Jon playing tag with a racoon... and he lost..

Well, Jon, Randi and Kaitlyn came up last Saturday and spent the afternoon with us. Going home, Jon tried to play tag with a racoon in their lane about three miles from their home, with a car coming at them in the dark..... and lost! or their car did!! It was awesome seeing Kaitlyn. She is really growing! And according to Heather, Madison, Kaitlyn's cousin who's due date is end of April, is practicing to be on the soccer team!! What a joy to have two grandsons and two granddaughters.. Now we just need to break the tie.. oh my who will volunteer for that.. Jon, Phillip?? hummmmmmmmm..... haha... As you can tell, Kaitlyn was not a happy camper. She seemed to be a bit unhappy with us, I guess... ... No really, but her tummy was hurting a bit.. she is fine now and doing great! Their car is sick, however, and in the shop in OKC.

all for now.. have a great day...

Importation of Canadian cattle discussed today

Importation of Canadian cattle discussed today
Shaun Epperson; Science Reporter; O'Collegian

The Senate Agriculture Committee plans to meet today to discuss importation of cattle from Canada – something U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and U.S. Sen. James Inhofe said could harm Oklahoma’s economy and possibly consumers’ health if mismanaged.

Lucas, R-Okla., and Inhofe, R-Okla., wrote a letter Jan. 4 to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting that plans to reopen the border with Canada to live cattle on March 7 be delayed.

It called for a gradual introduction of cattle from Canada over a period of six months, according to a release from Inhofe’s press office.

“We cannot afford to open the border at this time, as there are simply too many unresolved issues vital not only to Oklahoma but to our entire nation,” Inhofe said in the release.

Damage to Oklahoma’s cattle business is one of the concerns Lucas and Inhofe cited to support a gradual importation of live cattle from Canada.

“It has been estimated that flooding the American market with Canadian cattle in March will likely produce an adverse, aggregate impact of more than $35,000,000 for Oklahoma cattlemen,” Inhofe and Lucas wrote in their letter to the USDA.

While a flood of cattle from Canada could, in theory, affect Oklahoma’s cattle business, the border opening will likely not cause a sizable economic problem, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University professor and livestock marketing specialist.

“There’s not as many up there as people think there are, and they’re not all going to come at once, anyway,” he said.

This is partly because, with the exception of May through July 2003, beef importation from Canada has halted only for live cattle and not processed meat, he said.

“The issue of staggering the cattle (importation) is based on the assumption that the Canadians have been accumulating inventories of cattle since 2003,” Peel said.

“However, the reality is that since the meat market was closed only a couple of months, we have been importing beef in product form most of that time.”

The 2003 halt on Canadian beef importation came after the discovery of a cow in Canada infected with mad cow disease, a health risk associated with importation of live cattle and not processed beef, said Inhofe’s press secretary Jim Luetkemeyer.

“A live cow still has the potential of infecting others (cattle),” he said. “Processed beef doesn’t have that potential.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently announced the discovery of what is now the third case of mad cow disease in cattle from Canada, and that represents a current risk associated with live cattle importation, Inhofe and Lucas’ letter to the USDA suggests.

Dave Lalman, OSU beef and cattle specialist, said the risk of a human becoming affected by the disease is minimal. “It’s incredibly low,” he said. “USDA’s done a good job.”

Peel also said the risk associated with mad cow disease in cattle from the United States or Canada is “very, very low.”

Clipping of the Day - A New-York Free Colored Man Sold Into Slavery

New York Times (New York, N.Y.), 03 February 1858, page 5

Interesting Letter from Mayor Mayo, of Richmond, Va.

An interesting case has been brought to the notice of Mayor Tismann, in which there is alleged the kidnapping of a colored man, who formerly lived in this City, and the selling of him in Virginia as a slave. The name of the alleged kidnapper is Mason Thomas, and that of the colored man George Anderson. Thomas sold Anderson in Richmond, Va., insisting that he was his slave. Owing to the persistent assertions of Anderson to the contrary, and circumstances which developed themselves subsequent to the sale, Thomas was arrested by the Richmond authorities, and taken before the Mayor. On hearing the statements of the parties, Mayor Mayo was inclined to believe the allegations of the colored man.

This is a very special day in the lives of the Guth's of El Reno...

Just wanted to wish LaNeta and Steven Guth of El Reno a very happy and super special "Sweet 16" wedding anniversary today!How special, and oh my, how time flies!! Anyway.. Steven and LaNeta, Happy Anniversay, all day long.. and night too.... smiling..

Geeze.. getting old.. forgot to mention to all that yesterday was....

Geeze.. getting old.. forgot to mention to all that yesterday was Melanie Shaklee's birthday... Feb 1 Mrs Charles Ward K. Melanie Shaklee had a big ole Birthday... I forget what number of her 29th birthday it was, but that's not important!!
What is important is to say .... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELANIE... We love you!! Hope all is going great in Melborne and you guys are getting ready for the best spring ever!!
I know we have used this photo before but.. it's Melanie's Birthday!!!

Mom taught me.. hummmmm haha... enjoy the day!!

LESSONS FROM MOM:

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite:
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.

"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

I am always doing things I can't do; that's how I get to do them.

-Pablo Picasso

From Clinton and Joanna Wilson, Norman, come this diddy...

Noah & His Ark in 2004


Some of you can relate to this more than others!

In the year 2004, The Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights".

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard..... but no ark.

"Noah," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed:
--I needed a building permit.
--I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.
--My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations.
--We had to go to the Planning and Zoning Board for a decision.
--Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power, overpasses, and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I argued that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.
--Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls. But no go!
--When I started gathering the animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. As well, they argued the accommodation was too restrictive and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.
--Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.
--I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Civil Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.
--Also, the trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark building experience.
--To make matters worse, the Customs and Immigration Agency seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?".

"No," said the Lord. "The GOVERNMENT has beat me to it."

Oh boy.. oh boy...

A birdie told me that we might get to see Kaitlyn today.. and her parents too.. haha... geeeeze.. I sure hope so... miss that lil ole lady...

Clipping of the Day

A most important and necessary addition was added to Bellevue Hospital yesterday ...

(From the New York Herald (New York, New York) 28 January 1870, page 5)

A most important and necessary addition was added to Bellevue Hospital yesterday. It was discovered that on the arrival of the hospital ambulance with persons who had been accidentally injured, very laborious work ensued in having them carried on stretchers to the wards in the surgical departments of the hospital, and that some change should be resorted to, so that labor and inconvenience consequent thereon might be avoided. The Commissioners gave Warden Brennan full control in the matter, and, although it was only submitted to them on their morning tour to the institution, at ten o'clock last night Mr. Brennan had his wishes fully gratified. The special ward will contain beds, heaters and all other requisites, as well as a small apartment for the doctors. It will be seventy feet long and twenty-four wide. It is nicely painted in oil and is a patter of elegance and comfort for those who may be so unfortunate as to become its inmates.

**Humm.. sounds like it will be nicer than todays emergency rooms!

ADN Editor's Note: A history of Bellevue Hospital can be found at: www.med.nyu.edu/Bellevue/

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left.

-Yogi Berra

What a great day!!

Look who popped in to see Great Grandma Moffat today... Yelp, Aunt Freda and Uncle Ivan and Aunt Fannie Moffat from El Reno. They visited a bit in the am and went to lunch and then after lunch I ran over and got to visit with them. We all had a great visit! Took a few pics which I will post later on... but for now here is a tease!! Enjoy the day!

Check out Jon's new update....

http://www.backroaddesign.com/jonandrandi/ is the place to see a new picture of Kaitlyn Brooke Moffat... doing what comes natural!!

I know the background is bad, but this is a neat expression on Andrew's face... He and Jake were playing Sunday afternoon, and they had a ball... enjoy the day!

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Worrying about something that may never happen is like paying interest on money you may never borrow.

