My Sister-in-Law

My oldest brother's wife passed away last Saturday at the hospital in Liberal, Kansas. She was 77 years old and has had serious health problems the last two years. My wife and I drove from Brenham to Liberal to be there with my brother and his family. Its sad that it is only at times like a passing of a family member that so many of the family gathers. It was good to see them though under such sad circumstances. My brother is 80 years old. I hope and pray he will be strong and find his way through these troubling times.

We drove from Brenham to Abilene and them to Shamrock where we spent the night. We drove to Liberal the next day. Thursday we came home through Woodward and Clinton, Oklahoma, to Cisco, Texas (30 miles east of Abilene) where we stayed the night. Met a Professor Hale who teaches American History at Cisco Junior College. He is very interested in the American westward expansion during the 1800's and Indian history as am I. We had a two hour conversation at dinner. We came home the next day.

It was 664 miles from Brenham to Liberal through Abilene, and 686 miles from Liberal through Woodward and Clinton, Oklahoma. We wanted to come back a different way just to see different countryside. Most of the countryside in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma is green from the recent rains. It was only around Hamilton, Texas, that it looked dry. Our pastures have greened up a little since we had the rain over a week ago. We need another good 3 or 4 inch rain. Still have to fed hay to the cows.

Another of my truisms came true. While we were gone a large limb (8 inch diameter) fell near the fence and brick entrance at the west gate. Yes, it not only fell on the fence but also hit the brick pedestal knocking off and breaking a few bricks, but fortunately missed the coach light on top of the pedestal.

United Nations - Hate America

I watched Chavez's speech at the UN this morning spewing vile "hate America" venom at our President and our country. I was so angry I was shaking. Then he received sustained applause from the other members at the conclusion of his rant. I watched President Bush speak to the UN assembly and I recall there was dead silence at the conclusion of his speech. That is very telling. Chavez did make a recommendation with which I concur, i.e. move the United Nations Headquarters to Venezuela, and I might add discontinue any and all financial support from the United States of America. I guess it was a good thing I didn't see Mahmaud's (the Iranian) spiel at the UN else I would have been really angry. From Korea (a UN action) to the present day I can't think of a single thing the UN has done to aid or benefit the United States. So why do we need it? It's only a hangout for despot dictators that hate America, but relish the fast living of the New York night life.

Rain and Fire Ants

The rain was a welcome relief from the drought. The day was clear, crisp and pleasantly cool. However, every good turn has its down turn. The ample moisture caused numerous fire ant mounds to pop up over night. Today, I applied Orthene on 15 new mounds in the 2 acres of yard. I hate to think how many have popped up out in the pastures. I'll get some Amdro and treat them. There is no end to the war on the 'mighty' tiny fire ant.

RAIN

We finally got a significant rainfall during the night yesterday. Not a drought breaker, but a nice rain. When I got up I checked the rain gauge. There was 3.9 inches in it. Yesterday before the rain the pastures were brown with not a tinge of green. The afternoon after the rain a green tinge began to show. A little late in the year but maybe if we get more rainfall there will be a little grass for the cows to eat this Fall. I still have to feed hay until there is sufficient grass.

Relativity

Years ago I read Einstein's lay explanation of his theory of relativity. A journalist, most of whom he had considerable disdain, asked Einstein to explain his Theory of Relativity so he could understand it. Einstein said, "A young man sitting in a chair over a hot stove a minute seems like an hour. The same young man sitting on a park bench with his sweetheart an hour seems like a minute".

A few years later my paternal grandmother was visiting for several months. She was 80 years old. One day she said, "Time is getting shorter". I said, "Grandma, time doesn't get shorter. A minute is a minute, an hour is an hour, a day is a day, and a year is a year. It never changes." She replied, "You don't understand. Time is only as it relates to you. When you are 10 years old your total time experience is only 10 years. When you are 30 years old your total time experience is 30 years, and when you are 80 years old your total time experience is 80 years. So, when you're 10 years old its 1/10th. When you're 30 years old its 1/30th. And, when you are 80 years old like me it is 1/80th, and 1/80th is a lot less than 1/10th therefore time is getting shorter". I couldn't argue with that logic. She was a crusty but sharp little old lady. When Sputnik first flew she said she thought we would send men to the moon and bring them safely back. Too bad she didn't live to see it.

The best explanation of relativity was what my father said when he was 102 years old. He said, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end the faster it goes."

Everything in life is relative.

Muslims and Fire Ants

Muslims are like fire ants. Stir their mound the slightest (The Pope's quote of medieval text attempting to find a common ground of reason.) and they frantically swarm in sheer unreasonable madness stinging any and every thing outside their mound.

Politically Correct War

Political correctness never won a war. I'm greatly concerned that political correct rules of engagement are unnecessarily costing the lives of our brave soldiers in the war against Islamic terrorism. Our political and social leaders are more concerned about the rights of the enemy than they are about the lives of our military people. In WW II we had only one rule of engagement: "Kill the enemy before he kills you." We also had only one strategy which everyone, including our enemies, clearly understood: "Unconditional surrender". Peace is achieved only after victory. A politically correct war is total stupidity. We have to change that if we ever expect to defeat Islamic jihad terrorism.

FAWNS

Three fawns have recently been coming into the yard on the east side of the house. They look to be about three or four months old. They still have their spots. They come into the yard because that is the only place where they can find fresh green grass and water. I put a bucket of water out for them. I wonder if they are all from the same doe. Its not unusual for a doe to have twins, but triplets are a little unusual. I'm concerned the mother doe was hit and killed by a car. About a week ago we saw a dead doe beside the highway about 300 yards from our place. Looked like she had been hit that morning. The fawns are relatively tame. They haven't yet learned to fear man. I can get within about twenty-five yards of them before they get spooked. I snapped three photos of one the other day.