December 30, 2012. Ridgeland, Ms. Resolutions.

It is a problem.  Tomorrow night will be New Years Eve, the night we  make resolutions.   Today I have been reviewing our lives,   trying to figure out what we will do differently in 2013.  I have discovered that there are a few areas of our life in which we are deficient.    In other words, in order to resolve to do something different, I must figure out what is the matter.

1.  We lack live music and drama in our life.   It would be nice to hear more concerts and dance and plays.  The problem is that we no longer live in any big cities.
2.  We like to go to new places and do things we have not done before.   Our problem is that the lovely homes we own need our loving tender care and we want to visit our families in Texas and Mississippi, so our time is limited to explore new places.
3.  Exercise and weight are always a concern every year.  Grrrr.

Now between tonight and tomorrow night, I must figure out what we will change in our patterns to resolve these issues in our life.  Surely we can figure it out and make a good plan!!

December 29, 2012. Ridgeland, Ms. A Drive.

First, get on The Natchez Trace going south.   Next take Highway 49, which takes you southeast straight to Hattiesburg, our destination.  After driving around historic downtown Hattiesburg, we drove north on highway 15, and finally back to Jackson on Highway 18.  Rather than coming home on the main highways, we took the back roads along the south side of the reservoir.  We left at 11:00 and returned at 6:00, with an hour to stop for Chinese food for lunch and a thirty minute walk in Laurel.  The rest of the time we were driving.

In Mississippi there are lots of roads and they are all good.  The smaller highways are elevated so you drive with ditches on both sides and with so much rain the past couple of days you see standing water on both sides of the road.  Of course, there are no shoulders on the roads.  The countryside is very pretty with farms and forests lining the roads.  Hattiesburg is the home of the University of Southern Mississippi.  The city seems old but it was started in 1882.  During the sixties, it was a hotbed of civil rights unrest.  Originally it was a lumber and transportation hub.  The greater area population has about 150,000, equally split between white and black.  Interestingly, there are 1% Hispanic.

It was a lovely drive through the countryside of Mississippi today.  Green is everywhere.   The annual rainfall is 62 inches.  No wonder the fields are green and the woods are flooded.

December 28, 2012. Ridgeland, Ms. A Book.

Nellie McClung wrote this book, telling stories from her years teaching school in the country west of Brandon, Manitoba.  The tales tell of several families, all farmers and settlers in the late nineteenth century.   Her first book tells the story of her own family as they moved from south of Owen Sound, (actually Williamsford where my sister lived for years and is buried), to farm on the prairies.  In this book, The Second Chance, the author is invisible and you hear the stories of the children and their families.

It makes you grateful to be born in 1937 rather than 1837.  Those children worked hard, especially on the farms.  Reading these stories it is apparent that children accepted responsibility early and grew up quickly.  Fascinating to see the differences in 1910 when it was published and today.  But somethings had not changed at all.  Being the wife of a farmer was hard work in the nineteenth century and is hard work today.  The same for the children.  The main difference is that only 1% of folks in North America live on a farm  today but in the nineteenth century 80% lived on a farm.

Everyone in this book turns out well.   It is a simple, slice of life book, which makes us appreciate living in the present.   Now this book will travel to Nova Scotia and join Nellie McClung's first book on our shelves.  Interesting lady.  Interesting books.

December 27, 2012. Ridgeland, Ms. Entertaining.

The thing I do best when entertaining is to make a reservation.     Our condominium is small so inviting friends to our own place is not an option.   This has been a great blessing all by itself.   I am not even tempted.  Instead, we take people out to dinner.  

Tonight, 19 of us went to dinner at Sombra, a new Mexican restaurant in Ridgeland.   Ken and I inspected the restaurant last week and chose a separate back room that would fit us just fine.  We also chose the menu, all to be served in the same room.  Everything went according to plan.  When guests arrived, the two types of dip were on the tables, along with salsa and chips.  Pitchers of Sprite were on the children's table and pitchers of Margaritas on the adult table.  Of course, it was not ready when Ken and I arrived at 5:40.  But soon it was all in place.

The children, all ten of them, immediately sat at the table and ate chips and dip.  The adults segregated themselves too.  The four met sat at the end of one table and talked hunting while the five ladies stood chatting about Christmas.  It doesn't normally happen like this, but it did tonight and everyone was happy.

For dinner we served fajitas, both chicken and steak, all served in our own room, so everyone could help themselves.    The three youngest children crawled under and around the extra chairs and had a wonderful time.   Eleanor, the mother of four, said that she was totally relaxed, because the little children were not bothering anyone.    Desert was scrumptious; pecan crumble cake served hot with ice cream.

Everyone enjoyed the evening.  Good food.  Good company.  And I did not need to load the dishwasher.  Making reservation when entertaining is a good idea.

December 26, 2012. Ridgeland, Ms. Dinner.

Last evening, our Christmas dinner was unusual for us.  It was delicious,  just not our normal Christmas dinner.   Before dinner we were served milk punch, made with milk, ice cream and bourbon, plus some seasonings.  I drank two, they were so good.

For our main course we ate Grillades, served over Cheese Grits, and a green salad.   Andrew cooked the grillades the day before and Katie fixed the cheese grits, which were superb.   I never thought I would enjoy grits but these cheese grits are made with cream and are yummy.  Our next course was a fresh fruit salad, made by Linda.  And finally for dessert,  Christina prepared bread pudding with a whiskey sauce with ice cream.  The dinner was wonderful,  not our regular Christmas dinner.

In Canada, with Thanksgiving in October servicing turkey, we often ate turkey again for Christmas.  Our friends and relatives  still serve turkey at Christmas.  In the US, Ken and I served roast beef or lamb.  But this year, we enjoyed the southern hospitality and thoroughly enjoyed our Mississippi meal, which was a first for us.  It was delicious.

December 25, 2012. Ridgeland, Ms. Hot Babe.

For Christmas, Nelson, Christina's brother, gave his wife Katie, a fancy white vest, complete with wires and battery pack and heating elements.   Obviously it is designed to keep you warm, which means it is a great gift for Katie as she is very thin and has arthritis.   Even in Jackson she is often chilly.   The dinner guest at her home tonight had never heard about such a vest so we asked her to model it so we could see how it worked, so she did.

The vest is handsome,  and when Nelson installed the battery pack, the vest heated up both front and back.   When she kept the red switch turned on, she got hot.   We all named her the Southern Hot Babe.   Now Katie was born and raised in Mississippi and she informed us in her best Mississippi accent, that having never been a hot babe in her life, she thought that she would just keep the switch on red and stay a Mississippi Hot Babe a little longer.  So she did.

We all left, with her red button still shining brightly, but she must have been too warm as the temperature was 65!!   This could only happen in Mississippi.   We all loved it.

December 24, 2012 Ridgeland MS Christmas Eve

Molly is five and very excited.    Tonight,  when we were having dinner together, Molly asked if she could go to bed right after dinner.   Normally she goes to bed between 7:30 and 8:00, and at that time of asking, it was 7:00.    Molly goes to bed well but she often does not really want to go to bed.  But tonight she wanted to go to bed right after dinner.    When I asked why, it turned out that she thought that if she went to bed early, perhaps Santa would come early, especially as she had been very good.

Right after dinner, Molly put on her pajamas, brushed her teeth and went to bed.  Christina tucked her in and not a peep did we hear from Molly.  I think she might have figured out that if she is really well behaved she might get more presents!!  It's a good lesson to learn early.  It will last a life time.   Clever child.

Ken and I are enjoying taking part in all the Creath family Christmas traditions.   Everyone is very gracious to include us in the events.   Tonight we all attended Christmas Eve candlelight service together, at Highlands Presbyterian Church.  Lots of carols and scripture readings, along with a short sermon and we were out in an hour.   Mexican food at Andrew and Christina's for dinner, which is a Texas tradition.  David and Suzanne send the food to us each Christmas.  Good food and lovely tradition.  Our Mississippi Christmas is just fine.

