This afternoon, I held my very first ever audition as a filmmaker. The young man who auditioned is a fellow I've "known" for about 2 years via christianfilmmakers.org. I've had him in my "friend" catagory for a while even though we've never met in person...

Anyways, Bradley Jamrozik, composer and now voice talent, landed the part of one of the two nameless Confederate veterans.

I wouldn't say that the audition was necessarily very professional, but it was fun. We had several hearty laughs--and it wasn't all over his accent. Turns out I don't know how to say "Illinois" properly! :D

I sat and wound feed sack string the whole time--except when pasting quotes or running down a YouTube video of Robert Duvall as General Lee in Gods and Generals. Bradley listened to that video and shook his head--there was no way he could do that accent. (Neither can I for that matter.)

Turns out that Bradley's Southern accent only ranges as far south as Tenneessee--though in reality, he nails Kentucky better than Tenneessee. At first, I wasn't sure he was going to be able to cut the mustard--which made me feel kind of bad because I knew he really, really wanted to. In fact, he was the first to answer my call for voice actors. He looked kind of disappointed when I made one of my scrunched up thinking faces. Because I really wanted to get him a part, I kept prodding him. The more he talked, the better sounding he got.

I had two quotes that I instant messaged to him--the first is the one he landed. The second one--well, that one just wasn't coming out of him. I find it impossible to pronounce "negro" the way he did. :) Of course, that quote is rather difficult to read anyways because of the structure.

Naturally, we also ended up talking about instruments for a few minutes, both of us being musicans to one extent or another. :) This is his latest peice...Political Triumph. I think it is beautiful.

In other Cow Cavalry news, I'm still waiting on three more voice overs to come in. I am working toward a September 1st deadline. Not because it has to be done by then, but because I want it be done; besides the fact that I really, really, really want to see if I can
enter it (and hopefully make it to semi-finals) in the SAICFF. (They usually open submissions in October.)

I haven't heard from Mr. K since I sent him the narration...but hopefully soon. Savannah and I need to work on "Dixie" a little harder, but her wrist is really bothering her right now. Speaking of which, since I'm not working outside today, I probably ought to go finish practicing my cello. I started right before lunch and never got back to it due to dishes and Bradley's audition (which called for updates in all the places I keep a running tab on what's going on.)

Update 1: Filmmaking

So far, I have two completed voice overs, done and delivered and waiting to fall into the timeline. Tomorrow, I have an over-Skype 'audition' with another fellow. A friend's brother has one of the quotes he is working on. Yet another is in the process of finding time to record his Southern accent for me. I just sent two of the quotes to an old friend for him and his younger brother to fight over. :D

I am really, really excited... :D

Update 2: Snip

Yes...the horse qualifies for an update. He's a stinker. Like normal...

I've been working him a little harder than perhaps I was. 15 minutes straight of trotting in circles, figure eights, and such like, open the sessions. Then I take him into another area of the pasture and try to lope him. (He hasn't bucked since I changed out the saddle pad!) I say 'try' because most of the time when I want a lope I can't get it. I think this has to do partly with the fact that I am so busy fighting with him to keep going straight without drifting off to one side or the other (trees, ye ken). This keeps a pull on his mouth; besides, if he picked up speed while going sideways like he does, he might actually trip himself! After a while of back and forth and frustration (some days more than others), I take him for a walk/trot back into yet another section of pasture. I end up by walking him back to the horse lot; quite frequently with my feet out of the stirrups. The last two days I've done so singing the Confederate version of "Yankee Doodle"--it's quite fun!

He just about ran away with me today. I did manage to get him stopped using the one-rein stop technique (barely). He's been tossing his head again. He actually didn't do as much of it today as he had done the last few rides. When I went to Smith's Tuesday I ended up talking with a ferrier whose wife is a vet--and he told me that horses tend to do that when their teeth need to be 'floated' (or ground down). I'll keep that in mind, but I'm going to continue to observe Snip's behavior before I pick up the phone; especially since it wasn't as bad today as it was yesterday and yesterday it didn't seem as bad as the time before... 

