1. You know its going to be a bad day when bird poop lands on your head.
2. "She just looks so good and peaceful." Commented by my step-grandfather at his wife's wake.
3. And who really wants to grab a tiger by the tail or a bull by the horns?
4. I was forced to learn how to do a one-handed cartwheel when I sprained my left wrist in the fourth grade.
5. Do they still give away free sno-cones at the ball park when you retrieve and return baseballs hit out of the park?
6. Beginning to wonder if the river bridge project will be completed in my lifetime.
7. During the '70s, Sunday evenings found us gathered around the television set to watch "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom".
8. I do not like to ride on ferris wheels.
9. I listened to Richard Nixon's resignation speech on the radio tuned to WOAI at the kitchen table with my grandparents.
10. Is it really necessary for people to talk loudly on their cell phones in a restaurant?
11. Somebody is always going to get hurt during a rock fight.
12. My food of choice when I was pregnant with Kris was peanut butter crackers with bean dip.
13. Mrs. Campbell gave me licks in the sixth grade because I was chewing gum in class.
14. Family game night....good luck with that.
15. Marshall roped me off my bicycle when we were 8 and 12 years old.
16. Barbie's hair does not grow back once it has been cut; been there, done that.
17. When you're covered in blood (yours or your sibling's), do not tell your mother that "nothing" happened.
18. AC/DC and KISS --- touring together? No comment.
19. Chef Ramsey (of Hell's Kitchen) should attend an anger management class.
20. There are 114 days left until Christmas.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Rattlesnakes
I have the upmost respect for snakes --- especially those sporting rattles. Growing up in the country requires being on alert for the reptiles that scare the hell out of me. There is no such thing as a gentle reminder when one comes across a rattlesnake. The survival instinct kicks in and that usually means running the opposite direction of the snake.
Sam came across one last weekend while operating the bulldozer. He said he "chased" the rattlesnake with the dozer and was so proud for not damaging the rattles. The trophy boasts sixteen rattles and a button. That, my friends, is a big ass snake.
Daisy survived a rattlesnake bite that she received about five years ago. The fur never did grow back where she was struck and the scar reaches from her paw to her shoulder.
I've come close to being struck by a snake several times in my life. They would be drawn to the patio due to the warmth of the concrete at the end of the day. I once opened the screen door and reached for the wooden door when I heard "BBZZZZZZZ"! There was a rattlesnake coiled up on the threshold of the door. I slammed the door and ran like hell. I was only 10 years old at the time.
In walking through tall grass in a field a couple of years ago with Sam and Trey, we came across a slithering snake. I stepped on the snake and let out a "SON OF A BITCH!" and went the opposite direction. In turn, Trey was high stepping it to the road. And Sam? He stopped and was looking for rocks to throw at the snake. Sam - 1; Snake - 0. The only time I feel brave around a snake is when I'm in my vehicle and I can run over the damn thing.
As I was walking to the shearing barn today to turn off the water pump breaker, I catch a glimpse of something in the grass. SON OF A BITCH! It's a snake! And by the time I realize I have access to an endless supply of rocks, I lose sight of the snake. I am not brave enough to go scouting around in the grass to find it. My biggest fear? Where there is one snake there are bound to be several more.....
Sam came across one last weekend while operating the bulldozer. He said he "chased" the rattlesnake with the dozer and was so proud for not damaging the rattles. The trophy boasts sixteen rattles and a button. That, my friends, is a big ass snake.
Daisy survived a rattlesnake bite that she received about five years ago. The fur never did grow back where she was struck and the scar reaches from her paw to her shoulder.
I've come close to being struck by a snake several times in my life. They would be drawn to the patio due to the warmth of the concrete at the end of the day. I once opened the screen door and reached for the wooden door when I heard "BBZZZZZZZ"! There was a rattlesnake coiled up on the threshold of the door. I slammed the door and ran like hell. I was only 10 years old at the time.
In walking through tall grass in a field a couple of years ago with Sam and Trey, we came across a slithering snake. I stepped on the snake and let out a "SON OF A BITCH!" and went the opposite direction. In turn, Trey was high stepping it to the road. And Sam? He stopped and was looking for rocks to throw at the snake. Sam - 1; Snake - 0. The only time I feel brave around a snake is when I'm in my vehicle and I can run over the damn thing.
As I was walking to the shearing barn today to turn off the water pump breaker, I catch a glimpse of something in the grass. SON OF A BITCH! It's a snake! And by the time I realize I have access to an endless supply of rocks, I lose sight of the snake. I am not brave enough to go scouting around in the grass to find it. My biggest fear? Where there is one snake there are bound to be several more.....
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Closing of the Doors
Little Town has always boasted about having access to two grocery stores. This ensured competitive prices and the townsfolk didn't have to travel 50 miles one way to grab a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk. My family were loyal "Barker's" shoppers. Nick, the head honcho of the meat market, would always give kids a sliver of Longhorn Cheddar Cheese as we wandered up and down the aisles of the locally owned and operated grocery store. There were actual wood planking floors in the produce department. It was the only business in town that had automatic doors --- an enter and an exit door. (Got my butt busted once for activating the doors over and over and over again while waiting for my mother to get through with her shopping.) Super S moved to town and Barker's closed their doors. The building currently houses a home furnishings store.
The other grocery store was also locally owned and operated. An act of arson by a couple of kids resulted in the remodeling of Liverman's. Due to circumstances beyond the family's control, Liverman's sold to IGA who then sold to Food Basket. Local folks were kept on as employees even though management changed on a regular basis. It was announced last week that Food Basket has been bought by Super S. Food Basket will be closing its doors at the end of the business day on Labor Day. Super S will then have the corner market for groceries in Little Town.
