Summer Flood of '07

Man, did the bottom fall out. This past Tuesday night, Marble Falls got 19.5" rain. Almost every bridge in town is wash out, along with dozens of vehicles, homes, and buildings. There was no running water for three days. It's back running in parts of town, but you can't drink it. They said not to even wash your hands in it, if you're about to eat. Bottled water is being trucked in from all over the country. Everyone at the PD has been called in, all leave cancelled, and everyone is working 12 hr shifts around the clock. The Lt Governor came out yesterday, the real Gov came today. They say Gearge W may show up Sunday. This whole thing is a nightmare. I think there is as many press people in town as rubber-neckers. Vanessa had planned on coming this weekend, but not now. I'll be working all weekend. My vacation next week has been cancelled, too. Brent picked a good time to be gone to Ruidoso. I talked to him yesterday, but his cell phone doesn't get service up there, ho ho. He should be back to work Tuesday. They're giving us all Tetanus and Hepatitis shots, because of the exposure to all the sh%# floating around. But, at least it's free. Bob came and re-stretched the carpet, yesterday. Was nice to get caught up on everything. Gotta go feed Brent's dogs tonight after work. We just narrowly missed more rain here this afternoon. It just missed us to the west. We need a LOT of sunshine. It will take a year or longer for this town to recover from the flood. Hopefully we'll get some Disaster Relief Funding from the State or Feds. I guess I had better hit the bricks, again. I'll try to keep ya'll posted. Viva, Las Vegas. Rick.

Back again. Maybe Younger will give me a break. Off-call. Only got 1/2" rain over the weekend. Better than none. Had to mow the yard again, today. Should have baled it. The blackberries have just about played out. Good pies, tho. Bob's supposed to come over and re-stretch the carpet in the living room and dining room. Was really good to talk to him again. I can't belive his girl is almost 14. Eric is going off to college this fall. Seems like just yesterday, he was in braces and wishing he could drive. Man, time flies. I'm glad someone else has a little bad luck besides me. Brent took a load of goats to Lometa on Sunday. Had a blow out on the way, and had to change it in the rain. On the way home, he shelled the tranny is his truck. Only had 4th gear left. This is a Dodge diesel (2000) and this is the 2nd tranny to go out. They are going to Ruidoso this week, and it will be fixed by the time they get back. Good thing he has a couple of race horses. Now for the good news! Vanessa is expecting!!!!! I think we're more excited than they are. I know they will make excellent parents. Shane will be a great Dad. Don't know if it will be a he or she, just pray it is healthy. Vanessa is having a rough go with the "morning sickness" that lasts all day. They are coming here this weekend. We'll stock up on Saltine crackers and 7-UP. The chickens have slowed down to 3-4 a day. They always do in the summer. We have given DOZENS of eggs to everyone. It's a shame they won't keep. Well, it's about time to get off here. Tommorow is another day at the salt mine. Kisses and hugs to all. Love, the ole' kermudgeon and Deb.

Howdy, neighbors! We got 2 1/2" rain yesterday and last night. The place looks real nice. Creek is running good. I've already had to shred the fields twice this year. Probably have to do it again in 2-3 weeks. It knocks the tops off the weeds and lets the sun down to the coastal. Last Thursday was Deb's birthday. We went in to Round Rock and ate at Joe's Crab Shack. A bit pricey for country folk, but MAN is it good. Vegas is calling my name, but after glasses, teeth and water well, OUCH! I finally took the training wheels off my "china-choppers". Steak, hamburgers, corn on the cob, ribs, BRING IT ON! Now I'll get those wrinkles out of my shirts. ho-ho. Deb's dad is doing fine. Walking up to 1 and 1/2 miles a day. On the down side, now he thinks he needs to go somewhere out of town every weekend. Guess who? Should get more rain the rest of this weekend. I mowed the yard last weekend, but now you can't tell. May have to put pontoons on the mower. The clouds and rain have dropped our temps to 77, instead of 97. The blackberry vine is doing great. We pick a bowl full every evening. I think Deb's gonna make a cobbler this weekend. Like the Geico gecko says, "Sssss, tasty!" Well, I gotta get busy around here. More as it happens. Love, Rick 'n Deb.

Back again. Not a lot to report. Getting a little rain from time to time. Just enough to keep the chiggers going strong. They love me. Killed another chicken snake last week. Callaway retired a couple of weeks ago. Guess who got all his leftover sh#% dropped in their lap. His replacement starts today. The admin asst, that hasn't spoken a civil word to me in two and a half years, went down and bought him a brand new desk. The old one was good enough for me for 2 1/2 years, even though it was bowed in the middle so much, the drawers would not stay in. He also gets a brand new G-ride. My 2001 with 91,000 miles is going to have to last me another year. God I love this place. It's not what you know, . . . . It doesn't matter how many cases you clear, just how well you grease the wheels. Never mind that I'm the senior Sgt in the whole department. I gotta go before I puke.