Locals honored at District Livestock Show

Locals honored at District Livestock Show
Stillwater NewsPress
February 5, 2006
By Paul W. Newlin

More than 1,000 animals were exhibited during the District Junior Livestock Show this weekend and Payne County
4-H and FFA members took their share of honors.
The district show completed its fifth year at the Payne County Expo Center, where more than 50 schools were represented from 15 counties in the district.
In the market steer show, Bobby Lowry from the Perkins-Tryon FFA chapter exhibited the grand champion, the AOB champion.
Caleb Eytcheson of Ripley FFA had the champion Shorthorn.
The grand champion prospect steer was exhibited by Macie Griswold of Payne County 4-H while another grand champion honor went to Tyler Eberly of Perkins-Tryon FFA on his market goat entry.
This was the first year for goats with 88 head entered.
In the sheep show, Harley Runner of Perkins-Tryon FFA exhibited the grand champion.
She exhibited the champion Hampshire, Suffolk and Crossbred.
Laurie Fitch of Payne County 4-H exhibited the champion Southdown and Speckle Face and had reserve champion Dorset.
Jacob McDaniel of Ripley FFA had champion Shropshire.
Christine Crowson of Stillwater FFA had reserve Southdown.
In the hog show, Derrick Slavens of Glencoe FFA exhibited the reserve champion Hampshire and Branson Morgan of Payne County 4-H had reserve grand champion on his champion Crossbred.
Show Superintendent Kenny Beam noted this year’s entries were up by 43 head, 1,166 exhibited this year. In the first
district show in the county, the number was about 800.
He said exhibitors continue to be impressed with the facilities from show rings to pens to concessions.
Shawnee was the previous location of the Central District Show.
The Payne County Junior Livestock Show will be Feb. 27-March 2 with the auction the final night.

Act of God

Act of God



There was a preacher whose wife was expecting a baby. The preacher went to the congregation and asked for a raise.

After much consideration and discussion, they passed a rule that whenever the preacher's family expanded so would his pay check.

After six children, this started to get expensive and the congregation decided to hold another meeting to discuss the preacher's salary.

There was much yelling and bickering about how much the clergyman's additional children were costing the church.

Finally the preacher got up and spoke to the crowd, "Having children is an act of God"!

Silence fell upon the congregation. No one dared challenge the thought.

In the back of the room a little old lady stood up and in her frail voice said, "Snow and rain are also acts of God too, but when we get too much, we wear rubbers."

Don't you just love little old ladies?

JUST NEVER KNOW!!!

JUST NEVER KNOW!!!


Acts 2:38


An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church

services when she was startled by an intruder.


She caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables and

yelled, STOP! Acts 2:38! (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus

Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.)


The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and

explained what she had done.


As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why

did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you."

Missouri - God's Country

Missouri - God's Country



A man in Topeka, Kansas, decided to write a book about churches around th

country. He started by flying to San Francisco, and started working east.

Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes.

He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with

a sign which read "$10,000 a minute."



Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and sign. The pastor answered

this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to Heaven and if he pays the

price he can talk directly to God. The man thanked the pastor and continued

on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Salt Lake City,

Chicago, Milwaukee, and around the United States, he found more phones with

the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.



Finally he arrived in the lovely Ozark Mountain country of Missouri. Upon

entering a church, behold, he saw the usual golden telephone. BUT THIS time

the sign read, "Calls: 25 cents." Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor.

“I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I found this

golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and could

talk to God, but, in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your

sign reads 25 cents a call. "Why?" The pastor, smiling benignly, replied, "Son,

you're in Missouri now, and it is a local call."

Solving the world's problems.. from Heather this am.. haha...

The Pentagon announced today the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the United States Redneck Special Forces. These Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas boys will be dropped off into Iraq and have
been given only the following facts about terrorists:


1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.
5. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt, Sr.


We expect the problem in Iraq to be over by next Friday.

The Super Bowl Fan (from Uncle Ivan)

The Super Bowl Fan


A man receives a free ticket to the Super Bowl from his company. Unfortunately, when he arrives at the stadium he realizes the seat is in the last row in the corner of the stadium-he is closer to the Goodyear Blimp than the field.

About halfway through the first quarter he notices an empty seat 10 rows off the field right on the 50 yard line. He decides to take a chance and makes his way through the stadium and around the security guards to the empty seat. As he sits down, he asks the gentleman sitting next to him,

"Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?"

The man replies negatively. Now, very excited to be in such a great seat for the game, he again inquires of the man next to him,

"This is incredible! Who in their right mind would have a seat like this at the Super Bowl and not use it?"

The man replies, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Super Bowl we haven't been together at since we got married in 1967."

"Well, that's terribly sad. But still, couldn't you find someone to take the seat? A relative or close friend?"

"No," the man replied, "they're all at the funeral."

thought this was an interesting article... about life in Oklahoma that we know nothing about...

Panhandle County Combats Shortfalls, State's Neglect
By Paul Monies, The Daily Oklahoman

Jan. 29--BOISE CITY -- The semi-trucks roll through here at all times of the day and night, taking cargo back and forth from the Texas border to Denver and beyond. Most don't stop, but those that do frequent the Love's or Shell truck stops to refuel. During the day, they check in at the scales -- if they're open. At night, drivers take a respite at the Longhorn or Townsman motels. This Panhandle town of almost 1,500 people sits at the intersection of five highways. The busiest is U.S. Highway 287, part of the 1,400-mile Ports-to-Plains trade corridor that stretches from the border town of Laredo, Texas, to Denver. More than 2,400 vehicles pass through Boise City each day, with almost two-thirds of them 18-wheelers, according to government estimates. As international trade increases, planners expect that daily total to rise to 4,200 by 2025. "It's not a problem now, but if you double the traffic going through town, it will be a problem," City Manager Rod Avery said. That's because the trucks go right through the center of town, stopping at the traffic "circle" -- on the town square -- that surrounds the Cimarron County Courthouse. Officials fear it's only a matter of time before a truck carrying hazardous or oversized cargo spills its load and puts local lives in danger. If they're headed north to Denver, truckers prefer to use U.S. 287 because it has fewer bridges and isn't as steep as connecting to the more westerly Interstate 25 that runs through Raton, N.M. In both the summer and winter, tourists heading to vacation hotspots in Colorado add to the traffic as they travel through Boise City. While most folks in Boise City describe themselves as proud Okies, they often feel ignored and isolated from the rest of the state. Some jokingly refer to the secessionist movement that flares up every 10 to 15 years, where disaffected residents of western Kansas and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles talk about forming their own state. If you're an Okie stranger to the three-county "No Man's Land" of the Oklahoma Panhandle, you're liable to get called a "downstater." It's not always a charitable term. After all, the distance from Boise City to Denver is 288 miles. The state Capitol in Oklahoma City is 330 miles away, at least a five-hour drive. "People think Oklahoma ends at Woodward," said Britt Smith, who owns No Man's Land Beef Jerky in Boise City along with his sister, Belinda Gardner. "People don't have a clue we are out here." In recent editorials, C.F. David, editor of the Boise City News, poked fun at state leaders for their lack of attention to the Panhandle. The paper offered a $50 "bounty" for proof that either House Speaker Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville, or Democratic Gov. Brad Henry had visited Cimarron County recently to promote economic development. "Hiett, like other politicos from Oklahoma City and Tulsa, have no real clue that Oklahoma even has a Panhandle or that we contribute anything to the state beyond tax dollars," David wrote. That frustration can be traced in part to the amount of land in Cimarron County held by the state's School Land Trust -- more than 274,000 acres, or 25 percent of the state's total school lands. Commercial, agricultural and mineral leases on school land allow the trust to distribute about $60 million a year to the state's colleges and schools. But that's land that can't be taxed for local schools, hospitals or fire districts. Clifton Scott, secretary of the land office, said governmental units are supposed to get reimbursed for the missing property tax revenues. Competing interests in the Legislature mean the reimbursement fund provides just pennies on the dollar.

