Birthdays are Wonderful.

Birthday's are WonderfulI did have to cook my own birthday dinner, but I made it a simple affair. Mom came over and you see her on the porch visiting with Walt's new pet, C P (clay pig). I have some new pets too. BB (big bird) is the apple of my eye. I saw her sister about 3 years ago and have been looking for one for myself since then. We found her and CP the day before my birthday and adopted them on the spot. .

Such Imagination

This bird house was a surprise. Look closely. It was made from a toilet tank part.

Better Late than Never

I took these pictures when Mom and I went to Corpus to see Willie Bodden who was residing in Spohn Hospital for the week. The time laspe is due to figuring out how to get the pictures from my phone camera into the computer. First you have to have a data cable and some special software. It would not have been a problem if I had the picture service, but I didn't want to spring for the service when I didn't think I'd use it. Shame on cheap old me.

Signs of Fall

I know it is fall because there is a pumpkin outside my door. It called my name over and over again until I picked it out of the big pumpkin box at the grocery store. At first I thought I'd cook it, but then I saw my trusty spider all alone in the flower bed and thought they might enjoy a season together.

Other fall things are occuring too. In the last two weeks I have baked three lemon pies, two apple pies and one chocolate pie. I've also started cooking stew.

Oh, the leaves are starting to fall too.

News Item

O J is back in the news. What struck me was that he had to give up his passport. First thought: What if your bail depended on your being able to find you passport to give up? Could I find mine? Could you find yours? Ok, so most of you are organized and can find it. Go look. Is it still valid? If not, you'd better see about getting it renewed. I renewed mine last year...on line. Very simple. Only the cost hurt.

Everyone needs a valid passport. You can never tell when your grandmother is going to get on "The Price is Right" and win a trip for two to some exotic place. If she invites you, you'd have to have a passport. Then there is the possibility that you would be invited to participate in the international video game championship to be held in Norway next summer. Without a passport, you'd have to drop out of the contest. What a shame. Worst would be to miss a date with George Clooney in Italy. And on a more practical level, you do need that passport to give to the authorities when you are arrested for that exceptionally bad hair day that offends the whole world. I know you would be so embarrassed that you'd want to flee the country. I know that; the FBI knows that.

Order your new passport now and be prepared.

New Hairdresser

Finding a new hairdresser is tough. I started out asking for recommendations. First requirement is a location close to home. A lady and Curves recommended one really close. I went. Once was enough. My second attempt was to try my friend Margie Nichta's hairdresser. Her location is near Mom's house, so that is good.

You can see the result. She got more bounce out of me than I have seen in a long while, and I really liked the color job. The pictures are from the day of the appointment. Now, will I be able to produce the same effect?

Missing Hairdresser

Jo Starr has been my hairdresser for 22 years...ever since moving to San Antonio. She is my husband's cousin, and I dearly love our visits. The only drawback is that she lives and works in San Marcus. I have to drive a long way. Worse, she decided to get a new life. Sold her business and ran away to Alaska with an exciting dude!

ALL TOGETHER

Seldom does the entire family get to visit San Antonio, but we got to have them the last week of summer. Mason works and goes to school during the week, and Dijea works weekends. That doesn't leave an opportunity for the whole gang to travel south. Mason was between semesters, so they opted to visit. While I had them here, I managed to get a new family photo. The one that resides on Big Grandma's fridge is from Christmas two years ago. Time to replace.

We enjoyed the boys and their folks. They are a pretty good bunch of kids.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Indulge me, please, as I share a couple of things I love.

I’ve just finished a remarkable book titled, The Girls, by Lori Lansens. It is only her second novel, but it is wonderful. I would never have picked up this book to read except that my sister recommended it. (My sister is one of those persons I love.) When she tells me to read a book, I know I’ll love it.

The back cover quotes another author who says, “…From the first paragraph you know you’ve begun something very special.” I couldn’t agree more. The author takes what most of us would consider an insurmountable human condition and elevates it to a joyful living. It’s the fictional autobiography of conjoined craniopagus twins. I promise, it is not a tear jerker; instead, it is an affirmation of the joy of loving. Aunt Lovey is my favorite character. If I were starting out as a new grandmother, I’d asked to be called Lovey by my grandchildren.

