Very tense day, just making the time frame.

As you can tell, it is the bewitching hour and I am awake! Yuk!

My day began at the tire store, buying a tire for Memama's truck. This culminated a project I began last week. I am trying a new tire.

Pepa had been running Firestone 590 steer tires on the big Kenworth. These are a premium steer tire, but they have become very expensive. $500+ dollars per each. In the past six months they have gone up over a hundred dollars. (The pricing includes mount and balance but no tire disposal). Just a short while before Pepa died he had a bells and whistles three axle alignment on this truck. $4200. Yet the truck continues to knock the inside edge off of the steer tires between 50K and 80K miles. We could probably live with the 80K, but 50K is unacceptable.

Industry experts have said the tire wear is due to the set back axles on the newer trucks. Thing is, this truck is an extended hood with the conventional axle placement and it is far from new.

Recently I put a GT tire on one of our trucks steer axle (it is a set back axle) and have been very impressed. This tire is an import and runs at least a hundred dollars cheaper.

I guess I am doing research and development because I put a Double Coin steer tire on Memama's truck. This tire is a Chinese import and does possess an impressive casing warranty. Time will tell. (It is interesting the owner of the tire chain's son is a representative for this tire). I had never heard of this tire until last week.

After the tire store, I hit the road westbound talking on the phone, doing due diligence on some of Memama's other projects. We had an odd occurrence with one employee who received one check before electing to be a contractor. So there was one pay check with withholding and SS/medicare/medicaid deducted. My question was if we put all the monies paid on a 1099, do we have to match the SS/Medicare/medicaid amount. Her accountant's answer was to refund the withheld taxes and put the gross wages on the 1099. Simple enough.

Then it was the estate appraiser's turn for a call.

Next was a landlord's return call.

Finally I made it by the bank, by the post office and to the farm.

I have been wanting to put the duals on the 8310 tractor but have been reluctant because it is easier with two people.

As luck would have it, when the duals were put away, they were put away from the wrong side of the tire and wheel. When I picked the dual up with the forklift I was on the side that attaches to the tractor. With two people, you would get it out, one person would simply hold the tire and wheel upright and the other would drive the forklift around to the other side and pick it up again. Then once you lifted the tire and wheel where it was on the "ring" of the hub one person would hold the tire and wheel in while the other would align the holes for the bolts and begin bolting the tire and wheel on. Grab the air impact, run the bolts up and move to the other side.

It is much more complex with a single person. Just getting the tire and wheel turned is very physical while getting the tire up and aligned for bolts is almost an act of GOD.

The first dual went pretty well. Especially compared to the last one. When I finished the first dual installation I hopped on the forklift to retrieve the last dual and promptly ran out of diesel. A quick look revealed five minutes before lunch. I hooked a fuel tank to my pickup and headed to town.

After a quick lunch I filled the fuel tank and returned to the farm. As the forklift was fueling I primed the fuel system and when finished, the forklift started very easily. I grabbed the last dual and began maneuvering it to pick it up from the proper side. Finally I lifted the tire up to the hub. Then a wrestling match began with me finally getting one bolt started, but with the wheel coming off the hub ring. After fighting with it a while I realized I was out of time for my next duty and killed the forklift and hit the road again.

Last week I had made Memama an appointment with a hearing aid company. We had received an offer of a free test and assessment and a special price for a set of basic hearing aids.

When I arrived at Memama's house, we had forty-one minutes to go from Roscoe to Abilene for her appointment.

For those of you that know me, you know I love a challenge.

For those of you who use to know me, I don't like driving fast as I once did.

But we made it, possibly a minute or two late. As luck would have it, we waited forty-five minutes for our three o'clock appointment.

The hearing test was very interesting. I think Memama's hearing aids are six years old, although the technician thinks they are eight. Either way, there have been lots of technology improvements.

The technician was excellent. Very personable, excellent retention and name recognition/recall.

After a physical inspection of her ears and a cleaning of wax and dead skin, the technician put Memama in the booth and began the test.

Pretty interesting. Much more intense than when I was in school and was asked to hold up a finger when I heard the tone.

They did the base test and then added back ground noise. Later they began asking her to repeat words and zeroed in on specific sounds that cause problems. Ch, sch, st, v and f sounds seem to be an added problem.

When they finished the test Memama came from the booth and they began the assessment. Memama needs more than just amplification.

Good news is that they can program specific sounds to be enhanced with the new technology. BUT, these are not your base hearing aids (or the one's on special).

They did not recommend the most expensive hearing aids, rather a middle of the road. Multiple microphone pick ups, programmable with voice discernment and noise limiters. (This is my version of the technology).

These are about $2000 cheaper than what Memama bought six or eight years ago, but much better hearing aids.

They have a 100% money back guarantee. If these are not better, and if they do not do what they say they will do, or even if she doesn't like the color of them, she can return them no questions asked and receive a full refund. Two year warranty if she keeps them, and no charge for services related to them for the rest of her life.

They say these will be the last hearing aids she will ever need.

Call me crazy, but when Memama asked me what I thought she should do, I told her to buy them. I don't know for how much longer we will have her with us, but for the life of me I cannot see depriving her of any quality of life we can provide her.

Two weeks and the new hearing aids will be in, then she will begin a forty-five day rehabilitation of her hearing and they will "fine tune" her ear computers!

I am excited for her!

Best part was, no money due today!

My friend went to Dallas to have an initial consultation for lasik eye surgery. She is wanting to have mono-vision. One eye dominate for distance, the other dominate for close. They told her she was an excellent candidate and she scheduled her surgery the end of this week. (Provided her husband is not hospitalized again with complications from his appendectomy about three weeks ago. He now has an abscess they are draining).

When my friend texted me with the consult results, I told her I had come up with a promo for her eye doctor. "Four Eyes!" Bring a friend! or "Four for the price of three!" (For those who know me, I always refer to someone being shocked and looking at me like I had grown a third eye!).

Oh well, I thought the "Four Eyes" was cute.

Today my day begins with the hearing aid shop for Memama's old hearing aids. Then the truck shop to drop off rocker assemblies and cam shaft. Then meet a truck driver. Then the County Clerk's office for some research and finally at two, a meeting with Memama's attorney.

Whew.

And in my spare time I hope to get the last dual put on the tractor properly.

