Pay it Forward

Enjoyable week end. A friend from Colorado brought us a trailer load of trees, and bushes this past week. About 50 currant bushes, dozen or so wild rose bushes, raspberry, snowberry, and juniper trees, 7 quaking aspen trees. The nursery deemed them unsellable, and were going to throw them away. Our friend adopted them, and nursed them back to health. So we are in a planting mode here foe a few days. Will be nice when all are planted. Will be a forest actually. The aspen will be colorful in the fall. Takes a little TLC in this warmer climate, but will do ok. They need a "mountain shower" every day. The like getting their bark wet.
Went to McCook NE yesterday. Kids had a birthday dinner for their Mom. She keeps telling me she is only in her 40's, but that is what she told me when we were married 17 years ago.
One daughter is having some marital problems. They are working it out, we hope. We have always worried about her spiritually. She did not seem to want to talk about it. After her problems started, and she was having a particularly bad night. Couldn't sleep. Uncertainty about the future, finances,etc. About 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning she just started praying. All of a sudden she said a warmness came over her and everything seemed different. She was able to go right to sleep and slept well for the remainder of the night. The next day she was invited to a Bible study by a neighbor, and has been to church each Sunday since. She says that the bad times are not as bad with Him leading the way, and is leading the way for both of them. We have wanted this for her for a long time, and are so happy for her. She now wants to sit down with us to share some time with the Lord. We have wanted to do this also for a long time, it wouldn't work until the time is right.
It's too bad that sometimes things have to hit rock bottom before feeling the need for Him. It was kind of that way for us. We had been doing some bible studying with friends, but had not really made a commitment to Him. Then I lost my job, and things were just not good. No idea how we were going to pay our bills. Then we got a call from a person that we hadn't seen or heard from in 2 or 3 years. He just felt the need to call. Carol told him about my losing the job, and how tight things were. He told her he would say a prayer in church next time. A week or so later we received a manilla envelope with a return address from someone we didn't recognize. There was a letter explaining that a prayer had been said for us in church. She had been down and out at one time and had been helped by someone. She wanted us to accept the gift in the envelope as a gift. Kind of a pay it forward situation. We opened the other envelope to find ten-100 dollar bills. we were able to finish paying our bills for the month. We just sat in the middle of the living room floor and cried and then prayed. And have not stopped praying. God has been part of our life since that day. Also paying it forward has been a high point in our lives. We have helped when we didn't really have any thing to help with. But the gratification that we feel when helping someone in need is overwhelming. It is not a pride thing. I don't play the "look what I did" game. It is not a pride thing. The last time I bragged about how good a job I did in raising the garden that we had, it go hailed into the ground that night. We feel that this is what He wants us to do. We don't have a lot and don't require a lot. We live off the land as much as possible. Live the Simple Life. Our possessions are not really ours. They are just borrowed from Him. That should be a song. Oh it is a song!
In the times that I am afraid we are heading into, we need to help each other. If everyone will prep for that time, it will be easier. But there will be those who will want everyone else to do it and they will reap the benefits. It will happen.
I have kind of rambled on and on this morning. Hadn't planned on this lines of thoughts, but must have been the right time for it.--johnnyb

Terror attack

November 4, 2008 may run a close second to September 11,2001 as the worst terror attack on American soil.

Just hello

Been a pretty good week. Drove to Hays KS on Tuesday to meet a Navy buddy of mine. We were stationed on the same leaky tin can in 66 & 67. then he went on to bigger and better things. He stayed in for 26 and I got out after 4. He was a Nuke. We kind of lost touch for about 40 years, but thanks to the e-age we got together a couple of years ago. Was a nice visit. First time my wife had met him. He lives in Jacksonville, Fl. Was on business in Kansas.
The quail were introduced into the wild this week. Kind of sad to see them go. We set out 5 coveys of 20-25. One is not too far from the house. We saw them last night. Looked like they were out for an evening stroll.
The picture was taken last nite from our back yard. The turkeys were just sitting on the fence doing whatever a turkey does on a fence. There were two chicks with the hen. The dogs looked like they were planning the attack when I took the pic. Actually they are not sure what to make of the big "birds". The wildlife is plentiful around here. Always seeing something. We have seen one mountain lion, but of course they don't exist in this country. At least that is the story of the Fish and Game Department! A lot of deer and the pheasant population is exploding.