As Cimarron County Commissioner John Howard Freeman quipped: "We get 9 cents an acre. That might have been good about 50 years ago." Scott, who sat on the land office's board for 20 years as state auditor, said he's tried for years to get legislators to fully reimburse counties and schools that lose out because of their concentration of school lands. "What really kills them is that they're so far out there, people have a tendency to forget," Scott said of Cimarron County. "Whether they want to believe it or not, with the way politics works, the whole county has less than 3,500 votes in it." Hospital's importance In September, county voters approved a 5 percent hotel/motel tax to pay for operations and improvements at the Cimarron County Courthouse. But school-land related tax shortfalls show up most acutely in the county's largest health care facility, Cimarron Memorial Hospital. The hospital is Boise City's largest employer, with 105 workers. The health care sector in Cimarron County employs about 230 people, with a payroll of $4.1 million. In all, the sector has an annual economic impact of $5.8 million, according to a 2004 report by Oklahoma State University's Cooperative Extension Service. After a succession of voter-approved sales tax hikes, Cimarron Memorial Hospital is taxed to the hilt. Most of its funds come from Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, and the county's 2 percent sales tax goes entirely to the hospital. Along with city and state sales taxes, shoppers in Boise City pay a combined 9.5 percent in sales taxes -- one of the state's highest rates. Cimarron County ranks 50th out of 77 Oklahoma counties in per-capita income.

In the past three years, the hospital has had eight chief executive officers. Billing problems have been rife, and management companies hired to turn things around have failed. One even tried to shut down the hospital. Amid financial difficulties, overworked employees were at least a paycheck behind for most of 2005. It wasn't until the end of the year that the hospital was able to catch up on its payroll. Meanwhile, competition from health care facilities in nearby Elkhart, Kan., Clayton, N.M., and Guymon adds to the pressure to recruit surgeons and nurses. Patsy Shields, a medical services consultant from Colorado, became the hospital's latest chief executive officer in August. "We have made progress," Shields said recently. "A lot of the issues we've had as far as billing have been straightened out with extra training and better equipment. But the employees absolutely need some stability; they've had way too many administrators." Shields said funding continues to be the hospital's biggest challenge. Officials are talking to a Clayton, N.M., bank to restructure the terms of a $300,000 loan from 2004. A new nurse practitioner should join the hospital soon, and Shields hopes to have another family practitioner by summer. "In six months, we anticipate being able to focus on generating new revenues and finish fine-tuning the internal procedures," Shields said. Frank Lynch, the hospital board president, said he's hopeful about the future. He didn't feel that way in early 2004, when he first came to the board. There were a lot of sleepless nights, Lynch said, with confusion over which creditors to pay first. That subsided as the two chief executives before Shields began to make changes. "There's been a lot of changes in attitudes," Lynch said. "I'm starting to hear good things from the citizens."

"We had one guy here who said, 'I wouldn't go to that hospital if I was on my death bed.' Well, he got on his death bed and the hospital saved his life twice. He wrote a beautiful letter of commendation to the hospital, and he's one of our best fans." Cimarron County residents have rallied around the hospital, recognizing its dual importance as an economic lifeline and in providing care for an aging, rural population. Economic development experts say it's hard to attract new jobs or retirees if health care resources are scarce. "I'm afraid if we lose our hospital, we'll lose 200 kids out of our school system and that'll be the beginning of the end," said Freeman, the county commissioner for District 2. "It's hard to get the county to tax itself, but people have shelled out money year after year to help the hospital and schools. People always come through and pull together." Economic connections Boise City Mayor Craig Sanders said everything is connected economically. The farms depend on the weather, the tax base depends on good farming, and so on. Farmers faced drought conditions in four of the past five years. "If we can raise the crops, we'd be close to surviving," said Sanders, who also owns farm-supply store Sanders Town & Country. "But with the low prices and drought together, it makes me question the survival of farming." Plumber Delane Schwindt, owner of Ferguson Plumbing, also wonders how the area will fare. As the only licensed plumber in a 65-mile radius, he's noticed there's just not as much money flowing around the community. Although it pains him, he's had to stop extending credit to customers and go to cash-only payments for plumbing jobs. "The ranchers with cow-calf operations have cut down on their herds, so they can't take advantage of the good cattle market," Schwindt said. "There's just not as much money around. The banks have cut down on their credit and loans." Down the street on the courthouse square, Audie Cochran sees it, too. She and her sister, Lane Reynolds, own the Style Shoppe, a clothing store. "We just try to keep the doors open and wait 'til better times to help the town keep going, but I don't know how long we can do it," said Cochran, who's been in business seven years. "We're surviving, just hanging on." Cochran said part of the reason she's managed to hang on is because she stocks the essentials. For most other things -- and despite recent high gasoline prices -- residents make the 60-mile drive to Guymon or head further afield to Amarillo, Texas, 120 miles away. "You don't realize how you miss the little things until you can't drive downtown anymore to get what you want," said Mike Munsch, manager of Bartlett & Co.'s grain elevator in Boise City. "I don't think there's anything here that's on rock-solid footing. Everything's struggling. "I'm amazed farmers are hanging on like they are because the farms are getting bigger and there's less people farming," Munsch said. Highway help The community received some good news last summer, when the federal government approved the first batch of money -- $36 million -- to acquire rights-of-way for a U.S. 287 bypass around Boise City. The bypass is part of the $2.9 billion Ports-to-Plains project slated for completion by 2030. The $55.9 million needed for the Oklahoma portion also would widen the 40-mile stretch of the highway that passes through the Panhandle. While the bypass would ease concerns about accidents involving 18-wheelers driving through Boise City, some are worried about losing sales tax revenue. More than likely, the 24-hour truck stops in town, and possibly the two motels, would move out to the bypass, a route just outside the city limits. Avery, the city manager, said it's still to early to say what might happen. Regardless, the bypass should help to improve the local economy, officials said. "That could have a real positive effect on the economy, even though Oklahoma is just a little chunk of it," Sanders said. In the meantime, the area needs to attract new jobs in order to grow, although some have doubts about attracting the kind of large-scale industry at Seaboard Farms Inc., 60 miles to the east in Guymon. Guymon's sales tax revenues and property values swelled as the population jumped by 34 percent in the years after Seaboard opened its hog operation in 1996, but many think Guymon wasn't prepared to deal with that kind of rapid growth. Schools, police and housing all have been stretched to the limit. "A lot of people think they sold their soul for industry," said Munsch, the elevator manager. Out toward the western edge of Cimarron County near Black Mesa State Park, tourism offers the best hope for growth. A couple of bed-and-breakfast establishments have popped up around the desolate -- yet beautiful -- mesa area near Kenton. Locals say an Arizona businessman, James Parker, plans to build a motel, steakhouse and convenience store as part of a development called Cimarron River Ranch. Parker couldn't be reached for comment. His outsider status has raised eyebrows in tight-knit Cimarron County, where generations of ranchers have leased the same tracts of school land. In a heated October school-land lease auction, representatives of Parker's son, Samuel, leased 23,141 acres of land through Cimarron River Ranch LLC. At the end of the auction, state troopers escorted Parker and his representatives to the door. "It caused some friction," said David, the newspaper editor. "It's a double-edged sword. The ranchers out west have been leasing the land for generations and it's untaxable. Some farmers and business owners out east don't like that setup, but it's an auction and it's the fair way to do it."

-----

Copyright (c) 2006, The Daily Oklahoman

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

wow, food for thought.... got this in an email today... from my friend Jay Red Eagle...

"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children." - Chief Seattle

Cute... Makes you wonder, haha.. thanks Heather

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter.
She picked up something off the ground and
started to put it in her mouth. I took the item
away from her and I asked her not to do that.
"Why?" my daughter asked.
"Because it's been laying outside, you don't
know where it's been, it's dirty and probably
has germs" I replied. At this point, my
daughter looked at me with total admiration
and asked,
"Wow! How do you know all this stuff?"
"Uh," ....I was thinking quickly, "All moms know
this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to
know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy." We
walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but
she was evidently pondering this new
information.
"OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass
the test you have to be the daddy."
"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my
face and joy in my heart.

THE CAT THIEF-- in San Antonio, Texas

THE CAT THIEF-- in San Antonio, Texas

This is too funny! This could only be true, you can't make this stuff up.

