moses came out bawling.

Still, I'm not totally satisfied with the discipline. I wanted to and still want to shoot them! I probably hold Reid more responsible, then Holt, then Moses. I think it was a case of monkey see monkey do.

If I had been alone on this excursion I would have been home in less than three hours Thursday afternoon.

I was talking to a friend who told me their grandson shot someone with a BB or pellet gun and his punishment was wearing an eye patch for a week to make him realize if he had struck that person in the eye and blinded them, what it would be like.

Two inches from my eye, an inch from my ear opening. I vote for all the above! Paddle them, shoot them and make them wear a patch.

Ironically, last time I visited Rian and family on a planned visit, Reid shot me with a supersoaker that had soured water in it. Nasty!

I really enjoyed my time with my Mom. We drove up, stopped at Riversmith's in Lubbock for a late lunch and then made our way on to Shallowater.

Late Thursday, Rian fired up the grill and cooked veggies and rib eyes! Erica prepared baked 'taters and a tossed salad. Excellent supper!

Later we drove to Nickie's Swirl (or something like that). It is a chain that has sixties decor and rock and roll music along with a vast array of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings. They give you small paper cups to sample their wares and when you find what you like, or a combination, you get a cup and fill it with the desired amount and desired toppings. Then they weigh it and sell it by the ounce. It is a neat concept. I only saw one person working in the entire store.

By the way, my favorite was Italian Creme Cake.

After sleeping about three hours shortly after midnight I woke and read parts of a book and responded to some correspondences until morning.

I had heard a door open and close towards morning and Erica had gone out to her morning run. When I made my way to the living room later the boys, sans Moses, were in the same chair covered to their chins with a quilt watching Jack and the bean stalk.

Shortly the garage door opened and closed and Erica went to the oven where she had left a breakfast casserole of sausage, egg and cheese cooking. She removed it and put in a pyrex of oatmeal. Rian and I retreated to the back porch (which is his pride and joy) while it cooked. We enjoyed a Diet Coke on ice until he went into the house and retrieved breakfast. I had never tried baked oatmeal, but Rian assured me it was great. He was right.

Before I left I took a picture of the recipe with my phone.

About lunch the car was unloaded and reloaded, we spent some time outside watching Moses ride his bike without training wheels, and watching the two bigger boys hitting golf balls. Then it was time for us to get in and hit the road.

It was a quiet ride back. Memama thinking about Rian and Erica's new house and their family. Me planning my revenge! (just kidding. I'm going to buy them all dresses and dolls for Christmas).

Memama and I stopped at the Shack in Snyder for a late lunch. We ate their famous chicken fried steak. It was good, but I guess I am getting old as I found I enjoyed the salad bar at Riversmith's and at the Shack more than the meal.

By mid afternoon we were at Memama's and I was taking her bags in and moving mine to my truck before putting her car in the garage.

Pat came by and we discussed a few things. One of which is to have the OnStar activated on Memama's car. I felt this was important should Memama experience a problem, but also if she became disoriented and lost we could locate her. While she has only had one episode, I feel this would be a good precautionary measure.

Before I left Memama's, Kyle Patrick Henry Hagerman and his friend Danny came in, fresh off their week long vacation that culminated at Galveston and the beach. Oh did they have stories.

Well, the lawn beckons. Damnit!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for safe travel. Thank YOU for giving us children when we are young! We will glorify and praise your name!

I am doing a little laundry. Trying to get everything Carol might need within easy reach from her wheelchair, while packing my bag.

I am driving to Roscoe, switching to Memama's car, stopping to feed farm animals and pick up Rian's chain saw, driving to Snyder to pick up Memama from Thornhills (she and Pat are getting haircuts).

Then, Memama and I are heading North. Destination, Shallowater, Texas!

For the last three months I have promised Memama I would take her to Rian's. We finally just picked a date and today is it. We are driving up, will eat lunch in Lubbock, and finish the drive afterward. We are spending the night tonight and returning tomorrow.

