Friday was sale day at the Shattuck FFA Greenhouse.  The plants are huge and it looks like a jungle when you walk in the door of the greenhouse.  The humidity coupled with the lush vegetation made for quite the wilderness.  We have even had an un-confirmed sighting of a panda living amongst the purple baron bamboo.  

      Advertising for this sale consisted of facebook posts, a couple of emails, word of mouth and some fliers located strategically around town.  But this was quite sufficient.  There were customers in the greenhouse from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm.  The kids and I have put a lot of time and effort into growing these plants.  I’ve had to learn as much or more than the kids.  But it is kind of fun.  Except for the saturday that a student forgot to water and we performed an unneccesary stress test on the plants.  As a result, we did learn which plants are quite drought tolerant and which ones fold up like a cheap lawn chair when they don’t get a needed drink.  However, there were some casualties to the tomato section.  

 I did learn that people like to buy plants.  All kinds of people like to buy plants.  Not just little old ladies, but all types of people.  Several men showed up to buy lots of tomatoes and peppers.  Lots of women really know their plants.  Sun vs. shade, how often each type needs watered and which ones look good mixed together in a pot.  

     I also learned that a greenhouse is probably more important to a chapter than a strong show program.  More kids are involved and the whole community is aware of plants thriving in a school based greenhouse.  And they will support it.  We had several customers whose bill came up to 50 or 60 dollars, but they wrote the check for $200.  It’s also kind of cool to see some of the kids step up and take ownership.  You can see pride as they showed, then sold their plants.  And it was real fun when the Dragon Lady’s mother showed up.  She knows her plants and she likes LOTS of plants.  We literally had to back her pickup right up to the door and start loading until the bed was full.  Linda definitely earned Preferred Customer status.  The kids that helped her load out talked about it all day long.  

      During the afternoon, I put the Ag Mecker boys to work planting some merrigolds and bamboo in the beds in front of the ag building.  The boys were actually having fun doing this.  Of course, one of them dug up a big fat white grub worm.  Boys being boys– a dare was made, a $20 bill was shown, the deal was struck and then, yep, you guessed it–one of the boys ate the grub worm for $20.  Yes, I watched.  I wanted the deal to be properly supervised.  I then made the whole class look up the term “entomapaghy”.  This is the study of eating insects as a food source.  There are always teachable moments.

     This sale day did work as a good recruiting tool for speech practice.  As members of the community came to get plants, I conned several into listening to kids practice their speeches.  And once the last customer left.  I went home to do chores, vacccinate, tag and burn horns.  Basically, a pretty full day.  So full, that Tammy and I got burgers at Charlie’s to go.  We took them home to eat.  Unbelievable.  I’ve been too well behaved for too long.  

     And yes, we did have a nice neighbor lady that walks by the greenhouse every day.  She has been checking, waiting on us to open the doors.  On this Friday, she called me and said, “Is today the day?”  I replied, “Yes, it is.”  She said, “I’m on my way.”  It wasn’t long and she strolled up pulling her little red wagon.  Literally, the good kind of metal Little Red Wagon.  She loaded it up, paid & paid extra for the kids, thanked us and headed home to go stick plants in the ground.  It’s awesome.  

     We finally got a good rain here in paradise.  From 7 pm to 5 am this morning, we recieved 2.25 inches of rain.  That is the single biggest rain total that we have had here since the spring of 2012.  We’ll take it.  Of course, there was wind associated with it, which meant that I got to dig wet feed out of feeders this morning.  The joys and discomforts.  

      I watched Michael J. Fox on Letterman the other evening.  I’ve lilked a lot of his movies and tv programs over the years.  This guy has put together a heckuva career, stayed out of the bad media and managed to battle a disease.  It was fun watching Letterman do this interview.  

     Here’s to hoping that the rest of you got a much needed rain as well.  Have a good day.

     Every year, during the middle of the month of April, I get on here and praise the kids that compete in public speaking events.  There is not a better activity for kids to compete.  No matter what they do with their lives, public speaking will benefit them.  I like stock shows, but if I had to choose between my kids showing animals or giving speeches….well, let’s just say that I have always given my kids the choice of showing or not.  They have to give some sort of competitive speech.  This is truly an event that you don’t have to win in order to still be a winner.  Now, having said that, those of you that know me, know that I like to win.  And I really like listening to kids give well written, well prepared speeches.  I love a great delivery and especially like it when they can answer questions.  I’m real proud of the Shattuck kids.  There is a bright future of super successful public speakers in that school.  Congrats to all the kids that competed tonight and good luck to all of those that qualified for the NW District contest next week.  