Have a day.

FATHER, thank YOU for seeing me through a busy day. I ask the same for my day today. Thank YOU for giving me the opportunity to spend time and do things with and for Memama. Help me to make good choices. May all we do bring glory to YOU!

My sleep habits are re-emerging. Dang the luck. It seems I am awake every morning at least by three. Yuk. By mid afternoon, I am a spent puppy.

This morning I have been doing some research on the North American Prospect Expo next month. They advertise, "Billions of dollars looking for a deal!" I am kind of watching this because if the black shale is as hot as they say it is, this could be the first domino played or tripped. After that, it could get interesting. At this expo, oil and gas prospect leases are grouped and traded.

I have also been doing some research on the black shale formation. They say they have known for years that it held vast oil reserves, but due to the fragile soil structure technology had not been available to extract it. Even now, they are saying that only 12% of what is underground is recoverable.

The plan is for multiple wells drilled from a common site. As soon as the drill stem goes into the ground they will begin turning it to achieve full horizontal status by a depth of seven thousand feet. After reaching full horizontal, the wells should have a 1000' pay length. They may drill 180 degrees around for the second well or they may choose to space as many as five holes around the 360 degree pad center.

I don't know why, but this entire project is very intriguing.

I did the early church service and went and picked up breakfast burritos before returning home. There was a guest preacher as Phil was in Thailand.

Shortly after mid afternoon, I began getting out pots and pans to cook beef tips on rice with egg rolls. Carol had done the prep Saturday night before we decided to just snack for supper.

Her prep work simplified Sunday lunch or supper. It had probably been five or six months since we had fixed this. This is and always has been a favorite of mine, although it is always a challenge to not get it too spicey. It was pretty good if I say so myself.

A large portion of my afternoon was spent corresponding with my incarcerated friend. He continues to be remanded to the Grady County Jail in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The Federal Detention Center in Oklahoma City must still be at capacity.

On Friday my friend tried to call me. However, we had exhausted the funds on the pre-paid phone account. We had discussed it a week ago and decided not to add additional funds until we saw if he was moved this past week. When I got the call, I immediately made plans and added more funds to the account. Then he didn't call back Saturday or Sunday.

I think I have an idea how frustrated he must be with the Federal system. He still is awaiting intake and assignment and no one can tell him when his release date is.
We are hoping this works out for the good. Down side is that from past record of the Fed's, they refused to give him credit for time served in their custody for five or six months. Now he has been in their system again since September 2, 2011 and has not gone through intake and assignment. It took three months just for him to show up in the Fed's system.

Has anyone had carpel tunnel? My left wrist has really been bothering me and for the life of me I can't remember injuring it. On the keyboard is when it is at its worst! Ouch!

I began looking at flights to Seattle during my awake time tonight. We are barely in the window for booking flights there for Shelby and Larissa's wedding. I am trying to decide on dates out and back and I guess I need to visit with Memama and Pat to get a number. I guess I also need to talk with Rian because at one point I think Shelby and Larissa had talked with him about performing the ceremony. Last I heard he was checking on credentials for the state of Washington. If I remember correctly we would fly Lubbock to Albuquerque to Seattle and then either drive three hours to Lake Chelan or take Alaska Air for an hour flight followed by an hour drive.

I think you can throw a rock and hit Canada from where we are going.

The last time I did this flight from Lubbock to Seattle, Fred and I were going to Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada to meet with the crooks about their lies and deception.

It is a hard trip out, but for me, coming back is a real train wreck. One return flight shows leaving at 6:45 in the morning and arriving in Lubbock at 6:00 in the evening. Of course after the flight we would have a two hour trip to Roscoe and I would have another hour to Abilene.

My preliminary searches have been for flights out on the fourteenth and back on the seventeenth.

We are going to have to plan our farming in advance. We will plant prior to June 16th. Of course the insurance planting deadline is the 20th.

I feel much better about getting the crop in when we want it in since Memama acquired her own planter last year. We may plant very early (May) if moisture permits, or we may dry plant if we don't have moisture and hope it gets rained up.

I have one friend who begins in early May and barely covers the seed, planning on a planting shower to get it up. Also planting early is a lot more leisurely. I have always thought we should only plant in a day what we can harvest in a day. Worst part about planting early is that it could mean needing to defoliate instead of waiting for frost to kill the crop for harvest.

Of course I immediately think of Adolph Sasin and his almanac. He believed in planting by the signs. He might plant one day and not plant for the next several days until the signs were right. Gon Gon used to plant hay and grazing crops by the signs after consulting with Adolph.

Very jealous. A friend is in Dallas for initial consultation for lasik eye surgery.

One of these days!

Well, it is getting close enough to morning to begin my day.

Have one!

FATHER, thank you for all YOUR blessings!

This is the farm's new acquisition. A Wilrich DCIII disc cultivator. 8 degree disc, field cultivator spring shanks with small sweeps, spring tooth harrow, and rolling packer cages. This will be what we use for our light plowing and seed bed preparation.

Pepa had purchased a plow a few years ago, a Wishek offset with 28" discs. The offset is an excellent piece of equipment and probably one of Pepa's best purchases. The disc cultivator is built by the same company, and I am expecting the same results and quality.

We had a big forty shank Sunflower hoeme plow that we have not used in three years. In fact, we no longer have a tractor that could effectively pull the mammoth plow. I had visited with Pepa's estate appraiser about what a limited market this plow fit into.

On Wednesday, when the dealer brought spray nozzles and nozzle bodies, he looked at and took pictures of the big plow. He asked me what I would like trade in value and I gave him a number. Yesterday he called me and agreed to meet my number, in a few minutes we had a tentative deal. I cleared it by Memama, Pat and Hag, and late yesterday I called the dealer and told him we had a deal.

I told him we were not in a great big hurry for the plow but I would send him his money this next week. By the way, the price was delivered to the barn in Roscoe.

You'll have to forgive a farm boy, but I am excited.

More and more of the farming practices seem to lean towards combining passes, less aggressive and obtrusive implements, conserving diesel ($$$$), less labor, and doing more with chemicals.

