Nostalgia

“The Greek word for "return" is nostos. Algos means "suffering." So nostalgia is the suffering caused by an unappeased yearning to return.”  ~ writer Milan Kundera

Last week, Mom told me that she had the desire to go see their Ranch at Spicewood, so I immediately got up and called the folks who bought it 20 years ago!  They were completely open to me bringing Mom out there and planned to be there this weekend, as they live in Austin and only go out there once or twice a month.  

Jean and I took Mom on Saturday.  Dad opted not to go, so Glenda spent a good part of the afternoon with him.

Mother was very pleased to see the size of the trees that she and Dad had planted!  There were crepe myrtles, a spanish oak, an elm and a jujube tree that were amazingly healthy and huge!  The jujube tree was a tiny sapling that came up in another potted plant that Mom had brought to their house from the Fowler's house.  She planted it on the east side of the garage and, now, it's probably 30 feet tall and still bears fruit!! 

The house does not look at all like it did when Mom and Dad had it built!  The wall between the living room and the kitchen was taken out, as well as the  bar between the kitchen and the dining area.  All of the cabinetry throughout the house was painted turquoise and the doors and door frames were red!  All of the decor resembled a Mexican Cantina, of sorts, but done very tastefully!  It was bright, cheery and fun!  Mom got a kick out of it!  

After touring the house and yard, we drove Mom down to the arena, which is taken over by weeds from lack of use, and the barn.  Every Thursday night I could hear and see the line of trailers coming in for the weekly roping at that arena.  I loved to sit on horseback and watch.  Some of my favorite pictures are  a toddler-aged Whitney in the saddle with her Papaw! 

The owners now have no livestock or horses, so the barn doesn't get any use.  It was in amazing condition, not surprising considering Dad supervised the construction! Dad's "HS" brand was still burned in the wooden workbench just under the old vise in the workshop area at the barn and the "HS" was still proudly displayed in metal above the entrance to the arena and the pasture in front of the house.  The rack where the boys processed their deer after hunting still stood strong. I stood and listened to the beautiful silence, the serenity that I so loved out there.  That beauty, as well as the gorgeous view and scenery, will be there forever. God put it there!!!

I stopped and took a lot of pictures of where my little double-wide trailer sat.  The back porch was there, but had fallen down and was in ruin. The concrete steps leading to it with the old iron boot scraper were still there though! Whitney was born while I lived out there in 1986. I had precious memories of her running and playing in the front yard; I remembered where her swing set was heavily used in the back yard, the yard which is now completely thickly reclaimed by the trees and weeds.  That seems like another life ago, but many sweet memories, nonetheless.

Jean and I asked Mom if she missed the Ranch and she said that she did not.  She said she doesn't miss any of the places she and Daddy have lived...she guesses it's because she and Dad moved so much in their younger years. As for me, so many great memories came flooding back as I drove around the property. I took 171 pictures!!!  

I am so happy that we got to go out there and I feel like I can lay that desire to rest!  Mom felt the same way! 

Needless to say, Dad was very happy when we returned home!  He worries about Mom wearing herself out, but she had a good nap on the way back and spent the rest of the evening in her chair.  I spoke to her this morning and she said she'd had a good night's sleep and felt okay today!

Danny spent part of the afternoon visiting with them and picked up tamales and chili con queso for their lunch!  He said they enjoyed that!  One never knows what they might like to eat!  Hooray for him finding something they liked!

It's been raining steadily all day and we have measured almost 2 inches!  Praise God!!!  I can almost hear my trees, grass and shrubs oo'ing and ah'ing!!!  Everything looks so clean and bright green!!  

As the first raindrops fall to the ground
A businessman lets out an angry sigh.
Knowing traffic will be slow he thinks,
Why me? Why today? Just tell me why!

Outside of town, a farmer scans the horizon
As the storm clouds begin to roll in.
With joy and celebration he calls out,
We are blessed! At last! This drought will end!

In every life storms will come:
Adversity, Inconvenience, or Pain.
Only we can choose how we will respond:
To be overwhelmed or to Welcome The Rain.

Michelle Sedas

As for me...it's hugely welcomed!!!

Ollie and I are preparing for our antique sale at Warrenton this week.  We start setting up our booths on Sunday, September 24th and our show lasts from Thursday, September 27 until Saturday, October 6th.  Come see us in Warrenton at Cole's!  

Love to all!  Sandi