February 12, 2009. DD Ranch, Harper, Texas. Friendships.

It is interesting the filtering that occurs in people before a friendships is formed. For instance, Picnic Group kept functioning for several years, and during those years about forty women and their children attended. There were no attendance rules of course, just come and bring some food that everyone else could eat and enjoy. The group was great for the Mothers and the children, because we met every week in a park, then decided where to meet next week at another park. Montgomery County has lots and lots of parks. But of all the ladies in the group, four of us have stayed friends. Of course, these are our good friends who have built their houses in Nova Scotia. In the early years we went to the beach together in Nags Head, where we rented multiple beach houses and certainly got to know each other well. But only four of us have stayed in close contact. Some reasons are obvious, such as a move but for others it is hard to figure out.

For two full days I have stayed in the Top House and been reading. This is a dream come true. For forty five minutes yesterday afternoon we went for a walk, but the rest of the time I was reading. I am up to date on my magazines and now I am reading a book recommenced by my David,"Outliers", by Malcolm Gladwell. He is the author who wrote "The Tipping Point" and "Blink". This newest book, published in 2008, is very interesting but still a very easy read. I started it this morning and will be finished tonight. The Story of Success is the topic of the book, and he has several remarkable insights, such as, the bulk of professional hockey players are born in the first three months of the year. It is worth the read. I have for a long time thought long and hard about success, especially for the past 21 years, where I have tried to determine who will and who will not become successful agents in our office. It is not easy to predict but I do know that talent and brains are not the only parts of the success.

Tonight we dine with Jan Miller at her ranch just down the highway. She and her husband built the ranch so the whole house is unusual but interesting. He was a scientist who developed re-breathing machines for deep sea diving and a few years ago while they were hiking in Peru, he died at age 57, from a virus that affected his brain. Now, that would be a trick, to bring a dead husband home from Peru and do it in a short period of time. She did it, by having him cremated, then carrying his ashes home on the plane. My goodness mercy. She has a great spirit and now runs the ranch all on her own. The children don't even like to come and visit because it is too hot when their children are out of school. We will enjoy our evening with her.

Tomorrow morning we drive over to the lake, to meet the man who will connect our computer...we hope. Between twelve and four, is the stated time, so we must be there by eleven.