There was a concert in the fall of ’89 in Gallagher-Iba Arena at Oklahoma State University.  Ricky Van Shelton was the headliner and Clint Black was the next most important act.  And introducing Garth Brooks. A couple of years later, Garth returned to Stillwater with a big concert.

      Dude, “Much too young to feel this damn old” is one of my all time favorite songs.  “The Dance” is one of my favorite videos and songs.  I have several unique Garth stories.  I like his music.  

I don’t like his politics but I respect that he has, for the most part, kept his politics out of his entertainment.  I wish other actors and artists would do the same.  There is some wicked cool Garth stories regarding him donating time, effort and $s.   The dude is legit.

Last night, we headed to Canadian, TX to feed Duke a steak.  On the way there, he decided that he wanted to go to the….wait for it….Stumbling Goat.   So, we did.  Good food but no live entertainment on this night.  Duke did buy some Texas lottery scratch offs (no winners) and he did drive home.  He didn’t have to, he wanted to.  Why?  Driver has control of the music.  If you know me, that means something.

So, I listened to his stuff.  Koe Etzel…not bad.  Turnpike Troubadors… okay.  Great Divide—–Hell Yeah!   Cross Canadian Ragweed…..Dude, you are in my wheelhouse at this point.  Wait…I know that voice….is that….on spotify…..well, yes….Panhandle Dirt.   COOOLLL!    And if you don’t know, the lead singer of Panhandle Dirt is Bowdy Peach.   He might have been to a wether goat show or three.     Garth….YES!   Which got us to talking about Bob Childers.  Which is a story for a later date.

Tonight, there was a concert on cbs with Garth.  Garth at Notre Dame.  Stadium tour kickoff.  Cool deal.  One day, sometime, I will go to a game at Notre Dame.  I’ve been waiting for Okie State to play there but that doesn’t look like it is in the works.  So, I may have to come up with some new strategery to have a justifiable excuse.  I digress.

Tammy and I watched this concert on tv tonight.  Several thoughts rolled through my skull.

1–Where does Garth rank amongst the greatest concert showman of all time?  I am going to say “3rd”.  With KISS being #2 and Elvis being #1.  Garth obviously was a fan and took notes from both.  Job well done since nobody took country music this high or as big as what Garth has done.

2–If you are as big a star as Garth, and you are in Notre Dame stadium, shouldn’t you end the show with a “Rudy” moment and get carried off the field?  IDK, just thinking…

3–I think I know where I want to go, to see Garth perform live, in a stadium.  Maybe it’s just me, but….Garth, in Tiger Stadium, in Baton Rouge, singing “Calling Baton Rouge” would be pretty bad donkey.  Plus, the day/week spent eating red beans & rice, andouille sausage and other cajun treats.  The first time that I ever had bread pudding was in Thibodeaux, LA.  Wicked bad ass.  A day later, I was in New Orleans looking at the white alligators.  Not albinos, these gators had blue eyes. Magical. Truly one of the coolest things that I have ever seen.

4–No matter what you think of Garth Brooks, his Xm55 channel is one of, if not the best, channel on radio.  Good tunes.

If you are in the Texas Panhandle or in NW OK, then you need to make a stop at the Stumbling Goat.  Greasy burgers and bad service is their slogan.  Take it from there.

And if you read that monopoly stuff and got pissed, well then, you might ought to read it again.  If you don’t know what the genetics are that you are leasing, well then, you are spending too much and you are probably walking  with a hitch after getting……

And the next line will be, “Let me take care of selling those for you”  which means, “since you don’t know the genetics anyways, I might as well control that part of your program as well.”  But, I’ll throw enough back your way that you don’t question it.

In the real world, that is called a pimp.

Tomorrow morning, I will get texts & calls asking me to stop, shut up…..   “We don’t want semen or bucks cheaper.   You are taking money out of the industry.”   No.   No.  I am not.  On the contrary.  Front row seats will cost more if they are dang sure good.  A sure-enough- good one will bring top dollar.   That common stuff that you are spreading, which needs a shot of penicillin, will de-value the market and put people out of business.

When these reproductive specialists can gaurantee 75% conception (heck, 50% would be great), then we can & should expect high $ for straws of semen.  Until then, the prices of unproven goat semen shouldn’t be so high.  However, high quality,  proven semen should be worth more.  If you are selling goat semen, there should be a motility test to back it up.  Not all collectors or sellers have standards.  There should be an industry standard.  If you buy from us and something doesn’t seem right, call.  My number is on the website.  Leave a message or text.  We will make it right. If not we, I will dang sure make it right.

Today was just another busy Saturday.  We started the day dealing with mini herf cows.  Pulling cidrs and giving shots.  Then we did the same to some of Duke’s big cows.  We have to adjust the chute in between each type of cow.  Although, there is a pair of these mini herf cows that ain’t so mini.  They will weigh 1100-1200#.  We headed to the feed store to fill creep feeders and feed bins.  Then we moved some cows and calves.  Then we hauled hay.  Then we AIed a heifer.  Then Duke worked wethers.