Wonder how much a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread will cost with no competition in town?
The other grocery store was also locally owned and operated. An act of arson by a couple of kids resulted in the remodeling of Liverman's. Due to circumstances beyond the family's control, Liverman's sold to IGA who then sold to Food Basket. Local folks were kept on as employees even though management changed on a regular basis. It was announced last week that Food Basket has been bought by Super S. Food Basket will be closing its doors at the end of the business day on Labor Day. Super S will then have the corner market for groceries in Little Town.
Wonder how much a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread will cost with no competition in town?
The Alpha Male
"Some people say man is the most dangerous animal on the planet. Obviously those people have never met an angry cat." Lillian Johnson
Coalie rules the roost in the yard at the Back Forty. Coalie is a neutered black cat that has resided at the ranch since Sam and I started seeing each other. I have no idea how hold he is but I'm guessing at least ten cat years. A couple of years ago I accidentally kicked Coalie while trying to get to the front door. It took him six months to forgive me for that incident. Coalie is a drooler. He expects a chin rub any time I am outside. And then here comes the drool. He may not be as spry as he once was but he has an air about him that says, "Don't f#&% with me."
Coalie and I have a mutual understanding at feeding time in the mornings. I feed the common cats in a pan that is located by the front yard gate. Then I put Coalie's food in a designated spot on the porch. I guess its more out of respect for Coalie since he is an old cat and is still the best hunter on the place. I then stand guard for a few minutes to ensure he gets enough to eat before the other cats realize what is going on.
This morning Simba decided to introduce himself to Coalie. Both cats are very sweet and good natured......so long as they know their boundaries. I explained to Simba that the yard is ruled by Coalie and that includes the porch. Hhmmm. In one ear and out the other. Coalie insisted on a chin scratching which raised Simba's hackles. Then came the hissing and the threatening growls from both cats. DO.NOT.ATTEMPT.TO.BREAK.UP.A.CAT.FIGHT. EVER! I ducked under the porch to coax Simba to come back inside the house. Coalie must've thought I was the bad guy because he swatted at me from the porch rail. To hell with both of them. I expect they will work out their differences by the time I get home this afternoon.
As if that wasn't enough, Gray Cat decided he needed to check out what was going on. He insisted he be let outside before I left for work. So be it. Let the fur fly and may the best cat be declared the alpha male of the feline species. I've got my vet's number on speed dial....just in case.
Coalie rules the roost in the yard at the Back Forty. Coalie is a neutered black cat that has resided at the ranch since Sam and I started seeing each other. I have no idea how hold he is but I'm guessing at least ten cat years. A couple of years ago I accidentally kicked Coalie while trying to get to the front door. It took him six months to forgive me for that incident. Coalie is a drooler. He expects a chin rub any time I am outside. And then here comes the drool. He may not be as spry as he once was but he has an air about him that says, "Don't f#&% with me."
Coalie and I have a mutual understanding at feeding time in the mornings. I feed the common cats in a pan that is located by the front yard gate. Then I put Coalie's food in a designated spot on the porch. I guess its more out of respect for Coalie since he is an old cat and is still the best hunter on the place. I then stand guard for a few minutes to ensure he gets enough to eat before the other cats realize what is going on.
This morning Simba decided to introduce himself to Coalie. Both cats are very sweet and good natured......so long as they know their boundaries. I explained to Simba that the yard is ruled by Coalie and that includes the porch. Hhmmm. In one ear and out the other. Coalie insisted on a chin scratching which raised Simba's hackles. Then came the hissing and the threatening growls from both cats. DO.NOT.ATTEMPT.TO.BREAK.UP.A.CAT.FIGHT. EVER! I ducked under the porch to coax Simba to come back inside the house. Coalie must've thought I was the bad guy because he swatted at me from the porch rail. To hell with both of them. I expect they will work out their differences by the time I get home this afternoon.
As if that wasn't enough, Gray Cat decided he needed to check out what was going on. He insisted he be let outside before I left for work. So be it. Let the fur fly and may the best cat be declared the alpha male of the feline species. I've got my vet's number on speed dial....just in case.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Weekend in Waco
Kris and I spent the weekend accessorizing her apartment. Daisy Duke has settled in quite nicely in her new home. Kris keeps catnip in Daisy's scratching board so I guess that might explain why Daisy is so laid back about her new surroundings.
We tangled with tax-free weekend shoppers in the parking lots and stores. Crazy-ass-people. Kris' roommate works at a shop in the mall. She told us on Sunday morning that the young women's apparel shop had $31,000 in sales on Saturday. That is more than it ran on Black Friday last November. Makes me just want to run out and get my Christmas shopping done. Not.
We assembled a baker's rack and bookcase. Sounds like a lot of work but what got us both were the stupid curtain rod screws. A bit of temper came out when the screws wouldn't go far enough into the wall. Problem solved after we got a good night's sleep. We ended up finding and using shorter screws.
As always, the visit is too short. As I was entering the road that leads me out of Waco, I looked over at the vehicle next to me. It appeared to be occupied by a set of parents that had just left their child at Baylor. The mother was crying and dabbing her eyes. The father was pointing his finger at her as if to tell her, "Now honey. You know you can't fall apart like this every time we leave. We will see our son/daughter in a couple of weeks. We have to let him/her go and everybody has to move on." Lady, I feel your pain.
