Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is.

-Will Rogers

If Dad were here...... he'd love this....

Homestyle Corned Beef with Dilled Cabbage

Ingredients:
2-1/2 to 3-1/2 lb boneless corned beef brisket
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp Dijon-style mustard
Dilled Cabbage:
1 medium head cabbage (about 2 pounds), cut into 8 wedges
3 tbsp butter, softened
1 tbsp Dijon-style mustard
1-1/2 tsp chopped fresh dill

Instructions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Place corned beef brisket and 2 cups water in Dutch oven. Bring just to a simmer; do not boil. Cover tightly and cook in 350°F oven 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours or until fork-tender.


About 20 minutes before brisket is done, steam cabbage 15 to 20 minutes or until tender.


Remove brisket from water; trim fat. Place on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 3 to 4 inches from heat. Combine honey and 1 tablespoon mustard. Brush top of brisket with 1/2 of glaze; broil 3 minutes. Brush with remaining glaze; broil 2 minutes or until glazed.


Combine butter, 1 tablespoon mustard and dill; spread on hot cabbage. Carve brisket diagonally across the grain. Serve with cabbage.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.


Thinking of my tummy.......

Herbed Beef Tenderloin with Holiday Rice

Ingredients:
1 well-trimmed center-cut beef tenderloin roast (2 to 3 pounds)
Seasoning:
2 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1-1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp coarse grind black pepper
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
Holiday Rice :
2 tbsp butter
3/4 cup each chopped onion and chopped red bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (9 ounces) frozen French-style green beans, defrosted
3 cups hot cooked rice
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted


Instructions:

Heat oven to 425�F. Combine seasoning ingredients; press onto beef roast. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 425�F oven 35 to 40 minutes for medium rare; 45 to 50 minutes for medium doneness.


Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135�F for medium rare; 150�F for medium. Tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10�F to reach 145�F for medium rare; 160�F for medium.)


Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Add beans; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in rice and almonds; heat through. Carve roast; season with salt. Serve with rice.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.


Monday, March 14, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Some pursue happiness, others create it.

-Anonymous

Sunday, March 13, 2005

Wow... more neat days.....

Friday, Austyn spent the day with us.. and we had a blast. Then, Saturday, due to illness in the family, we got to see Jon and Randi and Kaitlyn along with Jake and Heather and Andrew for part of Heather's Birthday, and today, we get to see the rest of the family for the rest of Heather's Birthday. Paul has been home sick with the flu.. so we are doing it this way!! Will post some pics from yesterday online and from today later on.. have a great day!

Saturday, March 12, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just to enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate.

-Thornton Wilder

Friday, March 11, 2005

Hayden Howard's Birthday....

Hayden Howard's Birthday in Topeka, KS. at Chuckie Cheese..... Happy B'day Hayden!!!!

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

-Walter Bagehot

Thursday, March 10, 2005

I think I am going to live....

Guess that's the case. This is the first day in more than a week that I have woke up and not had wet eyes... wow.. how cool! I got this virus in my lungs and I felt like I was drowning... and after setting through Dad's dealy.. it was a bit scarey.... I never had anything quite like it.. my lungs were full of junk and I could cough up hands full of this yuck.. and every breathe was a wheeze instead of easy.. and labored.. Then it went to the lining on the outside of my head.. and it hurt to breathe.. ect.. you get the pic.. but hopefully, that is past.
Austyn has a skit at school this am and Phil is on the way to see him in it.. he is carrying the flag, *I think he said... Jake is out feeding cattle, Ann and I are better, we think, and all is well in the world.. have a 76 degree day coming soon, Sat. I think.. how wonderful that is.. it's about time to start farming again.. love the first earth turned smell..... but alas, by the end of summer, I am ready to quite for a bit.. haha..
We have a family who keeps their kiddos calves here with us for showing and they have done quite well this spring in the livestock shows. They are to wonderful young ladys who fight like two sisters, and get along like to sisters..haha.. Jake is taking them over Saturday morning to meet Fred Shultz and look at his great livestock. I think Saturday, the family is getting together to celebrate the birth of Heather Ann and the anniversary of Phil and Tammy. Twill be another wonderful family moment!!
All I know for now.. Have a great day!!

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Does God Exist?

Does God Exist?

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen. It's an explanation other people will understand.



A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.
"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt!
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber and I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."


"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

If you think God exists, send this to other people---If you think God does not exist, delete it!


BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING !!!!

As a father, I have failed the test.......

