What a week.

I took the little wildman the teal Volvo truck Tuesday. I left my house at 6:01 am.. I had been doing exhaust and other oodie odds and ends. The little wildman told me over the phone that the truck had an air leak last time he had driven it. No matter what, I couldn't make the truck leak air. In fact all the way to Lubbock the air pressure ran at 120 pounds.

I met the little wildman at the oil mill and we swapped trucks. When we left, I headed South and the little wildman headed West.

I stopped by LTS to talk with John and Quentin about the purple Volvo truck's engine issue. I was wanting to see first hand, the parts on the valve train they wanted to replace. I agree after seeing the parts, that they need replaced, but I want to try to find used parts, not buy new.

I kind of caught the jest of where they are going next. They are going to want to add on a cylinder head to their quote. We began at $16-1800. Went to $5300. Then to $8400. Then to $12,797. I balked and it came back town to $11,200. We are now in no hurry and are value shopping.

The guys are nice enough, they just don't understand the economics. They want to fix it back like new regardless of the costs.

I asked them to fax me an invoice for what I owe them right now.

Their shop rate is $105 an hour. Yikes!

As I was getting ready to leave LTS my phone toned and it was the little wildman. He told me he could not hold air pressure. I got his location to drive to him.

We checked what we could, but not having all my tools with me, I decided to take it to Bruckners in Lubbock.

They were covered up, but the service office told me they would work us in. Against my objection they told me they were 99% sure it was a center diaphragm of a brake chamber. I explained that we had checked it out and we felt it was not.

To keep the trucks from getting behind, I put the little wildman back in the truck I had planned on taking home, and I stayed at the shop with the teal Volvo.

In short order the service man came to me and told me it was not a brake chamber, that it was the anti-skid valve. Luckily they had one and they put it on.

After that we had to coordinate another meet between me and the little wildman to change trucks again.

When we changed trucks I told the little wildman that I thought the master cylinder on the clutch was leaking fluid back by and to watch it because it seemed like it was getting worse.

Sure enough, on Wednesday I sent him by Jerry's in Lubbock to let them check it and see if they could get one and put it on. They got him fixed up.

Biggest hiccup to my trip to Lubbock was the wind got up at Roscoe and Hag had to run a sandfighter at Wastella for me. I was glad he was where he could!

The John Deere dealer at Rotan sent the guidance system we had purchased for the farm, to Memama's house Tuesday evening. Yesterday I took it and put it in and on the tractor.

Today the little wildman's biggest problem was an electric mirror that wasn't cooperating.

How about this weather! We didn't have anything but rain and drizzle, but Lubbock and surrounding area saw some snow flurries.

I did a little office work early today and then went to Roscoe. I have piddled on the forklifts until I am sick of piddling. I have one more thing I would like to do to one machine before they go to Coyonosa.

I kind of got chilled working in the shop all afternoon.

Surprisingly, our pilot light on our central heat at home was still lit!

Pretty good world series game. Back and forth. I don't watch baseball during the season but I enjoy the division play offs and the world series.

Go Rangers!

Pat took Memama and Chris to Dallas for eye checkups. They returned late this afternoon and they both got good reports.

Pat and Hag are going to Lubbock tomorrow for Hag's doctor appointment with his arthritis specialist. they will stay with Mike and Kay tomorrow night and return Saturday. Then they will get Verlin and leave Sunday to go to Amarillo where Hag's brother will have open heart surgery on Monday.

Memama's sister is coming to Sweetwater to watch the Brownwood-Sweetwater football game tomorrow night. Then she is going to stay with Memama a few days.

Robbie called Pat telling her she needed a ride from the ball game to Roscoe. Memama told Pat if she goes to the game with Robbie, Robbie can ride home with her.

It has kind of been funny because Memama is having a problem with the driving restrictions Little Scottye has put on Robbie!

I think Memama knows that within reason, we will let her keep her independence.

Well, I have about gotten warm.

Have an evening and a day tomorrow! (Hopefully Texas will have a World Series Champion tonight!).