And now.  it is eighteen years since Dec. 1, 2000.  Which means that Tammy and I now have two adults for kids.  Yes, Duke is 18.  He is a registered voter and is old enough to join the military, buy lottery tickets and tobacco (He better not.)  Part of me feels like my job is done.  Well, maybe not quite done, yet.

He wants a steak for supper, so we are getting ready to head to Texas.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

I have this blog for two reasons.  And both reasons are for my own use.  However, there are benefits and downfalls to me having this blog.  I shit-u-not.  I am very aware of the downfalls.  But, here we are.  Still at it.

I also realize that there are 2, maybe 3 reasons, that any of you people read this stuff.  1–The chance that u might learn something.  2–cheap entertainment and 3–most are hoping, waiting for me to go off sideways on something.  Normally, something goat related.

Those of you that read this, yet don’t actually know me, should know that you do not have to wait for me to type something to have an opinion.  It is way more entertaining in real life.

Shout out to the Ulysses flash.  You are correct about the Rudolph blog.  In 1964, they showed Christmas commercials.  Now, the squeaky wheel has pushed for these to be holiday commercials.  Not in this household.  I can have a holiday at any point that I want but Christmas is and always will be Christmas.  And if any of you don’t like that, I have a donkey that I would like for you to kiss!

Lately, I’ve found myself pondering what Duke’s show career would have looked like if he and Kela would not have been 10 years apart in age.  Call it getting old or just too many miles on the odometer.  It is hard to be a parent and keep kids competitive for two decades.  But, Tammy and I find ourselves at the threshold of that very fact.  In 2000,  Kela showed at OKC (not yet called OYE) for the first time.  She drove the champion Chester barrow.  In 2009, she concluded her show career with a res. div. 4 wether goat at OYE.

In 2010, Duke showed at OYE for the first time and was 2nd in class behind the grand.  He was 6th overall.  He won div. 4 the next year, a res. div. the next 2 years, a couple of reserve grands at the state fair, grands at 2 different District shows, a couple of division champs at Tulsa, a reserve grand goat at Phoenix, a grand and reserve grand barrow at Phoenix, a bronze goat at OYE and made the sale at OYE in 2010, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & then the skid mark.    In the words of Sam Barton,  “Better than most, not as good as some.”  This list is not what makes Duke Kelln.  And I am glad.

Tammy and I both feel and welcome the end.  Tammy was kind of like Frodo, near Mount Doom.  All but done.  I may or may not be like Samwise Gamgee when picking her up and carrying her to the finish line.  Actually, Tammy and I were both kind of hoping that Duke was done.  But….

Every year, we have asked our kids, “Do you want to show and why?”  If they didn’t want to, they better have a good reason why.  If they wanted to, they better have goals.

April of 2018, Tammy and I were fine just limping off into the sunset.  We didn’t have anything left to prove.  But Duke was the one that wanted to keep going.  He picked us both up and kept this deal going.  At that time, Duke and I were at war.  Grades, attitude, reckless driving, increased insurance, etc., etc., etc.   I’m sure that Daniel, Jake and my parents would say that it was a genetic thing.  Mentally, something triggered in Duke.  And now, here we are with very few goats on feed and very realistic goals.  Win, lose, goals achieved or not, we will complete 20 years of showing exactly the same as we started, as a family.  That’s it.  I may have mentioned this before. I don’t know.  Don’t care.  But it is something that is on my mind.

Now, do not ask me if we are going to miss being stock show parents.  Right now, the answer is no.  But, given time, I bet that will change.  We have both enjoyed dealing with many, many kids.  I’ll just be glad to not be the one signing checks.  I do know that NOBODY has ever done this deal as successfully as we have, for as cheap as we have done it.  Except for our own kids. We didn’t do it cheap.  We wrote checks.  Our checks helped others afford their animals.  Basically, I’m a dumb ass.  It is a very limited number of breeder(s) that actually took care of my kids.  They ALL wanted and took my money but there were some acts of kindness by a few that will NEVER, EVER be forgotten.

As for a monopoly.  I know the game.  I understand the game.   There was a time when I was way ahead of most in this goat game.  Better feeders, feed, showmen and goats.  Then, then the world tilted.  But we kept near the top for another 5 or 6 years.  Kept it clean, no dirty pool.  Proud of that.  Let me reiterate that fact…Very proud of that fact.  (Every time I hear the word “reiterate” I think of Barclay Holt.)

Now, I am fine being on an island.  Just doing our own thing.  We are so isolated that we had to start our own campfire.

