For non-stockshow people, it is hard for them to comprehend the amount of dollars spent on a “good one”.  You commonly hear phrases such as “These animals cost THOUSANDS!”  And, “I CANNOT believe how much money people spend on these animals.”   Some would think that we are crazy for the amount of money spent on show animals, show feed, supplements, clippers, heat to keep them warm, vet bills, etc, etc, etc.  I am sure that they could use phrases like crazy, ridiculous, stupid, etc.  They would all be correct if they wish to use these terms when describing my family and many others that are just like us.  

    But I would disagree.  I can see the dividends that the stock show program has paid to my two kids.  I do NOT measure these dividends paid with banners or trophies.  I could make a case that my kids have made money (although I lost money) as a result of their involvement in the stock show industry.  Phrases like work ethic, responsibility, goal setting, care, learning, management, social networks, etc. are what I am spending my money on when investing in my kids stock show programs.  Memories are another phrase that you can’t put a dollar amount on–both good and bad.  

      Stock shows are what you make of it, when involving your kids.  If it is all about a win, well, go find something else to do.  There is too much good to learn, that when properly applied, will lead to wins.  Yes, money matters, but it isn’t the main factor.  “Do it RIGHT”  is the phrase that matters most.  

     Now, let’s use another phrase.  “DISGUSTING”.  It is absolutely disgusting how many millions of dollars have been spent by Okie State and ou on their respective football teams.  Tax payers, donors, alumni, companies, whoever wanted to donate some cash, it all gets spent in the name of winning football games.  Facilities, coaches, tutors, dorms, clothes, shoes, training facilities, doctors, maybe even on players–it is AssInIne!  And this is the best that either university can produce?  Neither school was competitive in a conference that did NOT put a team in the final play-offs.  And let’s not even go into that deal called U of T in Austin orTAMU.  They should all be ashamed that Baylor and TCU “out-fed and out-showed” the big boys.  It’s gross.  And we are all guilty.  We’ve been to games, watched them on tv or bought the apparel.  I’m all for kids being involved in athletics, music, tech ed, academics, FFA, 4-H, whatever.  But let’s remember what we’re after, better kids.  That’s it.   

     The more I think about it, the more I like Notre Dame, Duke and the Ivy League schools in  regards to athletics–win, but not at all costs.  Granted Notre Dame and Duke spend a pile to win football/basketball games, but they have a small student base and still churn out a lot of highly educated student/athletes.  Better yet, let’s just cheer for our alma mater’s livestock and meats judging teams.  Those are real deals that produce.  Dollars spent on those programs are dollars well spent.  Last I checked, they have national champions in those contests. And most of those kids were a direct result of a livestock program.   

     I’m really not on a soapbox, I just don’t see much satisfaction in this Bedlam victory, as both schools have lost sight.  We, in the livestock show program, occasionally lose sight of the real objective and although I have been guilty, I don’t want to be.  

      Here’s to making better animals and more importantly, better kids.  Have a good one.  

     I have and still am fighting a wicked sinus infection.  It isn’t a cold and thankfully is not the flu, but it has kicked my donkey like an OSU kicker kicks field goals in Bedlam overtime–Hard and good!  I haven’t missed work, any appointments, chores and I dang sure didn’t miss the Champions Choice Jackpot.

     The jackpot was held this past Saturday at Norman.  About 150 wethers and 125 does.  Way good set of livestock.  You had to have a good just to place.  This was an impressive show.  It was well ran and the payout was incredibly good.  This was the biggest and best Champions Choice show to date and I bet it gets better.

Slayton Strube judged the show and did a really nice job.  This young judge needs more opportunities to evaluate goats.  He was consistent, reasons matched the goats, easy to follow  and he was confident with his placings.  I’d like for Duke to get a chance to show under him.  OK, TX, GA, and KS were all represented.  I’m under-stating how good this show was.  Then it got better.  The pokes actually pulled off the Bedlam upset.  That’s always good.  

      It’s time to let the bucks see some action.  Might even have to remove the redshirt status from one and put him in a tick earlier than planned.  We get a bit of a reprieve before the next round of babies starting hitting the ground.

