Changes and an Alert

                                

There has been a bit of activity here at the gate.  Half of the guys that stay here have left to go somewhere else.  Now there are only four left and they go into town every one or two days.  The water tankers are still making multiple runs, 24/7 and it seems that there is more activity at a different pad.  These guys are taking readings and using different kinds of equipment.  All I know is that the traffic is different.  I’m not sure that I know what it means to the gate activity in the future, but evidently there may not be any increase in tanker (crude oil) in the immediate future, so maybe this gate will work until I leave.  I hope saying that doesn’t put a jinx on it, because anything can happen.  It was a bit sad to see the guy leave, but they all made a point of stopping by to say goodbye. 

Later in the afternoon, we got a bit of rain.  No storm, but just enough to cool things down a bit and wash the air.  I love the smell of fresh clean air.  It also kept the caliche dust down, but it got a little bit muddy, just enough to stick to the souls of my shoes to carry inside.  For the other guards out there, how do you handle keeping your floors clean? I cant see taking off regular shoes off as many time a day as we go in and out.  I wear sandals so that I can kick them off and go barefoot inside.  So far the carpet is staying clean.  I think that I would rather have wood or laminate flooring and area rugs.

I have been going through all of my movies one by one and the ones that my sister loaned me.  I downloaded some free books on my I Pad.  I think that I still prefer the regular books.  Maybe it’s because the digital stuff, I’m still not comfortable with.  I still have a couple of books that I kept that I will read again and maybe the art books could stand to be read again.  Maybe I’m getting just a little bit bored, Ya think?

                        

Earlier this morning, Angel started barking when I got a knock on my door.  Yep, it was an illegal, a young man, about  17, maybe, sadly looking kind of worse for wear.  I have no idea what he was asking, as I don’t speak Spanish and he didn’t speak English.  I gave him a bit of water in his gallon jug and after closing the door, I called the Border Patrol.  It must have been what he wanted, because he stood around for a few minutes and then walked out to the road and waited.  About 25 minutes later Border Patrol picked him up.  The officer just talked to him, searched him, put him in the car and they left and went back into the ranch.  As you can see, it’s pretty desolate country out here, especially  on in the midday in the middle of July.  The Border Patrol officer just came back.  Evidently he was 17 years old and got separated from his cousins, a 13 year old boy and a 14 year old girl.  When the officer went by earlier, he went back on the ranch looking for them.  I sure hope that they are found soon.  He just came back again to search with another car, I’m guessing that it was a K9 unit, at least I hope that is what is.  So if any of you reading this in the area south of Carrizo Springs, if you see them please call Border Patrol, 830-876-1502.

That’s enough excitement for today.  I probably won’t hear whether or not they find them, so I pray for a happy ending.

Time for another nap. I hope that you all have a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

Questions Two Hours of OMG, Lesson Learned

Where does the time go?   What day of the week is it?  What time IS it?  Such is my life guarding this gate!  It has gotten into somewhat of a routine as to who’s coming in and how long is he going to be here before he comes out?  In other words, do I have time to take a nap, wash my hair or take a shower, fix something to eat?  When I do get to grab a nap,  did I miss that truck coming in and out?  When can I close the gate?  Hummmm, what movie do I want to watch or do I want to read?  What kind of bird was that?  You get the gist!  Now I now why they ask for a three month commitment.  That’s when the Hitch Itch starts to make it’s presence known.  (I’m doing four)  I’m ready, but I have to get the itch to go way for just a little while longer.

   

My sister did come in late Monday with my groceries and mail.  Since it is over about hundred miles one way, I’ve convinced her that is better to come for a couple of days instead of going right back.  She left late yesterday afternoon.  While she was here she took my glasses to an optometrist in Carrizo Springs to see if they could fix them.  When I took that fall last May, my glasses took a bit of abuse and the frame was all out of whack.  Success, now I can where them.  We had a nice visit.

                                

She has two little Chihuahuas and they are pretty much like Angel just laid back with an occasional bark. It is funny watching them go up or down stairs (they don’t have any at home), because they are both so small, although they are getting the hang of it. There isn’t much to do here, so we just hung out with more questions.  Do you remember when, or this, or that. talking about what’s been going on and what my plans are, etc. etc. etc..  She sat out side to get information for the log if anyone came ( no one did), so I was able to get a shower.  As soon as I was through, a tanker came in.  How’s that for timing?

