I have been filling terrace breaks at Wastella the last two days. It is slow and monotonous. Running in fifth gear about fifteen hundred rpm's, doing circle after circle until the fill is complete, then smooth it out top and bottom side of terrace and move on to the next one.

Ideally you go downhill from the break and retrieve soil that was moved downhill by the water that broke the terrace. Using a box blade you try to conserve as best you can, not getting too much dirt from one spot and causing another problem with the next rain.

You get in a groove, not even thinking about what you are doing.

Today I was in the middle of the field going round and round when I glanced up and saw Pepa's pickup in the water way. Immediately I thought, Pepa is out and about checking on things.

Then I remembered, I parked Pepa's pickup there.

Brain fart!

It was the first time I have done that since we lost him nine months ago.

I lack one terrace on this farm. I will be thrilled when I am done. Of course then I am changing tractors and bringing a plow to plow up terraces and solid plow a few terraces on the side of the chalk hill.

I sure wish Pepa would go there and finish the terrace fills tonight!

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for progress, for completed projects.

Let the record show, I have never been a proponent of parents teaching the driving portion of driver's education. I feel that this is a huge blunder that the state of Texas has made.

I refused to teach Rian, opting instead to pay for him to take his driver's education at a certified school.

The last couple of years, I have been very reluctant to drive a tractor on the shoulder of Highway 84 when I move from farm to farm. I may go more miles, may even zig zag back and forth across Highway 84, but I just haven't been comfortable sharing the roadway with a large green tractor that usually has an implement that is wider than the tractor.

I guess part of this is the "litigation" crazy society we find ourselves living in. There is always a lawyer somewhere looking for that case to put him or her on easy street.

Yesterday, I was moving a tractor from Roscoe to near Wastella. I had asked Pat if she would take me back to my pickup and she agreed, so I told her thirty minutes until I was at the Wastella farm. One thing I didn't factor in is that the tractor I am running the box blade with is like me, old and slow. In order to make the time frame I decided to go straight down Highway 84.

I swear, it is like you turn the warning flashers on and it is an invite for people to see how close they can get to you.

Yesterday's contest was won by a Roscoe Independent School District bus.

Go figure.

If I am guessing, this is the same bus driver who use to fly past the barn running 70 miles per hour.

I spent my day filling terrace breaks. I am hopeful that by lunch tomorrow I will be done!

Next up I am going to plow up the terraces on this farm and where they are very close I plan to mouldboard the entire terrace.

I am kicking around the idea of making a trip to Conroe to see me friend that the FEDs are holding. Rian told me it was a long way for a visit. I told him if they move my friend to Georgia or Florida, it isn't as long as driving to one of those states.

The tractor I am driving filling terraces is a 1976 John Deere 4430, neat thing is that it has a motor I rebuilt! Bad thing is I almost ran out of fuel. This tractor only carries 40 gallons of fuel and on a good day can run eight hours.

Hope your day was a good one!

FATHER, thank YOU for all my talents!

Day 2 of Thanksgiving.

Coach and his crew came to Memama's Friday.

Steve and Jani arrived just after mid morning, followed closely by Kirby. A while later Colby and his family arrived!

(Kelsi was tending to some personal business).

Of course Memama had a spread of Thanksgiving leftovers. There were several hold overs and repeat eaters from Thursday, so lunch was a long grazing event!

Had a good visit with Coach, and his boys! I'll say one thing, Kirby is still growing!

Seeing the bunch of nephews Thursday and Friday kind of made me miss Rian and wish that he could have been there to enjoy his cousins as well.

FYI, Rian and Erica had Thanksgiving at their house. Rian's Mother and sisters, along with parts of Erica's family celebrated the holiday in Shallowater. On Friday Rian had to be at a playoff football game in Midland. (By the way, Shallowater won in double overtime and will play Monahans in Sweetwater next Friday!)

It was good to see Memama "in her element". She loves to have all her chickens in and out of her house. I know there were blue moments for all of us, but Memama is a very remarkable lady.

Friday night Coach, Colby and Kirby were going to the Brownwood Monahans playoff game in Sweetwater (Monahans won), although Coach was also wanting to see the Eastland (from Breckenridge's district) and Wall (who eliminated the Buckaroo's last weekend)too.

