I wish I had better news to relate regarding PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE's health. As you remember, PEG had some scary news regarding her heart right before the holidays. Since that time, she has had several cardiology professionals confirm that she needs surgery to repair a leaking mitral valve and a slightly leaking aortic valve. A very risky surgery under the best of conditions. So far, two accomplished surgeons have refused to operate. The one who saw her yesterday has posed the idea that she may just need a pacemaker! PEG has more tests and appointments with physicians lined up, but is very discouraged with the ones in Albuquerque. She is almost at the point of seeing doctors in Dallas or Houston. Those of you who pray, please keep her in your prayers. Even good thoughts sent out will assist in drawing to her the perfect solutions to her health challenges.
ADDENDUM: Since this was first posted, I learned that PEGGY's husband Guenter postponed his hiatal hernia surgery until after they find out more on hers.
NANCY THOMPSON BAKER still advises me of news of our classmates from time to time. She told me that DORIS (STOKES) and DON WHITE'S daughter's house burned to the ground shortly before New Year's. They lived out near the Bethel church. Two of their children are twins, one of whom is disabled due to a stroke when he was a newborn. They are six years old now, and the one in a wheelchair and on a respirator had to be rescued through the bedroom window. His wheelchair was among the items they saved, but unfortunately the van equipped with a lift for his chair was a total loss. The family was fully insured, but the paperwork involved can be a slow process, so in the meantime they are living with DORIS and DON. Although it is tragic to lose one's home and most of your belongings, there was what some of us would call a "miracle" the night of the fire. Their son-in-law (I'm sorry that I don't have names) travels. He was supposed to be out of town that night, but had changed his mind and decided to go a day later. He was able to get his sons out safely. Removing the one through the window would have been impossible without a man's assistance. I'm certain that prayers of gratitude have been said over and over in that family!
Condolences are offered to NANCY, as on January 5th she lost a beloved nephew, David Thompson, who lived in San Angelo.
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When asked recently, JIMMY COWLISHAW told me, "..about my job, I suppose that I am among the luckiest. Work continues to come my way. I think that most of it is due to the people who work for and with me. They are an exceptional crew."
It is very telling of JIMMY's character that he chooses to give so much credit for his success to his employees. Not many do that these days. Way to go, JIM!
When I asked if he still raised cows, his response brought a smile to my face, "Cows keep having calves. Most are born on the coldest days, I think. Someone asked me what they do... Just eat and poop. (And make awful good hamburger meat.)"
Vegetarians might not think that last remark is funny. And the environmentalists.... well, I have to tell a funny story. When I worked in Denton, my employer lived out a little in the country. We were talking about how cold the weather was that winter. She told how on her way into work, she always passed pastures full of cows. In the coldest weather, she said you could see little puffs of white coming out of the cows' rear ends. They were passing gas! We all got a big laugh.
Now the environmentalists (and I guess I have to consider myself in this category) would point out that the "gas" they were passing is methane gas -- the second most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the U.S. (Which contribute to global warming.) Of course cattle aren't the only source! However, it will be interesting to note how much the amount of measurable methane gas decreases due to the severe drought so much of cattle country has suffered in recent years. That and the fact that beef prices have soared so much that the average consumer has probably cut waaay back on beef consumption.
New Zealand proposed a unique tax to help with the problem (from Blogger News Network):
"Sheep and cows produce 30% of methane emissions in the UK, and in other countries it's even worse: in New Zealand, cows and sheep produce 90% of the methane emissions, and the farmers went up in arms when in 2003 the government decided to try to tax the 'emissions'"..
The farmers protested by sending samples of the "offending substance" to the lawmakers! The solution suggested is pretty funny, too. You can read about it here:
Garlic Fights Global Warming. (By the way, JIMMY. How big is your herd?)
ADDENDUM II: JIMMY sent the following: "
My 'herd': At one time, like last spring when rain was with us and grass was GREEN, around 12-13 head. As the winter months started we began to reduce because of the cost of feeding them. We sold some, butchered some, but kept our producing heifers. Now 7 head, but the production will start again come spring. The lead bull will weigh an estimated 1,700 lbs, and he keeps the heifers
busy".
If you all are like me, you are feeling like you have been on a weather seesaw. It's 76 degrees today, and last week was one of the coldest weeks in the Hill Country's history! Hopefully, things will settle down soon to our typical Texas springtime when all the wildflowers will be in bloom. Until next time..
Love and peace,
Marilyn