I got off both yesterday and today and gave him a serious nose to nose scolding. Not that it does any good--but when I'm feeling irascible (like I have the last couple days), it makes me feel better. It also keeps me from wrapping the reins around his head in fury. (Doesn't help anything and it really doesn't make me feel any better.) 

Update 3: Fence

Since last I wrote about the fence (I think)...I got the first section wired, took down another section of chainlink, and built another H-frame and planted a corner post. The latter three is what I did today. I got a sunburned nose today because the wind was honking so hard that there was no way my hat would have stayed on--so I went hatless. At one point, somebody in a green pickup drove by and waved at me. I'm pretty sure it was Tommy. :)

I am not moving nearly as fast as I would like to on this fence project. I'm working steady (when I do get over there--which has been twice this week), but I just can't seem to work very fast. I'm simply wearing out too fast. By the time I've been over there for 45 minutes my arms feel so heavy. I don't know what in the world is wrong with me...if you can't tell, I'm slightly frustrated. Normally, I can work on fence for several hours straight without feeling like I'm ready to keel over, but not lately. Anyways, I'm just going to keep right on plugging along--even if it takes me twice as long as I think it should, the job will get done.

Is practically bouncing...

For what reason? Well....I got my narration sent off to Mr. K today!!

Equally exciting, I put out a call for voice actors to do the voice overs. So far, I have had two young men express interest. One for my "yankee" and the other for no particular character.

For a list of the characters...go here.

Now...I doubt that it would hurt me to get off the computer, so I think I'll go take care of the vaccuming or something now. :)

This is going to be short, because there isn't much to tell...

I finally got the first part of chain link down. I had to take the bolt cutters to it where it was grown into the tree, but it came down! I rolled it up and rolled it (that was interesting) into the RV tent. This was the third day working on it. It took me probably an hour to do that.

I spent the next 2 hours building an H-frame and putting in three posts. I'll stretch the wire along that section tomorrow. Maybe. I'll see. Tomorrow is Saturday  so I might just stay home and do 'Saturday' stuff. I'll make up my mind when I'm not so tired. :)

It was very hot today and fairly humid. I don't know if I'm still just getting re-acclamated to the heat and humidity or if I'm out of shape or what, but I don't seem to be working as fast as I would like. However, since I really don't want to kill myself or make myself sick, I'm not pushing overly hard.

My hands and wrists seem to be getting tired out sooner than usual too...which doesn't help anything. That slows things down.

Anyway, I shall continue to plug along until I'm done. "Steady as she goes!" "Aye, aye! Captain!"

In other news, Mr. K has agreed to do a voice test and if I like it do the narration for my documentary!! I'm thrilled! I need to make a few minor edits and send him the narration. Probably to that tomorrow...

That's all at the moment folks!

That's no coon! Gee, but that's a huge possum. I've never seen one that big before!

That's right. I found a possum in my trap this morning. I summarily executed the chicken killing critter.

I was aiming for his spine with the first shot, but didn't exactly hit it. He was already collapsing when I went ahead a put another bullet in him, at the base of his skull. After that he just 'melted' over on his side, tongue lolling out between those nasty looking teeth of his. He hardly even twitched.

The rascal was at least 2 feet long from head to tail-tip, but I actually think he might have been a bit longer. My guess would be that he weighed around 15 pounds. (Several of those being the result of eating my chickens I'm sure!)

Anyway, once I saw the possum, my wonderment in how in the world a coon got through some of those holes in the rooster coop cleared up--it's because it was a possum not a coon! I still wonder though how this possum squeezed through some of those holes.

I was glad that I hadn't trapped Shadow...she would have been crazy if I had. I'm still working on trust with that cat. I talk to her, but don't attempt to pet her. She doesn't run away as fast as she used to either...

