I am a fan of the Boston Celtics, mainly because of Paul Pierce. The paper today said he is opting out of his final year of his contract for 21.5 Million in the hopes of signing a four year 90 million dollar contract. Excuse me, but had a contract gone the way of GM stock and means nothing? How can a person just not honor his contract and opt for free agency? Also, 21.5 million dollars is an outrageous amount. I'll bet there are a lot of undrafted rookies this year that will sign for a couple of million. Hell Sherron Collins was a part of winning 130 games over four years at KU and he didn't get drafted. Dennis Clemente, the fastest guard in basketball didn't get drafted. Waive the green at them ans see how little you can buy them for.
One of these days, we will wake up and realize that what people are paying sports figures is obscene. Perhaps basketball players playing from Labor day to Memorial day are worth a couple million, but 90 million for four years? That is outrageous.
Barb brought in a bunch of Roades Scholar information. (replaced Elderhostel) There were a bunch of great trips to see in September and she let me choose. I was torn between a bike trip in Gettysburg, PA or the Zion Photography class. I chose to go back to Zion and wouldn't you know they have cancelled the one we wanted to attend. There is one a later in September but last year we had a week of some of the most miserable weather in early October. That will probably be where we will go but I do have my fingers crossed. This trip includes a trip to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Yesterday after riding our bikes, I came home and took my blood pressure. It was 120 over 60. I hadn't taken my blood pressure pill yet and wondered if I should. The rest of the day I had an almost perfect reading of 120 over 80. I hope the bike riding and the warm weather is helping. I have also stopped buying Wavy Lay's potato chips that I love.
Oh well, there is a drip irrigation system that needs installed.
MUD
6/30/2010
6/29/2010
Good Advice and the Petty Corollarys
Good Advice from over 120 years of Experience
My Good Friend Harvey forwarded me this bit of good advice. I will add a few word here and there but mine will be all in red to let you know
Old Farmer's Advice
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong. I vote for
electric fences when dogs are involved.
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong. I vote for
electric fences when dogs are involved.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance. If you think getting a loan is a royal pain, wait until you try to pay it back
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. It is more fun to live between a library and a mall though
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered....not yelled. But words that get to your heart are more easily learned and remembered.
Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you. If you think size is all that's important, don't try on a badger, or a snapping turtle
It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word. And when you eat them they'll gag you.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty. Or argue with a Petty'll do the same thing.
The best sermons are lived, not preached. But every once in a while get naked and play in the sprinkler...
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
Don't judge folks by their relatives. Unless they are rich and then compare away.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. But you ain't been to a Petty party and heard quiet have ya'.
Live a good, honorable life.. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time. The only problem with this is that when you get older you remember the things you did as a kid and didn't have good judgement. Hell, then you get to where can't remember where you put your car keys.
Don 't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none. Sometimes it just feels good to scratch
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance. But, remember the nekked playin' in the sprinkler can be a hell of a lot of fun.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'. And, you find more and more you look like one of your parents. Sometime that's good and mostly it is bad because you don't remember them from when they were young.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in..
If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around..
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
--
Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight,
he'll just kill you.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. It is more fun to live between a library and a mall though
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered....not yelled. But words that get to your heart are more easily learned and remembered.
Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you. If you think size is all that's important, don't try on a badger, or a snapping turtle
It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word. And when you eat them they'll gag you.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty. Or argue with a Petty'll do the same thing.
The best sermons are lived, not preached. But every once in a while get naked and play in the sprinkler...
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
Don't judge folks by their relatives. Unless they are rich and then compare away.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. But you ain't been to a Petty party and heard quiet have ya'.
Live a good, honorable life.. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time. The only problem with this is that when you get older you remember the things you did as a kid and didn't have good judgement. Hell, then you get to where can't remember where you put your car keys.
Don 't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none. Sometimes it just feels good to scratch
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance. But, remember the nekked playin' in the sprinkler can be a hell of a lot of fun.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'. And, you find more and more you look like one of your parents. Sometime that's good and mostly it is bad because you don't remember them from when they were young.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in..
If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around..
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
--
Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight,
he'll just kill you.
If you think that the race always goes to the swift, the fight to the big guy, and smart people rule, you might be wrong - But that's the way I bet most of the time
MUD
6/28/2010
Figures Lie and Liars figure
Yesterday I did some BBQ on the patio and the Dennis Miller program had an interesting guest. Here is a summary of what I heard:
- Men with equal educations in equal jobs, are paid more money.
- The US has 49% of the new births are non white.
- 60% of the college graduates last year were women.
- Women have tended to go into the jobs that are recession resistant. (Nurses, teachers and HR jobs)
- The unemployment rate is 2.7% higher for men than women.
I don't have a clue what that means for old retired white guys. I just thought that it was very interesting. The person who was the guest indicated that this is an indicator that the newest group of 20 something people are a lot less likely to find that color, race, sex or religion makes any difference in hiring people for jobs. Dennis just hopes that someday his new boss will not hammer him for being a white male because he will be the minority.
The radio this morning said that Robert Byrd died at the tender age of 92 yesterday. He was born in a shack with no running water or electricity. I'll bet that a lot of people born right after the turn of the century were living under such conditions. All I want is to have him buried and replaced by someone that has a clue what is really going on in the real world. I won't miss having Rush tell us about another mis-speak fro Robert KKK Byrd. Yes, I do know that they say it is eveil to speak poorly of the dead. I just don't know who "They" are.
MUD
- Men with equal educations in equal jobs, are paid more money.
- The US has 49% of the new births are non white.
- 60% of the college graduates last year were women.
- Women have tended to go into the jobs that are recession resistant. (Nurses, teachers and HR jobs)
- The unemployment rate is 2.7% higher for men than women.
I don't have a clue what that means for old retired white guys. I just thought that it was very interesting. The person who was the guest indicated that this is an indicator that the newest group of 20 something people are a lot less likely to find that color, race, sex or religion makes any difference in hiring people for jobs. Dennis just hopes that someday his new boss will not hammer him for being a white male because he will be the minority.
The radio this morning said that Robert Byrd died at the tender age of 92 yesterday. He was born in a shack with no running water or electricity. I'll bet that a lot of people born right after the turn of the century were living under such conditions. All I want is to have him buried and replaced by someone that has a clue what is really going on in the real world. I won't miss having Rush tell us about another mis-speak fro Robert KKK Byrd. Yes, I do know that they say it is eveil to speak poorly of the dead. I just don't know who "They" are.
MUD
6/27/2010
Danged Spell Checker
WALDO
The spell checker feature doesn't work for the title on Blogs. My typing and dyslexia set in yesterday and I spelled clarification as clarificarion. I guess that where you point out which dead body is which. Or like they say in the military, don't forget to bury the dead horses.
Today is scheduled to be another hot one here in the Heartland and outside work after noon is discouraged unless you can stop and get in the pool. I guess I could play in the pond or with the hose but I'll try to get my work done and get inside earlier. There is a little fencing work needing done at Valley Brooke. Waldo needs a good fence to keep him inside. He is the cutest little red short hair dachshund. I will do my best to make sure the fence is safe and sound.
Finally there is good news out of Morocco. Our friends there have watched as over 100 people have been told to leave there for being too good. This was not an outing of Terrorists, they were workers helping the people of Morocco through several organizations and someone in the Government didn't like it. Having met some of the people told to get out of town by sundown, I can assure you they are mostly the salt of the earth. For some unknown reason, sanity prevailed and the ousters were stopped and in some cases reversed. I loved the diversity of Morocco and they were opening up to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. In a land where things are harsh, it is good to see the Government showing kindness to people. Allah Be Praised.