I was late yesterday arriving at a cooperative meeting. For whatever reason I thought it began at 11. It began at 10:30. I would have been late had it began at 11. They were having a gripe session about what needed changing at the coop and what we liked. They also had John Fox from the classing office (for cotton grades) address module averaging for grades. They also had Josh Helm feed us rib eye steaks! Yum!

I enjoyed visiting with some of the people in attendance. Some interesting conversations.

I was asked the question if I am enjoying being back on the farm. Of course I left the farm in 1994 out of necessity and went into the trucking business to help an over loaded Memama.

The farm I returned to in 2010 was not the same farm I left. Equipment improvements, gps guidance, chemicals, genetically altered seed. It is a whole new ball game.

But, after discussing changes, my response was "Yes, I have enjoyed being on the farm". I guess through my ties to Gon Gon, it was and always be my first love. Something about the smell of fresh plowed ground, the smell of a rain, a oneness with nature. I would love to have a few cows, but don't think that is a good idea living in Abilene. Nothing like missing a Mother cow and walking the pasture and finding a newborn calf. Nothing like bringing a crop from a bag of seed to a cash crop and taking it to the bank.

It is a way of life.

Others may make more money, may have more possessions, but they haven't really lived.

My only reservations are concerning Memama's financial well-being. I have gambled with my own livelihood, but I don't like doing it with hers.

I often think to Memama's childhood and their move to Roscoe. Gon Gon and Aunt Jo driving the tractor, Memaw, Memama, Robbie and Betsy working in the field, the trailer they rode to the field on sitting on the turn row and Wade as a small child playing and laying in its shade.

Of course this is when Memama honed her culinary skills as she would be sent walking to the house an hour before quitting time to prepare food for the rest of the family.

The farm Gon Gon purchased for $35 an acre was paid for in three years. Ultra conservative, he could have acquired much more, he chose not to.

It is also very difficult to believe that there is talk of oil and gas leases going for what land was selling for just a few years ago.

I talked to a friend yesterday who is involved in the oil business. He is not from around Roscoe, but he had heard of the Black Shale formation and called me. He said his son who is a directional drilling specialist has already been told to prepare to relocate to our area, probably for the remainder of his career. He summed it up by saying, "The black shale reserve is being called the oil boom of this century".

He said the only thing he sees to prevent or slow down the development of this resource is if the mid east suppresses oil prices to sub fifty dollar pricing.

Who knows?

Have a weekend!

FATHER, thank YOU for all YOUR blessings. I pray that this new possibility for my family and friends will come to reality. YOU are in control. Reveal YOUR plan for us.

Rain blessing.

What a wonderful winter rain. In Abilene it rained all night Tuesday, very slow, very steady. When I returned Wednesday evening it was still raining.

At the farm, it had not rained as much as in Abilene, but by afternoon it was a very steady rain. When I left the farm, where I had mouldboarded Tuesday evening was standing water.

Yesterday morning there was eight tenths in the rain gauge and I feel it rained that much plus some again by end of day.

My man from Brownfield came yesterday. He delivered nozzles and nozzle bodies for the sprayer and he looked at and took pictures of the big 40 shank sunflower plow I am wanting to trade him. We established some parameters that I would like to meet.

The plow I would like to purchase for the farm is Wilrich DCIII disc cultivator, 30' 9" in width. It is a combination disc, field cultivator, harrow with packers. If it is anything close to what I anticipate it to be, it will be very good. This plow is built by the same people that build the Wishek offset plows. Very heavy duty.

I had been battling with which plow I wanted, the one above or a 28' model. My mind was made up for me when Doug arrived and told me he had sold the twenty-eight footer to someone in Michigan.

One thing the internet has done is open lots of markets up.

A development I didn't like is that there is now a six month wait for manufacture if the plow is not in dealer stock. The one I want is in stock, at the dealer I am dealing with.

While this is not as large a span as the harrow of Brent's we have used in the past, it will plow and clean. The harrow does a good job of smoothing and leveling but is not effective on weeds. I think this plow will be a better all around tool.

On my way to the attorney's office yesterday, I received a phone call from the local land man on the oil leases. He told me to mark through the dollar amount and increase it fifty dollars. Crazy.

Hag had a meeting with an acquaintance that has come in with another oil company and this man raised it another fifty and a two percent increase on the royalty.

They say that they have known for years that there are large oil deposits in this black shale formation but they didn't have the technology until recently to harvest it. They say there could be 500 million barrels of oil per section, of which only 12% is recoverable. They also think it will be common to have wells producing 1200 barrels per day.

Good golly!

When I was visiting with my man from the high plains he told me there is a rush on in his area for the Gray Wolfe formation with leases going for as much as 800 and acre and 25% royalty.

There may be a lot of really sad people that jumped in early, although it has been very attractive from the get go.

I am thrilled for our area. First windmills and now oil exploration. I am afraid that land prices are going to go through the roof and agriculture will become a by-product.

I am very glad for my Mom. For whatever reasons, Pepa kept half of all oil and mineral rights when they sold land to us kids. So even my land and Freddy's that was foreclosed on, could be a revenue producer for Memama.

You never know, hope springs eternal! Makes me wonder if I could have just held on to my land.

Oh well. I'm not in control, and the MASTER CONTROLLER knows what he is doing.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU. We wait as you unfold YOUR plans for us. Glorify YOUR name!

My week has been consumed so far with multiple trips to the court house, county clerk's office and meeting with the precinct commissioner.

At issue is a three acre track that has been mired in a legal mess for twenty-two months. The three acres had been and is protected by a 2005 court order homesteading it in conjunction with the home place, and the acreage with Memama's house on it.

I really wish Pepa had dealt with this before leaving us. BUT he didn't. I think he may have had the same malady that Memama seems to have now. He preferred for someone else to deal with any "issues".

In hindsight, I think someone should have been monitoring a lot of Pepa's dealings since about 2008. Particularly the 4850 deal.

Anyhow, I have been measuring and staking and then plowing the three acre track. I am figuring by end of week I will hear from the other side.

Obviously, they don't care to resolve the issue. Obviously they don't know how hard headed I am.

But, with the current oil lease boom in the area, this could turn from a small problem to a BIG one.

Mentioning oil leases, we got Memama's contracts yesterday. I talked with Hag and he said he had some contact with a man who lived in Roscoe a while several years ago. He is working for a small independent oil company that is on the scene late but offering a fifty dollar bump on the acreage and a 2% bump on royalty. He indicated to Hag the bump could be a hundred an acre.