On a more frivolous note, I recommend the movie, Hairspray. What fun! I laughed and laughed. If you liked Grease when you were young, you’ll like this musical now.

Surprise Find in the Garden

All the summer rains have made for a very growthy back yard. While Walt wielded the lawnmower, I took to the garden with a tree saw on a stick to try to cut away all the morning glories. They are trying their best to take over my garden. I am happy to say that I cleared a bunch of junk out of the garden, enough that I should be able to start pulling the weeds that were underneath. All in all, great things were accomplished.

As I walked up to the deck to take a break and have a cool drink, I spotted this lovely surprise near the back steps of the deck. I summonded Walt, and he agreed it was worth a few "Henclicks". Beauty is never hard to find in the garden.

Generation Gap X 2

The oldest and youngest of our family shares a book. Big Grandma is 86 years old and reading to her youngest great-grandson, 2 1/2 year-old Tommie Charles Bodden, who lives in New Zealand. It is his first trip to America and his first meeting with Big Grandma and his American family. All his great-grand cousins came to call. It's big deal!

A New Friend

My New Zealand brother-in-law has been friends with the Clarks since univerisity. When he learned that Dave was attending a conference in San Antonio, Tony suggested they get in contact with us. They did! We're glad!

I've loved getting to know Debbie. We have so much in common, and she is so open for adventure. I've tried to show her some San Antonio that isn't just downtown. We visited Mission Conception, the railroad station at Sunset Station, Central Market, Brackenridge Park, a cowboy boot store and Shoemakers Inn. We've driven the King William area and walked the river there too. The downtown stuff like La Villita, the Mercado, the Alamo, riverboat rides and mall she has done on her on.

One of my favorite things about her is that she is a big coffee drinker. She also likes to take photos...right up my alley! She has discover fire hydrants, and photographs every new kind she finds. But mostly, she is a pure joy to sit on the porch and talk with.

07/07/07

All the hype about lucky 07/07/07 couldn’t convince me that today would be lucky: but, after the day I have had, I am convinced. This day turned out to be a truly happy day for me. It began when my husband woke me up and told me to sit up. He stacked pillows behind my back to make me comfortable, then handed me a fresh cup of hot coffee. How cool is that! The second cup we had sitting under the cover deck watching it rain. Another cool treat!

While Walt cooked breakfast, I picked up the front page of the paper to see Tony Parker and Eva Longoria – wedding day story. That made me happy. I think they are such a cute couple, and we have enjoyed following their romance as we watched the Spurs’ games. Eva is from Corpus Christi, and she and I went to the same high school (only years apart).

I looked up and spotted my beautiful vase of gladiolas I bought for myself yesterday. HEB has them on sale for three bunches for $10 this week. There are ten stems in a bunch, so that makes each stem cost 34 cents. What a bargain! That made me happy too. I decided I’d stop and get another bunch on my way home from Curves for Mom tomorrow.

I walked outside to pick the okra and tomatoes. There was a lovely butterfly flittering about the flowers. The creature followed me to the tomato patch. That made me happy too. Then I picked tomatoes until I couldn’t carry anymore and took them inside. I went back for a second bunch. I picked 19 nice tomatoes today. WOW! What a treat!

Not done yet. I walked out the back door this afternoon and a hummingbird was hovering over the feeder. I expected it to fly away; instead, it just kept flying around me. No more that three feet away. That made me happy too.

Too bad 07/07/07 only comes once a century. I could use a bunch more happy days.

My First

Those who know me know I am an opinionated woman. Dah! I do, however, try to restrain myself and not share every opinion I have.

I get emotional about toll roads, especially the one being proposed on Highway 281, my neighborhood feeder street/road. I have attended many of the public meetings to lend support to the opposition. Last week, there was a public meeting on the Loop 1604 proposed toll road. I not only attended, but I also took the microphone for my two minutes.