December 23, 2012. Ridgeland, MS. A Book.

Joseph Epstein is the author and his latest book is "Essays in Biography".   I am enjoying it.  Most of the personalities written about lived in the 20th Century so were all known to me, but these short biographies fill in the details.  Georg Eliot is the exception.  The truth is that I am basically nosey and enjoy reading about other peoples lives and how they led their lives and this book gives me just enough information so whet my appetite.   Mr. Epstein is a good writer.  Several of these essays had previously been published so I had read them before but they were worth reading a second time.

I have read many of Mr. Epstein's short stories and essays but the only full length book I had read was Friendship, which was without much real meat.  But this collection of short biographies are well worth reading.  He recently published a book called Gossip.  Now that one should be interesting too.

December 22, 2012. Ridgeland, MS. An Outing.

It could have happened only in Mississippi.   First we drove up the Natchez Trace to find a place to walk.  Just at the top of the Reservoir, we spotted a long walkway, right through the middle of a marsh, so we found a parking spot and walked right to the end.   The structure at the end was a bird watching hut.  In every direction from the building, we could see ducks by the thousands.   Of course, we did not bring our binoculars.   We saw many types of ducks and shore birds.   We will go again.  It was a wonderful sight.

Rather than drive straight back the way we came, we drove further north and east and passed many many fields of cotton.   On the road south, I spotted a big round man cutting up meat, right beside a big trailer.   He was beside an old run down service station.   I felt sure the man was selling lunch so we made a quick U turn.   When we got out of the car a very tall man was standing waiting for his lunch.  I asked "Do you have any food?"   They both laughed, then asked where I was from.   The round man has a trailer and smokes the meat and serves the meat every Saturday, unless the weather is cold.   Ken could not tell a word these men were saying to us and they could not understand him.  Fortunately, I had no problem.

The lunch was delicious.  Sausage and ribs and beans, with enough left over for tomorrow.  Only in Mississippi could you buy lunch from a huge black man, cooking by the side of the road and eat in the parking lot of The New Age Bethel Baptist Church.  Nothing better.

December 21, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. The Coupon.

It started innocently enough.  Ken was reviewing the mail and set aside a coupon, worth $25. off the bill for a lunch.   The restaurant was new, at least new to the Jackson area, and had just opened at The Renaissance, an upscale walking outdoor mall in Madison County.  We decided to use that $25. coupon.

We invited Christina and the girls, along with Andrew, to join us for lunch at Ruth's Chris Steak House, today, December 21st at noon.   They were all delighted with the invitation.   It was chilly outside, so the girls and Christina arrived looking very fashionable in black jackets and coats, with Molly in a bright red coat complete with hood.   They looked as elegant as the restaurant.

I love saving money so we saved money by spending money.  Actually, the coupon paid for the tip.  But we were all happy.  The food was wonderful.  We saved money.  And we all enjoyed our lunch during the Christmas season of 2012.   It is all in our memory bank now.

December 20, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. A Reservation.

Ken and I have reserved a condominium at Harbor Walk, the new project at the end of the lake.    We spotted the sign several years ago and stopped to chat with John, the General Manager.  He was very nice and we looked at the design and the floor plans, but they could not begin construction due to the economy.  No one would finance the project, which included condominiums, a commercial building and a hotel.  Most of the condos were under contract but the project was stuck in the mud and John, although hopeful, was frustrated.  

The new condominiums are on a smaller scale and have a whole new design.   The old project is dead, but this new smaller building will succeed, we believe.    So far, they have no building permits, but beginning in January, their advertising will begin.  The building has five floors, overlooking the lake.  The unit we have chosen is on the top floor.  It has two bedrooms plus a small sitting area off the master bedroom, two and one half bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room, living room combination, and a balcony.  We expect construction will begin in the Spring and perhaps will be complete in 2014.

What we want in a new condo is more space and more bathrooms.   We want to have everything on one floor.  And we want friends and relatives be able to stay with us when they visit Jackson.  We are preparing for our future.

December 19, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. The Day.

The day ended at a celebratory dinner at a new restaurant just off Colony Parkway.   The school semester ended.  The girls took their final exams today so tonight we celebrated.   The Anjou may be the best restaurant in the Jackson area, with lovely ambiance, excellent food and superb service.    They were almost full tonight on a Wednesday, so it will undoubtedly be busy on the weekend.  We seven had a wonderful meal.   Molly ate a whole bowl of mussels, all by herself.  She remembered them from Nova Scotia, so ordered them for her main course.  And she had space for dessert too.   Our evening meal was not only our dinner but also our joyful beginning of the Christmas season.   We ate, drank and made merry!!

This afternoon, Ken and I walked in the park just down the street.  It is right on the lake and we walked the path  along the water and around the park.  The day was perfect for walking.   Prior to the walk, we visited the new condos at the end of the lake.  Two years ago we stopped to gather information but they could not get their financing in place but now they are ready to build, so we brought the plans home.  We just might put  a reservation on one of the new units.  Our issue is that we have no home where we can live when we get really old.  All our homes have stairs.    Also, even though we love our condo, it is very small.  These new condos have two bedrooms and two and one half baths, so they are appealing.  

It was an exciting day!!

December 18, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Doctors.

It makes no sense at all.  If you know your eyes are doing it's job,  a person should know that all is well with their eyes.   But somehow or other, after you visit the Opthamologist,  who runs a bunch of tests and checks the pressure in your eyes, and tells you that your eyes are doing great, you feel as if you have just been given a gold star and you are pleased.  In our instance, we went out for a cup of tea and a fancy desert, just to celebrate our good fortune.

The same thing happened today.  Ken has been feeling well.  His color is good and he can walk without getting short of breath, so we both knew he has been healthy.   At the Cardiologist office, he had an echo cardiogram and a stress test, then met with the good Doctor, who told him what we already knew.  "You are doing well Ken".  He removed one medication and Ken does not need to see him for a year.  We were both pleased as punch.   This time we went out to lunch to celebrate but we  actually acted like kids!!

Today my brother has a birthday.  He is 81.   And my sister in law has a birthday in a couple of days.  She is not 81.  Older than me though.  Both in good health, walking and talking and enjoying life.  Hurrah for them.

December 17, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. New Construction.

Just past the Renaissance shopping Mall you can find lots and lots of new construction.    Later in the week, we all seven are going for lunch in that area and Ken wanted to be sure we knew the way to the restaurant.  Also, in the ballet booklet, we found two new restaurants beyond the Renaissance so we wanted to find them too.

We quickly found our restaurant for Friday.  Then we just drove around and discovered that they are building condominiums and townhouses and hotels and offices, all together in close proximity and all around a big pond.   It looked charming.  We found one of the restaurants, the Anjou, and we went in for a cup of tea and a dessert.  It is a french restaurant, fairly new and lovely.   When the waiter brought us the bill, I pointed out to him that he forgot to charge us for the tea and espresso.  He responded by telling me that he knew we would make a dinner reservation so the beverage was on the house.  Clever fellow that he is, we are returning for dinner on Wednesday with our same seven.

Sombro was the other restaurant new to us and we found it and checked it out too.  On the 27th we will entertain three families for dinner and we chose Mexican.  Our intention was to dine at the Tequila, close to our condo, but we liked the look of the place, plus they have a large room that can accommodate us, so we booked the reservation.   It was a productive little drive.

Now we want to know about the condos!!