(Dillard's is a posh department store)


Clutching their Dillard's shopping bags, Ellen and Kay woefully gazed down

at a dead cat in the mall parking lot. Obviously a recent hit --- no
flies, no smell.

" What business could that poor kitty have had here?" murmured Ellen.

"Come on, Ellen, let's just go..." But Ellen had already grabbed her
shopping bag and was explaining,"I'll just put my things in your bag, and
then I'll take the tissue." She dumped her purchases into Kay's bag and
then used the tissue paper to cradle and lower the former feline into her
own Dillard's bag and cover it.

They continued the short trek to the car in silence, stashing their Goods
in the trunk. But it occurred to both of them that if they left Ellen's
burial bag in the trunk, warmed by the Texas sunshine while they ate, Kay's
Lumina would soon lose that new-car smell.

They decided to leave the bag on top of the trunk, and they headed over to
Luby's Cafeteria.

After they cleared the serving line and sat down at a window table, they
had a view of Kay's Chevy with the Dillard's bag still on the trunk. BUT
not for long. As they ate, they noticed a black-haired woman in a red
gingham shirt stroll by their car, look quickly this way and that, and then
hook the Dillard's bag without breaking stride.

She quickly walked out of their line of vision. Kay and Ellen shot each
other a wide-eyed look of amazement. It all happened so fast that either
of them could think how to respond. "Can you imagine?" finally sputtered
Ellen.

"The nerve of that woman" Kay sympathized with Ellen, but inwardly a laugh
was building as she thought about the grand surprise awaiting the
red-gingham thief.

Just when she thought she'd have to giggle into her napkin, she noticed
Ellen's eyes freeze in the direction of the serving line. Following her
gaze, Kay recognized with a shock the black-haired woman with the Dillard's
bag, THE Dillard's bag, hanging from her arm, brazenly pushing her tray
toward the cashier.

Helplessly, they watched the scene unfold: After clearing the register, the
woman settled at a table across from theirs, put the bag on an empty chair
and began to eat. After a few bites of baked whitefish and green beans,
she casually lifted the bag into her lap to survey her treasure. Looking
from side to side, but not far enough to notice her rapt audience three
tables over, she pulled out the tissue paper and peered into the bag. Her
eyes widened, and she began to make a sort of gasping noise. The noise
grew. The bag slid from her lap as she sank to the floor, wheezing and
clutching her upper chest.

The beverage cart attendant quickly recognized a customer in trouble and
sent the busboy to call 911, while she administered the Heimlich maneuver.
A crowd quickly gathered that did not include Ellen and Kay, who remained
riveted to their chairs for seven whole minutes until the ambulance
arrived.

In a matter of minutes the curly-haired woman emerged from the crowd, still
gasping, strapped securely on a gurney. Two well-trained EMS volunteers
steered her to the waiting ambulance, while a third scooped up her
belongings.

The last they saw of the distressed cat-burglar, she disappeared behind the
ambulance doors, the Dillard's bag perched on her stomach.

My mom always taught me if it doesn't belong to you don't touch it. Guess
she didn't have a wise mom like I do. Serves her right!


Happy Trails!

Rain... Rain.... Rain..... Rain....

0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain.... 0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain....0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain.... 0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain.... 0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain.... 0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain.... 0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain.... 0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain.... 0.30 inches.. first since mid summer of 2005... Rain... Rain... Rain.... Rain....Rain.... Rain....etc...

If you like the Eagles.... enjoy these... cds...

Eagles - Very Best Of .. Disk 1.zip (16843 KB)
Eagles - The Very Best Of .. Disk 2.zip (16418 KB)

Eagles - Hell Freezes Over.zip (16220 KB)

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.

-French Proverb

WEATHER BULLETIN

WEATHER BULLETIN

Up here in the Northern Plains we just recovered from a Historic event --- may I even say a "Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions" --- with a historic blizzard of up to 44" inches of snow and winds to 90 MPH that broke trees in half, knocked down utility poles, stranded hundreds of motorists in lethal snow banks, closed ALL roads, isolated scores of communities and cut power to tens of thousands.
George Bush did not come....
FEMA did nothing....
No one howled for the government...
No one blamed the government
No one even uttered an expletive on TV..
Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton did not visit
Our mayors did not blame Bush or anyone else
Our Governor did not blame Bush or anyone else either
CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC did not visit - or report on this category 5 snow storm
Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards.....
No one asked for a FEMA Trailer House....
No one looted....
Nobody - I mean Nobody demanded the government do something
Nobody expected the government to do anything either
No Larry King, No Bill O'Rielly, No Oprah, No Chris Mathews and No Geraldo Rivera
No Sean Penn, No Barbara Striesand, No Hollywood types to be found
And Nope, we just melted the snow for water
Sent out caravans of SUV's to pluck people out of snow engulfed cars
The truck drivers pulled people out of snow banks and didn't ask for a penny
Local restaurants made food and the police and fire departments delivered it to the snow bound families
Families took in the stranded people - total strangers
We Fired up wood stoves
Broke out coal oil lanterns or coleman lanterns
We put on an extra layers of clothes because up here it is "Work or Die"
We did not wait for some affirmative action government to get us out of a mess created by being immobilized by a welfare program that trades votes for 'sittin at home' checks.
Even though a Category "5" blizzard of this scale has never fallen this early we know it can happen and how to deal with it ourselves.
"In my many travels, I have noticed that once one gets north of about 48 degrees North Latitude, 90% most of the world's social problems evaporate."

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

Learn to write your hurts in sand.
Learn to carve your blessings in stone!

-Unknown

If tomorrow starts without me...

IF TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

A few weeks ago, a woman was killed in an auto accident. She was very well liked, so the office shut down for her funeral and it was on the news and so on. On the day the workers came back to work, they found this poem in their e-mail that the deceased woman had sent on Friday before she left for home.


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

If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from m y eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all that we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss some tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day is the same way,
There's no longing for the past."

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

NASA Plans 3rd Try to Launch Pluto Mission

NASA Plans 3rd Try to Launch Pluto Mission
By MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 11 minutes ago



NASA scientists hope the third time is the charm for their $700 million unmanned mission to Pluto.

The space agency planned to make a third attempt to launch the New Horizons probe on Thursday, a day after a storm knocked out power at the Maryland-based laboratory that will command the mission.

Strong winds in Laurel, Md., knocked out power at the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and mission managers were wary of launching the spacecraft without backup power at the facility.

"The air conditioning was off. The flight controllers were sitting there wiping sweat," said Alan Stern, the mission's principal investigator. "If they were dealing with any spacecraft issues, which first day out of the box a lot of spacecraft have, you can't concentrate like that."

High winds at the launch pad also kept the spacecraft from lifting off on Tuesday. Winds in the Orlando area were expected to be 10 to 15 mph Thursday.

Scientists have been working 17 years on the nine-year voyage to Pluto, and they were unfazed by the back-to-back postponements.

"Two or three days doesn't mean a hill of beans," Stern said.

The space agency has until mid-February to send the spacecraft on its way, but a launch in January would allow the spacecraft to use Jupiter's gravity to shave five years off the 3-billion-mile trip, allowing it to arrive as early as July 2015.

The spacecraft is about the size and shape of a concert piano attached to a satellite dish. It will study Pluto as well as the frozen, sunless reaches of the solar system known as the Kuiper Belt. Scientists believe that studying the region's icy, rocky objects can shed light on how the planets formed.

The planned launch has drawn attention from opponents of nuclear power because the spacecraft is powered by 24 pounds of plutonium, whose natural radioactive decay will generate electricity for the probe's instruments.

NASA and the Department of Energy estimated the probability of a launch accident that could release plutonium at 1 in 350. As a precaution, the agencies brought in 16 mobile field teams that can detect radiation, plus air samplers and monitors.

___

On the Net:

New Horizons Mission: http://pluto.jhuapl.edu

Nuclear protesters: http://www.space4peace.org

Photo by Phillip... We all go together for Tammy's Birthday on Sunday. AWESOME time by all. Jon even made it up to see us too, how cool!! We ate and Birthday'd at Applebees in Stillwater. Tammy got some nice gifts from all and she was excited!! We all were excited for her. And Tammy... We love ya....! 