I carefully planned and wrote out my words. Most of the people on either side of the question delivered calm and thoughtful ideas...except for one cowboy hat wearing, tee-shirt and shorts attired old man who was "mad as hell" and "sick and tired" of all of "them." He delivered a purely non-factual, highly emotional attach on every one connected to the project. Inapporpriate and embarrassing!

I mention this only to follow-up with the next morning's news article. Although factual in the account of the meeting. the article cited this man by name and included his picture. Why does the media focus on the bad behavior and the polarizing remarks.

I emailed the reporter and asked him. He didn't reply.

Return to Normal

We enjoyed the month of May enormously. My sister, Susan, who lives in New Zealand visited for a month. What a joy to have her. She totally spoiled our mother, and now I am instructed to do things "the way Susan did them" by the mother who used to think I could do no wrong. OK, so I have to give her credit! Not a bad thing.

Her being here brought in all sorts of company to visit her and us. Dijea and her boys drove down. Friends from Corpus came, and so did our cousin Lois. Susan went to Dallas to visit my girls and my grandchildren. She also went to Fredericksburg with Lois for a "girls luxury weekend," had a pedicure, and two massages. We tried to pamper her a bit too. She also gained weight, dispite going with me to CURVES while she was here. No more fajitas and breakfast tacos for a while!

Now there is not so much to do. Life is less brite withour her sunshine. We miss you, Girl!

A TEXAS FUNNY

These signs sent me into uncontrollable laughter! Certainly, these signs are unnecessary considering the bridge, completed in 1957, stands 273 feet above the water. But maybe the Texas Highway department wanted to show off its sense of humor.

Big Ben

Walt and I took our first trip since starting the remodel of our house in October of 2005. We headed for Big Bend. I had never been there, and Walt han't been since he was a kid. We thouroughly enjoyed it, especially all the blooming flowers and cacti. We ran over 2 rattlesnakes, but they survive still. We did some hiking and lots of driving. We saw surprisingly large mountains, some beautiful grasslands in pockets, wonderful rock formations and enormous emptiness and uninhabital space, in my opinion.

Indian Lodge

Fort Davis isn't very big, but it makes for a great get-away. For historians, the Fort itself is the attraction. It had to have been a rugged assignment in the days of its operation. It is remote by today's standards, but must have been the end of the earth for the soldies of the 1800's.

The For Davis State Park is delightful. I highly recommend a stay at Indian Lodge. It was built in the 1930's by the work program, and the facility retains all of the charm of the era but the comforts of today...air conditioning and private baths. Expect amazing views, great hiking and a short drive to the McDonald Observatory. But I suggest finding a weekend before or after the summer heat.

View from the Top

If you turn right 90 degrees while viewing this landscape, you will see the newest Ft. Davis observatory marvel. From this you really see into the heavens. Interestly, even the scientists don't get to look directly into the telescope lense. A scientist is given time with the scope focused on a particular location, then the telescope is focused and the stream is view on a television feed. The scientist might be in Maryland or some other country.

Wouldn't it be fun to actually be the guy in the chair looking through the telescope! The whole, rounded top with the telescoped moved in the older version, but in the newer model only the mirrors adjust to find the image. An amazing machine to behold.

Lucky Us

Not everyone gets to keep his love ones happy and healthy to 86 years. What joy.

Spring Beak

Dijea and her family visited during Ethan's spring break. We'd planned a week of fun, which started off with a train adventure. That's when the rain started, and we were stuck indoors for most of the week. On Friday, the sun came out, and we took advantage of it at Fredrick Wilderness Park.

Spring Chores

Spring causes all sorts of outdoor chores. For me, outdoor chores promise much more fun than the indoor kind. The cooking and cleaning can go undone if the yard needs help.

Boy does the yard need help! After a year of construction and the drought, our yard cries for help. One of the first things on the docket was spreading compost. We had 7 yards delivered. I'm sure our neighbors laughed and took bets on whether or not we'd get it spread. Surprisely, we had the front yard covered the afternoon of the delivery. The next morning we spread the rest in the back. Walt and I are take great pride in the accomplishment.

