June 25, 2019

Today has been about getting things packed and readied for an early flight to Charleston, SC.  4:55 AM boarding is early I think.  Will leave for the airport at 3 AM.  I am pretty sure if I went to bed I would not sleep but little catnaps.  That is what I did last night as I was waiting till 5:25 for check in for the flight.  Cause it is Southwest and you only pick your seat as a board.  So early boarding numbers are nice!  But I woke up every hour or so checking the clock to see if it was time.  Yes I had an alarm set but the brain did not trust it.  Once I did the check in and have a boarding numbers for the first let and B 5 and 6 for the second leg of the flight I slept for for more hours.  Solid sleep.

Part of getting ready for the trip has been setting up a tablet to be our gps.  The tablet did not have sim card for connecting  to cell towers.  We decided a new cell phone for me would be the most cost effective solution.  My cell was so limited I could not put any apps on it so Hubby really was pushing for me to get a new one.  Sunday night we linked the two devices and guided ourselves to new places in Austin.  Worked perfectly.

I am taking only my new cell phone so definitely no blog posts.  Maybe a Facebook photo or two of the places we will be touring.  The planned activities are as follows:

Wednesday is air travel with a lay over in Baltimore.  We have a vehicle reserved at the Charleston airport.  Hope that goes easily.  Our hotel is about 30 minutes from the airport.  Figure we will do good to be getting checked in at the hotel before 5:30 PM.  Probably a bit of dinner then settling into the hotel for the 6 night stay.  An early bedtime is quite likely certain!

Thursday at 11 AM will be a bus tour of Charleston.  It will last 1.5 hours.  That will give us a bit of the lay of the city to decide additional places to visit.  We surely will look at something all South Carolina.  I know there is plenty to see and do.  Must make wise choices with limited time.

Friday is a smaller group tour.  With a name like Frankly Black History of Charleston it promises to be a bit different.  Charleston was a major slave port so this will be an eye opening tour I suspect.  We may decide to visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens following the tour.  The weather may be hotter that we want so that will influence what we do.

Saturday we drive to Hilton Head for another tour.  This tour is of Daufuskie Island.  The History & Artisans Excursion sounds like it will be both fun and interesting.  We have a two hour drive from our hotel to get to Hilton Head.  Hubby will be doing all the driving until we load onto the ferry to the island.  Only golf carts on the island and there will be a tour guide.

Sunday we will be visiting Patriot's Point Naval and Maritime Museum.  Hubby wants to play on the ships.  I understand there may be a few ladders and stairs to challenge our rickety old legs.  In the evening we have reservations at Charleston Harbor Fish House.  Again, this is a special request from Hubby.  The dinner will be our celebration of our 52nd wedding anniversary. 

Monday is a trip to Myrtle Beach State Park.  If we still have the gumption for this.  And this is Fourth of July week so who knows how crowded the beach will be.  But we must put our toes in the Atlantic.  And maybe look for a shell or two.  Again, it is a two hour drive each way to the park we plan on visiting so not much else scheduled for this day.

Tuesday is back on a plane to return home.  This plane loads a bit before noon so not such an early rise.  But must turn in the rental car and security lines.  Then purchase some food for the plane cause it is Southwest.  No meal service, only chips and drinks.  Well, maybe it will a bit earlier than normal.

Anywho, All ya'll take care over the next week.  I'll see you in a few!

Plants in water for our absence.  Bucket available for neighbor if needed.

June 21, 2019

Another birthday today.  It is my nephew #3 that lives in Oklahoma.  He was born in 1960 so you can figure out his age.  My younger Sis #4 and I (Sis #3) were very young for being aunts.  Sis #4 was only 18 months old and I was 9 when our first nephew was born.  His birthday was on June 30, 1956.  Unfortunately he passed in 2015 due to complications to his alcohol addiction.  Nephew #2 was born in 1957.  Today's birthday guy is Nephew #3.  Nephew #4 was born that same year, 1960, in September.  That meant that Sis #4 had four nephews before she was 6 years old.  Two years later in May Niece #1 was born.  Thank goodness, not a boy.  The following May Niece # 2 was born.  Sis #1 had 2 boys and a girl and Sis #2 had 2 boys and a girl.  Sis # 4 had 4 nephews and 2 nieces and she was just 8.  I was 15.

No more nieces or nephews for Sis #4 till our son was born in August of 1973.  Sis #4 was almost 19 and ready to be an aunt.  No more kids from us so that was the end from our side of the family for Sis #4.  Sis #4 began her family in 1981 with son #1 (my nephew #5).  In 1984, daughter #1 (my niece #3) was born.  Sis #4 thought that was the end.  However, life had other plans.  In April, 1992, son # 2 (my nephew #6) was born.  That rounded out the nieces and nephews from us 4 sisters.  Of course our spouses' brothers and sisters added to the count.  I do not want to even try at those numbers.  Cause Sis #1 has been married 5 times and I get all confused as to who is in and who is out, if you know what I mean.