I tell you ol' Colby travels in good looking company! Those four red headed girls of his are really pretty! I told him he was going to have to lock them up in a few years!

Memama and I were talking to the three oldest of Colby's girls and explaining that Memama was my Mom and I was her baby boy, and that their Pops was my brother. Lots of head shaking and looking at each other. I think they buy that Santa story better than they believed me and Memama!

Memama was going to Brody and Jalin's second birthday party, so she took the three oldest of Colby's girls along with their Mother and Gran! (November is a big birthday month in our family, Lindsay, Jeanetta, Hag, the Twins, and Jake is Sunday (??). Happy Birthday guys!).

Coach and the guys were watching LSU Arkansas at Memama's house.

I sure did want to see the Razorbacks win! They may be my favorite SEC team. I sure don't like Les or Nick.

It is kind of different to watch a ball game with Coach and Colby and Kirby. Of course Kirby knows many of the guys, but they all are "up" on what is going on. Watching the reads, predicting play calls, and countering with defensive alignments!

Coach told me he didn't feel there was any team in the Big 12 that can play consistently with the SEC elite at this time. I told him that Texas is coming.

Speaking of Texas, great victory over the Aggies!

Don't know what the Aggie's problem is in finishing a ball game, but I expect them to have growing pains much like Arkansas did when they moved to the SEC. I think it will be a long growing process before and if the Aggie's play with the upper echelon of that conference (very similar to their plight in the Big 12).

When I had arrived Friday morning at Memama's, I put jumper cables the 4430 with the box blade at her house. I'm not sure exactly what it is about Pepa's pickup, but when boosting or jump starting something you have to monitor it regularly, otherwise the pickup will give it all to what you are trying to start.

Yesterday I repeatedly caught Pepa's pickup so low on voltage that the instrument cluster would quit. Tachometer, amp, temp, oil pressure gauges would all bottom out. I would have to disconnect the booster cables to allow the pickup to keep running and recharge its own battery.

Finally Coach brought his diesel pickup around and after a while we got the tractor started.

I decided to take it to Wastella where I have the most terrace work to do, but when I began to head that way the tractor developed a fuel problem. I did pick up fuel filters to put on it, possibly today.

I hadn't really planned on it, but I may have to go to the farm today. Possible issue with sand blowing. Jason usually is around on weekends if I don't drive over, and either he will handle a problem or call if I need to. But, he is covering his bale haul at Coyonosa gin this week, as his regular driver is off for Thanksgiving and a new grandbaby!

So, I will probably go to Roscoe, get the 4430 going and move it to Wastella and possibly start filling some terrace breaks, but more importantly be close if the sand does blow. Forescast calls for 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts to 40.

Yuk!

BTW, don't look for Rian next weekend at the Shallowater Monahans playoff game in Sweetwater. A long time ago, he took a personal day for next Friday and he and Erica are going to Dallas for a little R & R, AND Erica is running in her first half marathon! She has been training for quite some time!

See Erica run? Run Erica run!

Go girl!

Hope you have a good weekend!

FATHER, so much to be thankful for! Thank YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Now that was a pretty good day!

Our home has had the smells of Thanksgiving nearly all week long. Carol and I had different Thanksgiving agendas. I was going to my Mom's, she was going to Tracy's.

Monday she began cooking pieces of her Thanksgiving meal. She had made a plan and put it in motion.

This year at my Mom's we spread the meal across the family. On a Sunday after lunch a menu and duty roster was put into place. I ended up being responsible for a spiral ham, candied sweet potatoes, and a broccoli cauliflower and dried cranberry salad.

On Tuesday evening I cut and sliced and diced and built my salad. Whew! Three crowns of broccoli, one crown of cauliflower, a large red onion, yellow and orange bell pepper, mozzarella cheese, dried cranberries, bacon bits and a dressing made with mayo, red wine vinegar and Truvia sugar substitute.

I sealed the salad and put it in the refrigerator to chill.

Today I woke about six and hopped from bed serious about making my assigned candied sweet potatoes. I had looked at recipes all week long. I finally decided on one that called for fresh sweet potatoes, chopped pecans, butter, dark brown sugar, and Kahlua coffee flavored liqueur. It also called for a final step of marshmallows for topping.