Roses now reside in our yard. We are enjoying them now, but Walt wasn't too sure when he started their bed.

Best of all. We got rain! March was very generous.

Spring Arrives

Walt and I were having tea in kitchen when about 40 cedar waxwings descended on our backyard nandinas. They would eat a berry, then fly to and perch on the side of a 5 gallon paint bucket that happened to be filled with water and drink. Then back to the berries. What a glorious sight. I ran for my camera and managed to get several satisfying shots of them. In a few minutes they were gone, but the images remain.

Finally Finished

Last year our lives were dominated by the remodel of our home. After 20 plus years here, we decided we needed some changes. We didn't expect it to take so long, but it was worth the wait. The project wrapped up a week before Christmas. We are still "moving back in," so to speak and trying to make yard repairs from all the construction and the killing drought of last summer. But we have gotten a new life...the one that has been on hold.

Walt is the newly elected Vice-President of RAG, the River Arts Group, which is a co-op that operates a gallery in La Villita. He works at least 2 days a month in the gallery and takes care of other gallery business whenever it comes up.

I decided to jump start the year with 3 community ed courses, one of which is watercolors. I'm hoping Walt and I can do some plain air painting this spring. I'm looking for adventure.

We are now in the process of trying to re-establish our back yard. Between the drought of last year and the construction process, it needs some serious attention. We have trimmed the crape murtles and hired a man to do the cedar elm that was struct by lighting. Seems we don't think it so wise to play monkey in the tall trees any more.

I'm looking forward to the gardening efforts.

The Long Project

For some time now, Walt and I have debated on an age old problem couples face once the kids are long gone--to move or redo. New is so tempting, but such a hassle. Walt really didn't want to start a new yard. Remodeling is risky, drawn out and pretty overwhelming. Walt finally came up with a plan and built a model so I could understand. What I saw was lovely! Now, what about a contractor?

Almost immediately, there was a guy working on a house in our neighborhood. We asked him to take a look, and in about two weeks the decision had been made and we committed to remodeling. We started with the outside. New siding on the back and a new deck. Overall repair and paint.

Now, for the tough part...the inside. We started tearing out on December 19, 2005. We were without kitchen facilites from then until July 8, 2006. The not cooking part was not all bad.

Come see what we did!

The New Look

The idea was to open up and create new space. The wall between the great room and the kitchen came down and the kitchen ceiling disappeared up to the roof line. This required a new structual beam. That part had me very nervous. Boy, was I glad when that got put in and I was convinced the roof was going to stay up.

Kitchen

The biggest transformation occurred in the kitchen. We completely gutted it and extended it into what was the old dining room at the end of the original living room. The new kitchen goes from the front to the back of the house. Cabinet and counter space greatly increased, and a nice pantry system lies behind the ovens and to the right of the window.

Big Grandma

Recently, Big Grandma visited me. She had been to the beauty shop and was looking pretty good. I grabbed my camera and tried to capture her in a place other than her "Archie Bunker"chair. An "Archie Bunker" chair is a chair that can only be occupied by its owner...no one else allowed.

Best Yet

After more than 30 years of trying to grow these tropical flowers, I am celebrating my best flower cluster yet. I pull these frangi panis out of the pots at the hint of the first freeze and replant after I think the last freeze has occurred.
This group appeared in June and some of the other plants got flowers before the leaves had come out. They must have been ready to bloom about the time I pulled them last fall.

I acquired a yellow one last year that is growing nicely, but has not yet bloomed. I got it from my friend Clevel. I gave her a cutting many years ago, and from that she created a multitude of these trees. She even branched off into the yellows and reds. She knows how to do things right...many things.

I once heard a man say, "Love is the only thing that the more you give away, the more you have. " Clevel has given away more love and kindness than just about anyone I know. She has made a difference for so many. She also makes the best chicken and dumplins in the world! She shares the recipe too.