It is amazing that the bump might be more than leases use to go for.

Hag and I were both in agreement that the larger more established oil company for a little less money might be the best.

I will begin my day dropping the contracts by Lance's office before picking up a tire I had fixed at Dale Martin's.

I have a gentleman coming to Roscoe today, bringing spray nozzles and nozzle bodies, but also to look at and appraise a plow. I promised this man lunch so I guess we will have to decide if I take him to a restaurant or to the best place in town, Memama's.

Currently raining steady in Abilene. My two big pups are not enjoying it at all. We have been up since shortly after midnight. Finally when we had thunder and lightning we just got up.

Our house guest is gone. For four days the pup's cousin Oreo had been visiting. She went home just before nine last evening.

Had a call from Robert last evening. For some reason he is still having some heating issues with his truck. He thinks he is losing water but doesn't know where it is going. That isn't a good omen. Could be water pump or oil cooler, either of which could be putting water into the crankcase. Worst case scenario, it could be a head gasket or liner or liner o-ring. Any of the later would be major.

Well, the weather is easing up. I may see if I can get my two chicken hounds back to bed.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR rain blessing! Help me to keep a clear head and think things through. Help me to make good decisions.

I went to Lubbock Friday, I had several errands I needed to run. The most important were to pick up chemical to spray winter weeds, and to pick up spray nozzles for the sprayer.

When we made the deal on the sprayer, they put it through their shop, installed a new guidance system, and were checking and calibrating the spray controller. They did all this with old nozzles and were supposed to put new ones on before the sprayer left the shop.

It didn't happen.

Anyhow, I got to Wolforth to pick up the chemical. Clay, the chemical man, was very cordial and very helpful. In fact he may have been too helpful. He had been talking around about what chemicals, and what rates I would need to use. He told me he thought I needed to take a tote of Glyscar Gold (a generic roundup that is relatively cheap) and some Banvel, along with some ammonium sulfate. He told me thirty gallons of Banvel is I went with the weaker rate, and 22 bags of the ammonium sulfate.

I told him that I didn't want all of the chemical, enough to do five or six hundred acres. After all, I was in Pepa's half ton pickup. He did some figuring and told me the Glyscar was four pound material, so 1060 pounds there, then 240 for Banvel and 562 for the ammonium sulfate. Not bad, but not good either. When we had it loaded, the pickup just king of squatted.

I was thinking about my circuitous route home via Brownfield and Lamesa. I really didn't like the prospect of driving an extra 100 miles with this kind of load. I made a call and talked to the owner of the business. We have been on a trade for a couple of months, but he has never come down to appraise and figure trade in value on a plow I would like to trade him. After talking briefly we made a date for him to come to Roscoe Wednesday. And, he is going to bring the spray nozzles.

Whew.

I turned back to Lubbock and then south on 84.

It was a little squirrely driving. There was a side wind, which wasn't too bad, but sometimes the chemical in the big tote would get to sloshing. The combination was almost enough to make you suck your fruit of the looms up your butt!

I made it, thankfully with no trouble.

I went directly to the barn and got the forklift to unload. While doing this I got serious about figuring the weight. Turned out that the Glyscar was four pound active material, and another four pounds inert matter per gallon. Eight pounds per gallon, not four. So, 2120 pounds plus the weight of the tote (not much), plus the 240 plus the 562. 2922 pounds total weight!

Yikes!

I won't do that again.

When I did get back to Abilene I took some parts to Robert's truck for the fan clutch. I had him scheduled to take the truck to the shop Saturday morning.

When I had gone to bolt up the fan solid, I discovered the fiber disc of the clutch was totally gone. I really don't know what the deal was. I myself kitted this clutch last summer. Maybe, just maybe, I over tightened the screws holding the disc on.

Yesterday I had a text for Rian. There was a picture of his boys at the dinner table eating with no shirts on. He told me that Pepa would have a fit if he were at his house right then. I told him that the boys wouldn't be eating.

Pepa had a rule that if you were going to eat at his table, you would wear a shirt or you would not eat.

Rian told me that was exactly what he had told the boys.

He said they knew he had taken a picture and was sending it to someone. After being told what Pepa would say, Holt asked his dad, "Are you sending the picture to Pepa?"

Those little minds.

Chance of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The wind was horrific today, but thankfully we didn't have sand blowing. I had talked with Memama and asked her to have Jason made a run to check. Jason texted me that he did a check after church and then again mid afternoon, but he said we were holding.

Just as suddenly as the wind came, it left.

Thank goodness.

Spent a large part of my weekend writing my friend who is incarcerated. He has been intransit for ten days, going on two weeks. From Houston they took him and 116 others to Oklahoma City where they were bus-ed to the county jail in Chickasha, Oklahoma. All they are there are a revenue opportunity. A per Diem.

He said when they left Houston they took all his possessions and boxed them up and addressed the box to the Federal facility in Jessup, Georgia.

Oh, my letter to my friend was six pages of text and nine pages of pictures. (Mainly of Noble).

I'm sure wish Baltimore had won over the Patriots. No doubt tom Brady is an excellent quarterback, but things have just come too easy to him for my likings. Also I don't care for Coach Belichek.

I find myself cheering for the Giants in the NFC game. I love an underdog.

By the way, Pat came in Thursday afternoon from Steph's.

Well, I'm going to close. Hope you had a weekend. Have a day tomorrow!

FATHER, help me to be clear in my thinking, and to make good choices.

Happy Birthday Dad. Today would have been number 83.

Memama with the latest great grand baby, Noble, doing what she does best! With Carson arriving on January 2 and Noble arriving January 16, that is two in two weeks.

Memama may lose her rookie status when it comes to taking care of babies. Her "career" began in 1944 with her brother Wade, continued through five of us kids, seventeen grands and sixteen greats! That is lots of holding, rockin' and lovin'!

About 68 years worth.

Merrit's doctors decided to keep her an extra day, so she Noble and Brad will be moving home today! I bet it is one of those OMG moments!

On Monday as they were moving Merrit and the baby to her private room, Carol and I were visiting with Merrit's Mother.

Merrit has been all over the graph. Successful and bust! Flying by the seat of her britches.

