November 30, 2013. Ridgeland, Mississippi. The Tree.

We have learned a lot over the years about buying a Christmas tree.   At the beginning of our marriage, Ken and I would shop for a tree together.   I soon learned to stay at home and let Ken chose the tree.  He was picky/careful about his choice, at least in the early years.   It was his habit to buy the tree immediately upon arrival at the lot at Miller's Fruit Stand in Kensington.  The trees were fresh so he kept the tree in a pail of water in the backyard. until we were ready to decorate the tree, which was right after Thanksgiving.  He also discovered that the tree is more easily transported when still wrapped, so that was what he always did.   "Modern trees are all cultivated and trimmed so you don't need to inspect them", said Ken.  Our trees were always beautiful so I was happy.

This afternoon, Christina, Molly, Ken and I went to buy their Christmas tree.    The trees at the lot were all the same type.  When we asked, we were told they were Douglas Fir trees.  To us, they looked like Spruce trees, but they were well shaped and well trimmed.  And they were cheap.   In Texas,  in San Antonio, we looked at modest sized trees for $200. and more.    The tree we bought was $50.  Amazing.    Christina brought their tree stand with us so the good folks at the store attached the wrapped tree to the stand, making it easy for us to bring it into the house and water the tree.  Yes.  We used Ken's trick of buying a wrapped tree.   Christina wisely chose a 6 foot tree and we looked for a wrapped tree that was fat.  We did everything right.  The tree fits perfectly into the corner of the TV room.  Molly was thrilled.  Tomorrow, we decorate.  It is very exciting.

November 29, 2013. Ridgeland, Mississippi. The Countryside.

The day was lovely.   The sun was shining and it was 55 degrees, so late this morning we took a drive in the Mississippi countryside.     First we had to stop at the drug store.    It will not be easy to get enough medications for us during the five months we will be gone in 2014, but we are working on it.   After a short drive, Ken decided to have lunch so before we left Ridgeland we had lunch at Newt's, a favorite of the big girls.

The countryside around Jackson is not dramatic.   No big hills or valleys, but it does have small hills.   The development north of Jackson is dramatic.  Every back road has houses.  It is only east of 55 toward Canton that you see farms.   The new houses are big too so this will not an area we could afford.    Further west, you hit the delta, which is absolutely flat with rich black soil that will grow anything.  We like trees and pastures so we will not buy in the delta.   The cost per acre is high too, which is another reason we would not buy there.

Coming home, we drove along the Natchez Trace, which runs right beside the Reservoir.  The water was perfectly still so we saw many many ducks and geese.  It is a wonderful drive, right beside the water.    Our circle trip was perfect.

November 28, 2013. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Thanksgiving Day.

Everyone says the same thing.  "Thanksgiving is the nicest Holiday in the year".    I believe them too.   You have no decisions, except what kind of rolls to serve with the turkey.  

This evening at dinner, we started a new tradition.  Instead of one person asking the blessing before dinner,  at Andrew's suggestion, we all gave our own thanks silently and individually.   Interestingly though, we all said Amen together.    I suspect that practice will continue and will become a tradition at their Thanksgiving feast for their family.

Tonight at dinner, Christina made changes to the menu.  We ate cheesy potatoes.  And we did not eat stuffing.    Instead of pumpkin pie Christina baked an apple, pear, cranberry crumble.   The meal was delicious.   Of course we ate turkey, smoked by Andrew.

The kitchen help has been doing a good job.  After dinners, Christina sits down and relaxes while the girls and I clean up after the meal.   I really can't help myself, but I play games to see how fast we can get the job done.   The girls are good sports.  Even Molly helps to clear the table.  

In one month,  Ken and I will join with the Buckley family to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Dave and Irene.   We are being taken on a Caribbean Cruise.   Now for this Thanksgiving, I gave thanks for my family, both immediate and extended.  Hurrah for Families.

November 27, 2013. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Eggnog.

The first drink of eggnog signals to me that the Holiday Season has begun.    It is the sign in my mind of future fun. At the grocery store this week I bought a quart of eggnog.  It will be the first and last eggnog I will buy.  When I put away the groceries, I poured myself a small glass and cherished it.  I never put liquor in the eggnog so I can enjoy it any time of the day.    Tonight I drank another small glass, but the second glass did not taste so good, perhaps because my first glass was too big and made me queasy.