-Unknown

Fossils found on Capitol Hill

Fossils found on Capitol Hill

By Robert Haught
Potomac Junction

WASHINGTON - Everybody's talking about a startling new scientific discovery. An amateur paleontologist reports that he has found signs of dinosaurs inside the Capital Beltway.
Ray Stanford, 66, spent 10 years digging in streambeds near Interstate 95 before turning up footprints of a 6-foot-long dinosaur that roamed what is now Maryland 100 million years ago.

Stanford and federal geologists identified the tracks as belonging to a member of the hypsilophodon family, so they named it hypsiloichnus marylandicus.

These determined diggers were so happy about their find that they wrote it up in an international journal called Ichnos. They informed us that the "Hyp" family members walked on their hind legs most of the time but dropped to all fours to rest, eat or drink. One geologist described them as "the Mesozoic equivalent of rabbits."

Well, I hate to burst their bubble, but dinosaurs inside the Beltway are not a new discovery. Tourists visiting the U.S. Capitol will discover a number of them roaming the halls of the U.S. Senate. In many respects they're comparable to the "Hyp" species, even to rabbit-like behavior on some occasions.

Some of them are approaching extinction. Last year saw the return of mushmouthic carolinus, also known as Sen. Ernest F. Hollings, to the swamps of South Carolina. Exleaderus pterodaschle (former Democrat leader Tom Daschle) was banished to the hills of South Dakota.

The Senate has become an increasingly older preserve. In the 109th Congress, the average age of senators is 60.4 years, the oldest in history. Of course, one doesn't necessarily have to be old to have the characteristics of a dinosaur.

Here are some of the species remaining:

Senataurus rex -- Literal translation "king of the Senate." At 52, Senate majority leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., has some time to go before becoming fossilized.

Pompousic orataurus -- There does not exist a more pompous orator than Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., at 87 the oldest member. This creature has a voracious appetite for partisanship and devours Republicans who get in his way.

Liberalis massachusettus -- Senate liberals have no fiercer fighter than Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. Now 72, he is showing signs of forgetfulness, such as this sputtering response to a question about how Barack Obama was elected senator by such a large margin in Illinois: "Why don't we just ask Osama bin -- Osama Obama -- Obama what --"

Ravenous porkbarrelaur -- Ted Stevens, the 81-year-old senior senator from Alaska, has sharp talons that grab large chunks of federal funds for his home state. He rivals Byrd as the pork barrel king of the jungle.

Ambitious hillaraptor -- While not a dinosaur in terms of age, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., commands attention with her reptilian tactics to fulfill her ambition of returning to the White House as president.

And if there aren't enough dinosaurs in the Senate to satisfy the fossil hunters, there's always the Supreme Court.

Robert Haught: potomacj@hotmail.com

Just thought this was cute, regardless of the side of the aisle you are on!

My lil' buddy is not here today...

and I am sad!!!

Jake headed up to the Farm at Helena to help Uncle Mike with all the tree damage they have had there from the ice. They probably will have a few extra chores too as Jerry Ray Shaklee is in the hospital. He is having test today, we think at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, but he is in Mercy Hospital in OKC. Shortness of breath, etc. Got pretty bad, but he is there now and they can fix it, so will try to keep everyone up to speed. Jerry is the Son of the late Don Shaklee, brother of Ann's father, Harold. Jerry runs hundreds of cattle on thousands of acres between Helena, Jet and Cherokee, and is always the first one with his hand out to help others, so there are several who are helping with his ranching and farming operation.
Have not heard a thing from Uncle Calvin, or Uncle Ivan on how either are doing. Hope ok!! Aunt Mert is doing ok, no news there either.
Mom has been running here there and yonder, getting new eye glasses, hearing aids, etc.. and before long she will be out cutting a rug... haha..... but she does feel better. She is starting to get Dad's things in order some and has a lot of business in town too. Jake and I have offered to take her many times, but she always .. almost always says nope, I can do it.. so we step aside. And she goes.
Really is warming up today. Weather man last evening talked of winter being over.. haha.. yea, right. Just wait till the third week in Feb. I have seen snow deeper than running boards then.. and once even saw sprinkle of snow in May!! But, it is warmer.. and as usual for Oklahoma, in a few days it is to be below freezing again.. It is 62 outside right now.. at 12:30pm. Lots of sunshine today.. how wonderful it is..
Hey, have a great day, enjoy it...

It just sounds great................

Wine Herb-Marinated Beef Steak

Ingredients:
2 beef bottom round (western griller) steaks, cut 1 inch thick (12 to 16 ounces each)
Marinade:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

Instructions:
Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place beef steaks and marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steak to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6 hours or as long as overnight, turning occasionally.


Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks in skillet; cook 16 to 17 minutes for medium rare doneness, turning twice. (Do not overcook.) Carve steaks into thin slices.
Makes 4 servings.

Forgot to mention, new pics online in albums... haha... later.. enjoy

It was Tammy's Birthday, she fixed dinner for all of us, and we ate till we busted, then Phil fixed smores at their fireplace, and we ate.. and Tammy opened her presents, and we ate.. haha... great evening... good time had by all. Once more, happy birthday, Tammy!!

Kind'a "the moment in time" photo of Ann and Andrew, goodness, sometimes we wish they would never grow up, and then sometimes, we can't wait!! enjoy the day....

Today's Quote:

Today's Quote

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.

-Dolly Parton

This young lady not only graduated from OSU, but in November, she received her Teaching Certificate (not sure of the correct name, but it means she's legal to teach!), but .... Today, Ms. Tammy Moffat is having a birthday ALL DAY LONG!! And to that end we want to wish her a very special birthday, may it be the bes one you have ever had, and may you have a ton more of them, every one better than the last! Happy Birthday, Tammy Moffat!!

Thought for the day....

Time can be a healer and a teacher
So many things I've learned from time
Looking back it's made me a believer
That poetry in motion really doesn't have to rhyme...
-Mike McClure, Oklahoma Singer/Songwriter

From Heather.. and it sounds oh so yummy..... haha... heh... oh my...

Chocolate Chip Dip

8 ounce cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mini choc chips

Mix and roll into a ball. Chill until hard, overnight. Roll in
chopped pecans. Let soften slightly before serving. Use animal
crackers or teddy grahams instead of chips or crackers.

COW/CALF CORNER

COW/CALF CORNER
The newsletter
January 14, 2005


In this issue:
Canadian Border Situation Adds Uncertainty to Cattle Markets
Derrell S. Peel, OSU Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

Signs of Impending Calving in Cows or Heifers
Glenn Selk, OSU Extension Animal Reproduction Specialist



Canadian Border Situation Adds Uncertainty to Cattle Markets

In late December, USDA issued a final rule on opening the Canadian border to some live cattle and an expanded set of beef products that appeared to set a date of March 7 for increased trade. There has been and continues to be considerable concern over the impacts this will have on U.S. cattle markets. In the last week, several events have occurred that again increase uncertainty about the impacts and when the border may open.

Two lawsuits were filed this week, which could delay the opening beyond the March 7 date. One suit was filed by R-CALF, arguing that the rule was not restrictive enough and the other, filed by the American Meat Institute, argues that the rule is still too restrictive. Additionally, the Canadian government announced another positive BSE case, the second in two weeks. The USDA risk assessment included the possibility of additional BSE cases in Canada and although USDA initially stated that the new cases would not change implementation of the new rule, USDA has dispatched a technical team to provide some additional review of the situation in Canada. Any of these legal or administrative actions could result in delayed implementation of the rule.

The market most likely to be impacted significantly is the cull cow market. At the current time, this is the only cattle market still entirely closed as no cows or meat from animals over 30 months of age is allowed into the U.S. The proposed rule would allow meat from animals over 30 months of age but not cows. Thus, a portion of Canadian slaughter facilities would likely be redirected to cow slaughter. This further implies that part of the anticipated increase in fed cattle imports would be offset by a reduction in fed beef imports that are currently being shipped to the U.S.