December 16, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Carols.h

It was advertised as A Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols.  It was all that and more.  This evening, The First Presbyterian Church of Jackson held their annual Christmas concert, given by their full choir of 150.  In addition, they were joined by thirty musicians from the Jackson Symphony.   It was a wonderful production.  The chapel looked beautiful and the whole thing was over in 75 minutes.   The scripture readings and choral works and the congregational singing moved along from one thing to the next with no extraneous talking.

The music was superb,  but by the time It was over, I was ready for some other type of music, so it ended at the perfect time.  There is another concert scheduled at 6:00 so they had to end on time.  The musicians needed a bit of a break.

Andrew and Christina attend that church.  They chose the church because of the activities for the children.  It was a wise decision.  They did not know about the music program but it is good too.  Both older girls sing in the youth choirs.  Their concert was held on Wednesday and was standing room only.   Today the large chapel will be filled twice for the evening Christmas Service.  It was a magnificent production.  Wonderful singing and playing and reading of the Christmas story makes you warm your heart.  I love Christmas and loved this concert.

Madison CO, MS Home A

Madison CO, MS Home

December 15, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Snow Queen.

Ballet Magnificat! put on their Christmas show this weekend.  It was a wonderful production.  We attended the afternoon matinee at 3:00 today.   The quality of ballet in Jackson is always a surprise to me.   By now I should know better.  Snow Queen was the name of the show.  The dancers were from the Magnificat! professional dancers and they were good.  All nine of us from Molly who is five to Ken who is 76 stayed interested throughout the whole show.

Last year, Kate and Mary Frances were in the show but this year, they decided not to audition.  They were sorry they made that choice because many of the friends from the ballet school were on the stage having fun.  Next year they will be in the show.   It was an exciting show to watch.  The music was lively and the dancing was exciting.

Immediately after the ballet we all went to dinner at Saigon, a nice little Vietnamese restaurant.   It was a perfect ending of a perfect afternoon.   And we were home by eight!!

December 14, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. The House.

The house is beautiful, just as Jim and Eleanor expected it to be.  It may even have exceeded their expectations.   Three years ago we had dinner at their home in Jackson.  It was in the autumn of the year.  We discussed their new home which at that time had no plans, just a dream.  They did not even have a road from the highway into their home site.  I started asking questions and I kept on asking questions to try to isolate the steps needed for construction.    I was pleasant but persistent and we all had fun.  Andrew and Christina were there too.  At the end of the evening we all six made a bet as to when the home would be complete.  Ken, who had the latest date, won the bet.  It has been worth the wait.

Tonight we had the most wonderful dinner at the new home, complete with the best china and silver and a new 12 foot long dining table.  John and Greta Barbour were there too, also Andrew and Christina and of course, the ten children.   The Christmas tree is beautiful, cut on their own land and 14 feet tall.   The rooms are large but cosy.  They purchased several pieces at auction which look wonderful in the large rooms.   The two fireplaces gave off a rosy glow.  They even had a parking area ready for the guests.

It was such a pleasure to see the finished product tonight.  Along with the magnificent meal of coq au vin dinner  and the lovely home decorated for Christmas, I was in heaven.   I loved every minute.

December 13, 2012. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Driving.

Ken and I have always enjoyed driving around in the countryside.  We often have no specific destination in mind but rather we just take a road to see where it leads.   Maryland was a great state for just rambling as the roads are many and very old.  Pennsylvania too.   In Mississippi, you quickly get out to the farmland and leave the city behind.  The soil is lush and the farms are productive but the land is dead flat, much different than we are used to in Maryland and Pennsylvania and even Ontario.  But it is pretty in it's own way.

Yesterday, we drove north on Canton Road.  We drove by many sub divisions where the houses were either large or huge or gigantic.  Then, all of a sudden, we were in the country where the farm houses are modest even though the farms looked prosperous.  Finally we turned onto Old Canton Road which eventually ended up in Canton, an old town with a beautiful Court House in the central square.   The town square is beautifully decorated for Christmas and all the shops around the square appeared busy.  We did a bit of shopping just down the street, then headed south to home.  It was a lovely drive in the country.  What could be finer than lunch in a small town and a ride through the farms.  Just our cup of tea.

December 12, 2012. Jackson, Mississippi. Skating.

Wonders never cease.  This afternoon, Kate and Mary Frances and two friends went skating at an outdoor rink in Madison, Mississippi.     Their other grandmother, called Mormor, took them.  This is the first time this has happened in the Jackson area and everyone is agog.   Madison is the next town north from Jackson.  Years ago, the places were separated by fields and farms but now it is just one big city.  Our condominium is actually in Ridgeland, another part of the greater Jackson area.  Now in Madison they have an outdoor rink and it is hugely popular.

Fortunately, the last two days have been cold, so the ice was hard.  Both Kate and Mary Frances tell of having sore bottoms from falling.  Kate fell four times, which was not too bad.  Mary Frances reported falling a thousand times.  As you would expect, the skaters are not moving too fast.  

Whenever we were in Hamilton for Christmas, my sister rented a rink for us and our relatives and friends.   We always did it on Boxing Day.  Our boys learned to skate there.  But there was a huge  difference skating in Bethesda and skating in Hamilton.  Everyone skates so fast, just whizzing past.  Of course, everyone had been skating since they could walk while we only skated a few times in the year.  I feel sure the same is true in Madison.  Slow and steady skating was the order of the day.

The girls had a blast, except for their sore behinds!!  Did you note the date?  12.12.'12.  Nifty.

December 11, 2012. Jackson, Mississippi. Helen Jay.

Helen Jay was my friend for almost 40 years.   We were opposites in every way, yet we were friends.  She enjoyed hearing about our tripping around the country and she enjoyed watching the boys grow up, and the grandchildren too.

She was a farmer's wife and the daughter of a farmer and his wife except her father taught school as well as farm.   After high school, she expected to attend college but Alan asked her to be his wife and she said yes.  She was a farmer's wife the rest of her life, doing all the millions of tasks that a farmer's wife is expected to do.  She was competent in everything she did, from sewing to canning to cooking to milking.  She was always on the job.

For the past twenty years she has baked and decorated cakes.  Fancy cakes like wedding cakes and anniversary cakes.  They were beautiful and she was busy and helped the economy of the farm, along with all her other chores.

But on Sunday she suddenly died of a heart attack.  Her funeral will be tomorrow.   The whole community will be lost without her as will the family.  She had big shoes to fill.  She had all the answers I needed answered all these forty years.  Such a shame.  She was a wonderful lady and I will miss her.

December 10, 2012. Jackson, Mississippi. A Family Dinner.

Molly calls our condo our Hotel.  Tonight we all ate dinner in our condo/hotel.   It is a ridiculous place for dinner because we can not sit together around the table.  It is too small.  But the girls enjoy coming here, especially Molly, so we make the best of it, with the big girls sitting at the counter on bar stools while Molly, Ken and Christina sit at the table, with Andrew and I on the couch to eat our dinner.  Of course, Andrew spilled sauce right down his wool sweater.

I picked up Kate and Mary Frances mid afternoon, and they decorated our condo for Christmas.  They did the whole thing all by themselves, first taking the three boxes of decorations from the closet, then putting everything in a place.  I just watched and cheered.   I have a very small nativity, plastic, from the days when we were very poor and living on Howard Avenue in Toronto.   The girls set up the nativity. but it appears that the baby Jesus is lost.   But Kate,  from paper towel,  fabricated our baby Jesus.  For the moment, my Nativity is complete.  

The hit of the night once again was the dessert.  Ice cream with sauces.  Delicious.  Everyone enjoys dinners in our little place.  Good food and good company always wins the day.

December 9, 2012. Jackson, Mississippi. Chriatmas.

Christmas is an important time in my life.  It is the first time I noticed Ken.   We have been together for every Christmas since, so it is an important anniversary for us.