This will be Memama's first visit to Rian's since they moved to Shallowater May 1. (It is also her first trip to Rian and Erica's since we lost Pepa.

I'm trying to decide whether to take Memama to her and Pepa's favorite eating establishment, or try something different.

When I have the time to upload it, I will post a picture of Pepa and Memama's headstone. The monument company delivered it yesterday. Looks good. After lots of changes and compromises I am very pleased.

Hag met the man at the cemetery lot and I arrived just as they were completing setting the stone. Afterwards Hag and I met for lunch at Big Boys and had a really good visit. Thanks for the lunch Hag!

Have a day!

FATHER, I pray for a safe day! Great things YOU do every day!

I just returned from Sunday morning services at Southern Hills C o C in Abilene. It was a very enjoyable, uplifting, thought provoking service. Phil was absent, he is in Peru with a mission group from Southern Hills, so a Black minister named Sherwin Grottis brought the message.

There was a lot of shouting, lots of hollering, and oodles and gobs of emphasis. No doubt, Sherwin is excited about and for JESUS. He did an excellent job.

Southern Hills also announced the hiring of Brian Randolph as the new worship minister. I did not attend the day he led services in a working audition as I was at a family reunion, but a friend did and said he was awesome.

I think this makes three new ministers on staff this year.

The other day I was talking with a friend and I was asked what I was doing, I didn't want to say because I figured I would be ridiculed. After a little badgering I told her I was downloading the Meriam-Webster Dictionary on my smart phone. Hey, it was free! However my friend told me it made me a little nerdy to have a dictionary on my phone.

Last evening I was sitting in my chair, playing with my phone, when I made my one and only application purchase to date. I bought and downloaded the NIV Bible. It was really pretty neat to use at church today. I just need to become more polished at bookmarking multiple scriptures during the lesson.

I may ask my friend if the dictionary makes me a nerd, does the Bible make me a Christian?

I couldn't help but think about my up bringing a little during worship and afterward. I idolized my Gon Gon McLeod. The attachment we had through the land was very strong. However one thing some don't know and something that I am not proud of is that he was a very prejudiced man.

Most of his farm hands were either Mexican's or "Niggers". It was probably more of the times that formed his prejudice. Most of the time he had between three and five full time employees, and I remember every Monday morning he left with a pickup seat full of coffee thermoses to try to sober up the crew.

Of course today it would be more correct to say Hispanics and Blacks or African Americans.

I actually think that the slang terms were more of a group classification than a race classification. I know we have "white trash", I don't know why we wouldn't have "black trash" or "brown trash", but for whatever reason, when I was growing up we had Mexicans (or meskins) and niggers.

Thinking back I can remember Pete, and Valentine and Richard, three of the Hispanics, and Hill, and Fred T. and Charlie Horne, three of the blacks.

Hill and his wife, Mineola, lived just down from my grandparents, on a small hill. (Ironically). They lived there with their eleven children. It was a big old house with no indoor plumbing. I can't remember what age I was but the first naked girl I ever saw was when I was a passenger in a vehicle driving by that house. Those kids never wore clothes. I remember that periodically Gon Gon and I would go to their house to look at needed repairs, or take measurements. It seemed that a rite of every spring was getting new screens for the windows as the old ones were rusted out from the young males peeing through them. The kids for most of their education attended a segregated Booker T. Washington School in Sweetwater.

A nephew of Mineola's and his wife lived with Hill's family. That would be Fred T. and Florence. Fred T. aspired to be a Baptist Preacher. I guess all of his hard living was "research" for the ministry.

Valentine was a wino. He lived in a small travel trailer, also with no indoor water or plumbing. but as long as he has a bottle he didn't require much. I think that Valentine secretly was obsessed with "Flora" (Florence, Fred T's wife).

Hill's family's claim to fame was that the oldest son was the warden's house boy at Huntsville during at least two of his sentences there.