I loaded the rotisserie and my spiral ham in the pickup, followed by the candied sweet potatoes and then the salad.

I arrived at Memama's just after noon, and the only people there were Stephanie and Chloe.

Gradually the house began filling with people and food, along with the smells of Thanksgiving!

Actually things went well. A very good meal!

I like to cook. Especially holiday meals. Of course the biggest meal we ever did was at the seasonal jobsite when we cooked for all of our people, the other contractor's crews and the coop. 150 people in all. Of course we did it with a group of about seven.

Lots of work, but very fulfilling. It was always interesting to me as roles were reversed and bosses became servers. But a very appreciative group.

Hope your day was a good one!

FATHER, thank YOU for all our blessings!

Couple of updates!

My parts shipped Friday almost two weeks ago showed up at my house. Talk about cluster. The shipper had put part of the drop ship address in Roscoe and then Abilene and the Abilene zip code.

No wonder the UPS man fizzed.

And, my friend who had been incarcerated at Lamesa in the TDCJ system and released to the Feds and held in the Corley detention unit in Conroe, is now showing in transit. After almost three months, he is finally being moved to a Federal facility. Don't know where or when. I keep checking the FBOP website.

A very powerful afternoon.

Sixteen family member were in Judge Harrison's court room this afternoon. The final step of bringing a little family together legally.

As of this afternoon, Jason legally became Devon and Dillon's Dad.

For ten and a half years he has been the Dad, role model, but today Judge Harrison signed the orders and made it official.

I am so proud of Jason and I know his Dad would be as well, for stepping up and filling a void, and mentoring and being an example.

I am equally proud for Devon and Dillon. It was very moving to listen to their testimony telling the judge this is what they wanted and they wanted their names changed legally to Freeman.

And of course for Christy, it completes the circle.

A long journey, fueled by love, duty and a sense of what is right.

Congratulations guys!

FATHER, thank YOU for life experiences. For when we see acts of Jesus. I ask YOUR blessings on Jason and Christy and their family!

Another week for the books.

My previous week had ended with a search and order for forklift parts. They were shipped from California standard overnight, which meant I would have them on Monday.

All day Monday I repeatedly checked the front door at Memama's house. No package. After lunch I called my parts guy and made an inquiry. "Let's give it to the end of day", he said.

At the end of day he called me back and said, "You have your parts!"

No I explained. I don't have my parts. He assured me I had taken delivery. I assured him I had not. He told me he had confirmation from UPS. I told him wanted the tracking number because something was bad wrong.

Finally I got an e-mail from UPS that divulged the problem. There was a notation on the status that the driver discovered multiple errors on the shipping label which he corrected and delivered the package to the corrected address. That address being between Putnam and Moran, Texas. I don't know about you but that is a fair distance from Roscoe, Texas.

I called UPS Customer Service and lodged a complaint, whereupon I received a half ass apology and a standard statement that said as receiver there was nothing I could do to remedy the situation. I needed to contact the shipper and let them work it.

I called my parts man and directed him where to look and asked him to begin the process. Finally he saw what I had seen on Monday evening and he began the process. Thankfully he re-shipped my parts, but not to Memama's address, which UPS says does not and never has existed (even though they have delivered there in the past). I gave them the parts store address instead.

On Wednesday at 2:46pm I received my parts. I argued with myself, whether I had time to drive to Coyonosa and make the repair before dark. I finally decided the window was just too small and opted for a Thursday trip.

During the night Wednesday, I woke to an ink black room. I thought that a little odd and rolled over to look at the clock. No clock. No electricity in the bedroom. I grabbed my phone and activated the flashlight application. The little redhead hopped out of bed and we made a trek through the house. No electricity. I made a trek to the back porch and looked across the neighborhood. No lights. I went out the front door, no electricity, BUT AEP service trucks were on the scene.

I decided to lay back down, and had a fitful night tossing and turning and hearing the occasional voices as repairman made their way through the back yards of the neighborhood.

I finally dozed off, not to far in advance of the time I had intended to make my departure.

So my day started late after I had overslept.