Ken was working for a year at a glass factory, to save money to attend university.   He won a scholarship but it did not cover his room and board, so he worked for a year and stayed with friends of his Mother in Toronto.  In retrospect, it was foolish but as he had no one to advise him about student loans, he worked the year, then went to The University of Toronto the next year.  The folks he stayed with, Cliff and Jean,  attended my church so Ken came too, playing in the band and singing in the Songster Brigade.  But I did not notice him at first.

I had organizing the young people to go caroling on Christmas Eve, to visit the old folks who were mostly house bound members of the church.   There were eight or nine cars full of energetic young people.  In my effort to be inclusive, I asked Don to invite "the skinny young man from Parry Sound", and he did.   We did not start out in the same car but after one or two homes, Ken ended up in my car.  We have been driving in the same car ever since.  And that was many Christmases ago.

December 8, 2012. Marshall, Texas. Travelling.

We are on the way to spend the Christmas season with Andrew and Christina and the girls.  In addition, we will enjoy their friends and relatives too.   Molly wanted to be sure we knew that their Christmas stockings are hung by the mantel, all ready for Santa Clause.    Their home is all decorated but I must decorate the condo.  Kate and Mary Frances will help me open the three boxes I brought the last time we celebrated in Jackson, which must be at least three years ago.  This is the first year I have seen Christmas in their new home so it will be a treat.

I have been retired for two full years so we have driven the route between Texas and Mississippi many times.    Normally, we drive a different route, but this time we are taking a familiar path.   The GPS is turned on but we really don't need it.  We drove north on 35,  then the the toll road to bypass Austin on 130,  east and north on 79, and finally 20 to Jackson.   The traffic was sparse so the drive was pleasant.

Now this is the best part.  Even without booking our motel ahead, we stopped driving after six and a half hours of driving.   Ken thought we were both fresh so could drive another hour, but we both agreed to stick to our plan and fortunately, a Fairfield Inn appeared so in we went, just in time to watch Navy beat Army yet again.  Tomorrow, we have just over four hours of driving to get to Jackson.  Then we will begin to celebrate the season.

December 7, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. The Bank.

This morning I had business at the bank, something seldom done in this day and age.   The place is in Satler, the small town close to the lake.   In the past, the staff was friendly and helpful and today was no exception.

When I walked in, a couple were sitting waiting to speak to a financial counselor.   The man was sound asleep,  with his arms folder over his big round belly.  The lady was glowering at me which is unusual in Texas.  I said hello and went directly to a teller to complete my business.   It took me about ten minutes, only to discover that I too needed to talk to one of those experts, so I was required to wait too.  The man was still asleep.

In order to avoid sitting right across from the sleeping man and the glowering lady,  I went down the hall and stood, right in front of two chairs.  Almost immediately, two very old people came and sat down to wait as well.  They were friendly old souls and asked why I was standing, so I told them about the sleeping man.    Immediately, the really old man got up to go and look and came back to report that indeed, the man was still asleep.  He then suggested to me that it was better to sleep while waiting than standing pacing, which I was doing.  I laughed and so did his wife.  Then he told me all about them selves:  age, weight, memory problems, digestion, health, wealth, cars, banking.  They were nice old people but I had heard enough and decided that what I was waiting for could wait for another day.

When I was leaving, I said goodbye.  The man asked my age and I correctly told him that my birthday was yesterday and I was 75.   He commented that I looked very spry for 75, but that in 10 years, all his problems would be mine too.  Horrors.  I escaped, just as the sleeping man was being ushered into the expert's office. But the wife was still glowering!!

December 6, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Birthdays.

Some people don't like birthdays, but not me.  I love them.   My day started with a cup of coffee upstairs in my bedroom, brought by Ken,  followed by reading all the greetings via e mail from my friends and relatives.  It was a treat as well as a treatment.  I loved every message.

After driving to the lake, I organized my belongings for the journey to Mississippi.   Abigail. who is thirteen,  plays on the Junior Varsity basketball team at her school so the whole family went to watch her play.   The team plays well and they won by 10 points.  Their coach is a teacher at school and also their coach.  He played football at a major college and professionally for two years before getting injured.   He towers over the girls.  He is 6'8" tall and weighs at least 300 pounds.  When he says run they tend to run and he has them playing good basketball, for an eight grade team.  It was great fun watching them play and a real birthday treat.

But the best part was going out to dinner at a Japanese restaurant.  They put us in a separate private dining room.  Of course I told them at the restaurant that it was my birthday so from then on, we had a festive dinner.  The food was great, the girls were hungry and the conversation was spirited.  We all agreed to do it again.

Now I am 75 and doing well.  I am not perfect.  I weigh too much.  But both Ken and I are walking and talking so all is well in our world.   I am very fortunate and I know it.

December 5, 2012. Harper, Texas. The Cross.

If you fly over Harper, Texas and look down, you could see a white cross.  As the cross is twenty feet high, you could see it from pretty far up.    Our neighbor Robbie put it  on top of his barn and as you go on the road,  down a hill from our ranch, you can see it shining brightly.   Now our road is remote and not many people drive down this road but Joyce and Robbie just felt that at this time of year, where Christian customs are being held hostage, they would be telling the world that they are Christians.

This is the first time they have put up the cross on top of the barn and the first time they felt threatened by being a Christian.  Perhaps not here in the US, but in many other countries, Christians are being abused or killed for no other reason than being a Christian.  They just wanted to make their statement of solidarity to all other Christians in the world.   Robbie likes it so much, he might leave it up all year.

So if you are flying across Texas, look down and look for Robbie's cross.  It is big and it is bright and it is a statement of faith.  It is not merely a Christmas decoration.

December 4, 2012. Harper, Texas. House Cleaning.

This morning while drinking coffee in my comfortable chair in the bedroom I spied dust under the bed. A normal person would have immediately gotten out the vacuum or broom to sweep up that dust.   But I did nothing, except to realize that there was dust under my bed.   I have learned to tolerate dust.

Now I am not normally lazy but I really don't like cleaning the house and I do not really know why.   In the early years of our marriage I always cleaned the house with no problem but the first time we had two incomes, I hired a cleaning lady.  That was the year Ken was an Intern.   The cleaning lady was  retired and a friend of my Mother, so I paid her to work a full day.  She cleaned our apartment in the morning and took the bus to my Mother and cleared her apartment in the afternoon.  Then she and my Mother had dinner together.  It was a wonderful arrangement for everyone.  I was hooked for life.

I have had someone to clean my house from that time to now, except when we moved to Bethesda and I was not working.  As soon as I had income, I hired.  My friend Mary has cleaned her own house ever since she retired, mostly for the exercise.  And I noticed when visiting my sister in laws house that her house is much cleaner than any of my houses.  She also cleans her own house since she retired.

Maybe I am just lazy but I really don't enjoy cleaning my own house.  My dear sister in law Rita will agree.

December 3, 2012. Harper, Texas. Darwin James Dickie.

I knew this call from my sister in law Wilma would be a bad call.     Normally, we communicate regularly with e mails.  She knew we were in Mexico, so a call on my cell phone seemed ominous.  Fortunately I picked up the call immediately and returned her call .    My nephew Darwin, her son, had died from a heart attack.   It was stunning.  Darwin was 47, thin and fit, yet he died.   He and his wife Wanda have a four year old son and a step son Dorian.   It seems unbelievable that he has gone from the family at such a young age.

We last saw Darwin on our 281 trip, where we ended up in Brandon where Keith and Wilma live.  Darwin and Wanda live in a small town just outside  Brandon, at Glenboro, where he worked as a para medic.  He had everything going in his direction, with a good job and a lovely wife and two fine sons.  We were so pleased to see him and his family.  And they were driving to our 55th celebration in Texas next Fall.   He was especially looking forward to seeing David and Andrew again.  They had not seen each other since they all married.  But he has gone.