Amazing...

USDA Using Satellites to Monitor Farmers


Email this Story

Jan 13, 7:44 AM (ET)

By ROXANA HEGEMAN

(AP) In this photo released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a satellite view shows a higher seed...
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Satellites have monitored crop conditions around the world for decades, helping traders predict futures prices in commodities markets and governments anticipate crop shortages.

But those satellite images are now increasingly turning up in courtrooms across the nation as the Agriculture Department's Risk Management Agency cracks down on farmers involved in crop insurance fraud.

The Agriculture Department's Farm Service Agency, which helps farmers get loans and payments from a number of its programs, also uses satellite imaging to monitor compliance.

Across government and private industry alike, satellite imaging technology is being used in water rights litigation and in prosecution of environmental cases ranging from a hog confinement facility's violations of waste discharge regulations to injury damage lawsuits stemming from herbicide applications. The technology is also used to monitor the forestry and mining industries.

"A lot of farmers would be shocked at the detail you can tell. What it does is keep honest folks honest," said G.A. "Art" Barnaby Jr., an agricultural economist at Kansas State University.

Satellite technology, which takes images at roughly eight-day intervals, can be used to monitor when farmers plant their acreage, how they irrigate them and what crops they grow. If anomalies are found in a farm's insurance claim, investigators can search satellite photos dating back years to determine cropping practices on individual fields.

What's catching the attention of Barnaby and others is a spate of recent cases involving the use of satellite imaging to prosecute farmers. The largest so far has been a North Carolina case in which a couple faked weather damage to their crops by having workers throw ice cubes onto a tomato field and then beat the plants.

In September, Robert Warren was sentenced to six years and four months in prison, while his wife, Viki, was sentenced to five years and five months. They were also ordered to forfeit $7.3 million and pay $9.15 million in restitution.

The Warrens and at least three other defendants pleaded guilty. But in one related trial that went to a jury, prosecutors used satellite images and testimony from a satellite image analyst to present their case.

"It was impressive to the jury to have this presentation about this eye in the sky and satellite imagery and a trained expert," said Richard Edwards, the assistant U.S. Attorney in North Carolina who prosecuted the case. "In our case it did not make the case, but it sure helped and strengthened and improved the case."

The Risk Management Agency is involved in three other multimillion-dollar crop insurance fraud cases that have yet to be filed that will rival the Warren case in scope, said Michael Hand, RMA's deputy administrator for compliance.

While fewer than 100 cases have been prosecuted using satellite imaging since the RMA started its crackdown in 2001, data mining - coupled with satellite imaging - pinpoints about 1,500 farms annually that are put on a watch list for possible crop fraud, Hand said. Ground inspections are done on the suspect farms throughout the growing season.

The agency says its spot checklist generated by the satellite data has saved taxpayers between $71 million and $110 million a year in fraudulent crop insurance claims since 2001.

The agency stepped up its enforcement after the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 mandated it use data mining to ferret out false claims, Hand said. Every year, it ships claims data to the Center for Agriculture Excellence at Tarleton State University in Stephensville, Texas, where analysts look for anomalies in claims. They generate a list of claims for further investigation, with satellite imaging pulled on the most egregious cases.

Just as U.S. satellites kept track of things like the wheat harvest in the former Soviet Union, other countries have also launched satellites to monitor American crops. Germany, France and others have satellites monitoring crop conditions, and many other private firms sell those images in the U.S.

"Everybody spies on everybody. I was stunned to hear that myself," Edwards said. "Someday, I may have to rely on a French satellite to convict an American citizen."

Wonderful time last night....

What a wonderful time visiting and eating last evening with Sharon and Lawrence Robinson last evening and their new short term family addition, Jasmine, an exchange student from Vienna, Austria, who is 16 and will go to school here for one semester before returning home. Great Grandma Moffat and Sis MK and Phil and Tammy and Austyn were there also, along with Jake. We had Taco Soup, and wow, it was AWESOME! and Pecan Pie by Sharon and a Blueberry Desert by Ann. oh my gosh it was great, and visiting and taking the dollar tour of Robinson's beautiful home in Stillwater on Boomer Lake was truly great as well. They have remodeled their home to take in the lake view from all areas of the home and wow, they DID it up right! It is a now a Homes and Gardens Award winner, declared so by me!
Speaking of Jake, there are some new photos from his work online in the family albums along with a couple of short videos... we need to get a battery out of the camera case Phil has borrowed so he can get some more taken today... but he is already at work, so maybe next time.
Heather called about 5 to tell us they could not make it last night as she was on way to pick up a very sick Andrew at school... and take him home. We missed them all the more. Maybe next month of Feb. 10th, they can make the next one, and it would be awesome for Jonathan and Randi and Kaitlyn to come up as well. Maybe some time? it never hurts to dream, huh??
Jon reports an ok second day of school. Glad all is going well with him in his venture.
We ... the family, will celebrate Tammy's Birthday tomorrow at 11:30am at applebees in Stillwater. Yelp, she turns another year older... sigh.. as we all are in 2006...
Pray for Rain....
enjoy the day...

This week...

Isn't this weather something else? Hi's in the summer figures and lows in the winter figures.. WOW! And with every day that goes by warm, we have beat ole man winter out of a cold day!!
Poor geese can not decide whether to go south or stay here, and there are tons of them on the wheat fields this am.
Walked about a mile today... took 21 mins. But I will get better! I am feeling a bit more like a human being now. Don't have to carry a "bag" or have needles in my arms, but still have a few problems that puzzle me.
Got our bill for the helicopter ride to Tulsa.... our part of it is a bit shy of 2000.00 dollars. total bill was almost 12000.00. Sort of feel like we have been had. What we learned was... it cost about 7000.00 to have a copter ride to Tulsa, but after 7pm and before 7am and on weekends, they tack on a "fee" for after hours and it was over 5000.00 dollars. Man, that is like really taking advantage of folks. Sorry, just my opinion on this matter...
enough of me, how about you? How are you all doing??
Jon started back to get his degree yesterday and said his day went well. He will get his degree and we will all be proud of him! It takes some big time adjusting to go back to college and finish. Ask Phil... Who is taking car of our cattle for us this winter, many thanks PHIL!! speaking of him, his company is now owned by National Carriers, and Rains and Son's and employees are now employees of theirs. He did not call with a report but yesterday was their day to meet with National to see what the future held... bet we here later, or you might check his blog..
Paul is now for the first time in his many years with Stillwater PD, working day shift and off on the weekends. This too is a big adjustment for the family... but they to will make it!
Heard from Jon that Randi has been taking care of a sick Kaitlyn last week too... hope she is better now...
Jake got his figure cut at work last week and made a trip to the emergency room, and went back yesterday to get stiches out. It was still a bit pink but they took out the stiches... He is LOVING his job, welding about 12 hours a day 6 days a week getting time and half after 40! He loves his checks too!!
Sure there is more news, but for now... enjoy the day!

quote...

Today's Quote

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

-Karl Barth

Did a walk a bout today in the snow about 8am. Lots of beauty to behold. I'm afraid I can not due justice with camera to how beautiful it was, but there are some more pics online in family album... Enjoy! 

Uncle Ivan sends along this funny.... haha..

Lost in Wal-Mart

Lost in Wal-Mart

Two old guys are pushing their carts around Wal-Mart when they collide.

The first old guy says to the second guy, "Sorry about that. I'm looking for my wife, and I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

The second old guy says, "That's OK. It's a coincidence. I'm looking for my wife, too. I can't find her and I'm getting a little desperate."

The first old guy says, "Well, maybe we can help each other. What does your wife look like?

The second old guy says, "Well, she is 27 yrs old, tall, with red hair, blue eyes, long legs, big busted, and is wearing short shorts. What does your wife look like?"

The first old guy says, "Doesn't matter --- let's look for yours."

Miss Madison and Mr. Andrew came a visiting Sunday. More pics are in the Gallery.... Enjoy! 