On another note, the hogs have now started digging up the yard. So...I guess that means that this young'un who is ignorant of the finer points of shooting pigs, needs to go hog hunting. However, the idea of sitting in the dark with misquistoes really isn't the most appealing this time of year. Anyway, I'll think on that...

I'm going to go work on fence this afternoon. Maybe I'll get more than a single H-frame completed... :)

I used such a long title because I have three days worth of stuff to write about...some of it more frustrating than others.

First, I was going to butcher my roosters (at that point there were 14) Monday. But, it didn't happen. I had to go to Smith's in the morning. In the afternoon, Savannah went to the chiropractor and I went over to our place and started working on the fence. I got a single H-frame built and started taking down a section of the chain-link. I got all the posts out, but because it was starting to thunder and was already 5:30 I didn't finish getting the fence out of the trees. (Which sounds really quite hilarious...but you know how scraggly stuff grows around the base of trees in a fence line, don't you?)

I got SO terribly frustrated digging the dead man hole because the dirt was so dry and fine that I could not get it out. That's a bit of an exaggeration because I finally did get it, but I was not in a pretty mood there for a few minutes.

Later, as I was wiggling the metal fence posts out, the guy who'd been driving around in the grove for a while drove by. He smiled real big and waved at me. I returned the grin and wave. Savannah and I laughed about it later, joking that the guy (a Mexican) was probably amused to see a white girl out there working so hard.

It was quite hot that day. It also rained that evening!

Second, I was going to butcher my roosters yesterday. By then there were only 7 left--I cannot keep that coon out of that coop! He got in around the door this time I'm pretty sure. However, once again, it did not happen.

I rode Snip in the morning. He behaved himself quite well for the most part. We loped once (a very short distance) and he didn't try to buck with me.

In the afternoon, Savannah was tied up doing something that I could not ask her to stop  (I need a little help for the butchering process); so I instead put my mind and hands to the task of reenforcing the hen coop. I had forgotten that when I first got the chickens that I had brought some dog wire over here; I guess I was going to do something with it coop-wise.

I didn't have enough to do the entire thing, but cut in half longways it was perfect to do the long sides, coming up just over half way. I used a chunk of plastic chicken wire for the back. I wired the wire up on the inside, rather than the outside. I still have to figure something out for the front...

By the time Savannah and I were done with what had been occupying our afternoons, it was time for supper and it had started raining again. That's how come the roosters weren't butchered yesterday.

This morning, there were only 3 left--two holes in the coop and a pile of feathers being the only evidence of the criminal coon. Well, those three roosters are now dead, plucked, dressed, and in the freezer and crockpot.

I had to tighten the belt on the chicken plucker a couple of times, but once I got it tight enough it worked great; except that I don't think we scalded the birds quite long enough. Didn't really have enough to get the real swing of things again.

I showed Savannah how to dress them out. On the first one, I had forgotten that I needed to remove the craw before I gutted it, so I kinda messed that one up a bit; but I think it went real smooth for not having done this for over a year.

Now, hopefully, that didn't gross anyone out... :P (And yes, I trimmed my fingernails before I did this!)

Now the "idea" in the title...

I remembered yesterday morning--could have been before I got up actually, I don't remember exactly--that there was a trap (like this one) in the barn someplace.

I located it; it's up in the rafters. Anyways, I plan on settin that up this evening with the innards from our butchered chickens in it--hopefully, it'll do the trick and I can kill that pesky varmit.

It's supposed to rain again this afternoon, so I think I may just go practice my guitar and cello.  At the moment, it doesn't really look like it, but it'd probably be as soon as I got to work on the fence that it would start raining. It is certainly muggy enough to rain any moment. It's one of those days were you can just be standing there, doing absolutely nothing and have sweat running down your back in rivers.

Anyway, I'd better go give Charlotte her lunch bottle...

That's an old cliche I guess, but it really seems to fit.

I have fence work I need to do stacked up around me like cordword. I've been awful lazy since Daddy left; not intentionally, but I have been. I make no excuses--since I can't think of any!

