It was windy here….AGAIN.  It still is this morning.  But, it did blow some rain in here–sideways.  We got about 7/8″ of rain last night.  We’ll take it.  I spent some time walking around picking up tree limbs this morning.  The wind seems to blow a lot these days.  I only have one complaint about the rain.  The fact that the wind changed from the south and turned around and came out of the north.  This blew the rain and the wetness that goes with it right into the mouth of the creep feeders.  So, I spent some time digging wet soggy feed out of the feeders.  Of course, I filled the feeders last night.  Oh well, feed is cheap.  Right?  It is amazing how much feed pellets swell up when they get wet.  

     Made it to Duke’s game last night.  He has gotten real good at the HBP.  He doesn’t seem to mind getting hit by a pitch.  Of course, I’ve seen him take hits from goats that were way harder than what a twelve year old can throw.  

     The weekend actually started on Friday night, even though I had to be at the store on Saturday.  Tammy and I were supposed to meet my parents and a buddy of mine from Phoenix at Charlie’s on Friday night.  Well, Tammy and I had to run a little late since there was a whole damn rash of tornasty’s hitting OKC on Friday evening.  The problem….Kela was in OKC on Friday night and Kela’s mom wasn’t going anywhere until she knew that her daughter was AOK!

      We got to Gage later than planned, then stayed later than planned.  But we had a good time.  The next morning came early.  I went to work and it was CRAZY!  The shop was busy, no sales to speak of and parts was un-real.  How many people could come in and look for obscure or non-existent parts all in the same day?  A shit–load.  That’s how many.  I finally got away from the store, stopped to fix a guidance system and made it to the house.  I called Big Bill and said, “Let’s go look at some goats.”  Way good decision.

         We never crossed a state-line.  But we saw a pile of damn good goats on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  Yes, Mom, I know, I didn’t make it to Shattuck for mass.  Instead, I was attending the church of holy cow that’s a nice set of goats.  Then we followed that up with Papa John’s pizza.  

     Let me tell you all something.  There are dang good goats in Oklahoma.  Some at name brand places, others were hidden under rocks but stacked with good genetics.  Got some bought.  Waiting to see where some will be sold.  Nonetheless, Bill and I talked to great people, saw some good facilities and looked at excellent goats.  The first one being the most important.  We did have to dodge some goose crap at one place.

      Anyways, Billl and I packed for a Saturday trip, which means, we didn’t take any extra clothes.  Well, we needed them.  Why?  We ended our Saturday night at Perry, OK.  The goats were way cool and the hospitality was exceptional.  How good was this stop?  It was good enough that you would need to drink 77 glasses of water to offset every 3rd barley pop.  I really don’t know what that means.  I just heard Big I repeatedly say that he had to drink 77 glasses of water.  I bet his kidney’s are flushed out.  

      What I learned from this stop? Big I wants to be in a picture with a great goat (while wearing a pirate patch?).  Brock was happy to be there and Ring, well, let’s just say that I haven’t talked to Ring today, but I bet that I felt better than he did.  Tommy wants to sell good goats to good feeders.  Batman has a wicked HUGE top and there are some really good buck prospects at this place.  That and a whole bunch of really understanding wives.  I do know that supper tasted real good at 2:30 am.  What kind of morons are eating at that time of the morning?  The best kind.

     Big Bill and I climbed off of the living room furniture this morning and headed north.  Bill says, “I guess you have a plan since we are headed north?”  I said, “I think so.”  Several hours later, more goats and we were back to Fargo to meet a fellow goater or two.  

     I can tell you, without any additional BS that there are good goats in OK.  WAY GOOD!  There are even better people involved in this game.  

      How about that tornasty crap in OKC?  I’m glad that I am not in the insurance or real estate business in that area.  