I set my cruise control and gave myself a pep talk to not fiz. Just keep a steady pace and not go hells bells. The near two hundred and fifty miles passed at a snails pace. I made three stops in route. One for additional supplies, one for a rest stop and snacks and diet coke, and a final stop at Walmart in Midland.

I arrived at the forklifts just after noon. I began the R & R process. In about thirty minutes I had the primary cylinder hydraulic ram on the tailgate of my pickup. Close scrutiny revealed a flaw in the seal. True to my diagnosis in September, the one piece seals are not going to live. The edges are too thin and after a little wear they become thin and flexible and fold under, allowing hydraulic oil to leak by.

The seals I had ordered were conventional seals with a packing and I was very pleased with how well the cylinder repair went.

After the cylinder repair, I began checking brakes and fluids, making necessary additions and adjustments.

Finally after three o'clock I put all my tools away and hit the road from Coyonosa to Monahans. From there I cut up to Kermit, then across to Andrews, up to Seminole and Seagraves where I turned East to Loop. I arrived there not too long before dark, totally unannounced.

I had a good visit with the girl in the office as well as the Gin Manager. When the Manager left to make final preparations for a board of directors meeting, I grabbed a cup of coffee and went to the South end of the gin where my truckers work.

During my visit in the office the little wild man truck driver had come in and changed trailers and left again. I called his cell phone and he told me he was almost home. And that was before 7 pm.

Earlier in the week this driver had called K.O. complaining that they were exhausted.

This driver and I go way back, and I have developed a sense of reading between the lines. It isn't what this man says, but how he says it. The words and manner may not deliver the same message.

I had been doing some due diligence and he had gone home Sunday night about six fifteen. Worked until 9 on Monday. Went home at seven-thirty Tuesday, was already home at eight on Wednesday and then the Thursday departure prior to dark.


Robert, the other truck driver made another run Thursday night as I saw him come through Brownfield.

I checked into a motel in Brownfield, picking something up to just eat at the room.

Friday morning I woke at six, was out of the room before seven, picked up three dozen donuts and headed for the gin at Loop.

A little baked goods do much good. Some went in the office, some went to the gin crew.

The manager and I picked up our visit from the previous night. I really enjoyed the visit and feel that we covered some needed topics and exchanged lots of information.

This is a delicate situation because K.O. is somewhat paranoid anyway. Last year he had told me if someone needed to talk to the Manager it would be him. For whatever reason he is very threatened. Needlessly I would add.

K.O. and I had talked several years ago when he first bid this gin. In fact he bid it with reservations about if he could meet the equipment needs. We had a gentleman's agreement that between the two of us we could handle the gin job. (Actually we had bid Bishop, Central Rolling Plains, and Loop in the same year. We received the contracts for Loop and Bishop, while K.O. was under contract at Anson and I was under contract at St. Lawrence with existing gin jobs.)

On Friday morning about 8:30 the little wild man arrived at the gin. Robert arrived just before 10.

Four seed blocks on the books in the next five days. Off for Thanksgiving. I felt good enough to turn my attention to other things.

I left the gin and headed for Brownfield. I had two stops. One was a visit with Doug at Terry County Tractor about the Spray Coupe Memama purchased a while back and also a stop at T-3 forklift.

Turned out the visit with Doug expanded to cover a QX2 field cultivator, which I was very impressed with. Everything that is except the price. Lord have mercy! Over $1500 per foot of width.

The T-3 visit was a dry run. They are in the process of going out of business and this is probably the reason. It is very seldom I have ever found anyone there.

I was headed for Lubbock when a phone called negated the need. I turned the pickup east for Tahoka and Post.

I actually returned to Roscoe in time to do some stuff around the farm. Jason and I made a quick trek around one of the farms as he returned me to my pickup. (I had picked up the 8310 from the guidance shop and taken it to the farm).

A busy couple of days.

Let's have a weekend.

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe travel. I continue to ask that you help us to make good decisions.

Rian called me earlier in the week to tell me he and the older boys were going deer hunting this weekend. In fact they took the travel trailer to Roaring Springs Thursday evening.

The had a full Friday planned. School, football playoff game in Amarillo, then the trek to the travel trailer.

