Give a man a fish...

I am so pleased to post today! I received an email from our family's friend, Leslie Stephens, who took Dad fishing last weekend! They went to a tank near Marble Falls, fished for a while. Not to put down Leslie's fishing skills, but Dad caught a fish, Leslie didn't!!! Herbert Hoover said, "Fishing is a... discipline in the equality of men - for all men are equal before fish." Couldn't have said it better myself!! The really cool part is that Dad did the casting and reeling all by himself! He has a special fishing contraption! How cool is that?! It was suc a good outing for Dad I'm sure they had lots of laughs and that Dad loved getting out of the house! Mom wouldn't say so, but she probably enjoyed the time to herself!

Our family is gearing up for Easter. We will be spending the day together at Glenda's house. We are all thrilled because this year Neely and our twins, Livi and Madi, will be joining us! Most of the family have not seen the girls since they were barely crawling! They can now recite and recognize their ABC's without hesitation, count endlessly and tell you anything you'd like to know, like that they take ace-to-men-o-phine and speak so grammatically correct that it is a riot just to listen to them! They say very big-girlish, "Thank you Grandma for the drink of water!" They annunciate every consonant and vowel emphatically! That's what happens when the mommy was a teacher!!! Ollie and I are so anxious to share them with everyone! OUr day will be full of entertainment with them, Mia, and the rest of the kids, big and small!! Austin will be with his Daddy for this holiday, so he will be sorely missed. But, he is blessed to have a Daddy that loves him and wants to be with him as much as Robert does!

Mom and Dad have been suffering horribly with allergies this Spring. Mom's seems to have developed into a sinus infection, but she is taking good care to stay as healthy as possible, Jean and Jennifer are going out to see them tomorrow.

Ollie and I, Jean and Jimmie and Mom and Dad will all be together Thursday evening for the wedding of one of the Grohman clan. Michael, son of Archie and Mary Ann, is getting married in Kyle. Mom loves the opportunity to go to family events, especially when some of her kids are going! I love those good ol' country weddings with dinner and dancing with the cousins!!! I told Ollie that he didn't have to go, but that there would be dancing involved! He said that sounded like an ultimatum to him!!! He knows I love to dance with my cousins and that I would, even if he weren't there!!!

I pray that each of you and your loved ones have a glorious Easter!

Easter Prayer
Glory and praise to You, Risen Savior,
for You bring light to our darkness, joy to our sorrow,
and the fullness of love to our reluctant hearts.
Once and for all You have conquered sin and evil.
In the glory of Your Resurrection we have been
set free from all that keeps us
from following You.
On this Easter Day,
fill our hearts with Your Light and Grace
that we might joyfully echo the words of
Your Holy Angels:
He is not here in the tomb:
He is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen

Surprise!

I paid a surprise visit to Mom and Dad Monday! I accompanied my grandson Austin's class on a field trip to the Berry Farm just outside Marble Falls. Since I was in my own vehicle, I just couldn't be that close and not go see Mom and Dad! I called Mom and said, "Guess where I am?!" She, of course, had no idea! So when I told her I was in Marble Falls, she was thrilled! She asked me to pick up a gallon of milk and come on over! So, I did!

When I got there Dad was asleep in the recliner in the bedroom. Dad hasn't been feeling well the last few days. The wind has stirred up all the pollens and his allergies had kicked into full gear. Mom was treating him with antihistamines (with the pharmacist's guidance) and he seemed to be feeling somewhat better when I was there. Mom made a nice pot of home-made soup that tasted so good to Dad. After lunch Dad and I went outside for just a few minutes to check on Juaquin who was spraying the bull-nettle out on their property. Once we got back to the house he settled down into his living room chair with a big, "Ahhhh!" I helped Mom check her emails and, before we knew it, it was 3:30 and time for their favorite TV program, "The Virginian." I love that they watch it because it gives Mom a reason to relax in her recliner too! We all got comfy and watched the show. When it was over I headed home.

My best friend from my high school days, Kim Wagner, and I are going out to see Mom and Dad again tomorrow! Kim is a wonderful cook and is making lunch for us to take! Mom and Dad LOVE her home-cooked meals and LOVE to see Kim! She's been a part of our family since she and I were juniors in high school! It's amazing to think that was 40 years ago!!! Yikes!!! When Kim and I meet from time to time for lunch, her daughter calls it our "marathon lunch!" We talk for a solid 4 hours and still have things left to say!!! I guarantee you that there won't hardly be a pause in conversation on our trip tomorrow!!! She and I have been through so many experiences of life together! I don't know what I would have done without her as my sister/friend! I am thanking God for her right now!

"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away." ~Dinah Craik

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." ~Marcel Proust

Thank you Lord for the precious gift of friends! Amen!

Thank you!