I want to welcome new followers. Feel free to jump in any time with comments. I will try to answer, but sometimes I forget.

Tomatoes are finally starting to produce. Sweet corn has been dEEEEEElicious. Cucumbers also. Glad I marked everything so I can plant the same next year. I envy those who can plant fall gardens. Ours is coming to a close in the next month. Then the seed catalogs start coming in November and can't do anything until April and May.
God Bless all and Pray we can keep this great country sinking any lower!----johnnyb

LLWS

One of our favorite sports times of the year is the Little League world Series (and National Finals Rodeo). We were watching a game last night and a thought occurred to me,(scaaaary). I think the solution to all the world's problems could be solved if we would just let 11-13 year old kids run it. They wage a fierce battle on the playing field and then go back to The Grove where they stay. There they adjourn to continuing peace talks solving the world's problems over pizza, hot dogs, ice cream and whatever else they might have available. Language barriers are overcome as the battles continue over video games, ping-pong or whatever the field of play may be. They may take a small break in the arms talk to take in a game between rival factions that they may meet in heated battle on another day. By the way--no parents allowed in the Grove. They must stay elsewhere

There does not seem to be any barriers in these kids. Winning is important to these little guys, but the comaraderie that is developed during these two weeks can do more to solve world tensions than any of the so-called leaders of the world can even dream of. I am sure that it rubs off on the parent also. There was a mother of one of the Japanese players handing out good luck sashes to parents of kid on other teams. Didn't see that happening at Candlestick Park the other night. We don't give the young ones enough credit for what they stand for. Now I agree there is always a few bad apples in the basket, but I don't think they were "picked" bad. Just left to spoil by the orchard keepers.
If you like baseball and haven't watched the Little League World Series, try to catch a game or two over the next week. It is good even if you don't care for the game!
God Bless all and "Keep on keepi' on".----johnnyb













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Saturday on the High Plains

Been a fairly decent week, weatherwise. Actually hasn't been too bad of a week period. Weather has cooled a little. Had a little moisture earlier in the week. Tomatoes are not doing well. We are getting a few. Not enough to can. I am hoping that frost will hold off long enough so that we will get some for canning. A lot setting on, but will have to hurry. Have been dehydrating a lot this week. Mostly squash and squash seeds. Dried one batch of basil. Have more to do. Some beets and corn. All turning out well.
The quail are doing well. They will be released into the wild next week. Has been a very interesting project. Planning more next year. All wild birds in the area are doing well this year. Seems to have been a good new crop of turkeys and pheasants. We have a couple of families of turkeys that walk down the road in front of the house in the evenings. Nine young ones the other day. Drives the dog crazy! They are not sure what to think of them.
I hope this finds all who read this to be strong in their faith and pray for those who are not.
God Bless and this great country.----johnnyb

DILLIGARA

Here we go. Start of another week. We had a nice rain last nite, so maybe that is a good sign to start the week. At least the weather has cooled for a few days, and the garden is doing a little better. Picked our first watermelon this weekend. Gooooooooooooooood! Damn good as a matter of fact. Sliced up some beets and dehydrated them They turned out very good. Also dehydrated some squash seeds and some corn. Also turned out good. This was kind of experimental, and I will do the next a little different. Plan on doing some squash slices also. I sprinkled garlic salt on one batch of beets, and just salt and pepper on the other. Carol thinks I got too much pepper on them. They are a little sharp, but good. They are something to throw in a BOB. Plan on doing more. It's all food. May come in handy some day.
Quail chicks are doing well. Will probably be released in the next couple of weeks.Going to miss the little "peepers". Has been a fun thing. Will probably do it again next year. Learned a lot about them.
Have more to add, but have to think on i a little more.

