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.