      Here’s to Okie State bedlam wins, good goat shows and deep breaths without a lot of snot involved.  Have a good day and a better tomorrow.  

Just Fred.  

     I’ve got all  you would ever want to read, but when it comes down to it, to be honest, I really don’t have much.  I did have, but then I clicked on facebook first.  And the wheels fell off.  I like Koalas.  And when I saw a facebook link to a craigslist ad for selling a used Koala….well, I just had to read that ad.  Look it up.  It is funny.  Obviosuly, GumNut isn’t the ideal pet.  

      Since 1996, one old barber has cut my hair.  Obviously, I haven’t been picky.  I just liked it.  On this night, I let a chick in Shattuck cut my hair.  I didn’t care how it looked.  I just wanted it shorter.  The ironic thing…this hair dresser is about 6’3″–not so short.  The hair, however, is shorter and grayer.  8 PM appointment and the Dragon Lady also had her eyebrows waxed–yep, this chick got a tip.  

      After tripping through the facebook Koala ad, I saw a top Christmas Vacation quotes.  Like a vacuum, I was sucked in–ZWHOOMPH!!!–sucked in.  Got to read that.  I love that movie and the associated quotes.  I will NEVER be able to watch that movie too many times.  

      The last of the December born flush kids was born at 3:13 AM this morning.  Now, the first live breeding is due….today, tonight, hopefully, soon.  I don’t need much sleep, but I am ready for some…yeah, that too.  

     Make sure your stock is getting plent to drink.  Keep your show goats blanketed–multiple layers are needed.        

     As I start to hit this keyboard, a song is kicking off on iTunes.  It is a TRUE classic–Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture.  Yes, this tune is actually in my tunes selection, along with several other classics.  The problem that I am having with this song, on this night, is that as the song plays, all I can envision is the ending of a great American classic movie–“Caddyshack”.  Gopher holes blowing up, golf bets being ruined, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight & Chevy Chase with stupid looks on their faces and Bill Murray slinking off after causing all of this damage.  Great song, but that is an absolute GREAT movie.  

      I only remember paying money for a Pot Pie once in my life.  And that was a couple of years ago, at Mom’s Restaurant in Phoenix.  It was way good.  During the winter months, a Schwan’s pot pie is Tammy’s go-to-meal for something that shuts me up.  It’s like she cooked it, but really didn’t. And I eat it.  In all actuallity, a pot pie is against most of my beliefs.  I don’t like left-overs.  I dang sure don’t like casseroles.  And these pot pies, kind of, but not really qualify as both.  It’s kind of like a stock show.  It all depends on presentation.  

      On this fine evening, my mother and my wife are headed to OKC.  So, my mom made a pot pie for me.  Complete in an actual corning ware bowl and even had instructions on it, written on a sticky note (my style).  Then, an updated instruction was texted to me.  The WHOLE process depended on me turning the oven on for myself.  I can run a smoker.  A boiling pot…I’m good.  A grill….I’m better than most, as good as some.  On occasion, I turn the microwave on for a litle bit.  The stove/oven….I paid for it, why should I know how to use it?  Ha!!  I haven’t tasted it yet as it is still too EFFING hot, but it smells as good as a fresh rain on an alfalfa meadow.  

      Random question of the day.  Is there a better heat absorption tool than a pot pie?  They stay hot FOREVER!  Burnt tongue.  Yes. Taste buds.  Not so much, anymore 

     The flush deal continues still.  Two live births today.  Both DOE KIDS!  At least they are alive.  I don’t know what the Chinese calendar is this year, but at Kelln Livestock, 2014 has been the year of the doe kid. I’m ready for this year to end. 

     Riddle me this.  How come these weather forecasters can tell us within a few minutes, what time the cold front will hit but can’t get close on a rain?  These people are like Peyton Manning throwing completions (high completion percentage) on calling a cold front moving in to your neck of the neighborhood.  

