To our extended family....

Mom sent home some more things for me to look at regarding the Snethen family that she has. I will try to get them scanned and post later on in the week, or over the weekend. Some really neat things, I think.

To the immediate family, I have a copy of the tape of Grandpa Siegrist and his stories of coming to America, etc. plus some other neat things to add too...

Jake worked me too death yesterday,

And I am tired!!

Jake and I sorted, moved, culled, and gathered up cattle in the am and hauled feed and mineral in the pm, then starting feeding, but that continues today, plus we have calves that need worked and are taking them to OSU Vet Clinic to be worked. Wish it was to Perkins Vet Clinic, but t'is not. If Jake keeps this up, he will make a hand out of me yet!

Then tomorrow we need to go look at bulls in the am and work on books in the pm.
Oh, my gosh, I am starting to sound like my mom...oh my goodness!!! haha... love ya Mom!

Jake and I gathered up lunch and ate with Grandma too. One of those brown bag deals from Sonic... Not nearly as good as Mom's cooking, but when we walked in at noon, she had not started lunch, and it looked pretty bleak for us to get lunch...haha.. so we did second best deal. We thought we'd get mineral at the Coop in Perkins, but they were out... I honestly do not know how that place stays in business. It's the darkest business in Perkins, and not very clean and they show zero respect for their customers.. almost like you are interrupting them when go there.. as you can tell, I hate going there. Enough on that!

Well, to start off today, the old farm feed wagon, Dad's ole rusty gray ford 4 wheel drive pickup has a flat on the front, so we get to fix that, and then it's off the circus called life.

smiling... wonder how Heather and Paul's new pigs are doing...hum. They got a couple to feed out and Andrew does not want to eat them cause he likes them... oh my!

I was going through some old family photos, so in the next week or so, as time allows, I will get more online of the kids showing their animals.. that was a big part of our lives, along with all the other activities.. but we loved our gypsy weekends.. In those days, one really worked to show cattle, etc. I am sure they still do, but in those days, one stayed up late at night cutting up sisal rope into fine pieces, gathering up all the needed supplies and you really dressed a calf, adding hair and fiber where needed and taking away where it was not. In some ways, I think a kiddo learned a lot more about their animals, the animals faults, etc and how to fix it and the next time they needed an animal, they remembered and looked for one without so many faults to correct... thinking out loud... kids would say I am rambling now.. so I'll sign off..

Have a great day, and enjoy the roses!!

What a wonderful day it has been with all the sunshine, after the "lil" ole snow storm we had. It has been many days without sunshine, and now... it's peaking through.
Andrew had a doctor's visit in OKC this am and Ann and Jake went along and with Heather and Andrew to get his ears checked after his surgery. All is A OK! And he is doing quite well. They ran by Farmers Grain in Edmond to get bird feed for Ann's Quakers and her wild bird feed. Our "out side" birds eat as well as we do, haha!!
Ann put up a little train that she got several years ago for Christmas in our living room and Andrew found it today and played and played with it. Our home really looks nice as Ann has done a great job (as usual) decorating it up for the season.
We ended up having a great long Thanksgiving … We ended up having three special meals with most of the family at each… wow, what a deal! But, I think Ann was ready for it to be over and get Christmas underway!!
We received a special note from our niece Cortney Shaklee, in Florida, who just got back into the country. She and her mom went to Italy for some R and R! They had a really special time and truly enjoyed the trip. I can not wait to see the pictures of their trip. What a wonderful opportunity to spend that much time with your family, and see the Old Country in the process.
About it for now. More later! Enjoy the day!

Well, we had the good fortune of having our second Thanksgiving Dinner today. WE had it at noon, because Great Grandmother Moffat said she would be here, and everyone showed up but HER!! hummmmmm oh well, maybe she didn't want to see Kaitlyn... yeah, right.. haha. Anyway, Grandmother Ann got to see her and hold her and right now Grandma and I are watching Kaitlyn while her mom and Dad and Jake run into town for a while. Isn't she growing??? wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great day! Oh, I have shared our web site with Tammy's 4th cousin today. Can not wait to hear from her again. She has lots of history on the family and even some copies of some pics.. wow!! Tammy is excited too! later...

Happy Thanksgiving one and all...!