But, I sit and ponder the goat game that I have studied since 2003.  The monopoly that currently exists is unparalleled in any major stock show species.  Sure, you can rattle off some/most big breeders and odds are they are part of the monopoly.  May not be advertised, but things happen.  Right or wrong.  It is what it is.  I don’t have a problem with that.  But more often than not, the almighty dollar takes precedence.  I like a dollar, I really like 2 dollars but those dollars do not add up to who I am or what I aspire for my kids.

The problem that I have is the lack of information or wrong information about genetics that comes from that monopoly.  “Sure, rent this buck for this many doneros but you ain’t going to know what he truly is.”  Or “He’s a such and such back on an old school deal.”  That is bullshit!  People need to know genetics.  If a “rental” buck works on their does, they should be able to track that buck back down and if the renting party did their part, have a shot at leasing that buck again.  It should not be a bull shit game ran by chicken shit people.  And if the shoe fits…..

“Genetics!  Hheenh!  You don’t need to know no stinking genetics!”

I may be wrong, but I’m guessing that 80% of the industry does not truly have a clue about their genetics.  A bunch are now saying “Not me.”  I call BS.  I’ve got some name brand does that I bought this summer that I, NOR the name brand breeder(s) actually know what they are.  900 grandson, Blindside grandson, double bred Absolute, throw in some Tattoo and then back on some 191 or Animal does.  Who knows?  Nobody!  Cuz that dude ain’t that smart to keep track of all of that.  Nope. Scary smart? Yes.  But not that smart when u are just marketing to the masses.  What is the phrase, “Loose lips”?  Something else, like, maybe a RATT song.  “Slip of the lip. Sink ships.”  I don’t know.  Yeah, I do. You should.  If you wrote a check to any of those ass hats then you better know.

(sum kool buck names–that dude, ain’t that smart, Who knows?)  Can I copyright these?   Ah, heck.  Feel free to use anything you can glean from this page of extensive knowledge.

I know, I know, the papered folks are now reading this and going, “We know what our stuff is!”  BS.  There are as many liars there as anywhere else.  Papered goats couldn’t wait to get their hands on something with wether genetics, yet somehow papered.  Hunh?!  Sounds like boardwalk to me.

I like to follow genetics but in all reality, this monopoly has watered them down and made them unimportant.  One only needs to be able to list a standout grandfather or even great-grandfather.

Yes, this is not a new thing in the livestock industry.  But I do think it is worse in the goat world.  Why?  A board game…  Monopoly (damn good bull,  by the way).  Breeders, judges, show officials, judging contests–all tied to one source.   That is a monopoly.  And NO monopoly EVER lasts.  Integrity, however, can last forever.

Let me end with this.

I understand the value of a dollar.  Mine, as well as yours.

I understand the value of education, no matter the level.

I understand the value of ethics.  Period.

I understand the value of goals–achieved or not.

I understand the value of family.

I understand the value of knowledge.

I am not fueled by greed, pride or vengeance.

I understand that one cannot value all of the above.

I understand what parts that I can handle and therefore, pass those values on to others.

Just some random Thursday evening crap to make you think.  Feel free to come to Fargo, OK and look at stock or visit.  Goats, big cattle, mini cattle or just pet these dang corgi dogs.  Our repeat customer traffic is good.  Even though it is a long way to Fargo for most.  But, the hospitality is wicked awesome!   Some visit once and buy year after year..sight unseen.  Our repeat customer base, is extremely high.  Why?

I understand.  So does Tammy.  That makes we.  Small island.  Just better.

I watched a tv program on this fine evening that covered all of the aforementioned topics plus some.  It was just an hour long program but it covered hot button topics of current times.  This show identified issues of racism, bullying, tolerance of others and finding a place for each and every soul.  The current year is 2018 but this tv show was made in 1964.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Yes, it is one of the most popular stories of all-time.  We, here in paradise, set our family clock around watching this little piece of clay-mation artistry.  Do the graphics stand up to the test of time?  Heck YES!!!   How?

I’ll tell you how.  I can look at modern video games that Duke plays.  I can hardly tell if he is watching a movie or playing a game.  The graphics are cool but….is it a game.  But, if you show me a Galaga, Super Tecmo Bowl, Duck Hunt or Mike Tyson’s Super Punch Out video games,  DUDE! those old school graphics take me back to a happy place.  And yet, they still hold up.

Much like a future movie to be released in 2019.  Some things do NOT need to be remade.  The Lion King does not need to be updated.  It was dang neart perfect the first time.  It was such a well made movie that parts of that movie are part of our current culture.  The hyenas, Poomba & Timon, Rafiki, Simba and of course, Mufasa.   OOooohhhh, say it again.   Mufasa.  U can bet that I don’t pay to watch the new version.  No need.

Watch Rudolph and think about the story lines.  He and Hermie the Elf are bullied.  Nobody wants a nose with color.  And nobody wants a dentist in the vicinity.  Later, because of their skill set(s), others become tolerant of them and even allow them to bring the toys from Misfit Island.  Much like another show about tolerance & racism—“…but we dont want the Irish!”  Then, they too digressed and displayed tolerance for others, “Oh, prairie $h!t.  Everybody.”