    No, heck no, nope, however you want to put it,  don’t need any of this hillary for president. No good can come of that thing being in office.  I am all for a female to serve serve as the potus.  But that isn’t the right one.  Don’t need it, don’t want it.  Just a whole bunch of nopes when it comes to that deal being elected.  I just hope our nation is not that retarded. 

    Sunday didn’t bring a day of rest, like it should be, but did bring a day of getting stuff done–at home.  Does moved.  Panels re-arranged.  Small square bales moved and easier to get to.  Babies tagged.  Crappy looking freeze damaged crops with mustard growing got mowed down as it has been too WINDY to spray.  Duke got to help me move goats and hay. Then he got to help the Dragon Lady with her yard work.  She was working to get paradise looking like, well–paradise.  She likes to plant stuff with color.  And this does make for more work for Duke and I, but we do what we have to, in order to keep momma happy.  And she took care of the kidding barn while I was in Enid.  Big THANKS!

      Had a few visitors come to pick goats up.  I like seeing good goats going to good homes, especially when they are headed to different states.  I just wish that they all had KELLN tags in them.  But, nope, the does have let us down so far this year.  HIGH percentage of doe kids.  Which means that I am a buyer in search of high quality wethers for our showers.  

      Segue into this paragraph–The banners & backdrops sale was Saturday in Enid, OK.  For an inaugral event, I am pleased with how this sale went.  The buck deal was a bit soft.  The grand buck brought $10,500 and will be seen again.  I bought Cade Halfman’s reserve buck. The doe show was high quality on the top end and then tailed off.  The grand doe was a Joe Dirt daughter that Brandon the Bruce consigned.  I have always liked this doe, so I bought her.  The reserve grand doe was a little bitty but way cool turd consigned by Braden Schovanec.  She was sired by Law&Order and brought $3,000.  The wethers were very good on the top end and then the sale stayed good. Wethers are in demand.  Obviously, I am not the only breeder that is short on wethers.  The first lot of wethers was sold as choice of the barn.  I bought that lot and doubled down to get a Seelke Rumour wether and a Tyke Greer Joe Dirt kid.  I gambled by not taking three, but on the next lot, I bought my third goat for a tick less.  I only had one wether to take and he sold well considering how green he was.  The best part, he went to a REALLY good home.  

     I am real pleased with this event and look forward to the future.  Thank you to all the consignors and buyers/bidders.  I truly appreciate those that traveled to bring goats and those that came to buy.  Thanks to Jason Spence for auctioneering and Kevin Mock for judging.  Thanks to all of our helpers.  Especially to Jullie Milligan for all of her organizational/clerical help.  Julie is like the milk cow that just gets stuff done and takes care of business.  She makes tards, like Tommy and I look real good.  All while taking care of those boys.  This deal was good for a first time sale.  It will be real good in the future.  Bet me.  

     On Friday night, I had to pay Tyke and Brandon the Bruce for washing and shearing.  So, we headed over to Chicarro’s in Enid.  This is an interesting steak house that has VERY strict political views.  I don’t like having to leave my cap in the pickup, but I understand.  This is one of those joints that has to be experienced to fully understand, but they cook a killer steak.  I’m talking a 25 ounce ribeye.  Maybe a 20 ounce prime rib.  And slow smoked to be right.  It ain’t cheap, but it is real good.  

      We are getting a bit of a rain shower on this fine Sunday evening.  It ain’t much, but we’ll take it.  Here’s to horseshoes and shamrocks and dang it, life is so good around here that there is nothing but sunshine and rainbows.  But, not very many rainbows.  We are limited on rainbows.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow. 

I’ve got plenty to say, but time and internet signal is a limiting factor.  I’m wore out and mentally deranged but it was a way good weekend.  The sale wasn’t bad but the people were great.  The ribeye should have been illegal.  It’s nothing but rainbows and sunshine in this part of paradise.  