At a time like this, a person is helpless to be of help to the family.  Wilma is still reeling from the passing of her husband Keith last year,  and now her fine son Darwin is gone too.  It seems unfair that such lovely people have so many troubles.  It is just not fair at all.

December 2, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. A Lovely Day.

The highlight of the day was our Thanksgiving dinner,   celebrated with David and Suzanne and the four girls at their home.  We were together for Thanksgiving but although we ate turkey in Mexico, it wasn't quite the same as eating a traditional American Thanksgiving turkey dinner, so Suzanne cooked one tonight.  Sarah set a beautiful table in the dining room and we used the good china,  the best silver and fanciest crystal, making it a very festive occasion.    After dinner was over, we eight  sat around the table for ages, chatting of former dinners and happy times.  

And the four girls cleared the table and put away the food, as well as loading the dishwasher and washing the pots and pans.  No adult touched the kitchen.  What a wonder!!

All afternoon, we unloaded the Christmas decorations.   Suzanne put things around the house while the girls and I decorated the Christmas trees, with Christmas music playing all the while getting us into the Christmas spirit.   Finally, while eating our pumpkin pie, we watched the cartoon of Mr. Grinch stealing Christmas.  It was just a lovely day.  A day for the ages.

December 1, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Travellling.

It is so interesting watching people in the airport.    I watch couples, to see if they match.   Today, waiting in Cancun I spotted two couples who were both very tall.    Now I was sitting,  so heights are difficult to judge, but by looking at normal people walking by, it seemed to me that the man must have been six feet 8 inches tall, and his wife was not too much shorter.   It is unusual to spot one very tall couple and I saw two within an hour.  

Everyone at the airport was returning from a resort.  I don't know what they were thinking but I spotted lots of ladies still wearing resort attire.   I saw many flip flops, lots of see through bathing suit cover ups, and many many straw hats, both on the men and women.  A straw hat on the beach is useful but in the airport it is just a nuisance.

Sitting right next to us was a group heading for Baltimore.  There were eight or ten in their group, coming and going and chatting, but never speaking to me.  They all seemed to be in their thirties.  The husband of one of the women joined the group and sat one seat over from me.  He seemed pleasant.  But within a few minutes, I realized that we needed to walk around.  He really smelled bad.   I was so surprised.   It was all I could do to ask him what was smelling but I held my tongue.  I was certainly pleased to be going to another city.  I would have hated sitting beside him on the airplane!!

November 30, 2012. Aventura Spa, Mexico. Freedom Forge.

Arthur Herman wrote this book and a good writer he is.    It is a rollicking story of the production of armaments and vehicles and airplanes built in the Unites States during the Second World War.   The numbers are staggering.  This book tells how it was done.   It is a great story especially at a time than you seldom find a good word about the country, not at home and not abroad.

The full title is "Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War Two".   You seldom hear of the people today but this book brings these important people alive and is well worth reading.   It also tells yet more arguments about whether or not the government should be in charge.  Arthur Herman would tell you NO, not if you wanted to win the war.

Arthur Herman also wrote "How the Scots Invented the Modern World", also a good book.  He is an excellent writer and I thoroughly enjoyed Freedom's Forge, just as I did with the Scots book.  You can read it and be proud.

November 29, 2012. Aventura Spa, Mexico. Indulgence.

There is no question.  Ken and I have become indulgent.  First thing this morning I had a facial.  This afternoon, both of us had a massage.  A short time later, I had my hair cut.  Yesterday, Ken had a pedicure and the week before a manicure.   We are living the life of Riley.    But it won't last of course. We have spent our whole life paying no attention to our persons so we will get bored with it soon enough and go back to ignoreng how we look and feel.

Heck.  Today I had my second ever facial and I did not even like it, so it was also my last,  but not so massages.  I love them but only indulge myself when we are away at a resort.  One Christmas,  Santa gave me one massage a month.  Since we have been at the Palace Resort, Ken and I have had one massage each week.   But Saturday morning we leave so all this fancy stuff will cease.  But at the moment, much to our great surprise, Ken and I are enjoying our indulgences.

November 28, 2012. Aventura Spa, Mexico. Paddle Tennis.

It is so much fun watching these young people play their hearts out on the paddle tennis courts.   Ken and I have never watched competitive paddle tennis but this week, at our resort,  an International Tournament is being held just across the road at the Convention Center.   It is a big deal, for those who are playing, representing their country in their sport.  Ken and I stumbled on the tournament this afternoon and stayed to watch.  Of course, we did not know the rules nor the scoring and the answers we got from the Italian team lost quite a bit in translation.  But tonight after dinner, we watched a match between Canada and the USA so was able to get the real answers about scoring and the rules.

There are countries from all around the world except Asia.  There are teams from Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay, Italy, Sweden, Canada, USA, and bunches more.  The scoring is just like tennis except you serve underhand.  The court is small and you can play off the back and side walls after the ball has bounced in the court.  It is a game of finesse as well as strength and we enjoyed watching the matches both this afternoon and tonight.   I bet we watch more games tomorrow.  It is an exciting game to watch, especially right next to the courts.

November 27, 2012. Aventua Spa, Mexico. The Rules.

Our system was flawed and I knew it,  but Suzanne felt sure it would work.    This is one of those events that a grandmother thinks is funny but a mother does not.  Ken and I had a room right between the rooms for Kate and Mary Frances on one side and Sarah and Abigail on the other. but on the floor below their parents.   The four older girls loved having their own rooms.    I was directly connected with Kate but not with Sarah.   The  girls stayed up later than us, so the rule was for the girls to call their parents when they got back to the room.    I figured out immediately the problem but said nothing.

All was well until the last night.   Kate and Mary Frances retired to bed early because they were due to leave the resort at 7:00.  Sarah and Abigail were to go to bed at midnight but they were late.  At 12:15 they called that they were in the room, which made them late.  After a few minutes,   David suggested that Suzanne call them back and she did, only to find no answer.  Suzanne was angry.  She was forced to dress and search for her girls.   They were racing to their room when she found them, trying not to be caught, but to no avail.  They were in trouble and they knew it.

I on the other hand, was surprised it took until the last evening before the girls figured out that the system was flawed.  My sister and I sounded the same on the phone and even our parents could not tell our voices apart, so you could guess how I figured out quickly why our system here was flawed!!

November 26, 2012. Aventura Spa, Mexico. Our Space.

The good part of our Suite is the space.  We are living in a Presidential Suite,  comprised of a large bedroom and bathroom.   In addition we have a small kitchen, plus a large living room and dining room combination, about 35 feet wide and 50 feet long.  Everything opens onto the balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea.  The space is beautiful and we are enjoying the view as well as the space.  I am looking at a Snowy Egret as I write.  We also have a half bath and an entrance room.

On the other hand, this whole resort will be refurbished next year and it needs it.   Our lovely space has green shag area rugs over the white marble floors.   The two couches are covered by green fabric with palm trees, complete with 16 cushions,  some oranges, some blue and some lime green.  They are quite a sight.  

The dining table would sit 8 and is lovely with thick glass top and wrought iron base.  It would look good in any dining room in the world.  The first evening here we ordered room service and sat at the dining room  enjoying our good fortune.   The beds are comfortable and two ladies come every day to keep it clean.   Heaven.

November 25, 2012. Aventura Spa, Mexico. Our Space.

The Manager made us a deal.  Last week, we were supposed to be staying in a Presidential Suite, which is really an apartment but things got messed up and Ken and I ended up staying in a regular room on the ground floor with no view.   It turned out better for the girls so everyone was happy.    Then both David and Suzanne had trouble when checking out, where large sums of money were added to their bill.   They were errors, but both need my help plus the Manager to correct the error.   I became a good buddy of the Manager, Mr. Blanco.

