Versatile Blogger Award

I got nominated for the versatile blogger award by none other than the fantastic ManicJan. Mere thanks are not enough!  But THANKS!  I’m really psyched!   You’ll definitely want to check out her blog.  Her banner has a cute little sunflower wearing glasses.   What’s not to love?!?? And we all need a little re-calibration now and then.

Here are the rules:

• Display Award.
• Thank the person who gave this award (and include a link to their blog.)
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Nominate 15 bloggers and let them know you nominated them

Seven random things about myself:

1. I wear glasses
2. I love to read and in fact I don’t read books I inhale them
3. I’m an empty-nester and this blogging thing has given me a new lease on life
4. I’m finally comfortable in my own skin … well sort of … kind of … not really … maybe?
5.  I love to tell jokes or write stories that make people laugh.  It’s likely I’m not quite as funny as I think I am 😂
6. I’m an incessant worrywart who tries to cover my feelings by smiling.  And I smile all the time.
7. I like to say I’m an introvert and I am … kind of … . Though I recently learned the term ambivert which is really more fitting.  I’m in enigma people 😂.

Now in no particular order, I would like to nominate the following bloggers for the award.   Tag, you’re it.  Now let’s show em what a winner looks like!

TrulyUnplugged| Purple butterfly | Lady Serene | Tony Burgess | Jim | CD-W, Author Flawed to Perfection | Eddie Star  |    Supernatural Snark |tcriggs | Creative Misfit | Daria Kill | Midnight Madness | Musings of Puppy Doc poetry behind a white coat | Peace from Panic | Esther’s Blog

Fifty Nifty United States

Back when I went to school at ST. MM, we learned the 50 states by singing a song. The song went something like this:

Fifty nifty United States

From the 13 original colonies

50 nifty stars in our flag

That billow so beautifully in the breeze 

Each individual state contributes a quality that is great

Each individual state deserves a bow let’s salute them know

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas 

California Colorado Connecticut

You get the drift  …

The ending was Tex-a-fied

North, south, east, west

 In our cool considerate deliberate unprejudiced opinion Texas is the best!

Today I am thinking about that song, and my own little parcel on the planet (4.89 acres) somewhere in the middle of South Texas.  

We’re about to have new neighbors. The property to the east was all wooded brush until it was sold.  Now that someone owns it, they’ve cleared it off except for some cedar trees. I wished I had snapped a picture before the clearing so I would have a before and after.  Instead, I stood outside and I took pictures in all four directions.  

Here you go for your viewing pleasure:

Facing south. Still heavily wooded on the other side of the property line.

Facing north. Property line runs parallel to HWY 87.

Facing east. All clear now but used to took like the southern view. Our land ends at the 3rd utility pole.

Facing west. If you look close, you’ll see Buddy & Spot.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself so I know I’m not dreaming. I am blessed beyond measure and I’m counting all of those blessings today. 

As always, more to come.

Sigoury Got It Wrong … On The Toll Roads No One Can Hear You Scream

Yesterday Billy Bob and I took a trip to Lockhart Texas.  I use goggle maps for all my driving needs.  Unofficial plug/recommendation.  Disclaimer: Use Google at your own risk! If you are routed to Timbuktu, that’s not on me. Lol!

I selected the route without the toll road but I was directed to Texas SH 130 anyway.  As we drove along, the image of the cult classic: Alien popped into my head.  I felt like we were in this bubble cut off from the rest of civilization.  Morose feelings that if something happened, we’d be sH*t out of luck on this swatch of highway, concrete and no trees which appeared to cut through land where people used to be but no longer inhabited.  Of course I have no idea if people were forced out by the highway being built.  More than likely no one was there to begin with.  Our car was the lone car on the road and that in and of itself was eerie.  “Where have all the people gone?”

We arrived at our destination, Chisholm Trail Nursing and Rehab Center around 11 o’clock.  My brother lives there.  We met with him, my sister, another brother and my sweet niece.  Our purpose: to look through what was left of daddy’s belongings one last time.  February 25, 2017 will mark 10 years since his passing.  I knew there was nothing I wanted (physical items).  I want my daddy back but since I can’t have that, the memories will have to do.

I did end up with a few special mementos.  A clock from my  parent’s 5th anniversary.  Two pearl tie tacks.  Novena cards from his funeral.  There were several in a box, enough for each of us to take a dozen.  His baptismal certificate that he requested a copy of when he married my mom.  His name is Aloysius is Czech, Louis in English.  Maybe Pony & Wise could work Aloysius in as my grandson’s name in lieu of Ashley. :).  Just kidding Wise if you read this.  No pressure from me on the baby front.

I took pictures of pictures.  Isn’t that grand?  In today’s world, technology has made sharing easier.   Anyone who wanted a copy could just snap a picture of what they wanted on their phone.   I have pictures of two documents acknowledging his service in WWII.  I have two pictures of the USS Copahee 1942-1946, the aircraft carrier he served on as head cook.  I took a  picture of his obituary.   I am grateful to the siblings that wrote the obit for those words captured his spirit perfectly. Last night, I read and re-read those words while I cried until my eyes were red, puffy and swollen.

Ahoy Matey

But I was HAPPY too.  No explanation for that.  Bittersweet as they say.  I MISS YOU DADDY!!  WE ALL DO! Such a big part of who I am today, I owe to YOU … to model what you taught us.  I’d like to say I got your sense of humor though I know you didn’t throw around the f bombs as much as I do.

My two final snaps follow: Julida, a song page from your Czech choral days, the song we all know and love! And a picture of our bright shining faces.  Whenever we asked what you wanted … as gifts … for any and all occasions, you always said good kids.  So we gave and continue to give you that.  Life is precious as we carry you in our hearts forever.

Keep on smiling!!! How Sweet It Is!!!!  As always, more to come.