Pop quiz time.

What do bumbles do?     They bounce.

Do reindeer have eyelashes?      Clarice dang sure does.

How does Yukon Cornelius’s sled keep from going in circles?  I mean, all the short legged dogs are on one side while bigger dogs on the other side.  IDK?!

What does the squirt gun squirt on the Island of Misfit Toys?        Jelly

What dinner do Bumbles prefer over venison?      Pork.   Well, I guess, at least we know that the Bumble wasn’t Jewish, Muslim or 7th Day Adventist.  What does that mean?  Nothing.  Because he didn’t have no teeth, I’m guessing he liked soup.  That is soup with bacon in it.

If this show was made today, one of the deer would have to be of Asian decent, another of Hispanic heritage, Burl Ives would have an Indian dialect (dot not feather) and Hermie would probably be gay.  Wait?  What?  I already thought he was.  Well, he would at least be openly gay in today’s remake.  Plus, ol’ Donner wouldn’t have been able to tell Mrs. Donner that she needed to stay at home.

Here’s the other thing that I noticed from tonights showing.  Which, by the way, looked exactly like the past 40plus years of watching this show.  An hour episode with only 4, four, yes (4) commercial breaks.  And they were shorter than normal.  One, this show was made in 1964 when things were made better.  You can’t trim any part of this show to make it fit inside of an hour and still air all of the normal commercials.  Two, there were NO fast food, pop or beer commercials during this hour.  Three, all commercials were Christmas shopping oriented.  HUGE companies only.  Four, I bet these commercial time slots are expensive.

Here’s what I else I learned while watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Being that I am an openly addicted judge of all things livestock, I could not help but to evaluate Rudolph.  First, he is elevated in his front one-third.  He is jack necked and round bodied.  He has good lines and an extremely cocky appearance.  The red nosed reindeer is also extremely wide from stifle to stifle and travels very wide at the ground.  However, he is short from shoulder to hip and is borderline straight in his shoulder angle as well as from his front knee to the ground.  However, this structural extremity almost gives him the appearance of prancing and does not, in any way,  inhibit this deer from performing.  This beast has packed a maximum amount of muscle on this skeleton and combined it with an almost comical amount of a cocky, cool look that when is added to the extreme color that this one posseses makes this one truly, a unique individual.  I like this one a lot.

Were we talking deer or wether goats?  Wait, who’s the sire of that thing?  I know.

I’ve got to get away from this keyboard.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.  And if you haven’t done anything to help somebody else, well, get offa yo dongkey and do it now!  It is the season.  Year-round!  Prestige Worldwide.

I had been needing a break for a few days.  I kind of got one.  Wednesday was hooked up solid. Thursday was all Thanksgiving.  But, I never got in a vehicle.

Friday, hooked up all day long on random stuff.  I wasn’t even sure what to do with a day that I did not have to be somewhere.  So, I took care of stuff at home and made a couple of project visits.  And I halter broke a mini herf.  She acted tough at first, but I caught her a couple of times on Thursday and then Friday.  She’s all but broke.

Saturday was cattle AI prep day.  We ran all of the mini herf cows through the chute.  Each one got a shot and a CIDR.  I’m not so sure that we shouldn’t have used goat CIDRs.  Then we brought some of Duke’s cow through the chute.  Yes, we had to change alley and gate width.  Then, I went and drilled a few acres of wheat for a neighbor.  Which in turn led to me drilling a few acres around here until the drills were empty.

Farming is not normally profitable.  It dang sure isn’t in this part of the world.  But, it has its moments.  I did stop on the blacktop and watch a John Deere cotton stripper as it rolled up cotton bales.  The lights on that thing are amazing.   The engineering behind the whole machine is unreal.  Of course, they are cheap.

Duke decided to take a cousin hunting.  Duke and Luke headed to the stand.  I was still working.  The Dragon decided that she needed to play lookout.  So, she and the head of the neighborhood watch patrol headed out to watch from a distance.  Just, before dusk, as I was doing chores for all of the other people at my place of residence, I heard a rifle shot from the direction of Duke’s stand.  My first thought, “I hoped they missed.”

Why would I think that?  I have shot many deer.  Some big horned, but most were management deer.  I am a big fan of managing the deer herd by selectively harvesting sub-par bucks as well as the excess does.  I have cleaned and used every deer that I shot.  I have helped Duke with all of his deer.  Now, it is not something that I look forward to.

This isn’t my line.   But at this point, shooting a deer is a lot like a “selfie”.  There is build up, a moment of release and then a mess to clean up.  I apologize.  But the credit for this analogy goes to Jake Kelln.

The sun set and Tammy texted that they were following a blood trail.  A few minutes later and I got a pic of Luke Kelln with a six point buck.  My thoughts–“That is a nice deer for a young kid.  And, DANG, I hope that I don’t have to gut, skin and butcher this dang deer.