        It’s amazing the lint that comes out of my pockets this time of year.  I am sure that this crap is in there year round, it’s just that this time of year people come to get goats and write me checks.  I shove the checks into a pocket and I hope to find them before the Dragon Lady washes these shorts.  On nights like this, I remembered, so I pulled the check out.  On the floor was alfalfa leaves, oat seeds, black sock lint and some other crap that didn’t look edible to a human.  I cleaned up before I was busted by the resident house keeper (which is not me).

        If a person can’t cut a deal, regardless of the amount of cash involved, then they need to be in a different business.  Heck, Wal Mart cuts deals–not for you and I at the register.  But trust me, there is people roaming the world cutting deals to buy in volume so that they can sell at the prices that they do.  Where else am I going to find camo shorts for $9.99?  Sure, there is some 8 year old sewing them in some other country for 8 cents per day, but I’ve got cheap shorts to work in.  That is a different set of politics.  I am capable of dealing on goats like a vegas blackjack dealer.  I’m kind of predictable in my betting habits.  I always bet on a kid.  I will put my cash in and see what happens.  If the kid half-asses, then I won’t bet that way again.  I haven’t made any money betting this way, but I have won big.  It may not make sense to you, but it does me.  

      Just stuff in general.  I don’t have very many Rumour babies, but I like them.  Like Mikey on the old Life cereal commercials, “He likes it.”  Maybe I am a dumb donkey because I didn’t breed a pile to him, but I don’t like over-working young bucks.  Here before long, he is going to get f-foundered.  The problem I have is what buck do you not use?  Joe Dirt, Rainman, Fade2Black?  They will see plenty of action.  These guys need to keep making daughters for Rumour.  

     I’m glad that this fine Wednesday is nearing an end.  It actually started last night when we lost power around 9 pm.  The juice came back on about 2:44 am.  This and the weather radio that went to blaring at 2:44 am woke me up.  So much for actually sleeping a whole night.  I went to the barn and moved the pickup inside.  Piles of wind and very little rain.  

      I was buried under at work.  Got there early, left late, no lunch, not even a glass of tea.  I am beginning to collect mechanics like I do hay.  You can’t get enough of either.  I have the most techs that have ever worked at Woodward at one time…and I still need more.  I recently did my best job of selling.  As a result, I am adding an experienced shop foreman that I have tried to hire for several years.  And I am also adding a salesman that is a former top-shelf John Deere mechanic.  I stole both of them from the oilfield.  I’m pumped about these acquistions.  Any time you can add experience, knowledge and work ethic, then you do it.  I’m ready for Monday when they both start.

     As busy as I can get at work, I would expect some more sales with no pictures.  Or there will be a bunch of Sunday afternoon private treaty sales.  I just don’t have time.  

     Headed home from work and drove into a wicked wind, rain, lightning and hail storm.  I was caught in the nether regions not close to any structures.  I decided to drive through it.  Two miles later, I was out of it.  I got to the house and the same storm had passed through.  Broken tree limbs and only 1/10″ of rain.  But it came sideways.  

     The Dragon Lady had already done chores for me and grilled a killer good ribeye.  I ate and then went to the barn to weld some panels.  Since, it was already a crappy day, I decided to write bill checks.  That is always fun.  

     Well, I think I will check out the chive for some Hump Day pictures and eat a bowl of Schwan’s ice cream.  I love ice cream.  It’s just to bad that I am lactose intolerant.  

I wasn’t pissed on Saturday night when I wrote that blog.  Had a few calls, more texts and some emails.  Nobody did me wrong.  I wasn’t mad at anybody.  Just frustrated.  The next day brought a better mood and I began to have more thoughts.  

I thought, I really need to go look at the kids around my place.  I did.  And my un-paid help/entertainment from the 73858 zip code showed up to help.  After we were done, I thought, I don’t need very many over-priced goats.  I can sell these and be done. I will sell them for less money, but get them to good homes.  