As a father, I have failed the test. I forgot to mention that Wednesday is Heather Ann Moffat Blankinship's 32nd Birthday and the day is special to another family of Moffat's as well. It is also Phillip and Tammy Moffat's 13 Anniversary of their Wedding. We wish you all the best and many many more. I think there is a family get to gether coming up soon to celebrate, so maybe I will be forgiven, hopefully, ???

Friday, March 04, 2005

Has been a week among weeks... haha...

Seems like only yesterday, think I have heard this one before.. haha!!
What a week. Ann sick, me sick, cows out on wheat when not supposed to be, our own house dog ran away from us overnight, Zoe went to spend the night a the neighbors... Truck not running right, beautiful weather, mom has back ache and now this am she has an unexplained black eye!! hummmmmmmmmm.... and on and on. Jake is heading up to the farm to work with Uncle Mike tomorrow so we will not have him this weekend and this is the week that the fat pigs that Paul was feeding out, with Andrew's help, went to the butchers.. haha.. guess you can guess where this story is headed, yelp, Andrew wants to know where his pigs are and he is MAD!!! Plus Dad had Grandpa Roy's trailer and he was not supposed to have it.. and on and on.. Andrew, our little ole 85 year old three year old... Ann is home today, but received a job at 4:30 pm yesterday that is a rush job so she has been on the phone trying to help get it out most of the morning.
I am heading out to work on fence when Jake gets back with the truck and my claw hammer! We only own one, so have to share!
This has also been a week for geese... everywhere!! thousands of them and they can mow off a wheat field in nothing flat. I saw this for the first time last two days. The wheat field of ours that is across the fence from the pond on this quarter was about three inches tall, and in two days.. clear to the ground!! They are unbelievable in their ablility to mow it off!!
Heard someone has an anniversay this coming Wednesday, March 9th... and someone else has a birthday on that same date.. right??? Phillip and Tammy will be married 13 years.. getting married in 1992.. and ole Heather, Madison's mom, a 1973 model will be 32 on that same date, goodness Heather is that right???

All for now, enjoy the day....

From Joanna and Clinton, Sunday School Lessons....

STORY OF ELIJAH

The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the
altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar. And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times.

"Now," said the teacher, "can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?"

A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, "I know! I know!" she said, "To make the gravy!"

LOT'S WIFE

The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Johnny interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was DRIVING," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"

SUNDAY SCHOOL

A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described
the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."

DID NOAH FISH?

A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?"

"No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms."

HIGHER POWER

A Sunday school teacher said to her children, "We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?"

One child blurted out, "Aces!"

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Nine year old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school.

"Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved."

"Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.

"Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Bobby was excited about the task -- but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Bobby was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd and that's all I need to know.

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing—that's why we recommend it daily.

-Zig Ziglar

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.


-Vesta M. Kelly

Monday, February 28, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Happiness does not come from doing what you want, but wanting what you do.

was thinking about where everyone was from when I woke up this am..

I was thinking where all the folks were from that were present Saturday. Small crowd, but lots of places... Ingalls, Roff, Mehan, Stillwater, El Reno, Perkins, Norman, and Perkins. Anyway..... Today is Uncle Ivan's official Birthday... So Happy Official Birthday - Uncle Ivan! And many many more!!!
Enjoy the day!!

Sunday, February 27, 2005

What a wonderful day yesterday was!!

What a wonderful day we had yesterday! Ann is not feeling very good health wise, nor am I, but what a wonderful day yesterday was. Started with the sun shining, that was great! Then Andrew and Heather came to our home about an hour before we left for OKC, and
Andrew and I played games on the computer and he is very good at it, beating his grandpa all to pieces! Then we had a great trip to OKC, and when we arrived at The Olive Garden, it was about 5 mins and they had us seated, and we were a big group for them! Everyone arrived, including the Birthday Boy himself, Uncle Ivan! Later we learned that both Cousin Clinton and myself have Birthdays in Feb. too. We had an awesome lunch. Uncle Ivan opened his cards and presents, and we had a great visit!! All my kiddos showed up!! All our grandkids showed up! What a truly amazing time!! It's not everyday you get to visit with everyone and your family too! Austyn and Andrew got along great, and so did Kaitlyn. Madison didn't kick her mom too much so Heather got to eat! Kaitlyn was great so Randi and Jon got to eat. Tammy and Phil got to enjoy the time with the boys playing great! And Jake and I got to eat some good food and visit with others!! So all in all, great time. Those there were Uncle Ivan, Aunt Freda, Cousin Joanna and Clinton, Marilyn, Mom, Jonathan and Randi and Kaitlyn Moffat, Heather Blankinship and Andrew, Jake, Ann and I, and Tammy and Phil and Austyn Moffat! What a deal! Uncle Ivan wore his crown while he ate. He is such a trooper!! And we ate and ate!! Then home, with no problems, and a nice spring day in Feb. comes to an end! If mom would have had her new ears, it would have been complete!
Enjoy the day! New pictures are online too. No video from yesterday, I forgot to do that, guess it will be next time!!