I am sure that these men only fed my Grandfather's prejudice. But I'm not making excuses for Gon Gon. Although through a long process I do know it was wrong.

I also remember probably the one time in my life that I have been ashamed of my Mother.

When all of us worked for the family farm, we would take a few trips together each summer. Multiple outings to lake Brownwood, and an annual excursion to Arlington to go to Six Flags (before it became a trashy roller coaster park). We would spend the entire day at the park, eat out, stay in a motel, go to church the following morning, and return home.

It was standard procedure on Sunday morning for my Mother to get a phone book out and begin looking for a church of Christ to attend.

The year I am speaking of, she got an address, we all got ready and had a motorcade procession to the selected church. When we arrived there, we exited the multiple cars and began gathering to go into a church when we observed that all of the people arriving for church were black. My Mother refused to go in.

I have always felt we missed what could have been a tremendous experience. I would have loved to have listened and participated in the singing.

Over the years my Mother has mellowed. Often I will pour salt in her wounds and remind her of her refusal, but she has come a long way. It is not uncommon now for her to feed a variety of races in her home.

We are a melting pot.

Reminds me of this joke.

A man was sitting outside GOD's office awaiting his judgement when he asked the receptionist, "What is GOD like?"

The receptionist paused before replying, "First of all, SHE is BLACK......."

That will make you think.

Regardless, after the tremendous worship this morning I can only wonder what we have missed due to pettiness.

All I can say is sitting in services today I sat with Blacks, with Hispanics, with Asian Pacifics, and with Whites and we all were worshiping the same GOD. Reminds of the old Sunday School song JESUS Loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white ............... . Of course, it has undergone a re-write as well.

But for the grace of GOD there go I. As if it matters.

FATHER, forgive us when we are small. Expand our boundaries.

According to the radar, rain showers are scattered throughout the area, although none appear to be too big or too strong.

On Tuesday of this past week Pat took Memama to the doctor. Pat had called Christy and scheduled Memama for a complete physical, blood work and all. Pat said tha Dr. Eaker spent a great deal of time with Memama visiting about her health concerns.

#1 on the list was that she felt tired.
#2 some eye issues.
#3 some joint issues.

Dr. Eaker even had them do Memama's coumadin check, saving her a trip to Abilene.

Pat and Memama told the Doctor that Memama had driven herself to Brownwood. In the course of the visit the Doctor asked, "Why would you drive yourself."

"To prove I could", came the reply from Memama.

As blood test results came in the Doctor has made some changes in Memama's meds. It seems one med slows her heart rate and makes her heart beat more aggressively or effectively. This med also can have a side effect of fatigue or low energy.

No one knows for sure when the last time this blood test was done, but the doctor has cut the dosage. He says by Monday we should see a marked improvement.

I thought yesterday she was getting a little sparkle in her eyes.

Probably the greatest area of concern has been what seems to be an increase in memory issues. This is being addressed as well.

Memama and I kind of have a set of signals. When she gets up in the morning and goes to make coffee, she opens the outside back door. All of us know that this means she is up and about and everything is good. This past week there was one morning I drove up and began moving water hoses before going in the house.

I guess I was obsessed with the watering, because I had not even notice the back door being closed. I reached for the know and gave it a twist. It was still locked. I had a bit of a sinking spell on my way to get the hidden key.

It was a great relief to walk in and see her standing in front of the refrigerator getting staples for lunch. I had to give her a bit of a chewing out for the drama though!

Hope you had a day. Put two together and we will call it a weekend!

FATHER, thank YOU for all the blessings we enjoy. Thank YOU for the miracle of healing and medications. Thank YOU for dedicated health care professionals.

Last Friday Rian and Reid came to Roscoe. Rian had asked if he could take one of the four company travel trailers back to Shallowater.

In late May, or early June Rian had gone to the elders at Greenlawn and told them after their move to Shallowater in early May and after the packed end of school schedule, he was burned out. That every aspect of his life was suffering.

