On the road again......Sterling City, Texas

Awww... Sunup in West Texas. I traveled to a West town called Sterling City. The well is out on the very large Horwood River Ranch. You can see for miles and everything you see belongs to the Horwood family. The first picture shows what the sun looks like, while making it's appearance. The ranch is very productive. They have cattle, sheep, goats, wheat, cotton, deer hunters, oil wells and windmills. A very diversified corporation.

They lease hunting rights each year and are members of the deer management association. DMA. They will take 300 deer this year. Income is around $85,000 per year.

They have about 800 wind turbines on the ranch. The rancher has not told me about the profit on these, but did say that it changed their lives.




As you can see, there are many wind mills on the Horwood ranch. 800 of them. There's one thing that West Texas has, WIND. It blows everyday, all day long. They are of course popping up all over the country where there is enough wind to turn the turbine.


If you look real hard you can see one of the windmill turbines on the horizon above the road. Even with the "wind fall" Sterling City is still is creeping toward becoming a ghost town. Actually, I have wondered how this town got it's name. I have yet to find anything sterling about it. So, my guess is that it was named after Mr. Sterling, whoever he was.

Wish you were here............

Days off can be fun!

While being at home for awhile has been productive in the accomplishment of getting to the end of a long "Honeydolist", I did find some time to head south to Texas for a weekend fishing trip.


We left on a Thursday morning early to get to Heidi's school. Karen picked up the girls and took them to Marty and Heidi's house. There she spent the weekend with the kids while Marty and Heidi went on a re-treat. I continued south.


I met up with my fishing partners, Skeeter and Tim. We were all getting excited as we talked all night about the big trip. We were going out with 19 other men on a 80 foot boat for 40 hours. Solid fishing.


We finally left on Friday afternoon and boated approx 100 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. When I got up to go fish at 1:00 AM, I was sea sick. The worst its ever been. However I managed to keep a hook wet and caught a few Red Snappers. Over the next 30 hours, I was miserable. No one was catching a lot of fish, and I had the dry heaves. Oh, one guy did catch a 130 pound sand shark, one caught a 30 pound Barracuda a few King Salmons, but not much. I had managed to stay on deck almost the entire time. Throwing up each and every hour. When I would go down to the bunk, a severe wave of sea-sickness would engulf me. I guess you can tell that this trip was not going as good as we had hoped. Anyway, the deck hands told us that we would be heading back in in 1 hour. So the fishing trip was coming to an end.


At 3:00 AM in the morning almost everyone was in bed, accept for a few of us "can't catch anything if you don't have a hook in the water" types. I was watching 3 poles with different baits at different depths. I would catch a Red Snapper every once in a while. I also had a shark line out with an 8 pound Snapper for bait. This shark line had a 15 foot steel leader and 2 large hooks. It was designed to catch something big. It had been out for several hours and I had lost track of where the bait was. I had thought about pulling it in to check the bait several times, but I was still not feeling to well and we were going in soon anyway and I probably wouldn't catch anything on it anyway.


Three other fishermen were setting near the front of the boat, watching a couple of lines each and visiting with the deck hands. I was fishing off the stern of the boat alone. No one likes to fish next to a man with the dry heaves. When suddenly a very large fish jumped completely out of the water at the front of the boat. Those guys were oohing and awing and wondering what the heck? When at the same exact time, my shark reel began to buzzzzz..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. The line took off and rod bent in half. I couldn't believe it I had a shark on in the last hour of fishing!


When you set out a shark line with big bait, you always secure the rod and reel to the boat with a rope so "IF" you get one, he hopefully won't pull it in. So, I picked up the large rod and found the line going around my three other poles and then toward the bow. And, I was tethered to the railing by the security trap. I began yelling for help. "Deck hands". Well, they were still around front wondering what kind of fish it was that jumped and what was going on. I, in the mean time was able to set the hook. Finally, one of the deck hands came and started cutting lines. He kept trying to take the rod out of my hands, and I wouldn't let him. I was bound and determined to bring the fish in myself. He eventually convinced me that he would give it right back, so I relented and gave it to him. He took it and set the hook. I said, "I already did that", and the other deck hand let me know the two times wouldn't hurt, and he handed it back to me, and the fight was on. Now I have been sick for 30 hours straight, with naps on the bench, and no food. One of the deck hands ask me if I was going to be OK. I told him "me or this fish is gonna die". This seemed to impress him.


