Rodney's Blog

Every morning, as has been my routine for many months, I go outside to my backyard oasis. I have coffee and a small breakfast waiting for my wife to enjoy before she goes off to work. As we sit under the Gazebo talking, we watch our two Shih-Tzues, Zeus and Xena, run and play in the yard. I love my backyard, with its tiff Bermuda grass and multiple flower beds that I have planted myself. I have everything from A to Z in my backyard including butterflies and frogs that come and go at their leisure.

I do not have a sprinkler system because I like to water the yard myself. Plus I see so many irrigation systems watering the concrete instead of the yard that I am certain they could not be saving any water at all. In addition, I also have a pool to keep filled up but as I looked at my last water usage statement I had only used 6700 gallons. I am amazed that I use so little. Still, I must constantly monitor my weekly watering schedule, being careful not to commit the cardinal sin or watering on the wrong day.

But what I found out today really amazed me. To drill ONE gas well takes 50K gallons of water per minute. Yes, you heard me right, 50K PER MINUTE. That is almost what I use in a year! . Ok, you mathematicians out there, time to earn your keep - I can see 3 to 4 wells going in from my house - quick, how much water is that PER MINUTE. Some of these trucks are getting their water from wells, lakes, and deeper streams so it really goes unnoticed. Not that many water trucks actually hook up to a city meter. But if you live in a community that is dependant on wells like I do, one day you are going to be in trouble. One guy told me he had to dig his well deeper, and it cost him $6500.00 just to be able to flush his toilet.

Thanks to the crooks in Austin , Gas and oil companies are exempt from the same rules we have to follow. You would think with two years of drought our leaders (used loosely) would put some kind of restriction on this. Each local municipality has said our hands are tied, which is what I expect to hear since no one wants to tell these guys, "Hey enough with all this drilling for now. Let us get our water tables back up and then you can drill a few more wells". Someone in Parker County has five wells which, I have been told, brings home $200k a Month. I might have to drop my standards a little but I think I could live on $200k a month.

Alright I've given the mathematicians time to put pencil to paper for an answer to the question "how much does the average gas well use" Drum roll please... FIVE MILLION Gallons. We are losing water at an alarming rate and no one wants to complain about it. I have called the Mayor (deaf ears), State representative (hahaha more deaf ears, heck he is in their back pocket). I talked to his aide and of course he said, "we have to do more surveys" and blah, blah, blah. I would have gotten better results from banging my head against the wall.

Don't me get started on the Million gallons a week a golf course uses

Just thought you should know....

Here we go again. Another baby left in a HOT vehicle all day and the outcome very sad. My prayers are with this family. But for the life of me, i can not understand how you can forget a child in the car. YOU are not that important. Once you have kids you lose all selfless traits. You have to become a provider, protector and being a cop added to that. Someone who is suppose to pay attention to detail. You are now no different than anyone who commits murder in my book. I could blog on this all night but i will leave it at this. Capital Murder charges should be charged against you.

Now that is a funny story, Dad can't seem to get his son to school on time. The school district charges him with truancy. Will fine him a few bucks but the dad wants to fight it. First off Mr. Lewis wake up earlier and you will not have that problem any more. Second what is that telling your son it is OK to be late and to fight it in court. I bet if Mr. Lewis is constantly late for work sooner or later the company would find someone who is on time.

One thing about blogging we all throw our own lifestyle into the story so here goes mine. My Dad being retired Navy, WW2 and Korea instilled on four sons NEVER be late. period no excuse. I have never been late to an appointment or work. When i was in the Air Force I was always told a good NCO shows up no later than 15 minutes before your start time. I have instilled the same in my kids. Plan for everything to go wrong and give yourself plenty of time. I get to work 40 minutes prior to my actual start time i drive 35 miles one way so a lot can happen and i know every back road so if the interstate is broke i can still get to work on time. I know everyone is different but have respect for the people Teaching your kids or your Boss