(As most of you know, in addition to being the assistant principal at Shallowater High School, he serves as associate youth minister at Greenlawn Church of Christ.)

The elders responded by giving him a paid leave of absence for the month of June. the elders said they felt that the school was trying to get all they could for their money and the church was guilty as well. They cut Erica's Bright Horizon schedule in half as well. They instructed Rian that he was not to attend any youth activity for the month. In July the elders would re-evaluate and adjust as needed. They instructed Rian to concentrate on his family, and rather than teaching youth classes he was to attend an adult Bible class.

The down side of this is that the two camps that Rian worked through the youth program provided the majority of the recreation for his three boys. On such short notice, alternate activities had not been budgeted for.

Rian doesn't say a whole lot about finances. He is a lot like his ol' Daddy when it comes to some things. However I can remember what it was like to be young and have a family and struggle without having some un-planned occurrence thrown in.

When Rian was in, we discussed a few things. Apparently the bigger house may have had hidden increases not only in debt service, but possibly utilities, and that projected savings for not commuting were not real.

All of us have had budget surprises.

Anyhow, we discussed some possibilities and Rian seemed a little more positive.

Prior to their leaving, Rian, Reid and I went to Sweetwater to register the travel trailer and do some banking for Memama.

As the pickup and travel trailer were hitched and pointed toward the road Rian went inside to tell his grandmother 'bye.

We were sitting around the kitchen table and he was telling her that he and Erica were trying to figure out a way to send the boys to day camp this week, and I explained that in the past all these camping trips had been "included" in Rian's job. With sanctions of the church leadership, any camp now became "out of pocket".

Memama got up and retrieved her purse and began getting money out. As she was counting, she said, "I want to give the boys a scholarship for camp". Rian began to argue, but if you know Memama, sometimes it doesn't matter if she has her hearing aids in. As a mounting stack of $1 bills grew, I told Memama, "If you are going to do this, why don't you let Pepa help".

She looked at me and realized what I was saying. She instructed me to go and get the key and the lock box and bring it to her. When I returned, she opened the box and removed Pepa's wallet. As she struggled to open it, she finally held it and told Rian what to get out of it. As Rian removed the money, he asked her if he could see the wallet.

He rubbed the wallet, inspecting it outwardly, then lifted it to his nose. "I just wanted to see if it smelled like Pepa", he said.

For a brief moment it was very quiet as the three of us struggled to maintain control of our emotions as the wallet was returned to the lock box.

Priceless. A very special moment. Not just about the money Memama sent for the scholarships, but that Pepa continues and will continue to be an influence and part of all of our lives for generations to come.

FATHER, I lift up all of us that struggle. Whether it is money, illness, relationships, faith, sadness, depression, job or any other reason. I realize that at some point all of us struggle and that YOU know and YOU care and YOU do and will provide relief and a solution.

First matter of business, today is Happy Un-Anniversary! 36 years ago today I married my children's mother.

I demand dna tests.

Just kidding.

I had mentioned a few posts ago that I had reluctantly entered the 21st century with a new smart phone. I feel I need to share with you the rest of the story.

For about the last year, I had been infatuated with the "phone" technology. In fact I had even discussed this with Pepa.

In January of this year, I had taken Pepa to the Dermatologist in Abilene (Pat and Memama had gone to Plano to check on Betsy). On that trip we had gone to a builders outlet and purchased new lights for Memama's kitchen and kitchen table, and on a whim, Pepa decided to buy a new stainless dishwasher as well. As a reward we went to Lytle Land and Cattle Company to reward ourselves with a belated birthday celebration for Pepa. Our little waitress was excellent.

We returned home and Jake and Lindsay came out and installed one of the new lights, while the following morning Jason and I removed the old dishwasher and installed the new and later put the remaining new light in.

A few days later we had one of the worst ice storms in recent history and during this time, Pepa called me and told me that his refrigerator had gone out and we needed to find him one. Of course he had a definite idea of what he wanted. It had top be white and it had to fit in an opening that is not standard and it had to be a certain height.