After Suzanne and I finished our business with Mr. Blanco on Friday evening, I asked him if there was any possibility that Ken and I could stay in a Presidential Suite over in the Spa.  He checked the computer and found one that would be empty.  I was to check with him the next morning, but he would do his best.

When everyone was gone and Ken and I were moving over to the Spa, we were given a room number, but when we arrived, it was not a Presidential Suite, so I call Mr. Blanco.   The Suite was being cleaned for us!!  Success.   Our place is lovely, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, with lots of space.   It pays to ask for what you want and it pays to be pleasant when you work to solve problems.   He said to me, "Mrs. Dickie.  I want you to leave this place being happy".   And I will be.

Help Unloading, Lake House TX

View from Mississippi Condo

Farrn colors

Hillhouse- fog, sunrise,shadow and frost

Water Polo

Locals

Andrew

Arrival at Adventura

November 24, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Checking Out.

Fortunately, the Manager is very nice.   He is calm and helpful and positive, which is a good thing,  because we have had to deal with him both at the beginning and the end of our visit here.   All issues were resolved but if Suzanne had not decided to pay her bill last night we would have had a big mess this morning.  It is actually kind of funny, in a perverted kind of way.

We were sitting in the bar,  David, Suzanne, Ken and I,  having a nightcap and chatting before going to bed, when Suzanne decided to clear her bill.   After twenty minutes in line, she came back to tell me that a large sum was on their account, so I went over to help.   First Ken bailed out and left for the room, followed soon by David.    The Manager was still on duty so he was able to correct the error and Suzanne paid her bill and I did too.    As Andrew and Christina had no extra purchases, I cleared their account too.   It took 90 minutes, but Suzanne and I left with the Manager telling us that all seven rooms were showing zero balance.  

But I was suspicious so called Christina at 6:15 this morning to tell her what we had done.  They were leaving at 7:20 so I knew they would be up.   Wouldn't you know.  Christina called me to say that they would not let them leave because a large bill needed to be paid.   I zipped up in my robe and the man transferred the charge to my room,  so they could leave.  The three girls were already in the van waiting to go to the airport.    After they left, I suggested the manager be called to correct the error.   Much to my great surprise, when David and company turned in their keys and had their bracelets removed at 8:10,  their account was clear and the same man assured me that the Manager had also corrected the error on Andrew's account.

David asks a very good question.  "Why did it take so long?"  Now Ken and I are checking out from this place and moving to the Aventura Spa.   I am delighted to know that the Manager is in charge of both places!!  At the moment, all issues have been resolved but you never know when we might need him again.

November 23, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Departures.

Today was the last day of their vacation.    Andrew and Christina, Molly, Mary Frances and Kate are fast asleep, as their shuttle bus to the airport leaves at 7:00 a.m.   In addition, they must fly to Houston and change planes for Jackson, so their day will be a long one.   David and Suzanne, Allison, Samantha, Sarah and Abigail leave at 8:00, for a direct flight to San Antonio.   The four Texas girls are now playing pool with a bunch of new found friends, having spent the whole afternoon playing either volleyball or water polo with the same group of kids.  All six girls have had a blast this week.

Now tomorrow, both families will be home while Ken and I spend next week at the adjacent resort called Aventura Spa.  It is the first time we have visited a resort for all adults and we are not sure we will like it.  We both enjoy watching the children play.  But we are trying it out.   It is owned and managed by the same people and is also an all inclusive resort so all we need to do is eat and sleep and read and walk.  We can do this...but we will miss our family!!

November 22, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Thanksgiving.

Everyone in our group agrees that this is the most relaxed Thanksgiving we have ever experienced.   No one cooked and no one cleaned up the kitchen.  David watched football in the bar most of the day with people joining him from time to time.   The girls all played a number of different games all afternoon, with a bunch of kids.  I sat by the pool in the morning and by the beach in the afternoon, finally joining David for football late in the afternoon.  Ken floated from place to place.

Allison and I had a date for lunch.  For a class project she must interview a grandparent.  I was the designated grandparent and today was the day to get it done.   She had 34 questions to ask me.  We both enjoyed the interview.

This evening for dinner we celebrated Molly's 5th birthday.  Her birthday is Saturday but it will be a travel day, so tonight we surprised her by having a wee party complete with balloons  and noise makers along with two presents and a birthday cake.  She was thrilled and so were we.

On this Thanksgiving Day 2012, Ken and I are thankful for our family both immediate and extended.  We are fortunate indeed.

November 21, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Swimming With The Dolphins.

It was unusual and it was sometimes scary but it was always exciting.  That was the consensus of all those who went to swim with the dolphins.   The six girls plus Suzanne, David and Andrew went for the adventure.  Ken can barely swim while Molly is too small  so we stayed back at the resort, but the rest of the group had a blast.

"These beasts are huge", said David.  The dolphins are so well trained that they swam on their backs, while the human swimmers hold the flippers while the dolphins towed them around the large pool.  Andrew said that it seems as though you are going one hundred miles an hour.  These creatures are impressive.  They kissed the cheeks of the girls and stayed still while being patted.  Every so often they just jumped high out of the water for no apparent reason.

On principal, I don't really like wild creatures to come too close to humans but today the swimming with the dolphins expedition was a big hit for both children and adults.  I think I should have joined in the fun.

November 20, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. The Game.

All six girls were playing.  David, Andrew, Suzanne and I were sitting at the end of the pool having a drink and we could hear the shrieks and cheering.  Water polo was the game.   Kate came from the game to tell us that she was going to shower before dinner as it was already 5:45 but all the other girls were still playing.  The adults decided to leave the pool area too so we watched the game as we were walking by,  and arrived just as Samantha scored a goal.  Sarah there a long pass to Samantha, who immediately jumped high to score, much to the surprise of the goalie and a defender, both of whom were boys.

At least 20 players were in the game, mostly boys as well as several men.   There were comments such as "watch your nails" or "no tackling", all directed at our girls.  They were tenacious, and their team won.   They should never have allowed them on the same team.   At the end of the game, all the players agreed to meet again at the Magic Show.   For good or ill, the girls have made friends!!

November 19, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Eating.

The food here is wonderful.  The girls are enjoying going from place to place indulging themselves.   Today, coming up from the beach about 3:00, I spotted three of our girls eating a second lunch.   Allison, Abigail and Samantha were sitting by the pool, each  eating a hamburger and french fries.  The sea gulls we standing in the very shallow water right by the edge watching.  It did not take the girls long to feed the birds.   The girls were delighted although I suspect the resort officials may not be pleased.

But indulgence is it's own reward.  Kate yesterday drank five pina coladas, of course with no alcohol.  Last night at dinner she ate full dinners plus the left over shrimp from Christina's dinner.  This morning she  woke up with a queasy stomach and thinks she drank some tap water!!   It is probably true that the tap water has a different composition than Jackson, but the water here in the resort is pure and clean, but the combination of a huge amount of food plus different water left Kate in her room for the day.   "It was a good lesson for Kate", said Ken.  You must spell yourself when staying at an all inclusive resort, and only eat what is wonderful.  Now all the girls have learned the lesson as well as Kate.  We hope she is better tomorrow.

November 18, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Granddaughters.

The girls are thrilled.   The resort is beautiful and there is plenty for them to do.  Today they snorkeled and climbed the rock wall, in addition to clambering around the obstacle course.   Late in the afternoon, they all took a hot tub in their huge jacuzzi tub in their room, all six in the same tub.   Tomorrow morning they have decided to order room service for breakfast, just because they can.   After their hot tub they ate a pastry and hot chocolate in the patio of the resort.  All of these activities they are able to do all by themselves, with no parents required.  