By the time my quart of eggnog is gone, I will have completed my enjoyment and I will drink no more eggnog this season.  But it is so evocative of the holidays that I love the first drink,  but I want no more.  Last year on Christmas day, Katie served eggnog and it was delicious.  It did not taste the same as when I purchase eggnog at the grocery store and I enjoyed Katie's eggnog.   Hers was light and frothy and was served with a dob of ice cream.  

Some foods and drinks are specific with the event.  Eggnog for me begins the festivities of the season and I love drinking my first glass.  The season has now begun.

November 26, 2013. Ridgeland, Mississippi. The Chores.

Kate, Mary Frances,  Molly and I are taking over the clean up in the kitchen, starting tomorrow and continuing until Sunday night.  This is our Thanksgiving Holiday gift to Christina.   We will try to keep her out of the kitchen after dinner.  This is not easy.    Immediately after dinners, we all retreat to the living room to chat.   Soon, Christina will offer us a glass of water and when she returns, I discover that  while in the kitchen, she has put away the food and loaded the dishwasher.  But this Thanksgiving holiday will give her a break, whether she wants it or not.

Of course, Christina is better at cleaning than me.  Ken says that sometimes, the pots and pans need dry cleaning, as sometimes I miss dirty spots. Must be my eyes.   She will probably spend every morning re washing the pots and cleaning the counter tops.    But after dinner, the girls and I will escort her to the living room while we take over the kitchen.   Christina will be cooking the meals of course.  The girls were delighted with the scheme, especially Molly.    I am not so sure about Christina, but she is a good sport, so we will have fun and give Christina a break.  The holiday season has officially begun in the Dickie family.

November 25, 2913. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Rain and Shopping.

I thought the day would be perfect for shopping.  The weather was cold and rainy so sensible people should have stayed at home.  It turns out that everyone went to the stores, including me.   But I was successful with the shopping, even though I was gone four hours.

Last evening I made a list of every task needing attention.    By the time we leave on December 28th, every task must be checked off the list.   In addition, tonight I remembered tasks I had forgotten to put on the list, such as order nuts for gifts, so my list is growing.    Thinking is so much more difficult than doing, so when the thinking part is done and you have made your list,  I always feel relaxed and confident.  Now I just must do it!!

We have never lived in a place that gets 52 inches of rain a year.    Today it has rained all day.  Starting at 2:00, it has rained hard and it is still is pouring.  Fortunately, Ken and I are snug as bugs in our little condo, so we don't mind.  It just seems so unusual after spending two months at the ranch.     They do not pray for rain in Jackson.   The conversation at the grocery store is to ask when the rain will stop?   They are not complaining, just observing.   It is fascinating to note the difference from one place to another.  Of course, when you see the lush foliage and large trees in Jackson,  you know they have an abundance of rain, and I never complain either.  I love the green look!!

November 24, 2013. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Cold Weather.

Ken and I do not like cold weather.   The dry cold air is difficult for him.   Today was a lovely sunshiny day but it was cold.    The temperature never went higher than 40 degrees F.  Tonight it will be 34.   Of course, all our cold weather clothes are at the farm so most of the time we feel chilly.  We have no winter coats here in Mississippi, nor good warm boots.   And of course, soon the temperature will moderate so we won't need the warmer clothes.  There is no need to buy more warm clothes.  We will just wait.

Our plan is to sell the farm in the spring.   After it sells, we will either buy a country property or a bigger condominium.  We definitely will bring our cold weather clothes south so we don't need to freeze the whole time when it is cold.   Our condo is so small we could not possibly house any more clothes or shoes.  In the meantime, we will grin and bear it.

One month today is Christmas Eve.   Lots to be done between now and then!!

November 24, 2013. Ridgeland, Mississippi. Six Years Old.

Molly is now 6 years old.    Tonight we celebrated.    For her special birthday dinner dinner she chose chicken and mashed potatoes, with ice cream sundaes for dessert.  She wanted nothing.   Andrew cooked the chickens on the grill and were delicious as well as moist and tender.   And Christina's mashed potatoes were superb.    Linda, the other grandmother was there too so it was a festive occasion, complete with decorations and balloons.

 Molly loved it all, but she especially enjoyed her gifts.  Last Christmas, her cousin was given a fancy Cinderella coach, that turns into a pumpkin.  She loved it and played with it while her cousin was visiting.   Ever since, Molly has been wanting that same gift.   For these 11 months, she has asked if perhaps Santa could give her one of those coaches.  Of course, no one told her yes, until tonight.  Linda gave her the Cinderella Coach with the horse along with Cinderella, who lights up.  She was thrilled.   The rest of the gifts were opened and thanked but but she quickly returned to the Cinderella Coach.

