I'm OK

We met in March 1969 on the battlefields of Vietnam. He was a farm  boy from Oklahoma and I was a city kid from New York. He was from Venus and I was from Mars, we couldn't have been further apart in appearance, language, and attitude. Perhaps it was OD green, job assignment, war, or simple survival that drew us together. No, there was something more. The intangibles that draw people together, the things we can't explain or touch were at work that day. At first I mistook him for someone else but was quickly corrected, his name was Ward that's all I knew. 

Leaving the war stories for another day we meet 44 years later on his farm in OK. We'd been in touch before but this particular meeting was special. We simply picked up where we left off so many years ago. He was Ward and I was Romeo and for a couple of hours we were 18 again.

Of course we had the usual remember when's along with a beer or two but that was just the beginning. It started out meeting the grandchildren whom I hadn't seen since babies. Amber, Shalia, and Dylon were awesome. Raised on a farm they helped with the chores. It was the height of Pecan season so that was in full swing also. Cattle and the bulk of Pecans were on the adjacent farm which is partly lease from them. I held my own at pecan picking or as best as I could. All I know is that I picked more pecans than Shalia, sorry Shalia. Next was dinner with Jason and Gina, their son and daughter-in- law, and kids, awesome. Italian country dinner, what else would you have in OK.

As a writer, of which I'm not, you lead up to the main event. The crescendo if you will. Pam, Sid's wife of almost forty years was being Baptized. Pam is of Cherokee descent and never was influenced  by religion. Only recently has she turned to faith and today was her day and I was privileged to be here. 

Well lets first be honest I'm not the religious type and this was a Southern Baptist Revival. The guest speaker was imported from Fort Worth Texas along with his FIRE AND BRIMSTONE. 

I never saw anything like it. On stage was a full size hot tub, a rock and roll band, and Mr. Fire and Brimstone himself jumping up and down hula-hollar-ing praise The Lord. 

I loved it: Can I get an AMEN ? 

At the Baptism- Pam, Sid, Amber, and Shalia. Thanks guys it was special. 

Just us!

Chores 

Alpha

You looking at me ? Don't even think about it, I'm a bull.

Now that's better, city slickers.

Work time.

Did you know pecans grow on trees, big trees.

Even the ones on the ground count.

Pecan sorting and cracking shell room.

Shelling machines.

The bosses- look busy !

I say when it's quitting time.....

quitting time !!!