The all inclusive resort is good for the parents too because they are required to neither dole out money nor restrict the purchase of any object.  Today, David and Suzanne sat on the beach all day, reading their books and snoozing while Andrew and Christina sat and watched while Molly played in an area designed for children, with a slide where a huge bucket dumps over the slide on regular intervals.

Everyone is happy.  This afternoon,  Suzanne organized the trip to swim with the dolphins for the six older girls for Wednesday afternoon, plus scheduled a massage for each four adults, so now we are set.  Everyone is relaxed and happy, which is just what vacations should be!!

November 17, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. The Travel Day,

The day you travel always takes it's toll.  No matter when you start and when you finish,  you end up tired and irritated.  Today was no exception.   I could outline a litany of problems and delays but when all was said and done, we are all here at the resort.   We had a delightful pasta dinner sitting outdoors beside the pool and the beach, all together.   Andrew regaled the girls with jokes, something I have not heard him do in years.  And we are now all in our rooms,  although not the rooms we intended to be in.  The girls are delighted and everyone is happy.

We had booked one presidential suite plus two deluxe family suites but when we arrived for some unknown reason, the presidential suite was not available even though we booked it a year ago.  I was not pleased.  Ken just sat and let me deal with the manager.   Eventually, they gave us three family suites plus one additional room with two beds,  so now, right in a row, we have two granddaughters one side of us and two on the other, but both girls in their own rooms, which each comes with a huge jacuzzi tub.  The four older girls are delighted.  Molly is in a room adjacent to Andrew and Christina and the twins are right next to David and Suzanne, so even though they messed up our reservation, it turns out to be a better fit for us.  Alls well that ends well.  But I tell you, at the end of a long travel day I was not pleased.  Now we are ready to get a good night sleep and be ready to explore this lovely place tomorrow.

November 16, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Packing.

Ken and I always look that we packed light.  It is not that we look terrible when on a trip but we certainly don't look chic.   Our goal is to pack in quantities of four.  Our bags always have space to bring home treasures.   Today, we are packing for two weeks at a resort in Mexico.  We will have dinner every evening with our families but spend the rest of the day in bathing suits by the pool or beach.   Ken had to be reminded to take two bath suits.  He assured me that he really only needed one, but he packed two.

We both laughed about a trip we took with several other folks from work, to attend a meeting run by Bernie Kanstaroom, in Puerto Vallarta.   Every day after class, we all sat around the pool.  My friends observed that every day I appeared with the same bathing suit.    They were incredulous when they discovered that I only brought one.     On the other hand, my friend Peppy wore  a different bathing suit every day.  She certainly set the standard and looked a whole lot better than me.   So I reformed.   Now I always bring two bathing suits when going to a resort but truth be told, I always only wear the one that is the oldest and most comfortable.  It is sad but true.  Comfort is more important than style to me.  But I always bring my two bathing suits in honor of my friend Peppy!!

November 15, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Christmas Shopping.

The granddaughters will not expect gifts from us this year because for Christmas we are giving each family member one week vacation at an all inclusive resort south of Cancun, which includes airfare.  The children know we are not rich and they are grateful for the trip so they will not expect their usual bag of goodies from us for Christmas.

But I fooled them.  Today I shopped at the Dollar General.   It all started six years ago when we did the same thing except we all went to Nuevo Vallarta for a week.  Ken and I stayed in our condo and both families stayed in the Time Share just down the road.  We went right after Christmas and that was our gift but I wanted the girls to open something on Christmas morning so I went to the Dollar General and filled a Christmas bag of goodies.  The girls loved them so I did it again the next year except I included something of value in the bag.  I have continued the tradition so today I shopped for Christmas.

I give them items they can use at school plus a bunch of things they was wear, also pens and glue sticks, socks, candy, hair bands, small Kleenex tissues.  The girls love dumping out the whole bag, then carefully looking at every object.  The first year I wrapped each object individually but no more.  I just return from the store and make sure that every bag has one of each object.  They are ready to go to San Antonio now, and will be hidden at David and Suzanne's house until Christmas morning.   The girls will be surprised with the bag of goodies from Grandma and Grandpa, except of course, if they have already read the blog!!

November 14, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Gates.

Between the lake and the ranch we see many gates.   The gates all go into ranches.   Many gates are fancy and large and are made of stone.   They might be thirty feet on both sides of the entrance and ten or fifteen feet high.  Massive gates.   Many gates are simple, with a metal gate that someone needs to get out of the car to open.  The variety of the gates and the surrounds are quite remarkable.  Often you cant see the house from the road so you cant tell if the gate is being pretentious.

In Texas, they have a saying about people.  "He is all hat but no cattle".  This is not a complement.  They mean that the person looks the part of a cowboy and talks the line of a cowboy but really has no cattle at all.  it is all for the show.

I always suspect that many of these fancy gates are all about show and that the ranch really is small.   These folks bought a ranch and had a big gate to impress their city friends....maybe.   It is my guess that the real ranches, the big ones, have those little bitty metal gates that were installed in 1936, while the big fancy ones are all for show.  It does make the drive more interesting because the Texas gates are everywhere.  They are part of the charm of Texas.

November 13, 2012. Harper, Texas. Marianne Casey.

Duty is an old fashioned word.   For the past thirty years, right in front of our eyes, we have seen  duty in action.   Duty performed with love and kindness and cheerfulness.  It was a wonder to behold.  Marianne died last week at age 50 with her parents at her side.

Marianne was a younger sister of my friend Maureen, with whom I worked for 23 years.   Marianne was diagnosed with MS at age 20 and when I met her she was working full time and living the fine life although already using a cane.  She was beautiful and lively and spirited.  And she did not complain.  She worked hard to stay fit, swimming several times a week to keep her muscles active.  Her seven siblings laughed along with her efforts.  Then came the walker.  Next the friends held a Van Dance, to raise enough money for a van that would lift a wheel chair into the van so Marianne could be mobile.   The disease is terrible.  Bit by bit function ceases and you never know when.  But she never complained, always maintaining her spirit and spunk.  Her duty was to do whatever she could at every stage of the disease.    Next she was bed ridden but still smiling.

Marianne's parents took on the task of caring for Marianne.   When Marianne could no longer live alone, they took her into their home and looked after her right to the end.  No complaints, no grumbling, just did what was necessary to look after Marianne.   Their duty was to care for their beloved child Marianne.  The example of love and kindness will never be surpassed but they did it and never batted an eye.  They just did their duty and they did it cheerfully.    We will miss Marianne and we will remember with gratitude the life she led and the example of duty performed by her parents.  Again, it was a wonder to behold.

November 12, 2012. Harper, Texas. Frances Itani.

Remembering The Bones is the book I just read, written by Frances Itani.  It is an excellent book, and I enjoyed it enormously.  My friend Wendy told me about the author and this book and I am grateful for her for giving me the tip.  It is a book that Ken would hate as there is no action.  But you learn everything about this old lady, including her ancestors and those of her husbands.  I loved it.

It deals with the question of what happens inside your head when you are not involved with anything else.   Whether we like it or not, your head is never really off duty and ideas pop in at unusual times.   This is all true, as you learn in the book.

Perhaps now that I will turn 75 this year, I am somewhat interested with the life of an 80 year old.  Frances Itani is an excellent writer and has four children and a long time husband.  All this shows in this book.  She has published two subsequent books, plus four books of short stories.  I will find and read those books.

I just read the other day that Alice Munro has turned 80 and has published a new book of short stories.  Incredible to think she is 80.  She is the only author who became famous by writing short stories only.

November 11, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Veterans Day.

It was a horrible War, the First World War, so when the war was over,  everyone celebrated all over the world, thinking that they had just ended the War that ended War.  It was naive and short lived but today we still celebrate the end of the world war,  but now we honor the Veterans in all the wars.  Once the celebration was called Armistice Day, but now it is Veterans Day.

