The little dig

Although today, July 3rd, is not a holiday; message on the QC reminded the drivers that Dallas would be understaffed today. Although the drivers are "the most important person here at Stevens", this little reminder of no extra pay for working holidays etc reminds one of the true picture!

We are in Terre Haute,IN for the night, then off to Beto Junction,KS tomorrow. Politicians and others far removed from reality make laws regarding vehicle exhaust without considering the true consequences of their decisions. It is illegal to idle in California for more than 3 minutes; however, if you have a pet it is okay. So the driver is unable to get a restful night of sleep because the mosquitos are buzzing about and fear of Lyme disease. Can you use that as a defense in your wreck-less driving accident? Al Gore made me do it?

I do not know if we will be able to see a good display of fireworks tonight or tomorrow. Let us hope.

Awaiting news

Today was court for Jesse. Awaiting news

My older brother sent an email that my grandmother fell and broke her neck and is at UC Davis. Awaiting news.

I am in CT awaiting the final leg of this journey with the load from NE. The rules state I can take an 8 hour break drive the remaining time on my clock for today then I must take a two hour break. I had to stop sooner than planned because the traffic got real bad hear in CT. So I try to rest knowing the phone will ring. I try to rest with an anxious heart. Waiting, even when you think you have mastered that skill, it comes back once again.

Hail, lightening, wind

We left Sidney,NE and headed east toward the dark clouds listening to a radio station I thought was local. WRONG! It was from Denver. We drove through a bad thunder storm. Large hail crashing upon the truck. We were able to switch to a local station which for a native prune picker (California native) resulted in more fear! Funnel clouds spotted near our area, small clouds touching the ground as if preparing to become tornados near our area. We made it out! We parked in North Platte only to listen as the warnings sounded again. I put the gear down on the trailer and then the 55 plus mph winds came. I was thankful they were from behind and even more thankful to have a full trailer.

I googled for a church to attend tomorrow; however, none are very close. Most are in areas that would not allow my truck to come visit.

Missed opportunities

Charlie and I did not make it to Stockton in time for church; however, we did visit with Grandma. I took Charlie back to Modesto that night; whereupon he was arrested and spent the next 3 days in jail. He was released and all charges dropped. Jesse has taken up his continued tough guy attitude, foul language and now has decided everyone is wrong: pot is okay. I informed him Monday night that when his court date is finalized he will have 7 days to find other accommodations. Today he went to town and applied for medical and welfare. We are broken hearted again.

Matthew and I are on the truck, picked up a salad load from Salinas and heading for North Platte. It delivers Sunday, so by the time everything is paid, I will be in the hole this week. So much for a good time!

When the budget is cut to help your child who needs the assistance and then allows the child that does not need assistance to even apply, something is wrong with the system.

California here I come

We finally left the Dallas yard only to be delayed at the Kraft. It was supposed to load at 2PM; however, it actually did not complete loading until 2AM. So off we go at 5AM on our way to Stockton,CA. Now with the delay we should still make it by Sunday, the question will be if we can make it to church. Charlie wants to see Grandma Beulah after church before I drop him in Modesto. Let us pray for a safe journey.

Edinburg,TX

So close to the Mexican border and yet it reads like a German town. But walk around a little and it is not Germany!

Loading took much longer than it should, therefore we arrived when our 14 hour clock expired. When we left from the shippers I drove down Military Blvd, aka, we drove past Stevens. I thought the truck might suddenly lurch to the left to go home, but we were able to drive past it safely.

No Candy!

We delivered early at Mars DC in Waco,TX. Monday - Friday that have a shipping/receiving office that has free bags of candy. Today is Sunday!

Church was the usual disappointment I find with many services that are lead by modern musician types. They fail to understand the difference between a performance and leading. He would change the words from what was posted on the screen, he would add more lines, which in turn leads to the congregation turning into audience instead of participant. But then the sermon was delivered and I knew this was where God had wanted us to be. Kevin was starting a lesson series on family. T A L K E D: Time, Attention, Listen, Kindness, Encouragement, Do. It will give Charlie and I something to focus on before he leaves the truck hopefully this coming week. However, it is not encouraging when you are sent from Waco to Dallas to pick up a load going to Weslaco, TX (near Brownsville). That is about as far from CA as I can get and stay in TX!