We tangled with tax-free weekend shoppers in the parking lots and stores. Crazy-ass-people. Kris' roommate works at a shop in the mall. She told us on Sunday morning that the young women's apparel shop had $31,000 in sales on Saturday. That is more than it ran on Black Friday last November. Makes me just want to run out and get my Christmas shopping done. Not.
We assembled a baker's rack and bookcase. Sounds like a lot of work but what got us both were the stupid curtain rod screws. A bit of temper came out when the screws wouldn't go far enough into the wall. Problem solved after we got a good night's sleep. We ended up finding and using shorter screws.
As always, the visit is too short. As I was entering the road that leads me out of Waco, I looked over at the vehicle next to me. It appeared to be occupied by a set of parents that had just left their child at Baylor. The mother was crying and dabbing her eyes. The father was pointing his finger at her as if to tell her, "Now honey. You know you can't fall apart like this every time we leave. We will see our son/daughter in a couple of weeks. We have to let him/her go and everybody has to move on." Lady, I feel your pain.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
When it rains.....
.....it pours. After replacing the water pump in my vehicle to the tune of $291.00, I am now waiting to hear how much it will cost to work on the brakes. It is the nature of the beast to have the money cushion deflated every time it gets a little plump.
Here's a little run down on college expenses for Kris for the fall semester:
General Student Fee $1,295.00 (what the hell is a general student fee?)
Auto Registration $ 225.00 (awfully expensive parking decal)
Lab/Course Fee $ 167.00 (please don't break anything in the lab)
Baylor Ring Savings Plan $ 75.00 (total will be $600 when she graduates)
Tuition/Fall Undergrad $12,660.00 (WTF?!)
This does not include books and supplies and general living expenses. Throw in rent, electricity, car insurance and fuel, groceries and personal items and you've got one helluva tab. Kris is a very disciplined student and works hard to ensure she maintains the GPA required by scholarship(s) guidelines. Financial aid to the rescue!
Ring, ring! It is my mechanic.....not looking forward this phone call.
Here's a little run down on college expenses for Kris for the fall semester:
General Student Fee $1,295.00 (what the hell is a general student fee?)
Auto Registration $ 225.00 (awfully expensive parking decal)
Lab/Course Fee $ 167.00 (please don't break anything in the lab)
Baylor Ring Savings Plan $ 75.00 (total will be $600 when she graduates)
Tuition/Fall Undergrad $12,660.00 (WTF?!)
This does not include books and supplies and general living expenses. Throw in rent, electricity, car insurance and fuel, groceries and personal items and you've got one helluva tab. Kris is a very disciplined student and works hard to ensure she maintains the GPA required by scholarship(s) guidelines. Financial aid to the rescue!
Ring, ring! It is my mechanic.....not looking forward this phone call.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Stench
NOTE: DO NOT READ THIS ENTRY IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH!
There has been a strange rattle and clunking noise going on underneath the hood of my trailblazer for over a week. It is worse when I first crank it up and then the noise would "level out" and I wouldn't notice it again until the next morning. I asked Sam to please listen to the noise every day last week. Finally on Saturday morning, he relented and told me to pop the hood and crank the ignition.
There has been a strange rattle and clunking noise going on underneath the hood of my trailblazer for over a week. It is worse when I first crank it up and then the noise would "level out" and I wouldn't notice it again until the next morning. I asked Sam to please listen to the noise every day last week. Finally on Saturday morning, he relented and told me to pop the hood and crank the ignition.
As the fan began to run, I saw what I thought were feathers shoot out from somewhere in the mechanics of the vehicle. No other noise other than the fan clunking and hitting on the housing. Without any further ado, I kiledl the engine and didn't think twice about the incident until this morning. As I walked towards my vehicle, I got a whiff of the worst dead animal smell EVER. My first thought was that it was a coon or skunk that one of the boys had killed south of the house and the wind was blowing the stench towards the house.
Got into my vehicle and cranked it up --- Oh.My.God. My gag reflex kicked in and I truly thought my cranapple juice was going to end up on the ground. And the lightbulb clicked on. I had noticed only two instead of three kittens around the house on Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday. I'll be damned. I had a dead kitten underneath the hood and it had been there for two very long and very hot days. I drove to town with all four windows down. Yep, I am still sporting the wind blown look.
Took my vehicle across the street to one of the local mechanic shops. I warned them that there was a dead kitten underneath my hood that would probably need to be tended to before they could locate and repair the clunking noise going on with my fan. A young kid named Billy drew the short stick and he had to disengage vehicle parts in order to completely remove pieces of kitten carcass. That chore took him over an hour. After giving my vehicle time to air out, the water pump was found to be the cause of the noise and it was replaced.
I bought some of those icky smelling Christmas Tree deodorizers (New Car, Vanilla and Pine Tree) in hopes that it will overpower the smell that is still oozing from underneath the hood. I've started with New Car Scent. I really ought to hang one around my ears so the tree can dangle beneath my nose when I drive home this afternoon.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Four Showers and A Lot of Sweat
I truly believe the Dog Days of Summer are upon us. Could the sun be any f-n hotter?
Got up at 6:30am with the intention of getting a jump on the day while it was cool. Took a shower so I'd feel all clean and fresh and it could only improve my attitude. Fired up the push mower at 8:30am. It was a done deal by the time I went once around the upper yard --- south wind and sweat on my brow. I was covered in grass particles in no time flat. Got through and took another shower to wash off the debris and the sweat.
Decided at 11:15am to pack a picnic lunch and go find Sam on the south side of the ranch. I didn't apply sunscreen because the round trip would only take about an hour at the most. At 12:42pm, I gave up on finding him and headed back to the house. I was blistered and not so happy. Called Mike and he told me that Sam had moved the dozer (duh!) and how to find him. Off I went again. Neglected to remember to apply sunscreen for the second time so I'm paying for it now. Found Sam. Got back to the house about 2:15pm. Took another shower to wash off the dust and sweat from my adventure on the 4 wheeler.
