Rural Water - Quarter 4, 2008 - (Page 56)

federal law. No one told me about life on the road. And this thing I so desired came into the world. I forgot how once long ago I dreamed of having the thing I had now. And sadly, I became a bit jaded – a bit accustomed to it all. Then, Wanda came by. She brought something with her. Wanda brought a reminder. For a dozen years now, one of my regular stops on tour has been the National Cowboy Symposium in Lubbock, Texas, held just after Labor Day each year. It’s quite an affair. Thousands of people come to celebrate the life of the cowboy – to see the chuck wagon cooks from the Four Sixes and the Pitchfork, to hear singing and poetry, to learn how to help your horse at clinics, and your working stock-dog. I see old friends and make new ones. It’s always been quite a time. And this year, I was tired. It was a long road to get there. West Texas is big. Fuel prices dig into my money sack like some poisonous snake; the boxes of books get heavier every year, and the people… The very thing I prayed for was beginning to wear on me – people. That’s one thing I’ll never write in a column or book, buddy. You can bet on that. I kept it in my secret heart of hearts, but it was true that sometimes people would come by to talk, and I wanted to go to the bathroom, or to eat. I felt guilty about it, but…then Wanda came by. Wanda always comes by. We need reminders ‘cause sometimes, no matter how well intentioned we are, we forget. I forgot something the other day – and I was reminded. She’s older and she’s alone. She comes by to talk and she really talks – and she stays a long time. And when I saw her coming – with a big smile on her face – I thought, “Uh oh.” Don’t get me wrong; I really like her. It’s just that I was tired or preoccupied – I had other things on my mind, and was in a hurry to get things done. Just didn’t have a lot of time to talk. “It’s so good to see you,” she said loudly. “Let me hug your neck!” “Good to see you too, Wanda,” I said, smiling. “How have you been?” Glanced at my watch, wondering how long she would stay. Trust me when I tell you – she told me how she had been. This little west Texas woman took her own sweet time, describing in detail most every moment that had occurred since our last lengthy meeting a year ago. She covered every coyote sighting, every new calf born to her small herd and every ailment each of her horses had experienced – no matter how minor – during the last 12 months. Then, suddenly she says… “You know why I like you so much?” “No, Wanda,” I said. “Why?” “‘Cause you always have time to listen,” she said. “You never seem like you’re rushed. You’re always grateful that people stop to talk to you. You never act like you have something else to do, and you always have time for me. You got time to listen! You have no idea how important that is to someone like me,” she said. “Well, I enjoy…” “I’ll tell you why,” she interrupted. “’Cause my momma lost her ﬁ rst child in 1921, that’s why.” Then, little Wanda turned staring out the big plate glass wall-window in the coliseum, and she spun me a tale. A tale of her life… “My little momma lost her baby in 1921. It broke her. Cracked her soul like you would break a wagon spoke. New Flood Proof Pump Stations These underwater and in-ground pump stations are installed with the control panels anywhere above ﬂood stage. Our systems are able to ﬂoat at different depths to enable you to draw the best water, with less use of chemicals, and can be remotely controlled from any location. Patent Pending Patent Pending Remote or Auto Adjustable Intake on Long Reach Intake to In-Ground Wet Well, No Building Required Stationary High Volume 22,000 GPM Single Intake to In-Ground Wet Well, No Building Required Twin VFD In-Ground Booster Station Patent Pending Patent Pending Mutli-Submersible and Adjustable Depth, 6,000 GPM, No Building Required Eliminates Large Easements and Buildings with Their Associated Heating and Maintenance Costs GPMpumpingsystems.com • P.O. Box 1621 • Enid, OK 73701 • 800.722.8005 56 • Fourth Quarter 2008 http://www.GPMpumpingsystems.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 4, 2008

Rural Water - Quarter 4, 2008 Contents From the President Rural Water: Where are We Headed? The Future of Water in America Bank Collateral Controls in Nervous Times Bottle of Water or Billion Dollar Bully? Aqua Chocolate No Mas Why Even Small Water Systems Should Have Personnel Policy Manuals Safe Drinking Water Regulatory Update 2008 NRWA Industry Event Throwing My Loop Advertisers.com Index to Advertisers From the CEO

Rural Water - Quarter 4, 2008

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