The proposed rule would allow feeder cattle to be imported only if they are fed at designated feedlots and then moved directly to slaughter (the animals must be under 30 months of age at the time of slaughter). Some pressure on feeder and fed prices is expected but much of the impact in these markets has already been incorporated into the markets. A certain date of border opening would further ease the transition of these markets, with much of the impact occurring in advance of the actual opening of the border. It is in the cow market that the greatest imbalance exists and where much less can be done to smooth the impacts of the border opening.


Signs of impending calving in cows or heifers

As the calving season approaches, the cows will show typical signs that will indicate parturition is imminent. Changes that are gradually seen are udder development, or making bag and the relaxation and swelling of the vulva or “springing”. These indicate the cow is due to calve in the near future. There is much difference between individuals in the development of these signs and certainly age is a factor.

The first calf heifer, particularly in the heavy milking breeds, develops udder for a very long time, sometimes for two or three months before parturition. The springing can be highly variable too. Most people notice that Brahman-influence cattle seem to “spring” much more than do cattle of other breeds. Typically, in the immediate 2 weeks preceding calving, springing becomes more evident, the udder is filling, and one of the things that might be seen is the loss of the cervical plug. This is a very thick tenacious, mucous material hanging from the vulva. It may be seen pooling behind the cow when she is lying down. Some people mistakenly think this happens immediately before calving, but in fact this can be seen weeks before parturition and therefore is only another sign that the calving season is here.

The immediate signs that usually occur within 24 hours of calving would be relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and strutting of the teats. These can be fairly dependable for the owner that watches his cows several times a day during the calving season. The casual observer or even the professional who is knowledgeable of the signs but sees the herd infrequently cannot accurately predict calving time from these signs. The relaxation of the pelvic ligaments really can not be observed in fat cows, (body condition score 7 or greater). However, relaxation of the ligaments can be seen very clearly in thin or moderate body condition cows and can be a clue of parturition within the next 12 - 24 hours. Relaxation of the pelvic ligaments is a sign the producer or herdsman can best use to more closely pinpoint calving time. Strutting of the teats is not really very dependable. Some heavy milking cows will have strutting of the teats as much as two or three days before calving and on the other hand, a thin poor milking cow may calve without strutting of the teats. Another thing that might be seen in the immediate 12 hours before calving would be variable behavior such as a cow that does not come up to eat, or a cow that isolates herself into a particular corner of the pasture. However, some cows have few behavioral changes until the parturition process starts. Source: Calving Management, OSU Extension Circular E-906.

Keep'n a promise....

Click here for Jon's Photo Albums.... and then be sure to check out Jonathan, Randi, and Kaitlyn's new blog design and musings....

Hey... Jon... I kept my promise... haha.. finally!!!!

From Uncle Ivan comes this gem....

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the
room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He
said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He
proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he
dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He
picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands
went into the air. My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No
matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in
value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled,
and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come
our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or
what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or
finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our
lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special-
Don't EVER forget it." If you do not pass this on, you may never know the lives it
touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it can bring. Count your
blessings, not your problems. And remember: amateurs built the ark ... professionals built the Titanic. If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

Not too much going on....

we are awaiting the arrival of yet another winter storm, but this time maybe not too bad. Lot's of moisture this winter, sure hope we have some for the summer grasses too. Jake's been tending cattle and doing an outstanding job. He really likes messing 'round with cattle! And is really good at it. We have a neighbor, Fred Shultz, who has one of the most modern ranches in the southwest as far as technology goes, and Jake has been helping and learning from him this winter, too. Fred's mom is not doing very well, is terminal with leukemia, so we have offered to help him many times, as he offered when Dad was failing too.
Phil called Sunday afternoon to inform us of a great show on RFD TV... about trains... I love them, guess it's the kid in me, but I still remember the station at El Reno when we would take cream there to put on the train for Enid... the sound, the smell, how big things were... and have always loved toy trains.. but never had one... My cousin Larry Moffat did, and I used to love going there and lie on the floor and watch the smoke come out of the stack... Ann and I got Andrew a couple of videos on the 100 year anniversary of Lionel Trains.. seems they are the only toy company in America that has lasted 100 years.. but anyway... got lost..haha
The show he told us to watch... sure made me warm, toasty warm, as it featured a line of trains.. 3 steam engines pushing a diesel engine with a Snow Blower in front of it... through drifts higher than the engines, wow, to clear the tracks... Just unbelievable how it all works, the whistles, the smoke, the blowing snow, the scenic view, was just awesome! Thanks Phil for sharing!!
Have not heard a thing from Uncle Calvin and Aunt Agnes Siegrist in California... wonder how his treatment is going? Maybe we will hear something soon. I have sent them tons of emails.. maybe they are not getting them there.
Have not heard from Uncle Ivan and Aunt Freda either, but on this deal... haha, I think Jake is going to call them and check in...
Heather and Paul are feeding out some pigs, and are going to give us one... to eat... can not wait. Bet they are really "tastey". Andrew is helping feed them too. Other day Paul showed him second gear and reverse in his electric gator, and the report is ... he now flies around the yard, etc... but guess it was a hoot at first cause he didn't know it would go fast, and when they upped the speed.. his face as total amazement!!
Think too that there is a Birthday coming up on the 15th. Heard it was Ms. Tammy's Birthday... Oh how I love family birthdays... not for the years.. but selfishly for the food.. hahah....... but!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy the day!!

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't.

-Pete Seeger

Thought for Today

Thought for Today

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."

--Dale Carnegie

I found another gem of a young lady we saw last Saturday night... thought I would share it with you all too... Kaitlyn Brooke Moffat at 77 days.. Looks like another nice day here. Not to much happening, but I have to much awaited paper work to get done and some new to start, called taxes... haha. Looks like Oklahoma will be in for a bunch of bad weather this coming weekend. I really feel for the animals.. cattle, etc. But not for Ann's wild birds... she takes really good care of them, and we love watching them at the many feeders she has scattered around the yard. Enjoy the day!

Cheese "steak" Pizza, it's soooo goooood!!!

Cheese "steak" Pizza

Ingredients:
1 lbs ground beef
1 small onion, sliced thin, separated into rings
1 small green or red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 package (16 ounces) thick pre-baked pizza crust (12-inch)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:
Heat oven to 400°F. Brown ground beef in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 6 minutes. Add onion and bell pepper; cook until beef is not pink and vegetables are crisp-tender, breaking beef up into small crumbles. Pour off drippings; season with salt and pepper.


Place pizza crust on baking sheet. Top with beef mixture, then cheese. Bake in 400°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

From Beef Council

The Rose King.....