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR rain blessing. For the many safe miles our family puts in. For YOUR continued watch and care. Find us faithful!

A couple of weeks ago, Pat decided to give Memama the day off from Sunday cooking so she ordered Ma Allen's.

Knowing my affection and affliction for Ma Allen's, Pat saved me a piece of chicken, even though she knew I was dieting.

When I arrived at Memama's she was hustling and bustling around the kitchen. I had sat down at the table and was getting our daily word jumble puzzle when Memama went to the microwave and started something warming.

As she crossed the kitchen to the table I could here "zips and zaps" and Memama was silhouetted against bright flashes of light. I told Memama to turn her microwave off. She was looking at me puzzled, trying to understand why I would her telling her to turn the microwave off. Finally she understood and as she made her way to it and hit the cancel button, flashes of light lit the room.

About that time she exclaimed, "That bag of chicken is on fire!"

Turned out she had put the thermal pack of chicken in the microwave. While it appears to be paper on the outside it is foil on the inside.

We removed the bag of chicken from the microwave and dumped it out before extinguishing the fire in the sink.

I had aluminum foil flavored chicken for lunch.

It wasn't very funny at the time, but later we joked about how it was almost like someone welding in her kitchen! ZZZZZzzzt. ZZZZZzzzztttt!

Thursday I received a text informing me that Pat Teltschik, Edwin's Mom, had died. She had taken ill when leaving their home and was transported to the ER but they couldn't keep her here.

I talked to Edwin and Stephanie Thursday night. As would be expected, Edwin was struggling but doing pretty good.

Throughout the day Friday, we had calls from nearly all Edwin's and Terri's kids. I am sure they all just needed a little reassurance.

Throughout the weekend, we discussed whether to take Memama down there for the funeral. She sure felt like she needed to go to be supportive of Shelby, Robyn, Wes and Riley.

Because of the recent road trip and a pretty busy schedule for the coming week that includes a trip to Dallas to check cornea transplants, Pat and I decided it would be best for Memama to forego the trip to Sinton.

On Saturday I drove Carol down to San Angelo for Merrit's baby shower. Merrit was so afraid no one would come. Memama, Pat, Stephanie and Chloe drove down from Roscoe and there were thirty-five or forty ladies that showed up.

Merrit was very thrilled with the turnout and all the gifts for the baby. She was especially thrilled with a glider rocker that all the Freeman "ladies" went in together and bought her.

Did the eight o'clock church service. Made the grocery store and spent the afternoon doing correspondence, watching NASCAR, watching the NFL and the World Series!

By days end I was worn out!

I tell you, Saturday night the Rangers couldn't grab their butts with both hands and a road map! I think they may have been trying too hard. Error after error. When it was all over the score looked like a football game!

Sunday evening's game was much better for Ranger fans!

By the way, lovely weather for the fall classic!

And the series is evened up 2-2.

I have a busy week ahead. I lack an hour or so on forklifts, and I need to take another truck to ET today or tomorrow. I need to make a run to Rotan to inspect a recent farm equipment acquisition. Mid week I need to go to Brownfield to pick up another piece of equipment.

If I can get through the next couple of days I may survive.

Two days until the next South Texas Payment is due. I am hopeful, but not too confident my buyers will uphold their contractual obligations. So far I have not seen much that indicates they have honored all the small details of our agreement.

Toward the end of the week Robert is wanting off for a couple of days. He has been at Loop two weeks.

He and the little wild man had a busy Saturday. The brake controller valve messed up on Robert's truck and it was an all day sucker to find one and get it on the truck.

Well, let's get 'er done!

Have a day!

FATHER, I ask that YOU bless the coming week. Help me to make good choices. I lift up Pat Teltschik's family for YOUR gifts of comfort and care. To YOU be the glory!

As many readers are aware, along with my diet I have been walking. Eventually additional exercise will come. In fact, my friend is wanting me to try a fourteen day trial membership to Hendrick Health Club.

I will probably do this, not because I want to go to that club, but to help my friend achieve a lifetime membership.

I probably lean toward either Anytime Fitness or Golds Gym, primarily because they are open 24/7, for my health club of choice. Plus they are within a mile of my house!

