The circle of life....

Earlier today a life well lived came to an end. After 94 years, 3 months, and a few days a man whom I've admired for over forty years quietly took his last breath and ascended to the glorious hereafter.  Surrounded by family, it was a peaceful transition and his place in heaven is assured.

He was a man cut from the same cloth as many from his generation, honest, hard-working, and caring. If there was a job to be done, he willingly did it.  If there was a problem to be solved, he found a way to solve it. And, if there was a friend in need, he was the friend who answered the call.  When his country called him to war he readily served his duty, but on his return rarely made the time to talk of the experience. 

He was an intelligent man with a quick wit, a ready smile, and a kind word for all he met. He was active in his church and true to his God.  He worked hard at the same job for over thirty years, never complained, lived frugally, and provided a comfortable living for his wife and two daughters.  In the early fifties he built a modest house on an acre of land, and there he lived until his death.  It was a good house and he saw no reason to live anywhere else.  He bought used cars, took good care of them, and replaced them when needed. Nothing flashy, just dependable transportation, for he was a survivor of the great depression and the impact was evident.  He paid cash and didn't spend money on frivolous things. He appreciated things of quality and good value.

If anything he was organized to a fault, and a stroll through his garage or shop was truly an experience.  Every tool and implement was in its place and most had been labeled as to when they were purchased.  I used to think it was quirkiness on his part, but it's amazing how often we would look at the label to see how long ago he had purchased an item and what he had paid for it. Now that he's gone, those little handwritten labels will have new meaning.

His legacy has been written by the indelible marks he left on his family and his friends. There are no sons to carry forward the family name, but he will not soon be forgotten by those who knew him.  I learned much from this man and will miss him dearly. My father-in-law was as good of man as I've ever known.

The Husband of Doris, the Father of Elizabeth and Donna, the Grandfather to Jerod, Grant, and Sam, and the Great Grandfather to Jaxson, Elleigh, Lilah, and Wesley.  The void in our family cannot be filled.

God bless him and may he now rest in peace.

You boys looking for work....

I graduated from high school in 1969 and received a large suitcase from my parents as a graduation gift....what's that supposed to mean?  See ya!  Get the heck outta here and get a job!  No, I don't think that was their intention, but it certainly sent that message.  Remember that if you're considering luggage as a graduation gift.  Didn't matter, suitcase or no suitcase I had plans....big plans.

My cousin, Charles, who is a year older than me, had a friend who had talked to a friend, who knew a fellow working on a pipeline job in Texas.....and they're looking for summer help.  Sure they are, and we're just the guys for the job(s). 

Charles came to town for my graduation, and after the obligatory graduation parties were over, I packed my over sized suitcase with an ample supply of work clothes, work gloves, new Red Wing work boots, and of course.....clean underwear. Ready to go!

You ever hear of a place called Jacksboro, Texas?  Me neither, but that's where we headed in his bright red 1965 SS Chevelle.....a true "work vehicle" if you ever saw one.  Like many of my early road trips, the ride to Texas is kind of foggy, but we made it in time to check into the Green Frog Motel where we asked where we might find the pipeline office.  "It's a couple of miles outside of town, but you'll find most of guys across the road at the Green Frog Restaurant.  Time for dinner, I guess.

We met a couple of "regular" guys who assured us that if we were at the warehouse in the morning at 6:00am, ready to work, we would be hired.  So far so good.  Next morning, armed with new boots, new gloves, freshly packed lunch sacks (courtesy of the nice ladies at the Green Frog Restaurant)  we were at the office when it opened......"You boys looking for work?"  Duh, what was your first clue?  "You boys both 18?".....Uh oh, this might be a problem.  My birthday isn't until August...do I dare tell a little white lie.....I do, and we're hired.

"You, Jack you're going to be swamping for the set-up tractor so when we get out to the job site, ask for Howard"  "Yes Sir" what the heck is "swamping", and what the heck is a "set-up tractor" 

Without going into excruciating detail about the job, it consisted of stringing long joints of 12" pipe along side a deep trench. Suffice it to say it was physically demanding, mentally numbing, and just a tad bit more dangerous than I've ever let anyone know.  Six days each week, twelve hours each day, all summer long...

There were of course some benefits....number one, I made a lot of money for a seventeen year old kid, and number two, seeing the look on my football coaches' face when I checked in for fall practice.  He was literally astounded when I weighed in packing an extra 25 pounds of solid muscle... developed one day at a time, six days each week, twelve hours each day......



 

Great idea, Jack....

This year we waited to celebrate our family Christmas until the week after.  As our family has grown with the marriage of the boys we need to be flexible in sharing the special times around the Holidays.  So at times Christmas gets celebrated on New Years Day....not always a bad thing as it gives us an additional week to prepare for the festivities.  And, for those procrastinators among us, it provides an extra week to get the shopping done, and we can even take advantage of those "after Christmas" sales to save some money.

All that being said, I was confident that things would proceed without a hitch....and they did.....to a degree.

I've been told that I'm well past the age of sending letters to Santa, and that putting together a Christmas wish list is something that is frowned upon after about age ten.  What's that all about?  How the heck is Santa going to know what to leave under the tree if I don't give him a few hints?  Those of you who have read this blog since the beginning know that I have a history of holding out for that special Christmas present....regardless of the sacrifice.....what to do, what to do?

Facebook!  Everyone reads the posts and loves to keep up with the trials, tribulations, joys, sorrows, and perhaps the Christmas wants of their Friends.....great idea, Jack.

A few weeks ago I floated a trial balloon to judge the response.  Outstanding response to my "need" for a new pair of boots.  Now that several of my Friends were aware of my request, and even though Santa is not on my Friend list, surely he would get the word.  Just in case, however, I devised a back-up plan.

At my house we share the computers, and Miss Elizabeth and I both do a fair amount of on-line shopping. My back-up plan was executed without a flaw.  I found the boots at a popular western outfitter, available in my size and color, just click here.....simple enough to leave the web browser open to the appropriate page, and wait for "Santa" to discover just how easy it would be to make the purchase with delivery in time for Christmas.

Today is Monday, January 3rd and our family Christmas was a resounding success.  Kids and Grand kids ripped through their presents as we enjoyed the excitement of the moment.  Four generations gathered together at the ranch, and it was a blessing. 

Anticipation ran high as I awaited the delivery of those boots......I knew they were there somewhere....maybe not.....maybe next year.....or not.  After all, 'tis the season of giving, not receiving, and I truly enjoy doing that.

Just in case you're reading this, Santa.....Tony Lama, Lizard skin boots, size 11 1/2 medium width......I've been a real good boy......part of the time....I'm sure it was an oversight, but what do I know.