    This day brings about numerous things for me.  First, I found myself at a livestock judging contest in Lawton, OK with a really great group of kids.  I hadn’t been to this contest since 2003.  But, like the timeless Whitesnake song, “Here I Go Again”.  We didn’t win, but did fair well.  Bree Taylor was 3rd overall and Kaylee Holt was 7th overall.  The team was 10th.  This means these girls had to carry the two boys as Gatlin did okay and Duke has had better days marking cards.  This crew is made up of 8th graders, so the future is bright.  All in all, a really good trip as it was a really good contest with a pile of good teams.    

      The power of facebook was evident today as I recieved a butt-load of texts and messages with all the happy birthday stuff.  I did enjoy reading them and all of the messages on facebook.  It is amazing when you scroll through all the names and see former students, old college buddies that I haven’t seen in years, friends, people that I have never met, and some that I see oir talk to dang neart everyday.  Of course, I laughed at some of the messages–Yes, I can still make it to the toilet.  No, I didn’t pee on my boots this morning–some I can’t repeat, but a lot of them referring to me as “old”.  Which, I am getting there according to the calendar and dang sure by the odometer as I am not some garage kept car that Grandma only drove to church on Sundays.  I’m kind of a self-inflicted, rough, one owner, high mileage unit that has had minimal maintenance and even less care.  But, we are still road worthy and can out run a bunch of these other newer units.  Thanks to all.  Of course, I don’t ever check out anybody else’s birthday.  I never get too excited about mine.  Although, if given the chance, I wouldn’t be against having a big side-ways kind of celebration for my day or yours or whatever works.  That’s the worst part about getting old.  I’m now on good behavior most of the time.  

       Speaking of getting sideways, I just remembered to check Hummel’s sale to see if there were any bargains that I might need to gamble on.  WHEW!!?!!  That sale looks like Snoop Dogg and his buddies–HIGH.  Very impressive.  I knew it would be high.  They work hard at it.  I like their write ups and the pictures.  They hung a lot of banners last year.  I’d like to help them hang a banner in the great state of Oklahoma, but it is kind of against my religion to mortgage the farm to buy a wether.  

      There is lots of money changing hands in the goat business.  You never know what state the next phone call or text message will be from.  The top end of bucks and wethers may not be as high as in some years, but the average price of good goats is strong.  REAL STRONG!  There are better breeders, better showmen and better feeders–in all states.  But on that note, sound livestock evaluation, study of genetics, proper nutrition, a skilled showman and honest judges make for real fun livestock shows–regardless of species.  Yes, it takes money, but it takes a LOT of hard work.  And sometimes, just a pinch of luck.  

     Alright, this blog is like me–getting old.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.  

    Sold a couple in the banners & backdrops online sale.  Sold a couple doe kids at the house.  Add the April Fools day sale and coming up this weekend is the Banners and Backdrops sale in End, OK.  I have seen several sets of weathers that will sell there that are wicked good.  Seelke’s have a really fun pair of Rumour weathers.  There will also be a buck or two that people need to take a look at.  I’m sure that there will be some donor quality females.

      This has been the most miserable kidding season that I have experienced.  Looking forward to next year.  

      Stopped in Blair, OK for supper.  I have heard about the Backdoor restaurant for years.  Finally stopped and glad we did.  Very good food.  Duke highly recommends the fillet.  

     I apologize to all of you whom have been checking this site for the past week, looking for some quality info.  It has been a bit hectic.  We had an online sale last week on April Fool’s Day.  It went well.  Thanks to all of the buyers, bidders and lookers.  It takes all to make it work.  We are selling some more goats in the Banners & Backdrops online sale in a day or two.  Then we will sell at the Banners & Backdrops sale on April 11 in Enid, OK.  I’ve seen several wethers that will be selling at this sale.  BIG TIME!

     I’ve been pickup shopping for several months.  Not a cheap deal.  I don’t buy very many new pickups.  I bought one in ’93, ’09 and now ’15.  I tend to keep a good pickup for awhile.  Kind of like a high quality pair of camo shorts: you just don’t get rid of something just because the crotch is ripped a bit.  

       I have this little side job that tends to take up quite a bit of time.  Hopefully, the rest of the 2015 kidding season goes better than it has the past two weeks.  I don’t sleep much, but I am ready for a good nights rest.  We have had several problems and let me tell you, the Dragon Lady has earned her keep.  She doesn’t enjoy the job, but she will work to save a baby.  

