January 14, 2007

It seems that snow has been on everyone's mind for awhile now. We have been blessed on our little piece of God's creation here on the "Great American Desert" where snowfall has been kept to a minimum. There is still plenty of time left in the winter to get snowed in. March of '78 we had a blizzard that lasted several days and when it was over I could walk over the garage on the snow. That's been a while ago but one never knows for sure with the weather. I like that phrase, 'a while ago' nd it probably dates me but that's the best part of time. We have truly been blessed to have so much. Time changes all things. Time can drag on and on one moment, and the next moment it slips by so quickly we wonder where it went. I have been so frustrated by time and yet the time I have spent wisely has been well invested. Once upon a time.....the stories begin.....has stood the test of time and remains one of the ways in which parents in this country begin telling their children fairy tales. I wonder if the stories are told the same way in other languages? Relationships seem to come and go with ease in my life. Folks I thought would become close friends have faded away through time. Others I never would have expected have come and remained steadfast. Some might say that I am difficult to get to know. Others might believe that I'm impossible because I am self centered and selfish and have all the rest of the character faults that can be attributed to humankind. I try not to hold them to harshly in my opinionated way. We are all simply people that are striving to do the very best we can with what we have been given. God has blessed me so much that I scarcely can recall the last time I experienced a really bad day. There have been days when things did not go as planned, but there will always be those with which to contend. I suppose I enjoy my contentious days almost as much as the days of perfection. The difference is the days that are wonderful never seem to last as long as I would like and the ones that are difficult seem to not want to end. All in all they are good days when placed in the perspective of time. My prayer tonight.....Thank You Lord for time! This I pray in Jesus' name – Preacher.

A very happy weekend to y'all with a big shout out howdy on top - been working on getting back on my mental wheels for a lot of hours - I guess I hit one of those rough stretches of life's highways that just had to be ridden - No one among us likes losing people(there are some we're better off without and some that should not have been allowed into our lives to begin with) - death takes some - others run straight into death's loving arms with total abandon because that is their choice - all I can report tonight is recovering my ability to accept life as it is and learning once again to "let go and let God" - It's been two years since I've posted anything here.....Whooosh what a ride those months have been, Still in the same home that I began building in '08 - that's a real plus in my life! I have a habit of moving on down the road every once in awhile. Sometimes I come back! It is winter on the "Great American Desert" and my thoughts have been of the jumbled variety for far too long. I need to be busy about the task of finishing more of this place I live in and get it ready for the next phase of life. Just like people, places have to change every once in awhile. My plans were to be in Arizona with the folks at Isaiah 58 simply serving the Lord and His people for about 5 months per year. Lots of space to ride down that way. As always the best laid plans often go astray. Maybe next year I'll be able to make the journey. Only time will tell that tale. As for now I am getting back to being content with the months of containment that lie ahead and I'm excited(finally)about getting more work done!

Not only would I visit here but I would probably camp on the site for a few days to get a feel for the land. Along with the 'feel' one also gets in touch with those who lived and thrived here for a time. Much like our native lands in South Dakota the time is always good when it is devoted to the ancestors and all who have walked before us. The photos(sad to say)are not mine, they were taken by a photographer by the name of Denzine, I believe, who lives down Texas way. Texon, Texas, " A Little Bit of History " Texon was a company owned town. It came to life on May 28, 1923 when oil was discovered on University of Texas lands by Big Lake Oil Company. The company built all the homes, all the stores, all everything. By 1930, there were a thousand residents in Texon, all employees or dependents. The town had everything and anything needed to support its population. Texon thrived from the 1920s through the 1940s but as oil production from the field diminished, the town began to fade. In 1962, the company sold its operations and most of the homes and other buildings were either moved or razed. What is left are the foundations of former homes and other debris to mark the site that is located about one-half mile south of U.S. Highway 67 on Farm to Market Road 1675. The lady who posted this on FB said she would live here and I echo that statement. Just looking at the pics conveys to me a certain presence of peace and that I look for everywhere I go.