      The term “flushing” is an aptly coined term when describing the process of embryo transplant in the caprine industry.  The problem isn’t that you can “flush” a butt-load of cash into these programs.  You can and will.  The problem is that you can “flush” a crap load of time, work, effort, planning, desires and worst of all, hope.  The whole process can “flush” the want-to right out of you.

     A year ago, I spent a pile on some semen.  This spring, I coordinated all the does to be flushed and set dates.  I took the donors to the ET agent a month ahead of time.  That way, they would be acclimated.  He AI bred them.  I was there when they did the “flush”.  Two worked, two didn’t.  Okay.  Forty-five days later, the recips were ultra-sounded.  They were picked up and brought right to my kidding barn.  Those recips have lived right there, with a bale of hay constantly in front of them and fed every morning.  NO STRESS!!  They were never co-mingled.  Salt, mineral and clean water at all times.  These female dogs have lived a life of luxury.  Everything has been done exactly right.  Although, not a train wreck, but for the amount of money, effort and most importantly, brain power involved, it hasn’t been worthwhile.  There are just so many variables that are out of our control.

     I have taken part of three different ET flush programs this past year, with three different deals and have mixed results from all three.  Live cover, frozen semen, fresh semen–it doesn’t matter.   All three have resulted in brain power and hope being flushed.  And, from talking to other breeders, my “flush” programs have gone better than theirs.  But, then I talk to some others and they are ecstatic with their results.  

      The thought of “flushing” cash bothers me.  I can piss away a pile on a wild weekend, but at least there is a story or two that results.  The thought of “flushing” hope and time is what really bothers me.  I can’t replace the time.  And I am an Oklahoma State University fan, so I get enough of that “there will always be next year” crap.  I don’t need to invest my hopes in a “flush” deal.  

 Even though I am not completely pleased, there is still a chance that it is all worthwhile.  Like the original Dumb & Dumber movie.  “So hit me with it.  Are you saying like one in a hundred?” “No, Lloyd. I’m saying more like one in a million.”  

“So you’re saying there’s a chance!”  And that is why we will keep trying.  There’s a chance.

    I started the day checking the kidding barn.  Still slow.  Then fed the stock.  I then plugged the ear buds into the iTunes and headed to Shattuck.  I’ve watered the greenhouse, fixed waterers at the ag farm, then dug up a water line at home and trimmed hooves, looked at goats and the usual, all while listening to great tunes.  Basically, I’ve had a really good day getting stuff done while dealing with top shelf livestock and even better people.  And I’ve listened to a bunch of songs that you just don’t hear on the radio, but they are killer good.  Some might call these tunes under-rated.  Some are obscure. While others are all time greats, but I still think that they are under-rated.  

Warrant–Uncle Tom’s Cabin–great use of a 12 string guitar with a story line and who knew these clowns could actually play.  Cool song and video.

Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band–Little Drummer Boy–this is one of my all time favorite songs.  I like lots of versions of this song, but Bob Seger absolutely brings emotion, soul and feeling to this classic.  I can listen to this song any month of the year.

Avenged Sevenfold–Strength of the World–this band brings the big amps with a pair of twin guitars, big beats, killer bass and a wicked vocal.  You better have a bit of time as this song clocks in over 9 minutes.  But it works.  

Metallica S&M–Hero of the Day–Yes, the heavy metal lords combined with a symphony orchestra seemed a bit wierd but made for a way good CD.  And the best song from that collaboration was “Hero of the Day”.  This is a classic under-rated tune.

Charlie Daniel’s Band–The Devil went down to Georgia”–Yes, everybody knows this song and it is an all-time great song.  Yet, you never see it on a top 10 countdown.  Why not?  Country fans love it.  Rock fans dig it.  Everybody taps a toe and knows the words to this little ditty, but it is still under-rated.  

Guns N Roses–Rocket Queen–it is literally the left-over song off of one the greatest rock albums ever made.  But it rocks.  Great guitars, beat, vocals.  Too bad this band couldn’t keep their crap together as they were as good as any of them.  