The Rose King....
Some of you all love to garden and work in your yard. The following is written by Paul Odle, Sr. who lives in the Lawton - Ft. Sill Veteran's Center. I found it interesting, both for the history of things around Enid in days past.. and his knowledge of roses... Enjoy!!

~~~~~~~~~~~
The Rose King


This morning very early a very special daughter came out to have breakfast with me and brought me the most beautiful Mr. Lincoln Rose’s. The Rose were a very dark red almost black color with the greenest leaves, the rose buds and the leaves were so perfectly shaped that you could imagine that an artist very carefully painted them. The Red roses were surrounded by breath taking tiny white “baby breath?flowers. The Bouquet was professionally arranged in a pure crystal vase. As I glanced at the bouquet of breath taking roses I could hear them quietly whispering “I love you dad!?

The rose brought back many fond memories to a time and a place where we lived when this same special daughter was about two years old. The City was Enid in the County of Garfield in the beautiful state of Oklahoma, the year was 1959 or 1960, and I had bought my first house at 725 Malone Street.

Malone Street was a short Street two blocks long lined with big tall beautiful tree’s with lots of pretty birds singing their little hearts out. At that time it was a nice quiet place to live. I loved living there.

At that time in my life I worked for a Company by the name of Evans Cut-Rite Drug; they were the only discount store in North West Oklahoma at that time. They would bring in a couple of cases of bare route rose bushes, two cases of shrubs and two cases of trees. I stared putting them on the shelves and people were picking them up out of the cases and buying them, we were sold out in two hours. We had purchased these number one plants from a nursery in Shenandoah, Iowa. I called that Company and doubled the order. Every time I sold out in a few hours I would double the last order. That year we sold more rose bushes, shrubs, and trees than had ever been sold in that store. At that time I knew very little about bare route plants.

Mr. BILL LABARTHE of Pond creek, Oklahoma sold us the plants and he also sold us Alaskan Fish Emulsion a plant fertilizer that would not burn your plants. Old Bill was quite a Character, he owned and operated the Movie Theatre in Pond Creek, and he tested roses for several big Nurseries?in the US. He lived on Main Street. BILL had a rose garden in his front yard. BILL LA BARTHE and I become good friends. He taught me everything he knew about roses. And he helped me plant my first rose garden. He also gave me the name of a book that told you everything you needed to known about planting and caring for roses. I bought that book and read it. I had that book until Dec. 17,2003 when I moved to the LAWTON/FORT SILL VETERANS RETIREMENT CENTER.

It was not two long before I had a Rose Garden of two hundred different rose bushes. I was asked to talk to Garden Clubs about growing roses. One year I was voted ROSE KING OF GARFIELD COUNTY and was presented with a jacket with a big Red Rose on the back with rhinestones out lining the Rose, above the rose it said PAUL ODLE and below the Rose it read ROSE KING OF GARFIELD COUNTY. I was very proud of that honor and that Jacket.

Every home I ever owned I landscaped the front and back yard and I always had a Rose Garden with two hundred different rose bushes. All of my roses had different names and I knew their names.

DEAN SHIRLEY the Professor of Botany at PHILIPS UNIVERSITY, Enid, Oklahoma and his wife Mrs. Shirley and The Botany Professor of Oklahoma University, Norman Oklahoma and his wife who was President of the American Rose Society for this District would come once a year to tour my gardens. In the 1970’s and 1980’s busloads of Garden Clubs from all over the state would come tour my gardens. Roses have always been a big part of my life. I still like to have my life ROSEY. “Life is just a bed of Roses.?lt;/P>

Good soil preparation is the most important thing to growing rose’s or any other plant. If you do this to your ground long before you purchase your roses and plants you will have lots of big blooms. Steak out your rose garden in a spot that will get the morning sun. Dig down three foot deep throwing your dirt to the side and removing any grass or weeds. After you have your garden dug up to three feet deep; lay a layer of small pieces of rock in the bottom of the hole. Then put a layer of soil over the rock. Add a layer of dried peat moss over the dirt. Then add a layer of dirt over the peat moss. Next add a layer of sterilized manure over the dirt. Add a layer of dirt and then a layer of cottonseed hauls. Keep repeating this dirt, peat moss. Dirt, Sterilized manure, dirt, cottonseed hauls, dirt until your garden is at ground level.

The months of January, February, and March is the time to plant bare route plants after March you need to plant potted roses, shrubs and trees. When planting roses you want to plant them two foot a part, digging a hole 1 ?Ft deep throwing the dirt into a wheel barrel, the hole needs to be 1 ?foot across. Make a mound in the center of hole, with pruning shears cut the roses back to 6 or 8 inches being careful to cut the stem just above a thorn, cutting it on a slant. If you want the plant to grow out slant the cut out, if you want the plant to grow in cut the stem above the thorn facing inward.

Take a hold of the plant by the knot (Heart) sitting the knot on top of the mound of dirt spreading the routes around the mound, pat dirt on top of the routes, fill hole up with water, when all water has drained out of the hole fill up hole with dirt, water the dirt in and then mound up dirt around the crown/heart and wet down with water, so that your rose bush dose not freeze. Before planting bare route plants you should soak the routes in a tub or bucket of water. Potted roses is a different story, you dig a hole deep enough for the pot making sure that the crown is growned level. You Carefully remove the pot without disturbing the dirt around the plant. Fill the hole in with dirt and water the plant in good. If you want to mulch the top of your rose garden SUGAR CANE HAULS make a beautiful ground cover.

By Paul L.Odle, Sr.

Lawton/Fort Sill Veterans Center

Kaitlyn Brooke Moffat at 77 Days old, with Grandma Moffat at Kaitlyn's home.

OH MY Kaitlyn is really growing... Ann, Jake and I ran down to Roff and had dinner with Jon, Randi and Kaitlyn last night. She is really growing like a weed! Kaitlyn wants to set up all the time, or stand. She is really pulling herself up as much as she can and one will allow! She has discovered her tongue, and it's cool. She "feels" the air with it, etc.
The trip was good for all of us. Jake nor Ann nor I "killed" each other going down or back!! And dinner was awesome. Not sure the name of the place, but it was real Mexician Food, lots of it, and very reasonable in price! So unusual in these times!! Needless to say, we ate our fill, enjoyed the awesome company of Ms. Kaitlyn, who was very well behaved!! We encouraged Jon and Randi to enjoy it while they could, because that will change, haha... Having raised 4, we feel like old pro's ... haha.. Hey, now you stop that laughing at us!!!! haha.
The kids played games later, Grandma fed Kaitlyn, and I "SMASHED" the after bottle she presented to us later!! With the nice weather outside for the moment, and the company we were in, we felt like we were on top of the world.
Twas a great visit, and we headed home late, arrived safely, and wished the visit could have been longer!
Nice day here today, supposed to be in the 50's and 60's; however, that to will change in a a few days as another round of ole man winter is expected.
Everyone, enjoy the day!!!

Got another wonderful note from Ann's Aunt Thelma Shaklee Wiseman....

Gosh, it's like old home week when we get a note from family... everyone stops doing what they are doing and all gather round while the emails read... Thanks to everyone for sending along your emails, we appreciate it very much!!!

And in this regard, we just got a note from our Aunt Thelma Shaklee Wiseman in Lawton, who sends along this....

Hello!!!!.......
The holidays are over now to look forward to next year. HA. The Friday before Christmas, Raymond Lee and Cyndy brought their grandchild Riley down to see us, we enjoyed her so much, and it had snowed, she really enjoyed playing in the snow. Her daddy has remarrried so we only get to be with her when she visits here granddad. On Saturday Lyndal and Marsha, the girls Erin and Ashley came. Ray's son, Trevor and wife and 3 boys came on New Years Day so our celebration was spread out, enjoyed every minute. The twins, Dawson and Dalton, are 5, their brother,Devin, is 3 yrs. You ask him how old he is and he says 5, he thinks he is old as his brothers. Ha

Hope you all are doing okay. We are doing okay, I had the bug about two weeks before Christmas, but doing okay now.
I'm not used to staying home all day, so I may be pulling my hair out by night time.

Hope you all are feeling okay. Aunt Thelma

Just wanted to share this with everyone... Really great to hear from Aunt Thelma. I am trying to get all the family genealogy into a program and then on cd for everyone to have and she has some much needed information. She's a hoot, and we look forward to seeing her again...

All for now, enjoy the day, and stay warm!!!! yuck...

got a neat note last evening from Eric Schiltz...

Some of you know Cousin Eric Shiltz, who started the Wormy Dog's... and recently sold the one in OKC, from having watched Jake play there over the years... Anyway, Eric sendings us his regards, he is in Des Moines, Iowa, and loves what he is doing. I forgot to ask him what that was. He said his Mom, Lana Beth Shaklee Schiltz, is now moved to OKC and doing well. Lann Beth and Ann are cousins actually... Anyway, just wanted to let you all know... Eric's been found..haha... Great to hear from him...