Thought for the day--DILLIGARA--Do I look like I give a rats ass!
Later-johnnyb

Bad storms

There were some bad storms went through the area night before last. These pictures were taken in McCook Nebraska.Baseball size hail, and reports of up to 4" of rain. Trees look like winter time. The one picture used to be a corn field. The corn had been over 6' tall. WalMart had to close overnight to assess and rep

air damage. We were lucky here. We are about 20 miles south. There were 4 different storms that went through. Was possible tornadoes about 12-15 miles west of here. We ended up with about an inch of rain with some golf-ball size hail, but not enough to do any damage. I know there is a lot of areas that would like some rain, but these severe storms do not do much good. Once again my prayers go out to those in the drought areas.
Thought for the day--To handle stress like a dog--if you can't eat it or play with it--pee on it and walk away!
God Bless---johnnyb

Helicopter crash

The following was posted by a friend on Facebook. He lost a friend in the crash in Afghanistan:
31 lost, 31 unwanted visits, 31 doors receive that dreaded knock, 31 families with shattered hearts, 31 pairs of boots lined up with rifles and dog tags and helmets, 31 comrades remembered and grieved for, 31 funeral services, 31 names on newly made grave markers, 31 empty places at the table, 31 souls who gave all, whose lives leave a void, so let's take 31 seconds to pause and reflect on such a sacrifice as 31 gone forever... Honor all those you fight for freedom !!
I thought this was well put. I don't know who the original author of it was, but I would like thank him for it.
I have some thoughts about our involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq, or any where else we may be. If we are going to fight a war, we need to fight a war. The hell with being politically correct. That chopper was attacked. We lost good men. Why don't we just go in and blow the hell out of everything. Can you just imagine what Patton would have done if he had been told he couldn't attack somewhere or someplace because of collateral damage. I am not a war-monger, but dammit why is it ok for anybody to attack us, but sometimes retaliation is clamped down on. The rattlesnake was used on the Gadsen flag because of its nature. It can be calm until threatened, but then watch out! It will strike back!
By pulling a few people out at a time, we are just endangering the lives of those who remain. the area that the attack occurred in had been turned over to Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago. It will not get better. Once again I say--if we are going to be then lets fight. If not bring-em all home. We cannot fight terrorism half-assed. It just won't work.---johnnyb

Rain

We finally got a little moisture last nite. About 3/4 inch here. Some areas had hard rain, flash flooding wind, and the usual storms that do no real good. Just thankful for what we got. I don't want to sound like I am bragging about the moisture because I am not. Too many parts of the country are suffering from severe drought. All thoughts and prayers go out to the people in these areas. Some of these people have become friends through the blog network. I value the good thoughts and ideas that they take the time to put on their blogs. I wish that there was more that I could do for people in these areas, but prayers are the best I can do.
Haven't looked at any news today. Probably nothing there worth spending time on. Did check the obits and my name wasn't there. Always starts the day off better when your name isn't there. Easier to plan your day also. Family doesn't have to bother with it then.
Found out the quail chicks like watermelon. They crowded around it as if it was a lunch counter. They are very enjoyable to watch. Hard to observe quail in the wild, so this has been a real experience. Five of the the little "peepers" got out the other morning. I caught them all, but it was a chore. Was my own fault that they got loose.
God Bless this fine country and the good people who are just trying to survive. Be prepared. I think it can only get worse!---johnnyb

Give-away

Check out this blog-http://baconandeggs-scifichick.blogspot.com. she has a great give-away going on. Not only that she has some neat things to say.---johnnyb

United we stand

What ever happened to "United we stand, divided we fall." Looks like the powers to be might be close to an agreement on the "debt crisis". It has become very obvious in the past few weeks by the antics of Disneyland North they cannot be united on anything. Personal or political preferences have become more the guiding factor than the good of the country or just plain common sense. It doesn't help that there is no leadership. Past administrations have evidently kept congress on the right path. Now all we have is somebody that wants the position for the benefits for himself and his family. How can a person talk about not paying military personnel and senior citizens one minute and then be planning a trip to Martha's Vineyard the next. Oh well I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles.
Back to my original thought. Seems the only thing that is "united" in Washington is their ability to not being able to keep their pants zipped up or to commit just plain old crookery and get away with only a slap on the wrist and probably a "next time include me" from their superiors. We as citizens of this great Country, and I mean great, deserve better than what we are getting. We are being sold down the river to the rest of the world
I guess if they can't unite in Washington, we need to make sure that we keep united on this end of the spectrum. It doesn't seem to matter who is voted into
Congress, or how smart they are,or think they are. As soon as they are there they suffer from immediate brain farts. I realize some are trying to stand up to their beliefs and the platform that they were elected from, and are being pretty well beat to the curb for it.
Once again I say"UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL"-johnnyb