October 6, 2010. Harper, Texas. Bode Feed Store.

The whole complex looks like it was designed in the nineteenth century, and it was. Mr. Bode was the third family member to own and run the business and unfortunately he ran it the same way as his grandfather and his father before him. The store is in Harper, our closest town. The Bode place is large, with many out buildings for storage and a huge area to bag feed, which then is sold in the store. It is a place you love for the smells and the floors and the quaint objects for sale and for the people who work there. Now the whole place is owned by another man, from Luckenbach of all places. Mr. Bode still works there.

Ken and I knew the business would never survive. When we first moved to the ranch we asked Mr. Bode to charge our credit card immediately when feed was picked up for the ranch, either by us or David or Steve, who looks after the cattle. But mostly this did not happen. Mr. Bode had a credit book that listed purchases that were not paid, and once a month he would send out a bill. The problem is that we are not at home, so the bill would go unpaid and Mr. Bode does not get the money. We took to calling monthly to clear our account and put any charges to the credit card, something that we repeatedly told him to do. So we knew he was not up with the new world.

Today we went into Harper to purchase treats for the cattle. Same workmen in the back but a new approach in the front store. "Would you like to pay cash or use a credit card?" was the first word out of her mouth. We want them to stay in business so I am pleased with the new efficiency. But we saw it coming, the demise of Bode Feed Store. But I felt sad.

October 5, 2010. Harper, Tx. Green.

Everything in Texas is green, literally. Everywhere you look you see green. The fields are green. The median strip on the highway is green. All the pastures at the ranch are green. It is a most unusual sight. Now we like Texas and we love the ranch but it takes a day or so until you begin to love brown and beige and cream, all colors you see in the grass and the stone. Not this time. The green grass is so tall you can not even see the rocks and stones. It is an astonishing sight, all because of an abundance of rain this Fall.

Today we drove to Fredericksburg on the back road, Tivydale Road to be specific. It is a lovely drive along ranches and farms and orchards. It was especially pleasant with so many very green fields along the road. Just outside of town we stopped at a vegetable stand, run by a local farmer. They grow many many different vegetables and we always stop and buy their fresh produce. In the summer their children man the stand but of course they are now in school. Today an older man was watching the place and he told us that normally the owner just leaves the vegetables out and uses the honor system. The prices are marked, you buy and leave the money. The owner was forced to stop the practice. He was losing over one hundred dollars a day in produce from the stand. This older man volunteered to watch over the place and sell the produce. I was pleased to see him but sorry too, for a few dishonest have ruined the system for many honest souls. We will enjoy their tomatoes.

Tonight the stars in Texas are shinging bright. No moon but millions of stars, just like it says in the song. It is worth a trip to Texas just to see them.

October 4, 2010. Double D Ranch, Harper, Texas. Sarah.

She loved the whole thing. Firstly, she was by herself with her Mother and Grandmother, something that happens infrequently being one of four children. Next she was shopping for her birthday gifts, so she knew that the whole time was devoted to only her wishes. And lastly, she loved eating lunch in the restaurant in the store. The whole time was a thrill for her.

Sarah is turning thirteen on the fifteenth of this month and when I asked her about her birthday gifts she requested shoes. She said that her "Sunday shoes were too small but I have to wear them anyway, so I would love you to buy me a pair of good shoes". I agreed so we made a plan to shop together on Saturday, in between all the games. It was tricky but we managed. Ken agreed to take the twins to Abigail's game, just in case we were late. It all worked out perfectly and Sarah was pleased.

Our system is to give inexpensive Christmas gifts to our grandchildren, but to give gifts of note for their birthdays. Never toys. Last year we gave Sarah a lovely antique walnut bed side table, originally designed as a candle table which she will be able to use all her life. Also we gave her a curio cabinet, something she did not even knew she needed but now rearranges the contents every month. I said that one pair of shoes does not constitute a proper birthday present, so asked her what else she might need while we were shopping? She conceded that she only had one pair of jeans and it was too short, so we decided to shop for jeans.

Now Sarah is a very nice young girl. She is beginning to act like a teenager a bit, as she takes a long time to take a shower and she locks the door so her sisters can not come into the room when she is dressing. Many of the seventh grade girls could pass for sixteen in their looks and dress, but not our Sarah. Buying clothes are difficult because she is tall and thin, but very much thirteen. She definitely does not want to look eighteen and sexy. We were successful with our purchases. Four pair of shoes, one Sunday dress, two pair of leggings and two pair of jeans and one top. We ran out of time when we got to tops. Sarah was thrilled with the whole event, and so was I, the Grandmother. Suzanne enjoyed it too. It is always a pleasure to be with just one of your children.

Misc Young Ones - Molly and ?

San Antonio in October

October 2, 2010. San Antonio, Tx. A Fall.

I know better than walking quickly in new places but I did it anyway. We had just arrived at David and Suzanne's home on Thursday and I was organizing my belongings in the guest room when I fell. My foot caught on the handle of a tote bag. I of course was moving fast so my foot stayed behind while I was moving forward , trapping my right leg in the handle, so I fell. Fortunately I did not hit the desk or the chair or my head so it could have been worse. I was all by myself. Suzanne was on the way home and Ken was out with the dogs so it was up to me to try to find out if everything was working.

First I felt my head to be sure it was working. Next ankles, then knees, and finally bones. So far I am still sitting on the floor. Finally I got up gingerly and walked around the bed to be sure everything was working. I never did admit to anyone for a long time that I had fallen, and finally had to admit it when some one spotted me with just a bit of a limp.

My right leg is sore as are my arms but nothing else. For the first few days I took Ibuprofen regularly. I still walk slowly. Accidents happen very quickly and I know it so normally I am extra careful, until Thursday. Now I have been made humble by my stupidity.

October 1, 2010. San Antonio, Tx. Another Game.

I could tell during the warm up that Sarah's team would win. The game was an away game, at five o'clock tonight, and the girls had arranged, with their parents, to go out for dinner right after the game. So they were loose and happy and looking forward to the restaurant. They certainly showed no symptoms of being depressed from their last losing game. They played well and confidently. Sarah played both games which I suspect was one of the reasons they won. She is not the best player but she is a bit of a cheer leader, always encouraging the other girls, even when they make a mistake. The other team early in the first game started to get cross with each other, which is always deadly if you wish to win.

We dined at Mommas Restaurant, a Mexican restaurant close to the site of the game. Of course, the girls all sat together and the adults ate at another table. But the best part was the conversation. One lady, the Mother of Grace, works in the field of energy, putting together investors and producers of energy. So we talked all through dinner about renewable energy, gas, oil, nuclear, and wind. She is very familiar with the Marcella's gas fields in Pennsylvania, and also windmill generation in Texas and the Maritime provinces of Canada. We really enjoyed talking with her, and I would love to see her again. I must remember to ask Suzanne if she knows her.

Another day and another game with the girls on the team happy with both. Tomorrow I will see two games of Abigail's volleyball team, who are undefeated. Also one soccer game for Samantha and Allison. Another day, another game.