A bit later, the Dragon, Duke and Luke rolled into the drive.  I was now watching Okie State getting their asses kicked and the Irish trying to decide if they were going to go undefeated.  Luke wanted me to look at his deer, so I headed outside.  Dang!  That was a really, really nice 6 point.  Width, long brow tines, good size and mass.  I high fived Luke and asked Duke, “Who is cleaning it?”  He looked at me with a huge smile and said, “I got it.”   Oh thank goodness.  I was really happy with Duke at this point.

As happy as I was, no one was happier than Duke.  He was amped that he had helped Luke get a buck.  He was way amped.  Duke has not taken a shot at a buck this season.  But he enjoyed helping a young kid.  I’m proud of Duke.  That, and I didn’t have to help.  YEAH!

Sunday was a COLD, miserable WINDY day.  Not fun.  But all the stock had fresh water, protein and hay.  Except for me.  No hay.  Mentally, this was a good break.

Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

I hope that all of you people had as good of a Thanksgiving Day as what I did.  I smoked 2 turkeys per request from the Kelln females.  I forgot to check my stash of spices and rubs.  I was out of what I usually use on turkey. So, I piled into the kitchen and made my own rub.  When, I thought that it was close, I had Duke taste it.  Official taste test.

I can smoke a turkey.  I mean damn good turkey.  Moist, flavorful and bad donkey good.  Dude, I think that this might have been my best yet.  And to make it better, baby brother Daniel smoked a brisket and BURNT ENDS!  The brisket was good.  The burnt ends were wicked bastard good.  The ladies had the taters, stuffing, gravy, rolls, yams, green beans and all of the desserts ready.  OOOOOHHHHHWWWEEEE!!!!  The pants don’t fit right.

All three brothers and all of the grandkids MINUS one.  That would be Kela.  But she did FaceTime for the prayer.  It was 2 Am where she was at.  Oh, where might that be?  Thailand.  Why?  Job related–NO.

Me–“Why are you going to Thailand for some festival of lanterns?”

Kela–“Because I’ve never been there.”

Me–“Oh.  Makes sense.  I guess.”

Yes, she took a vacation to Thailand.  We have video of her riding elephants.  WTF?   She checks off countries like I check off states.

Did we have any refugees this year for Thanksgiving dinner?  You bet.  It was awesome.  Of course, Uncle Jim was here.  And later in the day, Uncle Glen made it.  (He actually isn’t an uncle, but we all like him so, Uncle Glen it is.)  But we also had a special guest that lives in Hawaii.  One of my parents very best friends was back to the mainland dealing with some family issues in Mooreland, OK.  Harold Deever came to dinner.  I hadn’t seen him in years, but he fit right in.  Good people and good times.  I like it.  I love it.  I want some more of it.

I dang neart forgot that Milligan was having a Black Friday semen sale.  A couple of calls this morning reminded me.  I like selling that stuff for a lot of dollars but I also don’t like all of the risk and expenses that come with it.  Thanks to all the buyers.  Be watching in the near future for some kind of dollar discount deals.

Yes, that brings me back to the title.  Tacos.  I like tacos.  I ate a smoked turkey sandwich with my favorite sliced pickles and BBQ sauce on it for lunch.  This was a sandwich that I would pay $9.95 for.  But it was all here in my fridge.  So, it was kind of like FREE.  Tonight, I really wanted to go somewhere, BUT Frosty the Snowman was on the tube.  Yes, I watched it.  Then, I headed to the kitchen to get creative.   Taco shells, shredded cheese, salsa, some beans and corn along with that turkey.   DAMN!!!!!   These turkey tacos will now forevermore be on the menu at Kelln’s little piece of paradise.  I’m sure that I ain’t the first to make turkey tacos but I may have made the best.  I can see a Turkey Taco Tuesday in the near future.  If there is any turkey left.  Duke is now making use of the turkey.  Dang that kid can inhale food.

Thanks to all that gave us the opportunities that we currently enjoy.  Thank you to all veterans and active duty.  Cops, fire and EMS, nurses and doctors as well as those that spent time on their “vacation” taking care of students and their livestock.  Thanks to all.   GOD bless.

And I’m telling you that these turkey tacos are bad ass!

Hunh?!   I’m not sure where to even start tonight.

Last night, I logged on to the Socially Transmitted Disease known as Facebook.  The first post that popped up was a testemonial from a dude that I know.  It was an anniversary date that he had given up alcohol and tobacco.  He wasn’t afraid to address the struggles that he still faces.  It took some balls to write it and an even bigger sack to hit submit for the whole world to see.

I don’t know the stories that led up to him being done, and I don’t necessarily need to.  Hats off to him for having the will-power to do whatever he needed to do.  And for having the intestinal fortitude to stare the problem(s) in the face and keep on keeping on.  And this is where I should stop, type Have a good one and a better one tomorrow and hit “publish”.