Took a breather and then decided I needed to be productive. There is a "dog pen" right here at the house and I took it upon myself to pull weeds and clean it up for about an hour. More sweat. More dirt. Beginning to question my ability to understand what Sundays are really all about. Came back inside and took yet another shower. I am beginning to think I no longer have fingerprints.
I still have at least 3 hours of daylight left. And if I try really hard I bet I can find yet another project I need to tackle before the sun goes down. Or not......
Got up at 6:30am with the intention of getting a jump on the day while it was cool. Took a shower so I'd feel all clean and fresh and it could only improve my attitude. Fired up the push mower at 8:30am. It was a done deal by the time I went once around the upper yard --- south wind and sweat on my brow. I was covered in grass particles in no time flat. Got through and took another shower to wash off the debris and the sweat.
Decided at 11:15am to pack a picnic lunch and go find Sam on the south side of the ranch. I didn't apply sunscreen because the round trip would only take about an hour at the most. At 12:42pm, I gave up on finding him and headed back to the house. I was blistered and not so happy. Called Mike and he told me that Sam had moved the dozer (duh!) and how to find him. Off I went again. Neglected to remember to apply sunscreen for the second time so I'm paying for it now. Found Sam. Got back to the house about 2:15pm. Took another shower to wash off the dust and sweat from my adventure on the 4 wheeler.
Took a breather and then decided I needed to be productive. There is a "dog pen" right here at the house and I took it upon myself to pull weeds and clean it up for about an hour. More sweat. More dirt. Beginning to question my ability to understand what Sundays are really all about. Came back inside and took yet another shower. I am beginning to think I no longer have fingerprints.
I still have at least 3 hours of daylight left. And if I try really hard I bet I can find yet another project I need to tackle before the sun goes down. Or not......
Friday, August 14, 2009
Room Mate
Ah, the joys of having a room mate. Personally, I haven't kept up with any of my college room mates since the day I moved out of each apartment.
Kris informed me last night that she has decided it will be okay to have a room mate. In this case, it is a childhood friend who is also attending Baylor. They have had their share of snits and fits with each other since the second grade but have always worked out their differences. Alicia has been living with her boyfriend this summer but the relationship has come to an end. It just so happened that Kris has a two bedroom apartment and things worked out for Alicia to move in with Kris.
Now, I have my misgivings about this arrangement that I will not go into at this time. Kris tells me that the pros outweigh the cons especially in the financial department. Sam assures me that everything will be fine and I am worrying for nothing. It is time I let Kris go out on a limb, make her own decisions and live with the consequences. That is tough for Mama Bear to do.
Remember what I said about Kris being anal about a clean house?? That is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for updates as the year progresses.....
Kris informed me last night that she has decided it will be okay to have a room mate. In this case, it is a childhood friend who is also attending Baylor. They have had their share of snits and fits with each other since the second grade but have always worked out their differences. Alicia has been living with her boyfriend this summer but the relationship has come to an end. It just so happened that Kris has a two bedroom apartment and things worked out for Alicia to move in with Kris.
Now, I have my misgivings about this arrangement that I will not go into at this time. Kris tells me that the pros outweigh the cons especially in the financial department. Sam assures me that everything will be fine and I am worrying for nothing. It is time I let Kris go out on a limb, make her own decisions and live with the consequences. That is tough for Mama Bear to do.
Remember what I said about Kris being anal about a clean house?? That is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for updates as the year progresses.....
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Unexpected Rain
A rumble in the northern sky yesterday afternoon prompted me to check the radar. WHOA! Pop, pop, pop and another pop --- heat induced thunderstorms covered our part of the state. Sam called me around 4:30pm and said we had already gotten an inch of rain at the headquarters of the Back Forty. Oh and what a lovely drop in the temperature. 82 degrees never felt so heavenly.
And just when we thought the rain was over and the gauges were emptied, another cell came over us from the west and dumped another quarter of an inch on us. The lightening was intense as it bounced all around us. The electricity was off for a short period of time but the temperature was cool enough that I wasn't too bothered by the lack of circulating air in the house.
The Little Town received nada in the rain department yesterday but a nice shower came through today as I was leaving city limits headed for home.
The hummingbirds are migrating south. I am now down to one feeder from four feeders. It seemed to have happened overnight that the majority of the birds left this area. There will be a few stragglers hanging around for a while taking advantage of the welfare feeder. Come the end of the month I suspect they will all be gone.
Think I'll head to the porch for a few minutes of quiet time....with my adult beverage, of course.
And just when we thought the rain was over and the gauges were emptied, another cell came over us from the west and dumped another quarter of an inch on us. The lightening was intense as it bounced all around us. The electricity was off for a short period of time but the temperature was cool enough that I wasn't too bothered by the lack of circulating air in the house.
The Little Town received nada in the rain department yesterday but a nice shower came through today as I was leaving city limits headed for home.
The hummingbirds are migrating south. I am now down to one feeder from four feeders. It seemed to have happened overnight that the majority of the birds left this area. There will be a few stragglers hanging around for a while taking advantage of the welfare feeder. Come the end of the month I suspect they will all be gone.