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent.

-Rumi

Saturday, February 26, 2005


More photos online.. This is Jonathan bending his grandmother's ear... had to, she left her new ears at home.. on the table.. haha.. Kaitlyn is hard at it with her Mom pushing the fluids.. haha..

wonder if this nice lady knows how to hold me.. Kaitlyn wonders to herself.. if she only knew, Joanna is the worlds best grandma... with tons of experience........

The ladys ... sharing a moment..

Just think.. in all this there is Madison Ann .. haha.. underneath Kaitlyn and Andrew... she will be here in April or May, or sooner.. haha..

Heather and Kaitlyn... getting ready to eat..

Cousin Clinton and Joanna Wilson ... will be celebrating their 50th ... yelp.. 5 0 ... anniversay in about four... 4... months.. just FYI.... and Clinton has a birthday this month and so did I.. along with Uncle Ivan...

The Birthday Boy in all his grander!! Happy Bday Uncle Ivan... and many many more!!

Some things are meant to be... now is this a happy camper??? haha.. Aunt Freda and Jon and Randi's Kaitlyn...

They caught the BTK Killer in Wichita, KS..

Yeah!!!!

OH BOY.. oh boy.. we are off to see the Wizard.. haha..

What a great day is in store today. We are having lunch with my Uncle Ivan and Aunt Freda in OKC at Olive Garden at 12:30pm. I think our family less Paul will be there, how cool is that!!! And Ann is sick, and I am a bit, but ...
We are all excited about this and looking forward to it. There will be other family there too. Mom and MK are going, and Joanna and Clinton, and who know who else..



HEY DORIS..... How you doing after knee surgery???? Hope all is well, and you get up and going quick!!! Bet Jim does too.. hahahahahahaha....

All for now. Have a great day!!!

Wow... I got Heather's attention..haha

She called me, like within seconds of my posting the note below.. how cool, a dad can even holler at his kids on the net, and they will answer, haha... thanks.. Heather.. just having fun, and experimenting!!

Friday, February 25, 2005

HEATHER!!!

HEATHER!!!!!!!!

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Today...

Today, Jake and I went to Mom's to help Marilyn get the weaning calves sorted so she could take them to the clinic at OSU and get them worked. Course, rainy last few days and cold this am and lots of mud, and calves were too young to want to be away from Mom's, but the good news is, we did it, and no one killed anyone else over it either, how bout them apples! Dad would have been proud!!

Mom's OK, still not wearing her new ears too much. Things are too loud she says, course, if she were to wear them, she might get used to hearing again... ahaha...

All for now! Everyone have a great day!!

Ann is home with the yuck today... not feeling too hot, but she was worse last night! I even had to cook my own meal last night, geeze, I have never in my life cooked pork, and I did it and I am not too sick this am... haha..
enjoy the day!

A big celebration.. Saturday ... Uncle Ivan's Birthday is the 28th, but ...

A big celebration.. Saturday ... Uncle Ivan's Birthday is the 28th, but ... we are celebrating it Saturday at 12:30 at the Olive Garden at Quail Springs Mall... in front of it and west a bit!! See everyone there!!! Big day...

Welcome - Our Moffat Family Blog

Cousin Joanna sent word that Cousin Doris Moffat Rowland went home from hospital yesterday. She had knee surgery last week and they forgot to call and let folks know.. sigh..... Glad your home Doris... Get recovered fast, the coffee shop is not the same without ya... haha..

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

To me every hour of the day and night is an unspeakable perfect miracle.

-Walt Whitman

Heather sent this along for every one to enjoy..

An old man, a boy & a donkey were going
to town. The boy rode on the donkey &
the old man walked. As they went along
they passed some people who remarked
it was a shame the old man was walking
& the boy was riding. The man & boy
thought maybe the critics were right,
so they changed positions.

Later, they passed some people that remarked,
"What a shame, he makes that little boy walk."
They then decided they both
would walk! Soon they passed some
more people who thought they were
stupid to walk when they had a decent
donkey to ride. So, they both rode the donkey.

Now they passed some people that
shamed them by saying how awful to put
such a load on a poor donkey.
The boy & man said they were
probably right, so they decided
to carry the donkey. As
they crossed the bridge, they lost
their grip on the animal & he fell
into the river and drowned.



The moral of the story?
If you try to please everyone, you might as well...


.....Kiss your ass good-bye.

