liars.

In October of this year, Memama received a letter from her brother-in-law Garland, informing her that at the end of the year they were taking their farm back.  It was a nicely worded letter thanking us for the care of it over the years.


I will say this didn't come as a complete surprise, and to be honest it wasn't even a big enough blip on the radar for me to even remember to tell Pat.


In November, we attended the funeral of a cousin at Merkel.  At the funeral, we saw Melba (Pepa's sister) and Garland.  Prior to the small service everyone was visiting and Melba told Pat that she guessed all of us were mad at them for taking that place back.  Melba went on to tell me that their kids were going to farm it for them to help increase their income,


This would be understandable.


Yesterday I learned that this in fact is not the case.  That Melba and Garland had in fact leased their farm to a young man in the area that farms about 7000 acres but is also known for paying a third rent, with some of the expenses passed through to the landlord (so it isn't a true third).  I was somewhat disappointed in this young man, that he didn't come to me and say what is going on?  Garland called me and asked me if I would take their farm.  What is the deal?


My problem is with Melba and Garland.  Simply stated, Melba is a liar and Garland is spineless.  I will defend their right to make any changes, but at least tell the truth, and be a stand up guy.


I have thought about how Pepa would handle this situation and while I am not sure of the how, I am sure that it would not be pretty and little sister would get an ear full.  Actually I believe if Pepa were still alive, this would never have happened, due to lack of back bone.


You know in actuality, it is only 143 acres, and farming around the barns and pig pens and farrowing houses was a real pain.  Throw in the calls about when we were going to do this or that, and constant second guessing, it will be quite pleasant to not receive those phone calls.


This fall was an odd occurrence in that harvest began on the day we finished in 2012.  We always begin near the barn so we can smooth any wrinkles we have with equipment before moving away from the shop.  Once again we did that this year, then we began stripping farms where we were going to sow wheat, then we began stripping the cotton that was stringing out worst.


Of course we had an excess of  moisture during harvest which included two ice storms prior to Christmas.  During one of these wet spells Garland made a trip to our barn.  The guys said he was very rude (normal) and demanded to know when we were going to strip his cotton.  They told him they didn't know, that I had the plan but I should be arriving very soon.  He left.  Quickly.  Before I arrived.


Then I got a call from Melba, telling me how bad their cotton was stringing out and how it needed to be stripped.  I told her my plan, that we had stripped wheat ground and then were stripping cotton that was stringing worst and that we had some much worse than theirs.  She quickly retorted, "I see you got your Mother's cotton out".  Yes I replied.  We always begin here close to the shop to get all the kinks and problems out of the machines.


My first obligation is to the landlords Memama still has.  Don't treat her or us like shit on your shoe and then expect us to put you at the front of the line.  There is method to my madness.


So, good riddance liar and spineless one.  Your new renter needs a dose of you and you need a dose of him.  Crazy thing is, recently their new renter was arrested for domestic abuse.


Hhmmmm.  Sounds like a perfect match. Liar, Spineless, Beater.


FATHER, thank YOU for deliverance!