We finally ordered a new refrigerator only to have it back ordered and when I asked for our money back they began to wheel and deal for a floor model. We closed the deal and the following day Jason and I picked up the new refrigerator and brought it to Memama and Pepa's house.

We removed the old unit and installed the new one, hooking up the water for ice and chilled water. When we were done, we removed and Jason disposed of the old refrigerator.

The following day, Jason and I were back making an adjustment on a light cover when Pepa called us both in there to his recliner. He was telling us to look at how nice the new stainless refrigerator and dishwasher looked in the brightly lit kitchen.

About this time he reached over to the table by his chair and picked up his wallet. Jason and I both were already shaking our head and backing away.

I told Pepa, "You are not going to pay me for helping you and Memama."

He was obviously prepared for this as he responded, "I'm not paying you for installing that stuff, I'm buying you a new phone. Jason can get him a new phone too, if that is what he wants to do."

I was unprepared for his argument as he handed me two crisp $100 bills. I placed the two bills in a Roscoe State Bank teller's envelope.

Of course it was less than a month later that we lost Pepa.

For six months I have carried my phone money in my pocket. I would look, but couldn't get serious about buying. Until a week ago. I decided with service changes that it was do or die time with the phone shopping. I went in and made my selection, they began tabulating my bill and took the phone to the back to down load my numbers, pictures and files into my new phone.

When it came time to pay, they asked "Will this be Cash, check or credit card?"

I found myself answering "Check."

I couldn't spend my Pepa money. I guess I don't want to lose that final connection.

I am still carrying my two crisp $100 bills. I don't know what I will do with them. If I will ever be able to spend them, or if I might use them in an instance of "pass it on".

But for the time being. We are joined at the hip pocket!

FATHER, thank YOU!

I'm working without a net here. Not on my usual computer and many of the task bar icons are not present.

Yesterday I went to Lake Brownwood for the annual reunion. Since 1966 my mothers family has been going there. We held this activity at the Mountain View Lodge. There were two years that we went to an alternate location because of issues with "new" ownership of Mountain View. (Actually Big Scottie got crossways with Whitey and Whitey wouldn't let us book the reunion there.)

Earlier this year the present ownership razed the small twelve room lodge. We already had reservations, but we weren't notified or consulted.

That made it necessary to make alternate plans for the reunion. Due to the size of this group (about a 100) it is difficult to find a large enough facility with recreational opportunities. The alternate plan was for a one day reunion at the Ratliff Lake House.

54 people attended.

One of the activities has always been a church service and this year that was the "center" of the reunion activities. I had joked with Little Scottye that with the low lake level maybe we should consider sprinkling instead of total immersion. (You would have to be Church of Christ to get that joke!).

Cousin Ronnie led the singing. Cousin Lee brought the message. Cousin Shay and Nephew Jason served the LORD's supper. Cousin Scottye and Uncle Wade led the group in prayer.

It was a bitter sweet service as I had flashbacks to the sixties and family church in one of the four rented rooms of the lodge. As best I can count it, nine people in attendance Sunday were there in 1966 at the inaugural reunion. Many in attendance were not even born at that time. (I think Bryce was the pivotal baby back then, but I don't remember if he was born before or after).

Eventually the reunion grew to a point where the family rented the entire motel facility along with two or three RV slips and four family members either owned or had access to lake houses. Still in recent years some family stayed in town due to bed shortage.

After the church service, a family meeting was held to discuss the future of the reunion. Several options were offered and a small group even investigated one option.

This reunion seemed to accent those who are no longer with us, even though it was not intentional. Of course Memaw and Gon Gon, Aunt Jo, Freddy, Terri Jo, Jesse, and Pepaw definitely left gaps, even though some have been gone for many years.

I think for many of us it was a very emotional exercise.