But in the last couple of years, although things have been tough, she has done lots of growing.

Her Mother made the statement that "Merrit had never wanted anything in her whole life as much as she wanted this baby!" This is very true.

Her Mother continued, "For the first time in Merrit's life, it is not about her, it is about someone else."

Both statements, extremely accurate.

Looking at our family, it is a little weird. The first four of Memama's grand babies were solo. Then the grouping began Colby, Makai, and Joni were born from September of 79 to April of 80. Merrit, Kelsi and Stephanie were born from April to August of 1982. Chris, Shelby and Kirby were all born in 1985, then we went back to solos.

Greats begin with three solos over six years, then we get to pairings. It seems that Rian and Colby had three babies each in close time proximity. Then a pair with Chloe and Dakota, the twins and then a solo for Colby, then the recent arrivals of Carson and Noble, separated by fourteen days.

Specifics for Memama's grands; 10 grandsons, 7 grandaughters. Greats 8 and 8.

For Carol and I, it is very weird. We have like two families. First four grands are girls. Last four grands are boys.

Heh, heh. I've been playing dirty pool with my sister. She has been in Huntsville with Stephanie's family since December 29th I believe. Posting the pictures and all have made her a little homesick. Of course it helps that Steph and Carson are doing well. I wouldn't be surprised to see her drive up.

I have been wanting to get caught up with a little farming. As I had said earlier, I need to address about 550 acres. I plan on plowing just less than half and spraying the other. Thing is, the ground is VERY mellow. The moisture, freezing temperatures and the snow and ice have really been wonderful. I was looking to see when I thought I might get in to plow yesterday when I felt the pickup act funny. I slipped the transmission into neutral and the pickup rolled to a stop almost immediately. It almost wasn't quick enough. I was barely able to back out.

I got legal descriptions to the oil company last week that is interested in leasing Memama's oil and gas rights. In today's Abilene Reporter there is a big story about the pending "boom" in that area. Black shale. Horizontal drilling. Hydraulic frac-ing. They say they know and have known that oil is present for many years. Just recently technology has improved to where they can open it up and make it flow. (A problem in the past).

Went to bed just before ten last night. Took meds and was hoping for a good night. About twelve thirty Carol's phone rang waking me. She just turned it off. Me, I have been awake since.

Dang the luck.

My friend that is in transit with the FBOP has still not surfaced. Last known place was Grady County Jail in Chickasha, Ok. Seems like they always move him on a holiday weekend.

Well, I guess I'm caught up for now.

Have a day!

FATHER, lots going on as YOU know. Help me to make good choices.

I received a phone call about four this morning. Merrit was in the hospital, in active labor. About mid morning Noble arrived. 6 pounds 2 oz. 17 1/2 inches long and a head full of either blond or red hair.

I woke Carol near morning and she and I drove to Roscoe and picked up Memama. We made the drive to San Angelo. About the time we left Roscoe, Noble arrived in San Angelo.

He is a cutie!

He is also a one and done. Due to Merrit's type 1 diabetes, the doctor's discouraged another pregnancy. About one she went back in for a tubal ligation.

While they did this procedure Carol, Memama, Addison, Erica and myself went to eat. We returned in time to get what was left in the labor and delivery room and move up to their private room.

About 4 we left headed for Abilene, and Memama rode to Roscoe with Erica.

Hospitals wear me out, but today it is a good tired.

Very thankful the baby is here and Mom and her are doing well.

I've been doing a lot of pondering lately about my education. What good old Roscoe Independent School District gave me and how I use it in my every day life.

It is amazing how things I thought were important then, are not now.

I am not an athlete, so I don't use anything I learned from athletics other than the team concept. In fact, usually when I am stiff and creaking I wonder what was I thinking!

I am not a musician, so I don't use anything I learned from band in my every day endeavors. I will admit, I do like to sit down once in a while at a piano.

I don't use much history on a daily basis.

I don't use much of the health I was taught. In simple terms, I spell health Neosporin. If I am really sick I got to the doctor or call my sister or friend that are nurses.

I don't use a whole lot of biology or chemistry very often.

I use a little geography regularly.

Math is used pretty regularly. Seeding ratios, Mixing chemicals and determining application rates. Budgets. Fuel economy.

Surprisingly, the two areas I use EVERY single day are from my English and office machine classes.

Typing (or more importantly keyboard) and English (spelling and grammar).

Communicative skills!

I had four English teachers (very odd in RISD). Ms. Fletcher, Mrs. Kinnard, Mrs. Brown, and Mr. Owens.

My typing teacher was Coach Rick Berry.

I would bet the keyboard or computer classes are much different than typing was. We had a whole room full of manual Olivetti and Underwood typewriters. Of course they were sans markings on the keys. We had the big pull down screen with the key diagram at the front of the class room.

Of course, English was a required course. I took typing figuring it was an easy class.

It is funny, but Coach Berry instructed all of us to select a warm up sentence or phrase. I still remember mine. Don Freeman is the starting left tackle for the Roscoe Plowboys. Heh, heh.

This past Christmas Day (2011) marked 40 years since I got my hand caught in the cotton stripper. Of course this injury and permanent damage forever altered my typing skills. I kind of do a three finger hop a long with my right hand, but I still know my way around a keyboard.

It still amazes me with how many people are illiterate when it comes to keyboards. My friend who is incarcerated likes the convenience and speed of e-mail correspondence, but doesn't like the cost because they charge by the minute. I guess that is a death sentence for a hunt and pick typer.

Giants/Forty-Niners, Patriots/Ravens.

Here is hoping for a Giants/Raven Super Bowl!

The NFL big boy bullies of 2011 went down hard. The Saints and the Packers. Lucky for them the Cowboys were already down there and cushioned their fall.

Sure wish the wind would lay.

We are in a good situation at the farm, BUT this wind will really suck the moisture away. I am fixing to get busy. I have probably 217 acres to plow and 366 acres I will probably spray.

I am not too concerned about winter weeds, or cover on fallow ground. Right now any cover is helping to control wind erosion. But on the one farm some areas are getting excessive.

Got my four hours sleep and I am wide awake.

Guess I will get a head start on my day!

Have one!

FATHER, thank YOU for the weekend and down time. Thank YOU for refreshing and renewing me. Help me to think things through and to make good choices. Greater are YOU!

