New Mexico

Thursday (October 14.): Well, it started out as me getting up at 3:30am. We Got to the Dothan airport at 5:00. We only live 5 minutes away so, we were able to get there at 5:00. We got on the airplane at 5:30 .... we taxied down the Runway and stopped ..... it was a 30 minute wait .....The captain finally came on the PA and said: "Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a delayed take off. The tower is not open and we had to call someone to come open it and turn on the runway lights."!!!!! I was like: Who in the heck heard of a airport shutdown at 5:30 in the morning?????

Anyway we finally took off (for Atlanta) and I forget what time we got to Atlanta but, we had a 2 hour layover (I think). We got to Albuquerque, New Mexico around lunch and we had a 4 (actually 3 1/2) hour drive up the mountain and we got to our condo at 5:30

After we got there, we had a few hours to change and get ready to go out to eat with the McAfee Family!! I had a blast eating with them!! The second I met them, I had a instant connection with that whole family!!

Friday (October 15): Will and Amy got together and went to a resort town (Taos) down the mountain and got the marriage liscense and while there, they ate breakfast. Dad, Mom and I went sight seeing and we to see someones ranch. We know the person that owns it and he said it was ok so, we went.

Friday night~ Rehearsal Dinner: We heard that the actor Sean Penn was filming a movie near where we were staying (at the condo) but, we had no idea that he was filming on the part of the mountain where the rehearsal and the wedding was to take place!!

We went to the rehearsal. I stood in as "Amy as "bride". I am her height and same age (well, I am older than her by 3 months) bt, anyway ..... Pictures will follow as soon as I get around to posting them. We took the wedding party out to eat at a restaurant called "Sundance Mexican Restaurant" It was very good.

Saturday ~ Day of the wedding (October 16): What a glorious day it was!!!!!!!!!! A day filled with family, friends and memories!!!!! Amy was gorgeous as always and God's presence was felt everywhere!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday (October 17) ~ Day to arrive home: It was an eventful day!!!!!

I just have to say this one thing .........

ON BOARD INTERNET ACCESS ON AIRPLANES IS DA BOMB!!!!!!!!!!

I'm taking a break

I'm taking a break with the blog. I intend to keep writing in here but, it wont be as often due to us being in harvest. I hope to be back to writing more regularly beginning in November. Lord willing, we wont still be harvesting into December ..... Anyway, thanks for being patient and being a reader here!!!

A Memorable Day ( that I dont care to repeat ever again!!!!!!!!!! )

It was 4:00 and I had just taken a empty peanut trailer to the end of the field and drove back to get a full load (at the opposite end from the road).

After Daddy had raked down the peanuts level enough to where they would not fall off, he gave me some last minute instructions: "Now, Kate, I want you to put the truck in 4 wheel low and get up speed quickly and go across the field at an angle to avoid the sand trap." It was 4:08 by the time I got started.

As I was gaining speed, I noticed that tires were spinning in the sand of the field. The tires could not get traction. Finally, they stopped spinning and I was zooming towards the end of the field. I suddenly felt the trailer sliding from side to side. I looked back and it WAS sliding from side to side. Something (or someone) told me to slow down (and I am glad that I did). Then, another snag in the plan!! There were some plowed up peanuts still lying on the ground (waiting to be picked) where I needed to go!!

I should point out that Daddy does not like anyone to drive over plowed up peanuts

Then, I told myself, if I can just gain the traction of the grass then the tires would stop spinning, the trailer would stop swaying from side to side and I can get out of the field. I went to turn and then, it happened!!!!!

I was in the process of jack knifing!!!!!!!!!

I quickly sent up a silent prayer then, did the only thing that I could think of. I pressed the brakes and I held the steering wheel very still. The trailer went straight and I still mashed the brakes and then the truck was being pushed by the trailer. I was pushed sideways.

I jack knifed!!!!!!!!!!!

After the dust had settled, I called Daddy and I said: "Daddy, I don't know what I just did but, I think that I just jack knifed!! He said ok and he said that he was coming.

I got out of the truck and my knees were shaking and I just sat down and cried. Not tears of sorrow because I thought that Daddy would be mad at me but, tears of joy that I was ok.

When everything was said and done and I called Daddy it was 4:13.

Upon looking back on it, if I had not of listened to the voice inside myself and turned later that I did, I would have landed in a very deep ditch (that I was only 50 feet away from when I jack knifed) and possibly would not have lived to tell this story. The peanut trailer could have turned over spilling millions of peanuts and in turn flipped the truck over and would have squished me.

I am very grateful to the Lord for letting me live!!!! I praised Him in the field and I still am praising Him. All day long, I have sung the song: "Count your blessings name them one by one"

Anyway, just wanted to tell y'all of my experience!!!!!

Courting Customs in America

Courting with Fans

To the young ladies and men of the 19th century, fanology was a secret and silent language that could be used to communicate without speaking. Fanology included an intricate alphabet. Sometimes a coded rendezvous time could be made by the number of sticks showing. Other symbols included are:

Covering your left ear to request that your secret be kept

Twirling the fan in your left hand to warn of being watched

Drawing the fan across the eyes by way of apology

A half opened fan to the lips is a way of giving permission to kiss