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

A love affair with knowledge will never end in heartbreak.

-Michael Garrett Marino

Last night...

Had a wonderful time renewing a very important friendship last night with Sharon and Lawrence Robinson and their son, Morgan. They were our neighbors for many years and our kiddos grew up together. Sharon is spearheading a fund raising effort to buy a beautiful water display fountain to be installed in Boomer Lake in Stillwater. She is indeed a one man band. Sharon is the one you want on your side in a pickle... She has done more in the communities of Stillwater, Ripley and Perkins to raise money for kiddos, help the schools, foster kids, and the list goes on and on, then anyone I know of in any community anywhere.
Anyway, we had a wonderful meal and visit. We needed a few more folks there, but overall it was a success.
Ann and I actually double dated with Phil and Tammy and Austyn. The event was at El Chico's and a percentage of the food sold will be donated to the cause.
Jon and Heather... a small donation in your names was made since you could not attend.
Heard from Cousin Joanna in Norman over night. She says hey to all, and that things are busy and going well. She mentioned that someone's birthday was coming up and we might need to do something... will email you with some thoughts...
Doris's Jim is recovering quite well I think. What I heard was Doris keeps him busy... haha, can you imagine that?? haha.
Thanks Phil for the invitation... last night.
Stay safe, watch out for wildfires, and don't burn anything outside!
love to all... Stan

Borrowed from Phil's Blog.... el chico tonight!

el chico tonight!
January 5th, 2006
if you live in stillwater, ok you need to be at el chico’s tonight for dinner! our friend, sharon robinson, is raising money for a fountain to be placed in boomer lake. tonight, el chico will donate to the fountain fund based on how many people eat. when you get there, be sure to tell the staff you are eating for the fountain so they can mark you on the list.

...... EVERYONE NEEDS TO ATTEND THIS GREAT EVENT. YOU GET TO EAT, EL CHICO GETS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FOUNTAIN TO BE INSTALLED IN BOOMER LAKE, VIA SHARON ROBINSON....

Miss Kaitlyn came to visit on New Years Eve, to celebrate Grandma Moffat's birthday and have Christmas at Great Grandma Moffat's. She's really special! 

Best commerical of 2005

You need to take time to download this and look at it... it is awesome......

Best Commerical of 2005

Want to veiw the fires in OK?

Here is a link to view where the fires are burning in Oklahoma... what an unusual winter...!!!

Good news.... for some, haha....

For those folks wishing my demise.... sorry! I am back and in about 6 weeks, I ought to be better than before. Got a clean bill of health from the Drs yesterday. Don't have any needles in my arms or tubes hanging out of me.... And I am smiling.... very big smiles.... Got to send a big THANK YOU to Ann who has baby sit me since December 21st, our first trip of 22 that we made from that date to yesterday. She was a trouper... Boy, did I do good in picking my BEST friend!! She was my arms, legs, etc. She made every trip with me, even when Phil offered to haul me to emergency room, she said no and did it herself. The irony of all this is that the 21st was her first day of vacation and yesterday was her last. And all she did was care for me. I could not have made it without her. I never in my life felt more SUB human than I did during this period. It was embarrasing, it was sad, my heart ached for Ann, who was tired, sick, and still smiled and told me she loved me... wow.... how uplifting she was, and still had family together for Christmas, and one other time... Ann, I love you and will be there for you too... but gosh I hope the best and hope you never have to go thru what I did, ever!
Anyway, no pain pills... body is adjusting, very short tempered and no patience at all, I have learned today trying to get back into the hang of working again.. eyes are tired... ok enough of me.. how about you???

Uncle Ivan sends his best wishes to everyone and says he has his diabitics under control... I can see his big ole smile all the way up here!!! Glad you are doing well, Uncle Ivan... and hey to Aunt Freda too.

well, got to get back to killing rabbits... later... S

Heather sent this tidbit along.... sigh.... what a deal... haha

Jacksonville, FL Police Dept.

A man goes to a party and has too much to drink.

His friends plead with him to let them take him home.

He says NO -- he only lives a mile away.

About five blocks from party, the police pull him over for weaving
and ask him to get out of the car and walk the line.

Just as he starts, the police radio blares out a notice of a
robbery
taking place in a house just a block away.

The police tell the party animal to stay put, they'll be right back

and they hop a fence and run down the street to the robbery.

The guy waits and waits and finally decides to drive home.

When he gets there, he tells his wife he is going to bed, and
to tell anyone who might come looking for him that he has the flu

and has been in bed all day.


A few hours later the police knock on the door.

They ask if Mr. Smith is there and his wife says yes.

They ask to see him and she replies that he is in bed with the flu
and has been so all day.

The police have his driver's license.

They ask to see his car and, she asks why.

They insist on seeing his car, so she takes them to the garage.

She opens the door.

There sitting in the garage is the police car, with all its lights
still flashing.

True story, told by the driver at his first AA meeting.

Happy Motoring !!!

Welcome - Stan and Ann's Ramblings

first day without pain killers since Dec. 19th. I am making progresss!!! hopefully, will get a clean bill of health from drs today... the swelling I have willl take about 6 weeks to get rid of the first dr. told me this am...
thanks for all the prayers and words, etc... love to all... will post more later.. s

Another of the wonderful "things" I saw this am...

in my walk about. I think I am losing my mind... haha... or starting to enjoy the "Farm" life.... Whichever it is, it's kind'a nice...

Enjoy the day...

In looking for the greatness in things, we sometimes overlook the true beauty of what we see...

One can look far and wide, and not see what is in front of their nose... sometimes.. haha! I used to be told that by Dad. He would send me to look for something, and then come and find it before I could even start looking for it! And he would mutter this under his breath, "I send you to look and you do not see. When will you start "seeing"?" Well, at the ripe ole' age of soon to be 59, I think I have finally begun to "see" what is around me! This am was AWESOME! The ice crystals that clung to things made the view great and the fog made it AWESOME... and then God sent just the right amount of light for the eye to enjoy it, yet the camera had a hard time capturing it. Guess that is yet another proof there is a God, for man an not even come close to capturing His natural beauty in the "things we see".

Took me 50 years to learn this, and still have trouble accepting it!!

Trouble is a part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough.

-Dinah Shore

a joke from Heather... hehe...

A fellow bought a new Mercedes and was out on the interstate for a nice
evening drive. The top was down, the breeze was blowing through what was
left of his hair and he decided to open her up. As the needle jumped up
to 80mph, suddenly he saw flashing red and blue lights behind him.
"There's no way they can catch me in a Mercedes," he thought to himself
and opened her up further. The needle hit 90, 100 ... Then the reality
of the situation hit him. "What am I doing?" he thought and pulled
over.
The cop came up to him, took his license without a word and examined
the car. "It's been a long day, this is the end of my shift and it's
Friday the 13th. I don't feel like more paperwork, so if you can give me
an excuse for your driving that I haven't heard before, you can go."
The guy thinks for a second and says, "Last week my wife ran off with a
cop. I was afraid you were trying to give her back."
"Have a nice weekend," said the officer.

We had a wonderful weekend...

Jake walked in Saturday afternoon with his bonus for working at his new job for only two weeks.. and it's more than most employees get who have worked a life time with someone... He was super excited, and really appreciated it very much. Needless to say, he headed at the door a bit early... 5:20 AM this morning... to get to to work on time.
Then we saw Jonathan and Randi and Kaitlyn for a bit Saturday Evening. That was awesome, and then...
we got to visit with Heather and Madison and Andrew on Sunday!
How cool is that???

We still need rain, BAD! Might remember that in all the Christmas prayers this coming week.

I am off to the Dr. today to have another lower urinary tract scope done.. I love this deal.. yeah... RIGHT!

My heart is doing great. I am having a problem with my blood being to thin, I guess, bleeding a bit inside... but it will get better. I have learned to eat differently and love the new way. Sometimes I get a bit hungry... but try to ignore it. Sure miss the ole' meat and potatoes and hahahahahahhahahahahah....