Forgive me LORD. Yeehaw Giants!

The two Goliath's are down and out! Green Bay and New Orleans.

Let me say I despise Aaron Rogers, but I cheer for Drew Bree's.

Now if only the Ravens can take out the Patriots!

Don't like Tom Brady, Nu uh!

For my friends, an update. My friend Debbie Stanaland's husband Rockey is in the hospital in Levelland. He had an emergency appendectomy. His appendix had burst. Not good. She has just arrived as I post this, so keep him and her in your thoughts and prayers.

My friend in the Fed system has spent his weekend in beautiful scenic Chickasha, Oklahoma! Another yeehaw!

I have had two calls. Eventually I will figure all this incarceration crap out!

Right now I have two fifteen minute phone calls pre-paid. Of course this is not where he Will be assigned. But it is refundable!

And of course he will not call.

I figure it will take them another two or three weeks to get him to Tulsa.

Very tired.

Thank YOU LORD.

I was supposed to take my Mom to the doctor Friday morning. I had set an alarm, planning on being at Roscoe twenty or thirty minutes before her appointment time.

This had been a conspiracy from square one. Pat called Christy (who works in the doctor's office) and Pat sent an e-mail with concerns and requests for tests for the doctor to order. Me, I was the muscle I guess.

When I arrived at Memama's house, Hag was there. He was laughing. "She's gone", he said. 8:24. Her appointment was 8:45 to 9:00.

I went to the doctor's office and Memama was already back. I told Christy I would stay up front, but she was going to have to quiz the doctor. In a bit the door opened and Christy told me, "Why don't you come on back, the doctor is in with Memama now."

I got in on the part of the conversation where Memama says, "I don't know why they made this appointment."

The funniest part of the exchange was when the doctor told Memama, "You have gained sixteen pounds since last summer!"

He wasn't alarmed. Memama had two years of losing weight. BUT, he wanted her to be aware and to stop it.

Surely this has nothing to do with the WHOLE pecan pie Memama scarfed down this last week! Lol!

The doctor said that he expected the lab test to warrant no changes in her meds.

All I can say is the spurty increase in energy since Pat has been gone must be attributable to the bonus meds I give her. If Pat returns and Memama goes back into a funk, we (you and I) will know!

For the rest of the day I had to explain to Memama WHY we sent her to the doctor!

The MAJORITY of my Friday was spent trying to hook up and install a new all-in-one printer, fax, copier, scanner to Memama's computer.

A few months ago, Pat went to Best Buy and bought Memama a new computer. I picked it up when everything had been installed on it. Shortly before thanksgiving I was going to view a DVD and I discovered there was no CD rom or DVD drive. Pat could not believe she had not noticed. (All the software installed from the internet with a "key".

I had downloaded drivers for the new hardware, but could not find the download anywhere. Finally after about four hours I decided to shut the computer down and re boot. As it was going down I saw an opportunity to extract files and I took it! Finally! Thirty minutes later I had the printer fax copier scanner up and running!

No new news on my friend in transit. I would guess he is spending the weekend in Chickasha, OK.

Hope you are having a good weekend!

FATHER, thank YOU!

For regular blog readers who correspond with my friend who is incarcerated in the Federal System, I had a call last night. He is in transit, he was in Chickasha, Ok. (I figure in route to Tulsa for intake and assignment). So if you are fixing to post a letter, don't.

Just yesterday I got a letter with letters inside to send to the Federal attorney in Lubbock and to the Sentence assessment team Kilo in Grand Prairie.

Apparently no one can or will figure his release date. The issue is credit for time served as my friend was sentenced and in Federal Custody prior to being in State remand. He was in Fed custody for five months prior to state sentencing and the Feds want to say he was borrowed from the state. To me it appears the other way. Until he was sentenced by the state he was borrowed BY the state.

Also at issue is that the evil wicked judge Sam (a cousin of the Bush's and a Bush appointee) said he would not let the Federal sentence run concurrently with a state parole violation (from an infraction a long time ago as a minor). So until my friend was sentenced by the state he should have received Federal time credit and since July 2010 he should have been getting credit for his Fed sentence as well since the parole violation expired, and he should receive time from September 2, 2011 until now.

So five months, plus thirteen months, plus five months is twenty three months credit he should be receiving on his Fed sentence which he is not. On a sentence of 51 months, that is a substantial amount of time hanging in the balance.

When he lands somewhere, I will let you corresponders know.

For blog readers, I am working on a blog in my brain.

More later!

1.4 inches of precipitation at Roscoe. That was a really wet, wet. I don't really know why snow is so much wetter then rain. Of course if the ground freezes, it becomes really, really mellow.

Exactly what the doctor ordered for a better year. '12 is looking up.

Last week we finally had the water well people out to check the barn water well. We had been without water since April or May. The pump people had told us their priority were the homes and cattle that had no water. Turned out the pressure tank was bad, and the pump had burned up. More than likely what had happened was the tank went bad and the pump ran itself to death.

The old pump house was built when Freddy built on to his house in about '87, 88 or 89. This was a new well, adjacent to the barn and the barn and Freddy's house shared the water. This water was so gypy that they could not drink it.

Don't ask me why, but years ago when there was a windmill and an overhead reservoir you could drink the water. Often times Gon Gon and I would drink it straight from the stand pipe. However, when you put this water under pressure, it is horrible. But, the livestock will drink it after it sits in a trough and it is good enough for washing one's hands.

The pump house is actually rotting down around the well. I had aspirations of building a new all metal structure that would simply sit over the well, and pressure tank. I planned on building a tube frame, then using sheet metal while insulating behind it.

When I had my friend Billy out to repair a sandfighter we were discussing my plan when he offered another option. "I have a small metal building I used as a pump house that you can use or I would sell", he said. I asked how much and he responded $200. Immediately I was interested because I couldn't build what I had in mind for anywhere near $200. I just needed to clear it with Memama (which was just a formality).

I talked with Jason Sunday about his boys picking up the small building with Jason's flatbed pickup and taking it to the barn. While he told me no problem, it didn't happen.

With temperatures predicted just below freezing tonight and around 21 tomorrow, I felt I needed to take precautionary measures. I looked across Abilene for a pressure tank insulated jacket, but the closest I could find was a water heater jacket. I also picked up some pipe insulation and some "tee" and "L" moulded pieces of insulation. These are slit on one side and simply slip over the pipe.

