A Nice Rain

I don’t know what we did to prime the pump but we finally got what may have been a life saving rain. I dumped out three inches at our place and I’ve heard reports from friends, anywhere from two to as much as four inches. There’s been a lot of wheat planted in this country over the last few weeks and this rain may have been just what the doctor ordered to at least have a chance to get some wheat up. It was actually foggy Monday morning about daylight. We haven’t had enough moisture in many months to create fog. There’s a little water in the bar ditches and at least early today there was some water standing in the drill rows. I heard one of the local weathermen say that it looked like the grass was trying to green up even while the rain was still falling. We’re not out of the woods by any means. There was very minimal runoff. So we still have a critical shortage of pond water. But there’s something kinda refreshing about a good solid rain and the optimism it can bring. If a cattle producer can grow even a little bit of wheat it can help get a set of cows thru the winter, for those of us lucky enough to have any left. The critical part of this will be how much rain follows but its mighty encouraging pouring three inches out of a gauge. It does provide some much needed optimism in our old parched corner of the state.

This rain did more than just settle the dust which seemed to be all we could get over the summer. This one could be the one that saves the agriculture economy in southwest Oklahoma. And we’re extremely thankful to have received it. Don’t let up prayin for more because we’re certainly not out of the woods but that little light at the end of the tunnel just got brighter.

We’ve been extremely busy over the past few weeks with plenty of things non political which can be as refreshing as a good rain. We’ve had at least one wedding per weekend for the last five weeks and seen a lot of young people start lives together with all the hope and anticipation that comes with a young couple getting married. I’ve seen several dads that looked a little bit vapor locked as they tried to figure out how to pay for these shindigs and guys I’m not makin fun at all. I’m very sympathetic cuz I know that I have a 23 year old daughter as well as an 18 year old daughter and I know my turn’s comin. It’s like the old standard joke says. It would be cheaper to buy them a pair of plane tickets to Vegas than it would be to put on the dog like some of you have. But of course it’s easy for us guys to stand back and talk that trash when we know we only want the best for our daughters.

My partners and I have also been very busy adding a little cowboy flavor to several different events with our chuckwagon. One of the highlights was a week ago last Friday when Class 25 of Leadership Oklahoma made their annual stop at Ft. Sill where they got a first hand glimpse at what a strong military economy looks like and also had up close and personal visits with actual soldiers and their families, which gives these leaders from across the state a little better way to understand the sacrifices that a military family makes to keep us free. It’s a very important message to deliver and Ft. Sill, from the Commanding General on down, do a wonderful job of hosting this event. Here in Southwest Oklahoma we’re blessed to have two major military installations and most people realize how important the air base at Altus and the army post at Ft. Sill can be to the Southwest Oklahoma economy and actually to the whole state.

We talked last week about the race for the White House and I’m still watching with great interest as that race shapes up. It’s a little like dirt track stock car racing. Seems like somebody can be way out in the lead and all of a sudden they blow an engine. And then they’re back to the pits and all of a sudden there’s a new leader. I think if you care about my analyses I’d be watching Cain very closely. Seems to be very astute, extremely literate and while this is in no way an endorsement of any kind I think he bears watching. And I’m still not sure Perry’s not out of it yet. It’ll be lots of fun as this race continues and the dust settles, not only on the political landscape but as it finally has on the Oklahoma landscape.

And here’s a little something to think about as you’re goin down the road.

Every day may not be good but there’s something good in every day.
Author Unknown