Well, got to run, have a great day... and enjoy! Take time to head over to the kid's blogs... they have updated them, see the family artist on one.. the beautiful christmas roses on another, and who knows.... Jon might update his.. hahah..... teasing JON>>>!!!

later.. DAD

(Heather sent this... ) This is Ann for 33 years and 26 days... she has.....

WHY I LOVE MOM

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed."

She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches.
Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning.

She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button.

She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer.

She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom.

She stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding under the chair.

She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store.

She put both near her purse.

Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleanser, put on her Night solution & age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails.

Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed."

"I'm on my way," she said.

She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on.

She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TV's, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework.

In her own room, she set the alarm; laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack.

She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. "I'm going to bed."

And he did...without another thought.

Anything extraordinary here?

Wonder why women live longer...?
'CAUSE WE ARE MADE FOR THE LONG HAUL......
(and we can't die sooner, we still have things to do!!!!)

(on top of all this, she has time to be my BEST FRIEND!)

'Integrity' Tops Web Dictionary's Lookups

'Integrity' Tops Web Dictionary's Lookups
By ADAM GORLICK, Associated Press Writer

In a year filled with political wrangling, natural disasters and pop culture curiosities, Americans turned to Merriam-Webster to help define it all.

Filibuster. Refugee. Tsunami. Each was among the dictionary publisher's 10 most frequently looked-up words among some 7 million users of its online site.

But topping the list is a word that some say gives insight into the country's collective concern about its values: Integrity.

The noun, formally defined as a "firm adherence to a code" and "incorruptibility," has always been a popular one on the Springfield-based company's Web site, said Merriam-Webster president John Morse. But this year, the true meaning of integrity seemed to be of extraordinary concern. About 200,000 people sought its definition online.

"I think the American people have isolated a very important issue for our society to be dealing with," Morse said. "The entire list gives us an interesting window that opens up into what people are thinking about in their lives."

Ralph Whitehead, a journalism professor at the University of Massachusetts, said it may indicate the continuing discussion about American values and morality, or perhaps that integrity itself is becoming scarce so its definition is unfamiliar.

"You hope integrity is a word everyone understands," he said.

No. 10 on the list is "inept," a word that Morse said was getting a lot of attention in the days after President Bush delivered a live prime time news conference that came to an awkward end when some television networks cut him off to return to their regularly scheduled programs.

Sandwiched between "integrity" and "inept" is a cluster of nouns and an adjective or two obviously plucked from the headlines.

"Tsunami" jumped in popularity after one ravaged countries along the Indian Ocean last December, while "levee" and "refugee" are linked to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Interest in the definition of the latter word — "one that flees; especially: a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution" — grew after media organizations including The Associated Press were criticized for using it to describe hurricane victims.

"Filibuster" gained in popularity as Democrats threatened to use it to block federal judicial nominees, and "contempt" drew plenty of attention when former New York Times reporter Judith Miller was jailed for refusing to reveal a source in the CIA leak case.

The election of a new pope following the death of John Paul II left thousands wondering exactly what a conclave is, and news about the spread of infectious diseases brought up the term "pandemic."

But the Top 10 list is by no means an indication that Americans were curious or baffled only by weighty topics.

Immediately after Simon Cowell, the acid-tongued host of the popular television show "American Idol," called one aspiring singer "insipid," Merriam-Webster noticed a dramatic spike in the number of lookups for the word, which the dictionary defines as "lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate or challenge: dull, flat."

"This guy hit exactly the right word for the performance and it resonated," Morse said. "People engaged the word, but they asked themselves `what does it exactly mean?'"
___
On the Net:http://www.merriam-webster.com

Today's Quote

Today's Quote

One of God's arrangements is that after winter there should come beautiful spring days. It happens every year and it happens in every life.

-Father Joseph

The first time I remember my Dad hearing this tune on the Grand Ole Opry show on WSM radio, Nashville....

I can remember still my dad.... plain as day... years and years ago. We lived at Yukon, and had just moved to the farm south of town with the big lake on it. We rented it from the Mulvey's in Yukon, and the owner, Martin and my dad become life long friends. Martin's son Mike is a home builder in Stillwater, becoming the one most sought after to build the nicer homes. Anyway, .... Dad had a radio in the south end of the milk barn .... the cows would come in the east door, heading west and would line up this way .... their bodies east to west and the manager would be running north south, so the cows would be standing east to west... in a line from north to south. There was a four foot walkway behind the cows, and a three foot manager walkway that mom and I feed the cows on .. getting feed out of the feed bin on the north west end of the walkway. We had a steel gallon can to measure it with and it was from Purina Mills. It was a gift to my dad from the Ross and Sons feed store in El Reno. It was cherished and we still have the can. It had holes at the quarter markings on the side, and my Uncle Mervil welded them shut so the minerals would not fall out of it. He also made the "feed cart" that is in the south end of the Quonset barn at Mom's today. We used that cart to push feed in front of the cows at Yukon... and the can to measure it out. In those days, we sold cream to Gold Spot Dairy in Enid, OK.
Dad would hang the surgical strap over the cows back, the milker would hang under it and attach to the cows. Then when the cow was done milking, he would pour the milk into a stainless milk bucket and Mom and I would carry it to the milk house, just south of the milk barn. In there we would pour the milk into the top of the separator and turn the crank and the cream comes out of one spout and the whey came out the other spout. We would start filling a ten gallon can with cream. Dad would come in after we had a couple of gallon in it and pick it up and place it over in a big milk cooler with cold water in it that kept the cream just above freezing... (nice place to stick watermelon in the summer time for that almost frozen, just right temp watermelon... Smiling..)... When we were done milking, Dad would carry the whey in five gallon buckets about 300 yards to the pigs, who cleaned it up! The cream.. when the cans were full and we had from 4 to 6 cans, we would haul to the train depot in El Reno and we would park by the curb and someone would pull out a big tall cart that we placed the cans on, and then they would be put on board the train for their trip to Enid, and then we would pick up our empties from the train and head back to Yukon. If I remember right, each can fetched us $9.00 We received our cream checks every two weeks, and it was a God send to us! Long story short...
music has always been part of my life. From my earliest memories, what stands out is how much my Dad loved to hear folks sing and he loved to sing himself, however, he did not always want folks to hear him, haha. We always listened to the radio... Earliest memories do not have a TV in them. We finally got one before we left Yukon for Stillwater...
But I can remember Dad always singing gospel songs... Southern gospel with a neat upbeat... and how much those songs meant to him. They seemed to guide him and his life. I am not sure if he realized how much they in fact did guide him. He was a very spiritual man, a very simple man who truly loved life and want the best for everyone around him, and never expected nor asked for a thing for himself. He never carried money. NEVER! I can only remember only one time in his life, in my memory, that he had money in his wallet. About a year before he died, I took him to Oliver's to get a hair cut, and Mom handed him a $10.00 bill and he put it in his wallet! I asked him later how it felt to have money in his wallet .. and he remarked.. "It's ok. Can't believe your mother let me have it!", he said. He was beaming!!
Ok... sorry, I digress.... the purpose of this is to set the stage for this song by Hank Williams. It was being played for the first time in early 1952, "Wild Side of Life". .... We had just had a man bring us a half ton of coal that we burned for our winter heat in a big round coal fired stove in the living room of our home... It cost us $15.00, and Mom and Dad were outside standing by the pile of coal, and Mom was having a fit about how much it cost (some things never changed .... haha) and he just turned and started singing Hank's new song "Wild Side of Life" and mom came unglued.. that was a terrible song to be singing in front of me and MK. Terrible, sinful, degrading... and on and on.. Dad just smiled and headed for the barn.. haha... singing ... Wild Side of Life. It was the first time I had heard it... so of course I listened to it anytime I could to learn the tune... There are lots more stories around Hank and his music and his influence on my father, but will save for another time and place..haha...
Enjoy the tune.. And have a great day!
An untold part of this story is ... Hank Williams had a live radio show on Nashville, WSM AM radio, that we could hear sometimes when the weather, and clouds were just right, and on that show, Hank had 15 minutes each week. It was sponsored by Mother's Best Flour and called the Hank Williams Mothers Best Flour Hour. Hank always had one song, and than talked about things of interest and always closed it out with a gospel song. My Dad loved Hank's Gospel Music! I mean he would smile ear to ear when he heard it, even in the last of his years... if you wanted to see the ole Dad pop out... just set and talk with him about Hank and his gospel tunes... He and Mom would get into some heated discussions about Hank.. and his music.. Mom saw it as sinful, Dad seemed to overlook the sinful side for the religious side... sort of made it ok... and it seemed to this youngster that example of Dad's was awesome. You could always find good in folks, not matter how bad or evil they were, by looking and finding it. This lesson has followed me my whole life and is one of the things Dad and I talked about in his last weeks on this earth. In some ways, I am like my father, in that I seem to like everyone, not matter the cost... let folks charge to me in the store when I knew in my heart I would never be paid back.. etc. because of this lesson. God blessed me with a truly wonderful wife and best friend, Ann, and four of the greatest kiddos on the face of this earth, and now three awesome in-laws and four fantastic grand kiddos... and not only did he bless me with them, but in some ways he allowed me to prosper... Perhaps it is because of this lesson... from Dad. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you... always looking for the best in folks! Dad, I know you are smiling down on us, and love us deeply, as we still love you. While you are missed daily, and especially in this season, we .... are .... because of you!