I know that I have to be aware of my own situation.  I wasn’t an avid tobacco user in high school or college.  I haven’t had any of it in any form since 1991, but there are times that I still crave it.  I only occasionally used it for about 6 years, but 27 years later, at times, it still beckons.  I grew up around it.  Dad was an avid smoker/chewer.  Granny was a smoker till the end.  So, I occasionally get my fix by going to Charlie’s.  Then, I remember why I don’t like tobacco smoke.

I’ve never been addicted to soda pop of any kind but I dang sure enjoy the feeling of a fresh Mountain Dew and I know that I have to walk away from it from time to time.  I can tell you what quick stops have it in a fountain and mixed strong.  I don’t hit them often, but when I pass them of a morning, I rarely just drive by.  Kela got hooked on Dr. Pepper at a young age.  She could smell if it was Dr. Pepper, Dr. Thunder or Mr. Pibb.  We had to monitor her for years.

I’ve never smoked any weed nor done any kind of drugs.  But, I’ve seen what it can do.  I’m kind of scared to take any pain pills.  That broke effing toe about did me in this spring, but I never took any pain meds.

I could never be a wino.  I like a good glass of wine.  Rarely, two.  Scotch–ewww, nope.  Bourbon?    Especially in the cold months, I enjoy an ever so smooth bourbon on the rocks.  Irish Whiskey?   I really like a Tullarmore DEW.    I kind of have a built in safety mechanism when it comes to these beverages.  If I have the second glass, I better be near a couch as I am about to go smooth out.  As a result, I won’t have any of these unless (1) I am at home (2) have a driver to get me home or (3) high end steak house and an uber is coming to get me.

Now, a cold beer!?  Phff!   Dude, it ain’t no secret that I have caused myself a bit of grief or two before because of it.  For some reason, I have an extremely high tolerance to the stuff.  You could use the stereotype of German/Irish/Catholic.  Sure, that applies.  Maybe even just a straight genetics argument would apply.  Or just a build up of tolerance.  I don’t know.  Does it matter?  Yes.  No.  Always.

Back in the day, I let a job that I didn’t want eat me alive.  And every so often, I would binge.  Then, I would wake up pissed off at the world, my job and myself.  So, I would attack the job harder for that week until I got a few hours free, normally on Sunday afternoon.  Then, I would attack my personal projects on that Sunday afternoon and start all over again.  It wasn’t a good cycle.  And finally that cycle came to a halt.  That experience is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.   There is not enough space for me to describe the good.  The bad–I can hit it quickly–I was glad that my grandparents had passed and didn’t have to witness.  And I am sure that there were some others embarrassed.  Anytime, anywhere, that you want the rest of the story, hit me up.  I will tell it.

How do I manage?   It ain’t hard.  Put me in situations where I can’t or shouldn’t.  I don’t.  I had a horrible day this past Monday.  Work wasn’t fun, I came home to a shit-show.  Duke couldn’t get off work until dark.  I caught and sorted calves by myself.  (Duke’s not mine).  I had them loaded and in the trailer when he got home.  I wanted to crack one but we were headed to Beaver.  So, I behaved.  End of story.

Moral of this story, I am capable of screwing up.   I respect when somebody says they are done.  No matter the problem, sometimes, one just has to walk away.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I’m dealing with some issues.  I couldn’t remember a password the other day.  It turns out, I was making the same typo over and over.  I remembered right.  I just didn’t type it right.

Then, I tried to use my password to get into this dang deal, this KELLN website.  No typos!  Dudes, there are so many logins, passwords and key codes to remember, and some need 6 figures, some 8, some caps, some lower cases, some non-letters and well hell, you just start to lose track.  I remember when I had a login to internet and a login to limewire to download some cool tunes.  I guess that I had a PIN to an ATM card while I was in college, but I never had any money so I didn’t need to remember it as I wasn’t going to use it.

Part of me wants to live dangerously and have one password for all things.  I kind of want to see if anybody else on this planet can really think of the exact same, twisted, not right, seriously kind of password.  Why don’t I?  I think that they might be able to.

One of the funniest things that I saw today:  When you fart in a crowded room and say “Do I smell popcorn?” so everyone gets to smell it.

Hey, I could use that as a password—#YodAfarts1!$?      Hhmm?!  Now, that will work not, I think.

Yes, I just fired up my light saber.

QVC is a reality and has lasted for decades because when some people see something that strikes a nerve, they just have to buy it.  Online livestock auctions work the same way.  U see it and now have to have it.

I haven’t been on any online livestock auctions lately, but I have been struggling with a buy it kind of deal.  Actually several of them.  First off, the 23 episodes on 14 dvds of the legendary Hee Haw collection from TimeLife.  I have fought this urge for a while now.  But, like a ring from Mordor, it keeps trying to pull me back in.