Leo Tolstoy said, "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." I thank all of you for being patient with me in the time lapse since my last posting. Ollie and I are finally home from our 13 days in Warrenton, and are getting our "routine" back on track! We praise God for a successful sale and are very happy to be back home, especially to our own bed!!!

Mom and Dad drove to Danny and Lisa's in Lexington last Wednesday, spent the night and came to Warrenton on Thursday! They wanted to see where our booths were and see what we do! It was such a honor to have them there and to introduce them to our friends who have booths around us! Mom and I walked around Cole's, the building we are in, for a little while and looked at the antiques and such while Dad stayed in Ollie's booth. He seemed to enjoy Ollie showing him the Republic of Texas documents and rare books that he sells. They didn't stay long and then headed to Giddings to visit Lilly Doyle. As you all probably know, Lilly lost Herschel about 3 months ago. Mom said that Lilly is doing okay but misses Herschel terribly. Please keep her in your prayers. Mom and Dad spent Thursday night with Danny and Lisa and went back home on Friday. Danny said he tried to get Dad to go outside with him and take a ride around their property, but Dad just wanted to stay inside in the recliner. Traveling really tires him.

We got home from Warrenton Sunday evening. That old saying is so right, "There's no place like home!" Monday we drove to Mom and Dad's to store a couple of pieces of furniture in one of their garages and to return the flatbed trailer. We took lunch to them and didn't stay long. Dad wasn't feeling well and wanted to sleep most of the time we were there. He perked up a little when we told him a couple of funny things that happened at our show, but, for the most part, he was very quiet.

I spent some time on the phone with Mom this morning about increasing the number of days that Jerry comes to help her and hiring a housekeeper to come once a week. She agreed that both were necessary and was supposed to call and make arrangements before Dad got up. A friend at their Church really like his housekeeper, so she was going to call her. The hardest job in the world is being a care-taker. Mom tirelessly and lovingly cares for Dad and never complains. It is said that you can complain about the roses having thorns, or you can rejoice because the thorns have roses...Mom rejoices because she has Daddy with her!

I will be back on track now with visiting Mom and Dad weekly. So, hopefully you will hear from me more often! I leave you today with requests for prayer for Mom and Dad, Lilly, Aunt Dorene, Aunt Mary. cousin Amanda and her daughter Tessa and all our loved ones, family members and friends who are in need.

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.

Laughter in their eyes!

Ollie and I went out to dinner last night with Mom and Dad at Russo's, or, as they call it, "up on the hill!" Mom was her usual perky, beautiful self! Dad was all smiles too and was sitting in his wheelchair waiting in the doorway when we drove up! He was ready to go!!! We walked up, said our hellos and went right to the car!!!

Dad is getting around with his walker very well! He seems very balanced and strong! He and Mom are amazing in their ability to communicate and in their expressions of love to each other!

Ollie and I will be away from March 20 through April 3rd for our big antiques sale in Warrenton. If you get a chance, come see us! We are in a building called Cole's in Warrenton. All the aisles in Cole's are named and we are on "Waco Dr." The parking and admittance there are free!

Please remember to keep Mom and Dad, Aunt Dorene McNair and Amanda Polasek Lumpkin and all our huge family of loved ones in your prayers!!!

Blessed are You, loving Father,

For all Your gifts to us.

Blessed are You fro giving us family and friends

To be with us in times of joy and sorrow.

To help us in days of need,

And to rejoice with us in times of celebration.

Father, we praise You for Your Son Jesus,

Who knew the happiness of family and friends.

And in the love of Your Holy Spirit.

Blessed are You forever and ever.

Amen.

I'll be back to blogging after April 3rd! Love to all!

El Paso City, by the Rio Grande...

Ollie and I attended and participated as vendors at the Texas State History Association's annual meeting in El Paso this past week. It was a very nostalgic trip for me, more nostalgic that I thought it was going to be. I was unprepared for my emotions when we approached El Paso and on I-10 and saw the Juarez mountains in the distance. The sight of them, unexpectedly, caused me to get all choked up, and I remained that way most of the 4 days we were there!

When I was born in Austin in 1955, Dad was struggling to make ends meet to provide for his then family of 3 little girls. I was born in June and we moved to El Paso when I was about a month old so that Dad could go to work for Grandpa Smith. We lived there until I was 5, moved and lived in Mission Texas for about 3 months, then moved back to Austin to our house on Mullen Drive, just in time for me to start the first grade at the age of 6.

