June 10, 2008 Harper, Texas.

Junction, Texas is another one of those towns that once was important and now is not. But Coopers, the best barbecue in Texas, has a restaurant there, so this afternoon we drove to Junction to walk the main street and eat at Coopers. Ken refused to walk the main street, because almost everything has closed. Really, in the space of seven years almost all the stores on the main street have closed, except two Dollar stores. The action is out by the Interstate. In fact, the truckers stop for a meal at Coopers regularly. The trucks are always parked in the lot. The food was great, but we both ate too much. I wonder why we over eat? Mary Frances says that she has an automatic "off" switch when she gets full. Even when eating the best and most favorite dessert, she stops eating when she gets full, and she can not eat another bite. Fortunate child. Coming home we drove more back roads, and saw more deer. Coming up the hill to our home, a Vermilion Flycatcher posed at the end of a limb, just so we could admire him. Such a gaily colored bird.

All the cattle were waiting on our return for their treats, and they were so rambunctious we were forced to put their treats over the fence. They do have long horns, even though they are gentle, so we keep our distance. We like to watch them while they eat, and see the pecking order. We have 11 cattle and two calves. This evening I discovered a bird's nest up high at the top of the gable of our house. One bird is sitting on the nest. I don't know what kind of bird has taken up residence in my house. Defiantly in the swallow family. Tomorrow I will take out the binocs and watch them come and go. Where is Phyllis when I need her?

I am enjoying "Yesterday in the Texas Hill Country". Gilbert Jordon wrote a memoir about growing up outside Mason, in the first quarter of the twentieth Century. He lived on a ranch, along with the parents and nine other siblings. It is very interesting and I would recommend the book. Of the first six children, five were girls, followed by three more boys and one girl. I called David at work to tell him, but he was not pleased neither to be interrupted or nor to hear that story. His only response was to remind me that they are done with babies!! I thought it was funny, but he did not. Oops.