Hello campers.

Well, the harvest is through.  Actually we completed it November 18, just about dark.  It was somewhat bitter sweet.  Some farms exceeding expectations, some falling short.  However, in the beginning I had a number in my head on the number of modules I would consider to be a good harvest.  We fell five shor talthough the modules are producing more bales than I planned.

So I would say it was an o.k. year, considering.

In the biggest sense the new (to us) equipment performed very well.  We went the entire season and replaced only one row unit height sensor.  Not a single bearing, not a single belt, not a bat or brush or an extractor saw.  The boll buggy saw only two hose fittings that were not tight.

Now the module builder, which was not new to us was a pain.  Chains, sprokets, an occasional hydraulic hose and even a hydraulic motor mount gave us fits until; we were about three quarters of the way through.

I will say the new module controller performed very well..

We did end up with a three man crew including myself, the others being Bill who had helped through the year and Slats, a late addition.

We moved all the harvest equipment to the barn and immediately began cutting stalks and breaking land.  I am "plowing" this year utilizing the big "V" ripper on about eighty percent of the land, mouldboarding about ten percent and sowing wheat on the remaining ten percent.

Currently we are over halfway shredding stalks and about a third of the way ripping while we have yet to sow any wheat or start the mouldboard.

Actually I have leased a big no till drill, and I expect the sowing to take two days or less.  They are supposed to deliver the drill later this week.

I have new plow shears in my pickup for the mouldboard, which should take less than an hour to install.

So our plan is to be plowed over prior to Christmas.

I have lots to say, I have just found it  difficult to find the time living here at Memamas.  I will say that after a week stay in the hospital she is doing better.  Pat changed the cardiologist we use and the coumadin is being checked weekly by Dr. Eakers's office and results faxed to Dr. McCain.  Memama is somewhat weak, but is showing improvement.

A true test was this past weekend when several of us went to Edna for Wesley and Kayla's wedding.  Memama, myself, Pat, Hag, Chris, Coach and Jani all drove to San Antonio Thursday and stayed at the Marriott Riverwalk and spent time in the Riverwalk mall and on the boats on the river.  On Friday, Memama and I along with Pat, Hag and Chris, caravanned to Edna.  Coach and Jani spent another day in San Antonio.

It was a fun time, the wedding was great and Wesley and Kayla seem so happy!

But probably not as happy as Memama was to get home.  (lol),

This weekend is Merrit's wedding in San Angelo, which should be much easier..

More when I can.  Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU for all YOUR blessings.  Thank YOU for the drop year, for Memama's recovery, for the safe travel.  Bless Wesley and Kayla as they begin their new life together.  Praise be to YOUR name.