Probably the best thing that came from the reunion was that Memama went to Coach's and Jani's. She had almost hurt Coach's feelings because he had invited her numerous times, even offering to arrange transportation, but she had declined. For a week I had watched her day planner which boasted a circled and underlined "Steve's" followed by a number of question marks placed on Friday, the 8th.

While Memama didn't make it to Coach's on Friday (due to a blunder with her medications) she drove herself down Saturday. (She had made it very clear that if and when she went, she would drive herself. Kyle had even offered to drive her down). So she spent Saturday night and Sunday night with Coach and his family. (All three of Coach's kids, plus spouse, plus girlfriend, and all four of their redheaded granddaughters were there).

During the preamble to worship, Little Scottye let the cat out of the bag. When he was in route to the Lake Saturday, when he turned on Highway 36 at Abilene he came upon a white Cadillac he thought he recognized. When he passed it, sure enough Memama was driving. He got about a quarter mile ahead of her and led her to Cross Plains where she stopped at the store and then at Dairy Queen (DQ was a regular stop for Memama and Pepa. In fact I accused her of ordering their regular order and eating her and Pepa's ice cream.) Memama was oblivious to her being surveiled, as Scottye parked down the road or around the corner. While Memama was at DQ Scottye decided that she had made it that far and he was betting she could complete the trip, so he pulled out on the road for the last leg of the lake journey. Of course after an adequate wait, he checked at Coach's just to be sure she made the last leg.
She did.

And Memama was very proud of herself when she arrived home today about 3:30, safe and sound. Not bad for an 80 year old rookie! "Good Job!"

I informed Memama this afternoon that our next road trip would be to Shallowater. She has yet to see Rian and Erica's new house. I told her to figure it out, it could be a day trip or a couple of days. Her choice.

My patient continues to be in a great deal of pain from her latest fall. I personally think she needs to go to the doctor, but she doesn't agree. If memory serves me correctly, we are scheduled in with Dr. Mackie later this month.

It could be a long month!

FYI, I talked with Rian and he told me he has lost over fifty (50) pounds! Lifestyle changes, plus some exercise. I bet Dr. Pepper's profits show a hit! Also, he told me that Erica is training to run a half marathon in December in Dallas. This week the two oldest boys are "day campers" while Moses doesn't qualify because of age. I'm not sure what Moses is doing, but I bet he gets special treatment.

Rian took one of the four travel trailers back to Lake Alan Henry Friday, then home to Shallowater Saturday. He has been cleaning and fixing on it in preparation for a family excursion to Roaring Springs next week.

Don't ask me why, but Rian has always like this travel trailer.

Enough for now. Hope you had a day!

FATHER, heal our hearts. Work YOUR plan in and for us! To YOU be the glory!

My day got an early start. I met crop insurance adjusters at 7:30 in Roscoe. We were assessing Memama's and Jason's crop. By 7:41 we had completed our first field.

I sure don't envy these men. The adjuster is out of Haskell while his trainee is from Lubbock.

It was obvious that these men have been working together. I was riding with the adjuster and the trainee followed in his own pickup truck. Through a series of hand signals, they would communicate where and when the adjuster wanted the trainee to look for seed. Sometimes the trainee would stop and the adjuster and I would continue farther across the field. Other times we would stop and the trainee would continue.

We would scratch and dig until we found at least two seed, preferably three and then a digital photograph was made of the seed in the seed bed and a broad picture down the rows of the field.

In a little over two hours we had completed the seven farms.

Total crop failure.

Memama's housekeeper was at her house and asked what would be our perfect world. I told her in a perfect world it would cool off, the wind would stop blowing, and at the end of April 2012 it would rain and the crop we have in the ground would spout and come up.

My next thought though was that it would be un-insurable because we would have no seed receipts.

It was kind of interesting seeing how the seed had settled and sifted since being planted.

By ten o'clock I had signed off on the paperwork for Memama and Bub's was being held at the agents office for Christy to go by and sign.

I did some inventory-ing, and fed the farm animals, and then began waiting for Rian to arrive.