Yesterday, I was going to mow our place. I arrived to find cattle in the yard. The chainlink in the back is laying on the ground. Well, since the cows had eaten the grass down short, I didn't need to mow. I went ahead and finished trimming the trees though...those nippers are dull, by the way. While doing that I ran water into the pool.

I called Daddy when I was done to tell him that I was making a judgement call decsion and was going to get to work building a barb-wire fence all the way around the yard. The chainlink is going down in several other places besides the back. It's a good thing I did call him too, because I got a few pointers.

I headed to Smith's and was back by the nails and staples when Justin came in from the back. He saw me getting some staples and grinning asked, "Can I help you?" I laughed (I laugh a lot no matter who I'm talking to or what I'm doing--but I think you already knew that!), "I guess so!" He got me squared away with 5 pounds of staples and I think it was about 1 pound of 16 penny nails. (For making the H-frames; I was all out.) Then we went to the counter (I was almost trotting to keep up with him--that young man has much longer legs than I do!) and had an interesting exchange about a bundle of fence posts. He didn't think they'd fit in the back of my pickup (probably right), so he wanted to know where to deliver them. Why do I never think of saying "the old ---" place? I explained what it looked like and he went, "Oh, the old --- place! I know exactly were that is at." Then he wanted to know if it was alright to deliver them that evening. Sure, why not? So, he turned around and asked the "Old Man", "Can the boys deliver a bundle of posts?" To which Old Man replied (with a down right ornery twinkle), "It's your business..." I laughed...couldn't help it!

Anyway, I went on ahead and was poking around in the cab of the truck trying to straighten things out when Redneck 1 showed up with my posts. I let him in--I'm not sure he thought he was going to make it through the gate by the way he was looking at his mirrors. The way they unload posts, when they don't have a forklift, is rather interesting. Drive forward, back up, and hit the brakes! He had to do this several times before they finally fell off the back of the truck--and they still didn't end up in the tent! Oh well...they're going to be out in the weather anyway, right? Then he unloaded the two rolls of wire I had also gotten; I guess they keep that in the warehouse because he brought it out--and I would think that if it was in the building, that Justin would have loaded it in my truck.

My plan was to start working on fence today--but seeing as the coon got into my rooster coop again last night, I think I may just finish the chicken plucker instead. Who knows, I might even start butchering! I only have 14 roosters left (not counting Tail-less and the other one I put in with the hens). That is NOT a very good percentage from 50 at all. It stinks, but that's how it is. I've certainly learned a thing or two about chickens, and roosters in particular, through this venture.

BUT, if I'm going to get anything done, I'd better get to it. My coffee is gone. I still don't feel much like moving though. I rode Snip this morning and because of the amount of trotting I did yesterday, my legs are worn out. The ol' boy behaved fairly well today; he spooked once and almost fell once (tripped on something), but didn't even attempt to buck--of course, I also didn't even try loping today. The way my legs felt, I wasn't sure I would stay on if he did buck!

I won't ride tomorrow (it has become a habit not to ride on Saturday; partly because it's the day I take care of my indoor stuff and partly because if I did fall and break something, I'd rather not do it on a Saturday with church the next morning and all). By Monday, I should be nice and rested and ready to start in again!

See ya!

Both Savannah and I had one of those moments today. Both are related...having to do with the second--which in reality was the first...but let me explain (from the end rather than the beginning).

I had thought today (May 15th) was the date of the Confederate style wedding we were/are going to. We arrived at the state park were it is to be held; the park ranger knew nothing about it, but we went ahead and went in and drove around; looking.

Finally, I called the A's...I only have their home phone and when Mrs. A answered, our wonderings got a little more confirmed. The wedding is actually to take place JUNE 15th!! I somehow completely missed that in reading the e-mail! (And I had read it several times!) I still feel completely dumb when I think about it...