The other good news for us is the impending visit of the Reimers in July. Julie and Gerald will bring the girls here for a few days in the middle of their trip to see the people here at home. It will be fun to again hear the giggles of Kendra and Katrina as they again show us how to enjoy life. I will also show Gerald a good time by doing some grillin' of pork on the BBQ. The last pulled pork I did in the crock pot was wonderful but with some Hickory Smoke it will be even better. (If that's possible). I am not sure what Barb and Julie will do, except to help the Reimers catch up on Dr's and dentist appointments.
I have been told of a special visit over the 4th of July weekend but I have been sworn to secrecy. We always love visitors and fireworks. Stay safe and cool out there.
MUD
Today is scheduled to be another hot one here in the Heartland and outside work after noon is discouraged unless you can stop and get in the pool. I guess I could play in the pond or with the hose but I'll try to get my work done and get inside earlier. There is a little fencing work needing done at Valley Brooke. Waldo needs a good fence to keep him inside. He is the cutest little red short hair dachshund. I will do my best to make sure the fence is safe and sound.
Finally there is good news out of Morocco. Our friends there have watched as over 100 people have been told to leave there for being too good. This was not an outing of Terrorists, they were workers helping the people of Morocco through several organizations and someone in the Government didn't like it. Having met some of the people told to get out of town by sundown, I can assure you they are mostly the salt of the earth. For some unknown reason, sanity prevailed and the ousters were stopped and in some cases reversed. I loved the diversity of Morocco and they were opening up to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. In a land where things are harsh, it is good to see the Government showing kindness to people. Allah Be Praised.
The other good news for us is the impending visit of the Reimers in July. Julie and Gerald will bring the girls here for a few days in the middle of their trip to see the people here at home. It will be fun to again hear the giggles of Kendra and Katrina as they again show us how to enjoy life. I will also show Gerald a good time by doing some grillin' of pork on the BBQ. The last pulled pork I did in the crock pot was wonderful but with some Hickory Smoke it will be even better. (If that's possible). I am not sure what Barb and Julie will do, except to help the Reimers catch up on Dr's and dentist appointments.
I have been told of a special visit over the 4th of July weekend but I have been sworn to secrecy. We always love visitors and fireworks. Stay safe and cool out there.
MUD
6/26/2010
Clarification
Just want to point out that Susank, KS is in the middle of "no and damned" where.
If God wanted to give the world an enema, he would go to the north edge Fort Irwin, California where it meets Death Valley and somewhere near there there is a good location for insertion.
Just say'n so you'll know
MUD
If God wanted to give the world an enema, he would go to the north edge Fort Irwin, California where it meets Death Valley and somewhere near there there is a good location for insertion.
Just say'n so you'll know
MUD
6/25/2010
Funny Story
Many times in the fall we would go to Grandma and Grandpa's house there on the oil lease near Susank, KS so my father could hunt pheasants. Normally dad would hunt with Curly and some friends from the Oil Field. That gave them a wide group of friends with places to hunt and they loved to get out and walk across a field of Milo or plant stubble to shoot at the birds eating there. If you have never seen acock pheasant up close, or have seen a cock flying with the sun shining on his plumage, you have missed a treat. If the kids went hunting with the men, we would generally get dropped off on one end of the field and used as blockers as the men came our way. More than once I had to drop so someone could shoot a bird coming my way.
For some reason or another, one year my Grandfather came to Wichita during the week for a meeting. I think they were a good excuse to swap tales and drink but he was there none the less. Curly was headed home on Wednesday so dad decided he would take a couple of days vacation and go back up to get in an extra day or two hunting. On Friday night, we all piled in the car and Mother drove us to Susank, by god, Kansas. You remember don't you. Right smack dab in the middle of "no and damned where." It was a nice trip from Wichita and always a good reason to stop and eat Hamburgers in McPherson or some strange place.
When we pulled up in the driveway there in Susank, the faintest odor of skunk was in the air. The wind blew from the south and right past a big oil well with its smells. The fact you first smelled skunk meant that there was or had been a skunk nearby. Normally it was one of the dogs had met a skunk as they hunted but the dogs were in the house so that wasn't the case. Skunk meeting for the hunting dogs was a cause for banishment to the yard.
It was dark and getting late when we got there so most of us kids crashed on either the couch or a bed or a pallet on the floor. Early the next morning Grandmother was up and fixed us a big old breakfast. There was always bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy. I can remember that Grandma liked to squeeze her own orange juice and man was it ever good. About the time the food ended, I was off to explore the yard and the off limits water tower. There beside the garage was a freshly marked grave with a cross and it was marked RIP. At the tender age of 8. I didn't know an acronym from apple butter so Rest in Peace or Rank has it privilege was not what I thought. I went back in and counted the dogs. Whitey and Kate (or spot) were there so it wasn't a grave for one of the dogs.
The typical thing for a kid to do is to "ask your parents." When I asked Dad, he said "never you mind that damned grave" so I did what any normal red blooded kid would do I went to the expert and asked Grandma. She was still in the kitchen and she had to look for a chair. As she sat down and wiped the tears of laughter away, she said it was a grave dug for daddy's game he shot on Thursday. It contained mostly the coveralls dad had been wearing because of the skunk spray. While walking down a row of Milo, he had met a skunk and they shot each other at the same time. Several of the guys from the oil field had come over that evening and held a mock funeral (No, I didn't have a clue what the hell a mock anything was but I do now) Dad had been a good sport to the guys but early in the morning (while nursing a hangover) he was in no mood to be teased by his kids.
With little or nothing else to do, we in typical kid fashion did not let it die and it wasn't until we were threatened with a shooting of our own went back outside to play.
Erma and Curly Fruits of Susank, KS were the host to many great meals there in the evening. During hunting season it wasn't unusual to find several pheasants in the kitchen sink being soaked with salt water overnight. Sometime in the afternoon, grandma would cut them up and bake them low and slow in the oven for a couple of hours. I didn't understand why then but I do know now why she did that but then she would take the pieces and dip them in batter and fry piles of pheasant to feed the masses. She had a big fry pan that fit over several burners and lord only knew how much she cooked. About six o'clock several people would show up and bring cases of beer. We would eat, and eat and eat. I had no idea that pheasant was a treat for rich people. We ate it all the time. Grandma's technique of soaking them and pre-baking the parts made then so tender that they fell off the bone. Great eats. Sometime I will tell you about the shrimp boils they held or the 20 chickens they cooked on the homemade grill covered with garlic and butter. I can tell you that good times were had there in the middle of Kansas and some of the best people came to eat with my grandparents. I hope I was considered one of them. May they all RIP.
MUD
For some reason or another, one year my Grandfather came to Wichita during the week for a meeting. I think they were a good excuse to swap tales and drink but he was there none the less. Curly was headed home on Wednesday so dad decided he would take a couple of days vacation and go back up to get in an extra day or two hunting. On Friday night, we all piled in the car and Mother drove us to Susank, by god, Kansas. You remember don't you. Right smack dab in the middle of "no and damned where." It was a nice trip from Wichita and always a good reason to stop and eat Hamburgers in McPherson or some strange place.
When we pulled up in the driveway there in Susank, the faintest odor of skunk was in the air. The wind blew from the south and right past a big oil well with its smells. The fact you first smelled skunk meant that there was or had been a skunk nearby. Normally it was one of the dogs had met a skunk as they hunted but the dogs were in the house so that wasn't the case. Skunk meeting for the hunting dogs was a cause for banishment to the yard.