I thought, where have the BEST bucks, BEST does, and BEST wethers sold to over the past five years?  Hhmm!  They have ALL gone to Oklahoma.  Why? Because we have good taste and we are borderline retarded.  Bryan Kennedy, Michael Thompson, Tommy Milligan and myself have continued to prove that we know good livestock and are dumber than the rest when it comes to buying.  Own ’em.  I might not get a goat bought in OK either, but at leat I can spend a few evenings and try to buy the wethers we need and not travel.  Why would I not do that?  Heck, today, some of my very favorite partners loaded their goats up and drove out to this piece of paradise.  I’m glad they did.  I bought two wethers from them.  Why ask why?  I thought, heck, some people get it.  

I also thought, I have the items that EVERY breeder needs.  I have showmen that will work and will get them shown right.  I have showmen with parents that understand what it takes to show good livestock–regardless of species.  I have help–I mean, when you have Michael Thompson, Bill Taylor, Travis Schovanec, Tyke Greer, etc, etc, etc.  Then I have help to get animals fed and shown properly.  A whole bunch of guys that have proven track records, that don’t get paid, but have a LARGE time and respect a job well done.  I can buy in volume and I know what it costs to raise a good one.  I understand fair market value.  If I was doing this gig for a living, it might be different.  But since it is a hobby/addiction….well, we can do what we want.

I thought, if you can sell a goat online–without a picture–then well, it will be okay. That buyer is going to be happy with their purchase.  It isn’t about the animal.  It is about the character of the seller and what they can provide.  It is about the kids, not goat kids, the kids that show them.  And when the people that you help trust you enough to rear back and buy one sight unseen, without a picture/video….well, I get a little like Phil on Duck Dynasty—Happy, Happy, Happy.  (For you people that read this like metamucil–in other words, regularly), we obviously kind of like that tv program.  When the people selling show animals forget about why they got in this game in the first place, then you are seeing a breeder that will soon be out of this game.  

Next to last thought for the night…if money is the driving factor.  Sell out.  Be done.  Go buy some stocks or silver or something.  When I buy a goat, I am buying into a program.  My thought is that the breeder should be on the same page.  If not, somebody else will cash my checks.  And nobody has to worry about my checks clearing.  

      One last thought that involves stuff way more important than goats.  It is Memorial Day.  None of us can do what we do, when we want to do it, like we do now without the people that have served  in our armed forces.  Those that have lived through wars and died for the cause have made this nation what it is.  And we should NEVER forget this fact.  People have died and lives have been changed to preserve our rights.  It doesn’t matter who you voted for as long as you remember those that defended the rights of all of us.  And do NOT forget those that are willing to stand up and serve, right now.  Veterans and current military men and women need our prayers, respect and thanks.  That is all they ask of us.  GOD speed to all those defending us. 

Just a thought.  

     I will start this blog admitting that I am a dumb bastard.  I was in the Okie goat game before it was cool and I am still here.  I have helped the texan market.  There are numerous Texas breeders that have pictures hanging of my kids and kids that I help.  There are Okie breeders that have had big years, but it was with my kids showing. They would like to replicate those years, but can’t.  I help people by letting them use my bucks, my advice and my showmen.  I sell goats for them.  No charge.  There are a lot of breeders when asked “Who is your biggest customer?”  will answer, Kelln.  They sold goats for $750 then $1,500 then more.  I’ve been known to buy groups of 4 to 30, at way good prices for the seller and I agreed to the prices.  I personally lost money on some and should have made money on others.  I didn’t and that is why I am a dumb bastard.  

     Likewise,  I haven’t been charging the people that I was buying goats for.  Make a little extra in order to pay the gas, motel and an occasional stop at Cooper’s.  

This weekend, I spent $539 on motels, gas and eats.  That isn’t counting the $130 that Thompson spent at Cooper’s and the cash that Big Bill spent.  We are nearing $1,000 out of our own pockets and we didn’t come home with a single goat.  Doe, wether, buck, NOTHING!!  Why?  The quality wasn’t as good and the prices were higher. I’ve told numerous people that I don’t care if I make money at this as long as I don’t lose any.  Well, we lost money this weekend, plus I burnt a day of vacation on Friday to attend this raping.   