It was a good visit, but unfortunately just before she left, I had a bout with “Dumping Syndrome”.  For anyone out there that has had Bariatric Surgery, you know what I mean. This was the first time for me for a full blown attack since my surgery two and a half years ago.  I never want to go through that again.  I won’t go through the details here, that is definitely TMI.  I should have know better, but Evelyn brought back a malted milk shake to share and I drank it and it was really, really good.  BUT!  That is something that I won’t ever do again.  NOT worth it!  People have told me what to expect, but I didn’t realize how debilitating that it can be and there’s not much that you can do, but let it run it’s course. About two hours later I was almost back to normal, but sticking with water and crackers.  This morning, it’s just a light breakfast and we’ll go from there.

                                           Another Question!

      

Does anyone know what this is?  A few days ago, Angel found this.  Of course, I took it away.  I think that it is the skeleton of a bird. It’s all dried up, but it had other stuff around it.  I think that she found it was under my stairs.  She is tied up when she is outside, so can’t go very far

Last night, no lights or bells, AGAIN.  We have had a bit of rain and evidently one of the extension cord plugs got wet.  I had to dry them off  (even the prongs) and the wrapped them loosely with some “Press n Seal” plastic wrap.  It sticks to itself and I left enough open so it doesn’t heat up, but still keeps the rain off the plugs.  So far, so good.  they stayed on all night. 

Hitch Itch keeps coming back. (Go Away)

I’m ready to leave, but the bank account isn’t, so here I stay.  It won’t be long before I can.  I will miss talking to the guys out here, I’ve learned a lot about the oil industry and what they do on these ranches.  Everyone is so friendly and polite. It is what makes the job bearable and sometimes even enjoyable.  I would do it again as long as I can get a slow gate.  For me, it”s worth it.

That’s about it, not an exciting gate.

No sooner than I say that, and Angel is barking, letting me know that there’s a bunny out there, exciting for her! 

One that note I will close. Enjoy your day.

Thanks for visiting

That was exciting, I can sleep now.

Susan and Angel

Rediscovered Zoom and Another Painting

                       

I talked to one of the guys on the ranch and asked him if there were any mountain lions on the ranch.  Yes, he as seen one, but he says it’s rare to see them.  When I spotted the one last week it crossed the road just this side of the bird blind structure on the left.  Now, if I had had the Kodak out and was fast enough I would have been able to identify it for sure.

I have been disappointed with the zoom (10x) on the camera that I have been using, although I do like using it because it is small and easy to carry around.  I started looking for another camera that is small and has a better zoom.  then I remembered that I already have a Kodak Easy Share 12x, but is larger and a hassle to haul around.  That’s why I got the Sony Cyber Shot.  At the time it worked for me, but now that I am taking different types of pictures, I will work with the Kodak as it works nicely for flowers.

     

            This first one is super tiny and the second is about the size of a dime.

When it comes to birds, it still isn’t much better, so I may still get another.  I was thinking of a Nikon COOLPIX L810 16.1 MP with 26x Zoom.  Does anyone have this particular camera and if so, how do you like it? 

   

This morning while I was finishing another painting,we had a couple of buggy visitors, a 4 inch walking stick, the third is a 5 inch grasshopper.  He was gone before Angel spotted him.  If you enlarge the second picture you may be able to see the walking stick as Angel chased it into the road.  I had to rescue it,because a truck was coming.

Theses last two days, it really wasn’t too busy, except that the arrivals and departures were spaced just far enough apart where I didn’t get enough napping time during the day. After I closed the gate when  the last truck left at 2 am, I just got to sleep and another driver came in a 4 am, and opened the gate himself.  I did get up to log him in, but I wasn’t sure if he was in the right place as he had an oil tanker.  Well as it turned out he was, so this was the first of the oil tankers that will be coming in.  From what I’m told, they are having trouble getting oil tankers, but as soon as they do, I’ll see them here.  I don’t mind it being busy during the day, but it is just the ones that come in in the middle of the night that I don’t like.  I’m not crazy about having the gate open at night, but there’s no sense constantly opening and closing it every 1/2 hour or so.(this one’s not automated)

My sister, Evelyn should be coming for a visit tomorrow or the next day with groceries.  I still have quite a bit and can get by for at least a week or more, but it is just the easy stuff and some basics that I am running low on.  She will also bring the all important paycheck too.  I have been waiting for a pin from the IRS so that I can make extra payments, and it was in the mail, so I got that over the phone and made a hefty payment to Uncle Sam.  When that’s gone then I will work  on the one to CA.  I should have enough for that one before I leave for Waco.  It will feel good to get that weight off me and get back to the original retirement plan. 

                      

Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), That is the bird that was kind enough to stay put for me to get a good picture a couple of weeks ago on the last gate that I was at.  I finally finished the picture this morning.

It’s been a bit slow, so I think that I will try to take another nap.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Getting Busier, But Still OK

                                       

I hope that every one out there had a very Happy Independence Day.  I celebrated by wearing a very patriotic vest.  Otherwise it was just another day in the oil fields. 