We lived in the eastern part of El Paso on Mt. Rushmore St. and Grandma Fairy and Grandpa Smith lived on McKinley Ave. I set out one morning with my GPS and found both houses! It took me a bit to find Grandpa and Grandma's house because I didn't know the exact address. I drove down the street once and couldn't find it. After conferring with Jean and Sue (who, to my advantage, happened to be together going to visit Aunt Dorene in rehab), I got my bearings and found it! I had no idea, again, that I had so much nostalgia tied up in that house! A lot about it had changed, but it was their house nonetheless. As soon as I spotted it, I started crying! Once I got gathered my composure, I got out and stood looking at the house. Many memories came back of playing out in the yard and on the rock walls. The front yard was 100% dirt - not one blade of grass. The tall slender cedars that stood on either side of the house were gone. The front porch was encased in security bars and mesh. But, I stood on the sidewalk and allowed my memories to take me back to the way it looked when Grandpa and Grandma Smith lived there and I held those memories in my heart. "In childhood, we press our nose to the pane, looking out. In memories of childhood, we press our nose to the pane, looking in."

One of the things I wanted to see most was the mail slot. As a child, I thought it was so cool that there was a mail slot built into the wall to the right of the front door. There was a metal door on the outside with a flap that read "MAIL." On the inside of the house there was a cute little door with an arched top that opened to a little cubby for the mail! We kids would write little notes and slip them in the mail slot so that we could retrieve them from the little cubby! I was able to take a picture of the mail slot from the outside, but, sadly, I could not go inside the house to get one of the little arched door to the cubby. I knocked on the door with hopes of getting to go inside the house, but no one was home. I could see through the screen door though. The french doors in the dining room that used to lead to steps down to the back yard were there, but a huge addition to the back of the house is under construction, so the back of the house and the back yard were totally different. The fireplace on the right wall of the living room was still intact. I walked around the corner of the block and took some pictures of the alleyway behind the house. As kids, alleys were something foreign to us and we ventured out there often.

There used to be rock walls that lined the boundaries of each yard on that part of the block. We visited Grandma and Grandpa every Easter after we had moved back to Austin. While visiting, those fences were a fascination to us kids! Glenda, Danny and I would walk the fences like tightrope walkers or ride them like they were our horses. Many, many hours of fun and imagination were spent on those rock walls! In our neighborhood on Mt Rushmore, we would even could use the rock wall fences as walkways to our friends' houses! Well, there were no longer walls in the front of the house and the walls along the side of the house had been torn down for the construction of the addition to the back of the house. The driveway was totally paved, there were sidewalks down the length of the block and there was concrete between the sidewalk and the curb. So, all in all, much of the personality of the house had been altered, but I held onto my memories and tried not to allow that to disappoint me.

I spoke to a next-door neighbor and was told that the house had been owned by a couple who grew old there, died and left the house to a granddaughter and her family. The only person in the neighborhood who would have remembered Grandpa and Grandma Smith was a 92 year old woman who lived across the street and down a couple of houses. Ironically she passed away that same morning that I was there! I would have loved to have visited with her!

The Smith house was made of flat rusty-colored rock. Amongst the rock in the exterior of the fireplace was a perfect cross! I did not remember that being there! When I saw it, I said a prayer and thanked God for childhood memories and for that reminder of His presence! I loved taking that vision home with me.

I left McKinley Avenue and drove to Mt Rushmore Street to see the house our family live in. The neighborhood had drastically changed. Most of the houses were in sad need of repair, there were broken-down cars in the driveways, carports used for storage, no grass in the yards...not a very pretty picture. Our house had security bars and screens locking away the front porch and distorting the view of the big picture-window in the living room, and the carport had been enclosed. I didn't have nearly the same emotion tied to this house as I did Grandma and Grandpa's. I remembered so many things about this house and so many things that happened there, but I didn't feel as emotionally attached to this house as I was to Grandma and Grandpa's. I did go to the door to the porch and spoke through the screen to the elderly woman who now lived there. She was unwelcoming, so I did not linger. I drove a short distance to the Church we attended, Blessed Sacrament, and took pictures for Jean and Glenda. They attended school there and Glenda received her First Communion in that Church.

Ollie and I had a fantastic time in El Paso and I felt very fortunate and blessed to have been able to take a little trip down memory lane! Thank you for letting me share it with you!

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again..." Laura Ingalls Wilder

Doin' Great!

It was a glorious Sunday! Ollie and I drove to Marble Falls and met Mom and Dad after Church at the River City Grill for lunch. We are borrowing their Suburban for a trip we are taking to El Paso to participate in the Texas State History Association's Annual Meeting. We are going to be vendors with books and documents as well as attend some of the meetings and the auction which will be at the banquet. The Suburban works great for that kind of trip because Ollie's boxes of books fit in the back, along with our luggage. Otherwise, we would have to tow a trailer. We certainly appreciate Mom and Dad lending us their wonderful vehicle! I intend on going to the antique malls and stores in El Paso and may drive to Las Cruces NM, which is about 40 minutes from El Paso, and check out the antique shopping there! I also found out that there is a great outlet mall down there! Poor Ollie will have to do all the work while I play!!! Luckily, he loves his work!!!