Rian had called me while they were enroute to Amarillo, just to visit. He told me that Mr. Warren told him if he was at the Big Texan Steakhouse by 5:45 he would buy his supper.

Rian appeared to be on schedule to make that deadline.

The Shallowater 'Stangs got 'er done, advancing to the next step in the playoffs.

Rian had texted me during the night to tell me the game result.

Saturday Rian called me and recounted their hunting experience. Actually they didn't hunt too hard as they didn't get up early to be in the deer blind at sun up. He said the boys opted to sleep in.

Rian told me of their trip from Amarillo to the Springs. He said they came down I-27 to Plainview and then began cutting cross country. Between Plainview and Lockney he noticed a mid eighties year model Cadillac sitting in the ditch, no lights, no hazard lights flashing. A little way down the road Rian observed a man wearing a sweatshirt, no jacket, and carrying something in a sack walking down the side of the road. Rian asked the boys, what do you think we should do? Should we pick the man up?

The boys responded, Yes!

Rian hit the median and did a u-turn, returned to where the man was and repeated the u-turn. During the brief time lapse Rian slipped his nine millimeter pistol from the door pocket, into his lap and covered it with his jacket. When he pulled beside the man he cracked the window and asked the man if he was having trouble. Yes, came the reply. "My car broke down."

Rian inquired about what the man was carrying. The man replied, "A playstation. I was afraid someone might steal it." And he gave Rian a glimpse.

Rian asked where the man was going and the man told him he was four miles from his home. Rian told him if he needed a ride to hop in.

The man accepted and began getting in. The pickup was packed for the trip. Gun cases, ammo, hunting gear. The man looked at his surroundings apprehensively.

When they had gone only a half mile or so, Holt told the man, "It's a good thing you are a good guy, otherwise my Dad would have to shoot you with his pistol he has in his lap under his jacket. The man assured Holt he was a good guy, and told Rian, "Just let me out here!"

Rian told him "No, let us take you to your house".

During the remainder of the ride Reid told the man, "We picked you up because we are Christians!"

I am sure when the gentleman exited the pickup he was grateful to escape with his life and his religion.

Its not every day you get rescued by gun tote-ing Christians!

Now that was a crazy week. A tarp issue on a seed trailer. The shop told me if I had the old tarp to them by one on Monday they would have the new tarp ready by close of business Tuesday. The tarp was ready at four-thirty Friday. (Which meant I got to work yesterday putting it on!). Earlier this Fall I had taken several forklift cylinders to the hydraulic shop to be repaired. One of these failed Thursday. I decided I wanted to go back to a conventional seal kit which was a trick because my forklift guy went out of business. I was very disappointed in my hydraulic man because for the first time in about four years he acted as though he didn't give a hoot I was having an issue. (This really bothered me). I ended up ordering parts from a business in Dallas. They should be drop shipped to Roscoe Monday. So either Monday or Tuesday I have to make a trek to Coyonosa!

Did the 8 am. church this morning. I've got a few errands later in the day.

Hope you have had a good weekend!

FATHER, thank YOU for good days. Help us to appreciate the good ones when we have trying days!

I had signed up to attend a Worship Ministry Retreat November 5, 2011 from 9-3. Lunch was provided.

I had made a deal with the devil. A friend is a photographer so I told the friend I would sign up to attend the worship retreat if they would sign up to help with church directory pictures.

I did and they didn't.

If the photographer opportunity is as fulfilling as the worship ministry, their failure to sign up is a mistake.

When we signed up we were greeted with a return e-mail and a link to download sheet music and MP4 files of the music we were looking to learn. I printed out about twenty pages of sheet music.

I would estimate there were about 75 people attending the retreat.

Immediately we were divided into the the four part harmony groups. Bass, tenor, alto and soprano.

Part of the purpose of the worship retreat is to add to the "pool" of praise team members to draw from, to have available the numbers to increase the praise team from four to eight, when deemed desirable, and also to form a choir for some up coming events.

Lots of basses and altos. A fair number of sopranos, and only a few tenors.

I would make a note to say that two of the attendees were former members of the group Acapella. So we had some quality!