Anyway, so while we were on our way, we had to turn onto a certain road. Well, I saw it at just the point where we were about to go past it...Savannah hit the brakes and went to take the corner (fairly fast). Thing is, we didn't exactly take the corner...instead, we angled across it and ended up bumping into a sign! She would have made it no problem, but the brakes locked up--at least, that's the only thing I can figure. We didn't leave any rubber on the road, but there was a mighty squeal! There is a second sign next to the one we hit (didn't really do any damage to us or the car at that point), and when Savannah backed up, she broke the side mirror on it and got wedged in there a little bit. She told me to get out and pull that sign forward a bit so we could get out. (Meanwhile, a lady in a pick-up truck had pulled over behind us.) SO...I got out of the car, in all my 1860's garbbed glory and grabbed the sign (on 4x4's!) and pulled it forwards just enough to let Savannah back out.

I went over to where the lady in the truck was sitting and talked to her a bit. She just wanted to make sure we were okay. I explained to her what happened (minus the brakes--I hadn't come to that conclusion yet). She said that she understood and had almost done the same thing herself not long ago--she was like, "I've lived on this road for years, but it was foggy and I almost missed it!" Anyway, no harm done, except to a side mirror and some pride, we continued off on our merry way--just to find, like I said, that we were a month off because I didn't read my e-mail carefully enough!

I just thank God that no one got hurt and that Savannah didn't hit that 4x4! That could have split the car wide open. Like I said to Savannah, "That happened so fast that my heart didn't even have a chance to speed up!" To calm any palpatations out there, Savannah never would have tried to make the turn if she didn't think she could do it--she is a good driver and the fact that the brakes locked up wasn't her fault. The fact that she straightened out kept us from either flipping or hitting the stop sign or the tree that was there. The brakes finally engaged once we got on the grass. God is good...

And now...how's about some pictures of our dresses?? :)

Let's see...there was the Monday morning excursion to the feed stores. Before I actually reached either one though I stopped at Tractor Supply to return a lawn mower belt and pick up a 52" one for the chicken plucker. (And no, I haven't gotten it on yet!) I talked to Miss D--a sweet little lady who goes to Granddaddy's church (not that he goes any more). She asked how he's doing--it still amuses me that people know who I am by just looking at me! I told her that he is really doing great; because he is, you know. Over the last week I have had some almost real conversations with him. This morning, I came out of my room and he and Savannah were sitting there chatting about something. He's laughing more and at times I notice him sitting there smiling as I whistle or sing while scrubbing my arms off at the bathroom sink. (From his chair he can see into the bathroom.)

Anyway, I discovered that the big 'yaller' dog at Bryan's has a name (duh, of course!) It suit him real well too--Willie. :) Willie has marked my truck tire's before. :P I bought some more "goop" (Nu-Stock) and told Mr. Scott that it's great on pecked up chickens. He said, "That's good to know."

I headed off to Smith's and the only dumb thing I did there was drive around to the back without waiting for the guy behind the counter (I think he may have COPD or something like that--he's a rather large man and he wheezes some) to put my calf milk in the truck. I totally forgot about it. He called out to the warehouse and told the 'boys' (Drummer Dude and Redneck 3) to tell me that he'd bring it out. Well, Drummer Dude didn't tell me, but probably because he realized that I'd heard--one can't help hearing as loud as that speaker it. They loaded up the truck and I left once the calf milk was safely in the back of the truck.

I was going to mow our place, but I thought it might rain so I didn't. Instead of riding Snip, which I could have done, I finished mowing over here. It didn't take overly long since I was almost done when I ran out of gas Friday evening. I would have finished it then, even though we had company coming, but once that thing gets heated up and either gets turned off or runs out of gas, you can't crank it back up. I don't exactly understand why...

I spent most of the remainder of the day building a website which I don't even know if it will ever get published. I have to ask Mr. Joe what he thinks as he is the 1st Florida Reserves and Civilians commander...and the site is for them (ahem, us.) I really had a great time putting it together, so I hope he'll give me the go ahead. I rather think he will...