Well it wasn't pretty. When you think of someone reeling in a big fish the picture in your mind is of someone setting in a big chair with the rod handle inside a holder while the fisherman pulls the rod back, then reel in real fast while the rod goes down. This is not how it happens. I have caught a 75 pound Wahoo, and a 125 pound shark before. And, on our boat there is no chair. You are standing on the deck with the rod handle either stuck in your belly, or, you buy a belt with a little holder to put the rod handle in while you reel it in. After I caught the big fish the first year, I bought one of those devices. It will help keep you control the fish without hurting yourself. OK, back to how it really happens. When you do hook a big fish, it's not a matter of the fisherman pulling in the fish. If a 75 pound fish doesn't want to be caught, you can't catch him. You have to out smart him. A shark is the strongest swimming fish in the ocean. And, when he decides to go down, he goes down.



I was holding the shark rig, witch is like a giant rod and reel. The rod is about 5 foot long and the reel is about the size of a 1 pound coffee can. So just holding it can be a little bit of a struggle. I'm holding this with a mad shark on the other end. He is taking off and swimming away and down as hard as he can. It's all I can do to hang on. Forget about reeling it in. The railing around the boat is about waist high, so I would rest the rod on the rail just in front of the reel. Then I put the handle of the rod, which is about 2 foot long past the reel, between my legs. Then I bent over the rod and reel and kind of squeezed it with my whole body. Of course the rod and reel was jerking and yanking me all over the place. The fish was winning at this point.



Now I know I am going to have to keep the line tight at all times. The first little while, this wasn't any problem. Because the fish was going away from me. Well, he finally got mad and decided to attack whatever had him. He started swimming toward the boat. So, I started reeling as fast as I could. Now, remember how big this rod and reel is. It's a chore just to check your bait. Anyway I'm reeling with everything I have. The fish was getting close to the surface. This was going to be too easy! The boat has very large flood lights that shine out away from the boat about 30 feet. Well the fish surfaced, or almost surfaced just outside the good light and just under the surface. One of the deck hands got a look. He said something like "oh my goodness, that's a big fish". Well, that may have not been his exact words. Remember he is a "sailor" on an 80 foot fishing boat. But, we knew what he meant. Now the fish also got a look at us. I don't know what he was thinking, but when he saw us, he left. He dove. Now when a large shark decides to dive, you, the fisherman can't change his mind. zzzzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzzzzzz. Remember its all you can do to hold on. I almost went in!



So, what does this mean? It means it was not going to be as easy as I thought! The fish was on bottom (about 260') and swimming away again, and this time he wasn't going to come to surface with out a fight. The real fight was just beginning. While the fish is yanking me around, and I'm holding the rod and reel with all I have, the deck hand yells in my ear "reel him in, crank it!" So now not only is the fish kicking my butt, the deck hand is putting pressure on ME to fight! There was a lot of excitement, people yelling for all hands on deck, the captain was awaken, ( who brought his 9mm pistol), the remaining deck hands were woke up, and they even woke up the cook! And he brought his 45 cal pistol. So we have 4 deck hands running around the boat with 20 foot gaffs in their hands, the skipper and the cook are packing heat and checking ammo, fishermen who were sound asleep are running around trying to get a look, chaos! While I am doing everything I can to hold on. By now, I am starting feel some pain. My arms are getting weak, my back is starting hurt, the rod handle is between my legs moving in hard uncontrollable jerks, (ouch) my chest is against the big ole reel and I am trying to turn the reel.



Slowly, and surly I begin to get the fish moving up. After what seemed like an hour I get him to the surface again, just outside the light. The fish saw the light, all the deck hands see the fish, and the excitement is notched up. Then the fish takes off again! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....zzzzzzzzzz down he goes. We start all over again. I am worn out! And have to start all over again. OK, after another eternity, I get him to the surface again. The fish seems to be getting a little tired. This time when he sees the boat he went down and under the boat. This is bad. We could loose him if he got the line fouled on the prop or anchor rope.