It was dark and getting late when we got there so most of us kids crashed on either the couch or a bed or a pallet on the floor. Early the next morning Grandmother was up and fixed us a big old breakfast. There was always bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy. I can remember that Grandma liked to squeeze her own orange juice and man was it ever good. About the time the food ended, I was off to explore the yard and the off limits water tower. There beside the garage was a freshly marked grave with a cross and it was marked RIP. At the tender age of 8. I didn't know an acronym from apple butter so Rest in Peace or Rank has it privilege was not what I thought. I went back in and counted the dogs. Whitey and Kate (or spot) were there so it wasn't a grave for one of the dogs.
The typical thing for a kid to do is to "ask your parents." When I asked Dad, he said "never you mind that damned grave" so I did what any normal red blooded kid would do I went to the expert and asked Grandma. She was still in the kitchen and she had to look for a chair. As she sat down and wiped the tears of laughter away, she said it was a grave dug for daddy's game he shot on Thursday. It contained mostly the coveralls dad had been wearing because of the skunk spray. While walking down a row of Milo, he had met a skunk and they shot each other at the same time. Several of the guys from the oil field had come over that evening and held a mock funeral (No, I didn't have a clue what the hell a mock anything was but I do now) Dad had been a good sport to the guys but early in the morning (while nursing a hangover) he was in no mood to be teased by his kids.
With little or nothing else to do, we in typical kid fashion did not let it die and it wasn't until we were threatened with a shooting of our own went back outside to play.
Erma and Curly Fruits of Susank, KS were the host to many great meals there in the evening. During hunting season it wasn't unusual to find several pheasants in the kitchen sink being soaked with salt water overnight. Sometime in the afternoon, grandma would cut them up and bake them low and slow in the oven for a couple of hours. I didn't understand why then but I do know now why she did that but then she would take the pieces and dip them in batter and fry piles of pheasant to feed the masses. She had a big fry pan that fit over several burners and lord only knew how much she cooked. About six o'clock several people would show up and bring cases of beer. We would eat, and eat and eat. I had no idea that pheasant was a treat for rich people. We ate it all the time. Grandma's technique of soaking them and pre-baking the parts made then so tender that they fell off the bone. Great eats. Sometime I will tell you about the shrimp boils they held or the 20 chickens they cooked on the homemade grill covered with garlic and butter. I can tell you that good times were had there in the middle of Kansas and some of the best people came to eat with my grandparents. I hope I was considered one of them. May they all RIP.
MUD
6/24/2010
Oil & Gas Tax to the Rights Holder.
By the time the product is in the tank, it is production not a part of the property tax. The money is still a couple of months from the owner of the mineral rights.
First of all, the annual tax paid by the holder of the mineral rights is a property tax based on what the County says the value of the remainder of the oil and/or gas is. Here goes - The first year the well is in production, that production is figured to be 30% of the total. That means the tax you will pay is the 70% figure times the cost of the product on the current market times what ever tax rate they are charging that year. The mill levy or tax rate is basically what they need divided by the value of what is figured to be in the ground. So, you can see that this is kind of a scientific wild assed guess (SWAG) but that's the way they do it the first year. According to the lady I talked to, the owners/operators can deplete the amount of the oil by 30% for the first three years, They figure our the amount of product still in the ground by using some kind of table that takes the first year amount and then figures out by year how much product is remaining.
According to the lady, she figured out what depletion actually was on wells drilled in the 70's, did to the amount of oil in the ground and wells that should have been empty in the mid 80's are still pumping today. Yes, there is some lateral infill from the entire field and some producers are injecting water into the well to drive the oil to the top. Even with all that figured in, The thing that really drives the value crazy is the market price fluctuation. Gas is down almost to 1/3 of what it was last year. This decreased the value of the gas in Clark County by 9 million dollars from last year to this year. Knowing that they did not decrease the amount of money they need, means that they just upped the mill levy to make up the need.
You also need to know that the owners of the mineral rights are not in most cases the people extracting the oil/gas from the ground and seldom on hand when the money changes hands. It looks like a pretty good way to get ripped off but hey, in most cases the people who are getting the money for the oil/gas probably never owned the land, only inherited a percentage of the ownership from deceased relatives.
While I was in Susank, KS I met the brother of the current owner where the shell Oil lease house/yard was located. He and I talked about remembering things from the area as kids. He got there in the early 60's and by then the house my grandparent had lived in, was gone and shell was about wrapping up their drilling operations near there. He said that his dad did not own any of the mineral rights to the land where they live and farm. He said that his mother inherited some mineral rights from her grandfather. The money is divided by his six kids and then by his parents 8 kids. She gets about $3.00 a year. Not enough to go out and try to buy back any of the rights. I would hate to be the county person responsible for figuring out how to collect the tax and from who they should get it from.
So, Boys and Girls, the money you get from the producers is income you pay taxes on and the property tax is based on the SWAG of the value of the product you own that is still in the ground. Clear as MUD?
MUD
SUSANK, Kansas
Susank, KS Co-Op Elevator
Side Street in Susank
Old House Location (House Gone)
Main Shop Bldg on Shell lease
In the early 50's, my Grandmother and Her new Husband moved to a house on the Shell Oil lease 3 miles west and a mile and a half north of Susank, Kansas. That is a few miles north of Hoisington, KS and right smack dab in the middle of "no and Damned" where. Miles and miles of farmland and oil wells. The pungent smell of fresh oil is in the air and a salty sulphur taste is in the water. Back then, most of the pumps were running on old John Deere one lung motors and day and night they went "Pumpety, Pump (wait a little while) Pumpety Pump. Over and over day and night those damned wells droned on and on and on. After a while you either got immune to the noise of went mad.
The lease House was located right near the pipe field where there were rack and racks of drilling pipe and back behind the house was what we called the bunk house. It had a shop and showers so the workers could clean up right before they went home. The only thing left today is some of the metal buildings and a couple of the pipe racks. Because of the really crappy water, they had an ice machine and that was the one thing that let you drink the water until you got so thirsty you just drank it anyway. Even though the company hauled in water from Hoisington, the water was nasty. It was in a water tank on stilts out behind the house and it was pretty darned warm most of the time. In spite of being told to stay off the tower, it was one place that I could hide and not be seen.
The one thing I remember the most was that Oil Field Workers consumed large quantities of booze. It was mostly beer but there was also a lot of whisky consumed. I can remember the last time I went hunting with Dad and Curly they had a quart of whisky and two pints of Peppermint Schnapps in a sack in the back seat of the car. I managed to drink enough of the schnapps that I didn't even get out of the car to shoot in the afternoon. I do remember one of the last times I did get out they flushed out four or five pheasants out of some high grass and between the two of them they didn't hit a thing. I didn't even shoot.
One of my favorite stories was the time Sue, Carol, Ricky and I went out into the pipe field to shoot rabbits. Curly let Sue shoot his .410 shotgun and up close it would kill a rabbit. I saw a rabbit hop into one of the racks of pipe and Sue asked me to see which pipe it was. I looked in and saw a pair of eyes looking back at me. I told sue to count over four pipes and up one and shoot in there. Bamn, and a tom cat came out the far end of the pipe dragging his ass trying to get rid of the buckshot. My sister was devastated that she had shot a cat and not a rabbit. When we got back to the house Sue told Curly what I had done and how because of my mistake she shot a cat. Grandpa gave me a dollar and said that one feral cat would clear out any pheasant nests in a section. He hated those damned cats.