Mom and Dad were great! We were seated for lunch and I told Mom that she looked beautiful! Her hair and make-up were so pretty and she just seemed to glow! While I was complimenting her, Daddy, with a huge grin on his face and nodding "yes", pointed to me and then pointed to Mom in total agreement! She said that a couple of the younger women at Church had also commented on h ow pretty she looked! I think she is perfectly find with the way their life is going. "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." How could Dad or his children have been any more blessed?! I keep saying it, but Mom is an amazing woman! She will be 85 years "old" on May 3rd, and she runs around like someone half that age! And, she always has that beautiful smile and positive attitude! What an inspiration!

Dad looked perfectly healthy and happy! He has regained his appetite and seems to have a good bit of energy and strength. Mom takes such great care of him!

By the grace of God, Mom and Dad will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on May 5th! Again, they are an inspiration to all of us!!!

I found this quote while surfing the Internet that made me think of my relationship with my husband Ollie. It was said by an 8 year old boy who was being asked about the nature of love. "Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too!" We all must have our priorities and keep them straight!!!

Ollie and I will be away until March 7th, so I will miss blogging with you for a while! Meanwhile, please keep Mom and Dad in your prayers and go see them if you can!

Hello All!

Glenda, Austin and I went to Mom and Dad's Thursday. Jean had been on Wednesday and Danny went on Tuesday! Needless to say, Mom and Dad were very happy!

Danny went out there early Tuesday afternoon. He visited with both Mom and Dad and then took Daddy out to the deer camp with him. That night was the guys' monthly steak dinner and poker game! Ollie is in charge of the seasoning and grilling and Dad used to say that it was the best steak he ever ate! He will rarely turn down an opportunity to have one! The guys try to get Dad to go every month. Some months he feels like going and some he doesn't. It really seems to perk him up when he does go. Ollie said that Dad had a lot of fun during the poker game. Of course, all the guys give each other a very hard time and Dad gets a kick out of that! He laughed a lot and had a great night. Danny took him home when he was ready. It's great that they can work that out so Dad can go. Leslie Stephens, our great friend, usually takes Dad and has steak and plays poker with them. However, Leslie's daughter is on her high school basketball team and they play on Tuesday nights. I'm sure Leslie will go back out there as soon as basketball season is over!

Glenda had brought lots of great food (from Whole Foods Market, of course) so we had a wonderful lunch. It was a gorgeous afternoon and Austin persuaded his Papaw to take him for a ride on his scooter after we ate! They loaded up, both grinning from ear to ear, and drove over to the shop to see what was going on over there. Dad and Leslie's employee, Juaquin, was cleaning up the lawn mowers and sharpening the blades in preparation for Spring. It was good for Dad to get out and Austin loves spending time with his Papaw!

Later, Dad was sitting napping in his chair. Austin noticed that he had woken and went over to him, very lovingly rubbed him on the shoulder and then took his hand and then rubbed him on his cheek. It was a precious moment between the two of them. I wish you could have witnessed that expression of love. It was 100% unconditional love from a child. I must admit that I had to leave the room and shed a few tears. "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:10

While we were at Mom and Dad's the nun from their Church, Sister Claudia, came to visit. She is very down-to-earth, upbeat and happy...good for the spirit! She visits often and keeps Mom and Dad updated on news of their co-parishioners. Mom and Dad are attending Mass on Sundays but Sister always knows what's going on with the members of the Church. I don't mean to sound like she comes with gossip. She just mentions those who are ill, in the hospital, etc. She also brings Mom and Dad communion. Their Church Deacon, Pat, also comes weekly to bring communion. They greatly appreciate those and all their visitors!

I will be so happy to see Spring arrive so Mom and Dad can have more outdoor activities! We have a few outings in mind. Glenda recently asked Daddy if he would like to ride a horse! He laughed as if he thought she was kidding. When he realized that she was serious, he said yes, that he would like that. I am in contact with a facility in Georgetown whose business is therapeutic horseback riding. I have to go visit it because it is geared towards handicapped children, but they do have saddles for handicapped adults. I had great conversation with one of the ladies there and she said that they would absolutely be able to accommodate Dad, but they have a waiting list. Dad is currently on their list, but I want to go check it out and have further conversation about how they would treat Dad. For instance, we wouldn't want someone leading him around, but we would want someone walking by him in case he needed assistance. So, I need to find out their parameters.

I have just found out that Dad's sister, Dorene, fell yesterday and fractured her hip. She is in the Georgetown Hospital and is scheduled for surgery either today or tomorrow. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

I am constantly reminded to be thankful for my blessings. I recently found this to share with you...

BE THANKFUL...

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have NEVER experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than 3 billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace...you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful...you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder...you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message, you just received double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over 2 billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we are.

- Author Unknown

Amen!