Sam, the deck hand who has been yelling in my ear and coaching me said "hand it off to me for just a minute, he's going to get hung up". Well, I handed it off reluctantly. I really needed a break anyway, but, it looked like we could loose him. All that work for a fish tale! Sam leaned over the stern railing and put the rod tip in the water! I thought he was going in! Another deck hand, Rob came over with about ten very large lead weights tied on a rope. He leaned over and tied the rope with weights around the line, and dropped it, while Sam let the reel free wheel. There was no tension on the line since this all began. I thought the worst. Well the weights went down and pulled the line away from the bottom of the boat, and with the slack in the line the fish took off! It worked! Sam and Rob got the fish untangled. Sam clicked the rod and the fish hit the end of the line, and the fight was on again. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....zzzzzzzz went the reel. Sam cranked it for a couple of minutes, gosh he made it look so easy. Then he gave it back to me. Oh my gosh, I'm tired, worn out, but more than ready to catch this fish!



Finally, I get the fish to surface and for the first time I get the line to the top of the steel leader. That's all you can reel in. The leader is 15 feet long. So this big shark is close enough to gaff. But he has other ideas. He takes off one last time. This time not as far. I'm winning! I get him to the leader again and close. Four gaffs are snagging him and he's fighting. Now it's the deck hands turn to get beat up. They are all holding on to their 20 foot gaffs, and trying pull the fish up and next to the boat. While, another deck hand pulls on the steel leader.



Finally they have this huge fish next to the boat, the captain says "look out everybody, I'm going to shoot". He emptied a nine round clip into the fish. The captain wasn't a very good shot. He was still pulling the trigger when it was empty. I was standing next to him still holding the rod and reel and said " you're out of ammo skipper". The shark is still alive and kicking. Here comes the cook with his 45 colt. He empties his clip into the fish, he is a better shot. The fish is not dead but dazed enough to begin pulling onto the boat.



The fish is on the boat, and my adrenaline is subsiding. My arms and legs feel like noodles. I had the worse case of cotton mouth I've had since my wrestling days. My back is killing me, my rod holding belt came off during the fight, so my belly is bruised and hurting, my chest is bruised where I was clamping down on the reel and between my legs, was a pain.... were the rod handle was. I had to set down. Woo!



What a great, exciting end to a bad fishing trip. Will I go again? You bet, when is the boat leaving?



7-1/2 foot, 240 pound Mako Shark.

The most dangerous fish in the Gulf.

Home Sweet Home

Well, you may be wondering why I haven't blogged lately. I'm home! I have a project at Tuttle Oklahoma, and is with in driving distance of home. This carries certain requirements. I have to drive from home everyday to the well, I have to drive home at night. No staying in the travel trailer. I will have to sleep in my own bed with my wife every night. Can you imagine what we will do for a job?..

I have included some photos, so you can get an idea of how tuff I have it this week.
Wish you were here.......................................

...and the antelope roam....

More from home on the range.

I caught these two antelopes close enough to get a picture one morning. The whole herd had been near the cattle guard going into the lease ever since I've been here. There is approximately 100 of them. These two were by them selves today.


Well the next time you here from me, I will be closer to home. We are packing it up and heading to Tuttle Oklahoma. I know, I'm shocked also. See you soon!





















Wish you were here............................

Still in Gail Texas. But, I had a visitor this week! My little wife came from Forney Texas to visit. She spent a long weekend with our youngest granddaughter Abby, while her folks, Bubba and Sis went to San Anton Texas for a little vacation before school starts. She was able to put the little travel trailer in order. We now have 2 places to live. One normal size and one small size.





We were able to get a little shopping in while she was here. We went to Post and bought some knives for the trailer at a antique mall. We also found the Gail Wal-Mart open one day. We spent some time in there just looking at all Mr. Wilson has to offer. Karen was able to find some old plates to paint on.

I might say, after going inside, it's safe to say, he has at least one of everything. I took several photos of the inside and found it to be very organized.










We also made it to the local museum. However, it wasn't open. I'm thinking they just moved everything over to Mr. Wilson's Wal-Mart.






Wish you were here............................