This is the second litter of Chihuahuas this year from Snickers and Snooki. The first was on April 10th, the very worst blizzard of the spring and the second right after the biggest snow, wind and cold of the year. Could be a sign of something. This has nothing about why I am blogging this morning! Teddy was a cry baby puppy from Snooki's first litter. Frightened of everything. He was the first out of the womb April 10th and the least likely to be sold to anyone because as soon as there were strangers about he hid. So he became my puppy and received his name. I've raised 84 puppies and sold all but one. I kept this one and now share with you the experience of raising a dog from birth. April 10th 2013 I put my head over the side of the bed to see what the fuss was(last spring I had Snooki sleeping right next to the bed the last week of her pregnancy)and there was the first of the April litter. His name is now Teddy and 8 months later we have really(I do mean really bonded differently than any other animal I have ever been around or had the pleasure of sharing this life)he is amazing! The unique thing about having one from birth is that they know you as well as they know their own parents and they have only one person to relate to in everything. Yesterday Snooki added a little brother and 3 sisters to our family for the still growing everyday Teddy. Now I am blessed with another most amazing thing to witness as it occurs. Snickers(father)is not allowed near his babies for weeks(Snooki nips at him if he gets close)but Teddy can get right into bed with all of them and Snooki does not mind. He is still a cry baby, unique from each of the others. That is why I guess I had to keep him, or maybe I was just really curious now that I'm old enough to spend the time it takes to raise a dog from birth. These new four will all be sold. Snooki will be fixed so that we have no more pups. Snickers is getting old(past eight years now)and Snooki will as well(she has to be three)but Teddy and I will travel the road together. 40 years ago I had a pomeranian compadre that stayed with me 17 years through three wives hundreds of homes and thousands of miles. Maybe it is time for that type of relationship again(not the change in wives, that was crazy)just live each day as it comes and love one another unconditionally until we are no longer on this journey of life!

It was a journey of discovery, one that cannot be repeated every year, but only every half decade. I am still astounded by the miles covered, places visited, and people met. As our riding season winds down here on the "Great American Desert" I am remembering times a quarter century ago when doctors informed me that I might never walk again. All seems very far away and unreal today in light of the accomplishments and the ups and downs of life. I'm getting older. My favorite saying for a number of years has been "I may be old, but I'm slow." I said it in jest for years and now it is more truth than I'd care to truly admit some days. On another note - the five year plan that we set out on is nearing completion. Basement closets and bedrooms being finished and the last of the sorting from the old place is getting done. This takes me forever! I'd do a page just on how long it takes to settle in but that would get boring. Needless to say I am very thankful to be where I am today and know that I could have accomplished nothing without God's steady prompting of my spirit to stay on track with His plan and keep mine in the background.

Sitting at the Holiday Inn Express in Chippewa Falls, WI. Rita has broken on the return trip from Milwaukee. We went to celebrate the 110th B'dy/Anniversary of HD. I should be extremely depressed, but I'm not. It has been a beautiful journey thus far and I can't wait to see what happens next. My honey is a little worried but that is as it should be if the roles were reversed I would worry as well. It is enough to know that we are able to stay in touch and she loves me. Rita(My Ultra), on the other hand may have ditched me for good. A new one has been on my mind for a few years now and this may be the time to step up to something a little newer. Only time will tell. It is enough to know that God loves me sooo much that He gave His only Son that I might have life more abundant and to that end I am waaaay blessed. Thoughts and prayers go out for family and friends this day.

Sturgis was awesome this year! Aside from the usual festivities accompanying the rally there were the opportunities camping out offers veteran riders to talk about their 'rides.' The past few years I have listened to many HD fans bemoan the new 6-speed transmission. Although offering improved mileage(as if that is ever a factor in considering a two wheel steed)there is an annoying sound that comes with the get go. Yesterday I climbed aboard several Victories for my first test rides of these state of the art two wheeled suicide machines. The very first thing I noticed was the disconcerting sound the transmissions omitted when put in gear. It was a heavy metal 'clack' that assailed my ear. 1St & 2nd gears make this sound on every one of the bikes I rode. This is not to say I couldn't get used to it. Much to the contrary, by the time I was mounting the third in my tryout list it was noticeably less important than the overall performance versus comfort considerations. My very best ride of the day came aboard the Victory “Hammer 8-Ball” cruiser. I have never ridden the 250MM rear tire style. The handling in itself was quite impressive, but what really got my attention was the way the power to weight to center of gravity seemed perfect. Zero to 90 with ease, and cornering and “grip the road” with confidence cornering. Amazing experience and one that bears repeating often. Will I own one – probably not but one can always wish. The biggest of the lineup “Cross Country Tour” was the disappointment of the day. Great sound system and overall good to ride, but the heat issue needs resolving. My left leg from behind the knee nearly to my crotch was overly hot. Not a good thing when you're moving and considering traffic time of stop and go I believe it would have become unbearable in a short short. The inner thigh is not a place one desires a lot of heat while riding. Overall solid machines with some obvious needs that could be resolved tinkering around in the shop I'm sure. Stuff like handlebar length, height, width are all workable and can be defined in the garage by the owner to satisfy personal taste. The 'clacking' of gears would be an irritating thing forever. They have done a thing with their clutch pull that offers extreme ease, that was good. Shift and brake levers are okay but take some getting used to. On a scale of 1 – 10 I'd say 8 overall and 9 on the “8-Ball.”