Of course, the whole time she was wearing the Princess Belle dress, sent to her from Aunt Susie in Texas.  Molly was in heaven.   The adults and other children all toasted and gave thanks for Molly, born six years ago.  She just kept smiling.

November 22, 2013. Shrevesport, Louisiana. Rain.

We have becoming smart in our old age.   This morning, we left Jewett in the rain.  Ken was at the wheel.  After 90 minutes, we stopped for gas and I took over and drove another 90 minutes, still driving in the rain.   We have driven three hours and it was for lunch.

Country Comfort was the name of the restaurant.   The food was surprisingly good and we enjoyed our lunch.  As we were now in Louisiana, a Casino was attached to the restaurant.   But we did laugh.   The waitress asked Ken is he wanted brown gravy with his pot roast.  When the food arrived, his plate was floating brown gravy.   When we both stopped laughing, Ken commented that he knew he did not want white gravy, so he had said yes.   His meal was actually very tasty.

While walking to the car through the rain, we looked at each other and decided that we were too old to drive through any more rain, so after driving for ten miles, we checked into a Marriott Fairfield Inn.   It was 2:00.   Our afternoon was lovely.  I took a nap while Ken worked at the computer and read.   Then I got into a hot bath tub.  Finally, we walked to The Cracker Barrel restaurant for a light supper,  but mostly we congratulated ourselves for not driving in the rain!!

November 21, 2013. Jewett, Texas. The Nick Of Time.

The truck was loaded.  The house was set.  Ken had just locked the door, while I was starting the truck.  Except the truck would not start.  Nothing.  First a grinding, then nothing.   Just in the nick of time, we were still at home at the lake in Texas.   At 11:15, I spoke with the AAA to hear that help was on the way.

Talk about luck.  The young man arrived and discovered that the battery was dead.  The truck is a Ford 150,  2006 and still had the original battery.    Soon, a new battery was installed and the paper work completed, including the three year warranty.   By 12:15, we were on the way to Mississippi, thanks to the AAA and the polite young man.

These new vehicles give you no warning that the battery soon will die.  All of a sudden, the truck will not start.  As we were about to get on the road to Mississippi and as we do not drive always on the main highways, no telling where we might have broken down.  Today, we just got lucky.

November 20, 2013. Canyon Lake. A Big Mess.

Ken opened the small fridge under the bar.   He needed nothing from the fridge, but he noted water seeping out the bottom and wanted to investigate.  He discovered that this small fridge had a freezing compartment at the top, which was full of ice.  There was a solid block of ice inside and surrounding the small compartment.  The freezer door would not open.  It was a mess.  Clearly the fridge was operating in an efficient manner so Ken and I decided to defrost the whole thing.

This small fridge has a history.  When we renovated the house, Ken and I installed an expensive wine cooler under the bar, right beside the ice maker.  David and Suzanne sleep right under the bar and the noise of the machines kept them awake so at night they would drain the ice and unplug the cooler.  After a few years, the expensive wine cooler broke and the ice maker began leaking into their room, so they pitched the cooler and put the ice maker outside on the lower lever and they brought the cheap under the counter fridge from the lower deck, right outside our master bedrooms.  That was ten years ago.  I do not think that fridge has been defrosted from that day to now, but it has worked well, we thought.

Now I am boiling water to steam the ice.   I change the boiling water every ten minutes but so far I only get dripping into the pans.   I am afraid to pour the boiling water on the ice for fear it will drip down into the lower lever, which would be the bedroom of David and Suzanne.   Soon I will be able to pry off the big chunks of ice but so far I can not get to the metal.    Time is on my side.  Ice will melt, eventually,  and soon the mess will be gone.  Guaranteed.

November 19, 2013. Canyon Lake, Texas. Our Mail.

Every couple of weeks, we send for our mail.   Usually, a good sized box arrives full of magazines and letters and bills.   I like it when the mails arrive.   My preference is always to read hard copy so I love to put the Weekly Standard magazines in chronological order and start reading, from the latest and working backwards.  Ken does the opposite so we never argue about the issue we wish to read.  And there's always a note or two with real hand writing which pleases me too.

