I stayed in bed until pickleball time. I stopped at Bransons to say good by to Janet and Tom. At 11 I went golfing with Gail, Mert, Donna and Meg. It wss a fun morning. We stopped at C&C for super nachos. At home Denny had painted the stairway hand rail. He also put a new plug in outside the shed. We sat and visited with Gail on the deck. At night I listened to the book, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
Up to make coffee before siblings leave to go back home we went back to bed u til Mandy called about using one of our vehicles ‘cause theirs is in the shop. Church. Jason’s Drli. Movie Redeeming Love. And American hero.
Slo getting up, but did put on clothes and make it to Coffee and Donuts in the hall. When we got back we had a phone call with Jean. Bruce and Nancy are getting ready to pack Bruce's truck and head back north tomorrow morning at 5 am. Uffda!! Denny and I went to get the Toyota maintenance done. We stopped at Home depo to get paint//timer/electrical/stain for the trailer. I played PB with Gail, Bruce and Bruce. Last game before young Bruce leaves. Back at the trailer we watched Wisconsin BB.
I got up and had devo and coffee at Gails's before going to pickleball at Fun N Sun with Gail, Bruce and Bruce. We played until noon. When we got back Denny was in his shorts, lying on the bed, just resting. I grabbed and extra coat and headed to the chilly beach. Denny sat with me for about a half an hour as I ate stuffed mushrooms, guacamole, and listened to the book, Aftermath by Terri Blackstock. God citing: After Denny went to sit in the car with the heater running I was pretty much alone on the beach listing to my book. There was one gal walking into the wind. She walked past me heading north and then again some time later walking with the wind heading south. She stopped and we visited. Of, course she was from Minnesota. We go to talking and she told me about a couple Bible studies. Cultivating Holy Beauty by Jesse North and a men's study Every Man Warrior. T'was good to visit with her. She was from Hibbings Minn. and her name was Sunny J. Thank you Jesus for encouragement of meeting another Christian. When I had finished listening to the book Denny stopped so I could walk thru 2 thrift stores. Then we left to eat at Los Tortulos. Kathy, Bill, Bruce, Gail, Meg, and Bruce joined us there. Great food. We stopped to see Reals new counter top before heading home. Nice phone calls from all my kids today. Thank you, Jesus for my 71 years.
I had weak coffee at Fay's yesterday about 2. Uffda!! SO I didn't sleep well ... like I was still up at 2, 3 and 4. Denny got up at 3 am and 6 am to check smoker. I had devo and listened to the book Aftermath by Terri Blackstock. Good book. I walked over in my robe and visited with Gail and Bruce. In the morning we just chilled around the place. After lunch I went to Finchers and helped??? Fay set up tables, etc for Smoke Feast. So fun!! Denny finished grilling and wrapped the smoked pork butt to let it rest. We went over about 3, we ate wonderful food around 4. 17 of us Fay&Jerry, Joyce & Brad, Gail & Bruce, Bruce & Meg, Roberta & Dan, Bill & Sandy, Kathy and Johnnie, D&F and Nancy, Food: Smoked pork butt, Smoked pork Ribs, Smoked beef Ribs, 2 smoked chicken, potatoes salad, cole slaw, stuffed mushrooms Kettle bread, Home made ice cream, cake, baked beans, Wonderful meal, wonderful time together, Wonderful Friends .... Walk Home to bed.
I was in bed until after8, then devo and pickleball around 8, At home we chilled on the deck. Gotta luv 73 degree weather at 8 am. I went to play pickle ball for a while. After I came back we picked up Kathy R. and went to Eye Mart and Denny got me 2 pair of glasses for my birthday. They helped me pick out sun glasses and a pair glasses for cheaper. We ate at Jason's Deli. The reuben sandwiches were amazing. They gave gift certificates out for door prizes. I stopped at Fays, then Gails, then Bruce and Meg came over to hang out in the cold weather. I am working at 8:15 pm on the blog and it is very chilly.
Fun Full day I put away some stuff (toys, bedding, child's floor mattress, from family visit. Denny and I went to HEB for a pork roast to smoke. Plus other...At 2 we headed to Sandy,Bill,Bob and Jeans for a 2-22-22 gathering on 222'sday. Fun bunch of people. I went back to trailer to preheat oven for roasted vegetables and get the pork chops out. Fay and I made a quick run to store for Pepsi and Chinnet plates. At trailer we got ready for pork chops from Nueskib for 9 (cause Branson's needed a reminder that didn't come:) Great meal Nancy planned chops, pretzel, roasted veggies, ice cream cups with toppings. Apple spinach salad. We headed to the Hall for a great night of blue grass entertainment. The Mountain Highway family. 3 sisters and a brother. Neat story. The family had always attended blue grass concerts 'cause Joe and Trish (parents) enjoyed the music. About 5 years ago they were at a concert where (instead of a petting zoo) the concert planners gave children the opportunity to try to play different instrument. The children were Victoria 15, Jack 14, Emily 13 and Rebecca 11. They liked it and begged Dad for instruments. At first they all wanted to play guitar, but Dad said it would be more interesting and fun if they played different instruments. He challenged them if they could borrow/find instruments for each of them and by themselves figure out how to play a song with all 4 instruments that he could recognize, He would fund acquiring permanent instruments. He thought his challenge would not be met, but the kids DID it. They have just been playing 5 years, For the first year the girls took you tube/online lessons everyday for an hour. Jack has not had any lessons and plays really well. Fun to watch them. Reals invited them to their fire pit after the park concert. God citing: I went to the fire pit and waited with the rest of friends. When the family came the chair next to me was empty and the dad sat down. We were visiting about him phoning his wife and how easy communication is these days. I said "Yes, I had a great visit with my daughter who is in Katmandu." His wife Trish has been in K. when her dad helped with Missions. I had a really good visit. He went to a seminary, worked for non profits, missions etc. It was encouraging to see how God has lead each step their family band has taken. Young talented family. God is Good, All the time.