My love to all... enjoy the day!

burning corn to stay warm ...

burning corn to stay warm ...

FYI, something I'd not heard of ... I suppose they try not to use
popcorn ...
-----------


As US heating costs spiral to all-time highs, American homeowners are
turning to burning corn in special stoves to reduce their energy
bills. Sales of corn-burning stoves have tripled this year and
distributors across the country have been sold out for weeks.

"We are actually taking deposits for products for next fall - it's
all you can do," said Ed Hiscox, owner of furnace retailer Hiscox
Sales and Service in Valparaiso, Indiana, in the middle of the US
corn belt.

"We have customers from very high-end homes to people who are not
really in any financial condition at all. It doesn't seem to make a
difference - everyone has problems with gas prices."

Once relegated to farmhouses and cabins, corn-burning and more common
wood-burning stoves began growing in popularity four years ago among
environmentally-minded consumers interested in cheaper and renewable
energy sources.

But the real run began this fall when natural gas prices doubled and
hurricanes slashed refinery production in the Gulf Coast, causing
prices of heating oil to jump.

With natural gas prices shooting to a record high Thursday and oil
prices back above 60 dollars a barrel, corn -- the price of which
steadily dropped this year -- has become downright cheap as a heating
fuel.

That has meant a boom for sellers of efficient corn-burning stoves,
with demand far outstripping supply, according to the largest US
producer of the stoves.

"We've been sold out for almost six months," said Mike Haefner,
president of Minnesota-based American Energy Systems. "We're going to
be building eight times as much next year just to try to keep up, but
we already have 50 percent of that sold."


Haefner said there were about 65,000 corn stoves sold in the US last
year. He expects about 150,000 will be sold this year and at least
350,000 next year.

Even with a retail price of 1,600 to 3,000 dollars, the stoves often
pay for themselves within a year or two.

"The savings are phenomenal," said Haefner.

Corn-generated heat costs less than a fifth of the current rate for
propane and about a third of electrical heat, according to Haefner.
Homeowners report savings of anywhere from 600 to 1,500 dollars a
year, he said.

Because of the space needed to store the dried corn kernels burned in
the stoves, they are more popular in rural communities and suburbs
than in big cities.

But distribution systems are evolving and Haefner is confident the
market will continue to expand.

"About five years ago we proved corn could be anywhere - we put a
corn silo up in Takoma Park, Maryland and you can see our nation's
capital from it," Haefner said. "These things are popping up all over
the country."

Turkey farmer Rick Undesser doesn't have to go far to get corn for
his stove.

"We grow our own corn so it's kind of handy to have," Undesser told
AFP in a recent interview at his Bristol, Illinois farm. "It starts
real easy and it keeps us real warm."

Undesser bought the corn stove about three years ago to help cut down
on his propane bills for his sprawling 3,500 square foot home.

The fact that it looks great next to his handcrafted furniture and
hunting trophies is just a bonus.

Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......

Oh, my goodness.... it did get cold last night! 3 Degrees at our home this am, and minus 9 degrees windchill. First winter cold since 1989. and the first snow of the winter of 2005. So, I went on a walkabout! Saw lots of interesting things... and took pics of some of them. Posted some new pics in the gallery... Enjoy the day and stay warm! Later... s 

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve...

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate.
He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through. Instead of throwing the man out, Old George as he was known by his customers, told the man to come and sit by the heater and warm up. "Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see you're busy, I'll just go." "Not without something hot in your belly." George said. He turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. "It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty, "Stew ... made it myself. When you're done, there's coffee and it's fresh."
Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse me, be right back," George said. There in the driveway was an old '53 Chevy. Steam was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked. "Mister can you help me!" said the driver, with a deep Spanish accent. "My wife is with child and my car is broken." George opened the hood. It was bad. The block looked cracked from the cold, the car was dead. "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away. "But Mister, please help ." The door of the office closed behind George as he went inside. He went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside.
He walked around the building, opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting. "Here, take my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good." George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. He turned and walked back inside the office. "Glad I gave 'em the truck, their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new ." George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The Thermos was on the desk, empty, with a used coffee cup beside it. "Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought. George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do.
Christmas Eve meant no customers. He discovered the the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator. "Well, shoot, I can fix this," he said to himself. So he put a new one on. "Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car anyway.
As he was working, he heard shots being fired. He ran outside and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Please help me." George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention. "Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The uniform company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct tape to bind the wound. "Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease. "Something for pain," George thought. All he had was the pills he used for his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills. "You hang in there, I'm going to get you an ambulance."
The phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your car." He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two way radio. He went back in to find the policeman sitting up. "Thanks," said the officer. "You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the area." George sat down beside him, "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya. Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your gonna be right as rain." George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked. "None for me," said the officer. "Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city. Too bad I ain't got no donuts." The officer laughed and winced at the same time.
The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun. "Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before.
"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer. "Son, why are you doing this?" asked George, "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt." The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now give me the cash!" The cop was reaching for his gun. "Put that thing away," George said to the cop, "we got one too many in here now."
He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you need money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that pee shooter away." George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry. "I'm not very good at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job, my rent is due, my car got repossessed last week ..." George handed the gun to the cop. Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can." He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup of coffee. "Bein' stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answ! er. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out." The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer." "Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said.
George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn. "Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer. "Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?" "GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread.
Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.
Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just dropped his gun and ran." George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other. "That guy work here?," the wounded cop continued. "Yep," George said, "just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."
The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?" Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas boy ... and you too, George, and thanks for everything." "Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve some of your problems."
George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring box. "Here you go, something for the little woman. I don't think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day." The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw. "I can't take this," said the young man. "It means something to you." "And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories. That's all I need."
George reached into the box again. An airplane, a car and a truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of yours." The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier. "And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that too," George said, "Now git home to your family." The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good." "Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after."
George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you come from? I thought you left?" "I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?"
"Well, after my wife passed away, I just couldn't see what all the bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was gettin' a little chubby."
The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder.
"But you do celebrate the holiday, George."
"You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry.
The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.
The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists.
The young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and not take any for himself."
"That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man."
George was taken aback by all this stranger had said.
"And how do you know all this?" asked the old man.
"Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your days are done you will be with Martha again."
The stranger moved toward the door. "If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."
George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the stranger was wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill the room.
"You see, George .... it's My birthday. Merry Christmas." George fell to his knees and replied, "Happy Birthday, Lord."
~ author unknown ~
 

M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S !!!!

M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S !!!!


I'm on a "Merry Christmas" mission and I'm in full throttle. My little yellow VW Beetle has turned into a Christmas billboard with Merry Christmas written across the back window. Yes, I've decided to trek off to work everyday on the public highways with a message that seems to offend people.


At stop lights, I even turn my music up a little louder, and to top it off, I sing along with it. Don't I know that stopping at a red light to roll my windows down only to share the joy of Christmas carols on public streets is a No-No? Don't I fear the Christmas Gestapo and those who would have me remove the written message from my car?