Ken does not look forward to the arrival of the mail.   As he does our accounting, the mails bring him lots to do and he doesn't really enjoy the process.   Today, he asked me to contact three groups to change our address from the farm to our mailing service in Florida.  It took me over an hour and I never was able to be successful with the Medicare.  

The mails arrived yesterday.   I quickly separated the piles...with a big pile for Ken and the magazines and notes for me.   Since then, I have been reading, except when Ken gives me tasks.  

Evidently, in Nova Scotia, the post office has built a group box, so instead of delivering mail to our mail box out by the road, we must now pick up the mail at the group box, which is not even close to our home.  In fact, it is not even at Western Head.  Now in Nova Scotia, we will probably do the same as we do now, which is get the mails every so often.  But we are used to it so who cares.  The trick will be to keep track of the keys to the box.   Our mail is never easy.

November 18, 2013. Canyon Lake, Texas. Great Days.

It was not a bit fancy but it was delightful.  Both Saturday and Sunday, Ken and I drove into San Antonio to spend time with David, Suzanne and the girls.  We arrived mid afternoon and just hang out at home.

On Saturday, when we arrived mid afternoon, the girls and Suzanne were doing errands while Sarah was attending a volleyball game..   David was sitting in the living room watching an on line art auction.  Both Ken and I sat beside him on the couch and watched too.   It was fascinating, especially with the sophisticated technology.  David, for his garage, collects original movie art, and he had bids on two pieces later in the sale.    It is such a surprise to see a movie poster sell for $10,000. and the next one for $500.   They looked the same to me.   We watched with great interest.  And the best part is that David was able to buy the two pieces he wanted.  We three felt like we had won the lottery.  The sale only had three pieces or original art.  David bought the first piece for a modest amount but the one after sold for $7,000.   And the second piece he bought was even more inexpensive.  It was his Christmas present to himself!!

We watched the Baylor football game together on Saturday evening while eating Chinese food and we watched more football late in the day on Sunday.

But now it did get fancy at the Dickie family.  For dinner on Sunday, we ate in the dining room, a dinner of beef fillets and baked potatoes and asparagus.  Delicious and fancy too.  Ken and I enjoyed two great days with our Texas family.  

November 17, 2013. Canyon Lake, Texas. My Aunt Miriam.

My aunt Miriam was a very able lady.  And she was beautiful too.   Everyone who spoke about her always said those two things.    In addition, she was very gracious.  She was my Mother's older sister and seemed to think that she could tell my Mother what to do, which did not endear her to my Father.  In fact, my Father did not particularly like her although he never said anything bad about Aunt Miriam, but I could tell.

Aunt Miriam was a Salvation Army officer at age 18 and rose to be in charge of all women's programs in Canada.   She stayed single until she retired and then married the Commissioner for Canada of the Salvation Army.  I was the bridesmaid when I was 15.  When he died, she became the Chaplain of Grace Hospital in Toronto.

In later years, she lost her recent memory but no one really knew because most of her dialogue was on automatic pilot.   I would love to know when she started  to have problems.  My Aunt Margaret, who was her dear friend, was almost always with her and Aunt Margaret picked up the conversation if she knew Aunt Miriam did not know the answer.   I suspect Aunt Miriam had lost her memory long ago.  Eventually, she was in a locked ward for old folks who were just like her, but she was so used to working, she was often upset so they gave her the task of monitoring the elevator.  Then she was happy.

Whenever I can't recall a persons name, I wonder if I am becoming like Aunt Miriam?    She died well up in her 80's, but was in the home for about five years.  So maybe soon  I will become Aunt Miriam.  Horrors!!

November 16, 2013. Canyon Lake, Texas. Another Book.

It really is a wonderful book, written by Rachel Joyce.  It is her first novel although for 20 years she wrote radio plays for the BBC.  The book is "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry".  It is well worth reading this very English book.

The book can be read at many levels.  The story itself is engaging.  And the language is precise.  Every word contributes to the whole.   The author brings everything down to the personal and private level which of course is the most important.    Trying to figure out what is happening is another pleasure in the book.   And the images of the land with it's colors brings the landscapes alive and vibrant.

Rachel Joyce is an excellent writer and I await future books from her but The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is an excellent book.   I read it with great pleasure.

November 15, 2013. Canyon Lake, Texas. The Basketball Games.

You never know what will happen at high school basketball games.   Sarah and Abigail both played games tonight at their school and there was never a dull moment.