Gail Texas

I have found myself in Gail Texas. Where is that!? you ask. Well, it's in the middle of no where. You can't even buy gas here! The only store in town has never seen a credit card, and they don't sell gas gas! I guess that question has been ask enough for the proprietor to buy a sign that says " We don't sell Gas". Cash is king. I have parked my newly acquired travel trailer in the local RV park at Gail Texas. But, when I need gas or anything after 5 PM, I have to drive north to Post, 32 miles, West to Lamesa, 32 miles, East to Snyder Texas 32 miles, or South somewhere, 42 miles. The top photo is "Down Town" Gail.

I wonder sometimes when I travel to different places, 'why do people live here' or 'how do you end up in a place like this? Most of all, 'what do these people do for a living? We all end up somewhere, I guess. Each of us have a long list of reasons why we are where we are.

This is a photo of the Gail Wal-Mart. This is an actual store. He opens up on Thursday and closes on Saturday afternoon. I haven't had time to shop there yet, but I am going to if I am here long enough. You could also use this as an "I Spy Photo" too. He has one of everything, some may work.

So, how do you think this guy ended up in a place like Gail TX, with a store full of used up stuff? He could have grown up here, and his family never threw anything away. I guess he could have been passing through town and ran out of gas. Found out they don't sell gas in Gail, bought a local junk store. I'm open to ideas. So put your ideas in a comment and lets see how many ways this could happen.

I'm sure some folks have a plan and actually know where they are going and why. I know that Missionaries plan where they go and how long to stay and all that. But, for me, I just don't know. Seems like I have found myself in a place that I like very much, have all I could ever ask for, and still I wonder, 'is this where we are supposed to be?'

The RV park in Gail is for sale, and I am low on gas..................................

Wish you were here....?

Aliasville Texas

Chances are, you have never been to Aliasville Texas. As a matter of fact, you probably never even heard of it. I talked to folks that lived 30 miles away, that didn't know where it was. Well that's where I have been the last couple of weeks.

The photo on the left is really all that's left standing. I think it was some kind of store in the past. It is abandoned now. Just next door to this building is the Clear Fork of the Brazos river. (lower photo) There was some kind of mill or something here at one time. Now all they do is fish from the bank near the mill or what ever. There is a Baptist church on the hill and a restaurant! Someone has taken an old house and re-modeled it in to a little restaurant. I have worked in this area before and never knew about it. We always brought a lunch or went without. Then the day I left, I heard it was here. So this trip I have taken advantage of it. It has old wooden squeaky floors, old tables and chairs, but fixed really nice. It even has a claw foot bathtub in the bathroom. They also have Bed and Breakfast near by.



So if you ever in North Texas around Possum Kingdom Lake, drive over to the Aliasville restaurant and mention my name and pay cash. Try the shrimp, or chicken, and they have great hamburgers.... the coconut cream pie is great, and the chocolate cake is.... well, its good.

Wish you were here.........

Trip to the Hill Country

You are looking at a photo of Three Rivers Texas. A weird town. The town is here because of a big Valero Refinery. You can see it in the back ground. The town starts where the refinery ends. Everyone works there, or at one of the businesses that support the people who work there. There is no Wal-Mart, no grocery store or church. There is a Dairy Queen, (big in Texas), a Pizza Hut and a couple of c-stores. One has a Subway and the other has an independent BBQ place. One good thing is the price of fuel. Its the cheapest around. I think the Valero Station has a pipe line under the street to the refinery. Three Rivers has, I guess 3 rivers nearby. The town is full of fishermen on the weekend. So I think there are some lakes around. The country is nice. Rolling hills, with a few large Live Oak trees. Its been raining alot, so everything is green. The weather is hot (95 degrees with 100% humidity) but not unbearable.





We rigged up on an old Dominion well the Chaparral bought. It is located in the middle of a very busy oil field. Wells are being drilled all around us. This photo shows some of the country and the rig. We haven't seen any gators here, but they tell me to watch for rattle snakes.





The crew are all Latino. Pee Wee is the tool pusher. He is a big man, stands at least 4' tall. Runs his ship tight. Its funny to see him yelling at one of his men's belt buckle. These guys are all business. No idle BSing. So I'm by my self, unless a lost salesman happens by.





