Trenches, explosions, movies & books

- FM 611 -

Pipes on yellow stands along US 180 and FM 611 are ready for transfer into an awaiting trench. I keep trying to pinpoint which pipeline this is, but no luck for me, yet.

Yesterday, as I was beginning a walk, I heard a loud explosion, like when they're blasting for gypsum. Then about twenty minutes later I heard another. The sound seemed to be coming from west-northwest of here. I took a ride west of Camp Springs, all the way up to the Wild Wings and Taylor leases, then north as far as one can go past Camp Springs, then east back down to Nash Miers old place. I never saw any activity, smoke or dust that indicated where the blast came from, but I did notice some land for sale because of the Williamson & Branson sign pegged on it. It looks like it will be the listing for about 51 acres north of Hobbs. You know I want it!

Just west of that property is a natural ridge and for a long time a radio tower was on that ridge. It was more or less north of my house, so when I would come in from Sweetwater, perhaps on a stormy day, I could see "my" tower as I drove past Buster Wright's house (which is across from another tower) and judge which way the clouds were going. I only realized last month that "my" tower had been taken down, and it made me wonder what I've been using as a reference point. Someone else's tower? Do I even know where I live?

Friday night, I tried very hard to watch "The Heat" with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. Gratuitous cursing aside, it was just so boring I had to turn it off. It reminded me of a game we would play as kids that we called "Petty Girl". One girl would be the super-snooty, uptight fancy lady and the other girl would pretend to be down-to-earth and practical (normal) and would give The Petty Girl an upcomance. Anyway, I wish I could call Block Buster and get my money back.

I was watching another show today, oh, who cares what it's called. The waitstaff was about to do something vile to a rude customer's food, and I was out. Sometimes I wish I hadn't watched the movies I like so many times, so I would have something good to watch. I wouldn't mind seeing "Murphy's Romance" or "Honeysuckle Rose" right now.

I hear Helen Fielding is about to come out with another book about Bridget Jones. I like that series, but I think her book "Cause Celeb" has a lot more substance to it. Such a realistic viewpoint on the famines that plague Africa. Quite different from the stories about Miss Jones.

Back to local stuff. I believe the buzzards have gone. Crows were trying their hardest to take care of a road-kill mess up the road, but they just don't have the efficiency and talent of the bigger birds. I always miss those hard-working creatures during the winter.

Pipelines, oil rigs and dancing

- Dozer at RPQRR -

There was a lot of activity going on at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch this week. A new pipeline is going in along US 180, across FM 611 and onto the quail ranch, and they also have another rig operating there. It looks like a vertical operated by Ringo. It's directly between the horizontal rig I took a photo of last week and the fence I was taking it from. The RPQRR Newsletter has verified that the damages from the pipeline are being used to build a new fence on the east side of the ranch. There's a real good photo in the newsletter of three coyote pups drinking out of a stock tank. There are also many other incredible and interesting photos as well as a lot of information about the ranch, community and critters that inhabit therein.

There's going to be a dance at the Hobbs Gym next weekend, just in time to welcome fall. Dusty Creek is playing Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. Cover charge is $15, cooler charge is $5. They'll be entertaining until midnight.

I just signed up for Big Country Electric's new phone app, Smarthub. It only took about five minutes and I'll be able to pay my bill from my phone. Now the water bill is the only one I'll be paying the "old-timey" way, by writing a check and mailing it in.

I noticed that the overpass from US 84 onto I 20 at Roscoe is open, again. I just try to stay out of everyone's way, coming or going around that area, which is referred to as Destruction Junction. There have been fatalities above and below that bridge, and numerous, numerous crashes. Caution to all who drive under or over.