Have A Nice Day & Be Careful With Your Donkey

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.

-Aldous Huxley

Thought for Today

Dante Alighieri
1265-1321

"A great flame follows a little spark."

Interesting to Medical Men

Interesting to Medical Men
From the Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.), 23 February 1820, page 3

The District Medical Society of Baltimore in a report on the subject of the late Yellow Fever in that city, says----

"The doctrines of contagion and importation, receive no countenance from this society."

And to conclude by recommending that two laws be repealed.

"First--That restricting hogs from running at large.--Second "That which makes it penal to throw kitchen offals in the street."

And we think we have it hard.. haha....

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Got a wonderful note from Joanna and Clinton and I will share part of it with you all....

Joanna writes...
Doris had her knee replacement surgery last Wed. She seems to be doing well. She is now at Jim Thorpe Rehab in OKC. They think she might get to go home tomorrow or Thurs. Jim M. has had sinus infection and is feeling some better. Clinton is going to PT for his back and I think it is helping. Everybody else seems to be doing OK. How are all of your family? I also talked with Ivan this morning and they were going to OKC for a free lunch...


It's really great to hear from family.... My best back to you all too.
And again, thanks for all the wonderful emails and calls.. awesome to be remembered. I am about speechless... and those of you that know me knows that does not happen very often, right, hahaha?

The old days...

The old days

TO THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 30's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, bread and butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat booms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live in us forever.

*We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little league had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.
They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS! Please pass this on to others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

Thanks for all the Birthday greetings..

You guys are way tooooooo coooool.. haha thanks for all the wonderful birthday greetings... wasn't expecting a thing... Love you all! Stan at the start of his 58th year!

The Squirrels from Clinton and Joanna Wilson, Cousins in Norman....

The Squirrels
=============

Three churches in town were overrun with squirrels.

After much prayer, the elders of the first church determined that the animals were predestined to be there. Who were they to interfere with God's will? They did nothing, and the squirrels multiplied.

The elders of the second church, deciding that they could not harm any of God's creatures, humanely trapped the squirrels and then set them free outside of town. Three days later the squirrels were back.

It was only the third church that succeeded in keeping the squirrels away. The elders of this church simply baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the church.

Now, they only see the squirrels on Christmas and Easter.

Monday, February 21, 2005

Mom update...

Great Grandma Moffat got home from her Doctor's appointment to get her new ears... and she said that the aids were set way to high. Why she turned on the blinkers in the car and all she could hear was blam blam blam... haha...

She was beside herself! She said she could even hear her feet as she walked across the floor... haha... GREAT!! But I bet it's a hard thing to get used to. Not hearing for so long and now hearing every little thing. Anyway, she goes back in two weeks. So, give her a call and let her tell you about her new ears!!

She did say there was a bad wreck at the corner north of her when she came home with a red truck on it's top on the northwest side of the intersection and two troopers there.

All for now.. have a great evening...

Update on Austyn......

Tammy just called and Austyn is find today. They did not have school today with this being Presidents Day, so they both were home. Tammy reports that Austyn fell asleep on the couch last night, they carried him to bed and he woke up two times during the night. Then upon waking up, he ate not one, not two, but three bowls of cereal, and then.. and then.. he takes after his grandpa, a bag of popcorn!!! She said he has been ok all day long and doing great! Just wanted to let everyone know..

Great grandma Moffat went to the hearing doctor this afternoon at 1:30 to get her new hearing aids. She still swears she does not need them, but I believe most of the family, after visiting with her yesterday, agrees with the Doctor, and they are really glad she is getting them, and can't wait to see how well they work~~!

Jake is off to work this afternoon, and is really enjoying his work. He gets his first two week pay check next monday, and is really looking forward to that too!!

I think that is all the news for now... enjoy the day!

The state of our family....

Wanted everyone to know that Heather was suffering from a stopped up head yesterday and she went to the DR. this am and he told her she had an a bit of a Upper Respitory thingy working and put her on antibotics, and Austyn got sick yesterday afternoon too. He threw up here for a few times and went home and did it again three times, Tammy said, but last evening he had no fever and was feeling a touch better! Not sure if he went to school today or not... but will let others know when I discover...

Sunday, February 20, 2005

What a wonderful day with family!!

T'was a really great day in my life today. I had 86, 400 seconds to spend today, and got to spend most of them with family, and including mom and grand children! Now how lucky is that. Had all my kiddos and spouses and grand kids and Mom and Sis here today for a big ole 58th Bday... I am richly blessed. Thank you Lord for such a wonderful family!! Well, guess we did miss Paul, but he had a rookie and had to work today training another of Stillwater's finest! Paul, you were missed and thought of often. Maybe next time!
Have a lot of pictures and some video of the grand kids,etc. but my wireless DSL is down, guess I ought to pay my bill, haha... well, that might just be the case.. haha.. not really. But will get pics online this evening or in morning..
Thanks to all my family for allowing me the pleasure of your company today. Nothing in the world makes me happier than to spend time with them!! God bless you all often and forever!