Think I'll head to the porch for a few minutes of quiet time....with my adult beverage, of course.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Moving Daisy Duke
Moving Daisy to Waco wasn't as traumatic as I thought it would be. It was decided during the summer that Daisy would be happier living with her human instead of at the Back Forty. Daisy and Kris were inseparable for three years. Daisy and Kris both had to adjust to the change when Kris began her freshman year of college. Daisy would spend days moping around the house after a weekend visit from Kris. It got so bad that I would call Kris and have her talk to Daisy on the phone. Yep, I am a certified member of the Crazy Cat Lady Club.
After tricking Daisy to get into the cat carrier, Kris opted to take Daisy with her in her little car. As our convoy got about 15 miles northwest from Little Town, Kris radioed me and said that if a cat could look pale, Daisy was definitely changing colors. I told her to put air on her. That didn't work and Kris said she thought Daisy needed to be sitting higher up than the front seat of the little car. So we pulled over and I took over the responsiblity of hauling Daisy to College Town. We still had a three and a half hour trip ahead of us.
I put the cat carrier next to me in the front seat of the pickup, directed two air vents towards Daisy and told her to be quiet. She yowled for another 5 minutes and settled down. She would voice her disapproval every 30 minutes or so but managed not to get sick. Needless to say, we did not make stops along the way until we got to the apartment complex.
Daisy did not settle down very well during her first night in her new home. She managed to keep me awake most of the night with her prowling and yowling. I woke her up every time I found her napping yesterday. Shame on me. When I checked in with Kris last night, Daisy was doing better and not quite so freaked out about her new surroundings.
As for future hauling of the cat, I will contact Dr. Dave's office and have his assistant send drugs to Kris for her to dispense to Daisy before traveling.
After tricking Daisy to get into the cat carrier, Kris opted to take Daisy with her in her little car. As our convoy got about 15 miles northwest from Little Town, Kris radioed me and said that if a cat could look pale, Daisy was definitely changing colors. I told her to put air on her. That didn't work and Kris said she thought Daisy needed to be sitting higher up than the front seat of the little car. So we pulled over and I took over the responsiblity of hauling Daisy to College Town. We still had a three and a half hour trip ahead of us.
I put the cat carrier next to me in the front seat of the pickup, directed two air vents towards Daisy and told her to be quiet. She yowled for another 5 minutes and settled down. She would voice her disapproval every 30 minutes or so but managed not to get sick. Needless to say, we did not make stops along the way until we got to the apartment complex.
Daisy did not settle down very well during her first night in her new home. She managed to keep me awake most of the night with her prowling and yowling. I woke her up every time I found her napping yesterday. Shame on me. When I checked in with Kris last night, Daisy was doing better and not quite so freaked out about her new surroundings.
As for future hauling of the cat, I will contact Dr. Dave's office and have his assistant send drugs to Kris for her to dispense to Daisy before traveling.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
It wasn't any easier.....
.....to move and leave my little girl at college this year. James, Kris and I loaded and moved her personal belongings (in 105 degree weather) to Waco yesterday. The only casualty of the move was the red tortilla warmer blowing out of the back of James' pickup. Kris, being the frugal child that she is, turned around and went to look for it in the bar ditch. Gave up after realizing it meant getting out into the tall grass to really search for it.
Kris is living in an apartment during her sophomore year at school. She opted NOT to have a roommate which is probably a good thing. The child is more anal than I am about cleanliness and neatness. I wish her luck in finding a member of the opposite sex who will be able to adhere to her rules about keeping house. (I'm thinking along the lines of "MONK".) She lives on the 4th floor but we were able to utilize an elevator for hauling her stuff to her apartment. I gazed longingly at the pool every time I passed by it yesterday afternoon. I could picture myself on a lounge chair, reading a good book and drinking a very, very, very cold beer. As in ice melting down the neck of the bottle. Instead we spent the afternoon sweating and moving and moving and sweating. And I don't dare tell anybody how much was spent at WalMart for just cleaning supplies and "getting started" supplies.
After spending this morning cleaning and putting together her kitchen, I bid her farewell. James is going to take Kris back to WalMart to get some more essential items this evening. I bid him good luck. I got that familiar lump in my throat as I loaded up the pickup to leave today. The feeling is still with me that I am throwing her to the wolves as she continues her quest of becoming a nurse. I look forward to spending time with her during the school year as her schedule allows such.
Oh, I looked for the red tortilla warmer in the bar ditch on my way home today but to no avail.
Kris is living in an apartment during her sophomore year at school. She opted NOT to have a roommate which is probably a good thing. The child is more anal than I am about cleanliness and neatness. I wish her luck in finding a member of the opposite sex who will be able to adhere to her rules about keeping house. (I'm thinking along the lines of "MONK".) She lives on the 4th floor but we were able to utilize an elevator for hauling her stuff to her apartment. I gazed longingly at the pool every time I passed by it yesterday afternoon. I could picture myself on a lounge chair, reading a good book and drinking a very, very, very cold beer. As in ice melting down the neck of the bottle. Instead we spent the afternoon sweating and moving and moving and sweating. And I don't dare tell anybody how much was spent at WalMart for just cleaning supplies and "getting started" supplies.
After spending this morning cleaning and putting together her kitchen, I bid her farewell. James is going to take Kris back to WalMart to get some more essential items this evening. I bid him good luck. I got that familiar lump in my throat as I loaded up the pickup to leave today. The feeling is still with me that I am throwing her to the wolves as she continues her quest of becoming a nurse. I look forward to spending time with her during the school year as her schedule allows such.