This afternoon I did the preventative maintenance on the well and pressure tank. I was very pleased with how it worked out! I tried to lift the old roof of the old pump house back in place but it was limber like an accordion. Tomorrow I may try to pick up the new building or try to get the old roof on my forklift forks.

Apparently there is some interest in the black shale drilling around Roscoe. I had a call today asking if Memama might be interested. It is probably one of the most lucrative oil and gas leases I have seen or heard. They are looking to lease 100,000 acres in West Texas for horizontal drilling.

The gin at Loop got through last week. I had put Memama's truck in the shop for some maintenance items on Saturday. Today it was ready. Brakes, shocks, exhaust gaskets, air dryer, slack adjusters. $1796. Yikes. Oh well, here is hoping this truck stops having nickel and dime problems.

Now I can't find the driver. And he has one of my phones.

Kyle Patrick Henry Hagerman had a bad break yesterday. On his way home from work he hit a slick spot and slid into the guardrail on I-20. Tough deal. His dad was not happy.

And Ollie called me and texted me tonight. Brad gave her a ring. She was very excited.

13 days until they induce her labor.

And the most wonderful news. Anna is out of the hospital. Five days after open heart surgery the little five month old is amazing everyone! GOD is good.

FATHER, thank YOU for the rain and snow. Thank YOU for the miraculous recovery of Anna! Thank YOU for sparing Kyle injury in his accident. Help us to make good choices.

Raindrops are falling at my house!

Thunder, lightening. In January?

We should be on the edge of the rain changing to snow or ice. It is 37, 38 degrees right now. Tonight's low will hover around freezing.

So what to do with my day. Farming is out. So Maybe I will do some year end stuff for Memama. Maybe some research about feasibility for upcoming changes.

At the farm, Memama had very few hands. Minimal witholdings. In fact we will probably do 1099's with witholdings rather than W-2's.

What a crowd at church yesterday. I was crawled over multiple times by a band of grandkids that sat in the middle of my row.

I am so thankful that next week we are going back to two services.

I am trying to decide where the line should be drawn on theatrics in religion. Not just drama. Lighting. Special effects. Video. Audio.

Phil has brought up some good thought points. He said that Jesus spent his entire life in an area of about 600 square miles. (About the size of Taylor county). Now I don't doubt Jesus had an idea of how big the earth was, but I wonder about the apostles take on this. It was a pretty big charge to take the message into all the world.

Did Jesus see things happening two thousand years later like the internet, twitter, radio, television. All tools that whittle the world down to size.

But you have to admit, for a group of guys from Galilee the task had to be daunting. Yet it was accepted willingly.

For 2012, the theme at Southern Hills is going to be prayer. We are being challenged to become a prayerful people.

Lots of good stuff going on.

While the crowd was much larger yesterday I felt the singing was short of the previous week (of course the new year service was stellar).

I ran errands late yesterday. RSVP, Corley's, Kinko's (o.k., Fedex office). My friend who is incarcerated had asked me to make copies of his addresses and mail it to him. This proved to be a bigger project than I thought. Two big sheets, front and back, but them a whole stack of correspondences, notes, envelopes, and scraps of paper. So I got to read them and them had to make a determination of how valid it was to his request. While I have done this for a number of years for him, I am beginning to feel used and also am amazed at how much money I have invested. Most of my correspondences are MULTIPLE pages and cost sometimes as much as $7 to mail. Throw in gas, copy costs, postage, not even figuring my time and it adds up.

I did run across a letter from my friends uncle last July where the uncle notified him he had sent $200 to my friends inmate trust account. I don't recall that being the story conveyed to me.

My final errand was the grocery store.

Well, better figure out my day.

Have one!

FATHER, thank YOU for the continued progress of Anna. I ask that YOU continue to bless her with YOUR gifts of healing and care. Thank YOU for YOUR rain blessing. Help me to make good choices. Thank YOU for loving me.

Anna made it through her surgery with flying colors. The surgeon was even amazed as she was already off the ventilator.

Rian said eight friends and a large contingency of family were on hand to support Anna and her Mom and Dad. The surgery lasted about four hours, which the group spent praying and singing. At Southern Hills in Abilene (where Denise's parents attend) there was a 24 hour prayer vigil.

On Friday Anna had a set back. When they removed the chest tube a pocket of air became trapped between her lung and her chest wall. They were back on oxygen and spending the night in ICU.

They don't know exactly how long they will be in Dallas. If you would like to monitor and stay abreast of Anna's progress you can do so at www.prayersforanna.com .

My trip to Lubbock to resolve the issues with truck #242 went better than expected. I suppose when they received my certified check accompanying my letter they reacted quickly before thinking of my position.

My friend K.O. took his truck and toter and I rode along. For three days I had been coaching myself to "maintain control", no matter what. The other people did what I had asked, we verified parts, and we both sign off on it. By end of day, the purple truck was back in Abilene.

A few months back, my friend and I had made plans to have breakfast lunch or dinner once a week to "talk". About business, about personal, about general topics.

However, this plan has been very difficult and did not materialize.

Yesterday was the first time in a while that we had concentrated time to visit. Even when we went to Brownfield the day of the mote load fire, we were pretty well centralized on the problem of the day.

While a lot of my friend's and my conversations are in confidence, a large portion of the day yesterday was about some changes he is wanting to make with his business.

Lots of times I am a sounding board, throwing out pros and cons. Yesterday it was almost totally cons. Some of the changes, I do not think are actually do able, unless insurance requirements and enrollment minimums have changed in the last year. Also, the majority of the benefits of associating with my friends company are going away.

Lots to think about and wade through.

Right now I would say it is probably 80/20 to do a temporary suspension of operations and severe the alliances (which would mean displaced employees which would do exactly what my friend was trying to avoid).

Another possibility is to quit and pursue the premium overflow business that my friend can't handle. One or two loads per week would equate to a full week with my friend (net $).

I don't know. I have until February 1 to pick and choose.

I saw Rian and Erica Thursday evening at Memama's. They were very tired from their time at the hospital. They had spent Wednesday night with Colby and Courtney and their girls in Lantana. It sounded like they had a good visit. Colby had driven to the hospital Thursday morning and led Rian and Erica to the childrens' hospital.