Christmas snatch and grab with 2/3 of the nieces and nephews present.  They have multiplied.

Yes, family birthdays come and go.  We have spread out from that little community in north Texas.  And yet we remain the Rogers family and their kids.

Ya'll all have a great weekend.  Be safe and thanks for stopping by for a chat.

June 19, 2019

When I was a child growing up in cotton country in North Texas Juneteenth was a word I heard spoken usually with a bit of a smirk.  Did my Dad think it was a joke?  I finally asked what it was and he said it is a day "Ni*****" celebrate getting free.  Yes, he said the n word.  Daddy was a sort of closet racist.  He would not eat some place where blacks were cooks.  As a teen I would argue with Daddy that blacks were equal to us in every way.  He said, "Kid, maybe someday everybody will feel that way but not now.  I just can't.  It was not the way I was raised."

Mom's dad would have the black family that worked for him come in and eat with the family.  Mom did her best to not be racist.  Her brothers and sister did not try.  While the brothers were somewhat better about it, my sweet Aunt Opal was horribly racist.  She used the 'n' word till her dying day.  Guess Daddy was right about old habits and attitudes die hard.  Cause my aunt's girls show some prejudice, too. 

A recent remake of one episode each of  "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" put a mirror up to society.  How far have we come?  I live in an apartment complex that is diverse.  All races and creeds can be seen in any one day as I walk.  The area where our son lives is very diverse.  As I drive slowly for DJ the granddog to look for squirrels I pass families out walking.  Or bike riding.  Some are playing games or shooting baskets.  Asian, Latino, African American and the list goes on are represented in visible numbers. 

As a kid the east side of McKinney was considered colored town.  Yes, many referred to the area using the n word.  That side of McKinney contained the only school for the entire county where blacks could receive an education.  That county was and is  886 square miles (2,290 km2).  I do not know if buses were provided for the children of color.  Can  you imagine travelling 25 miles each way to get to school each day?  This segregation ended while I was in high school.  Most schools 'complied'.  However, many did not.  Click here to read an article about some of those districts.  Again, old habits and attitudes die hard.

Prejudice is such a waste of energy.  I am deeply prejudiced toward persons of wealth.  Still working on that shortfall.  While I would like to think I do not hold a prejudice toward persons of color, I do not have a minority friend.  I do not know what it is like to be black, Asian or any other ethnic group.  I, also, do not know what it is like to be a man, a dog, a cat or a bear.  That does not mean I cannot respect and love those that are different than me.  The diversity is just a reality.   Just hoping that some day the diversity is embraced instead of feared.

In the mean time I think I will celebrate each small step forward.  So happy Juneteenth!   Here are a few more websites you might enjoy visiting:

• https://www.juneteenthcentraltexas.com/
• https://austin.curbed.com/maps/austin-juneteenth-parade-party-things-to-do#content
• https://glasstire.com/2019/06/17/celebrate-juneteenth-across-texas/
• https://www.kut.org/post/photos-austin-commemorates-end-slavery-annual-juneteenth-parade

Riders on the Miss Juneteenth float wave at spectators along the route of the parade in East Austin on Saturday.

GABRIEL C. PÉREZ / KUT

Ya'll take care and thanks for stopping by for a visit.

June 18, 2019

Hmmm.  On this day in 1955 my oldest sister was married.  That marriage lasted for over 27 years.  My Mom never forgave her for leaving BIL #1.  Mom did not have to live day in and day out with an alcoholic.  BIL #1 was a really sweet guy to the rest of the world.  Just not always to Sis.  My Sis chose not to live with that.  In 1999 that man passed from complications of his disease.  In 2015 their first born son died from complications of the same disease. 

But on that night 64 years ago the future looked bright for these two beautiful young people.

Sister #1 and BIL #1

Daddy, Momma, Sis #1, BIL #!, Mozelle and Bud

The wedding party.  I am the first little girl on the far left, Sis # 2 is next.  Reba Jane is next small girl.  Lynda is next.
Lynda and Reba Jane are cousins and were in my wedding, too.

June 12, 2019

Mission today was to transport 8 family members and their luggage to the airport.  Add drivers and that meant 2 vehicles to haul the bunch.  Seven of the eight are headed to Paris for the Women's World Cup.  Of course as long as you are in France there is much more to do than just soccer.  So Son, DIL and five teens will be landing in Paris tomorrow.  Oh, my.  Keeping up with that number of people will be interesting but fun for sure.

The eighth person is DIL's dad.  Grappa as he is known to the grandkids heads to Costa Rica for three months.  He is an avid birder.  His facebook feeds will be filled with exotic birds and beautiful scenery.  He is retired and loves spending most of his time in Central America countries.  This lifestyle is a change for his professional life as a lawyer.  Those years focused on law as it related to the music industry.  At one point he traveled with a group know as ZZ Top.  Yes, birding in the mountains of Central America is definitely a change.

Hubby and I will stay in the area house, dog and kitty sitting.  With the family all gone Son's friends whose house purchase hit a big bump will do those duties for a few days.  The friends' stay will allow me to remain home and sew.  The last two days had too many interruptions to accomplish anything toward the assembly of the fabric.

