My Dad

My dad's birthday was last week. On September 3 he would have been 63. I didn't forget about it, just didn't really know what to say. This morning I was looking through a drawer in my dresser looking for some stuff. I ran across this poem that was found on his grave, just a few days after we buried him in 1971. It was written by one of his best friends, Jr. Poole. He and Jr. were quite a pair. I can remember going up to his automotive shop here in Lockney as a child and working on cars till all hours of the night. I would go out and lay down in the seat of the pickup and sleep. That shop is still there. Jr. and his sons still operate it. Jr. had a malignant tumor removed from behind his right eye a couple of months of go.

One of the funniest memories I have of those two was in about 69 or 70. I don't remember exactly what year it was. One of those years, dad had backed over mom's car in a grain truck. Pretty much took the top right off the car. So he bought her a new car. A 1968 Pontiac GTO. What a car! It was maroon with a black vinyl top and red interior. One Saturday afternoon, dad and Jr. headed off to the drag races in Amarillo in that car. I can still hear my mom telling them "do not race my car!" as they were leaving. We got up Sunday morning for worship, headed out the door to get in the car, and there it was! Their times still shoe polished on the windshield, they had raced mom's car. Now, you have to understand one thing, my dad stood almost 6' 7", and weighed a very muscular 235. My mom is about 5' 8". She started in on him "I told ya'll not to race my car!". I can remember being scared to death of my mom when she lost her temper! LOL! We got in the car to and dad started it, it had a dead miss! LOL! It was only hitting on about 7 cylinders! Mom said "ya'll ruined my car! ya'll ruined my car!" all the way to church. Fun memories!

EPITAPH OF A DAY

JUST A YEAR AGO THIS LORDS DAY

WE TOOK TIME OFF TO GO AND PLAY

TO THE NORTH PLAINS WE DID GO,

HIS IN FRONT, MINE IN TOW. THE

DAY WAS SHOT BUT RON'S LUCK WAS NOT

I RUN SOME, HE RUN MANY, BY EVENING

LATE WE HAD RACED PLENTY.

IT WAS A DAY SPENT WITH A FRIEND, I

JUST WISH WE COULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN

WE TALKED A LOT IN TIMES GONE BY, ABOUT

THINGS MOST FOLKS WOULD WONDER WHY.

WELL WE DID LIKE LOTS OF THE SAME,

SOMETHING DIFFERENT, NOT TO TAME.

BUT NOW THOSE CHERISHED TIMES ARE OVER,

AND DAYS FOR ME ARE A LOT MORE SOBER.

D.B.P

In memory of Ronnie Belt

September 3, 1945

October 8, 1971

Happy birthday dad!

The week in review

Just wanted to spend a minute here and reflect on the week.


The one thing that really sticks out in my mind this week was the RNC. I think the party is beginning to unite and rally around their candidate. Sarah Palin is for real. I think the picture of her family together on the stage after her electrifying speech was a sweet picture. Her husband, Todd, is a hard working man. He has won 4 snow machine championships. From what I can read about that, it must be extremely challenging. The Fact that she Sarah sold off the states luxury jet was very impressive. Her family didn't live in Alaska's governor mansion. She stood up to the status quo in Alaska politics. Her speech was absolutely, positively the best political speech I have ever witnessed. I think the unity of her family, even with the challenges they face right now, proves her ability to both govern and raise a family. And yes, the new baby will be a blessing.


Another thing that's been on my mind is the dead-beat-dad thing. I hope that all of you went and visited the Faith, Love Hope Ministries blog and, if you can, support this ministry. There are a lot more single parents out there that need our help.









I haven't talked a whole bunch about this on my blog this week, but my company continues to help me in becoming comfortable in selling corn seed. I spent all day Friday looking at different hybrids from 3 different companies we represent. I have always been a huge NC+ fan. I have been schooled up on our proprietary brand, Dyna-Gro, and on the Dekalb Hybrids. Hopefully, I have gained enough confidence that I can be successful in that area of my business.




I have made contact with an old friend. She and I first met at Tech many years ago. It will be fun getting caught up with her and her family.



The West Texas Friday Night Scoreboard show kicked up into high gear this week. I was about 5 minutes late getting there last night because of our game here in Lockney. It was full blast answering the phones and recording live reports. We had fun last night.



The Lockney losing streak continues. I think we are nearing 25 straight losses. Pray for my community in this endeavor. Small town football, especially in West Texas, plays such a vital part in our community's pride. Especially the confidence of our young folks that are living through this. We love you kids! Keep your heads up and continue to give 100%. This streak will rebound soon.




The 90th consecutive Floyd County championship was played last night. Lockney and Floydada has the longest consecutive rivalry going in the state. The trophy will remain in Floydada for at least one more year. The festivities last night reminded me of a small college football game. I think everyone in Floyd county was in Lockney last night at the game. You should have been trying to get to Floydada last night after the game. The traffic was almost like rush hour traffic in the metroplex! LOL! Kurt, Martha, Amy and myself did a little tailgating at the game last night. It was a lot of fun.



My daughter, Sarah, is cheering for the little league football team here again this year. I always enjoy seeing her get out in front of people and perform. She's a little bit timid. She doesn't like to draw attention to herself. I pray that this will help her in that.



As for the week ahead, looks like it will be a busy week for me. Making sales calls and prospecting potential corn seed customers. Also, Sarah has her open house at the jr. high Tuesdays night. I look forward to that.

Prayers for the week: continue to pray for our service men and women that are in harms way. Pray for all the single parents out there that are struggling to make ends meet without support from their former spouses. Pray for the AIM program at SIBI. I can't wait to get to see our Aimers tomorrow. Pray for missionaries around the world, both those that are currently working to spread God's word and those who are in training. I need your prayers. Pray that I be the best example to my kids that I can be. Pray for me to continue to look for opportunities to teach them about Jesus.



Have a good week everyone! I love you all!
Thanks for stopping by!


Preston