I'm sorry folks, but the only person I'm concerned about "offending" during this Christmas Season is the Lord
Himself. LEAVE THAT MANGER ALONE! We've allowed the Baby Jesus to be kicked out of His lowly manger, and those offended by Christmas are still not happy.


I refuse to let this happen. I'm going to do my part to make sure "Merry Christmas" doesn't become extinct. Because like it or not, if the believers in Christmas don't take a stand now, it's gone forever!


Listen folks, the Christian Community has been underestimated before; we will have to show ourselves again.


I walked into a Wendy's Restaurant the other day and was rather exuberant with my "Merry Christmas" greeting to the manager. He didn't have much of a response and I said, "Where's your Christmas Spirit?" He said, "We're not allowed to use the words "Merry Christmas" when greeting customers. We can only say "Happy Holiday."


This morning I grabbed a quick breakfast at a Whataburger Restaurant. I noticed there wasn't a single decoration in the store. I asked the manager why they weren't decorated for Christmas. He told me the corporate headquarters decided not to send any decorations to any of their stores, and he didn't know why.


After I heard about all the Macy's and Federated Stores taking down their Merry Christmas signs, the Target stores not allowing the Salvation Army to "Ring the Christmas Bells," and the many incidents of children, choirs, and bands not allowed to play or sing Christmas Carols, I realized it was happening right here in my own little Texas town.


How can this be? Not Texas!


We do, however, have a store, Hobby Lobby, that plays nothing but Christmas carols during the season. On Christmas Day they run a full page ad in our local newspaper. That ad is not to promote the store, but uses the entire page to tell the story of Jesus' birth. Now that's taking a stand. We need to thank them.


When I saw a news report the other evening of children being taught new words to a song we've sung for years - "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" - I was saddened to hear "We Wish You a Splendid Holiday."


I know now that it's just a matter of time that the "Merry Christmas" greetings will be gone. Look around your town. Notice the "Holiday" greetings and not "Christmas." It's happening right before our very eyes.


Start singing the songs; go down the streets of America singing to your heart's content. Get some of those wash-off markers that these kids use to write on their car windows when they're rooting for their hometown football team. It's easy to do, and if a torrential rain washes it off, write it on there again.


We've got to get this message out!! "Go Tell It On the Mountain . . . that Jesus Christ is Born." Sing it, speak it, be a billboard for ourLord.


The story of this "Baby Jesus" alone has brought about more goodwill at this time of year than any other day we celebrate. How can we sit back and allow Him to be snuffed out of our lives?


Is it Jesus, or is it His followers that the "offended" don't like? What kind of revulsion galvanizes one to campaign so vehemently against the mere mention of His name, the mere singing of a carol, or the mere visual of a sign that says "Merry Christmas?"


I can listen to my own boss at work use some of the vilest words and follow up with, "Excuse my French." I may cringe inside at his damning of God's name, but I tolerate it. So if you don't like me wishing you a "Merry Christmas," I'll say, "Excuse my joy." You may cringe that I celebrate the Birth Of Jesus, but just tolerate it.


I cannot be concerned that "Merry Christmas" offends you. If I'm not careful, the day will come when saying I'm a Christian will offend you.


I'm offended that you're offended. How about that?


When we get to a point that we can no longer take part in a tradition we hold dear, we have no choice; we either defend that tradition or we give it up to those who say NO. That's it . . . period. So, which will it be?


I'm not giving up my "Merry Christmas Joy" to anyone. If I know of someone that celebrates another holiday during this time of year, I will be glad to wish them whatever holiday they want. Just tell me what it is and I'll shout it to the world and wish you a grand celebration.


Just give me Christmas!! To you merchants: Stop being so hypocritical and "filling your tills" on the back of Jesus!! Who do you think is the symbol of giving at this time of year? It was the Wise Men bringing gifts to the newborn Christ-child.


You want your coffers full, but have ordered your employees to take down all the Merry Christmas signs. If that's the case, I'll buy gifts at a place that understands my joy.


If you're worried about offending someone, you just did. The most recent Newsweek survey shows that 82% of Americans believe that Jesus is the Son of God. So, in trying not to offend a few, you've offended many.


It's okay to jump into the "Merry Christmas Spirit" when it fills your cash register, but let's call it something else . . . and don't stop giving . . . and don't stop buying. . . we'll just change the name and you'll never know the difference.


I know the difference and I'm feeling it greatly. It's hard not to be aware that townships across our country have actually banned the singing of Christmas Carols because it might offend someone. And it's not just the religious songs; it's the secular ones too. No more "Jingle Bells" or "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" because they're

associated with Christmas. Boy, aren't we getting sensitive?


If we're not celebrating Christmas for the hope it gives with the birth of our Savior . . . there is no hope!!


I noticed a few years ago that we changed the name of Abraham Lincoln's and George Washington's birthday so as to be all inclusive regarding the Presidents. Hark, if we should recognize anyone as exceptional. Now it's called Presidents' Day.


Well, if we're going to be so all inclusive, next month I'll have to refer to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as Civil Rights Leaders' Day. We don't want to exclude great Americans like Rosa Parks or Cesar Chavez, do we? And to think that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton might be left out. We might need to change Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Grandparents' Day to All Parents' Day. Just lump them all together.


It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? So what's the difference?


My freedom to celebrate Christmas in the tradition of the Christian religion is as much my right as it is your right to be offended by it.

So.... what are we going to do? Did anyone hear me ?!!
What are we going to do?!!


Do we defend a person's right to go forward with a time tested tradition (how about 2000 years?), or do we defend a person's right to end it all because they're offended? As long as we live in this great land and have the freedom to express ourselves and what we believe in, we will always offend someone.

If we try to make everything right for everyone, we won't have anything for anyone.


May you always have Christmas in your heart!
Amen!!!!

Yer Hillbilly friend in TN...


Ross

PROUD father of an American Soldier


4330 Golf Terrace, Suite 109


Eau Claire, WI 54701

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANDI DAWN MOFFAT, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... HOPE YOU HAVE A G R E A T DAY... AND MANY MANY MORE SUPER DAYS... WE LOVE YA... DAD AND MOM MOFFAT  

Today's Quote

Think it more satisfactory to live richly than die rich.

-Sir Thomas Browne

Remember My Birthday?

Remember My Birthday????!!!!!!
As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there
are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite
and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.
The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor ! At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other ; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and .... do you know .... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one ? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside. Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for... I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...
See you soon .... I love you !
-Jesus-



"Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth." Psalm 46:10

Subject: Your Cup of Coffee ~ From Clinton and Joanna

Subject: Your Cup of Coffee

Your Cup of Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to
visit their old University of Notre Dame lecturer. Conversation soon
turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the lecturer went to the kitchen and returned
with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic,
glass, some plain-looking and some expensive and exquisite, telling them
to help themselves to hot coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the lecturer said: "If
you noticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want
only the best for yourselves, that may be the source of your problems and
stress. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you
consciously went for the better cups and are now eyeing each other's cups."

"Now, if life is coffee, then the jobs, money, and position in society are
the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the quality
of life doesn't change."

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee
in it.

From Uncle Ivan...

Stan: Got home 11-30-05 am doing good so far but sure am weak from the hospital, came home last night then your Aunt Freda came down with the 24 hour virus she was so sick. But some better this morning.
Will try to send you more later. Uncle Ivan

Jim Rowland update...... From Cousin Joanna... Many thanks for the informtaion...

Hi, Just thought you would like to know.............
Jim finally got out of ICU about midnight last night. He is now in a room and seems to be feeling much better. I think he is hoping to get to go home today, but we'll have to wait and see. Doris spent the night with us last night and has now gone up to see him. I think it was to his advantage that he stayed in ICU so long. His Dr. seems to stay pretty busy and just doesn't get around to his patients until late in the evening, then there was also the problem of finding a room, anyway it looks like he is doing well. Hope youall are also doing well. We think of you often, just don't take time to let you know it. :)
I also talked with Freda last night, they are doing better too. She wasn't feeling well the night Ivan came home from the hospital, but was doing much better last night.