Oak Ridge Boys–Lucky Moon–This band has a recognizable sound and a pile of big hits.  Lucky Moon was one of their last ones and one that I still like to hear.  As they are considered classics now, you just hear the usual “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue” but “Lucky Moon” was a great song.

Waylon Jennings–Lonesome, Onery & Mean–RUSM?!  Waylon on an under-rated list?  Yes.  This song should be considered a classic, but you never see it listed on any top whatever lists.  I love this song.  Outlaw country–hear you go.  

Elvis Presley–Kentucky Rain–here’s another that shouldn’t be listed on here, but this song never gets it’s fair shake.  Great song by the KING!

George Strait–Blame it on Mexico–Here we go again–this song gets lost in the shuffle of all 60 some #1s by King George, but this is a great one.  

Tesla–Lady Luck–One of my favorite bands and also one of the most under-rated bands of all time.  They got lumped into the hair band days, but these dudes could play.  This song brings it.  The louder it’s played, the better it gets.  If it’s too loud, then you’re too old!  

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band–Fishing in the Dark–Yes, a great song, but one that seems to get lost in the shuffle.  It is a mid 80s tune, but it still sounds good.  Catchy, witty and I would imagine could still be put to proper use, if need be.  No need to re-make it as they did it right. 

Def Leppard–Hysteria–One of the biggest selling albums of all-time was “Hysteria”, yet Def Leppard did not release the title track.  They were sure of it being a hit, so they saved it.  But they pumped so many other hits off that album, they never needed to release the title track.  Thus, this is a hugely under-rated song.  

Vince Gill–Cinderalla–This was his first hit song and in my opinion, still his best.  I was driving a 4020 John Deere tractor pulling a 3 bottom moldboard plow on some summer-fallow ground for Melvin Helfenbein in May 1987 when I first heard this song.  It was a cabbed 4020, but the water cooler didn’t work.  The doors were held open by vise grips to allow some air flow.  Luckily, it had an FM radio.  Obviously, I remember this song and still like it.  

Frank Sinatra–I did it my way–Huge song, but still under-rated.  This is one that I am afraid that is getting lost to the younger generations.  Yet, it is still timely.  And always will be.  

And the under-rated diddy of the day–a pile of songs by RATT, but mainly “Way Cool Jr.”.  Yes, another 80s hair band, but these cats (catch the pun) could play.  And one of my secret joys of my little life has always been to get within radio signal of the KATT–rock 100.5 in OKC.  And back in the day when Greg Zoobeck would play some “RATT-A-TATT-TATT on the KATT-A-KATT-KATT”, just always put me in a little bit better mood.  

P.S.  Back in the early 90s, while stationed in Stillwater (WHEW, those were good days), I had a good friend/room-mate that liked to argue with me on various topics.  We still do this, although normally via phone, texts, emails and once a year or so in person.  He used to dog on RATT.  But then we sat and had a beverage and watched MTV’s “Unplugged”.  Remember when MTV actually had music and killer good programs?  RATT did an episode of “Unplugged” and they were good.  No amps, synths, just all acoustic instruments.  Better than I expected.  Schoenhals watched, listened and then agreed, that yes, those cats could play.  

Although, I’ve just been pounding the keyboard regarding some songs, we all have items in our everyday life that are under-rated, but they make each day brighter.  A doe that delivers un-assisted.  Telling stories at the dinner table with your brothers and your dad filling in the gaps of some crap that happened almost 30 years ago.  Not having to break ice.  Watching your nieces and nephew around your own house while Duke tries to avoid said nieces and nephew in his own house.  Hooves on a show goat that don’t need corrective work.  Or just good people with good goats.  And in the words of Bruce Almighty–“It’s Good.”

Kdding barn checked.  Nothing new.  Fire the smoker up at 4 am.  The bird was injected, seasoned and on the smoker by 4:30.  Goat tenderloin seasoned and on the smoker by 5 am.  I am thankful that I am just in charge of getting the meat smoked by noon.  Once, that is done, I will be bascially worthless.  I will eat a pie or two.  I’m sure that there will be a facetime episode with our California turkey.  Be thankful for all  that you have.  And remember to be thankful for those that don’t get too come home for Thanksgiving.  We have lots of service men & women that are taking care of our business that won’t be with their families on this holiday.  GOD bless and have a good day.