  I have been known to sell premium sale quality goats for stupid cheap money because I wanted them in the hands of good feeders.  Somehow, the favor isn’t reciprocated.  The prices go up when I show up.  Maybe it is my own fault.  I don’t know.  Not sure.  

      What I do know is that I am close to being done.  I spent a real good couple of days with my friends and my son.  Duke and I needed a couple of days like this.  I let him pick goats.  He did well, REAL well as to finding the good ones.  Like Thompson, he didn’t want to handle anything that he didn’t like.  I bid to $7,500 on Duke’s pick today.  The bid was back to me at $8k. I looked at him and said, “Do you want him?”  He cocked an eyebrow and said, “Not for that much!”  I let the goat go.  Thank you, Duke.  

Cooper’s was good.  Real good.  Fellowship was real good.  Now, I am home.  I’ve provided results for breeders.  Provided pics and banners.  Some of these breeders are now out of business, some are big time, some won’t make it five more years and others will continue to grow–with or without me.  The results are there.  Proof is the fact that people read this crap.  My goats feed.  My kids are consistently in the hunt at every show that we attend.  But the payback isn’t there.  I’m not talking monetarily.  I don’t need to make money on this addiction, but now that I am losing money on it, it changes my mood.  I can stay home and look at good goats, eat good smoked meat and find a jolly good time.  

     I’m thinking.  Which, everybody that knows me knows, that when I think out loud, then I am close to being done with something.  I’m thinking, find somebody else to help coach/feed/breed/trim hooves/sell/answer questions/etc.  I am thinking the results should make for a payback.  They haven’t, they aren’t….therefore…..

Whoever reads this:  DO NOT open the north and south ends of MY big barn.  When the wind blows like it does in NW Ok, there is enough circulation in this barn if the south doors are open.  These animals originated from South Africa.  If they aren’t panting, then they are fine.  If you open, the doors, then come sweep the mess up. 

     It has become an annual tradition in the goat world–Who has the buck prospects for sale?

Who?  Where?  What genetics? Who’s on the prowl?  And How High?–real high the past couple of years.  Some band ’em, some sort ’em and some like me aren’t exactly sure what the hell we are doing.  

In the goat world it really is about the buck.  Almost all of the really good ones can be traced back within just a few degrees of a handful of different bucks.  The wether game has a short list of hall of famers.  Pretty much all of the good ones trace back to, and in no particular order:

S66, Mozart, 191, Bingo, Primetime, Stud Monkey, Out of Bounds, Festus and Freaky.  Those bucks have changed herds, goats, etc.  Some did it by siring champions, others by the daughters they made and some did both.  Some made immediate changes–both good and bad.  While others just simply made good goats.  Oh, did I leave one out.  You are correct.  There was a buck called 900.  Might need to mention him.  

     There are some really good younger bucks out there now that are doing a heck of a job.  Milligan is proud of Moneybags.  Joe Dirt and Rainman have proven track records.  There is a host of other 191 sons that are working–A90.  It is hard to find a pedigree without 900 or Out Of Bounds and a lot advertise their Bean genetics which normally has a lot of Mozart.  No Way, I Don’t Know & Starbuck are bucks that are way proven but don’t seem to be as cool right now.  Primetime made really good yellow heads cool.  I love the influence that a double bred Out of Bounds buck named Harley left on the females at our place.  S66 won a pile and there is an donkey-load of his daughters in production.  We can sit here and cuss and discuss who has the best or which buck is the best.  

     It comes down to two, 2, dos.  They all trace back in some form or fashion to two.  900 and Bingo.  Now, the argument gets good between these two.  One has a little bit different pedigree that only a couple actually know WTH the truth is behind him.  The other is a purebred.  Bingo has made champion pure bucks and does.  His influence is stacked in the wether industry.  For example, 191’s mom–Bingo’s twin sister.  900–he changed everything.  Maybe the most influential sire, regardless of species.  He brought a whole new look to an industry, while introducing various other issues–twisted ears, parrot mouths, structure issues.  But, the gamble was normally worth it.  