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Welcome - Our Moffat Family Blog

Here's a link to JIB Jab, and Second Term from the guys in Dallas! Now you need to smile while this is playing, or you take politics way too serious!! (says this Bush supporter!) smiling...

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Marilyn sent this along today.... THE CAB RIDE

THE CAB RIDE

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m.,
the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait
a minute, then drive away.

But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their
only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I
always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my
assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail,
elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood
before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil
pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one
had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to
the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked
slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I
would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you
drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a
hospice". I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I
don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have
very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route
would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the
building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove
through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were
newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had
once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd
ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit
staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was
creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low
building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under
a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.
They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have
been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the
door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe
you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I
responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank
you." I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind
me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a
life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in
thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that
woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his
shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then
driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything
more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But
great moments often catch us unaware---beautifully wrapped in what others
may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT 'YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT ~
THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Here is another picture of Kaitlyn Brooke reading to her Grandma Moffat last weekend!

Thought for Today

Thought for Today
Carl Sagan

"We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers."

From Uncle Ivan...

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Uncle Ivan sent this note along.. Awesome, thanks.. Uncle Ivan!

I have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years, but we are mostly making fun of a culture that values home, family, country and God. If I had to stand before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd choose a half dozen or so rednecks to back me up.

Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are made of. I hope I am one of those. If you feel the same, pass this on to your redneck friends. Ya`ll know who ya are...


You might be a redneck if:

It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase,"One nation, under God. "

You've never protested about seeing the Ten Commandments posted in public places.

You still say "Christmas" instead of "The Holidays."

You bow your head when someone prays.

You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.

You treat Viet Nam vets with great respect, and always have.

You've never burned an American flag.

You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.

You'd give your last dollar to a friend.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!

-Lucy, Peanuts

Saw this and thought of Ann... hehe....

Perhaps there has always been ........ a problem.... with terrorism....

The Fort Wayne News (Fort Wayne, Indiana), 16 February 1898, page 1:

Nearly Three Hundred Men go Down on Board the Battleship Maine in the Harbor of Havana

BOMB PLACED UNDER THE BOW OF THE BOAT

Special From Havana Leads to the Belief That the Hellish Deed May be the Work of Spanish Sympathizers.

NAVY OFFICERS SCOUT THE THEORY OF ACCIDENT

Captain Sigsbee Declares That the Magazine Was in Perfect Condition--Hundreds of Sharks Add to the Unspeakable Horror.

HAVANA, Feb. 16.--The United States steamer Maine, a charred and torn hulk, lies at the bottom of the harbor, a tomb for 100 of her crew. She was blown up by an explosion at 9:40 last night. Most of the crew were asleep at the time. The indications were that a torpedo had been exploded under the bow of the battleship. Captain Sigsbee, who was wounded in the head, says the ship's powder magazine was in perfect order. All of the crew who were not disabled showed great coolness and courage. The Spanish cruiser Alphonso launched boats and hurried them to the sinking battleship. The number of dead is unknown. The explosion shook the city from one end to the other, and created the greatest excitement. All electric lights were put out by the shock. It was almost two hours before it was known what had exploded

Monday, February 14, 2005


Here's a shot of Ann and Andrew reading a book Sunday afternoon. How bout that? Got to see Kaitlyn Saturday night, Andrew on Sunday and Austyn on Monday, how lucky of grandparents are we? To see all three! And all our kiddos too!!!

Ann and I went over to see Austyn on Valentine's and he was really excited about the day and his new movie he got for Valentines. Great to see Phil, Tammy and Austyn. Phil was tired from his first day on the new job with Rain's Trucking in Perkins. But as you can see, Austyn was plain ole' happy!

And from a friend in California comes this "virus warning".... BEWARE... AMISH VIRUS INSIDE

And from a friend in California comes this "virus warning".... BEWARE... AMISH VIRUS INSIDE

He told me he received a letter in the mail that looked funny, writing not like ours today (you could read it!) and so carefully opening it, he found inside a hand written note on a piece of lined school paper.


"This is an AMISH VIRSUS.

AMISH have not computers nor electricity, and use the HONOR system, so at this time, would you please delete all your computer files.

Thank Thee very much!"