We got out and walked around the old building hoping that we didn't find any snakes. The good news is that we managed to not be found by anything that made noise. I do have a few chigger bites but that's what I get for getting out of the car. Worth every itch.
More later about oil wells. I will try to describe the property tax on oil and gas as it was explained to me.
MUD
The lease House was located right near the pipe field where there were rack and racks of drilling pipe and back behind the house was what we called the bunk house. It had a shop and showers so the workers could clean up right before they went home. The only thing left today is some of the metal buildings and a couple of the pipe racks. Because of the really crappy water, they had an ice machine and that was the one thing that let you drink the water until you got so thirsty you just drank it anyway. Even though the company hauled in water from Hoisington, the water was nasty. It was in a water tank on stilts out behind the house and it was pretty darned warm most of the time. In spite of being told to stay off the tower, it was one place that I could hide and not be seen.
The one thing I remember the most was that Oil Field Workers consumed large quantities of booze. It was mostly beer but there was also a lot of whisky consumed. I can remember the last time I went hunting with Dad and Curly they had a quart of whisky and two pints of Peppermint Schnapps in a sack in the back seat of the car. I managed to drink enough of the schnapps that I didn't even get out of the car to shoot in the afternoon. I do remember one of the last times I did get out they flushed out four or five pheasants out of some high grass and between the two of them they didn't hit a thing. I didn't even shoot.
One of my favorite stories was the time Sue, Carol, Ricky and I went out into the pipe field to shoot rabbits. Curly let Sue shoot his .410 shotgun and up close it would kill a rabbit. I saw a rabbit hop into one of the racks of pipe and Sue asked me to see which pipe it was. I looked in and saw a pair of eyes looking back at me. I told sue to count over four pipes and up one and shoot in there. Bamn, and a tom cat came out the far end of the pipe dragging his ass trying to get rid of the buckshot. My sister was devastated that she had shot a cat and not a rabbit. When we got back to the house Sue told Curly what I had done and how because of my mistake she shot a cat. Grandpa gave me a dollar and said that one feral cat would clear out any pheasant nests in a section. He hated those damned cats.
We got out and walked around the old building hoping that we didn't find any snakes. The good news is that we managed to not be found by anything that made noise. I do have a few chigger bites but that's what I get for getting out of the car. Worth every itch.
More later about oil wells. I will try to describe the property tax on oil and gas as it was explained to me.
MUD
FINALLY A PAIR YOU CAN (MIGHT) BELIEVE IN!
I have done some reading on the problems between the President and the Military. It is pretty clear that he gave clear and concise instructions to the Military. By July 2011 they better have their duties transferred over to the Afghan Defense Force and be prepared to leave. He clearly told them that they were to no take over any new territory they weren't prepared to leave in a year. I believe the word Check from the Sec of Defense and Ditto from the General was pretty clear. After that, the Military's duty was to do what they were ordered and keep their traps shut about it. Failure to can and did result in removal for McChrystal.
I am not the biggest fan of Harry Truman but the story of his first run in with General MacArthur is one of my favorites. Both the general and the President flew to Midway Island to discuss the position of the United States in the middle of the Korean War. The President's plane arrived on time to find that the General's plane wasn't there. Harry told the pilots to stay aloft as long as they could. When they finally got low on fuel they landed and Harry had the plane go way down the runway. After General MacArthur landed, the POTUS had his plane move to the terminal. The picture in the paper the next day was of general MacArthur standing at the bottom of the stairway greeting the arrival of the President. I am told than in a private meeting shortly thereafter, Harry told Doug that he didn't care what the hell Doug thought of him, the man Harry Truman, he was by god the President and he damn sure better at the bottom of the stairs the next time. There wasn't a next time as Doug out Doug threatened nuclear war and the President relieved him.
Now, let me tell you that somewhere after a couple of years in another country, we owe it to ourselves to clear out and let them be. I think I said it much earlier that what the hell are we going to do when we realize that it took someone with an Iron fist and the will to kill people to rule in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. When we realized that we weren't willing to do that, when were we going to just go home?
MUD
I am not the biggest fan of Harry Truman but the story of his first run in with General MacArthur is one of my favorites. Both the general and the President flew to Midway Island to discuss the position of the United States in the middle of the Korean War. The President's plane arrived on time to find that the General's plane wasn't there. Harry told the pilots to stay aloft as long as they could. When they finally got low on fuel they landed and Harry had the plane go way down the runway. After General MacArthur landed, the POTUS had his plane move to the terminal. The picture in the paper the next day was of general MacArthur standing at the bottom of the stairway greeting the arrival of the President. I am told than in a private meeting shortly thereafter, Harry told Doug that he didn't care what the hell Doug thought of him, the man Harry Truman, he was by god the President and he damn sure better at the bottom of the stairs the next time. There wasn't a next time as Doug out Doug threatened nuclear war and the President relieved him.
Now, let me tell you that somewhere after a couple of years in another country, we owe it to ourselves to clear out and let them be. I think I said it much earlier that what the hell are we going to do when we realize that it took someone with an Iron fist and the will to kill people to rule in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. When we realized that we weren't willing to do that, when were we going to just go home?
MUD
6/23/2010
Crap!
On the Today Show, one of the news anchors asked if General McChrystal could be replaced? Where do they get these guys. I'll bet there are at least 10 Generals including a Marine General or Two that could replace him today. Then the question was asked - What about the morale of the soldiers. It already sucks, they are in Afghanistan fighting a war. Duh. If replacing a General makes a difference to the soldiers, they aren't doing what they were sent there to do. Even as a young officer in Vietnam, the overall command didn't change my part of the war one bit. The real focus needs to be on can we win no matter who is in charge and how soon can we do it? When will everyone wake up to the fact that there has been a war in Afghanistan for a couple of hundred years and even the Soviets when they had a pretty damned good army couldn't fix what was broken there. Perhaps it is time for us to declare victory and come home.
Next, I want to discuss what I think makes a good military leader. From Corporal through Captain, it is the honest hard work of the individual that influences soldiers directly. It is the ability of one person to share and care for the soldier. It is looking out for the dis-satisfiers and using motivators that is important. Soldiers don't expect steak lunches every day. They expect t be fed, watered and trained. Once they are trained, they expect to be used like they were trained. Somewhere there is a bunch of staff guys that take care of the pay and the family back home. It is the leader that is in the troops direct vision and they need to be sure the soldier is taken care of. Good leaders punish in private and promote in public. They do not shout at team members that make mistakes, they try to make sure the soldier knows what to do, what not to do and when to do it.
From the level of Major to Colonel, a leader has to go out of his area to see the soldiers. They impact at that level is to be a good cheer leader when you visit the troops. Talk to the leaders to see what needs to be done to help them do their job and talk with the soldiers as a team. Have the crew chief or squad leader to gather his team together and talk about the vision of success. If you show up looking like you just stepped out of a shower, the soldiers won't care what you say. I am not advocating you get dirty on purpose but a little dust on your uniform makes you one of them.
From the level of BG on up, your job is political. Do what needs done at that level and leave the soldiers alone. Yes, be there to pin on medals and promotions but getting ready for a visit from some General no one knows is a lot of work that generally detracts from the real jobs. In today's world, there is no such thing as a private conversation. You will have a lot of time when you retire to say bad things about the leaders at higher levels. Make sure that everyone below, and directly below you, knows what their job is and how to do it. Train, retrain and then evaluate. If in doubt, go for your commercial. We are here to..... And stick with that story.