       What is the best buck?  Currently, you would have to argue 191 as he brings the 900 lines along with the Bingo blood lines.  It is hard to argue with his list of winners.  Is the heir to the throne already siring future champions?  I hope.  But, rest assured, somebody will make the next great buck. 

I have numerous theories, as do others.  Trust me.  It is interesting to listen to raff give his speech.  If you ever get a chance to sit under a shade tree and listen to Claire, it is worthwhile.  There are other opinions, truths and bs about what is right and wrong, but no matter what Bingo and 900 have to be in the discussion.  Not my opinion, just fact.

     It could always be worse. You could live in Moore, OK.  How about that crap?  Such force, fury and destruction.  If they only lose 24 people to that tornasty, then that is astounding.  For such a wicked tornasty to hit a populated area, schools included and not kill any more than that is a GOD send.  I wouldn’t wish one killer tornasty on any town, but Moore has been hit by two of these monsters.  Unthinkable.  We all need to pray for the people that lost lives, loved ones and property the past couple of days.  

     Speaking of prayers, if you haven’t seen the video of the old lady being interviewed about riding the storm out in the bathroom, holding her dog while sitting on the toilet, then you need to.  Her house is leveled.  Her neighborhood gone.  She has some abrasions, but lost her house, possessions and her dog.  But one prayer had been answered.  She was okay.  As she is being interviewed, a reporter notices something moving underneath the rubble.  Holy jeeminy, it’s the dog.  Alive!!  The old lady got the dog out, started thanking GOD and said, “GOD answered two prayers today.  He let me be okay and he saved my dog.”  

     How did she live through this?  How did the dog make it throught it?  How can anybody watch this and not realize that there is a GOD.  If you don’t cry while watching this video, then you are dang sure tougher than me or just a heartless POS.  I’ve watched it twice and cried twice.  It’s like watching Lonesome Dove when Gus is on his death bed.  I cry every time.  

     As I am writing this, the mainstream media news is actually reporting several other stories of people praying as this tornasty passed over.  People clutching, praying, losing their homes, possessions, but not their lives.  Hhmm?  It seems praying to GOD might be how to survive a tornasty.  And probably a lot of other things as well.  

     It’s Monday and it is a wonderful morning.  The wind isn’t howling, there is a touch of dew on the grass and there are more Rumour babies in the barn.  I like it.  

      Had a weekend without much on the schedule.  Therefore, I got some stuff done around the house.  I decided to weld some panels to frames yesterday.  Today, I am sore from squatting.  People started showing up yesterday to look at goats.  I ended up getting in the selling mood.  Anytime you can sell goats to good homes, one needs to do it.  I don’t care how big a breeder you are…you won’t be on top without good feeders.  Sure, it is nice to cash a big check, but it can be more important to take less and get them in the right hands.  

     Sold a heck of a good buck prospect yesterday.  His name is “3rd Party”.  You will hear from this guy.  

     The Dragon Lady went to Shattuck to pick Duke up from baseball practice, but another family invited him to go fart around with them and some other little heathens at Lake Vincent tomorrow.  You gotta let them go be kids.  So, he went there and it was my turn to cook.  Charlie’s grill here we come.  Great supper and conversation with the wife.

      On the drive home, I was listening to a little Xm radio.  Heard one of my favorite drummers of all time–Mick Fleetwood.  My favorite list of drummers includes, and in no particular order:  Fleetwood, Rick Allen of Def Leppard, Alex Van Halen of, duh, you guessed it, Van Halen, Dave Grohl of Nirvana and several other groups and Ringo Starr of the Beatles. Don’t diss Ringo.  One, he was the one that set the beat for the biggest band of all time (he had to be good or they would have replaced him) and TWO–he played Attuck in the all-time classic movie CAVEMAN.

     I’ve got something to do, so I am done here.  Make your own list.  

Have a great day.  Stay flexible, but not limp.