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!