The travails of my feet continue.

I am thinking that the issue may be my work shoes. They have the big lugs on the sole and I am thinking they may just be flat dab worn out!

I kind of feel like the princess and the pea, but my pea is in my shoe. It actually feels like I have a rock under the insole of my shoes. (I did check).

I went late today and looked and looked at Academy. I found a shoe I liked, that came in wide widths, but they didn't have my size.

I am wanting a very "tame" sole.

I will probably go to Red Wing Monday or Tuesday!

I went to Janet yesterday and she worked me over. Today I poured epsom salt in my foot bath and ran it for about thirty minutes.

The bricks last night and the gravel at the lumber yard probably didn't help.

Did the 11 o'clock church today. Big crowd, ACU homecoming.

the little wildman has been hauling at the gin. Last week he had a truck issue. His truck filled the engine crankcase with diesel. Usually this means either an o-ring has blown or an injector has gone bad.

True to form, they found an injector issue. The shop didn't have an injector, so I located and picked one up Friday afternoon.

Turns out when they drained the crankcase, they found a piece of brass. We decided to remove the oil pan and do a visual inspection. Turned out that a wrist pin bushing is coming apart. So, now we are going to put pistons and sleeves in the engine.

I asked the shop to make an inquiry to the Detroit Diesel website as to what work this engine has had done. The search yielded no results. The truck is showing 1,055,000 miles. I guess it is due. My personal inquiries yielded no information about repairs when Fred was running it.

We have done an injector, two turbos, a/c repair, transmission, clutch, and carrier bearing.

I need to have the hood finished that is in the barn, and come up with a bumper. then it will be stuff like shocks and wishbones that the truck needs.

And I still have some repairs to finish and general "service" on my forklifts. The farming is fixing to get busy too and I have one truck I need to do some work on.

Sounds like a week.

You have one too!

FATHER, I ask for a blessed week, that I would make wise choices.

I drove over last night to the Windfest celebration in Roscoe. It was well worth the drive!

The entire downtown was cordoned off and the streets filled with vendors and more importantly, people!

You can't imagine how many people were there!

The Bellamy Brothers played for 52 minutes beginning at 9pm. and were excellent, just way to brief.

Then the celebration moved to the lumber yard where the Dusty Creek band was playing.

Excellent. The celebration was complete with fireworks.

The traffic reminded me of the fourth of July in years past!

That was a Monday, all day long.

Actually I can't complain. It was a pretty productive day.

I finished mounting the new drive tires on forklifts, and I removed and transported the secondary hydraulic cylinders from one machine to the shop.

My bud, K.O. and I had removed and replaced seal kits in one hydraulic cylinder on this machine three or four times last year. Nope, it wasn't shoddy workmanship, the seal would actually wear out. These were the larger, one piece seals, and I think that in this application, it just isn't going to live.

When K.O. and I had done this in the past, we always used his telehandler to raise and hold the mast in an extended position. We would do all the prep work and then raise the mast for a brief period while we removed the faulty cylinder. We have always worked with safety in the back of our minds.

Yesterday was the first time I had removed the cylinder(s)working alone and without using the telehandler.

One of the things that crosses my mind often the last couple of years is that I work alone the majority of the time. If something were to happen, it could be a problem.

Like yesterday, the three stage mast was raised fully to sixteen feet four inches, with the 2000 pound bale clamp still on.

OSHA probably wouldn't approve.

I had looked at different possibilities for performing this task by myself and really didn't like any of them. Until I went to lunch. When I returned, I realized one other possibility I had not thought of. Use the forklifts own system to raise the mast, allowing me to take some G7 chain and double chain the mast in the fully raised position.

Probably the safest way to do this work that I have found.

Once I had the cylinders off, I loaded them in the pickup and headed for Abilene. I was hoping we could get parts ordered before end of day.

I made a quick stop by Memama's to unload some diet coke in the wash house and ran in her house quickly. She was kicked back in her recliner doing some serious napping! She never knew I was there!

