Yes, Duke and I made it to the Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  We watched the 3D version.  It was a packed house with 4 showings in Woodward on Friday night.  

No spoilage here.  

Was it good?  Yes.  The special effects and graphics were unparalleled.  Best I’ve ever seen.  The visuals of the orignal Star Wars back in 1977  were too the moon.  This flick takes it to a whole new level.  For sure, the best 3D movie that I have witnessed.  

Was the story good?  Very.  If this is the first Star Wars movie that you ever see, it will make you want to go back to the originals to find out the back story of the characters.  If you have liked the Star Wars movies, then this one will make you anticipate the next version.  Some of the plot lines were easy to see coming, but those are also the same plots that you were wanting to see.  

You will still love the original characters and most of the new ones bring something to the story.  Everybody knew that Han, Leia, R2, C3P0, Luke and Chewie would be back.  Some had bigger roles than others.  As usual, Chewbacca wins best actor in a supporting role.  But I ask this question?  Is there a bigger bad-ass in the galaxy than Chewbacca?  I think not.  He has saved Princesses, Jedis, Han Solo, rid the galaxy of the empire and now takes on a new evil threat.  He can fly, shoot, rebuild droids and fight bare pawed.  All with a limited vocabulary and being the last Wookie left in the star system.  He has to be the most unique, but HIGHLY recognizable movie character of all-time.

Many things went un-answered, but I’m sure that they will get to those in upcoming movies.  I would probably rank this the 3rd best Star Wars flick.  The original will always be #1 for me as it started it all.  Empire Strikes Back had the best stories and it introduced us to Yoda.  This one introduces us to new plots, while bringing in the old ones and the action is, dare I say it, out of this world.    

      I would push a pile of chips to the middle that Duke and I will see this flick again in the next week.

And I’m still waiting on two does to kid.  

     Just a few terms heard around paradise on this fine day.  Just in case you don’t know, Duke and I can speak without using a lot of words.  There are some grunts, groans and growls, but limited words.  We prefer to think of it as an effecient use of the English language.

“Anything happening in there?”–meaning–Are either of those two does that are left to kid, acting like they are getting ready to do something?

“Hungry?”  –This means that I’m geting ready to cook something and if you want something, speak up now.

“Not hungry.”–This phrase means that Duke will cook himself some Ramen noodles.

“Butt Cold.”–means that it is below freezing and there is a stiff breeze of cold air that cuts in you half like a butt crack.

“Feed yet?”   meaning–Have you fed any of the animals on this place?  If so, which ones?  

“Where’s your head?”–this means that Duke’s head is obviously up his rear and this is the first warning that he needs to extract it before I supply assistance.  

“Butt Ass Cold.”–temp has dropped a few degrees, snow is added and now the wind is blowing sideways like it tends to do in NW OK.  Once you feel Butt Ass Cold, you won’t forget it.  

“Waterers?”–When answered yes, means that the wethers’ water buckets  were dumped and filled with fresh water.  

“Whothaheck?”–When said loudly, this is a signal for Duke, that when somebody knocks on the back door at 8:15 pm, to remember to tell me that Amy Word is coming to pick up food drive stuff for church.  

“Flunk anything?”, followed by:

“Any D’s?”  followed by the next question:

“You lying?”–This is my method of checking my favorite son’s semester grades.  No need to check the computer.  Just ask him with a stern voice and a direct stare and the actual grade, down to the decimal point, will be reported.  

*****This line of questioning brings me flash-backs of the daughter’s scholastic career.  She would literally make herself sick to the stomach worrying about the 98 that she made on a test.  The only way her younger brother gets sick to the stomach is if he drinks a half gallon of egg nog at one sitting.  Grades dang sure don’t cause him any intestinal discomfort.  

Tomorrow is Friday, which means Christmas Break.  And Duke and I have movie tickets.  And maybe there will be some more babies.  And we are less than a week until Festivus.  

