In case you're living in a complete fog, watch no news or television, and only crack the cover of the National Enquirer, I should point out that football season is in full swing.  Especially for us as this was the first of several weekends with two or more games.  It was also a very lucky week for me as I almost didn't make my 58th birthday on Sunday.  I guess I'd better explain.

Thursday was normal at the auction and we sold out again.  Unfortunately, the count of steaks was similar to last week so we didn't break any records.  But still a solid start to the week.  I think I'm going to bite the bullit this week and start off with 5 loins instead of four just to see what happens.  If I have some leftovers, I'll get on my well worn knees and beg Peggy to make some Bar-B-Que.

After the long drive back to the farm Thursday night, I set out Friday on a major shopping spree to get supplies for both games (Liberty and JMU) and the added equipment I needed for the second set up like another propane tank, tables, etc.  Next, I loaded up the truck for the Liberty game and set up everything  except the cold stuff, lemonade and sweet tea which would be made fresh and taken to the game Saturday.  Then, back to the farm to reload for JMU.

It was during that period that I almost met my Maker. 

I took a break, fixed a sandwich, made a couple of calls, and decided to get back to work.  I walked out the back door, stepped off the back stoop and put my foot down on a forty-seven foot copperhead snake.  He was unhappy, wagging his tongue at me worse than Peggy does.  I was unhappy because there was a large wet spot on the front of my pants.  I couldn't go back in the house because I'd have to step over him and I couldn't leave because the rational part of my brain said I needed to know where he goes.  So I just froze peering at him, wet pants and all.  Finally, he got tired of the stare-off and slithered away.  First time I've ever seen a sixty-five foot snake.

At times, I can be like an old lady.  On Saturday while driving to Harrisonburg, I started worrying.  Can the boys handle a crowd like last week?  Could my sister, Jean, with no previous experience, jump in and keep the batter made, extra lemonade fixed and tea brewed?  At her age--10 years older than me--would she even remember she had to work the game?

Once I got to Harrisonburg, I didn't have time to worry.

We set up in the same spot we had last year, only this year, under a tent rather than in Big Red.

  Unfortunately, it was just too HOT.  The game started at 3:30 pm and it had to be 100 degrees.  Once the gates were open, all anyone wanted was bottled water or drinks and I'm not allowed to sell either.  So we just sat and watched the long lines next door at the drink wagon.

We did get busy during the game especially at halftime but our sales were about half of what we did last year at any of the games.  It had to be mostly because of the heat.

After the game and clean up, I drove back to Lynchburg to help if they needed it.  Shouldn't have worried.  I didn't get back until after the game.  And they did fine.  Tank and Pete are wonderful.  They can do anything I can and just as well.  Jean did a great job and although worn out, will do it again.  And, she can now officially add Carney person to her resume.  While I don't think her Board of Directors will be impressed with that, I am.  Liberty's sales were down a little from last week, but we expected that as it was the second game and not a very good opponent.  But it was a great game for us.  And, we got to welcome Steve to our perverted little family.  He handled the drinks, lemonade and tea and seems to fit in well with Tank and Pete--who are really perverted and they actually like what they're doing.

This week is similar.  Thursday at the auction, Friday night at the Jefferson Forest High School game, and Saturday at JMU.  And, hopefully, no more 72 foot snakes.