Monday is a Federal Holiday but the schools are open in Texas.  With Thanksgiving so close, I suppose that the holidays were too close together so the schools do not take a holiday for Veterans Day.

The more you read about the 20th Century, the more you understand the impact of the wars on the ordinary people.   Now we remember and are grateful.

November 10, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. A Book.

This book is very thoughtful , written by Miscamble.   "The Most Controversial Decision" is the title.  When I first saw the title, I assumed the author would castigate Mr. Truman but it is a careful assessment of the American situation at the time, along with the Japanese military.  As everything happened in my lifetime, the history described is familiar but the specifics were not.  I enjoyed the review of events and the careful handling of the topic.

It is awful to consider but when all is said and done, the actions of the Japanese were unbelievable.  Even after the two bombs were dropped, the military men were all for forging ahead and instilling more damage to the Allies.  At last, the Emperor called a halt to the carnage.  We forget how horribly the Japanese fought and how they treated their prisoners.  What were they thinking?  This book, written by a historian, brings it all back.  But it written in a non dramatic and gentle way, which is a trick when dealing with this topic.   This book is worth reading.

November 9, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Grandparent's Day.

It is a lovely idea, to invite the Grandparents to visit the school and learn more about the attitudes and practices being implemented.   In addition, I suspect the school is hoping for donations, but as it was not mentioned today, perhaps I am merely being cynical.    Ken and I have attended several such programs in the past, both for Kate and Mary Frances in Bethesda and Allison and Samantha at St George's here, but today it was the first for us to attend Grandparent's Day at the Episcopal School of San Antonio, or more popularly called TMI, Texas Military Institute.  Sarah and Abigail attend that school, the alma mater of General Douglas MacArthur.  

The school is small, 500 students, and the campus is beautiful, with wonderful facilities.  Today we attended chapel, as do the students every day.  Then we were delighted to see the action of the school.  We saw several science experiments given by students from the Science Club, and we heard the middle school band, also a scene from the production Our Town being given this weekend.   And we toured the facilities including the classrooms.   But the best part was eating lunch with Sarah and Abigail, in the school cafeteria.    This school serves lunch each day to all  students and today we joined with the crowd.

I feel so fortunate to be a grandmother and the girls seemed pleased that we were able to attend.  The school has high academic standards along with their emphasis on athletics, which seems a perfect blend for the students.  I was certainly impressed and was delighted to be a part of the day.

November 8, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Working.

Hard work is always beneficial.   No one has ever achieved anything without a lot of hard work.   Most people we know well were not been born rich although they are do live well today.  When you ask,  folks are keen to tell you how they did it.  All the scrimping and working their way through college and graduate school, then saving for the first house, all the while making a life with their family.   Never living the high life but saving and investing in their future and the future of their children.

When you look at those folks now, you would never know how hard and diligently they worked, until you ask.  One problem for the young today is that their education was provided by the parents.  By the time young adults became aware of their parents, the parents were no longer poor, so their life seemed easy.

I asked my good friend the other evening if her children worked as hard as she did when they were young.    When she was 10, she decided to be a doctor and coming from a poor family, worked her way through both college and medical school.  " Of course not,"  she said. "I could not pretend to be poor.  I paid for them to attend college, which is the normal thing to do today."

I suspect that many young people today have no idea how difficult it is to achieve anything, and are somewhat surprised  and irritated they are not affluent.   Hard work is it's own reward, as is a bit of deprivation.  The next few years will be interesting, but will all require a lot of hard work.  You can count on it.

November 7, 2012. Harper, Texas. Company.

It is always interesting to have company.  Yesterday Marilyn and Richard came to visit us here at the ranch.  When they arrived at 2:30, we sat around the fire for almost three hours catching up.  We talked about the work at the ranch and we talked about our children and grandchildren.  The election did not even come up, we were so busy discussing our own lives and families.   And they approved the bunkhouse.

For the first time in ages, Marilyn asked me about my loss of speaking, all those years ago.  She asked about it because she was not hearing many errors in my speech, which is nice to hear although it may not be true.  And we discussed their place in Colorado, with it's supply of clean water just bubbling up from the ground winter and summer, year after year.  Interesting place that we will visit one day soon.

Then we went up the hill for dinner, which was easy:  cold beef tenderloin, rice and broccoli.  and we talked some more.  One topic was company and how we thrive and survive with so much company.  My answer is that Ken just disappears for a while to be alone and I never fuss, so have no stress dealing with company.  In fact, I actually enjoy having company.

It wasn't until they were leaving to drive down to the ranch house for the night that I asked for a prediction on the election.  And they proved accurate.  In the morning, they came back up the hill for breakfast and by 10:30 they were gone, back to Houston.  It was a whirlwind visit but a pleasant one.

November 5, 2012. Harper, Texas. The Bunk House.

The bunk house is almost ready.  Bit by bit since our arrival,  we have adding bits and pieces to make it live able.  Like everything else, it has taken us a long time to get to this stage.    It is a good thing we started early.  All we lack now are two rugs.

Last week we bought towels.  And I made up the beds, which is not an easy thing to do with bunk beds.   Now each bed,  all eight of them,  have sheets and a pillow plus a blanket and a fleece throw, folder on the bottom of the bed in case the weather turns cool.  Abigail suggested another covering in addition to the blanket, so now,  there it is.   There is toilet paper in the bathroom along with rugs and a trash container.  All the lights work.

Today, Ken and I bought six chairs and one small sturdy table.  It was our intention to bring a table from the lake, but I was never happy with that table as it is too big and is a bit unstable, and  our list today was to visit Thrift stores to buy chairs.  Instead we visited Moore's furniture store and bought six new sturdy chairs and one small non tippie drop leaf table.    Back at the ranch, Ken and I unloaded the furniture from the truck and set them all up.  Now except for the rugs, the bunk house is ready to be used.  We are pleased.

November 6, 2012. Harper, Texas. Company.

We spent all afternoon and evening with our good friends Marilyn and Richard and we did not discuss the election.    To be totally truthful, right at the end of the evening, just before they left to go down to the ranch house, I asked both Richard and Marilyn for a prediction about the income of the Senate and the Presidential winner.  One thing we all agreed on was that the campaign took too long.  We wanted it over.

Ken and I like to play the game of how long we can go after election day,  without knowing who had won.  One year we were in Nova Scotia and went three days.  We don't always do what most folks do and watch the television coverage.   Tomorrow,  eventually,  someone will tell us.  But in the meantime, we will sleep peacefully, knowing that tomorrow, the sky will not fall no matter who wins.  Life will go on.  We will survive!!

November 4, 2012. Harper, Texas. Ken Barby.

Yesterday was the funeral of my brother in law,  Ken Barby.  It is difficult to believe that within four months  my sister Carol and my brother in law Ken have both died and now will be side by side in the cemetery in Williamsford, Ontario.

Ken Barby was a good man.  He loved God, his family, the Salvation Army and hockey, not always in that order.  He was quiet and unassuming but always dependable.  He loved maps and was good with them.  They visited us in Maryland many times so their route from their home to our home was well known except that every time they came they drove a different route, always a new one.   Once the map was in his mind it was there forever.

He played second baritone in both  Salvation Army bands in Hamilton and Owen Sound.  He was asked to play first baritone but  refused.  He was happy to play that minor part.  Of course, for years he was the band librarian, an unsung but necessary task, which was typical of Ken.  Never bragging, but always just doing his duty.

Carol and Ken were generous with our boys, inviting them to their cottage when they were young.  David was invited by Ken to spend the summers at the cottage, after Ken retired from the Bell.  David reports that Uncle Ken always treated him as a person, bot as an awkward teen.  High praise indeed.

I miss Carol and Ken and always will.