I arrived at the hydraulic shop shortly after four. I will admit, I was disappointed when they unloaded the cylinders outside on a pallet. Especially when a cylinder can be taken apart in about five minutes. It sure didn't help my feelings any when I discovered the cylinder I dropped off Saturday was still sitting there as well.

I asked the shop owner if I could have the cylinders back by Friday. He assured me that would be no problem.

From there it was back to Sam's to pick up some prescriptions (we moved all our prescriptions from our former pharmacy because of one clerk). The people at Sam's Pharmacy are really nice and accommodating.

I knew that I had to meet K.O. at some point in the evening, so I went by the house. About six-thirty I left the house to run a couple of errands and to meet him.

I returned home just in time to change clothes and put my walking shoes on. The houndgirls have gotten where they really look forward to it. Once again, Eville (or as I nicknamed her, Short Stuff because of her short legs) was the best walker. She just sticks beside my right side. Don't try to move her because that is where she is comfortable and where she wants to be.

The little Redhead and Phoodoo are seasoned veterans, but they walk like a couple of drunks. They both walk on my left side, and you can't imagine the mess they can get their leashed in. Worst case is when these two decide to mess with Eville and cross in front of me and tangle leashes with her.

For about the first half mile, the two hooligans will almost drag me down the street. After that they come back to me until finally on the second mile I begin to pull them!

Good golly my feet sure do hurt! I may get some epsom salt and get my foot spa out! In my walking shoes my feet feel great, but when I take them off, Katie bar the door!

As a rule of thumb, about four inches of rain at the farms. We had no water standing. It all went straight down.

Well, this isn't getting my day started. Gotta go!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for a good Monday. Thank YOU again for YOUR rain blessing. Help me to make good choices.

Got up this morning about 6:30. I sure hate to be rushed getting bathed and ready for church. Did the 8:15 church service.

Southern Hills is doing a five week series on Holy Passion, the church and sexuality. Today was week two.

The elders say that for years the church was silent or reluctant to discuss the Biblical views on sex and that many young men and women are finding it difficult to transition into a marriage relationship. Its kind of like, it has been taboo and then all the sudden it is o.k..

The two Sundays so far have pretty much prefaced the subject. They say next week they will cover sex and single and same sex attraction.

Phil told a joke this morning, that there was a preacher who was going to let the congregation help teach the lesson. The preacher would say a word and the congregation was supposed to burst into a song related to the word command.

The preacher said "cross", and the congregation began singing The Old Rugged Cross. The preacher said "grace", and the congregation began singing Amazing Grace. The preacher said "power" and the congregation began singing "There is Power in the Blood". The preacher said "sex" and the church was silent. Finally, way in the back an 87 year old woman began singing "Precious Memories"!

Phil told his small group the joke earlier in the week and their response was "Oh Why Not Tonight?"

A little church sex humor. Well, I thought it was funny.

Outside of church, I didn't do a whole lot. I came home and cooked breakfast and waited for Carol to wake up. The afternoon was spent catching up on correspondence while watching NASCAR.

I tell you, my man Jeff Gordon can't buy a break. However his driver for the team he owns, Jimmy Johnson, is making a move to win his six championship in a row!

Jason texted me last night and told me it had rained four and a half inches at the barn and it was still raining.

Now decisions are going to have to be made. Two of Memama's farms have not been plowed, nor has either field of Jason's. I am thinking we may do a flip. What has been plowed prior to the rain may get sprayed and what was sprayed may get plowed.

I may bounce some ideas off Hag.

My plan for tomorrow is to go to the farm tomorrow and finish up the tire mounting on the second forklift and if things go well I will pull the two secondary cylinders to take them to the shop.

I had not walked Friday, due to my "concrete" feet, and I didn't walk Saturday because of the rain. But, the houndgirls and I walked tonight.

I wish I could get as excited about walking as they get.

It sure was humid tonight!

We did fajitas for supper. It was a kit from Sam's. Not bad, but I limited myself to one tortilla. The meat and peppers and onions aren't that bad for dieting. 7o calories per serving, and we didn't do the sour cream or guacamole. No chips, no refried beans, no mexican rice.