Brian, the worship minister, knew exactly what he wanted and did a good job of teaching it. During the course of the day we would turn the arch to the center and the two halves sing to each other. Very impressive. It can almost stand the hair on your neck on end.

At lunch I sat at a table with three of the Elders. Ed Emerson, Eddie Chrane, and Mark Viertel. Near the end of lunch Brian Randolph (the worship minister)came and sat with us. It was a very enjoyable lunch. It is amazing how small the world can be. All three Elders and I had ties somewhere in our past. (Of course I roomed with another elder there at Southern Hills when I was at ACU).

Earlier we had to write down two truths and a lie on a 3 x 5 card with our name on the reverse side.

For my lie I wrote down that a friend encouraged me to attend the worship ministry retreat and they were in attendance too!

At lunch the elders and Brian were laughing about my friend. When Brian sat down I explained that my friend loved him and his leading the worship at Southern Hills, but I had texted my friend with good news and bad news.

The good news was the elders had fired Brian as worship minister and elected me to replace him. The bad news was my friend was now the featured singer for Sunday's worship.

We all had a good laugh!

Lunch was catered by The Olive Garden. I think we may have had a few more mouths than expected or else Olive Garden cut it a little close. We made it though!

I will say that after eating the meal we lost some more sopranos. (I had a distinct feeling that some of them were taking naps in closed class rooms).

To be honest, it was a very enjoyable day and I would do it again!

Many of these people floor you with the immense talent and confidence they possess.

Thing is, I can sing with these people too!

Before leaving we had to turn in sheets about ourselves and what we would be willing to do in this ministry. The last thing they asked was for us to put down was a yes or no for funeral singers. (I drew the line at wedding singer).

They intend to add additional praise teams, but also want a list to draw from in emergency situations. They are fixing to begin using a worship planner software and we will receive an e-mail asking us if we are available for certain dates and services. We will also be able to block out any dates we know we will be gone.

I think they are going to try to have these retreats on a regular basis to teach new music. Also if your praise team is up, they are planning on having rehearsals for Wednesday and Sunday Services.

This morning they had a four person praise team. Three of the four they used to a large degree yesterday!

Phil was out of town today so Stephen subbed.

I had told myself I was going to begin the Starting Point series today but my foot hurt so bad and we had a twenty minute break from church to class. I slipped out the door and home.

Hope your weekend was a good one!

I went to the group Halloween party Saturday night! It was a blast! As you can see I went as a Priest! Little did I know that Sue, from the other group, was attending as a pregnant Nun! It was a hoot!

When I first arrived at Southern Nights, a girl dressed as a Leprechaun told me, "I like your outfit."

"What outfit?", I said.

"Your costume!", she replied.

"What costume?", I asked!

She began to laugh! She told me her boyfriend was Catholic and when I walked in, he said if this guy is a real priest he will go straight to the bar, if he is dressed up as a priest he will sit down.

One thing about it, I was authentic!

I had one couple come to me asking me to marry them. I told them I would love to but I was already married!

I had taken a Fed EX envelope, stripped off the plastic and spray painted it white. I would place it on my head like the Pope's hat and bless the crowd.

For my final act I took a six foot piece of rope from my bag and threw it on the floor and stood on it while wearing my Papal hat. "What am I now?", I asked.

"Pope on a rope!" was my answer!

We had the Fonz, a gypsy, saloon girls, Little Red Robin, Rodeo Clowns, clowns, Pirates, Santa, a cat, Indiana Jones, Wild Bill, Pochantas and Popeye, just to mention a few!

It was funny and fun!

I spent most of my Saturday looking for my costume. One thing about it, it was not fake, it was the real deal. Ended up getting it from the Christian Life Bookstore!

I had began working up a "Porta Confessional but didn't get it finished to take with me.

It would have gone something like this.

"Bless you my child. How long since your last confession?"

After listening, I would give them their penance. "Say 10 George Straits!" Or give me three waltz across Texas!

I really wanted to cut a "peep hole" through the veil!

What would have been a real hoot would have been to wear my shirt and collar to Southern Hills Sunday morning.

Maybe launch a hostile takeover!

On a different note I responded to an invitation to attend the worship ministry retreat at Southern Hills this coming Saturday!

This was one part of a challenge a friend and I have!