     The Dragon Lady and I flipped channels between “The Voice” and “DWTS” finales on Monday night.  We (I) did the channel flipping, right up until they broke to the “breaking” news in Ferguson, MO.  I don’t know why this was news as we all knew that there was going to be a blow up.  And I’m pretty sure that it didn’t matter what the verdict was, there was going to be a blow up.

      Let’s take a look at this deal.  

1–No matter what, the young man that was killed WAS involved in a robbery.  He WAS committing a crime when he was shot.  Nobody disputes this fact.  It doesn’t matter what race he was, he WAS in the act of committing a heinous crime.  If you are going to committ serious crimes, then you need to be prepared to get shot or at least, get your ass kicked.  If you can’t handle those options, then DON’T committ the crime(s).  

2–Yes, I am white.  And yes, if you try to rob/steal from me or hurt somebody that I am close to, then I am going to either beat your donkey or possibly use one of the firearms around this place.  I don’t give a rat’s ass if you are white, black, brown, yellow, red headed, walk with a limp or a government official.  I am an equal opportunist.  Likewise, if I was to rob, steal or harm somebody, I would expect to be shot at, shot, or get my ass kicked by somebody.  Those are the risks of breaking the law.  

3–I don’t get it.  Why can’t people just take a look and go, “Well, that mental midget had it coming.”?  Why does it have to be about race?  Yes, the cop that pulled the trigger was white.  But, he shot at somebody that WAS committing a crime.  Whether the perp was black or white doesn’t matter as the perp WAS in the act of committing a crime.  

4–The mob came prepared to set fires.  You don’t just conjure up that kind of damage unless 1–you are prepared and/or you some kind of wizard/sorcerer or 2) refer back to 1–you want to do that kind of damage.  I bet these dipshits would turned cars over and set fires in celebration, if the verdict would have been different.  That’s just no-thinking, mouth breathing, butt clowns do–they tear stuff up.  Regardless of race.  

5–The prosecutors don’t have to divulge evidence from a grand jury testimony.  They DID in this case and people still didn’t care.  The facts were investigated & presented by BOTH the FEDS and the locals.  There is no doubt that your president would have liked to use this deal, but even he couldn’t manipulate the facts in this case.  These people WANTED to cause damage.  And by doing so, they have caused more race problems.

I’m not a racist.  A POS human being is a POS regardless of their color, religion, gender, political affiliation, choice of college, whether they like peanut or regular M&Ms  or who they cheer for at a NASCAR race.  I don’t care, one way or another.  I’ve known more crappy people of the caucasian race than I have all the other races combined.  We all knew that there were going to be problems in Ferguson.  They just proved us right.

I guess the difference between those criminals in Ferguson, that destroyed their own neighbor’s property and belongings in last night’s riot, is that if Duke Kelln is the culprit in a robbery, then DUKE KELLN had better pray that a cop (white, black, brown, yellow, red, cream colored, mixed or effing purple) is shooting at him.  Because if his parents have a say in it…let’s just say he would rather be shot by the cop.  I asked him,  “If you are caught stealing, do you want shot by a cop or have to deal with me.”   “OH, that isn’t even close!  I hope the cop shoots me.”  

Off the subject, but I still don’t get it.  Why in the heck did I spend 30 to 40 dollars per month buying razors for the past 20 years, when it could have been cheaper?  The dollar shave club may need to sponsor this site.  I hate shaving, but I have hated it less the past month.  

And then there are goats…I’m just left shaking my head.  All of these things to ponder.  I guess that’s why we have cold beverages and hot chicks.  Have a good day and a better tomorrow.  And don’t go burn your neighbors stuff tonight.  

     It is a common saying of mine, “It’s like potato chips, pop and shoes…just pay more to get the get good stuff and be done with it.”    