One neat thing is, this is the first time
I have ever had a brand spanking new unused hot of the press never had dirt on it rig. Everything is new. As you can see, there is no oil or grease anywhere. However, somehow I managed to get some pipe dope all over my jeans the first day. Oh well..... Wish you were here.

Anybody seen a GATOR!!!!!

It's not all bad in the gulf of Mexico. I got to go fishing with some real neat folks. Scott in the middle was the host. He owns a 1989 Ocean Master boat that he has completely restored. We left Matagorda Bay early Saturday morning and headed out into the Gulf. Of course , I was sea sick by the time we hit blue water. Oh well.... We went about 55 miles before we stopped to bait up. It was a cloudy day and the water was rough. It took until noon to get there. I caught the first King fish and then the next 2 also. We decided to stop and eat lunch. Well, that's when I lost my breakfast. I was the only one that got sick. It didn't slow me down, I caught 3 more Kings, before I finally ate lunch. We had a ball. If you want to see all the pictures of this trip, email me and I will send you the album.

Back to work on Monday and we found out why they call this the Gator Hole. We had a friendly gator next to the rig. He seem to be ease all day while we worked. We fed him bread, crackers, brisket and sausage. But he just set and looked at those juicy roughnecks all day long. We really never saw him lick his lips but we were sure he was thinking about it. I think we will call him Smiling Jack. The fun never ends........




Smiling Jack

This doesn't look like the desert of West Texas, or the White Sands of central New Mexico, or the hills of North Texas...... Yes, I am on the move again. This is the hot, humid, wet country of the Gulf Coast of Texas. The trees are covered with hanging moss and the grass is green. You may be able to see the rig in the back ground between the trees. This is the famous Sugar Valley Field. It was first drilled in the 1940's. The well we rigged up on was drilled in 1948. 2 years before I was born. While I was employed with Chaparral Energy in Oklahoma City, the first and almost only wells that reviewed were the new purchase of the Sugar Valley wells. So I am not a total stranger to this area. This field is about 10 miles east of Bay City, and just out side a little town called Van Vleck. Van Vleck is a neighboring town to Bay city were all the African Americans settled. Sugar Valley is an old farming community. The ground is very rich and fertile. The main crop around is grass sod. I guess it grows fast and tall here. There sure are a lot of cattle also.

We rigged up right next to the Alligator Pond.... We may be eligible for hazardous pay! I hope you can see it in the back ground. We haven't actually seen it yet...but they tell us he is about 7 feet long and hungry.

The guys on the rig are some of my crew. The one in the middle is Billy. He is the Tool Pusher for the rig. To his right is Terry with Smith Tools. He is our fisherman. Yes, we are fishing on this job. A stuck packer at 1700 foot. Terry is a true "Coon Ass". He will talk your leg off. And don't get him started on politics or horses or cattle or the oil patch.... well we try not to get him started. The other fellow is Joe. He is our tong operator. The entire crew are the best and I enjoy working with them.

This another shot of the Gator Pond....... see anything?

Wish you were here.........

Moving north..........

Just when I thought I was going to see a lot of Texas, I have moved to the White Sands Missile Range of New Mexico! Yes, I am now staying in a the very small town of Carrizozo NM. Where modern facilities such as a cleaners, good restaurants, decent motel or a Wal-Mart. How will I make it. This is what I call roughing it.

The town looks like a town right out of Old Mexico. Adobe buildings, dirty streets and of course Mexicans.

Working 50 miles from town, with an all Mexican crew. I feel like a foreigner. Just like in the Ukraine. It's odd to be the minority in your own country. They are all nice guys. but, only one speaks any English and his accent is thick. I have to listen very close to understand him. The others just look at you when you try to talk to them.

The country is large here. Miles and miles of sage brush, hills and a few cows here and there. However the climate is good for this time of year. It has been pleasant. 50's at night and 72 in the day. I guess being at 7,000 ft above sea level is the factor.

Fathers day is coming up and it looks like I will not be able to be home with my Dad. I am reminded of all the lessons he taught me. It wasn't that he sat me down and told me things, he just lived the lesson. I remember once when I was about 11 or 12 when I was helping him repair the brakes on the car. A neighbor had came over for a visit while we were working. Well, my Dad was telling a story or something, when he said someone had acted like a "drunken Indian". Our neighbor was an Indian. My Dad stop, stood up and apologised to the man, who accepted... The lesson I took from that, is to always admit your mistakes and say your sorry and then accept what comes. I have tried to live my life like that. I didn't do it consciously, but because of my Dad, that lesson will always be there. Thanks Dad, I Love You.