Later, he received a call from a friend of his in PA. who had gotten behind an Amish buggy on the way to work and had extra time on his hands...

Uncle Ivan never let's us down with great writings and here is another from we received today!

In light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11).

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.

I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.. And we said OK!

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Sunday, February 13, 2005

Kaitlyn is really growing...


Here ya go! Jake, Ann and I took a road trip and went to see Kaitlyn last night. She is really growing fast. She set in her stroller and played with her toys, etc. and she was a perfect Angel when we took Mom out to eat at Doc's for Valentine's Day!!
We had a rather late night last night gettting back home L a t e for an old man anyway...haha.
Everyone is messing around today. I have to get the PCL Music Awards all put on our website and uploaded today and set so I can link it in the am to announce our winners artist for last year's Payne County Line Music Awards for Oklahoma artist.
Andrew dropped by this am and is spending the day so Heather can get some much needed rest. Her tail has been dragging this week after having bit of stomach flu, and she is weak. Jake Ann and I had it too, and it's not fun!
We almost got to see and keep Austyn Saturday, but Ann had left to go with Jake to feed all the cattle and I didn't know it, so anyway, we missed our chance. Ann and I heard that Grandma went to an auction with Phil and Tammy and Austyn at his school Friday night. That's so cool!
Jake got his first "tail chewing" at work the other day for leaving an office with test for the next day unlocked on night, but all in all, he thinks that is his only major miss step to date, so he says all is going well and seems to be happy with his new job.
Phil starts his tomorrow and I know he is happy to be off the road so much. I know how that is after being in the feed business and making from 3 to 6 trips a week to to OKC and all the other places for 21 years, it gets old in a hurry. He will be working for Rain's Trucking in Perkins, OK.
Welp, all I know for know, enjoy the day, it's a wonderful warm "spring" day here in Oklahoma, with Temps in the 60's this afternoon, and wow, sunshine in abundance!!

Friday, February 11, 2005

Welcome - Our Moffat Family Blog

Just a quick note to everyone about this and that...
Talked with Mom, when I finally caught her at home, and heard about cell phone batteries blowing up, viruses on computer, her busy day, greasy chicken at Long John's, etc... hahaha.... She has had a head cold but was better when I visited with her.
Jake, as of today, will be finishing up his second full week at the Vet Teaching Hospital on OSU Campus in Stillwater. He seems to really like it, as it is a job and income! He keeps mentioning going to welding school. So one can only guess...
Phil starts his new job on this coming Monday working for Rain's Trucking in Perkins in the office. He will be a great addition to their team.
Jonathan is finishing up a school in OKC. It was put on by Microsoft and trained them in the use of a special program he will be using in tracking web design/development projects for the Chickasaw Nation. He is on their Web Dev team, and loves his job, just don't ask him if he does, haha...
Heather had a bout of tummy virus this week and with Madison Ann coming in a few months, it gave us all a scare. Ann kept Andrew for a day while Heather recovered at home. She is back at work and doing ok. Her father in law has a bout of it and last I heard was very weak and could hardly walk and if any of you know him, Roy, he retired from Stillwater Police Dept., farms full time and is now a full time deputy well!
Paul is ok, haven't heard a thing from Tammy or Austyn, and was told Randi and Kaitlyn are doing ok.
so all in all, things are going ok. Andrew has been spending Sundays with Jake and they play video games and have a big ole time for a few hours, and he loves to talk on the phone!!
In my area of the world, PCL is finishing up our year end awards and are to announce on the 14 of Feb., Monday. It has been a big deal, we had almost a million votes cast, with over 900 nominees for about 68 areas, and I count it all by myself... it has been a 18 to 20 hour a day seven day a week thing for me since Jan 1 and I am now looking forward to Tuesday!! Sure glad Jake has been able to tend to the cattle for Grandma and us!! He has been our saving grace this year!
Not much else going on here. Oh yes.. Grandma gets her hearing aids next week, can't wait to see how that works.. haha...
Enjoy the day... Hey Cortney, how was the Colorado trip?

From the New York Times (New York, New York), 11 February 1861

Railway Detentions--The Lesson of the Season
From the New York Times (New York, New York), 11 February 1861, page 3

If any railway traveler has escaped annoying detention during the cold terms of the present Winter, caused by the inability of the engine to proceed, he has been peculiarly fortunate. The vital features of the locomotive are susceptible to cold in a much great degree than the public imagines. A blockade of snow certainly delays progress, but it does not of itself permanently interrupt it, for if a locomotive can only be made to generate the breath of life, the penetration of the loftiest New-England snow-banks is but a question of time. The trouble is, that the supply of feedwater to the boiler, being dependent upon the locomotion of the engine, is cut off--the alternate charge and retreat of the huge battering-ram does not develop sufficient continuity of the motion to keep the pumps in action--the blood stops flowing through the veins of the iron horse, till half-a-dozen of them together are stalled in the same drift. But a more frequent cause of detention is the freezing of the pump during long stoppages at stations, or while waiting for trains. As the action of this heart of the monster is dependent upon his locomotion, any temporary cessation of the pulsation and flow is likely to result in disaster more or less serious. . . .

