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.