Rian was coming to pick up one of the travel trailers. He and Reid are going to Lake Alan Henry and Rian is cooking for the Lake Alan Henry Volunteer Fire Department brisket feed taking place tomorrow. Residents of the area donate briskets to the fire department and cooks from the area are invited to come and cook. Through the day plates are sold as people come and go from the lake.

After spending tonight and tomorrow at the lake Rian and Reid are taking the travel trailer on to Shallowater for a trip in about a week to Roaring Springs.

He told me a few new grandson stories. I will preface it by saying Reid is getting big and growing up. He was very polite, very well behaved.

As for the other two hooligans, I can't say as much.

Many of you know of Drew's fascination with the hitches or balls on the different vehicles on the road. He calls them "hookers". He will see someone pass with a chrome ball and he will point it out. If someone comes by with a double flip over ball, he is very impressed with their "hooker" and if someone passes with a triple ball setup he is ecstatic.

The other day Rian had Holt and Drew with him in his pickup while he was trying to load and secure a small tractor on a trailer. Rian could hear Drew talking, "No, everything is not O.K.. My Daddy is trying to get the "hooker" on the tractor and he can't." On and on the conversation went, until Rian went to the window and asked "Who are you talking to?" Just about that time a voice asked, "Are your Mother and Daddy breathing? Rian answered "I am here". The female voice asked, "What is the nature of your emergency?" Rian answered, "I think one of my helpers pressed the "onstar" button. The onstar lady cancelled the emergency dispatch.

Two weekends ago Rian and the boys were at a motel and the boys shooting water guns and swimming when Holt jumped from beneath the water and totally hosed a lady down with the "Super soaker" gun he was wielding while yelling "Gottcha Sucker!". The lady holding a thousand dollar camera was stunned and inquiring "Who does that child belong two?"

Rian looked over one shoulder, then the other, before shrugging as the lady walked away!

And today Erica was at Walmart shopping in produce. Both Holt and Drew were in the basket. Erica had wandered about six feet away when she heard Holt say, "Neat!" She began to turn to see what was neat when she was hit was a spray of water, along with the woman who was standing beside her! Holt had found one of the hanging spray guns and hoses in the produce department.

I think Holt's Mother was much more upset than the other lady!

Coming to your town soon! The notorious Freeman boys! Hide while you can!

Memama had a a foul up today on her medications. Instead of taking her morning meds, she took her night-time meds. Pat was out to check on her and Memama was acting very groggy so she put her back to bed.

When my hospice friend returns I am going to visit with her about med dispensers. I think we need to do two separate ones to avoid this problem. Maybe put morning meds by the coffee maker and the night meds in her bathroom.

Plans call for her to go Coach's tomorrow for two or three nights. IF she feels well enough. She has numerous offers of rides but insists she takes her own car!

(Pepa wasn't the only hard headed one in this relationship).

Brownwood reunion Sunday morning at 10.

Maybe front lawn in the morning.

Have a weekend.

Bless us OH LORD and expand us!

I had a call this morning from Ollie. Last evening her Mom took her to the ER in Snyder. They tried a couple of things trying to stop her throwing up. A shot finally worked, then they gave her a bag of IV fluids to re-hydrate her. I think she and her baby are O.K.. Apparently she had caught a stomach virus, but had delayed getting medical attention thinking it was morning sickness.

I had thought I might help a friend today. Even though it is the Fourth of July, later today they have cross docks to get product out to local warehouses for delivery tomorrow. Last night we talked and he told me he didn't need me.

So, it looks like I drew short straw. The lawn looms. Then the hedges. Maybe not all today.

When I came back from Lamesa yesterday I stopped by the farm shop and fed and watered the animals, so I will probably just make a phone call to check on Mom and not make the drive over and back. Also Ollie will be going through when she returns to San Angelo and she said she would stop in. Pat should be returning from Ruidosa also.