Got a great note from Ward Shaklee.... and Melanie...

I was not sure that I have posted this photo from Ward and Melanie Shaklee, Melborne, Florida. This is Ann's younger brother and wife. They are a very neat couple, and live toooooo far away... we miss them and think of them often. We received a note from them and I wanted to post it ....

Ward writes:
Thanks, looking forward to looking at some pictures when I had more hair. ........

I came down with a bronchial viral infection before Thanksgiving and ended up missing a few days of work. Dr put me on Z-pack, and went thru two and half prescriptions, then was put on a penicillian antibiotic for eight days when the doctor finally concluded it was viral and not bacterial. Think my traveling between Thanksgiving and Christmas didn't help the recover timeline, and then ended up giving it to Melanie around the 22nd of Dec. We were both down thru the who holiday period and didn't go out except to get more Robitussion and other medications. We felt like real medicine-heads. Just starting to get better and Melanie is about two weeks behind my recovery, she has been better about resting to recover.

Felt like we did not really have a vacation period since we were sick the whole time. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Headed to DC tomorrow afternoon for some meetings with the Army and Navy on two of our programs.

Let us know how everyone is doing .................

Take care and thanks for staying in touch.

Best wishes,
Ward and Melanie

Wonder if it's colder in Norman than what the air temp says????? goodness, geeze..... OU must have never left the airport to go to Bowl...

Here is a one time treat for everyone!! This is, back row, Mom's brother Calvin and Agnes Siegrist of El Reno, yours truly, Elinore Mae Siegrist Moffat and Oscar... Mom and Dad, and in the front with my Grandparents Jake Siegrist and Maude Clifton Snethen Siegrist is ... L to R my nephews Kent and David Siegrist and me sis.. Marilyn Kay Moffat. Probably taken around 1963 - 1964 time period.

Well, the ice is here, roads getting bad, ground turning white. Lots of rain overnight. Now it's in the 20's as the moisture falls and weights down the electric lines, and tree limbs. Poor animals...

I wonder if it's colder in Norman, with OU football team returning there today.. could be REALLY cold there, hummmmm.....

Heather went to work this morning, called about 7 and told me to get Ann on her way if she was coming... but before Ann could leave, the University closed down. It is really bad when OSU closed down.. really bad!!!

Mom is ok. Said nothing is froze up or not working. That's good for everyone!!

All for now.. have a great day!!!

Got a note from Ward and Melanie and will post it later today.... Really great to hear from them!!

off to the racessssssssssssssssss......

Jake is taking a vacation from music now, but for those of you who have not seen him live.. here is photo of him playing the Wormy Dog Saloon, in Bricktown, OKC. He enjoys his music and is a truly talented song writer. But I think that 5 nights plus a week for three years wore him out!!

Today's Quote....

Today's Quote

It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out – it's the grain of sand in your shoe.

-Robert Service

Where or where did the Sooners go???

They sure did not go to the Orange Bowl.....!!!

Well, here we set waiting for OU to win and the ICE to start forming... yuck!!

This is really not what we had in mind on the night of the big OU game. But maybe it is an omen!! Maybe Hell will freeze over and OU will in big time.. and the ice will not come.... oh what a great thought!!
But at this writing, Michael has already called Ann and told her that all the family up there around Jet has lost electric, with it going off about 3:20pm this afternoon due to heavy icing of the power lines. He and Jerry Ray went over to Aunt Mert's and hooked up her generator so she would have electricity anyway.
So rock on.. and Let's go Sooners.. make us proud!! (like we are not... haha!)
How 'bout OSU hiring from within?!! Can not believe it, but anyway... looks like the same ole good ole boys are running things and keeping it, whatever that is, in the family!!! Just wished they would have looked around... but that is only one opinion of many.. haha.. time will tell...
LATER ALL..... ENJOY THE NIGHT!!!

Jake caught me .... yelp, with Kaitlyn taking nap. She is sooooooo cooooool!!

And you thought the election was tough...... haha....

Clipping of the Day

From The Ohio Repository (Canton, Ohio), 04 January 1838, page 3:

PARLIAMENTARY USAGE IN ARKANSAS

On Monday, the 4th instant, a member upon the floor of the Arkansas House of Representatives having thrown out some allusion personal towards the Speaker, that personage sprang from the Chair with a drawn Bowie Knife, and laid the offender dead at his feet. The murdered member, before he received his death wound, almost severed the hands of the Speaker from his arm, and severely cut the other hand. The Speaker was forthwith arrested by the civil authorities, and his name stricken from the roll of the House, by a nearly unanimous vote. He is pronounced "an amiable gentleman." We are not aware of the standard of amiability in Arkansas.---Journal & Register.

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

The best way to knock the chip off your neighbor's shoulder is to pat him on the back.

-Unknown

An article about Nathan "Bud" Payne, Barber to the world, from Stillwater, OK.

This is an article from the Perkins Journal about our neighbor and friend Nathan "Bud" Payne. He, and his now ex wife Margine Payne, stood up with Ann and I when we were married many years ago. It has been an honor to know Nathan! Believe me, when I say this, there is not another person like him around. Just ask any OSU graduate since 1958! Odds are they had their hair cut by him, especially if they were a dollar short and a day late! If not cut by him, they usually knew him, and his shop on the "Strip" in Stillwater, OK. Many a horse been broken by Bud,and many a young man been saved by him, too! He is indeed a legend, one of a kind! Enjoy the day!
Posted by PCCPA

The continuation of an article about Nathan "Bud" Payne.
Posted by PCCPA

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

The ultimate test of a man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.

-Gaylord Nelson

Here's a special photo taken by Jonathan.... of Kaitlyn Brooke...

A gift from Jonathan and Randi..... enjoy~!!

How about Texas????

What a win in the Rose Bowl! Guess if you wanted that to happened, it never would.
Can you imagine the pressure on the kicker, who was smiling and laughing before he kicked the final field goal to win the game by ONE point!!!
Holy Moly.... haha... wow... and Iowa's one point win... some good football out there.... and a great game yet to come... "we hope"!!!

Enjoy the day!!

Three musketeers, haha, .........

Sometimes you just have to work with what you have.... I remember my father saying that many times over the years.... haha... None of these three like their pictures taken..haha... but I managed to get them all together and get one when no one was looking... or so I thought..haha.. This is Mike Shaklee, David Shaklee, and Paul
Blankinship! Think they are still waiting to get through the food line!!!
Can not say it enough, we really enjoyed everyone who came last night.. thanks...
and enjoy the day!

Great Aunt Terry with Kaitlyn.... enjoying the evening..

Look who is holding Kaitlyn Brooke! Yelp, it's Terry, wife of her Grand Uncle David Shaklee from Lahoma, OK. It was awesome having them visit last night!!!

A great time had by all New Years Eve, Ann's Birthday, 2004, now welcome 2005!!

Oh what a night!!!

Well, in fact this old man was up till 12:30am! Been a spell since I have seen that time, ha-ha. Used to be there a lot!

I think Ann had a great birthday, for number 58, and we all had a great time seeing everyone last night! David and Terry Shaklee from Lahoma, OK., Ann’s baby brother by not too much time… came over and brought with them Mike Shaklee from Helena, OK., Ann’s older brother by not too much time, ha-ha. It was really great having them in our home. And Grandma Moffat came over with Jonathan, who had went down to visit with her in the afternoon. And Jonathan and Randi and Kaitlyn Moffat came up from Roff and spent the day and night and we are still visiting this am at this writing. Kaitlyn is really a neat lil’ lady, sleeping long periods of time and never ever really fusing much. Marilyn dropped in with a bunch of goodies and a letter from Dr. Tom Munon, the first vet from OSU to visit our farm on Western Street in Stillwater, after we moved there in 1962, who send a nice little note about Dad to her for all of us to read. Then Phillip and Tammy and Austyn Moffat came over and the spread on the table was really growing, and the house filling with folks having a great time visiting… and then Paul, Heather and Andrew Blankinship came over, the table and cabinets were full of food and to that we added Ann’s famous homemade Chili… hot and mild… and we had a feast of feast!!

Off and on throughout the evening, David, Ann, Mike and Terry and Paul and Jake and others looked at the many Shaklee photos we have added online, and they are going to help put comments on them for others to know who all is in the photos, etc.

The food was great. Then Ann opened her presents and received, according to her, more than she deserved, but we know better! She is the one saving grace in our family. And we know it!! And love her bunches! (but she did get some really neat things!!)

