Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the US. It is time when we remember and honor men and women who were killed while serving in the military. First called Decoration Day, it is a time when cemeteries are visited and graves decorated. There are services in some places, especially in military cemeteries.

My family has been fortunate in that we have not lost anyone we were close to. Regardless of that, other families lost family members who were protecting our safety and the security of our country. I want to say Thank You to those families and to their lost loved one.

Leakey Area

Explanation for pictures below.

While we were in the Leakey area we drove the route called "The Three Sisters" or "The Twisted Sisters." These roads are twisty-turny up and down roads with some beautiful scenery. I took some pictures along the way and will attempt to share them.

The top picture is the gates of a large ranch. The white fence continued for miles and we dubbed it the Great Wall of Texas. Inside the fenced area we saw giraffes, wallabys, and various types of African antelopes. The giraffes are in the back of the second picture -- enlarge it and you can see them -- there are two. It was raining at the time so we got some spots on some of the pictures. Later at another ranch we saw javalinas -- 3 of them. I think the raising of exotic animals is becomming more common -- in one little town we saw an auction house for exotics.

Wind Farms

Along the way during our trip we saw wind farms. Some were off in the distance and some quite near the road. Some were on mesas and others in fields. The first two pictures are of turbines we saw in west Texas.

This wind turbine is in Maple Grove, MN. Wilton told us that the first location caused an outcry because it was believed that property values would lower. So it was moved to the shopping area and no one minds it there.

Minneasota

Weaver Lake pictured below -- a lovely park with swimming & fishing.


I loved this old barn -- there are new houses built all around it so I don't think it will be there too much longer.

Their back yard.

Charlotte & Wilton in New Hope, MN

What a nice day! For many years Charlotte and Wilton were "snow birds," living 6 mo in MN and 6 mo in AZ. In AZ they were friends with my parents and by proxy, became our friends also. Turns out that they live about 2 miles from where we are staying in MN. Today they picked us up and took us on a tour of the local area -- fed us lunch -- then took us to their house which overlooks Meadow Lake. We sat outside on their deck and talked about a world of things. It was a lovely afternoon. I haven't seen these people in 20 years or longer but their connection to my parents is as strong as ever, even though neither couple is in AZ anymore. They were able to visit my parents the year before my father died, and were still talking about how much fun they had during that visit.

This was our last full day in MN -- tomorrow we catch a plane back to the desert, and to our little Gracie. I've really missed her and I'm hoping she has missed us, also.

Mall of the Americas

Well, folks, a mall is a mall is a mall. And a REALLY BIG MALL is still just a mall.
We nearly walked our feet off! We especially enjoyed the middle section which is the amusement park. The Lego section was awesome. I know some little boys who would have loved to have seen it with us. I took pictures of a lot of the models but don't think I can download the pictures until I get back to my personal computer. As far as the stores are concerned, there were only a few that we weren't familiar with. Sweetie enjoyed shopping the Harley Davidson store and the western store that had the type of belt that he likes -- he bought at both places. I didn't do any shopping - just looking.

It was warm today, and windy, and they tell us it was humid. The humidity was so low to us from the Gulf coast that it didn't bother us at all.

Arrived in Minneapolis mid-day. I've been up since 3:30am -- slept a little on the plane but am fading fast! We went to eat at Red Lobster -- I had the broiled catfish, steamed broccoli and a tossed salad. I also ate two of the garlic/cheese biscuits they are famous for! Oh my, there goes the diet for today. Our evening meal will be something VERY light!

It is pretty here -- very green with lots of evergreen trees. We drove around a little in this area (the hotel is in Maple Grove) and I enjoyed looking at the houses, landscaping, and wildflowers.
Lots of little lakes around here.

We are staying at a Hilton Garden Inn. There are a group of Indians here for a wedding. The women all look beautiful in their saris. We met the bride who had beautiful henna designs drawn on her hands and arms. She was very happy.