I might say that I could not have been any kind of Dad with out my wife. Whatever good I have done is because "good" exudes from her and I just get to soak a little of it in. Love you Honey!

Movin on.......

I have left the beauty of north Texas and now in the hot desert of west Texas. Yes, I was home for 2 days over the holiday. Got the lawn mowed, the cows worked, and got to be with my sweet wife and sleep in my own bed for 2 whole nights.

The well near Graham was not finished, but I was desperately need here to relieve a guy who was going on vacation. He was in the middle of a new well completion and they just couldn't shut it down for 2 weeks. So, I drove all day on Memorial day from Yukon to Carlsbad NM. It just happens that this is the best motel in the area. I am staying at the Stephens Best Western. Not new, and in need of an update. So if is the best, I would hate to see what is next on the list.

I haven't had a chance to check out the town very much. But, you can imagine west Texas. Kinda flat, some hills, with very few homes. A lot of ghost towns, Mesquite bushes, sand and 70 MPH two lane hi ways.

Speaking of ghost towns, the well I am working on is east of a west Texas ghost town called Orla. It is on the map, but nothing there but old gutted buildings. Some still have the signs on them. Like J&L Liqueur store, Orla Gro, and an old service station. The well is 58 miles south and east of Carlsbad NM. So, I have already settled into a routine.

Since I sleep in NM, I am on mt time, and nothing opens until 6AM. Well, I work on central time and that is 7AM. So I get up, shower and shave, go eat breakfast and then boogie south. I stop in Loving NM for a cup and gas then on to the well. I am late every morning. Then when the day is over, I head back, stop and get a Subway, go to my room and eat. Watch a little TV, call Karen and go to sleep...... do it all over again the next day.

I have a good crew of Mexicans that can almost speak English. Jesus is the operator and king. Hector is the #2 man and works derricks. He spends most of his time on the cell phone. He has a booth in a flea market on weekends, and is constantly ordering stuff or checking on it. The other two guys speak no English, so I haven't got to know them very well. I think they are brothers, because they look just alike. They all are a pleasure to work with. They do anything I ask and never complain. And it was 100 degrees today.

Switching subjects: My youngest daughter just got back from Siberia. She went there with a fellow missionary to check out living conditions etc for her friend. I just read of her journey. I am so envious. I would love to see the world like she has. She and her husband live and work in Crimea, Ukraine. They are missionaries and besides working for the BIG BOSS they get to see a lot of the world. I miss her a lot, and want to see her again soon. She and her husband are planning to come home for a while this winter. Can't wait!

Our oldest daughter, who lives in Forney TX and is the super mother of the family. She and her husband are raising our 3 grand children. She has and is doing a great job too! Those kids are growing up very nice.

I want all to know that I am so proud of my kids and their families. They all live for the Lord and do His work. What a blessing that is. If you are waiting to get serious about your faith, don't wait. Karen and I are so glad we turned to God when we did. I can't imagine what our lives would be like if He wasn't in charge.

Some of this may be a repeat, but if it is it's important to me, and this is my blog. Thanks for reading and just add a comment to let me know you were here.

Texas is a big state and I am getting to see a lot of it. I will report more on west Texas next blog.

Wish you were here, Randy.

Well it has been a while since blogging. I know mine is not the most interesting. I have two daughters that blog and they do a great job.

I am still working in Graham TX. Different well, however it is near the first one. We are close to finishing. It was supposed to be a simple repair job, but turned into quite a project.

All my thoughts lately have been of home and family. I wonder why I do what I do. There has to be a better way to make a living. I enjoy my work, I just don't like being away. Our kids already live a long way off. Heidi our oldest lives in Texas w/ her husband and 3 children and Tamera, our youngest lives in Crimea Ukraine with her husband. Then I work away from home all the time. Something just didn't turn out right here. It is always a very good feeling when we get to see our kids. I guess the absence grows the hearts fondness. \

My wife, Karen and I were able to go to Ukraine and visit Tamera and her husband in March. They have lived there a little over two years. The trip was great. We got to see things few other folks ever get to. The culture is so different there. Life is harder there. People find pleasure in small things. I'm afraid to say most find solace in their vodka. The people we met were very nice and hospitable. But the people on the street are stern looking and never smile.