Should the President replace the General. In a heartbeat, a New York minute or why hasn't he done so already. Generals know that they need to keep their mouths shut when they have a problem with higher levels. Send in a team leader that is familiar with what is expected and do it now.
The last thing the President needs right now is another ankle biter to lift and shift his focus on the important things. On the list of must do's it is Jobs, the leak in the gulf and a clear policy that need focus. Perhaps changing a general that got out of line might create some goal alignment in his organization.
MUD
Next, I want to discuss what I think makes a good military leader. From Corporal through Captain, it is the honest hard work of the individual that influences soldiers directly. It is the ability of one person to share and care for the soldier. It is looking out for the dis-satisfiers and using motivators that is important. Soldiers don't expect steak lunches every day. They expect t be fed, watered and trained. Once they are trained, they expect to be used like they were trained. Somewhere there is a bunch of staff guys that take care of the pay and the family back home. It is the leader that is in the troops direct vision and they need to be sure the soldier is taken care of. Good leaders punish in private and promote in public. They do not shout at team members that make mistakes, they try to make sure the soldier knows what to do, what not to do and when to do it.
From the level of Major to Colonel, a leader has to go out of his area to see the soldiers. They impact at that level is to be a good cheer leader when you visit the troops. Talk to the leaders to see what needs to be done to help them do their job and talk with the soldiers as a team. Have the crew chief or squad leader to gather his team together and talk about the vision of success. If you show up looking like you just stepped out of a shower, the soldiers won't care what you say. I am not advocating you get dirty on purpose but a little dust on your uniform makes you one of them.
From the level of BG on up, your job is political. Do what needs done at that level and leave the soldiers alone. Yes, be there to pin on medals and promotions but getting ready for a visit from some General no one knows is a lot of work that generally detracts from the real jobs. In today's world, there is no such thing as a private conversation. You will have a lot of time when you retire to say bad things about the leaders at higher levels. Make sure that everyone below, and directly below you, knows what their job is and how to do it. Train, retrain and then evaluate. If in doubt, go for your commercial. We are here to..... And stick with that story.
Should the President replace the General. In a heartbeat, a New York minute or why hasn't he done so already. Generals know that they need to keep their mouths shut when they have a problem with higher levels. Send in a team leader that is familiar with what is expected and do it now.
The last thing the President needs right now is another ankle biter to lift and shift his focus on the important things. On the list of must do's it is Jobs, the leak in the gulf and a clear policy that need focus. Perhaps changing a general that got out of line might create some goal alignment in his organization.
MUD
6/22/2010
Road trip
Barb and I are off on a road trip to Clark County, KS. It is hard to go that far in Kansas and not land in Oklahoma. If you go real fast, you can blow through the Pan Handle of Oklahoma and hit Texas, then New Mexico. Yes, we will take our cameras and see if we can finds the Daily wells for pictures.
I'll write when we get back. better go pack.
MUD
I'll write when we get back. better go pack.
MUD
6/21/2010
Post Father's Day Thoughts
For me, it all started with a card from my 'nother daughter in Round Rock Texas. I got a cute card that made me look like Indiana Jones. I really think I am more a Kansas Smith type but hey, I do like old floppy hats. Mel manages to get back up for important things and she knows she is always welcome here at Rabbit Run.
Next, I got a call from Kyler and Austen in Las Vegas. They are with their Grandparents Larry and Sandy and were about to take off an adventure to Circus, Circus and points elsewhere. It is always nice to hear their voices and they sure sounded like they were headed for a day of fun.
The wife made me a card with my face where wheezer of "Our Gang Comedies, aka the Little Rascals" was. She knows that deep in my heart I am a kid trapped in a 60 year old body. Then she bought me a blood pressure cuff so I'll know when the ringing in my ears is from the deafness or the high blood pressure. The Pharmacy changed their generic med and it seems to allow more tinnitus. May have to find a new pharmacy if it doesn't get better. Might try to lay off the potato chips also.
We had dinner with Dave and his Barb at the Texas Road House. As we went past the meat case the waitress asked us to pick out a steak to see if I won anything. I picked out one on the end and I didn't notice it was 26 OZ of KC Strip. Yes dear one's it was enough food to feed a family of four for two meals but I ate it any way. What was that Girl Scout song? Found a peanut, it was rotten, ate it anyway? I also ate some peanuts and had a good time with the family. Because of my love of cooking the kids got me a beautiful chopping block. It is a combination of walnut and oak in a beautiful pattern. I will try to find some mineral oil for it today as I try to fins a sprayer that will reach the tops of our cedar trees. The sprayer we have just doesn't have the oomph to reach out there and do a good job.
Yes, I know that a paragraph should have only one thought. As I transition from sentence to sentence, sometimes I get carried away by a new thought. If it all ends in one paragraph so much the better. If not, read on as I don't charge you anything to read.
Better get on with the day. have a great one out there
Next, I got a call from Kyler and Austen in Las Vegas. They are with their Grandparents Larry and Sandy and were about to take off an adventure to Circus, Circus and points elsewhere. It is always nice to hear their voices and they sure sounded like they were headed for a day of fun.
The wife made me a card with my face where wheezer of "Our Gang Comedies, aka the Little Rascals" was. She knows that deep in my heart I am a kid trapped in a 60 year old body. Then she bought me a blood pressure cuff so I'll know when the ringing in my ears is from the deafness or the high blood pressure. The Pharmacy changed their generic med and it seems to allow more tinnitus. May have to find a new pharmacy if it doesn't get better. Might try to lay off the potato chips also.
We had dinner with Dave and his Barb at the Texas Road House. As we went past the meat case the waitress asked us to pick out a steak to see if I won anything. I picked out one on the end and I didn't notice it was 26 OZ of KC Strip. Yes dear one's it was enough food to feed a family of four for two meals but I ate it any way. What was that Girl Scout song? Found a peanut, it was rotten, ate it anyway? I also ate some peanuts and had a good time with the family. Because of my love of cooking the kids got me a beautiful chopping block. It is a combination of walnut and oak in a beautiful pattern. I will try to find some mineral oil for it today as I try to fins a sprayer that will reach the tops of our cedar trees. The sprayer we have just doesn't have the oomph to reach out there and do a good job.
Yes, I know that a paragraph should have only one thought. As I transition from sentence to sentence, sometimes I get carried away by a new thought. If it all ends in one paragraph so much the better. If not, read on as I don't charge you anything to read.
Better get on with the day. have a great one out there
6/20/2010
The time I hit a Coon
My dad was sick in the 70's with a liver disease that started out as Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick fever. He had a Volvo Station Wagon and no need for it at the time. To help them out, I bought it to fix up and drive. It had well over 100,000 miles on it and needed a lot of work. In fact, I had to replace the universal joints on it just to get it home. A little later on, I found a guy that had several wrecked, brand new Volvo's (train derailment) and bought one to replace the entire running gear. Basically I lifted the steering wheel and drove a whole new Volvo under it. Engine, transmission, front end and every part that I could fit in the old car that was OK on the wrecked car. It even had an overdrive to help it get over 20 MPG. With electronic Fuel Injection, it ran great.
One weekend, we took a trip to Wichita to visit my mom and dad. On the way back at Emporia, I took the I-35 cut off and headed up towards Ottawa where we were living at the time. Dave had been a really good baby for the entire trip and was in his car seat fairly quiet. About halfway between Emporia and Ottawa, he got a little fussy and Barb brought him to the front seat to see if he needed a diaper change. he had finished a bottle about Emporia so he probably was wet.