Oh, I looked for the red tortilla warmer in the bar ditch on my way home today but to no avail.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Silver Wings
A classmate of mine, David S., taught me how to two-step when we were in the 5th grade. Red Stegall and his band were belting out "Silver Wings"at the dance after the race meet. David S. said, "This is it. I am going to teach you how to dance right now." So with sweaty palms and a nervous stomach I allowed myself to be led right to the middle of the dance floor. The concrete slab had already been literally dusted with cedar shavings to ensure a smooth boot scoot. It took me about four songs to quit counting out loud and stop watching my feet as David S. led me around the dance floor. He then taught me how to do the "Cotton Eyed Joe" and of course I already knew the "Bunny Hop". He waited until I was in the 6th grade before teaching me how to waltz. The "Jitterbug" was a little more complicated and we improvised some steps. We dubbed "Silver Wings" as our song. As we grew up and attended school dances and summer dances at the HCFA pavilion, David S. would always come find me when "Silver Wings" was played.
Fate doesn't always deal us a fair hand in life. We lost David S. our senior year in high school along with another good friend. They were involved in a car accident just three months before graduation. David S. shared with me one of the most treasured gifts in life --- the gift of dancing.
"Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
They're taking you away, leaving me lonely, silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Don't leave me I cry, don't take that airplane ride.
But you locked me out of your mind, left me standing here behind.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
Their taking you away, leaving me lonely, silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight, they're taking you away.
Leaving me lonely. Silver wings slowly fading out of sight.Slowly fading out of sight."
Fate doesn't always deal us a fair hand in life. We lost David S. our senior year in high school along with another good friend. They were involved in a car accident just three months before graduation. David S. shared with me one of the most treasured gifts in life --- the gift of dancing.
"Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
They're taking you away, leaving me lonely, silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Don't leave me I cry, don't take that airplane ride.
But you locked me out of your mind, left me standing here behind.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
Their taking you away, leaving me lonely, silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight, roaring engines headed somewhere in flight, they're taking you away.
Leaving me lonely. Silver wings slowly fading out of sight.Slowly fading out of sight."
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Gray Cat and the Pecan Tree
"A cat can climb down from a tree without the assistance of the fire department or any other agency. The proof is that no one has ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree." Anonymous
One afternoon I heard a kitten crying outside. Sure enough Gray Cat had climbed the tallest pecan tree in the front yard. As I called to him to come down, he only climbed higher. And higher. And higher. He ran out of tree to climb and was hanging there and crying and crying. My neighbors, all being cat people and concerned, offered suggestions on how to get Gray Cat out of the tree. The sun was setting so I knew I had to do something because my heart wouldn't let that poor little kitten spend the night in the tree. And he certainly had no intention of climbing down. Daisy was no help --- I tried to coax her into chirping for her boy kitten to work his furry butt back down the tree.
I called a friend of mine who is a volunteer member of the fire department. I explained the situation and that I needed a really tall ladder to reach the top of the tree. He laughed and said he'd be there shortly. I made the mistake of asking him to be quiet about coming to rescue the kitten. Five minutes later I could hear a fire truck with the siren blaring heading our direction. Oh, crap. And if that wasn't enough to draw attention, the red and blue strobe lights were flashing. My friend had picked up another volunteer and they were decked out in bunker gear. And then Sam showed up. He shook his head and suggested a .22 caliber gun as his solution.
The JVFD rescued Gray Cat after battling 20 branches to get to his location. And I haven't lived it down yet that I called the fire department to rescue a kitten out of a tree. That was about four years ago. Gray Cat didn't climb trees after that experience. Until this morning. I heard a THUMP on the porch roof and there he was. He had climbed a tree close to the house and jumped onto the roof. I just shook my head and told him he was on his own in getting back to terra firma. Thirty minutes later he was meowing at the back door. Guess my baby boy kitty has overcome his phobia of climbing trees.
And now he is trying to catch a hummingbird....good luck with that!
"The reason cats climb is so they can look down on almost every other animal. It's also the reason they hate birds." K.C. Buffington
One afternoon I heard a kitten crying outside. Sure enough Gray Cat had climbed the tallest pecan tree in the front yard. As I called to him to come down, he only climbed higher. And higher. And higher. He ran out of tree to climb and was hanging there and crying and crying. My neighbors, all being cat people and concerned, offered suggestions on how to get Gray Cat out of the tree. The sun was setting so I knew I had to do something because my heart wouldn't let that poor little kitten spend the night in the tree. And he certainly had no intention of climbing down. Daisy was no help --- I tried to coax her into chirping for her boy kitten to work his furry butt back down the tree.
I called a friend of mine who is a volunteer member of the fire department. I explained the situation and that I needed a really tall ladder to reach the top of the tree. He laughed and said he'd be there shortly. I made the mistake of asking him to be quiet about coming to rescue the kitten. Five minutes later I could hear a fire truck with the siren blaring heading our direction. Oh, crap. And if that wasn't enough to draw attention, the red and blue strobe lights were flashing. My friend had picked up another volunteer and they were decked out in bunker gear. And then Sam showed up. He shook his head and suggested a .22 caliber gun as his solution.
The JVFD rescued Gray Cat after battling 20 branches to get to his location. And I haven't lived it down yet that I called the fire department to rescue a kitten out of a tree. That was about four years ago. Gray Cat didn't climb trees after that experience. Until this morning. I heard a THUMP on the porch roof and there he was. He had climbed a tree close to the house and jumped onto the roof. I just shook my head and told him he was on his own in getting back to terra firma. Thirty minutes later he was meowing at the back door. Guess my baby boy kitty has overcome his phobia of climbing trees.
And now he is trying to catch a hummingbird....good luck with that!