The first game was delayed.   The opposing team got stuck in traffic.   Instead of 8 minute quarters they played 6 minute quarters.    Abigail plays on the JV team, which was the first game.   6:00 was to be the start time, but as the team arrived late,  the game began at 6:40.   Then at 7:00, all lights went out, except the score board.  Evidently, the school has an automatic turn off at 7:00 and someone forgot to over ride the timer.  Immediately, all cell phones were turned on so the pitch black disappeared but the officials took awhile to open the box and re program the lights.  Abigail's team won their game.   They have the makings of a nice team.

Sarah plays on the Varsity team.  Four of the JV players also play on the Varsity team as substitutes,  Abigail included.    The coach for the opposing team was one of those coaches that you love to hate.  He yelled instructions at his girls throughout the whole game.   And he got upset if the girl did not do what he told them to do, all at the top of his lungs.   It was uncomfortable for everyone.   Our team was missing two of the starters, one due to her birthday party and the other on a college visit, but for the most of the game, we were ahead.  But ultimately, we lost.  But the girls tried very hard and only lost by three points.

The stands were full of parents and grandparents but no one enjoyed the games more than me.   I don't even care if the girls win, just as long as they work hard and exert themselves.  I loved every minute, even when we were in the dark.

November 14, 2013. Canyon Lake, Texas. Johnson City.

Every so often we drive straight to our destination.   We avoid back roads and stay on main highways.   Today was one of those days when we decided to drive straight east on 290,  then south on 281.   Finally we drove around the north side of the lake on 306.   Driving that route takes you right through Johnson City, the home town of LBJ.

Over the years, we have driven through Johnson City many times, but have never been able to find a decent restaurant.  In fact, we told Ian and Rita not to bother stopping there.   Today I was the driver and we arrived needing to eat lunch, so I turned off the main road and discovered a lovely town square, complete with a beautiful county court house and many lovely homes.  But the best part was I found a restaurant, with 20 cars parked in front.   It was The Pecan Restaurant and Brew Pub.

The place was charming and the food was good.  And they do brew their own beer.   Now we know.  It just took us 17 years to get off the main road in order to find this good restaurant.  Better late than never!!

November 13, 2013. Harper, Texas. Friends.

I have been blessed with good friends.  This is as true when I was growing up as it is today.  And I am fortunate to have kept the friends over the years, which when you move is not an easy feat.  Perhaps my interest in organizing  has made it feasible.   At our 55th, friends attended from every era of my life.   But despite all my efforts,  good friends got lost and I don't know why.

Our friend Sharon Berry worked with us at the Salvation Army camp just outside of Boston in 1961.   She was a good friend and we had a great summer together and even almost got her in trouble!!   For many years we kept in touch.  She became a Salvation Army Officer and we kept in touch.  Now she is lost to me.  She played trombone and once she and I played a trombone duet, she on her trombone and me on the comb.   It was a duet my brother played and I had heard him practice so often that I knew every note.    I would have liked to see her at the 55th.

Lenore Ittman is another good friend I have lost.   She and her husband Bev lived in Galveston, he as a city planner and Lenore a teacher in the children's Psychiatric ward at the University, which was where we met.  I worked there too.   Their 3 children were adolescents and we had no children so we were both foot loose and fancy free.  For three years we had a great time, from 1964 to 1967, and then they moved to Michigan.  We visited them and talked with them on the phone for many years.   Bev called to tell Ken that he was not dying from lung but from pancreatic cancer and he did.  Lenore went on to complete her PhD in education.  All three children are with an MD. or PhD or both.  But now I have lost her, despite my efforts.

And there are others too.  I wonder why.

November 12, 2013. Harper, Texas. A Lovely morning.

I wouldn't want to do it every day, but this morning has been a delight.   Here it is, 12:15, and I have just showered and dressed and have yet to go downstairs.   Ken brought me coffee at 8:30.  I was already sitting in my chair catching up with the news and views in my iPad and I just never got up.   It was cosy and warm.  After Ken ate breakfast, he came upstairs to the computer and with me reading and him hard at work, we did nothing except enjoy the morning.

Ken reported to me that although the temperature was 59 when we woke up at 7:30, by 8:30 it had dropped and was now 40.  "By nightfall it may be 30", says Ken, so it was a perfect morning to stay warm  and stay upstairs.