Then we visited and visited... and then it was time for David, Terry and Mike to head home, and then we lost others ... and by midnight, it was Paul playing video games with Jake, Heather and Ann and I and Randi visiting, Jonathan still moaning about eating too much, and Andrew wanting his turn at the video games… Kaitlyn was sleeping and never complained about us being too loud, etc.

And now it’s the next morning and we are up and going and eating again.. and again!!! Jon, Randi and Kaitlyn are still here, and Jon and Jake are on the video games, can you here them at your home??? Goodness gracious land sakes alive!!!

So all in all, we had a great New Years eve, a great birthday for Ann, and a wonderful time with all spending it with those we love!!

It has been in the 60’s for the last few days and nights. The trees are trying to bud out again, and the animals can not decide whether to grow long hair or shed and be in their summer coats! We can’t either. And it is to be this way through next week… highs in the 60’s and 70’s and lows in the 60’s with a chance of rain each day... then the bottom falls out by next weekend with lows in the teens, and highs below freezing…

Heard Heather and Paul say they are still putting tin on their goat barn today… not sure what everyone else is doing…

So to one and all, happy New Year!!! Have a glorious and prosperous New Year…..
Enjoy the day!!

HAPPY 2005 TO ONE AND ALL......

Happy New Year.................... to one and all... may it be rewarding, prosperous, and gratifying as your dreams come true!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.. MY ANN........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHRENE ANN SHAKLEE MOFFAT.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ONE MORE TIME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL AROUND, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ONE AND ALL, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WIFE, MY LOVE, MY ANN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AND MANY MANY MORE!! stan

Just wondering.....

How Uncle Ivan and Aunt Freda are doing? How their health is, how they are getting along?

How Uncle Calvin and Aunt Agnes are doing in California.. how the treatments are coming?

How my cousin in law Clinton Wilson is doing?

How my niece Cortney is doing and is she moved in with Jeff yet??? hummmm... just wondering....

Wondering how Ward and Melanie are doing? What they been up to???

How Uncle John and Aunt Timer are doing?

Just wondering... if you see any of these nice folks, have them drop us a line with update, please???

Andrew came by yesterday...

Ann and Jake were on their way to the store yesterday morning, when they looked out the front window, and being blown around was Heather and Andrew. They came by to visit and Heather was going to help Paul put tin on their goat barn, so Andrew stayed with us and played with Jake a lot. He ate a lot of chicken "legs" for lunch and crawled up on the sofa and took a big long nap. His mom brought by his "train tapes" that we got him for Christmas so we could watch them... 100 years of Lionel Trains... what a deal, the only toy company in America that survived for 100 years!! Sure brought back lots of memories!! My cousin Larry Moffat had one and I always thought how cool he was, cuz he had one!! It was really neat. I can still hear the whistle and smell the smoke pellets that one put in the stack of the engine to make smoke and I can remember just laying on the floor and watching it go round and round. That was really neat to this ole farm boy who had few toys at home!! It really was neat then to go with Dad and Mom to the Train station in El Reno and put the cream cans on the train to go to Enid, and pick up the empty cans and take home. I can still remember how big the trains were, how they smelled, the engineers out on the walk by the trains with their huge oil cans with long spouts, the conductor's cry when it was time for the passengers to board, the big tall wagon we put the cans on so the guys could pull them along side the train cars and roll them onto the train. And I can still see the Santa Fe slick diesel passenger trains too... Goodness what a deal!!
Anyway, Andrew brought along his two new trains, and he played and played. He also brought his new video game, and Jake played and played it!! haha.. my boys.. got to love them!!!
All for now. Gonna have a Bday party for Ann this evening and expecting our home to start filling after lunch with company... how cool... I have the best family in the world!!!

Here she is, our new Ms. America!!! Madison Ann Blankinship!!!

Here she is... Ms. Madison Ann Blankinship, daughter of Paul and Heather Blankinship,and sister to Andrew Paul! She is on her way... we are so excited!!!!
Posted by PCCPA

and here is a second view of our new Grand daughter on her way..... to be with us all!!
Posted by PCCPA

Another view of Madison Ann.....
Posted by PCCPA

A quote on success that I love.....

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic."

amen!

Uncle Ivan sent this note along... A Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.

12 Days of Christmas
From: Robert J. Skinner (Story Research Expert for Inspirationlist.com)

The 12 Days of Christmas

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

Today I found out, thanks to the Internet.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.

Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self
Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.

Austyn came to visit yesterday for a couple of hours..

How great it is when the grandkids come by, even for a few minutes.. and the kiddos too. Austyn stopped by and had lunch with us while his Mom took Holiday Lunch to Phil's work in Cushing, OK. He was wound up like an 8 day clock! Had a great visit and he played and played. Goodness, it would be awesome to have that much energy again!!
Got to get ready for the big day tomorrow... Ann's Birthday!! YES, for a few days, she is older than I am, and I think that's cool, however, it sure does not mean what it used to mean!! haha...
Her brother Mike and David and Terry Shaklee are coming down for a while tomorrow night too.. looks like a big time for all. I hear there's going to be Ann's homemade Chili.. and lot's more goodies.. and all the kiddos and grandkids too... how sweet it is to get together again... bet Kaitlyn has grown a foot....
Heard through the grapevine that Heather and Paul are going to try to put new tin on their "goat" barn today, and that we might get to watch Andrew, but I also heard the wind is to blow between 20 and 40 miles an hour till about 2pm today.. so .. hope they can!
Poor OSU... I don't think they had their mental game face on at all. If I were athletic director, I think I would be having a loonngg talk with Coach Miles today! The boys have the talent, and then some. Sometimes, it falls on the shoulders of the leaders to "get the troops ready". Just an opinion!! Everyone is praising the defense of Ohio, hummmm, not hard to do when the offense isn't mentally on the field!!
Oh well, we still have some opportunities in the Big 12 to shine, just have to see how the coaches get their boys ready, huh?
Wow, 70 today and only 61 for low last night. Guess we have moved to south Texas??? But just wait, this is Oklahoma, and it can change on a dime!
Let's keep the folks who lost loved ones, etc overseas in our prayers, I heard it's up to 114000 today.
and let's remember and keep our soldiers in our thoughts in prayers too. Without them and the ones before them, we would not be writing this in a free country, nor would you be able to read it!!
All for now... enjoy the day!! If you have a thought or commment, send it to me, of just click on the comments button at the end of this post and leave a note please??

How it was........

Clipping of the Day

From the Evening Herald (Syracuse, N.Y.), 31 December 1899, page 4:

The wonders of the century are shown in the telegraph and telephone, steam and electrical appliances, the printing press, the photograph and a thousand and one new inventions and devices, many of which annihilate time and bridge over space. At the recent centennial of the death of Washington the progress in a hundred years was illuminated. When Washington died at Mount Vernon, although the city was but fifty miles away, it was not until the third day after on the strength of a business letter statement received at Baltimore, the fact was announced in the newspapers. A rumor of it was received in Philadelphia on the fourth day, but the news was not definite until the fifth day. Two days later, New York heard of it, but it was not till twelve days had elapsed that Boston knew it. When Vice President Hobart died the facts were telegraphed around the world in half an hour, and when Bismarck and Gladstone closed their careers it was speedily announced in all the lands. Every day now the important events in the Philippines and in South Africa are told in the newspapers of the day of their occurrence. When the presidential conventions shall be held next summer their results will be at once wired throughout the earth.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abe Lincoln says....

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

--Abraham Lincoln

A quote from artist Vincent Van Gogh.....

The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others

-Vincent Van Gogh

From Clinton and Joanna Wilson... This is Priceless!!

WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT?
(taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)

Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of her own. They like other people's.

A grandfather is a man grandmother.

Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.

When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.

They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also Why we shouldn't step on "cracks."

They don't say, "Hurry up."

Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.

They wear glasses and funny underwear.

They can take their teeth and gums out.