"The reason cats climb is so they can look down on almost every other animal. It's also the reason they hate birds." K.C. Buffington
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Spa Day
In order to celebrate our birthdays (August and September), Kris and I indulged ourselves with a Carribean Massage at La Cantera on Saturday. OMG....I would be much easier to get along with if I could have one of those massages once a week. It was, it was, it was.....I don't know that I can fully express how wonderful it was with mere words.
It started with a dry exfoliation of the back and soles of the feet. That was step one on the road to relaxation. A "seaweed" concoction was then applied to the back and soles of the feet. A warm towel was then placed on top of the seaweed mixture. As the wrap was working its magic, my massage began with the left arm and then the right arm. I was sinking further into oblivion. The seaweed gunk was then cleaned from my back with more warm towels. Magic fingers began working out the kinks in my back and shoulders and neck. I felt numb and in a state of complete relaxation. I could hear the birds chirping and violins playing as I struggled to remain conscious of my surroundings. And by the time I received the scalp massage, I was deep into Neverland. I could smell the colors and taste the rainbow. It was an effort to focus after 90 minutes of pure heaven.
Kris and I managed to regroup and headed to Red Lobster for a drink and late lunch. As we pulled out of the parking lot, we decided we needed to walk off our calorie-laden lunch and headed to the mall at La Cantera. People, here's the deal: If it is too small or too short, don't wear it in public. And stilletto heels do not go well with denim shorts and halter tops. And black bras with white tops? And halter tops trying to cover size DD without any support? And middle aged women sporting bellyrings? Egads, my conservatism is surfacing! Talk about my butt all you want to but at least its covered up. I am not a shopper but managed to last a couple of hours before beginning to whine about the heat, the crowded shops and the rude people.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Spa Day and have decided it will be our annual gift to ourselves. Throw in a little People Watching on the side and you've got yourself a day to be remembered!
It started with a dry exfoliation of the back and soles of the feet. That was step one on the road to relaxation. A "seaweed" concoction was then applied to the back and soles of the feet. A warm towel was then placed on top of the seaweed mixture. As the wrap was working its magic, my massage began with the left arm and then the right arm. I was sinking further into oblivion. The seaweed gunk was then cleaned from my back with more warm towels. Magic fingers began working out the kinks in my back and shoulders and neck. I felt numb and in a state of complete relaxation. I could hear the birds chirping and violins playing as I struggled to remain conscious of my surroundings. And by the time I received the scalp massage, I was deep into Neverland. I could smell the colors and taste the rainbow. It was an effort to focus after 90 minutes of pure heaven.
Kris and I managed to regroup and headed to Red Lobster for a drink and late lunch. As we pulled out of the parking lot, we decided we needed to walk off our calorie-laden lunch and headed to the mall at La Cantera. People, here's the deal: If it is too small or too short, don't wear it in public. And stilletto heels do not go well with denim shorts and halter tops. And black bras with white tops? And halter tops trying to cover size DD without any support? And middle aged women sporting bellyrings? Egads, my conservatism is surfacing! Talk about my butt all you want to but at least its covered up. I am not a shopper but managed to last a couple of hours before beginning to whine about the heat, the crowded shops and the rude people.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Spa Day and have decided it will be our annual gift to ourselves. Throw in a little People Watching on the side and you've got yourself a day to be remembered!
Monday, August 3, 2009
JoJo, the tomato-eating cat
In light of the death of a very dear friend's furry family member, I find myself feeling out of sorts today. Dorey was the light of Rana's life for 14 years and offered Rana's blog readers all kinds of inspiration even on the dreariest of days. Yesterday, Rana posted the most spectacular picture of Dorey that captured his very soul.
When we moved to the ranch, there seemed to be an endless supply of mama cats and kittens. Mama raised the most beautiful gray and black tiger striped cat she called "Tiger Lily". Tiger Lily had a bob-tail and tufts on her ears that suggested she had lynx in her blood. We had our favorites through the years but one of the most favorite was one of Tiger Lily's kittens who grew to be a larger version of her. We called him "JoJo".
JoJo was more devoted to us than any dog we ever had. He would follow us when we rode our bikes. He would follow us when we hiked up on the hill behind the house. He would chirp at us if we got too scattered from him. And JoJo loved cherry tomatoes! The first clue we got was when tomato plants started growing in odd places. We'd find them behind the playhouse and on the edge of the sand pile. We never thought twice about JoJo following us in to the summer garden. And then Daddy confirmed it when he actually caught JoJo batting a ripe tomato from the vine. Damn cat carried off the tomato in his mouth like he had just killed the prize dove at the county fair.
We had to return to school in the fall but JoJo was always waiting for us when we got home in the evening. I'm pretty sure Daddy snuck store bought tomatoes to JoJo after the garden stopped producing fresh ones. I wish I could say that JoJo lived a long and prosperous life at the ranch but that isn't so. This particular fall Daddy had "day hunters" during hunting season. A man and his wife came out to hunt for whitetail. The woman saw Tiger Lily and JoJo and offered money for both of them. Daddy explained to the woman that Tiger Lily was Mama's pride and joy and JoJo was very attached to his humans as were his humans to him. The woman offered more money. Daddy said no. End of discussion. Daddy took the couple back to town after the hunt and deposited them at a local motel. The next day Daddy had a different group of hunters and was gone from the house most of the morning. He came in for lunch and noticed that JoJo wasn't at the back door waiting for him. Daddy called and called for JoJo but couldn't find him. Daddy noticed a set of tire tracks in the driveway that didn't belong to any of our vehicles. And then it dawned on him: That bitch from Houston came out and catnapped JoJo. Daddy rushed to town to the motel but of course the couple had already checked out. And the attendant told Daddy that the woman had a cat with her when they checked out. Said she bought it from a rancher because his kids were mean to the poor thing. It was a sad day at our house when Daddy had to tell us that JoJo was gone. Holli and I were prepared to go to Houston and find JoJo. (We didn't understand the logistics of going to Houston.) And we learned one of many life lessons on that dreary evening about the human race.