I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but every so often, it can't hurt.   Today, my first meal of the day will be lunch.  Is this a good thing or a bad thing, I wonder?   It is kind of like being retired.   Is it a delight or am I just being lazy?  Perhaps it is a bit of both!!    Today, there is no ambiguity.   I had a lovely morning.

November 11, 2013. Harper, Texas. A Last Fire.

We burn our trash, both here at the ranch and at the farm.   This afternoon, while it was still warm at the ranch, Ken built a fire.   We brought all the trash down from the Top House, which wasn't much, but when I opened the garbage cans by the garage of the ranch house, I discovered four cans full of stuff left over from the 55th.    It seems that just as the tasks from the 55th are over, more pops up to take it's place.    Ken built a small fire, for a small amount of paper trash.  Instead he had ten bags of trash that have been sitting for a month. awaiting his fire.

But it was fun watching the trash burn.   We laughed as the 4 stale lunch boxes melted and the sandwiches finally burned.  They took ages to burn.   We saw many water bottles melt, the same ones that were supposed to be put in the blue round bin.  And we laughed about that too.   We burned all the foodstuff that would not freeze well.   They took a long time to first dry and then burn.  I spotted my shoes in the fire, the shoes that fell apart when we were out to dinner at Karen and Jacques.   As each bag was put on the fire, we were reminded about the joys of the celebration.

Tomorrow the weather will be a cool 50 degrees F. during the day, and Wednesday afternoon we drive to the lake, so this afternoon was the last fire of the year at the ranch.   But that fire held many happy memories.

A Walk

Igneous chips on sedimentary base at Tophouse- from?

Liveoak come and go

November 10, 2013. Harper, Texas. Trade Offs.

You can never do everything you wish to do.   Even the very wealthy must trade off time and activities.  So the question must be asked and answered;   "What is the most important thing to do right now?"   Even in this time of retirement, choices must be made.  Although we have unlimited time, we do not have unlimited abilities, so there are always decisions.

Right now, Ken is off by himself checking the back fence.  His plan was to drive the mule to the back corner of the ranch, then walk along the fence line.    Just as he was leaving, he asked if I wanted to come.    My response elicited contrary thoughts.  On the one hand, I don't think it wise for him to be off in the back forty all by himself.  Also I like to wander around the ranch with him too.  On the other hand, Ken likes to be by himself.   I had just finished breakfast and do not like to walk directly after eating.   So I had to make a trade off.

I decided that it was more important to Ken to wander himself so I stayed at the Top House.  Later today, we will drive the ranch together.   There will come a time that wandering alone will not be an option....but that time has not yet come.

November 9, 2013. Harper, Texas. Mason.

The day was beautiful so Ken and I drove the back roads to Mason.   It has been several years since we actually walked the town square.   We have driven through the town recently but have not checked out the stores.  The last time we were there to investigate the stores must have been 2008, but I recalled that the downtown scene was vibrant with interesting, unusual shops.  I was looking for Christmas gifts for my daughters in law.

Our route took us north on 385, then east on 1871 right into Mason.   The county court house is beautiful, set all by itself in the center of the town square.   Fortunately, the traffic was sparse.  The roads are so wide that getting across the streets could be difficult, but it makes the town lovely and open.   Ken and I walked around the whole square, going into the stores that seemed interesting and ignoring the rest.   Fortunately, we were successful with our purchases,  but the town did not seem very active.   Several store fronts were closed which is never a good sign.  And one of the store owners told us that she is relocating her business to Ingram, just outside Kerrville.   She also plans to move to Harper!!

Getting home required us to drive south for a bit on 87, then turn right on 782 to Harper.  The countryside was lovely and the traffic was sparse.  Our outing was successful in many ways.

November 8, 2013. Harper, Texas. Coffee Pots.

Ken likes coffee pots.    Yesterday another coffee pot arrived for the Top House at the ranch.   He likes the pot to be specific for the number of cups you will need, so on the counter we have a pot that holds 10 cups and another small pot that will serve four cups.   He does not drink much coffee so four cups is really too big for us, Ken thinks.   The new pot makes coffee by the cup, which he says is perfect.

Our room in Mexico had one of these fancy coffee pots, so Ken looked them up on the Internet and ordered a pot, along with two good sized boxes of the individual coffee.   They arrived yesterday, so this morning, Ken brought me coffee upstairs, which I love.   Fortunately, the coffee was excellent.  The pot also will make Espresso, which he likes.