We walked a lot, but it seemed natural. When you walk there, you are always going somewhere, not just walking for exercise. It seems to make a difference to me. When I walk to get exercise, I get bored real fast. But when I am walking to get somewhere...... well we walked just about all day long almost everyday we were there.

Too tired for a lot of thoughts today. Wish you were here.

RSK

Travels

I have been working in the Graham TX area for over a month. I live five days a week at the Best Western Motel, then home on most weekends. If I could have just two things with me, it would be my wife and my bed. How I miss the sweet smile of Karen every morning. She always makes me a good breakfast, while I go and get a paper. Of course the coffee pot is on early and I can smell it now! My bed is a Select comfort, you know, the Paul Harvey bed. Karen and I sink down into it and fall to a blissfull sleep.

Graham TX is a small North Texas town SW of Witchita Falls. about 200 miles from our front door. It's located in what I call "the pretty part of Texas". Tall rolling hills, big trees, waterfalls and I have even seen Buffalo roaming. (ain't they supposed to be in Oklahoma?) The town is old, and quaint. Lots of old big houses ansd several Bed and Breakfasts. A big town square around the court house with a war memorial near by. The town also has at least two parks that I have seen. They are very nice with lots of green grass and a small lake with very large trees. They also have a large Wal-Mart, Tractor Supply and a NAPA parts store, of which all I have visited.

The work: I am an independent consultant and am currently employed by Chaparral Energy of OKC. The well I am working on is about 30 miles SW of Graham. Near an old ghost town called Eliasville. We are convertng an oil well into a disposal well. This well will be used to dispose of all the produced water from the field, rather than pay to haul it off. I may go into this in more detail later.

The Crew; It is a good crew. They are hard workers, not real smart, but will do anything I ask of them. The Operator or crew leader is a Mexican. He likes to go to Oklahoma and gamble at the Indian casinos. He hasn't been doing very well. He speaks english with a very thick accent. I found out today that he can't read or write english, I don't know about Spanish.

Earl the utility hand is an old skinny, gray bearded guy, that loves to tell off color jokes that are not at all funny. He will take any conversation to turn it into a potty, or sex joke. I don't talk to him much. But, if I need the crew to start working on something, he's my go to guy.

James the derrick man. He is a large happy slow witted black man. Very friendly and talkitive. Eccept he rarely has anything to say that has anything to do with anything.

Robert the tong hand. He is quiet. Can't read a measuring tape, but does a very good job of running the tongs. Although he usally about two steps behind everyone else.

I like them all, but probly would not invite them home with me.

Bobby. He is Chaparral's fishing tool hand. He is also quiet, but will let you know when he feels you should do something different. He is new in his job and has forgot to bring certain tools he needs. His wife is in bad health and I think he is very worried about her. He told me about his first wife the other day. She was a drug user. Messed around with bad people and was sent to prison for accessory to murder. She died of a drug overdose.

Me. I show up at 8AM each morning with my coffee, egg and sausage sanwich I have gotten from the free breakfast at the Motel. I get up, shower and shave, go down and eat a bowl of rasin bran, make a sanwich and go to work. I also stop for a news paper, without a cryptaquote, fill up with gas. When I get there, I line out everybody and read my paper. I have also been reading some books. Currently I have been reading Albert Einstein's Autobiography. He was a very interesting person.

I wonder sometimes how I will be remembered. I doubt anyone will write a biogriphy about me. I have a very happy life. My wife of 35 years is the most best thing that has ever happened to me. My whole life is to make her happy. However sometimes I fall very short of that goal. I think she would perfectly happy for me to work at a factory 8 hours a day. Then I would be home everynight at a certain time. I just can't give that to her. I have tried. But, I just can't. I have to be free to move around, I guess.

Well thats enough for the first time. I doubt anyone will ever read this but it sure helps me to put it down for some reason. More later.