Another Turkey Day come and went!!! I sure thought this photo sure told the truth about the day in lots of way. It's about getting together, sharing with those you love... and sometimes it's the little things, like the hand on the shoulder that seem to mean the most! Amazing how simple life can be sometimes, if we just take a bit to "smell the roses". And the roses were a bloom at our home this holiday. Lots of things to be thankful for this year. Yes, even in the mist of all the things we lost, there are wonderful things that are telling us how wonderful life is, and how fortunate we are to be alive, and living in the great USA! I among men am very richly blessed. I have one of the most awesome family's in the universe. God blessed me with the most wonderful woman on the face of the earth to stand by my side through thick and thin, and sometimes the really thin... and I love her deeply, and know that I am loved in return. I have four of the greatest kids in the world. They are richly talented, amazing smart, and great people kids who love to live life to the fullest, while helping others!! And then, how often does this happen. I have amazing son and daughter in laws! Again, they are richly talented, amazingly smart, and truly special, each in their own way. Again, I am richly blessed. And then I have three very special grandchildren who each are terrific in their own right. Each has something unique about them that makes them endearing to me, and I love them very much.
And I blessed with a great Mom, no other mother on the face of the earth could put up with me, yet she can. She gives me strength to go on, courage to face the tough times, and guides me by her actions to better things. And a super sister, and even though I lost my father this year, I had a chance to tell him the one thing I had put off all my life. On one of our last drives, we stopped the pickup and I told him he was the best father any kiddo could ever hope to have. He was simply simply simple and yet amazing in his own right. I told him that because of him, I am. And he understood... He is gone, yet on this day of Thanksgiving, I knew he was with us. You could see him in the sunshine that blessed this day, feel his arms around you in the wind that wrapped around our bodies this afternoon, and hear his laughter throughout our family all day long, and feel his spirit in my office as I send this note.
Yes, some are gone, others are new, and one is on the way.. but truly, Ann and I are richly blessed to be the parents of one of the greatest familys in the world!! We love you each and every one!
Have a great day.. and some pics are up now from today.. and Jonathan and Randi are coming up tomorrow to be with us.. so more after that too.. we get to see Jon, Randi and Kaitlyn.. can not wait!!! Enjoy the day!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

Recited by: Doc Quinn To listen click here



Cowboy's Prayer
I was moping around the outer corrals
of a friend of mine's ranch one day.
When I seen this old gray haired cowboy,
kneel down to the ground to pray.

He said, "Good morning Sir, it's just me again,
and I reckon I'm feeling alright,
except yesterday's heat hung on for quite a spell
and I didn't sleep much late last night.

But, I thought I'd stop and kinda talk awhile
just to let you know I'm still around.
I haven't accomplished a lot lately Lord,
I'm just trying to hold this cow job down.

Now you know how it is in the cow game Lord,
when the moisture all leaves the ground.
The grass all dies and the sand starts to blow
and it kinda of keeps the calf crop down.

Ya see, the water holes are nearly dried up Lord
and the cattle's getting thinner somewhat,
but, five or six days of good heavy rain
it'd sure help out a mighty lot.

Now I ain't got no favors to ask for myself,
I reckon things are alright by me,
except that climb to my saddle gets higher everyday
or maybe my knees are getting weak.

So excuse me Sir for taking up your time
but I had a few things to say,
we could sure use a little bit of moisture Sir
if you'd care to send a little bit our way."

Well I slowly turned and I walked away
and I stepped thru the door of a shed,
and I was down right ashamed for standing so quite
eaves-dropping the way that I did.

Just to think this old man, just a common hard hand,
although he never asked a thing for himself,
yet he knelt and talked to God like a friend
as he prayed for somebody else.

Well, we missed that old man at breakfast next morn
when he didn't sit down to his plate
and when we went to the bunkhouse we'd found him dead
but he died with a smile on his face.

And if you should wonder if this story is true
or if maybe it's just a refrain,
when we buried that old cowboy that same afternoon
it had already started to rain.
© Doyle R. Quinn I 1963

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all~~!!

Clinton and Joanna sent this link along and it is AWESOME!!!

The song that silenced the cappuccino machine!!!!

It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth.

For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing...............

To finish this wonderful story, you need to click here, and you will be glad you did!

Submitted by Paul Odle.... Yukon, OK.

A dietitian was once addressing a large audience in Chicago. "The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago.

Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water.

But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have, or will, eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?"

A 75-year-old man in the front row stood up and said, "Wedding cake"

Rec. a note from Ward and Melanie and wanted to share it with everyone....

"How is everyone doing and we hope your winter doesn't set in too early. We made it thru the last hurricane OK. Since I was late getting home from work, and by the time I finished putting plywood up, the wind was already blowing about 25-35 mph. We decided to stick it out and not take the risk of driving in an approaching storm. Didn't get any sleep all night until about 5:30 am when it looked like the worst was over us. Fortunately in our area all the utilities are underground and we did not loose power during any of the storms. Some of our friends were without power for several weeks.

Damage on the beach side was significant and lots of places still closed or condemned. Further south was where the brunt of the storm caused real devastation. Some of our friends on the beach side lost a section of their roof on the first night and when they got back Monday it was a mess. About 16 folks went over and helped tear out their ceilings, dry wall and carpets. Only one room was still liveable. Problem here in Florida is that once moisture gets into the attic, the mildew and mold literally blooms overnight and you have a major problem on your hands. Only a few houses in our development had roof damage and they were on the east side of the development.

In just a few days the hurricane season will be over and we are so very happy for the end of this season. Lots of folks reassessing where they want to live and lots of retirees questioning if they should move a ways north.

We hope that all is going well and we send our love and prayers. So glad the election results were favorable for President Bush. It was amazing how much misinformation was posted by the large broadcasting companies. What is really amazing is that so many people still get all their news from them. Saw so much bogus info on Iraq that it was nauseating. Have several folks in our group who just came back and they said that our news doesn't accurately depict the progress and conditions overseas. Tough on our troops if they think their nation is trying to undermine their good works.