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

He who forgives ends the quarrel.

-African proverb

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.), 09 February 1825, page 2

Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.), 09 February 1825, page 2

The number of Indians, within the territory of the United States, as far as ascertained, is 129,266, and they claim 63,143,258 acres of land.

. . . .

JEWS.--It is thought a bill will pass the Legislature of Maryland this session, giving to this proscribed race equal civil privileges with those of other sects; they have not been heretofore, in that State, eligible to any office.

During the last year, there were 707 persons committed to the Boston jail for debt. In that State, imprisonment for debt has not been abolished.

Tuesday, February 08, 2005


From Aunt Marilyn regarding OU.... Can you tell she loves OSU??? Can't blame her, I kind'a like both Oklahoma universitys.

From the Wilson's in Norman to all our family - Happy Valentines Day

Sending an early "Valentine" to see if it will make it around the world by Feb. 14th.


"For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosever
believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."

John 3:16

Monday, February 07, 2005

I love my Uncle Ivan... please keep on sending these stories..

Ivan Moffat
El Reno, Oklahoma

THE SUNDAY WE NEVER ARRIVED AT CHURCH
I think it is one of the ironies of life that some of our most harrowing experiences, with the passing of time, can become some of the most amusing, in retrospect. Perhaps this is one way that God balances the plusses and minuses in our lives.
I was eleven years old that spring of 1937. It had been raining this Sunday morning and the dirt roads would be slick but we did not worry about that as we prepared to go to church.
One of my brothers, with his wife, came by in their Model-A Ford coupe. I jumped in with them while another brother drove our 1928 Buick. Mama was in the front seat with my brother while Daddy rode in the back seat. They were about a quarter of a mile behind us but on down the road when we looked back, they were not behind us any longer. My brother stopped the car and we waited a bit but when they did not appear, we started to back up. Then we saw them! The Buick had slid off the road and overturned in the ditch.
The car had turned over on the passenger side so my brother Oscar, my Mama and Daddy were trying to upright themselves and try to get out. Soon, my brother rolled down the window on the driver's side and, standing on the steering wheel, he managed to pull himself out of the overturned car. He pulled Daddy to safety and it was then that they decided they had a real problem.
Mama was still in the car. And Mama was five feet tall and weighed 260 pounds. So it was no small problem facing them. Mama, in the meantime, had managed to get on her feet. She was standing on the window on the passenger side with her head barely visible coming out the window on the driver's side. She was a lesson in patience as she waited for Daddy and her boys to decide how to get her out of this predicament.
Bracing themselves the best they could, they managed, by pulling and tugging, to get Mama through that window. But the task was not accomplished--they still had to get Mama to the ground. By that time, we had been joined by a neighbor, who stood by me. My eleven-year-old mind was churning and suddenly I came up with the perfect solution. In dramatic fashion, I flung my arms open wide and yelled, "Jump, Mama, I'll catch you!" But our neighbor, afraid Mama might, in the uncertainty of the moment, take me seriously, yelled back, "No Bertha, don't jump!"
Well, we all did the obvious. My two brothers, with Daddy's help, took Mama's arms and eased her off the car, with our neighbor and me helping as she slid down. Needless to say, Mama had to forget all about her modesty that day.
Well, we all missed church that Sunday. Besides all of us being a muddy mess, by the time we got Mama on the ground, Church was over anyway. But you know, God was with us that day--Mama and Daddy and my brother were unhurt. And the only difference in this Sunday and any other Sabbath Day, this day our blessing came in a muddy road ditch-instead of Church.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was something that my dad never told us about growing up... I wonder why? Could it be he was driving, hummmm ...

Thanks Uncle Ivan, and please keep sending in these precious memories, please???

For those that don't know, Oklahoma means Red Man. Well, it should mean RED CLAY, cause there is tons of it ... around where this happened, and where we live now!!! RED GREASY CLAY.... when it's wet, YUCK!!

Happy Birthday to Stephen Guth today.. all day long..

Oh my goodness how fast they grow up!! If my math serves me correctly, and I did graduate from Perkins High, "me thinks ole Stephen is about..." Yelp, he is old enough to know how to play the game and young enough to keep score!!! Happy Birthday, Stephen... give my best to LaNeta too... We wish you many many more!!!