Tomorrow we may visit the Mall of the Americas -- it is about 30 minutes from where we are staying. I'll keep you posted.

Day Trip

We spent the day at a picnic in the Cienega Canyon, about 30 minutes from my daughter's house. There were 18 people and 7 dogs and one bear attending.

Yes, one BEAR.

We were all sitting around talking when my daughter hollered "BEAR'" Well, she has a big black dog named Bear but her Bear was tied to a tree and was sleeping peacefully. I looked at my daughter to see what she meant and her face told me it was a serious matter.

Woops! A rather large black bear had almost run through our camp. When it realized that there was a bunch of people and dogs ahead it screeched to a halt about 50 feet away and stood up to try to intimidate us. Well, I assure you we were intimidated! Then, Praise God, it turned to the right and ran across the road and passed by on the other side. Certainly a first for the annual picnic.

Off to the mountains today -- picnic time! I'll try to send pictures later, after Minneapolis trip.

What are all of you doing?

Sweetie, Gracie, and I are visiting our OD in Albuquerque, NM. OD has three dogs and two cats. Gracie does not know that she is a dog so she isn't quite sure just what to do about all those animals. She has shown them her teeth and they told her she was boring. So, now she has decided that maybe the little white dog is someone she wants to know better. She is trying to learn how to play doggy style. She is inviting the little white dog to chase her, wagging her tail all the way. Then she decided that she will chase a while and then she will be chased a while. Meanwhile, her "peeps" are rolling with laughter. This is going to good for Miss Gracie!

(The picture is Gracie and her new BFF, Ronan.)

A Journey Back

I took a sentimental journey today -- Sweetie and I are doing some traveling because we can -- we're retired! Today we drove through some little towns that were important in my life and/or in the lives of my parents/grandparents. We visited Morton, TX. My paternal grandparents lived here when my Dad was younger. My Aunt Cozy graduated from high school there. We have people buried there and some who aren't buried are living there.

When I was a little girl my Grandfather owned and operated a cafe in Morton. The second one was just across the street from the Cochran County Court House. I can remember the old men who used to sit under the trees in the courthouse square, playing dominoes. Some would whittle. My cousin told me it was called the "Spit and Whittle" group.

The building I think used to be the cafe is still there but is an arcade now. The big old trees that I used to play under are still there, behind the building. That was about 60+ years ago.

Today the downtown area is mostly boarded up -- I don't know if more than one or two businesses are still operation. Everything looks dead, dirty, and dreary. My cousin said that Morton has just about dried up and blown away. I believe him.

When I called and asked the cousins to meet us at the square for a brief visit I wondered if he would recognize me -- a lot of years have passed since we have seen each other. First words out of his mouth were..."You look like your Daddy." The years may have passed but the connection is still there. What a nice time we had talking about the old days!

After my Grandparents left Morton they farmed in a little NM community called Bluitt. Their address was Bluitt route but there was only one building left in the community -- one that was used as a community center/church. Eventually that building was moved to another small community named Milensand. We would visit that church anytime we visited my grandparents. When I was about 13 I was asked to play the hymns for a Sunday service. Boy, I was just awful! But, I was the only one who could play at all so they put up with me.

My grandparents lived on a farm that set back from the road about 1/4 - 1/2 mile. Their house was very small -- one summer all the kids came home and built them a second bedroom. That was wonderful because we had all been sleeping on the floor when we visited. Of course, there still wasn't space for the kids to have a bed but at least the parents & grandparents could.

I looked for the house. It wasn't there. I didn't really think it would be. After all, it wasn't much and that was a long time ago. The big surprise, however, was that every thing had changed. There were no farms along that road. None. There were only ranches. No fields were plowed or planted. No thickets of mesquite. The land has all been cleared and grass planted.
Today cattle graze. So sandy areas -- since the area isn't plowed anymore the sand doesn't blow and drift across the road. Totally different! What an amazing thing to see.