JoJo, the tomato-eating cat, lives forever in my memory. And I am proud to have been one of his humans.
When we moved to the ranch, there seemed to be an endless supply of mama cats and kittens. Mama raised the most beautiful gray and black tiger striped cat she called "Tiger Lily". Tiger Lily had a bob-tail and tufts on her ears that suggested she had lynx in her blood. We had our favorites through the years but one of the most favorite was one of Tiger Lily's kittens who grew to be a larger version of her. We called him "JoJo".
JoJo was more devoted to us than any dog we ever had. He would follow us when we rode our bikes. He would follow us when we hiked up on the hill behind the house. He would chirp at us if we got too scattered from him. And JoJo loved cherry tomatoes! The first clue we got was when tomato plants started growing in odd places. We'd find them behind the playhouse and on the edge of the sand pile. We never thought twice about JoJo following us in to the summer garden. And then Daddy confirmed it when he actually caught JoJo batting a ripe tomato from the vine. Damn cat carried off the tomato in his mouth like he had just killed the prize dove at the county fair.
We had to return to school in the fall but JoJo was always waiting for us when we got home in the evening. I'm pretty sure Daddy snuck store bought tomatoes to JoJo after the garden stopped producing fresh ones. I wish I could say that JoJo lived a long and prosperous life at the ranch but that isn't so. This particular fall Daddy had "day hunters" during hunting season. A man and his wife came out to hunt for whitetail. The woman saw Tiger Lily and JoJo and offered money for both of them. Daddy explained to the woman that Tiger Lily was Mama's pride and joy and JoJo was very attached to his humans as were his humans to him. The woman offered more money. Daddy said no. End of discussion. Daddy took the couple back to town after the hunt and deposited them at a local motel. The next day Daddy had a different group of hunters and was gone from the house most of the morning. He came in for lunch and noticed that JoJo wasn't at the back door waiting for him. Daddy called and called for JoJo but couldn't find him. Daddy noticed a set of tire tracks in the driveway that didn't belong to any of our vehicles. And then it dawned on him: That bitch from Houston came out and catnapped JoJo. Daddy rushed to town to the motel but of course the couple had already checked out. And the attendant told Daddy that the woman had a cat with her when they checked out. Said she bought it from a rancher because his kids were mean to the poor thing. It was a sad day at our house when Daddy had to tell us that JoJo was gone. Holli and I were prepared to go to Houston and find JoJo. (We didn't understand the logistics of going to Houston.) And we learned one of many life lessons on that dreary evening about the human race.
JoJo, the tomato-eating cat, lives forever in my memory. And I am proud to have been one of his humans.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
19 years ago
Hard to believe I gave birth to the most precious child in the world 19 years ago. Kris came into this world with a maturity that still amazes me. Her delivery was short and sweet and she has always been the one to try not to inconvenience any one that comes into her life. Born on August 1, 1990 at 9:03pm, she hardly made a peep when the glare of the lights hit her little face.
Having been the oldest of four children, I kind of knew what to expect with a little one. Changing diapers and feeding times, etc. But no where, no way, did ANYBODY prepare me for the "changing of the guard" at least five times a night. Lord, have mercy! That little peep at delivery time turned into a howling banshee at midnight, 1:30am, 2:45am, 4am, 5:50am and anytime in between when Poop Patrol was also on call.
Watching Kris grow through the years is an experience that I hold near and dear to my heart. I wasn't always the best mother in the world but I have done my best to prepare her for the real world. And there were times when she was the one to keep me grounded and give me advice. We are close and I am thankful for her existance in my life. We always like to brag on our offspring but I hope Kris presents herself to others as the sweet and kind person I know. And of course all parents hope their children actually execute their manners when they are away from home. "Elbows off the table. Please don't slurp or smack. Use your napkin!"
19 years ago I was resting in a hospital bed thinking, "Lord, please give me the strength to be the best mother I can be to this precious angel. And please give me the ability to explain right and wrong to her. And remind me to enjoy the little miracles that are in my life every day." Little did I know that as I was encouraging Kris to take her first step that I was also paving the road for me to become the person I am today.
Having been the oldest of four children, I kind of knew what to expect with a little one. Changing diapers and feeding times, etc. But no where, no way, did ANYBODY prepare me for the "changing of the guard" at least five times a night. Lord, have mercy! That little peep at delivery time turned into a howling banshee at midnight, 1:30am, 2:45am, 4am, 5:50am and anytime in between when Poop Patrol was also on call.
Watching Kris grow through the years is an experience that I hold near and dear to my heart. I wasn't always the best mother in the world but I have done my best to prepare her for the real world. And there were times when she was the one to keep me grounded and give me advice. We are close and I am thankful for her existance in my life. We always like to brag on our offspring but I hope Kris presents herself to others as the sweet and kind person I know. And of course all parents hope their children actually execute their manners when they are away from home. "Elbows off the table. Please don't slurp or smack. Use your napkin!"
19 years ago I was resting in a hospital bed thinking, "Lord, please give me the strength to be the best mother I can be to this precious angel. And please give me the ability to explain right and wrong to her. And remind me to enjoy the little miracles that are in my life every day." Little did I know that as I was encouraging Kris to take her first step that I was also paving the road for me to become the person I am today.
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