A week or two ago I bought a brisket end, so I may doctor it up to let it marinade and later today fire up the grill. I prefer a full brisket but with just Krl and I there is so much waste. I will probably wish I had some devilled egg potato salad and maybe some ribs or sausage. I've been eyeing a bag of dried pinto beans on the counter, but I'm going to have to get them on if they will be ready for supper.

Of course one of my favorites is beans and brisket left overs. Chop up some brisket, mix it in with the red beans, add a little barbecue sauce and whip up a pan of cornbread! Dill pickles, cherry peppers, jalapenos, maybe a little onion.

Yum, yum! Texas cooking.

Oh, and I got a dozen jalapenos to seed and de-vein and stuff with cream cheese and wrap with bacon!

Wow. I got lots to do! Gotta go!

Have a wonderful Fourth!

FATHER, Bless this country. Thanks for making Ollie better. I ask for safe travel for all our friends and family that are traveling.

Reluctantly, I have stepped into the 21st century.

For the past five months I have shopped, researched , cussed and discussed a new cell phone. In February I, along with a friend, decided we wanted a Motorola Droid X. They had them on sale two for one. We went in to make our purchase and were told that since we were not on the same account we couldn't do the two for one sale.

Dang the luck.

A few weeks later my friend called me and informed me that she had just ordered the Verizon IPhone.

I was mortified.

After much thought and deliberation, on Friday I went into the local Verizon store. I was greeted by a young man named Eric, but we were interrupted shortly after we began by an incoming call. I stepped outside the store to take it. Upon completion, I re-entered the store. Eric was busy so I began looking over the phones again. I swear it would be much easier if they didn't have so many.

The Assistant manager, Todd, approached me. I gave him my standard greeting in a cell phone store. "Show me your cell phone." I have found this is a very effective way to determine what they think is the best phone on the market.

I had barely gotten to this same point with Eric.

As luck would have it, Todd and Eric carried two of the phones I had in my final three.

My top three were the Motorola Droid X, Samsung Charge and the HTC Thunderbolt. Todd carried the Charge, Eric carried the Thunderbolt. The new 4G Droid X has just been released.

I ran into a brief road block when they told me I wasn't on the account and couldn't make the changes. So I made a mad dash to the house and a computer to put myself on the account.

When I returned to Verizon, I had narrowed my choice down to the Charge and the Thunderbolt. Todd returned to greet me and after a brief banter, I made the selection. I told Todd I had a friend who had spent $299 on a 32GBS IPhone. I told him I wanted to spend one dollar more and have one gigabyte more. I ended up with 40GBS.

Because of my past history of satisfaction with Samsung, I decided to go with the Charge.

I am amazed. I had played with some smart phones, but not when it was mine to have and to hold. And screw up. Since Friday I have been back to Verizon one time and read and read how to unlock parts of my phone I had inadvertently locked.

By the way, that is what I have named my phone, "MyPhone". Which is more correct than an IPhone.

They have smart phone classes every Wednesday from 6-8 at our Verizon store.

I got up this morning and began a trek to Lamesa to see my friend who is incarcerated up there. It had been almost six months since I had seen him. We exchange letters regularly, usually on a weekly basis. My friend is up for a Discretionary Mandatory Supervision Review. If he is granted this he will be released from state custody September 5, 2011. Of course he has 96 months of Federal time that is hovering over his head. If he can get some things filed, the time served could go toward his Federal sentence, meaning he could be in a halfway house in three months time.

Another recent development is that after his serving six years in TDCJ, his wife who lives in Georgia, has filed for divorce.

My friend doesn't have any family close, in fact I am the only person to go see him since the last time I went to see him. His nearest relatives are in Indiana.

Not a good situation, but I am not ready to write him off yet.

Just had a call from Ollie's Mother. Ollie has been sick, throwing up for four days while visiting in Post and her Mom has become concerned about dehydration for her and the baby. Best medical advice is to go to the ER and get an IV.

Have a Good Fourth!

GOD Bless America!