I asked Ken whether or not we would leave the pot at the ranch, but he thought no.   Soon we will be leaving Texas for Mississippi, so the new coffee pot will go with us, although we already own a small pot and a large pot in our tiny kitchen.   In Nova Scotia we have three coffee pots, all different sizes and we have the same at the farm.     Some husbands have elaborate train sets in their garage, but my husband owns three coffee pots in every home.    It is a very inexpensive eccentricity!!

November 7, 2013. Harper, Texas. The Ridge Cafe.

The restaurant opened a year ago.    Two years ago, it was being renovated both inside and out.  The most obvious part of the site was their landscaping.  The whole property was being redone with large earth movers moving to and fro, making it difficult to know what they were planning.  Now I know.

In addition to renovating the restaurant, they also installed a nursery.  The whole scene is charming with the flowers and the fences and bushes.   But the best part is the restaurant and bakery.   The food is delicious.   We restrained ourselves from eating dessert but while we were there, many folks came in to buy desserts or bread.    The restaurant was full so they have survived their first year.

The Ridge Cafe is located on the Harper Road so if you are driving from Kerrville to Harper,  look for it on the right side.    In the past, the restaurant at that site was horrible and it closed and stayed closed for two years.    Now the restaurant is not only charming but also serves terrific food.   We were pleased to have lunch there today.

November 6, 2013. Harper, Texas. Helpers.

The 55th celebration is behind us but I still marvel about the folks who helped.   On the Monday, we had our last meal with the caterers and we ate fajitas.   It was a festive, joyful meal, eaten with friends and family that had enjoyed each other for the past four days.   The young folks left the table to play games.   Suzanne asked if there was anything needing to be done because soon, she would take the four girls home to San Antonio.   I answered that before tomorrow morning, we must stack the chairs and table, ready for the tent people to pick them up.  She went and asked the girls to help.

Immediately, all the young folks came and took down and stacked the tables and chairs.  All the Buckley cousins and the Dickie cousins and the nieces and the nephews worked, while I sat on a chair and marveled at their efficiency.  Within fifteen minutes, it was done, thanks to the group efforts.

Rita, Wanda and Darlene swept out and emptied every trailer.  It was a huge help.   I was fully expecting to finish the cleaning after folks had left but one by one, the three ladies took over and did the job, quickly and efficiently.

Every morning, Mal made the first pot of coffee.   Soon, Rita and Marion brought out the rest of the breakfast and made more coffee and kept the food coming.   Every morning, Gary filled the water tank of every trailer, a not insignificant time commitment.  

Ken and I were grateful for all the helpers who made the 55th the success that it was.  Hats off to all.

Cleanup Crew

November 5, 2013. Harper, Texas. Tasche Engineering.

The room looks like it has not changed since 1923.   There are shelves of books telling the names and numbers of automobile parts.   The shelves are ten feet long and there are two of them.  Also on the shelves are telephone books.  The latest one I found was 2003.  I feel sure that no one has opened those books for twenty years.   The room is 20 by 30.   The place is full of stuff from top to bottom.

This Tasche engineering is the place in Harper where we have the truck serviced and inspected.   The owner bought the business from Mr. Tasche and the new owner kept the name and everything in the shop.  And I mean everything.  Right against the wall is a lovely old oak display cabinet, which is full of stuff.  No one ever opens the cabinet because the cabinet is right against the wall and the door to the cabinet can not be opened unless you move the whole thing.  You could not move the cabinet because four chairs and a table sit right in front of it, all of which came with the shop twenty years ago.

This is not a modern work shop but we like it.  The owner is well spoken and dignified and is a good mechanic.   His mother arrives at lunch for him and the workers, bringing the food from the Longhorn Cafe.   Today, there were three trash cans full of boxes from the cafe.   Today, when waiting for the truck to ready, I sat in wonder at all the objects in this room, knowing full well that they have not been touched for years.   It is not like me to just sit and do nothing but I convinced myself that the owner would not be pleased if I started to organize the place, so I just sat and marveled that in 2013, there is still a place of business that looks as if it was 1923.   Only in Harper, Texas.

November 4, 2013. Harper, Texas. Improvements.

One of the side benefits of giving a big party is to fix up your place in order to get ready for company.    We had dinner at our friends the Sutherland's in Mississippi.  Jim and his father had just completed their new dining room, and reported to us that without the dinner party, the table would have waited another month to be completed.    Having company has additional motives than having a party.