       This is something that I have enjoyed for more than three decades.  Just cruising along, with some tunes playing and checking out the sights.  By myself, with others, whatever.  Dirt roading just helps to get your mind right.  There are times that I will literally just drive the section line and come back home.  Four miles, one song, better mood and then go back to what I was doing.  Doe goats become much more tolerable after a cooling down session.

        Back in the mid 80s, I could tour the dirt roads of Elllis County.  There were lots of times that my parents wondered what I was doing at 8 pm on a Tuesday night.  Just cruising.  Most of the time.  As I moved around Oklahoma, I have continued this hobby, no matter where I lived.  This is also where Kela and Duke learned to drive.  Looking back, I guess this habit started because I drove quite a bit before I ever got a license to drive.  And I do know that my exact instructions were “Don’t drive on main street and don’t drive down the highways.”  Dirt roads it was and is.  

      I never really had a “first” vehicle.  I drove whatever Dad would let me use or whatever Pa had available.  Pa was our step-grandpa, although he had earned the actual grandpa title.  Pa was a character.  Books coud be written about the stories that involve Pa.  In the late 70s, Pa bought a new pickup.  It was a GMC half ton, 2wd pickup. It was stripped down of almost ALL features.  But it had LOTS of character.  We called it CITRUS.  First of all, it was kind of a lemon.  It never ran real good.  He originally bought it as an everyday driver.  But that only lasted a year or so.  Pa then added an electric winch to the driver’s side bed rail, just behind the toolbox.  This winch operated the bright BLUE bale spike.  We now know that a 1/2 ton, 2wd pickup has no business picking up 1,200 pound round bales especially when all of the weight was hanging from the bumper.  It was a bit hard on the frame.  Oh, did I mention that it was bright ORANGE? I mean, OSU orange.  I like the color orange, but on a new pickup?  Looking back, I really think that somebody at the dealership screwed up an order.  Who in the heck would ever want a pickup this ORANGE color?  Pa liked a deal and I am sure that some sales person was tickled to get this thing moved down the road.  There are probably some Market Research reports from GM that show that the orange color was strong in NW OK because of that one sale.  

     I personally turned Citrus into a high mileage vehicle from about 1983 to 1988.  It had an AM radio station, which meant no tunes, only Swap Shop on KSIW at noon.  I kept a ghetto blaster in this ride.  Big speakers with a handle, AM & FM radio and most importantly, a cassette deck.  That way I could listen to whatever I wanted as I dirt roaded around Ellis, Lipscomb, southern Harper and occasionally Woodward counties.  Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Hank Jr., George Strait, Huey Lewis & the News, Alabama, Van Halen, the Oak Ridge Boys, Lionel Richie, RATT and occasionally, I would swipe Dad’s Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias tape.  I still like that “To all the girls I’ve loved before” song.  

      I do know that Citrus was not quick in the quarter mile.  And in that part of the world, the quarter mile meant that you were dragging on Wolf Creek Bridge.  I also know that if Nick Pool, the driver and some other un-named person was headed down Wolf Creek Bridge and the transmission was accidentally shifted into reverse at 56 mph, that the tires squalled, the engine died and I was worried.  But, I just shifted into park, said a quick prayer and turned the ignition, and it was running again.  No problems.  It’s hard to tear up something that started out being orange. 

      As I look back on that Citrus pickup, there were no real crimes committed in that thing.  Other than the obvious driving without a license and knowing Pa, it probably did not have any kind of insurance.  I may have chewed tobacco in it.  But that wasn’t really a big deal back then.  I don’t remember much alcholol involved with that pickup.  Why would you?  Everybody knew the pickup, who was driving and who owned it.  It was actually a perfect dirt roading rig.  

      I need to go check the kidding barn.  It is time, but these chicks don’t act like it, yet.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

     Some fantastic dates are getting near.  The first one is a term that everyone can relate to, especially teachers and students–Christmas Break.  Next Friday brings that much anticipated day in Shattuck.  

       The new Stars Wars movie gets released later this week.  The Hollywood box office records that this movie will generate will be retarded.  Duke and I have our tickets and are primed.