Grandparents don't have to be smart.

They have to answer questions like "why isn't God married?" and "How come dogs chase cats?".

When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.

Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because they are the only grown ups who like to spend time with us.

They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we've acted bad.


A 6 YEAR OLD WAS ASKED WHERE HIS GRANDMA LIVED. ''OH,'' HE SAID, ''SHE LIVES AT THE AIRPORT, AND WHEN WE WANT HER WE JUST GO GET HER. THEN WHEN WE'RE DONE HAVING HER VISIT, WE TAKE HER BACK TO THE AIRPORT.''

1906 Law Lifted..... limits on tribe lifted... a bit of history....

PAWHUSKA (AP) — Clark Batson’s mother gave him his Osage blood, but it is President Bush who has made him feel more Osage than ever.
“I’m a real Indian,” the 28-year-old announced to friends Dec. 3, the day the president signed legislation lifting 98 years of federal limits on who can
be an Osage citizen. The tribe may now welcome thousands of people who, like Batson, are of Osage descent but were denied Osage citizenship under a 1906 federal law. There’s a major hurdle, though:After nearly a century under the old law, the Osages must first decide who the Osages are. “Before today,” says Jodie Revard Satepauhoodle, one of eight tribal council members, “Congress decided.” That Osages are just now receiving
rights held by every other federally recognized American Indian tribe is a reflection of a unique history — and the tribe’s legendary wealth. In allotting the tribe’s land in northern Oklahoma, Congress granted 2,229 Osages a share in a commonly held mineral estate. Only Osages who held
these “headrights” could vote in tribal elections. When the waves of golden prairie yielded a vast oil field in the early 1900s, the headright owners became some of the richest people in the world. Osages rode in chauffeur-driven limousines, lived in mansions and studied at exclusive schools. A string of murders in the 1920s was tied to attempts by non-Indians to claim headright shares. But the oil field has become marginal. Inheritance has fractured the headright shares. When Osages need scholarship money to attend college or seek employment through minority job programs,
those without headrights can’t meet the required proof of tribal membership. The tribe’s government represents only about 4,300 of the estimated
20,000 people of Osage descent, says Principal Chief Jim Gray. The old federal law created a class system that he likens to a time when only landowners could vote in U.S. elections. “Never underestimate the social impact of inclusion on a society,” Gray says. “I think this process will give
people a sense of self respect and self confidence.” Tribal leaders in the past had little incentive to push for change with an electorate of headright owners. A court ruling that was eventually overturned opened up membership between 1993 and 1997, giving many Osages voting rights for the first time. In 2002, new tribal leadership swept to victory on promises to push Congress for a change. Mark Freeman Jr. said it was the reason he decided to run for tribal council at age 82. He didn’t have a vote until age 73, when his mother died and he inherited a headright share. “The pride in that didn’t make up for the loss of my mama,” he says, echoing a sentiment shared by other Osages whose voting rights came only when a
parent died. Some Osages believe membership,should be based on the tribal rolls of 1906. Others have suggested only Osages who know the names of their original clan and band be included. Others have suggested membership based upon blood quantum, even DNA testing, Satepauhoodle says.
No matter what, she says, “Osages will decide who’s Osage. You don’t need a constitution or a roll.” The new law, sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and unopposed in Congress, leaves the issue of headrights untouched. For Batson, membership could mean the ability to legally use peyote in the Native American Church where he worships and to receive protected eagle feathers for use in traditional dances. He’s eager to have a voice in a tribe whose economic development he believes could be helped by participation from younger Osages. “In other tribes, their youth are involved. They’re helping build things up,” he says. “We couldn’t if we wanted to.” A celebration is planned Feb. 4 on the tribe’s campus in Pawhuska to start
the process of reinventing the Osage. Gray would like to see a referendum on tribal membership by the end of next year and eventually a constitutional convention. He is hopeful the tribe will avoid the divisiveness that came with the court decision in the mid-1990s but acknowledges
the process will be “slow, painful and complicated.” “It is democracy in action,” he says. Gray points to another precedent — the homecoming each June when Osages gather on the reservation for three weekends of dancing known as ELon-schka.There, no federal entity has ever decided who sits around the drum. “That’s why I hold out hope,” he says. “If we can do that, we can handle this.”

This is a rare old photo find for us! It has in it near the left post in center of photo, grandfather Shaklee, Peter Worthington Shaklee and his wife, Artlissa and then in the middle with white beard about two rows back is George shaklee and his wife Delia, brother of Peter Worthington Shaklee. George was born in 1863 and Peter in 1851.
Posted by PCCPA

What one does.....

"What you do when you don't have to, determines what you will be when you can no longer help it."

--Rudyard Kipling, 1868-1936

a man's character shows through....

Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at.

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Son Phil sends this note along to all...

Asian Quake Felt in Oklahoma

Shock waves from the deadly earthquake that killed thousands in Indonesia were felt in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Geological Survey says shock waves were recorded in Tulsa County starting at 7:13 Saturday night.

The 9-point-oh magnitude quake in Indonesia hit 15 minutes earlier.

Jim Lawson with the Geological Survey says the shock waves may have caused water in ponds and lakes to slosh slowly. He also says some tall buildings in the state may have swayed slightly.

The number of dead in the quake is now approaching 40-thousand. The 9.0 magnitude quake is the strongest since a 9-point-2 quake on March 28th, 1964, in Prince William Sound in Alaska.

It's the fourth strongest since recordings of magnitude began in 1899, tying a 1952 quake in Russia.


Here is a link to the Oklahoma Geological Survey Earthquake division... check it out, it's cool...

This is Great Grandma Moffat with Kaitlyn's new quilt that she made for her. Mom was rather proud of it, and we are all proud of Mom. Not an easy thing to do at any age, but at 85, it is quite a feat. And it is excellent! She did goooood... according to Kaitlyn's parents... and the rest of us too.....

Think this pic is represents the newest things in our family.. Heather and Paul are having Madison Ann in April or May and Aunt Heather is holding niece Kaitlyn, our newest addition at Christmas... How sweet life is. Both are amazed at what the boys are doing in the next room!!! Enjoy the day....

Durning Christmas, one can never ever stop being proud of one's kiddos.... haha... here Phil entertains us with a new scarf..... haha... enjoy the day....

Thought for the day...

One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody, everything, every night before you go to bed.

-Bernard M. Baruch

Here's Ann and her brother Mike Shaklee from Helena, OK. What a joy to have Mike visit with us over the holidays!!

Photo by Mike Shaklee of the Moffat's at Christmas, 2004, at Great Grandmother Moffat's.

What a wonderful Christmas 2004 was had by this family!!

I knew the day was going to be awesome due to the fabulous sunrise that God provided on the anniversary of the birth of his Son. I was not to be denied!!
Ann's brother Mike came down for the Farm at Timberlake, and stayed with us a few days. That was great! Then Christmas morning at our home... was fantastic! The kiddos and family's started arriving about 8:30 with the arrival of Jonathan, Randi and Kaitlyn Moffat from Roff. Then Phillip, Tammy, and Austyn arrived... and then a bit later, Paul, Heather and Andrew arrived and the sharing of Christmas began. It was awesome watching the kiddos open their gifts. They are a hoot! The joy that comes over one's face can not be duplicated anywhere by anyone. The expression of the moment, one of inner honesty, is a site to see. After sharing, we headed to Great Grandma Moffat's to celebrate there. We started by singing happy birthday to Jesus, and then enjoying one of the great traditions of our family, eating a feast at Christmas, and it was just that. Wonderful food, made by caring ladies in the kitchens of their families and shared with us... wow.. Then more sharing, a quick time to take family photos, thanks to Mike being with us... and then home to wish we had not ate so much...haha...
Anyway.. a wonderful wonderful Christmas was had by all!!
Now to try to get off these extra pounds added from setting in a chair for 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, trying to get the kids Christmas done.. haha yeah, it's not the hand to mouth thingy that gets ya, it's the setting.. haha.. I wish..
Have a great day, enjoy the time with your families, as this is the time of our lives, the time that builds memories we can enjoy as we get older....
Enjoy the day!! And each other!!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Hope it's your best ever, and that are your wishes have come true. This was our gathering last Christmas. Just wanted to share it with everyone in the family.

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s, to one and all!!

Merry Christmas from the Jonathan Moffat's.....