I am beginning to think I can really feel a difference since I began the dieting and walking. (At least I have to tell myself that).

About the only drawback I have found is my restless leg syndrome kind of goes crazy and my legs are pretty "dead".

Pat and Memama finished their road trip yesterday. They had spent the last night at the La Quinta in Stephenville. This is the same motel we stayed at when we went to Larissa's graduation. Without a doubt they have the most comfortable beds I have ever experienced at a motel. Pat said she woke Memama up at 10:54 because checkout was at 11:00. I'll debrief them tomorrow.

Hope you had a good weekend!

FATHER, thank YOU for the save trip for Memama and Pat. Thank YOU for YOUR rain blessing. YOU are good.

I have concrete feet!

No I mean my feet have had too much time standing on concrete and they are really mad!

Yesterday I went to the graveside services for Big Billie Arpe. One of the Elders from Roby Church of Christ presided. After Big Billie remarried she attended church in Roby the last five years.

Lots of trips down memory lane since learning of her passing.

Of course, we attended church with her kids for as far back and I can remember. Also, they were the closest neighbors to my grand parents (not employees). They were on the same party line for phone service.

I can remember riding the bus to the Arpe home, that was as close as they got to my grand parents, and sitting in the kitchen with Big Billie as she would do the party line call to my grandmother to let her know she could pick me up. Also many people don't realize that I lived with them for an extended period in 1974 after the fire at my parents house.

Billy and Chuck and myself all had motorcycles and rode together. And of course there was and will always be the "summer resort".

Lots of inner-twining.

I did get to see one of my college roommates at the graveside service. Mike Bailey is married to Brenda who's sister Debra is married to Chuck. (Brenda and Debra are two of the Bailey triplets, the other being Linda). It seems that Mike retired from 3M two and a half years ago due to heart problems and they have moved to a lake home near the Arkansas line.

Mike said he isn't disabled, he is just unemployable. Doctors say he can work twenty minutes if he can lay down for two hours to recuperate. He has had numerous stints and open heart surgery.

In a similar situation is Chuck. Since they moved to Stephenville, we have lost contact, but it seems he suffered a heart attack at 48 which damaged the back wall of his heart. That, along with a heart infection inflicted serious permanent damage. He has been retired for quite some time.

It is kind of odd, because both Chuck and Billy have had heart problems. Woodrow, their Dad did as well and their mother suffered a cardiac arrest leading to her final hospital stay.

One thing that I did learn yesterday is that the third brother Harold died in 1995. Woodrow died in 1987.

For the record, "Big Billie" looked just like I always remember her.

Memama's and Pat's road trip is winding down. Last report I had yesterday was that they were headed to Clifton to watch the Buckaroo's play. They had spent Thursday night in Sinton, visited Terri at the cemetery before going to have lunch with Riley. Returned Austin and met Robyn before heading to the football game.

I had a productive afternoon at the farm shop. One forklift now is sporting new shoes, although I have now removed the primary hydraulic cylinder and taking it to Abilene Hydraulic. This is the cylinder that caused me repeated drives to Coyonosa last year. I talked with Kevin at Abilene Hydraulic and we both agree to go back to a traditional seal with packing rather than a one piece seal we had used last year.

A second forklift is sitting shoeless. I did remove the wheels and dismount the "tong" tires. They proved to be more of a challenge than the regular solid pneumatics.

Now I need to get the new tires mounted and pull both secondary cylinders and take them to the hydraulic shop. One cylinder is fine, but the other has issues. It too is equipped with a one piece seal and it works well until the oil gets heated up. The seal becomes too pliable and "folds", allowing oil to leak by.

Pprobably two hours to mount the new tires on the second machine and an additional hour to pull the cylinders.

On the first machine it will probably take an hour to re-install the primary cylinder.

After that it will just be routine service. Oil, filters, and grease.

A week from Monday the forklifts need to be ready to go to the jobsite.

I'm hoping there is nothing on my radar today except rain!

Have a weekend!