Welcome - Our Moffat Family Blog

From Uncle Ivan for your viewing and listening pleasure..... http://www.dreamcloud.net/dreamer/squirrel/squirrel.html

Soap Making

Soap Making
From the Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.) 07 February 1816, page 3

Soap made of snow in the following manner:--Take and cut into very small pieces one pound of good hard soap, dissolve it with a slow fire, when dissolved put six or eight pounds of clean snow with it, and after having boiled them together well for three hours (or until it shows a lather on its surface) add a wine glass of salt, and let it get cold, when it will be found the finest soap & to weigh as much as the snow did originally

Saturday, February 05, 2005

This is here because we had family go through this.... too.

The Cherokee Outlet and its lawless days
1/19/2005

There was not much law in the Cherokee Outlet in the days before the famous land run of Sept. 16, 1893. Horse thieves and other assorted criminals operated freely. In fact there is one theory Pat Hennessy, a freighter plying the Chisholm Trail, was killed in the late 1800s by horse thieves masquerading as Indians.
Murder was easy. Many times people just seemed to disappear, never to be heard from again, until they were accidentally unearthed decades later. It was usually impossible to identify the remains.

This was pretty much the case with the skeletal remains unearthed in October 1927 near Alva. There was a story about it in the Enid Morning News, along with an interview with a pioneer resident, Evan G. “Parson” Barnard, giving his reactions to the finding of the unidentified remains.

All that was known about the man in the shallow grave was he certainly did not die of natural causes. There were two bullet holes in the skull. The newspaper story says the remains were found in October 1927, buried near the old camp house on the Fritzlen Ranch, northwest of Alva. Nearby residents estimated he had been in the ground for 25 years — maybe longer.

In the years before the land run of 1893 the Cherokee Outlet was a lush grassland, and a number of ranchers leased land from the Cherokees and established large cattle operations in the area.

The shooting victim was wearing a pair of homemade boots. “Killed with his boots on, eh!” Barnard exclaimed, as he leaned back in his chair at Grange headquarters on East Broadway. “Well, many went down that way in the early days,” he recalled.

The man found near Alva might have been killed in a fuss over who had first claim to a piece of land in the run of 1893. That would have been in about the same estimated time frame of 25 years or so earlier (34 years to be exact). Maybe he was a “Sooner” who had entered the Outlet before the prescribed time, or maybe he was a lawful participant in the land run killed by a “Sooner,” and then buried to cover up the crime.

Whoever killed him must have wanted to make sure he was dead, because they shot him twice in the head. Once should have been enough. So, maybe it was a crime of passion, done in a burst of anger.

There probably are still scores of skeletal remains of people, who died violently, or non-violently, lying in unmarked graves all over the old Cherokee Outlet and the Oklahoma Panhandle.

In this same interview Barnard tells how he almost became one of them:

“In the fall of 1887,” Barnard began, “I was working down around El Reno on a government contract. We drove a large herd of cattle to Kiowa, Kan., to market. Kiowa was a wild town in those days and looked awfully big and thriving after 18 months on the range.

“As I was returning, I was caught in a rain storm about 17 miles south, and pulled into a cabin near what was then known as the Drum Ranch. As I approached the cabin I noticed three horses outside the cabin. It was raining hard and I went in. Who do you think I found there?

“Three of the toughest cattle rustlers in the country were in that cabin. One was George Newcomb, better known as the ‘Slaughter Kid.’ Another was Boss Smith, and I do not recall the name of the third man. They fingered their guns quite freely.

“Finally, I took my six-shooter from its holster and began wiping it off. No trouble ensued. I knew those men and knew their business. It would have been a perfectly easy thing for them to have bumped me off, buried me and no one would have ever known. That’s perhaps what happened to the man whose skeleton was found near Alva.”


Brown is a retired News & Eagle editor.

Now here is a happy baby.....

http://www.backroaddesign.com/jonandrandi/hello/256/1527/640/Img_0629.jpg Click on the link to view..... haha got ya.... Taken by Jonathan...!!!

Thursday, February 03, 2005

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..

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

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!!!

Monday, January 31, 2005

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

Sunday, January 30, 2005

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."

Saturday, January 29, 2005

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...

Friday, January 28, 2005

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/

Thursday, January 27, 2005

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

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

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!!

Monday, January 24, 2005


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!

Sunday, January 23, 2005

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!

Thursday, January 20, 2005

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.

Sunday, January 16, 2005


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

Saturday, January 15, 2005


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

Friday, January 14, 2005

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!!!!