Then, a little farther along the road... I found Pool Tyler's house. The Tylers were friends of my grandparents. Their house is still standing and has been kept in good repair. That is about as amazing as the change in the landscape. I was last there about 55 years ago.

When we arrived at the road intersection that was "Milensand" I thought, "Ok, there is the post office -- now the church should be on the corner. AND IT WAS! I had tears in my eyes.
Not the same old building, of course, but the First Baptist Church of Milensand, NM still stands.
I wonder who who plays the piano now.

Then, at the tail end of this little journey back in time, we drove into Portales, NM, where my grandparents owned and operated FAT'S HAMBURGER AND CHILI KING CAFE. It was a very popular place -- on Sunday afternoons long-time customers would drive over from Morton to have lunch with him. He made really great chili, chicken fried steak, hamburger steak, chicken and dumplings, hamburgers, and my grandmother's fried pies were to die for!!
Today where his cafe stood is Juanita's Famous Mexican Food. Funny -- my mother's name is Juanita.

I'll tell you a little side note -- I mentioned to a friend that my grandfather had grown peanuts when he was still farming. Oh, she said, where were his orchards? Orchards? Yes, the peanut orchards. I explained that peanuts don't grow on trees -- they grow underground like potatoes.
Her eyes got big. "Potatoes grow underground?! I still laugh when I think about that.

Well, I hope you get to read this -- the computer tells me that they may not be able to post it.
We'll see, I guess -- here goes!

Traveling -- have seen some interesting things -- will share later -- no power right now!

Hope all of you are well.

Katy Christian Ministries

On Tuesdays I volunteer at Katy Christian Ministries, in the Social Services department. Part of our services is a large food bank. Last Saturday the US Postal Service had a food drive. KCM food bank was fortunate to receive a shipment of food from that food drive. Pictured below are some of the hundreds of boxes that are filled with food still needing to be sorted.

I
In addition to the non-perishable food bank KCM also had a garden which enables us to supply fresh vegetables to our clients. The lettuce and the rainbow rutabaga are already gone but tomatoes are still growing as are squash, melons, green beans, kohlrabi, eggplant, carrots, and several herbs. I've pictured some of the garden in the pictures below.

In addition to the edible garden that feed the bodies, we also grow beautiful flowers that feed the soul.

I feel very fortunate to be able to work at this wonderful place.

Just some thoughts...

This morning Sweetie and I went to a funeral for the father of a friend. At the graveside the Minister made some comments that started me thinking.

He talked about holding hands. How important this simple act is. Remember when you were courting and someone special would hold your hand. What a great feeling. Later you might hold his hand during your wedding. Later still you would hold the hand of a special little one -- the product of your love. As your little one became a toddler you were still holding hands -- to help a beginning walker -- for safety crossing the street -- in a crowded area so no one would get lost. For a time your growing child would try to avoid the hand holding--"Mom! everyone's looking." So you have to let go. Then they, too, would begin the process of hand holding in their own lives.

After many years the act is reversed. Now you are the aging parent and your child holds your hand again, only this time it is for your safety. "Let me hold your hand, Mom,." they will say, "the ground is uneven here." After more years it may be time for your child to finally let go -- to allow you to pass into eternity. However, if Christ lives in you they don't let go and leave you stranded -- they just let go of your earthly hand knowing the Lord is there holding on with his heavenly hand and He won't ever let you go. What a lovely thought. We will never stumble -- He is there holding our hand.

Whose hand do you hold?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

These lovely tulips arrived at my door Thursday. They spent a couple of days rehydrating and then were put in this green pitcher. I think the colors of the tulips are perfect for my dining area! Many thanks to my darling daughter, Robin, and her family!

Still blooming!

Last week I snapped this picture of the amaryllis that was blooming in my back yard. These plants have been with us for many, many years. I think I got the original plant in the 1960's and they have gone with me every move since then. For a while they were planted behind a philodendron that left them in the shade so I moved them a year or two ago and this year they rewarded me with beautiful blooms. I moved two to the front yard but they aren't blooming yet. Neither are the day lilies that share the space with them. We'll wait and see what happens.