FATHER, I continue to lift the Arpe family for YOUR gifts of comfort and care. Heal their hearts. I continue to lift Pat and Memama for YOUR blessings and safe travel. Reign in me.

O.K., let the records show, my knees have not forgiven me for the four miles walking Tuesday.

I had a friend suggest tonight that I get a bike and rid it sixteen miles. (He says that is the equivalent of four miles walking or running).

It has been a crazy kind of day.

First of all, Memama and Pat are on a road trip. Tonight they are in Sinton to watch Rileyroo play football. They are going to stop by in the morning and visit Terri before heading North to see Robyn and ultimately arrive in Clifton to see Coach's Buckaroos play football.

An interesting sideline to this is that when they left Roscoe, Memama forgot her hearing aids. They asked me to go to her house and get them. They gave me a list of possible locations. After about forty minutes, I was ready to give up when I picked up a bunch of bananas. Who would believe that Memama's bananas wear hearing aids! They dropped out.

I hit the road with the hearing aids, driving to meet Pat and Memama.

My day was sketched to remove and replace drive tires on two forklifts. These are the solid pneumatics. This means they are a pain in the shop to dismount and mount. Over the years I have found if you use a torch and heat the rim, the tires will dismount themselves. Thing is, it is a long process. Probably three hours for each tire from the time you remove it from the machine , dismount the tire, mount the new tire and replace it on the forklift.

Needless to say, I didn't get through today!

Linda had called me and asked me to go to FSA with her. Jason was out of town. It seems that when they were going through some of Fred's things earlier this year they ran across a stack of checks that were never deposited. We were trying to gather info on what to do with the checks because with the foreclosure on Fred's farm and the bankruptcy discharge, there is no debt to apply them to.

Not so says the County Supervisor. However he also said that bankruptcy is in state court and has no jurisdiction on federal issues.

I call BS. Bankruptcy court is Federal.

We gave them some things to gather for us after they asked Linda to gather some info for them.

It's going to be interesting I think.

I left Sweetwater about four thirty. Drove to Abilene, hopped in the tub, out of the tub, shaved, got dressed and drove back to Sweetwater for a visitation at McCoy funeral home.

My friends, Billy and Chuck Arpe, along with their sister Patricia, lost their mother Tuesday. She had been in retirement facility near Weatherford but died in a Granbury hospital Tuesday.

Graveside services are in the morning at Roscoe Cemetery.

Billy, Chuck and I spent part of the evening reminiscing about growing up.

The evening just re-enforced how magical it was to grow up in Roscoe and surrounding area.

So my plan tomorrow is, graveside, barn, Memama's house, and I am toying with the idea of staying over there and going to the Lumberyard to hear Britt Lloyd and his band. Britt is the son of my classmate, David Lloyd.

Shoot, I might even spend the night over there if it gets too late. I'll just have to see.

Hope your day was a good one!

FATHER, I lift up the Arpe family for YOUR gifts of comfort and care I lift up Pat and Memama on their road trip, that YOU would bless them with safe travel. To YOU be the glory!

Wow. Took the three houndgirls at the same time last evening for a two mile jaunt. They were tuckered out. Once again the best walker was Eville and she has the shortest legs.
Woke this morning about five. Messed around for a while before I decided to slip into my walking gear. Did two more miles before seven. Actually did them ten minutes faster without the pups.

One of those days Sunday. Anything that can go wrong did! i can't help but laugh!

I went to replace the parking valves on Memamas Kenworth. My goal was to do a r & r in three hours. Right. After three hours I just had the valves out. I already had the new valve, but found a broken fitting. A quick trip to Corleys for that fitting plus some splicers plus some plastic air line. I was convinced i was going to make it easier to do this repair the next time. Problem was every time i would put the longer lines in the dash they would try to kink. Not good. I kept shortening until only two had additional line. Finally I had it in the dash but before re-assembling the dash decided to check for any air leaks.