Just as Barb got Dave into the front seat, I saw a large male Raccoon on the highway. I was driving 70 and there was just no way I could slow down enough to keep from hitting him. As I got closer, he arched his back in a defensive posture and slam, bam, that's when the fun began.
As I hit him, the car became almost uncontrollable. It seemed like the steering was all whacked up and I could kind of control the direction I was sliding with one wheel or the other. There was just no way both tires were in control at the same time. I slid first to the right, then the left and then right and then left... Thank god it was a four lane and there was no one any where near us. I managed to control it just enough to get it stopped just short of hitting a bridge abutment. That would have probably killed us if we had struck that damned coon closer to the bridge overpass abutment.
I got out and looked to see what the hell had managed to make the car uncontrollable. It appeared that Volvo built the front end in both a right hand drive and a left hand drive. The drag link that went across from the steering gear to the right front wheel was in front of the main support on the left hand drive. That damned coon had arched his back and it bent that drag link completely against the frame. It made the front wheels toe in to the point that if one wheel was in charge, the other was sliding almost sideways. Not conducive to driving fast and under control.
After getting my nerves back under control, I then decided to see what I could do to make it work the last 30 miles home. back in those days, i was a poor Civil Service employee and the thought of having it towed home was not an option I could afford if at all possible to avoid. In those days, I always carried a set of tools in the Volvo. In fact, i think they were in a plastic wrapper and came with one of the two cars. I set out to see if I could remove the bent bar and do some work on it to make if straight. I got it off, but man was that some strong drag link.
I can see it now in my mind's eye, 3/4 inch thick and with a "U" shape not straight. I put it on the ground and tried to jump up and down to straighten it back out. No such luck. I tried everything I knew how including jacking up the car and letting the weight of the car bend it. No way I could make that happen. In frustration, I slammed it against the big bridge abutment. hey, it was a little straighter. Slam again and a little better. Slam it for the third time and with the adjustment in the ball joints on the end I might be able to get it straight enough to get home. I played Mc Guyver all I knew how and put it back together. Glory be, it wasn't perfect but I managed to limp it back to Ottawa that night.
The next day I took the bar over to the Maintenance Shop and one of the guys with the help of some heat and a vice made it straight again. I had managed to wear off a lot of rubber on the front wheels but they were replaceable and Dave and the wife weren't. The tire shop also was able to realign the front end and all was well.
I am telling this story because my niece hit a Saint Bernard with her BMW. Thank god they too are safe. I just hope they can repair her car as cheaply as I got off. (Yes, I know it will cost $100 to drive into the BMW shop to say hi)
MUD
One weekend, we took a trip to Wichita to visit my mom and dad. On the way back at Emporia, I took the I-35 cut off and headed up towards Ottawa where we were living at the time. Dave had been a really good baby for the entire trip and was in his car seat fairly quiet. About halfway between Emporia and Ottawa, he got a little fussy and Barb brought him to the front seat to see if he needed a diaper change. he had finished a bottle about Emporia so he probably was wet.
Just as Barb got Dave into the front seat, I saw a large male Raccoon on the highway. I was driving 70 and there was just no way I could slow down enough to keep from hitting him. As I got closer, he arched his back in a defensive posture and slam, bam, that's when the fun began.
As I hit him, the car became almost uncontrollable. It seemed like the steering was all whacked up and I could kind of control the direction I was sliding with one wheel or the other. There was just no way both tires were in control at the same time. I slid first to the right, then the left and then right and then left... Thank god it was a four lane and there was no one any where near us. I managed to control it just enough to get it stopped just short of hitting a bridge abutment. That would have probably killed us if we had struck that damned coon closer to the bridge overpass abutment.
I got out and looked to see what the hell had managed to make the car uncontrollable. It appeared that Volvo built the front end in both a right hand drive and a left hand drive. The drag link that went across from the steering gear to the right front wheel was in front of the main support on the left hand drive. That damned coon had arched his back and it bent that drag link completely against the frame. It made the front wheels toe in to the point that if one wheel was in charge, the other was sliding almost sideways. Not conducive to driving fast and under control.
After getting my nerves back under control, I then decided to see what I could do to make it work the last 30 miles home. back in those days, i was a poor Civil Service employee and the thought of having it towed home was not an option I could afford if at all possible to avoid. In those days, I always carried a set of tools in the Volvo. In fact, i think they were in a plastic wrapper and came with one of the two cars. I set out to see if I could remove the bent bar and do some work on it to make if straight. I got it off, but man was that some strong drag link.
I can see it now in my mind's eye, 3/4 inch thick and with a "U" shape not straight. I put it on the ground and tried to jump up and down to straighten it back out. No such luck. I tried everything I knew how including jacking up the car and letting the weight of the car bend it. No way I could make that happen. In frustration, I slammed it against the big bridge abutment. hey, it was a little straighter. Slam again and a little better. Slam it for the third time and with the adjustment in the ball joints on the end I might be able to get it straight enough to get home. I played Mc Guyver all I knew how and put it back together. Glory be, it wasn't perfect but I managed to limp it back to Ottawa that night.
The next day I took the bar over to the Maintenance Shop and one of the guys with the help of some heat and a vice made it straight again. I had managed to wear off a lot of rubber on the front wheels but they were replaceable and Dave and the wife weren't. The tire shop also was able to realign the front end and all was well.
I am telling this story because my niece hit a Saint Bernard with her BMW. Thank god they too are safe. I just hope they can repair her car as cheaply as I got off. (Yes, I know it will cost $100 to drive into the BMW shop to say hi)
MUD
Father's Day
Oh the Stories Our Father's told
Happy Father's Day to all of those out there that fit the bill. I hope you have some joy on the day to remind us all of the responsibility we have for a few moments of pleasure. I hope that you continue to find pleasure in the fruits of that pleasure and get to celebrate their growth as you do.
Note to Mom's out there, men are just wired different. The daddy bird watches as the fledglings reach the edge of the nest and fly away. They are not worried about empty nests, they are proud that their off spring can fly away and are strong. Mothers will worry forever about their babies even when they have their own babies. Men will celebrate the joy in life and are proud. It isn't wrong, just different. Now, if mother nature made the male carry the baby in his belly for nine months, he might feel different. But, the fact is they don't.
One thing that this eagle doesn't understand is how any man could leave his wife and babies to pursue their own happiness. I could tell you the names of hundreds of young children out there that have been abandoned by their fathers. Some have even had more than one father in their life walk away. Heck, you would think that men would feel stronger about their children than their dogs. One of my friends had a father that stayed with his wife until the last child was out of High School. He stayed married to one nutty wife so long as there was a need for him to be there. He wasn't the greatest dad but he was there for the time it took for his children to get out of school.
Yesterday, I woke up fairly early and got on the mower to clean up the place a little. I managed a couple of hours and then it started to cloud up and look dark. Most of the rain went north of us this time but even with the ground soggy as it can be, it managed to rain another 1/2 inch. Thank god the wind and strong cell went north of us. I got in just as the rain started and this time I did manage to get the mower's covered with the tarp. We managed a trip to Wally World but not much for the rest of the day.
Better get in gear, there might be some fun to be had today and I'd sure hate to miss it.
MUD
Note to Mom's out there, men are just wired different. The daddy bird watches as the fledglings reach the edge of the nest and fly away. They are not worried about empty nests, they are proud that their off spring can fly away and are strong. Mothers will worry forever about their babies even when they have their own babies. Men will celebrate the joy in life and are proud. It isn't wrong, just different. Now, if mother nature made the male carry the baby in his belly for nine months, he might feel different. But, the fact is they don't.