Say hi to everyone and keep in touch. Take care; Ward and Melanie"
(Shaklee,Melborne, FL., Ann's brother and sister in law)

Now if we could just get some pictures from them!! haha... maybe in a bit, huh????

It was great to get this note from them. And we all are relived they did not have much damage. We had sent several notes but knew they were busy helping others get their lives back. Ward and Melanie are true givers, always ready to help others at the drop of the hat.

Enjoy the day!!

K. Melanie sent this link along.. fun, check it out!

Don't Worry, Be Happy! Click on the link to view it.

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.

T'was the night before .......

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY, AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE, WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Pass it on!

Sent in by Heather.. The Little Things!

After Sept. 11th, one company invited the remaining members of other
companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their
available office space.

At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive... and all the stories were just:

The 'L I T T L E' things .

As you might know, the head of the company survived that day because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment..

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.

Twas a special night Sunday night. What an awesome day! Paul and Heather had some feeder pigs delivered to them, uhmmm good deal! Phil, Tammy and Austyn became members of Lost Creek Church, and Austyn was baptized. Jon and Randi and Kaitlyn were on time for last nights get together in Shawnee.. (Yes, this is a big deal, as Jon is as bad with time as Bill Clinton!), Jake got our cattle fed so we could make the trip last night, and last evening, probably the best anniversary get together Ann and I have ever had! Everything was just right, and every one came, and the place we chose did not run us out ... Here is a pic of a very happy Grandma and Kaitlyn... The new pics are being uploaded right now, and there are a bunch of short videos from last night.. enjoy!!!

It happened not too long ago......

President Kennedy was shot in Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963

Austyn was baptized today at church.

A big day today on the ponderosa... Today is Kaitlyn's 1 month birthday, Ann and I's wedding anniversary, Austyn was baptized, Phillip and Tammy and Austyn joined Lost Creek United Methodist Church, which is half way between Perkins and Stillwater in the country, and half way between where we live and where mom lives (we had Dad's funeral there). We are really proud of them for joining and of Austyn being baptized.
Looks like our kiddos and Ann and I may get together this evening for a small family thing for our anniversary. It is so very hard to get just the kids together anymore since each has family and that family is growing, but Ann and I understand. It's really neat when we can get everyone together. And we are so very proud of each kiddo's family! What a deal.. but enough about me, how bout YOU? How is your day going? Hope all is well with you and yours! Enjoy the day.

Andrew stayed with us all day Friday and he and the kitten had a ball. He was doing magic with the kitten and all of a sudden he could not find the kitten and went to looking for him... ta daa.. the kitten was looking for him...haha... new pics and photo albums have been added for your viewing pleasure.... enjoy!!!

Wanted to take a second of your time to let you all know there are new pics and video, some of the old video that was left off of new list, now online. I used this photo because of several things that are important today! First, it is Kaitlyn's 1 Month birthday today, how cool, and Jon has a new album online. Another is that Austyn Lee Moffat will be baptisted at Lost Creek United Methodist Church today, and his Dad and Mom, Phil and Tammy, are joining the church, I think... so I hear through the grapevine... and last but not least, this is our wedding anniversary, and that is awesome in it's own right. Ann and I have been married since 1972, yelp, 32 years. Not sure how in the world I found someone as neat, loving and caring as Momma Ann, but she is the light of my life, and I am so thankful she chose to be my wife. I know it's not been easy, but I am forever greatful of her love. And I love her dearly! All for now, enjoy the day!

Found this photo of Mom and Dad.. thought I would share it with you all... enjoy the day!
Posted by PCCPA

From the Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa), 28 November 1863

Clipping of the Day

From the Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa), 28 November 1863, page 3:

DEDICATION OF GETTYSBURG CEMETERY.--The New York Dailies of Friday last contain accounts of the ceremonies at the dedication of the soldiers cemetery on the battlefield of Gettysburg. The crowd was great, the ceremonies imposing. The Oration of Mr. Everett was such as might be expected from his master mind. It is very long, and its deliver must of course have delighted all who heard it.

The dedicatory address of the President was brief and, as we think, most happily conceived. We print it below in full:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this Continent a new Nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. [Applause.] Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that Nation or any Nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure.--We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We are met to dedicate a portion of it as the final resting place of those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. it is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract. [Applause.] The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. [Applause.] It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work that they have thus far so nobly carried on. [Applause.] It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here shall highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain [applause]; that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom; and that Governments of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth. [Long continued applause.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Today marks the 141st anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. For more information on this historic speech, see: Today in History, November 19: Gettysburg Address (Library of Congress, American Memory)

The One Dollar Bill, submitted by Uncle Ivan Moffat, El Reno, OK. Thanks for sending...

ONE DOLLAR BILL

Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know.

If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

"IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun."
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most heros monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming
together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning, "one nation from many people."

Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.

Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.


They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.

I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?" Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.

Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for... Otherwise, they will probably never know...

Austyn out in the yard playing with Andrew last friday night. I thought the light was interesting and expecially how it was making his jacket really yellow, and the shadows.. etc. Enjoy.. have a great day!