About this time my bud K. O. drove up. I asked him to start the truck as I was in the passenger seat. He reached in and turned the key. We were visiting when couldn't hear something I said. He stepped up on the running board and when the truck rocked, it began to roll. The spring brakes on the rear axle were not effective because the tires were not making solid contact with the ground because of the uneven surface. To make matters worse as the truck rolled, the transmission meshed up and dropped into gear.

It was headed forward, right where Pepa's pickup was parked. I was trying to reach across to turn the key off and K.O. was trying to hop in the seat. Finally he made it into the seat and depressed the clutch and the brakes, just as the big truck contacted Pepa's pickup.

Luckily, it was no worse than it was.

After seven and a half hours I drove away from the truck. Bad part is the air leak persists. K.O. thinks it is a brake chamber leaking back through the parking brake.

I stopped by the grocery store on my way home.

Once I was home I slipped into my shorts and sleeveless T-shirt before I put my walking shoes on.

The pups have figured out after four weeks that when I emerge from my bathroom with my shorts and shirt on and sit in my chair, that I am fixing to put my shoes on and hit the streets. Barking, whining, whimpering.

They all jockey for position, hoping to be the first one to get to go.

You can imagine their excitement when I went into the entry way and came back with three leashes.

I took all three together for the first time. For the first mile the two bigger dogs are pulling against their leashes. Eville, the pup stays very neutral. No pressure to speed up or slow down.

I think they went into shock when we hit the second mile and all of them were still on the leash. (Usually I will take each of them for one mile). Before we completed the second mile, Phoodoo was walking behind me and I was was towing her. Brandy would slow down and start backing up and I would bump her in the butt and she would speed up again. Once again Eville stayed very neutral with her leash.

It goes without saying they were very glad when we walked up the driveway at home.

We took delivery today on the new planter. It is pretty impressive. In the next couple of days we will put it in the barn. Gotta do a little house cleaning and get some other peoples crap out of the say!

Hope your day was good!

FATHER, I know You are tired of everyone asking for rain. So I am going to ask YOU to give me patience to wait until YOU are ready for it to rain. You are good.

Wow! Went to see Janet at Massage Therapy Limited yesterday afternoon.

WONDERFUL!

Once again she began with the foot soak, sea salt massage. Then on the table where she began with my feet and the warm stones. Once again she concentrated primarily on my legs and feet, but didn't ignore my back, neck or shoulders. She finished up by putting me on the mat and stretching me out!

Two and a half hours! I asked her what I owed her and she told me the regular $50. Said that by my being the last customer of the week she is able to concentrate on my problem areas and do some experimental combinations of treatments.

She said I am special and as long as I come late on Saturday I will continue to be!

I did pay her some extra!

Went to Sam's from there. Carol was needing pudding, and cigarettes. I needed beef jerky! Of course before I got out of there I had spent $157.

I think that may be the minimum.

Came home, unloaded groceries, built the charcoal pyramid in the pit and began getting ready for Southern Nights!

I arrived there just ahead of the birthday party. Sue pulled off the surprise party for Phyllis because she had no idea!

I enjoy watching people. I also enjoy watching people who are really good dancers. One of those was there last night. His regular dancing partner wasn't in attendance, but that didn't seem to hinder him.

While the party was the two groups blended I seemed to be aligned last night with the other group. I guess you could say I am expanding my boundaries. Danced with the birthday girl. She is a sweetie! A fun night, although I left about eleven.

I got home and Carol had cooked ribeyes. Excellent!

Got up this morning and made 8 o'clock church. Very good song service. Very different lesson. Holy Passion. The first in five weeks of Sunday morning lessons on sexuality. All I'm going to say is it is going to be interesting.

Changed clothes. Headed for Coca Cola warehouse to do some things to Robert's truck. He still has an air leak in the dash and needs a can of freon in the a/c.

Better get!

Have a day!

FATHER, bless my day!

Saturday. A day off. Or at least I'm taking it off. I have things to do, BUT, I don't want to do any of them. Shrubs and trees. Yuk!

My week doesn't seem like I got anything done, but sometimes the little stuff requires attention.

It seems as though my most enjoyable time is when I can just sit on a tractor and drive. I have one more farm that needs some attention, but I am undecided what I want to do.