It is a shame all of them don't live closer so they could enjoy each other more often.

Last evening when I got home Carol wanted to go out. I felt like I needed to get out and unwind so I grabbed a quick bath, changed clothes and we went out.

Who should we run into as we were concluding our meal? My friend I spent the day with and his family.

I did finish the mouldboard project Thursday. Yeehaw! I am ready to move on to the next phase of the farm.

I am meeting a welder this morning at Roscoe to look at some repairs and discuss a project.

Monday I hope to meet with a man from up the country about a deal we either need to get on or off of.

Short weekend from my perspective! Hope yours is better!

FATHER, thank YOU for things going well in Lubbock. Help me to think things through and make good decisions pertaining to the business decisions. Thank YOU for the successful surgery for Anna. I continue to lift her for YOUR gifts of healing. I also ask that YOU be with Zach and Denise. Work YOUR plan!

I was on my tractor at the farm this morning at daylight!

And I still didn't get the worm!

I got up about three, came into the office, and prepared a 12,687 character correspondence to my friend in the federal prison system. Don't ask me how many pages that is, I don't know. I do know that is the maximum the e-mail system will allow me. And I used every one!

I am excited about completing the mouldboarding project. I am sooo close!

I am penciled in to go to Lubbock Friday.

Very, very busy Tuesday. I ran my phone battery down by mid morning and had my phone sucking on the tractor batteries. Left the field about dark, made a bee line for Larry's to pick up checks and settlements, got home and walked for the first time in a month. Returned to the house to have tomato basil tortellini soup with fresh spinach and meatballs accompanied by garlic bread.

And the boy crashed in the bed. Until three!

Would like to make mention that Rian and Erica are in Lantana tonight, spending the night with Colby and Courtney. Rian and Erica's old neighbors from 16th place, Zach and Denise had a little girl five months ago. The baby was born with a hole in her heart. Thursday morning they will do open heart surgery on the little girl in Dallas to try to repair the defect. Please lift Zach, Denise, their little girl, and the surgical staff in your prayers.

I can only imagine what they are going through.

I had stopped by Memama's yesterday morning to show her pictures of Carson Eli Sanders! About noon Pat sent another group of pics.

I really like that middle name. In fact I wrote a song for Pat and hag to share with Steph and JR. It went something like this;

(To the tune of old Mc Donald had a farm)

Nanny and Grumpy had a farm,
Eli, Eli, OOOoooo.

And on that farm Grumpy had a tractor,
Eli, Eli, OOOoooo.

And on that tractor it had a buddy seat,
and sister said, Eli, Eli, NNnnooooooo!

So Grumpy had better get shopping for a bigger tractor,
Eeeeyi, Eeeeyi, OOOoooo!

I felt very honored and humbled that Chloe felt it necessary to call Dandy Don to tell him that Carson was born "Nekid". When I inquired as to where his clothes were she told me very quietly, "We haven't found them!"

Baby and Mom and Dad got to go home just before lunch.

Pat and Hag are having a date night, after Pat fed everyone. I have no idea where Pat and Hag are going but they don't plan on returning until tomorrow afternoon.

Yesterday I heard a song on the radio that I really liked. The artist is Jon Wolfe and the name of the song is "I don't dance."

If you do a search include the artist because Ronnie Dunn's I don't dance is going to fill you search results. I like Ronnie's song, but the lyrics in Jon Wolfe's are very good.

Well, I was trying to decide if I was going out tonight. Jim Sadler at the Fire House. Tempting, but I'm going to take my restless leg med, get something to eat and hit the sack!

Hope you had a day!

FATHER, I lift Zach and Denise and their little daughter for your gifts of healing and care. I pray that the surgery might be successful. Bless them and give them the gift of healing. You are an Awesome GOD!

I'm sorry I just couldn't contain myself. I have always enjoyed the Bum Steer Awards but never more than this year. Congratulations Rick. You deserved it! You continue to embarrass all Texans!

Pat and Hag are in Huntsville. Their new grand baby is supposed to come today! And, its a boy! Chloe is going to be a big sister! This will give Pat and Hag one granddaughter and one grandson! Congratulations all!

I've been trying to decide what to give the new great nephew and I have just about decided on dance lessons! (Gottcha Hag). That is an inside joke. Steph and JR have picked Carson as the baby's name and Grumpy doesn't like it because of Carson from Dancing with the Stars!

I'm teasing about the gift.

Can't leave it alone. The front runner for next year's bum steer award should be the Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo!

Oh for the Cowboys of yesterday!

Happy New Year!

Carol and I have been puny, so we did absolutely nothing.

I did recover to the point that I went to church, followed by the grocery store, and booksamillion.

Our intentions were to grill out, but neither of us really felt like it. Very sore. We did fix some blackeyed peas and cornbread though!

We both regretted having eaten, but sure need all the help we can muster for a good 2012. Hopefully we are on top of this bug.

I don't really have a plan for today. I don't have to go to the farm, but probably should go to check on Memama since Pat is gone. Wade and Judy should be through later today to pick up Aunt Robbie.

I was told last week that I have no idea how Memama looks forward to my daily visits.

Last week ended with Memama's hearing aids missing. This seems to be a weekly occurence. I knew these were expensive, but had no idea until I took the primary role of having one repaired just before Christmas. $6000 for the pair, and they are no longer in production.

It is odd, but every time Wade and Judy are coming, or Memama is going to see them, she loses her hearing aids. On Friday past, Memama, Robbie, Wade, Judy and myself looked intermittently for the hearing aids. To no avail.

Over the weekend Memama recalled they needed batteries and sure enough she had put them in the box with her extra batteries!

She always says, "They'll turn up!"

Bad news is that the one that came from the shop right before Christmas is not working.

One funny happening over the weekend was my having to discipline my little red headed dog. While we ran to the pharmacy she got into the trash. When we returned I had a pharmaceutical box, much like a large envelope and I proceeded to blister her butt! Lots of noise and scolding but very little damage or pain.

When it was done, the little red head was mad at Carol, not me!

Go figure. Very funny though. It took her two days just to let Carol get close to her.

Well, I had better get! Have a day!

FATHER, bless this day!