One thing that this eagle doesn't understand is how any man could leave his wife and babies to pursue their own happiness. I could tell you the names of hundreds of young children out there that have been abandoned by their fathers. Some have even had more than one father in their life walk away. Heck, you would think that men would feel stronger about their children than their dogs. One of my friends had a father that stayed with his wife until the last child was out of High School. He stayed married to one nutty wife so long as there was a need for him to be there. He wasn't the greatest dad but he was there for the time it took for his children to get out of school.
Yesterday, I woke up fairly early and got on the mower to clean up the place a little. I managed a couple of hours and then it started to cloud up and look dark. Most of the rain went north of us this time but even with the ground soggy as it can be, it managed to rain another 1/2 inch. Thank god the wind and strong cell went north of us. I got in just as the rain started and this time I did manage to get the mower's covered with the tarp. We managed a trip to Wally World but not much for the rest of the day.
Better get in gear, there might be some fun to be had today and I'd sure hate to miss it.
MUD
6/19/2010
Saturday? Again?
I guess it really doesn't matter what day of the week it is when I can do "Whatever" most of the days of the week. I think the ground is about firm enough too mow so that might be my fate today. The sound of motors running almost wide open and the smell of fresh cut grass.
The other day I needed a couple of quarts of oil for the truck and I saw a sign at the Auto Parts store. They had a special that gave me 5 quarts of oil and a filter for any car for $11.99. I stopped in and it was their house brand but still, the oil was 2.99 @ and the filter was $5.00. That is a $20.00 value for 12 and change. Pretty darned good deal I thought. Now one of these days I'll just have to buy more oil and change the oil in the Ford. Normally I have Jiffy Lube do it rather than crawl under the car. I am kind of pissed off at them about their hard sell on additional parts and services that they have started. Kind of odd that I know they are just trying to make a buck and I don't care what they think of my air filter.
Oh well, better run and see what kind of trouble I am going to have starting the mowers and tractor. I left them uncovered for the 6+ inches of rain this past week.
MUD
The other day I needed a couple of quarts of oil for the truck and I saw a sign at the Auto Parts store. They had a special that gave me 5 quarts of oil and a filter for any car for $11.99. I stopped in and it was their house brand but still, the oil was 2.99 @ and the filter was $5.00. That is a $20.00 value for 12 and change. Pretty darned good deal I thought. Now one of these days I'll just have to buy more oil and change the oil in the Ford. Normally I have Jiffy Lube do it rather than crawl under the car. I am kind of pissed off at them about their hard sell on additional parts and services that they have started. Kind of odd that I know they are just trying to make a buck and I don't care what they think of my air filter.
Oh well, better run and see what kind of trouble I am going to have starting the mowers and tractor. I left them uncovered for the 6+ inches of rain this past week.
MUD
6/18/2010
More Rain?
With the ground 100% saturated, you would think that the rain would go back down south for a while. On our last trip to Louisiana, it would rain every day about 4 PM. That seems to be the new trend here. At least we do get a chance to stay dry in the mornings. Perhaps I can convince Barb to go for a bike ride.
I wish I could think of some great thing to say about how the current administration is treating the oil spill. I completely agree that the people hurt by the spill should get some compensation. I worry that the Government will think this is a free for all and fund a bunch of things not directly a part of the spill. Kind of like the Stimulus Bill that funded a new stretch of US 75 down about Yates Center. They have closed one lane for a couple of months and poured new concrete about a foot thick. Everywhere else the road is asphalt that got a new coat when the ruts got too deep. There in the town of Yates Center they were "shovel ready" and are shoveling the money into their pocket as fast as they can. Here in Topeka, instead of just putting down a new coat of asphalt on east 29th street, they are putting new curbs in and digging out the old road bed down about a foot. It was the worst stretch of street in Topeka, but if they would come about 1/4 mile east, they would find no curbs and a street that needs new asphalt. Yes, that would put them in my driveway there and it does need help.
There is a message from our Morocco friends and they may get a chance to stop here in Topeka in July. It will be a treat for us and a good excuse for some heavy duty cleaning and painting. I am always glad to see them and the girls. We may even be able to come up with a second car to get them around. Barb's air conditioning needs fixed if we are going to drive it in July but hey it needed fixed anyway.
Better run and see what mischief I can stay out of.
MUD
I wish I could think of some great thing to say about how the current administration is treating the oil spill. I completely agree that the people hurt by the spill should get some compensation. I worry that the Government will think this is a free for all and fund a bunch of things not directly a part of the spill. Kind of like the Stimulus Bill that funded a new stretch of US 75 down about Yates Center. They have closed one lane for a couple of months and poured new concrete about a foot thick. Everywhere else the road is asphalt that got a new coat when the ruts got too deep. There in the town of Yates Center they were "shovel ready" and are shoveling the money into their pocket as fast as they can. Here in Topeka, instead of just putting down a new coat of asphalt on east 29th street, they are putting new curbs in and digging out the old road bed down about a foot. It was the worst stretch of street in Topeka, but if they would come about 1/4 mile east, they would find no curbs and a street that needs new asphalt. Yes, that would put them in my driveway there and it does need help.
There is a message from our Morocco friends and they may get a chance to stop here in Topeka in July. It will be a treat for us and a good excuse for some heavy duty cleaning and painting. I am always glad to see them and the girls. We may even be able to come up with a second car to get them around. Barb's air conditioning needs fixed if we are going to drive it in July but hey it needed fixed anyway.
Better run and see what mischief I can stay out of.
MUD
6/17/2010
100% Wet
According to the experts (X-Spurts in this case) we have reached 100 % moisture content in the soil here in the Heartland. All the dust is wet and the cracks filled. Anything that hits the ground for the next week will run off merrily to the nearest stream, or in the Craigs case, the basement. Here at Rabbit Run, the sump pump has run at a good clip about every 15 minutes. Water came down the drive and plugged the drain until I went out to clean the clog.
I am sure the blame for this inundation is the fact that about a week ago, I bought a drip irrigation system for Barb's garden. Things there were starting to show a little wilt and as always, I was trying to help her out. Some friend to Gardner's I am. I thought for a while I was going to have to make a run to the hardware store and get a gross of sandbags. Yes, I know that Ace hardware doesn't stock them.
Today the temperatures here are going to reach 90 with Louisiana type humidity figures. You could go out and drink the air for all the water in it. You break sweat getting dressed after you take a shower from the sweat. Nine Goot GI.
Better run and go check out the sump pump, the drains and everywhere water may run where I don't want it to.
MUD
I am sure the blame for this inundation is the fact that about a week ago, I bought a drip irrigation system for Barb's garden. Things there were starting to show a little wilt and as always, I was trying to help her out. Some friend to Gardner's I am. I thought for a while I was going to have to make a run to the hardware store and get a gross of sandbags. Yes, I know that Ace hardware doesn't stock them.
Today the temperatures here are going to reach 90 with Louisiana type humidity figures. You could go out and drink the air for all the water in it. You break sweat getting dressed after you take a shower from the sweat. Nine Goot GI.
Better run and go check out the sump pump, the drains and everywhere water may run where I don't want it to.
MUD
6/15/2010
Dentist Today
Today is one of my semi-annual dentist appointments to clean my teeth and do a check-up. I hope I get to keep what I have for a few more years. Most of my younger years growing up, I was around people with no teeth, plates and bridges. I hope to have enough teeth to chew steak my last day. A little cost along the way beats the hell out of no teeth. And No, ground steak is just a fancy name for hamburger.