       Speaking of Hollywood, Tammy heads to Cali later this week.  Her and Mindi Clark are meeting Kela out there for a concert.  They will have a large time.

      Another important holiday day is rapidly approaching.  It isn’t long until Festivus.  If you are ever only going to watch one Seinfeld episode, “The Strike” is the one to watch.  There is a lot about this made up holiday that I like.  “The tradition of Festivus now begins with the airing of grievances.  I got a lot of problems with you people and now you’re going to hear about it!”–Frank Costanza

      I spent the weekend shuttling kids to OKC.  MFE and ALD leadership conferences were held this Sat. & Sun.  We hauled a load down there on Saturday.  We picked them up at noon today.  We then headed to The Cattleman’s in OKC.  This is one of the iconic steakhouses in Oklahoma.  I know that some people like to eat cheap on school trips.  I may see it a bit diffferent.  Some of these kids may not ever get a chance to eat at a place like Cattleman’s.  And why do we mess with all of these fund raisers if we aren’t going to use it to expand our kids’ horizons a bit.  If we are going to juggle sausage, bacon, hams, ag mech projects, greenhouse sales, etc., the kids might as well enjoy the profits.  This was an outstanding set of kids that acted top notch.  Cattleman’s don’t take reservations, but they were very accomodating to a party of 24.  We had a stellar pair of waitresses.  Most of the kids tried the lamb fries and the house dressing.  The steaks were excellent.  As a side note bonus–a well-fed bus driver is more likely to want to spend a weekend helping in the future.  I don’t care what business you are in, take care of those that help you.  

      On a goat note, it is a wet, muddy, sloppy place around paradise.  I’m not complaining, but these animals DON’T like it.  We had a kid on Friday evening.  I had to pull him, but he is up and going.  Luke and Lexi spent Saturday night with Tammy and I.  They named this little goat “Leroy”.  I always cringe when kids name a young goat.  You just hope the goat makes it.  And as a result of having Lexi and Luke here, we had to have lego wars.  Several hours were spent with Luke and I building up our army to take on Lexi and Tammy’s army of lego soldiers.  I loved legos as a kid and they are still addictive.  I told Tammy, “Just please make sure they are all out of the carpet.  I don’t want to find one barefoot.”

       Here’s to hoping that you don’t step on a lego, barefooted, in the dark.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

      It is hard to believe that it has been 70 degrees F these past few days.  No ice to break or watch goats slip on.  The mud is gone.  70, in NW OK, in December…RUKM?  And no wind?  I’m sure we will pay for it later, but it is nice.

      For some reason, this Thursday was not fun.  No major problems…just lots of hiccups and headaches that add up.  For starters, I let some bucks visit some does back in July.  The problem is that I saved the breeding dates in my phone notes.  Technology is great, right up until there is a fail.  The phone notes zapped out and deleted notes back to April.  So now, I am waiting on some does to kid.  I know what bucks, just not sure on breeding dates.  I wish I would have just used my sticky note system.  Unlike some technology, this sticky note system that I have is a time-proven no-fail system.  Unless, someone, other than my self needs to read them.  

      I think part of my Thursday problems were caused by Wednesday evening dessert.  Once the Shattuck Christmas parade was over, we went to eat at Gusto’s.   Food was great.  But then I was offered the dessert menu.  I don’t eat much chocolate.  Didn’t need a carrot cake..wait, what…strawberry shortcake with whipped cream.  I have theories about ordering desserts.  Something about this one said, “YES! Do it!”  So, I did.  And it was wicked good.  Trust me, you haven’t had strawberry shortcake like this at a restaurant.  And it didn’t take long for me to realize just how good that REAL whipped cream was.  The lactose intolerance set in and it was off to the races.  My gut hurt along with other consequences.  It hurt bad.  Real bad.  So, would I eat it again.  YES!!   But, there would have to be a strategic plan to deal with it.  I like milk products. 