I was reminded of that when we arrived at the ranch today, and noted several improvements, made specifically for the 55th celebration.  The gate was changed and upgraded in order to accommodate the bunkhouse delivery.    The road to the Top House was changed to make it easier to drive up the hill.   The bunkhouse was installed to serve the 8 cousins during the event.   It worked splendidly.  The electrical system was upgraded and past code violations corrected.  Now we have an additional 200 amps of electricity on a different pole plus 4 permanent plugs for trailers or RVs.  And we have three dusk to dawn lights, which Ken does not like.  We moved an ugly play house to accommodate the tent.

All these improvements will be enjoyed over the life of the ranch.   The reason for having the celebration was to gather together friends and family.  Memories were made that will last a lifetime.    In addition, we will enjoy the improvements at the ranch and recall happy times!!

November 3, 2013. Canyon Lake, Texas. A Good Read.

My life has been hectic these past few weeks and my reading has been neglected.  I have kept up with  political articles and magazines but the books have been waiting.  Last week in Mexico, I seemed uninterested but now that we are back to normal, my reading habit has returned, but on an easy scale.

This book is a terrific read, especially for someone like me who loves to read about successful people.  Zev Chafets is the author.  His style is breezy and sparse, which makes for a good quick read.  The book is called  "Roger Ailes: Off Camera."  It is not really a biography, just the story of how Roger Ailes got to be successful, which I find interesting.

Throughout the book, the author tells stories about famous and not so famous people, stories I have never heard before and were very funny.   One story about Barbara Streisand is a hoot.  You must read the book.  I am not telling.   I have enjoyed reading this book.  Anne Tyler has been quoted as saying that she loves reading because she can be in more than one place at the same time.   This book makes me feel as if I have known all these people through the years.  It is a good read.

November 2, 2013. Canyon Lake, Texas. 45 Days.

The weather is beautiful at Canyon Lake.  75 degrees and sunny.  Perfect weather.  The rain came down and the lake went up, which is a good thing.   Everything at the lake looks better with more water in the lake.  The Hill Country is still short of rain,  even though Austin got 12 inches last weekend.  As the shuttle driver said when we asked about the rain. "We always want more rain in the Hill Country."

Now I have a list of what needs to be done over the next 45 days.   Ken and I must return to the ranch and finish fixing it up after the 55th.   I must organize and wrap the Christmas gifts for the Texas family and leave them with Suzanne.  I discovered to my horror that I have not one gift selected for Suzanne.  Some of the clothes at the lake and the ranch I may take on our New Zealand jaunt, but I must carefully sort and select the clothes.  We are taking one case each and a carry on to last us the five months.

Then we drive to Mississippi, right after Thanksgiving, or perhaps just before.   Again, I must organize the Mississippi family gifts.  And finally, I must pack my case.  I must do it early because I might need to pare down my stack of clothes.  I need clothes for fancy events and clothes for cool and warm weather.  But we do not need to take clothes for snow.  My next 45 days will be busy but now I can work from my list, which reduces anxiety.  Along the way, we will enjoy all the social events that come with Thanksgiving and Christmas, so here we go.

November 1, 2013. Cancun, Mexico. The Last Supper.

Rene, the manager of the restaurant called Zen, arranged a special final dinner for us in his restaurant.  We had dined three times this week in Zen and we had gotten to know him, chatting with him about his English and his wife, and most importantly, the birth of their first baby in four months.    He is a very nice young man who works very hard to make Zen the best restaurant in the Hard Rock Hotels.

We started with miso soup.  But the real deal was a big plate of sushi and shashima, brought to our table held high by Rene.   It was delicious and we ate our fill.   The dinner ended with a dish of ice cream.   While we were dining, Isaac our butler, was checking us out.  Tomorrow, all we need to do in the morning, is to get on the vehicle that will take us to the airport.  No fuss and muss.  These Hard Rock Hotel Resorts have worked hard to make life easy for their guests. and it shows.

In exchange, the staff members ask as you to fill out the evaluation which will be sent to us via e mail.    They tell us that the bosses pay close attention to the comments from the guests, both pro and con, so the workers are keen to have you write good comments about the experience we had in Cancun.   Rene commented that many people are quick to speak of  bad experiences but not so quick to praise.  We will try to do our part. Certainly, the staff members were wonderful in every way.  Cheerful, helpful and competent and we have enjoyed our stay here at the Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun.

Room with a view