Roy Clark recently passed.  That cat was wicked with any string instrument.  Even speed rockers were like “Dude, he plays fast.”  But, he also played good, or is it well?  How about that dude could play fast and damn good?  Yes, yes he did.  I like the fact that Duke knows about Hee Haw and Roy Clark.

And then, there are 22 dvds of Robin Williams.  It takes some serious deep thought and concentration to keep me from ordering a total of 45 dvds, that I would enjoy and love and would gladly share.  I would love them like heated leather seats in a High Country pickup on a cold morning.

These dvds  could be worth something.  And thank goodness, no matter the amount of money,  I am having trouble remembering my login and/or password and/or cvv code or all of the above.  I know that I am not the only one with these issues.

We are going to start with agriculture and sports and then end with agriculture and sports.  But, not necessarily in that order.  Get it?  Me either.

I actually had nothing scheduled for Shattuck FFA stuff on this weekend.  Thank goodness.  Needed a break.  That lasted until noonish when I got a text about a pig breathing hard.  I went to the ag farm and doctored a pig.  Dang, draxxin is expensive!  I’ve been working harder than an ugly stripper.  For some reason, that reminds me of a story that involves Fred Slater and Tommy Milligan.  I’m not sure why, but it does.

Speaking of Shattuck FFA.  I had made a deal with a group of seniors.  Duke–“Can we win these state fair sweepstakes.”  Me–“Yes, if you clowns set a goal and work right.”  Them–“What do we get if we win an ag mechanics contest?”  Me–“Crappy plaque or two.”  Them–“No rings?”  Me–“One, if you want a ring, go play football.  They are going to gather another one this year.  Two, none of you clowns would ever wear a ring.”  Them–“What about a buckle?”  Me–“Hunh?!  Cool.  Win it and I will buy. ”

Now–I am out a smooth grand and am happy to have done it.  If Duke would have decided to play football, at this point, I would have been out the same money and he would be nothing but a role player.  And he wouldn’t hardly ever wear the huge rings that they order.  Now,  I have a fired up son and a bunch of other kids that are amped.  I may be dumb but I’m smarter than your dumb. Dang, that sounds stupid.  Talk crap and we we are on to the next deal that you haven’t yet or probably won’t win.  We will. Money well spent.  Lets make t-shirts.   They are cheaper.

Arrogant?  No.

Confident.  Oh heck yes.

Speaking of buckles, these kids and I researched a crap-load of buckle makers.  We are real pleased with what we ordered.  If you need tips on ordering buckles, give me a holler.

I was going to get up and make a road trip EARLY this morning and get back home.  But, I got sidetracked watching some TV.  ESPN does some phenomenal documentary work.  I watched an E:60 about Deland McCullough’s adoption and the pursuit of his biological parents identities.  Definite, bad donkey, cool story and the power of Karma.  Cool, cool story.

Then I watched another one-back2back–about Declan Sullivan.  U don’t know that name?  Google it.  Excellent story about a tragic loss and how the family handled the loss and are still handling it.  Don’t watch the news networks for good stories.  The sports deal has it going on.

And I finally got my fat ass into the comfortable seat of the High Country and made some miles.  I didn’t go anywhere name brand but dang dude, I stumbled on to something cool.  I like shopping small towns.

I digress, but I am lucky to have grown up in Shattuck and now am a grateful part of that community again.  Shattuck is not one of your dying little towns.  There are numerous restaurants and stores on main st.  Booming–no. Busy–yes.  Lots of community pride.  I love small town life.  The churches and the school are WELL taken care of.  I don’t like to go to Wal Mart.  I try to shop local.  I don’t care if it costs me more.  (see previous posts about buying plumbing parts)  I do a good job of shopping small.

Anyways, I was going through a small Kansas town this morning.  I noticed a store front.  For some reason, I decided to pull a U turn.  Pretty sure that this is not a common occurrence as the 2 locals on Main st. looked at me like “WTH dude?”  But, I am glad that I went to this store.  Crazy cool furniture and art work plus appliances, toys, sporting goods, electronics, etc, etc, etc.  I killed an hour there.  Didn’t buy anything.  But I am going to go back.

When, I got back to Fargo, the fuel mileage calculator said that I had 65 miles worth of fuel left.  So, I pulled into the only store in Fargo and filled up.  They do not have a credit card machine at the pump.  U have to go inside to pay, which resulted in me buying the lunch special for $6.99.  A big dang chili dog with tater tots.  It’s all good when you can get an All Beef chili dog on a cold, windy Saturday.

And while rolling down some blacktop, I did play 2 different Christmas music channels on the XM radio.  Dang dude!  Some of the vocal skills of these singers over the years is unreal.  Bing Crosby made a career out of Christmas songs.  Helluva singer.  How about the voice of Thurl Ravenscroft?  Killer good.  Who?  Check it out.   You will know the song. That dude and his voice may have come years too early.

