BarbWired

Let’s see if I can recap my Memorial Day weekend without boring you all too much.  Friday the work crew got an early start on the holiday weekend at El Mez (no cheap ‘ritas tho)  Erin joined us for that, and then we went back to our house where Brent and Greg were patiently waiting.  We just hung out the rest of the night.

Saturday morning, I felt like crap (margaritas plus Schmirnoff equals headache deluxe).  Mid-morning, Greg and I went to check the cattle in the pastures.  It takes several hours, since 2 of the pastures are in the next county, so we always make sure we take plenty of refreshments along.  In the first pasture, all was well.  When we reached the 2^nd one, we counted critters and came up short.  There’s 1 cow and 6 calves missing.  He just hauled them all out a few weeks ago, and this was the first time we’d checked on them.  We would have jumped on the 4 wheeler and looked for them, but we didn’t take the 4 wheeler.  (When it’s raining, the ramps get to slick to load it).  So we drove around as much as we could in the truck, and saw nothing.  He’s going back this week with the 4 wheeler to look again.  He’s pretty sure they’re there somewhere.  Uh yeah – let’s hope so.  So then we headed back towards home, stopped and got a Casey’s pizza, and checked the other 2 pastures, where everyone was present and accounted for.  We stayed home Sat. night, but we had a visit from Pat and Kenda, with brother Dan in tow (Debbi’s in Florida). 

Sunday morning, I got up early, and picked up my mom so we could decorate graves.  We stopped at my Dad’s first, then drove west of Emporia to 2 other cemeteries.  There was a graveside memorial service for an old friend of my Mom’s at the 2^nd cemetery, and when it was over, we took the scenic route back to Emporia, by way of the farmstead her grandparents lived on.  She shared lots of memories with me, and said that was the best part of the day.  Quick trip to Walmart for cream pies, then we headed home.  Greg and I then went to a graduation party for his niece Candice.  Her grandparents threw a big party for several grandkids and/or nieces and nephews who graduated recently.  We had grads from Junior High all the way up to Master’s Degree.  Candy got her BS from K-State.  We made plans for her 21^st birthday, which is next week.  It’s on a Tuesday, so what else?  That’s right….. 99 cent Margarita night at El Mez!  Hmm, shouldn’t they be paying me for advertising???

Monday, I intended to get something done around the house.  I went out to mow after dinner, but it started raining.  Dang.  It stopped raining, so I went back to mowing for a bit.  Then I took a break, and Greg suggested we go ride around on the 4 wheeler.  We started out with Dennis and his bitch (dog that is) Allie.  Then we traded one bitch for another (wife).  Allie stinks, but I still prefer her.  Nevertheless, we had fun.  I told Greg as long as we’re moving, I don’t have to listen to her, so it’s ok.  We rode along the creek that flooded 3 weeks ago, and imagine this – it’s still muddy back there!  Not that that would stop Greg from going where he wants to go.  But wait – yes it did.  We tried driving through one particular mud hole, and got stuck in the middle of it.  He had to get off and push while I drove, which, I’d say I got the better end of that deal.  I finally got out and just kept on going down the trail till I thought it was dry enough to stop without getting stuck again, turned around, and headed back to the hole.  Too bad I let off on the gas when I started sliding sideways.  So again, reverse, forward, push push, and finally I started going.  I flew through that mudhole, and just kept on going, screaming the whole time.  When I finally stopped, I was covered in mud, and laughing my ass off.  Dennis kept asking if I was ok.  Ok?  Hell Dennis – that’s the most fun I’ve had in ages!  So what if I had a little (ok – a lot) of mud on me – I needed to take a shower anyway!  As luck would have it, we got caught in a rainstorm on the way home – not that it helped wash the mud off – we were driving too fast, trying to beat the storm.  As soon as we pulled into the shop, all hell broke loose.  We need to have more fun days like that.