                                 

Here's what is going on at the gate.  Traffic through the gate has begun to get busier with all the water tankers coming in.  On the 3rd there were 25 vehicles of which only 1 was a tanker.  It came in at 11 pm.  That was the beginning.  Thirteen vehicles on the 4th, so traffic was light, but on the 5th there were 33 vehicles of which 16 were water tankers.  In addition to the above that I enter into the log, there is ranch traffic that I don’t log, I still have to identify to wave them through and there are several vehicles that come into the gate looking for directions.  Even though there are a lot of tankers, it is usually 4 or 5 drivers making multiple runs, so as long as I can get the license #s or their name, I don’t have to get out of the rig, just log them in or out.  They have hand signals to let me know if they will be making  another run or if they are finished, which helps me figure out what I can do without an interruption.  Yesterday I did a load of wash and another today.  I still was able to finish the entire “Harry Potter” series, books and movies  (except the last two movies that I don’t have yet) this past week. Oil tankers will start coming in a day or two.  Then we will see what happens.  Although I’m still getting enough sleep.

Earlier today I think that I saw a mountain lion (that’s the cat with the long bushy tail)  It wasn’t close, but about 1/4 mile up the road.  Now yesterday I saw the first roadrunner at this site and a ground squirrel.  Angel was busy sleeping, so she missed the family of little cottontails that I saw out of D/R window.  There were 4 or 5 of them running and chasing  each other around a bush across the road.  They were fun to watch. but I didn’t get pictures.  I’m seeing more birds, but haven’t been able to identify them.

Not much to blog about so I will close and see if this posts.  Internet has been sketchy all day.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

Staying Where I’m At For Now and NEWS

 

                       Sunrise                                                   Sunset

Here I am still with Gate Guard Services south of Carrizo Springs.  I’m not sure how long I will be at this gate, but will stick it out as long as I can.  So far it hasn’t been too bad.  It is quite busy in the morning with workers coming and going.  As with the 1st gate I will get to know faces and names to make it easier.  Some of them spend the night. (there are trailers back by the wells)  When they go into town they ask if I need anything, which is really nice of them.  There is a lull in the middle of the day a bit busier in the afternoon and some at night.  I haven’t been here long enough to see if there is any kind of pattern developing, so I’ll just watch and see what does develop.  if I can’t handle it, I will definitely let them know.

 

On the flora, not much, lots of scrub brush, mesquite trees (if you want to call the trees, more like big bushes), cactus, weeds and a century plant (past it’s bloom)

                           

The only flowers are silk.  (I’ve gotta have some flowers, even if they’re only make believe)

                          

The fauna, again not much, a few birds (haven’t identified what kind), a cottontail rabbit and this afternoon I saw a squirrel and of course Angel.  Not very exciting.

Yesterday, I updated my Workamper Resume and this afternoon I got a job offer.  After thinking it over, I decided to call them back and accept the offer.  When I leave here I will be heading north.   I accepted a workamper position with Waco North RV Camp,  just north of Waco, TX.  http://waconorthrvpark.com‎  It was formerly a KOA and is now a Good Sam Park with 75 sites.  I will be working in the store and doing reservations. The requirement is for 15 hours for site and FHU, 20% off store and propane, WiFi and tokens for W/D. 

It is about an hour and a half from where my daughter lives.  So may be I will be able to see the G-kids and get to know them better.  Because of it’s location, I will actually be able to watch some television, which I haven't been able to do since last March.  What surprised me is I really haven’t missed it.

Once I get there I will give Doug with LOMA Rentals http://lomarentals.com/(another gate guard supplier) a call to set up being a relief person for guards in that area for extra income source.  So far it sound like this may work, volunteering for site and FHU and relief guarding for extra money.   If this works out for me, it could last for a year or more.  There is no contract just basically a “hand shake agreement”.

Thank you all for all of your comments and suggestions. here’s some replies to some of those comments:

Lynn is right. Roger is doing the best that he can with what is going on on his end.  I found out that when all this happened last week, he had lost 3 of his service people, was scrambling and that’s probably why he forgot that the old gate guards were coming back.

To Gypsy, it is still a 24/7 gate, no relief unless I find and pay someone to relieve me.

To aint for city gals, that’s the way it is when you do it solo.  I’m not too worried, because the Border Patrol comes onto the ranch, so far every day, to check for tracks and signs of illegals and I have the phone number to call if I see anything suspicious.

For Susan, tour?  I don’t know, I can’t leave the gate, but I could ask the ranch foreman.

For Marikay, the pay is good and the work is easy.  Most of the time I’m in the RV doing what I want to do and as long as everything is closed up and the A/C is on, most of the dirt stays outside.