     I normally don’t watch much TV.  Okay, okay, I know, I watch a butt-load of Law & Order and Sportcenter, but that is normally between the hours of 3 & 6 AM.  On this fine Sunday, the wind was howling.  Plus, I had the odd fact that I actually didn’t have to be anywhere and NOBODY was scheduled to be at my little piece of paradise.  This doesn’t happen very often.  So, I took a nap.  Then filled feeders and waterers, then watched Duke walk barrows.  Then, I came inside and flipped channels.  I ended up on the National Geopgraphic channel.  They were showing back2back episodes of EAT:The story of food.  This was some really good tv.  I learned that 100 years ago, the average American ate 4 pounds of sugar in a year.  Now, we eat on average 75 pounds of sugar.  

      One episode dealt with our addiction to sugar, another with seafood and another with guilty pleasures, ie processed foods.  The first item mentioned was Lay’s potato chips.  These shows are really well produced, scientific while still being interesting.  They dealt with why the name brand pops were more popular/addictive and that Lay’s potato chips were “worth” more.  A lot of our food stuffs were developed as a result of World War II and the years after, marketing directly to baby-boomers.  Convenience became a key item.  

     One episode focused on sea food.  I did not realize that lobster used to be a crap food that was fed prisoners and this crustacean was considered a pain in the ass that got in the way of catching other sea food.  But, now….things have changed.  Which reminds me of the goat industry.  They used to be a second class citizen.  I kind of chuckled to myself today, as the priest had a sermon that involved that JESUS seperated sheep from goats.  The part that sheep are worth more than goats is one reason of seperation caught my attention.  I was sitting in a house of the LORD, so I couldn’t think out loud.  But, I did laugh and think, “The goats that I’ve been trying to buy are worth WAY more than any other sheep.”  Oh, and when the Priest asked all of the kids “Why would you want to seperate the sheep from the goats?”  and a kid yelled out, “Cuz goats stink more.”  My first thought was, that young lad has never smelled a wet sheep before.  

     I watch a LOT of Law & Order.  That isn’t news.  But when dealing with any legal issues, there are certain areas that require a certain level of “privacy”.  There is a sanctity between spouses, therefore a wife can’t testify against her husband; unless, of course, she wants to.  Dr./Patient privilege.  Lawyer/Client privilege.  And of course, if you confess something to a priest, there is a sanctity of trust that is protected by law.  

    I left paradise just after 5 am this fine Friday morning.  I had two boys that were sitting in the ag pickup, at my house by 5 am, ready to go.  We headed to Enid.  First, we went to IHOP to get breakfast.  I like a breakfast sampler meal at the IHOP.  Then we went to the fairgrounds and bought OYE hog nomination kits.  We were there waiting for the place to open up.  Then we met a truck and picked up 500 poinsettias.  Then we made it back to school by lunch.  The plants are in the greenhouse.

      The thing about this trip and, thus this blog, is that it had been several years since I had to deal with the “sanctity of the ag pickup”.  I don’t know what it is about a road trip with kids in an ag pickup, but you will hear stuff.  You current or ex-ag teachers know what I am talking about.  At first, you kind of try to ignore some of it.  Then you listen because you are afraid that you heard what it was you just heard.  Then you just hope the next story doesn’t involve anybody that you know.  

      And it always starts off with, “Hey, I need to tell you this, but you won’t tell anybody will you?”  Most of it isn’t “dirty”, but some of it gets close.  Sometimes, they seriously need somebody to talk to and for some reason, this is the time and person that they trust.  I’ve got some very good friends that are former students and I’ve had some discussions in the ag pickup, going down the road, that I was honored to be the one that they felt like I was the person that could help them.  And there are some times, that I wanted to put my earmuffs on and not hear any part of it.  Especially, in Shattuck, America as there is a chance that I know or am related to somebody in the conversation.  Regardless of the topic, there is a certain sanctity that takes inside the cab of the ag pickup.  

     It’s Friday night and I’m headed to JB’s in Woodward to meet up with the Kelln Klan for an anniversary dinner.  Have a good one.  You can bet that I’m going to have several.