Since the weather was windy, cold and crappy, I had time2kill this afternoon.  So, I watched one of the college teams that I like to follow.  Just a little no name school called Notre Dame.  They made the #12 team look like an unranked team.  Good deal.

Then it was time for the, as they are now called, Cardiac Cowboys.  Jeeminy, they can be SO bad and then SO good.  How have we beat Texas and WV, dang neart beat the gooners on their field  but couldn’t beat K-State or Baylor.  People, I like it when K Sate and Iowa State win (but I don’t want them to ever beat Okie State)  I don’t ever like Baylor.  WTH?!  This should be a 10 win team but won’t be.

Now, the University of Central Florida is on the tube.  The polls don’t treat UCF very well.  Why?  Because they aren’t part of the establishment.  They better get used to the Golden Knights.  Why?  Location–Orlando.  Recruiting base–Florida.  Enrollment–66,000.   Wait? What?  Alabama–33,000.  Texas–44,000, the u of o in norman, OK–23,000.  People, look up largest universities by enrollment.  UCF is BIG.  Bigger than Ohio State and Texas A&M.  Therefore, they are building an alumni base that will pump dollars into this program.  Miami–done.  Florida State–rebuilding.  Florida–will have it’s moments. UCF.  Watch.  I ain’t wrong.

HUGE props to my alma mater.  THE Oklahoma State University judging teams.  I know some of the individuals.  Only know the rest because of a common connection or three.  That being the Oklahoma State University.  Congrats to the National Champions–Triple Crown Winners.  Equine, Livestock & Meats Evaluation teams.  2018 National Champions.  Damn Impressive!  My thoughts–if only I could have been DECENT at beef yield grading in 1991.

And back to the goat world.  Make dang sure show goats are wearing blankets.  Maybe, several layers. Feed a handful of grass hay–not bermuda–at least, every other day.  Even if you AIed every doe on the place, be prepared for failure.  “Perfection is unattainable.  But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” –Vince Lombardi.  The rest of the quote gets left off for athletic purposes.  “And have a dang good clean up buck at the ready.”

What do pro sports team owners and livestock breeders have in common?  They all look at their end-of-the-year statements and go “DAMN! This shit is expensive.”

I ain’t wrong.  Have a good one and a better tomorrow.

And sometimes, making a better tomorrow means getting a disappointment off of the feed bill.  That’s a good thing if you are feeding 12 wethers.  Not a good thing if you started with one and nominations were due last week.  Thank GOODNESS for ag mechanics projects at the Kelln Kompound.

I’ve been well behaved for a bit now.  However, I started the day with a dew and ended it with a different dew. My father is now going “WTH?  Why?  I know the ending dew but the morning dew?  Dang it, Debbie!?  Why does your oldest offspring dew this crap?  What in the h$@!!?  Does he mean to make me mad?  I don’t get it?!  Why do I read this crap?”

Exactly.  Why does anybody read this?  Scary.

I made a trip to pickup a couple of online barrow purchases.  Hopefully, this is the last of the hog buying.  I haven’t had to buy very many but it feels good to be done.

We also got all of our goat, sheep & steer OYE nominations done, mailed and typed into the computer (twice).  As an ag teacher, nominations and entries are quite possibly the biggest pain in the ass of the job.  I know that they are a necessity but a PITA nonetheless.  And now, I get to order nomination kits for hogs.  It is a never-ending circle of life.  Round and round, getting nowhere fast.

I was hoping that a mature doe would come into heat in the next day or two.  She is flagging tonight, so if it is a real good day, she will get settled.  Got another mature doe that I pulled a cidr on tonight.  Let’s hope that things go as planned.

I stopped at the Canadian, TX Dairy Queen this afternoon.  A couple of years ago, I swore that I would not go back in there.  It is the slowest and dirtiest DQ that I have ever entered.  But, I really wanted an Oreo blizzard.  Guess what?  It is still dirty, the bathroom looked like an orangutan had taken a sledge hammer to parts of it.  But, I did get a high quality Oreo blizzard in a timely fashion.  It is a good day.

Our family had something happen that I wasn’t sure ever would happen.  Duke and his mother traveled with a group for a college visit.  He has actually looked at several college and welding school options.  He even made mention tonight that he and I are going back to take a closer look.

I’ve decided that Duke is kind of like a lot show animals.  He started out right and looked like he had a chance.   He was a good prospect.  Then he hit that weird “growing” stage, developed some bad habits for the show ring and needed some mental adjustments.  But, since he was the only one that we had on feed, we were stuck with him.  So we had to keep working and feeding.  And he has gone through some feed.  Now, he seems to be finishing out and looking and acting like he is on target for the destination “show”.

He’s now a registered voter, looking at college, will turn 18 in a couple of weeks and might actually survive to graduate.  I have to say that today was a good day.

I hope that you all had a good day and have an even better day tomorrow.