Winter is back!

Ol' man winter is paying us another visit.  Late yesterday a cold front hit and it has been a gradual cool down since then.


I am researching several projects.


Marine plywood for the boat flooring.


Mileages, rates, and lodging for the tractor pull announcing opportunity.


A garage building with storage/office/efficiency apartment.  This has turned out to be a crazy one.  I made an inquiry about a building "on-line".  I have been over run with calls.  None of them want to sell what I want, most of them want to sell me a standard building that can be modified to fit our need.  Of course all of them claim to be discounted for clearance.  The precise one I had inquired about has not returned my contact.


I am contemplating a trip to Sweetwater and then maybe to Abilene.  I need to run by Memama's bank and then begin gathering supplies for the boat sub floor.  This may also require the purchase of a new saw.  It will depend on pricing.


I have always wanted a small scroll saw.  They appear to be very versatile to me.  The substructure of the boat requires a rounded taper of the main beam and cut outs where all the cross pieces fit.


In addition to the boat, I have been thinking about putting shelves all the way around my bedroom to put my books and special items.  There is a seam about eighteen inches from the ceiling that I am contemplating removing and putting the shelving in its place.


I can't believe twenty months after moving back I haven't gotten all my things in my room.  It has been a chore to fit sixty years of belongings from a house into a single room.


I believe if I can do the shelves and get my desk moved in, it would make it much easier to put it together.


Since Memama's last doctor visit when we first learned of her substantial weight loss I have been trying to entice her to eat by preparing things she likes.  Last evening I grilled steaks and stuffed jalapeno peppers and did backed taters in the oven.  She ate a very good supper.


Today I plan on making potato soup (using a mix) with ruby sensation baby red potatoes.  It is just soup or stew weather.


When I bought groceries last, I also picked up some dry pinto beans.  I love day old red beans and cornbread.  Throw in some pan fries and maybe a little ground beef and I can die happy!  Dill pickles and jalapenos on the side would be excellent additions.


We are almost o at a stand still on the farm today.  Only Josh is working and he is in the shop.  Dakota took off yesterday (with my approval) and then took today without my approval.  Slats has taken his daughter to the doctor in Lubbock.  Every ten days she has to go to a wound specialist at University Medical Center.  I hope the roads don't get bad before they get home.


They say we have a chance of snow and sleet.  I would love a substantial amount of moisture.  There is something about snow and the moist soil freezing that makes it really mellow.  God art at it's best.


One thing I haven't discussed here is the on goings in the ag industry developments in the genetically modified seed varieties that are Round Up Ready.  We spray directly over the top and the crop is not affected but the weeds are.  The problem is that the weeds are developing a resistance to the Round Up.  The latest thing is 2 4 D tolerant varieties.  Monsanto is beginning a push for this new technology.


First thing I will say is it is unbelievable that botanist can do what they do.  Second things is Monsanto is kind of like a big bully.  They are heavily leveraged in the genetically modified crops and they don't want to give any ground to any competitor.  Routinely, Monsanto will take growers to court for technology violations.  The largest, most recent instance involved soy beans I believe in Iowa.  A farmer bought seed from the local elevator (bulk) not knowing if it was Round Up ready or not.  The farmer planted it, took the chance and sprayed it, it was tolerant and Monsanto took him to court.  Eventually the Supreme Court heard the case and ruled in favor of Monsanto.


I have heard of instances where if Monsanto suspects something they will go into suspect fields and gather leaves or nodules for lab testing. 


This could really put a cotton producer who raises cattle in a precarious position IF he buys cottonseed to feed to cattle.  In the event there was some volunteer cotton that cross pollinated with conventional cotton.


I've kind of strayed off course.  I don't think I am in favor of the 2 4 D tolerant variety.  My experience with 2 4 D has been that it is horrible to drift.  Sometimes a great distance from the sprayed area.


I think I would rather see a modified Round Up (that once again would be patented).


I remember in 2011 we had a total loss for a crop but come September and the rains we had cotton we couldn't kill by plowing or spraying until we pulled out the 2 4 D. 


Maybe they could come up with a Round Up Plus, a slightly varied genetic modification and chemical. 


You know, just tweak it.


I can remember the yellow herbicides we used on the farms for years and finally the weeds became resistant to them.


There are people much smarter than I out there.  Thank GOD.


FATHER we love YOU.  We thank YOU for this world you created.