Today (is it really only Tuesday??) we had another one of those moments--"Savannah! I have roosters out!" It was only eight this time--not counting the dead one (looks like the coon broke in through the back). The first one I caught fairly easily as I was observing the escape hatch. He is really the only one who isn't over scared of me. I poked him under my arm and when Savannah came out she unhooked the hen coop and I put him in there. I wanted to keep a second rooster (other than poor ol' Tail-less who may keel over and die; he's undersized and his rear isn't quite as healthy as it should be); so I figured the most tame one would be best.

Most of the roosters aren't quite heavy enough to butcher. I mean, I could butcher them, but they can still get a little bigger. Anyway, after dashing around after them--I think we discovered the best way to do it--just run them ragged; I finally caught them all. Also, if you can get them down in the middle of a soda apple, they'll hunker down. I got two of them like that. With no gloves on...but I didn't really get scratched up. What was worse was when I made a grab for one and all I came away with was fire weed between my fingers. Thankfully, it was small patch because that stuff burns like crazy! (Hence the name.)

After eating my breakfast, I put on my petticoats and Savannah got a skirt measurement for my new dress. Then I returned to britches, strapped on my pistol, and grabbed my gear. By the time I got Snip saddled up, it was already past 10:30, so I knew the ride would be a short one. I determined to make it a good one. I started out working on turns at a trot. From there, I tried to get him into a lope. He probably would have loped only as he kept trying to drift one way or the other to go visit the cows under the trees, I had to keep playing with the reins--which means he was getting some pull on his mouth.

Eventually, we did lope--after I took him out on the runway and let him have his head; to a very controlled extent. I'm going to work with him out there a bit more I think--it's a longer straight shot than anywhere else on the place. I finally put my problem into words.

I'm scared.

Not so much of the speed, though there is some of that, but because I cannot trust Snip to act like he should. He knows--I am sure of this--how he ought to behave; but he gets to having so much fun that he starts acting up. I'm scared to let him get past a slow lope. I have proved to myself multiple times that I can stay on him when he bucks from that speed. (It still isn't any fun.) I honestly think that I would not stand much of a chance if he bucked from a speed much faster. I have watched him in the pasture, I have ridden him, I know him...he will buck if I go any faster. It isn't because he's trying to loose me, but because he's young, strong, and it feels good to kick up his heels (I don't know about anybody else, but I sometimes have that reaction myself and will jump over stuff simply because it feels good). At this point, I don't know really what else to do but keep doing what I'm doing. Ride him...keep strengthing my legs...work on obedience...and slam him down as hard as I can whenever he bucks. I was talking to Granddaddy the other day and the general consensus was that at this point, I just have to be more stubborn than the horse. I cannot surrender anything to him. I must win this. Lord willing, I will win this. So what I'm scared? Keep riding...I have learned to feel the bucking coming...keep working...keep getting back on when I do slide off...never let the horse know that you're scared of him tossing you and breaking your neck. Never. Though my insides where tight this morning out on the runway, my hands and knees were steady. Snip did buck very slightly once. I could tell it was coming because he had started to weave a bit and was fighting me a little.

Shucks. One of the reasons I'm scared of falling off is breaking something so I can't ride for a month or so! I am determined...you know, the kind where you set your jaw and lift your chin a little and barge ahead come what may. SOOO...look out Snip; your 'little girl' is going to fully break you yet. :)

After lunch, I separated a 10 pound 'log' of hamburger into separate bags and stuffed it all into the freezer. Then I went out, fed Charlotte, came in, and changed so Savannah could fit my dress. While it is clear that my corset needs to be cinched a hair tighter to get it buttoned, I am 100% and totally thrilled with my new outfit! I'll post pictures once we have some. She's been working hard on it the last day and half because it has to be done by tonight as we'll be wearing our new dresses tomorrow morning to a Confederate wedding! I'll try to post pictures of that too. We never did get an 'official' wedding inviation, but Mrs. A told us that we were invited and I haven't seen the bride since before then and I think the groom only once. His parents are not well, so that's why everything has been so 'on the fly' in regards to the actual date. I'm quite looking forward to it.

