Lots of catching up!

Lots has happened this summer.


We all still have open wounds from losing Devon.  I still see something almost daily and think of him.  I really blame the railroad for his death.  Their bump system for employees is not a good thing in my books.  I know Devon was exposed to a lot of places he would not have seen (Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana).  But I don't believe Devon would have been where he was at when he was killed had it not been for the bump system.  Yet, it was his decision and he had a dream and was living it.


Now, I will say I believe Devon would have loved being a coon ass Cajun bayou boy.  I think he would have enjoyed the people and especially the food.  He is missed and will be missed.


As many of you are aware, we were blessed with tremendous rains in early July.  The old rule of thumb is that if you have a rain the week of July fourth you will make a good crop.  We were unable to get our wheat out timely and we still have about 57 acres of cotton underwater.  We had a stretch of 11 days I believe of 100 degree (or over days).  Enough of that.  The high temperatures and humidity have been tough.  The cotton has looked good until lately and it has been stressing in the hot afternoon.  We have had light scattered showers today but a really good chance of rain tomorrow and the next day.  A couple of inches could put this crop over the top.


Some of Rian's friends have lost cotton in recent days to hail.  We sure don't want that.  We had enough of that last year.


The end of June and the beginning of July Georgiana and I took our long planned vacation.  Nine days to South Dakota and Wyoming.  We went to Mount Rushmore, The Hot Springs Mammoth Dig, rode the 1880 train ride from Hill City to Keystone and back, ate a chuck wagon supper with family entertainment, drove to Deadwood and Spearfish, went through the federal fish hatchery in Spearfish, saw the Devil's Tower, drove through Spearfish Canyon, saw many buffalo, drove some of the little roads that have switchbacks and tunnels through mountains, but my favorite was what I went to see, The Crazy Horse Monument.


It was a good trip with beautiful scenery.  That country is pretty, but it is rough.


We put close to 3000 miles on the motorhome in July.  It has performed like a champ!  (Knock on wood).


Georgiana and I are about to get this motorhome living figured out!


We went from one extreme to another.  In South Dakota the night time temperature was in the lower fifties.  The other end of the spectrum was in Halletsville (to announce a tractor pull).  If you were not close to an air conditioner you were sweating.  On Saturday I sweated out three shirts.  Friday night we consumed all the water we took for the entire weekend!  I bet it took me two or three weeks to get hydrated.


Noble came and spent 8 days with Memama and me.  It was a really good week.  He is very ornery, but he has such a good heart and is so well mannered.  I have been going through withdrawals since I took him home.  He and Memama really connected.  On Friday he stayed at the house with Memama and Frances and he made a pallet.  When I came back to check on him Frances told me he got Memama to get in the floor with him.  When I returned to the living room I asked if Noble took a nap.  Memama replied, "I don't know if he did or didn't, but I did!"


Slat's quit Wednesday afternoon.  No notice.  Just a text.  Now I am kicking myself for not letting him go in February.  Work to keep him busy all summer because you need him on the harvest crew and he sucks you dry and walks.


Merrit had another brush with the law.  She was driving on the loop and was rearended and side swiped by another car that didn't stop.  She called 911.  The cops came and she was arrested for DWI and evading arrest.  She spend about four days in jail.  She has been off her rocker lately.  I have encouraged her to commit herself to a state mental facility for a full assessment and to get her meds right.


You pack your own parachute.  That's all I'm going to say about that.


FATHER, heal our hearts.  Thank YOU for the varied lands on this earth, they are things of beauty and awe.  FATHER we pray for rains and relief from the hot temperatures.  We ask for bountiful crops.  We know YOU know our needs and are faithful to meet them.  I pray Merrit gets some help.  Bless the little man and Meme and Grandpa as they raise him.  FATHER, YOU are good!