      I got home from my employment and did chores.  Then, the Dragon Lady took me back to Shattuck.  I let the kids use my tractor, trailer and hay for the Christmas parade.  All good.  But, I needed to get that tractor back to unload feed and move hay.  I left Shattuck at 5:27 p.m.  I made it out of town and headed East down the Shattuck/Sharon road.  Who would have expected it to be so busy on a Thursday night?  Not I.  When we left to go get the tractor is was 63 degrees out.  I decided to add a hoodie to my wardrobe.  Wise decision.  It got a bit cool roading home.

      Back in ’13, I traded tractors.  Tammy asked me why I didn’t get a cab on this new tractor.  The reply was that I didn’t need one or want one.  Tonight was the first time that I considered wanting a cab.  And it wasn’t even cold out.  But, once the sun sets and the wind is blowing in your face at 22.6 mph, it gets a bit chilly.  

       I unloaded hay, finsihed chores and headed to the house.  Tammy had a pot-pie in the oven for me.  This meant that it would take 30 minutes to cook and 48 minutes to cool down.  During that hour, the corgi patrol of dogs that inhabit our porch started making noise.  Tammy looked out to see and there was smell cat eating dog food on our porch.  I grabbed a shotgun and coaxed it away from the house, then away from the pickup and DANG that thing was fast.  But not fast enough.  

      And now, I sit here, waiting on that pot pie to cool, looking at Milligan’s videos and thinking that it has been a long day and he has too much extra time.  Or do I?  Because I am the one sitting here watching this “Stop, Drop and Go–Illustrated version” crap.  I think that I might need some fresh whipped cream on this pot pie.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

     There is a fairly current hit song by the artist, The Weeknd.  (I didn’t name him or spell it for him.) The song is titled “Can’t feel my face.”  The chorus of the song is “I can’t feel my face when I’m with you.”  One of the very best students at Shattuck High went to the dentist yesterday to get a tooth worked on.  And yes, she sang “I can’t feel my face when I’m with you”.  

      I sit here in eager anticipation of the new Star Wars movie that is to be released on the public in a week or so.  Although, I thoroughly enjoy the Star Wars saga, I would not say that any of those movies are the absolute best movie ever made.  And that is saying something as I really like these movies.  Ironically, two of the very best movies ever made have came up in Ag Ed class this past week.  Both movies were made in the 80s, but they are still liked.  The kids that have seen these movies, love them. The others have led sheltered or deprived lives and haven’t had the opportunity to see true cinematic classics.  They are interested and want to see them.  

      One has to be careful when using the term “great”.  It is a term that is over-used in our society.  But, I do not hesitate at all, when discussing these movies, to utilize the “great” term.   One can even use the Greatest Of All Time phrase if need be.  “What movies could be this great?”  you ask.  Lonesome Dove and The Man from Snowy River.  These movies were well written.  The characters were portrayed to perfection by the actors.  Once you watch Lonesome Dove, Robert Duvall will always be Augustus McCrae and Tommy Lee Jones will forever more be Woodrow F. Call.  No matter what other huge parts they play or have played, those became their parts.  Kirk Douglass played not one, but two iconic roles in The Man from Snowy River.  Oh, and let’s not forget that scene of Jim Craig riding Denny over the cliff to chase down the brumbies of the Snowy River mountains. Yes, they are both “westerns”, but one is U.S. and the other is Down Under.  One was originally a mini-series taken from an even better book, while the other was a low-budget film based on a poem.  I would argue that the two best filmed movies of all time are The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and The Man From Snowy River.  Not a lot of cgi work used in these films.  They actually used cinematography to film these classics.  You know–they used foresight, planning, vision and well placed cameras to make these visuals.  

     What I know, is that if it was my birthday and I lived in Indiana, I think that I would celebrate by popping in one of these movies, kicking back and just enjoy life.  Or you could head to the kidding barn and check does.  Cheers!  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.  