For Colleen, it is still 24/7.  I leave the gate open in the day and close it at dark, but I have to go out and open it when someone wants in.  No trips to Wal-Mart,  if I need anything the guys have said to just ask.

And for Harriet, again it’s 24/7, and the license is for two years.  You also have to be fingerprinted and they will do a background check.  Remember if you are doing it solo, there are a lot more challenges that you don’t have as a couple and you have to prepare for them.

I hope that I have answered everyone’s questions, if not feel free to ask them again or ask more.

Hope that you all have a wonderful holiday.

Thanks for visiting

Okay, Mom, you read, I’ll guard.              

Susan and Angel

Maybe NOT The Right Gate

  Just spoke to one of the company men and evidently this gate is not going to remain slow.   In fact it will become extremely busy within 3 or 4 days, as it be going into production with tankers in and out day and night.  He told me that it is in the flow back stage and they put a hold on getting into production because there was an accident a couple of days ago (not here, at another well)  where one of the trucks caught on fire.  Over 3,000 gallon of oil burned along with the semi, tanker and a forklift.  At least the driver wasn’t hurt.  This is a dangerous business.  They have been putting in a lot of safety measures before getting these wells going. 

I’ve called Roger to let him know, but he doesn’t think that it will happen that soon.  At least he knows and I also asked the the company man to have his liaison to call Roger.  Nothing happened at the first gate until the company got involved.  We will see what happens.  I am still keeping my options open with another company.

                            

Other than that Angel has been doing her job, warning me when she sees the bunnies go by.  Good Girl !!!  Always in a window to protect her Mama.

The Internet isn’t that good here and I think that the booster is being affected by the winds.  Sometimes I have it, sometimes I don’t.  It’s been tough trying to comment on blogs or reply to them.  I’ll try to get caught up as soon as I can.

Thanks for visiting

off duty

Susan and Angel

New Location

Saturday was spent in the GGS yard.  I ended my last blog with the electricity going out during the thunder storm.  That was around 2:00 pm and they didn’t come back on until 8:30 pm. It did get a bit warm, but it wasn’t too bad keeping the door open or sitting out side after the rain was gone.  There was another worker here that was here with his family. His wife offered to bring me dinner when they went into town.  She had to wait awhile because the power was off there too.  When she returned she had a yummy BBQ beef sandwich and potato salad.  I had part of it last night and finished the sandwich for lunch after I was set up here.  I still have potato salad leftover. 

I finished the 5th Harry Potter book, so with the power back on I watched the 5th movie.  My daughter called later and had to finish the movie later.  I finally got to sleep around 11:00 pm.  I don’t mind if the kids call late most of the time.  Family connections are important.  Hey, Kids, This doesn’t mean you can do it all the time. LOL

                                 

                                  Sunset from the back of my rig at GGS lot.

Roger came through with another slow gate.  About 8:00 this morning he gave me directions to the gate where I would be relieving Denise and Jerry, they would be heading home.  It sure was nice of them to stay and help me set up.  Thank you both.  It was a bit of a challenge placing my fifth wheel as when they moved in, it was muddy and there are some deep ruts, but with a bit of maneuvering I was able to put it where when the jacks are down I was level side to side.  Jerry did put up my signal booster for me, since I don’t do ladders well.  The rest was easy, but it did take a bit of time and I appreciate them taking the time to make sure that I was completely set up before they left.  I got to say it again.  “ Gate Guarders are great people, because they help each other out when they can.”   They were on their way just about noon.  Thanks again Jerry and Denise.

    

Here I am on Highway 186 about 15 miles south of Carrizo Springs and the road going back into the ranch.  It is a large (over 35,000 sq. miles) Exotic Wild Life Ranch, but the animal don’t come here.  (That structure on the left of the road is a Blind)  It is definitely a slow gate, only four vehicles so far today plus the ranch foreman.  I only have to record the oil well activity.  I open the gate around 7:00 am and close it at 7:00 pm.  It isn’t a production well, so there aren’t any safety guys here, so I may just break down and order an ice maker and have it delivered.  Just thinkin’.

There is a very active gate directly across the highway.  With loads of trucks coming and going, it is really dusty.  It has been quite windy all day and when it comes my way there’s a lot of it.  My door is closed, but in the morning I might just sit outside for a while and read.

Angel is just taking it all in, barks when she hears the bell and just sticks close to me.  In a couple of hours I will lock the gate and turn on all the lights and then I’m in for the night.

BTW,  I got a couple of calls from LOMA today checking to see if I got a suitable gate, and they have a couple of gate that would have worked out for me.  They asked if I knew of anyone looking for a gate to give them their number.  If anyone out there is interested leave a comment and I’ll give you the contact information.     That’s it for today.

Thanks for visiting

Yesterday, Ok, Mom when are leaving?

Susan and Angel