      I haven’t hunted Easter eggs for quite some time, but I was quite happy to find that my FAVORITE daughter was flying home for the weekend.  Her mom and I get in a good mood, but it is funny to watch her LITTLE brother when she is home.  You can tell that he likes his older sister.  And he is at least 6 inches taller than her now.  At Christmas, it was a close call as to who was the tallest.  Now, it isn’t close.  

      Saturday night brought my brother Jake and his family to the house.  This was great since a Kelln Klan favorite was also here.  Anytime you get Monte Sharp, Jake and I together, it gets interesting. 

      And then there was Easter Sunday.   Maybe the most important day of the year.  HE has risen.  Thanks to GOD for his only son.  I feel honored to spend this day with my family.  Then, we went to Mom’s for lunch.  OH WOW!!  Prime rib roast, twice baked potatoes, salad, beans, pies, hot rolls, deviled eggs, etc, etc, etc.  And Dad always has a wine that pairs quite nicely with whatever is being served.  My parents know how to feed the family.  Way good meal  on a way good day.  

     Here’s to hoping that all of you had a way good Easter weekend.  Just remember the importance of this day.  

    I have come to the realization that the daily goings-on at the Kelln Livestock Kompound are kind of a spectator sport.  We tend to have audiences at all times.  Rightfully so.  Saturday afternoon, Duke and I decided to get the Iseki and rototiller out.  Duke recieved a few “safety” lessons and then he started tillling ground.  It was a beautiful day out, so I stood there in shorts, no shirt and watched.  Then Brandon the Bruce showed up to help me watch.  Then Barclay and Kaylee Holt.  Duke did great until he realized that there was a crowd forming.  Then, he tried to turn to tight in soft Earth, but the tractor wouldn’t turn as the tiller pushed him towards the fence.  Then, he had part of the tiller gathering up fence.  I can tell you that this tiller will roll up fence in a hurry.  He got it shut down.  Brandon the Bruce grabbed some pliers and cut wire, then we headed to the big barn to watch Brandon torch the fence off the tiller tines.  Yep, I was a spectator.  But the ground is now ready for taters.  

      The Dragon Lady showed up after the fact.  Found out what had happened and then chewed my donkey asking me if I yelled at Duke.  “Nope.”  I laughed at him and said, “Congratulations son.  You won’t make that mistake again.”  Then I showed him a 1/8 mile of fence that I replaced back in ’86 for my Uncle Omer because I caught it with a disk and didn’t realize it for a bit.  Guess what?  That was the last time that I made that mistake.  

    Saturday night, the Dragon Lady and I went to Tyke’s to eat really good corn and burnt ribs.  Tyke is normally a chef on the Traeger.  Well, on this night, not so good.  But I was hungry so I ate several ribs.  Tyke and I had several discussions worthy of spectators watching and listening.  Lots of knowledge was dispensed.  

      Sunday morning, I made a decision (probably a wrong decision) to stay home and spend time with fresh dirt, livestock, clean air and the good LORD.  I just like being outside, by myself and feeling nature.  That is my true religion.  Alone with my thoughts, outside.  Maybe it’s just me.  

      Sunday afternoon brought howling winds and photo sessions for the April Fool’s Day online sale.  I am way JACKED about these bucks, couple of does and some wethers.  This lot 1 buck is a bonafide great one.  COMPLETE.  I stand corrected–completely good.  Had way good helping spectating the photo shoots this afternoon.  The wind did ruffle some doe hair.  

     And for today’s random note, how about spectating the TV show TAXI.  I watched this show with my dad back in the late 70s and early 80s.  I still like watching it.  What a cast–almost every character went on to big fame.  My favorite character was Reverend Jim Ignatowski played by Christopher Lloyd.  Of course, he went on to play Doc in the Back to the Future movies, but was great as the burnt up Reverend Jim.  Judd Hirsch, Tony Danza, Marilu Henner, Rhea Perlman, Andy Kaufman and of course, the great Danny Devito.  Heck that one dude (I don’t remember his name but I do remember him in some celebrity rehab show) even starred in GREASE.  If you are too young to remember this tv show, google it, netflix or whatever.  Watch it.  It’s a good one.  

    And to finish this night, the Dragon Lady cooked Filet Mignon, taters w/ bacon, ranch beans and ears of corn.  You couldn’t put a price tag on this meal.  Killer good and I am sitting here with my waistband of my jeans at maximum capacity.        

     Here’s to a new week.  Have a good day and a better tomorrow.