       Tip of the cap to those that were affected by Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.   I think that history will show THAT generation of Americans handled terror and a threat to the American way of life better than what our generation has handled 9/11 and the current problems with terrorists.  We, and I include myself, have become complacent and just don’t think that we can do anything about it, mainly because of our impotent government.  You would think, that with as many pecker pills are advertised on tv, in magazines and on the internet, that we could find something to improve our L.P. government.  It is hard to have faith in our current political system and the future doesn’t look good.  In GOD we trust.  I know that I do.  

     I know if we hit the way back button and traveled in reverse to the year 1988 we had Ronald Reagan as our President.  Johnny Cash was still performing and Bob Hope was doing comedy specials and introducing the All American football players–Barry Sanders & Hart Lee Dykes.  Now, in 2015 you have obama, NO CASH and NO HOPE!

        Here’s what else I know.  The Champion’s Choice jackpot was today.  GREAT set of goats–wethers and does.  Phil Stacy did a stellar job of lining the goats up.  Even though, I mildly disagreed in a place or 3, I really liked the goats he used.  Excellent show.  As good as the goats were, the kids were better.  I $h!t you not, there was a wicked good set of showmen in that barn today.  It isn’t often that I actually get to “watch” a show.  I did today and I liked watching these kids show.  What I know as a result of this show today, is that quite possibly the two best goat showmen are both from Garfield County, OK.  Halie Schovanec and Taylor Parrish can flat get it done.  These chicks can show does or wethers, on the chain or braced, whatever, they can do it.  

       I also know that the members of the Champion’s Choice are as good as it gets.  Deb Hardin and Jodi Seelke take care of the paperwork and keep things organized.  Schneberger is a perfect fit as the chairman.  Kelsey took care of the announcing and Henkhaus took care of the weigh backs.  Helms, Gallagher, Ralph and I are real good at watching the show.  Addison Schneberger worked like a trooper.  Wait, Addison, Jodi and Deb make this thing go round.  Well, that is about like the real world.  The women make things work properly.  

     Here’s what else I know.  There is a huge CONGRATS to the Shattuck Indians on winning another state football championship.  Excellent set of kids and as good a coaching staff as you will ever find at a small school.  If you aren’t familiar with Shattuck football, google it.  And no, you don’t need to bother looking for my name.  I just appreciate a job well done.  

     The Champion’s Choice Jackpot show is this Saturday in Norman, OK.  The weather outside is supposed to be delightful this weekend.  It is the season of giving and this jackpot show will give away about $40,000.  Yes, that is $40K that will be won.  There are lots of people that don’t make $40K in a year and here we are giving it away.  Go to championschoicejackpot.com for all of the sponsoring breeders, times, details, etc.  

Phil Stacy is judging.  Does and wethers.  Cats and dogs living together.  Showmanship divisions.  Okies & Texans worksing side by side.  Buckles and checks.  What more could you want in a show?

      Each sponsoring breeder donates a sizable amount to make this show possible.  It is open to the world as long as you are showing goats from the eligible breeders.  The competition will be wicked.  Goats at this show go on to win majors.  Even if you don’t win the show, the class money pays off like a slot machine.  If you have a goat from a sponsoring breeder, you need to attend this show.   Be there or be square. 

    Dec. 1, 2015 is the 15th birthday of our favorite son.  Yep, Duke is 15.  If you haven’t seen him in the past several months, he isn’t that cute little boy anymore.  The feed bill has gotten considerably higher as he has gotten taller.  

    We were out of power on Monday evening.  The chores were done, tanks full and it was getting cold.  We elected to go to Woodward and grab a hotel room.  I could have fired up the generator or gone to stay at Shattuck.  But that woudn’t do as Duke and I decided we needed to go swimming.  So, Tammy ordered pizza while Duke and I swam.  Poolside pizza with the family while listening to Shattuck win their football game followed up by putt-putt golf.  Not the most elaborate b-day party, but it was fun.      Of course, you could tell that Duke was pretty excited about his birthday.  Same emotion that you always see out of the Duke–a flat line hunnhh, with just a hint of a shit-eating smirk.  Even though, it was pretty evident that he liked the Stormy Kromer vest that somebody got for him.