I think I may go and play my instruments now...after I get a snack...I'm hungry...

Yesterday, after an emerency run to the feed store (I forgot to get more 'milk' when I was there on Monday), Savannah and I headed off a on 2 1/2 hour road trip to see a friend of Savannah's. Savannah and Emilie, a 'real live French girl', met online. Emilie's English is excellent and I noticed that the only word she tends to drop is 'the'. Her grammer is better than many native English speakers. Emilie is a reformed Christian and is quite sweet.

We had a delightful lunch; despite the fact that my jaw popped on me so badly that I exclaimed out loud. It hurt for the rest of the meal too. Anyway, the coffee was grand! After that we went to go stroll near a lake for a little bit. Here are a few of the pictures:

On the way to meet Emilie I took some pictures of an airplane writing in the sky. I found it totally fascinating...I took too many pictures, but will only burden you with four. :)

This morning, I rode Snip. He was a little ornery, but that was to be expected (to an extent) since he hadn't been ridden since last Friday. I finally got off and shortened my left stirrup back up. Today I didn't cramp with it all the way up. I felt more comfortable and then was really glad I had shortened it up when Snip went into a serious bucking routine with me. It took a little longer than usual to haul him in; and I stayed on--that time. A few minutes later, he did it again. While he actually wasn't bucking as seriously, he was turning a bit more (I think the big tractor mowing the ditch got him excited). I had him nearly under control when I realized that I wasn't going to be able to stay on (unless he had stopped that instant). I was literally hanging off the right side of the saddle, so I semi-controlled myself as I fell off. I landed on my 4th point of contact and did bump my head a little, but nothing serious. Not sure I even lost the reigns. The worst of it was--my hat got a new bash in it when it came off! I tied my bandana around my neck, put my hat back on, scolded a bit, got back on and rode a little more. When I got done, I called Savannah and told her, "I'm feeling photogenic...it might be because I fell off and didn't get hurt." :D Anyway, I'm going to bore you with some more Racheal and Snip pictures....(by the way, the random white 'stripe' on my right leg is my holster leg-tie...)

This afternoon, I did something I had never done before. I had never really watched Daddy do this either. That is: change the oil.

I went to the truck, pulled out the book, opened it up to 1-19, read the instructions through once, and got started. I would end up reading the instructions more than once as I did my first ever oil change.

As I lay under the truck, waiting for the old oil to empty out of the oil pan, I sang a smattering of songs--from the first four verses of the Confederate Yankee Doodle to "I'll be Seeing You".

Once the oil was just dripping, I called Daddy to see if it was okay if I put the plug back in...or if I was just being a very impatient person. He said it was fine for me to put it back in (yay!), and we talked a bit about removing the oil filter. And I am so glad we did--because I had to use the screwdriver trick.

I poked a hole in the very top (or bottom depending on how you look at it) of the filter and let the oil drain out some before I drove a large screwdriver into the side and pried it around that way. It took three different holes before I could actually get it off. I managed to whack my hands a couple of times. The last time it hurt so bad that I wanted to cry...but I didn't. I just sucked in a little air and relaxed for a minute before returning to work. Once I got it loosened up by means of the screwdriver, I was able to finish removing the filter with the filter wrench. By now, my hands and arms were covered with old motor oil, so I called Savannah and asked her to bring me some more paper towels. When she did, she hung around long enough to put some clean oil on the new filter's gasket and listen to me grunt as I put that thing on as tightly as I could with my bare hands.

It didn't leak either!!! If you can't tell, I'm pretty pleased...even though it took me twice as long as perhaps it should have.

Now, as promised...those random pictures. All taken on the past two Lord's Days.

Now, I have to run along and feed my critters! See ya next time!