Yesterday evening we went over to the house on Valley Brooke to check the damage from the storm Sunday night. There was over two inches of rain and up to 83 MPH winds. At the end of the street down by Shunga, there were tree limbs down all over the place. A block north, the trees in the yard seem to be in good shape. I do need to go over and pick up the normal tree branch debris and mow. I will probably climb up on the roof and remove the branches up there.
I have a name for the Big 12 when two teams depart next year. I would call it the Heartland 10.
It does look like the commissioner talked Texas into staying for a while. I think they were offered to have a special TV deal in Texas that will give them additional revenue. Getting half of Nebraska and Colorado's money next year won't hurt. Had the Big 12 completely gone away, all bets would have been off and everyone would still get an equal share. Between the TV deal and more money from the teams leaving, the PAC whatever just couldn't offer more. It will be all based on the $ and they will then probably play a complete round robin without a play off.
This means that in Football each team in the Heartland 10 will play once. In basketball they will play one at home and once on the road. Should be some fun games in our future.
I am pretty sure that barb and I won't make a trip to see Colorado this next year. I have high hopes that all the Big XII teams have a fan base that will stay home. We still have to see Missouri and Iowa State yet. Yes dear one's I really don't want to travel to the little Apple to see KU vs KSU in any sport.
Better go get ready for my trip to the Dentist.
MUD
Yesterday evening we went over to the house on Valley Brooke to check the damage from the storm Sunday night. There was over two inches of rain and up to 83 MPH winds. At the end of the street down by Shunga, there were tree limbs down all over the place. A block north, the trees in the yard seem to be in good shape. I do need to go over and pick up the normal tree branch debris and mow. I will probably climb up on the roof and remove the branches up there.
I have a name for the Big 12 when two teams depart next year. I would call it the Heartland 10.
It does look like the commissioner talked Texas into staying for a while. I think they were offered to have a special TV deal in Texas that will give them additional revenue. Getting half of Nebraska and Colorado's money next year won't hurt. Had the Big 12 completely gone away, all bets would have been off and everyone would still get an equal share. Between the TV deal and more money from the teams leaving, the PAC whatever just couldn't offer more. It will be all based on the $ and they will then probably play a complete round robin without a play off.
This means that in Football each team in the Heartland 10 will play once. In basketball they will play one at home and once on the road. Should be some fun games in our future.
I am pretty sure that barb and I won't make a trip to see Colorado this next year. I have high hopes that all the Big XII teams have a fan base that will stay home. We still have to see Missouri and Iowa State yet. Yes dear one's I really don't want to travel to the little Apple to see KU vs KSU in any sport.
Better go get ready for my trip to the Dentist.
MUD
6/14/2010
Writin' Bug
I am currently reading a book about Marines during the Vietnam War. It is one man's view of life in a rifle company and their attempts to close with the enemy and survive to see another day. It really has my juices worked up and I am torn between doing the important things I need to do and write. I guess mostly I need to get my stories organized and try to put some continuity in the stories I already have.
I think that is really a problem I am having with my life in general. there are a lot of things I feel I should do and a lot of thing I do. I started to write Do Do there but with old men and their preoccupation with bowel movements I decided that only one do was enough. I spent my working life with a To Do list and that was the only way I could keep it organized. I would work down the list only at the end of the day to re-write the list for the next day. There was a lot of times that the daily events overcame any list I could make. There were days that would move down the list and have time to help the others working for me. I am not sure that at this point in life I want to try to get too organized.
We have been deluged with rain this last 72 hours. I am pretty sure that last night we got another inch and a half and that had to put us over five inches. We also had the Doppler radar tell us here in Topeka that there were two cells very close to us that had counter rotating clouds above us. Neither put down a tornado but it did bring the kids over to come to the basement. Our Daughter-in-law is sick again and even with a week-end to get better I'll bet she stays home today. She has been having allergy problems and sinus headaches lately.
Yesterday I put some pork loin in the crock pot. When it was done I reduced the liquid, added some BBQ sauce and made a pulled pork for sandwiches. man was that good. I even tried it with some hot wing sauce. I think a hot BBQ sauce is great and different. For the most part my steaks and other meats I cook on the grill are more smoked than BBQ. In the past I never ate a steak with out A-1 sauce. Once I started marinating my meats and then smoking on the Webber I hardly ever use it anymore. If I use a BBQ sauce mostly it is the sweet red sauce most people associate with Kansas City. In fact, I use more KC masterpiece than any thing else. Somewhere we pick up a bottle of famous Dave's BBQ sauce and it was a nice change. We have a Rib Crib here in Topeka and i would eat there more often if they had a KC masterpiece type sauce. they are from the south and their sauces are vinegar based and not as good to me.
As you know, I ride a recumbent bike built for me by my Brother-in-Law Ken. Dur to the harsh treatment of throwing it in the truck and on a trailer it is in need of a re-paint. I think there is even a crash or two in the damage column. I am torn what will give it a great look and durability it needs. I am not sure there is a powder coat place here that can do a six foot bike frame. I guess I probably could just repaint it a little at a time with a spray can and move on. I don't expect perfection but I do want to protect the parts from rusting. We all know the wet goose poop on the lake Shawnee trails has to be hard on the metal.
Oh well, this has again wandered on to places unknown and let my coffee get cold. have a great Day out there.
MUD
I think that is really a problem I am having with my life in general. there are a lot of things I feel I should do and a lot of thing I do. I started to write Do Do there but with old men and their preoccupation with bowel movements I decided that only one do was enough. I spent my working life with a To Do list and that was the only way I could keep it organized. I would work down the list only at the end of the day to re-write the list for the next day. There was a lot of times that the daily events overcame any list I could make. There were days that would move down the list and have time to help the others working for me. I am not sure that at this point in life I want to try to get too organized.
We have been deluged with rain this last 72 hours. I am pretty sure that last night we got another inch and a half and that had to put us over five inches. We also had the Doppler radar tell us here in Topeka that there were two cells very close to us that had counter rotating clouds above us. Neither put down a tornado but it did bring the kids over to come to the basement. Our Daughter-in-law is sick again and even with a week-end to get better I'll bet she stays home today. She has been having allergy problems and sinus headaches lately.
Yesterday I put some pork loin in the crock pot. When it was done I reduced the liquid, added some BBQ sauce and made a pulled pork for sandwiches. man was that good. I even tried it with some hot wing sauce. I think a hot BBQ sauce is great and different. For the most part my steaks and other meats I cook on the grill are more smoked than BBQ. In the past I never ate a steak with out A-1 sauce. Once I started marinating my meats and then smoking on the Webber I hardly ever use it anymore. If I use a BBQ sauce mostly it is the sweet red sauce most people associate with Kansas City. In fact, I use more KC masterpiece than any thing else. Somewhere we pick up a bottle of famous Dave's BBQ sauce and it was a nice change. We have a Rib Crib here in Topeka and i would eat there more often if they had a KC masterpiece type sauce. they are from the south and their sauces are vinegar based and not as good to me.
As you know, I ride a recumbent bike built for me by my Brother-in-Law Ken. Dur to the harsh treatment of throwing it in the truck and on a trailer it is in need of a re-paint. I think there is even a crash or two in the damage column. I am torn what will give it a great look and durability it needs. I am not sure there is a powder coat place here that can do a six foot bike frame. I guess I probably could just repaint it a little at a time with a spray can and move on. I don't expect perfection but I do want to protect the parts from rusting. We all know the wet goose poop on the lake Shawnee trails has to be hard on the metal.
Oh well, this has again wandered on to places unknown and let my coffee get cold. have a great Day out there.
MUD
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