This is the last of the azaleas (shown below) I have four azalea bushes in the front. This one is a single bloom (as opposed to the others that are doubles) and blooms later than the other three. The plant in front is one of my favorites. It is called many things -- it is an asparagus fern but is the "compacta" type. I've heard it called "Foxtail Fern" and I think that is as good a name as any. I love the way it looks and it does not require too much care. It is "visiting" the armillary sun dial that I have beside it.

One year ago today my sweet Daddy went to meet Jesus! We still miss him but know that he
is now fully healed and enjoying heaven!

I told my Mom that I believe Daddy would be so proud of the way she is handling life without him. I know this will be a sad day for her, and for the rest of us who loved him, but we have many wonderful memories and are secure in the knowledge that we will see him again!

A busy day! Since I've lost 35 pounds I find my clothes are really, really baggy. Now, I know that some young men like to wear their pants baggy and barely held up but that isn't my thing.
So, we have been going through the closet, removing things that are too, too big. Sweetie helps me make the decisions. We agree that many things now look baggy and need to go. It is bittersweet. Some of the big things were favorites. They will be missed. However, I have found some smaller things that were packed away. I need to dig around upstairs and see if there are more wearable things hidden. Then I need to pack away the large things. After a while, if I find I don't need them any more, I'll get rid of them.

We ran the a/c for a while yesterday because of the humidity. We turned it off, however, at bed time. The nights are still cool enough to manage but I don't think it will stay that way too much longer. I don't remember a May that has been this cool at night. Plus, with those excess pounds gone I don't seem to be as warm natured as I used to be. More reward.

In addition to sorting through the closet I also vacuumed and dusted and swept. Then I sat down and hemmed three new pairs of pants. Pants that fit!

For our dinner we had poblano chilies stuffed with ground turkey. It was pretty good. Now the dishwasher is running -- Sweetie has gone to a meeting and Gracie and I are watching TV. Well, I am watching -- Gracie is having a snooze.

Tomorrow we go back to Nifty After Fifty to do our exercises. We are going to be so buff!

Class day -- I am totally frustrated! My class has gone from a room stuffed full of students to one or two (or none) on class day. They all call to say that they have very busy schedules right now. I do understand that -- May is always a very busy month, but....where does that leave me? In the three years I've taught I've never seen this happen. Oh, well, perhaps someone is trying to tell me something. Meanwhile, I am sure I will enjoy having the summer free.

What do I do now?

Gracie has long been interested in stalking birds and squirrels. I always wondered what she would do if she ever caught one. Well, today she did! She and Sweetie were working in the back yard and suddenly he noticed that she had a mouthful of bird! It was still alive, at that point, but was seriously injured and it did not survive. Gracie was still trying to decide what to do next but had her mouth firmly clamped around her prize. Poor little bird. It might have been a very young bird lacking in mature flying skills. I don't think she could catch a fully grown bird. However.....

It reminded me of a dog we had years ago -- birds would tease him by flying down to peck him on the head. He would give chase. Amazingly, he managed to catch one from time to time. He never ate them but they seldom survived being caught.

We have worried about Gracie -- we have hawks hunting in the meadow behind our house. I would hate to see a hawk swoop down and carry her off! She weighs 9 or 10 pounds -- do you think a hawk could carry that much weight?

Quilting Day -- Our quilting group members were busy -- the crocheted blanket that A is holding (left) was made by a volunteer that donates to our group. She doesn't quilt but her handiwork is always welcome.
In the second picture L is showing some squares that were made by her mother. She is going to use them to make a lap robe for each of her daughters. These were flower sack fabrics!


We had a good time!

Whooooo Are You?

Whoooo are you, who who, who who....
I really want to know!
(I think that is the way the song goes.)
I see that I have visitors but few have anything to say.
If you visit, at least offer a tiny comment -- just say "Boo" if nothing else!
I'm waiting to hear from you!