Click Here..... to see our Merry Christmas wish from Jonathan, Randi, and Kaitlyn Moffat ... We received this in the email this am. How great to see pics of the kiddos... wonderful feelings happening... haha... What a great day this is, celebrating the birth of Christ, and honoring that day by being with our whole family. WOW!

Merry Christmas to everyone, near and far!

Enjoy the day!

Mr. Andrew Paul Blankinship dropped by last evening along with his Mom, Heather, to visit. He and Ole Jake got into building a city, complete with various businesses, including a hotel, gas place, eating place, a big tower place, and many other types of businesses!! You can let your mind wander, and you might be correct, as Jake was helping him!!

Things ... goings on, etc.

Well, let it be said that before I died, I shopped for my lovely bride on a day besides Christmas eve!! YES, kind folks... every since I have been married, I have a tradition of heading to town at 3 - 4 pm on Christmas Eve to shop for the love of my life, Ms. Ann. It is such a hoot... having done it so many years.. 32 years now, and living in the community for over 44, that most of the old stores in town know the family, or I. A favorite place to visit is Katz Dept Store, that is shutting it's doors on Dec. 31 of this year, after starting in 1889 in Stillwater, OK. Most any one who has attended OSU in Stillwater has shopped there, and Katz has raised many Stillwater families!! It sure has ours, and Ann was heart broken when she learned it was closing. But this aside, Dennis Silvers has worked there since Ann and I were married in 1972. I opened us a charge account at Katz, when Barbara worked there and the credit dept was a ledger file on a desk in the back of the store, and started making regular Christmas eve visits there, and then to other stores... so now the old merchants were really surprised to see me before Christmas eve.. yesterday!! What a hoot to go on a different day... and see the reaction of those I have known for a long time!
Then when I got back home, what to my surprise should be in my home, but my lovely daughter and son, Heather and Andrew. Ann made us some great chicken and dumpling for dinner, and it was enjoyed by all. We almost cleaned it all up! Then Andrew and Jake started playing around. Jake downloaded some games on the computer, thanks to son Jonathan's help, and Jake showed Andrew how to play them. Now he wants to play them all the time.. well, almost all the time!!
Seems as though Ann was not through shopping and at this writing, she and Jake are in town finishing up Christmas Santa shopping. But .... MINE is DONE!!!
It's been really cold here, about 6 degrees here this am, and the floor is even cold in our home... but things will warm up, as my brother in law Mike is coming down to stay with us overnight and for tomorrow's dinner with Mom Moffat at her home. It's been rumored that Santa will come here first so the kids and their kids will get together here in mid morning to check out what was left, and then we are off to rake in our goodies at "Grandma's" home!!
Jake reports the cattle are all taking in the weather ok. He had to chop ice on the ponds in all pastures yesterday. We have one small 80 acre pasture that has a big creek running through it and in all the years we have owned it, we have never had to chop ice! Then last summer, our neighbor up stream, built a big pond, and the creek is all but dried up this winter, according to Jake. Geeze... love to see the new pond, hate to chop ice. When I had the feed store, I had some old timers who came in when weather was like this, and they did not want to chop ice either, and they would buy blocks of white salt and put along the edges of their ponds. As the block of salt melted in the water, it kept the water from freezing and the cattle and deer and other livestock could always get water. Not sure how that helped the pond environment!
I have made contact with Carlyle Trabant's extended family and might have some things coming soon about him and what he did throughout his life. I know it is too late to share with Dad, but he was Dad's best friend when growing up and Dad and he had their picture taken in the "old hoopie" dad called it, before they left for Galveston, TX in the summer of 1936, about a year before Dad father died. More on this as things develop. I know my kids saw this picture on the wall in the rooms where dad was before his death, and now we can find out "the rest of the story"!
Carlyle's parents, his father George, was well thought of by both Mom and Dad, and he was also the minister that married them at Mt. Zion Church.
Looks like this has turned into a long note.. sorry for that. Will try to keep them shorter.. haha.. you all know I am kidding, right??
Received a Christmas card with a wonderful note inside from Uncle Ivan and Aunt Freda yesterday. Very wonderful to get news from them. I wish to thank them for the hand written note inside too. They have had a tough year, with the deaths of Ivan's brothers, Oscar and then John, and a nephew Leon. Plus their health has not been the best, so if you get a chance do remember them this Christmas season in your prayers, and Uncle Calvin and Aunt Agnes Siegrist need to be remembered in prayer too, he is in California undergoing a new treatment for prostate cancer. It is the latest in high tech at work.
And a wonderful Christmas card from my niece Cortney. She is so awesome. She has such a good memory! And in her life, things are changing around a bit, and her and Jeff are now seeing a lot of each other, soon to be more, I hear!! haha.. Love ya, kiddo... We wish your Mom Happy Holidays too..
Guess that is all for now. Enjoy the day, take time to smell the roses...

This is a Photo that was taken on Dec. 4, 1949, that we ran across working up the Shaklee albums.... This is Ann's mom, Mary Cathrene, with kiddos frt row, Mike and David and next to her Cathrene Ann, and Ward on her lap. Photo was 55 years ago... not long for a high stepper!! haha... Enjoy the season, the years they go by fast!!

Look who come to play with Jake today!! Yes... Ole Austyn dropped by and spent the morning with us. He and Jake had a big ole time play... Austyn brought his new keyboard and he and Jake had a hoot making up songs, etc. And then it turned to.... playing around.. haha...

Hey, Moffat kiddos.. Al Rutledge is still producing top quality Angus cattle...

Payne County Cattle Producer Al Rutledge does it again, and again...

Angus bull leads test... (well of course, he was born and bred in Payne County!)

Senior age bulls at Panhandle State University’s beef bull test are led by an Angus with an ADG of 7.14 pounds. The bull is consigned by Al Rutledge of Stillwater.

Wow.. check that daily gain... oh my goodness.... Paul, tell your Dad... !

The true meaning of Christmas, by Paul Odle

Paul Odle is from Yukon, OK. He is about 10 years my senior and is in the Lawton/Fort Sill Veterans Center. He has been diagnosed as Morbidly Obese. He can not walk. Somehow, I ended up on his mailing list, and this was in my email box this afternoon. I wanted to share it with you. If you would like to send him a Merry Christmas wish, his email is paul_odlesr@yahoo.com. I know he would love to hear from anyone who wishes to share a joyful thought!



An Early Christmas Story
My Christmas experience that opened my eyes...

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving. It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra
time so we could read in the Bible. After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at
one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up,but I didn't know what. Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up
beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever
it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on. After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood -- the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" "You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd
been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "Why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said.

"Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just
had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy." We rode the two miles to the Widow Jensen’s pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big
woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? The Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it
shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible. Then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, “Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?" he Widow Jensen opened the door to let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. The Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and
finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children -- sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat, and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled
around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone’s spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and the Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us." In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after the Widow Jensen mentioned it I could
see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down the Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine. At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if
he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, 'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will." Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that.
But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand." I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed
very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on the Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered. And remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.