Originally we had decided to go fifty fifty. Spray half and plow half. The first plowing was with good results. The later plowing has not been as effective. My gut feeling for this last farm is to lay rows off. Of course this would put us about seven months ahead of normal practices. My biggest fear is laying off the rows (more commonly referred to as bedding or listing) and then during the windy spring the sand blowing and filling up the beds.

Also it would be an issue crossing the rows if we wanted to spray. Of course we could always spray with the rows.

We are supposed to take delivery Monday or Tuesday on the new planter. Actually it is new to us. It is a two year old planter. Some of the latest technology. Vacuum system, precision seed placement. Monitor comes with it.

Yesterday Pat and I sat down and did a roughed out budget for the remainder of the year. I have certain things I know Pepa was considering when he "made" a crop. Probably one item of contention between us is that Pat thinks we should flip some of the farm pickups and buy a new one for me to drive. It isn't a really big thing, but we could buy guidance systems or tillage tools in multiples for what a new pickup would cost.

Another tractor is one thing Pepa had been considering. Of course the other argument is that unless I enlist outside help I can only drive one tractor at a time.

I keep re-visiting the possibility of buying a spray rig. I am awaiting an e-mail right now. Until 2010 Pepa had done a turn key agreement with a man that did custom farming. This man would plant, spray and harvest the crop for an agreed price. All of the prep, all of the maintenance after emergence was taken care of by Pepa.

Our biggest goal is to limit tax liability.

We had planned on looking at Memama's situation before the end of the year, but with the '10 crop carried over to '11, then the insurance benefits collected in '11 (we can roll the insurance into '12). But if we chose to liquidate, not only would Memama have had the insurance monies, but the proceeds from liquidating all her equipment.

Bottom line, there is now way she can get out this year! Maybe in another year, although it could be two.

I suppose the most somber thing for me is the realization that at some point I am going to work myself out of a job.

Doesn't sound to smart does it?

But, I wouldn't take for the opportunity and time I have had to spend with Memama, and even with Pepa his final year. I guess GOD was well aware of where he put me, and when he put me there. Things happen for a reason.

Last week Memama's upper oven baking element burned out. Strangest thing I have ever seen. It looked almost like someone was welding on the element, even with the temperature control off. It proceeded halfway around the element in a spiral pattern leaving a molten trail along the way.

I had ordered an element and Tuesday it came in. Luckily I was able to install it without taking the built in unit out of the cabinet. It wasn't without a little excitement, and I did get a little tingle during the process.

I hate electricity. I know enough about it to be scared of it, but I did get a little careless.

Cotton gin cranks up Monday! Gonna be a short year. Probably between a fifth and sixth of what last year was. We are sending the little wildman to handle the "start up". When it gets going he and Robert will handle the bales, seed, and motes. The gin plans on running "days only", six days a week.

The gin north of Abilene that my friend does the hauling for expects to do less than 1/25th of what they did last year.

By the way, the gin at Roscoe had about twenty modules on the yard.

I have a three o'clock appointment with my favorite massage therapist. I'm going in to do the feet and leg treatment, along with a regular massage.

I am planning on going to Southern Nights tonight, at least for a while. There are two groups, the group which I attend with and the Phenix group. The Phenix group has money. Our group has real people. Usually we intermingle, especially when it comes to celebrating birthdays or the Christmas party.

Tonight we are celebrating Phyllis' birthday. I told Carol I would go, just to see Phyllis in her birthday suit! Phyllis has always been very nice to me, having met her when she gave me a card at my birthday party!

This past week has been really tough in diet terms. I have struggled. It seems as though I have been hungry all week. So last night we took the night off from dieting. We didn't just go crazy, but we didn't stick to our program either. I know Carol has probably gotten tired of it! To justify it, I did walk my three miles last evening. (I don't know if the houndgirls would forgive me if we missed walking when I didn't go out).

On my way home last evening I wheeled by to see my friend Jeremy. He was very disappointed in the Rangers opening game.

Oh well.

Have a day and a weekend!

FATHER, help us to make good choices!