Gail, Mert and I went to Texas Thrift about 7 am when it opened with 50% off everything. Back at the park were played pickleball. Then at 11 we went to golf with the girls. 6 of us went to C&C wings after playing a scramble. I had planned to finish listening to my book The woman they couldn't silence, but my book got recalled. Toobadsosad. I put it on the waiting loan list again. Uffda!! Bruce and Meg went to get Church's Chicken which we ate on the deck. Nice day. Visited on deck on a still beautiful night on the rasaca. Luke shared this super funny post and I shared with 4 seasons.
The kids were still quiet at 9 am. They got up and had breakfast Luke and Karen pack as we watched the kids. It has been so nice being able to spend time with them. I drove them to the Harlengen Airport at 11. At home Denny was cleaning 400. We finished up about 2 and went to get cash to pay the McFarlands. The chili cook off was at 4.
Slow morning
Zoo at 11:30 -2:00
Naps. Rose,” I’m tired”
4 Denny went after I eet
Charro days happy hour
Kids to bed
I wish I could stay asleep longer in the am, but it's' just that once I wake I can't fall asleep. Bummer!! Around 11 we went with Luke's family to Mexico. I drove Nancy's car and Luke rode with me and worked on his laptop. The others rode in the Prius with Denny. Fun time in Mexico. We shopped and ate Mexican. Karen bought Rose a little dress. I got Gail some Z pack and a pair of shoes with little Mexican art dolls on them. At home I took a quick nap. Luke and Karen headed to SPI to spend a couple nights for their 10th anniversary. Kids had a bath and a shower, now we're waiting for them to fall asleep.
Slow am. After fun dancing night :) Karen, I and Grands went to the children's museum. Lots of things to watch and see and do. We got home about 2 and I went to practice with Kathy and the Crazies at Sharon's house. We went to Karaoke at 4. Fun night.
I took Cooks to the airport to meet their flight about 11. At 5 we headed to the Valentine supper with a dance afterwards. Fun to watch Rose dance with Bruce N. and parents.
Farm kids are a special breed. The lessons learned on the farm shape kids into incredible adults. When you grow up on a farm, you learn what it means to have a work ethic. Not only by having chores of your own, that have to be done in a timely and efficient manner, but by watching your parents, and sometimes grandparents, work sun up to sun down. They do it without complaint- because it’s the only way of life that they know.
You learn about life and death at a young age. You watch a wobbly calf take its first steps, and you watch as a tear falls from your dads eye when that same calf doesn’t make it. You know what it’s like to bury your family dog in the grove behind the house, and the joy of new kittens born in the Spring.
You learn about sacrifice. When your dad can’t make it to your music concert because the cows got out, when you have to miss going to the park because plans changed and your mom has to run for tractor parts, or when you only get to see your dad in the field on your birthday because you were born during the “busy” season. You sacrifice, because the rest of your family sacrifices too.
You learn how to use your imagination. You spend hours outside during the summer, building forts out of old fence posts and cattle panels in the grove. You know every nook and cranny of the barn, and have the best hiding places when the neighbor kids come to play hide and go seek. And you’re disappointed when your mom calls you inside for supper and bedtime.
And you learn that there is no better way to grow up, than in the dirt, with livestock and long work days. You learn that being a farm kid is one of life’s greatest blessings.
Went to 400, listened to DAB until Cooks started to pack, then I took boys to 407 and we made valentine cards for parents and ate breakfast . The kids had fun with snappers fron Fleamarket 77. I drove the cooks to Harlingen to catch their 11 am flight back to Omaha. It has been so great to have them here. Just too short of a visit. But ii'm not complaining. When I gat back we took R&L to the pool. Oh, so much fun with uncle Bruce N. and Rose jumping in and splashing him. Lunch on the deck and then pickleball with the tournament practicers, Bruce, Gail, Sandy and Bill. So much fun!!! Next was rest and naps, For supper Bruce made Salsa, Denny grilled Red snapper, Gail made Tamales, Nancy made salad, and I set the table. It was a great meal. So fun to sit visit. Gloria brought tiny pianos to R&L. They had a great time with them. At night I made a collage for Michelle. Lord, be with all those who have lost loved ones.
PAUL HARVEY'S LETTER TO HIS GRANDCHILDREN
We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches.. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy / girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it... And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he/she is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.