I'll leave you with another photo from the recent Oklahoma trip.  Ya'll all take care.

June 9, 2019

Sunday in June.  In Texas.  Is Hot.  After joining the family for the birthday brunch we came home.  I stayed in my dress which was comfortable.  Sitting in my chair I fell asleep.  For several hours.  Not just a nap, deep sleep.  I used the neck pillow so did not awake with a crick in my neck.  I did awake to a video game on our TV.  Hubby was watching a video he thought our youngest grandson had posted.  It was not.  And we still have not located the post.  Oh, well.

We are planning to leave for South Carolina in about 2 weeks.  I had purchased some material last year.  This past week I became inspired to make a couple of garments out of them.  Guess one could say I got in the notion to sew.  Anyway both garment patterns are cut out and I will begin work on them tomorrow.  One will be a dress.  I have enough material left to make a sleep top out of that material.  The other will be a pair of jean type beach comber length pants.  The jeans will be a ore complicated project  It has been several years since I put a zipper in a garment.  Oh, well.  Sewing is like riding a bike.  Does not take much to get the rhythm back.

A stormy weather front is passing through tonight.  Tornado sightings.  High winds uprooted some trees.  Now it is lightning and hard rain on and off but the high winds have stopped.  Just June in Texas.  Well, at least it is not quite as hot. 

Ya'll all take care.

June 8, 2019

Four Generations of Adcocks

Our oldest grandson will turn 18 this week.  I am remembering the first time his Grandpa and I saw that precious bundle.  We both had tears of joy streaming down our face.  His mom had tried to have a regular birth but had to have a C section.  That first grandson was a big 9 + pound boy.  Blue eyes and dark hair.  My heart still swells a bit bigger at just the memory of those moments.  Naturally he was the most handsome, brightest and sweetest grandchild ever born.  Well, until the next one and the last one.  Now with two bonus grandkids our family is complete.


There is always something special about that first grandchild.  Not that he is the favorite cause each is a favorite in their own way.  It is just that he was the first.  The first to smile at us.  I well remember his visit when he was about 10 months old.  Grandpa was holding him and #1 rubbed Grandpa's bald head.  Then he reached over and rubbed the hair on my head.  He looked back at Grandpa sort of puzzled.  Rubbing Grandpa's head again he broke into a big smile.  We all broke up at his discovery.

First birthday party.

There were pictures sent by email so we could remotely enjoy this cute boy.   Every thing from baths to playing with trucks.  Video of him eating Cheerios.  Cause with the first grandchild every little thing is special.  The sound of his voice saying I U, Grandma the first time.  Again heart pumping at the memory.

#1 Grandson is the one that had his jaw broken while playing lacrosse this spring.  He is now almost 6 feet tall.  He is still sweet as ever and always cooperative.  He gives good hugs and still tells me, "Love you, Grandma" no matter where he is or if his friends are around.  Cause the unwritten rule is it is ok to be mushy with the grandma.  And Grandpa. 

It has been wonderful to be living closer to all the grandchildren the last 5 + years.  Building more memories.  Watching all sorts of sports.  Cooking homemade pizza, cinnamon rolls and sorghum chewies. 

And now this baby boy will be able to vote.    

June 4, 2019

We have made it back home from a week of helping my second oldest sister, aka Sister #2, following her knee revision of a previous replacement.  Yes, this is a total of two sisters having a total of 3 knee replacements since January 14.  Sister # 2 has now had a total of 3 replacement with the first being 17 years ago and the is the one she had replaced this time.  Both Sister #1 and #2 are on the mend now.  Unfortunately Sister #1 needs a hip replaced but she wants to wait till next year.  Can't blame her after the cellulitis issue following the second replacement.  Her body needs to regain strength to withstand another surgery.

Sister #2 lives in Oklahoma on about 6 acres.  BIL has a garden.  We had freshly dug potatoes for at least 2 meals.  Now that is good eats for this old farm girl.  Surely brought back childhood memories.  Amazing how taste and smell can trigger so many memories.  We four sat at the 104 year old table that belonged to our dad's mom.  We shared memories of our childhoods.

BIL, Sister #2 and I had grown up in the same rural community.  Sister #2 swears she fell in love with him when she was about 8 or 9 at the grade school we all attended.  She was about 13 when they started dating on and off in the 1950's.  They married on January 10, 1957.  Sis #2 was only 16.  One of her good friends was already married with a child of her own.  Lots of girls married young in those days.

Some of those young girls are gone to the next realm.  Others like Sister #2 are still chugging along.  Getting up early and enjoying a cup of coffee with the same man for the last 62+ years.  Watching for the birds that come to the birdhouses BIL has built.  Or birds and wild turkeys wandering about the 6 acres.

Sister #2's daughter shares the 6 acres with her parents.  She checks on them daily.  As does her husband, daughter and grandchildren  Sister #2 is their Yaya.  The great grandson is only 3 so he is especially fond of his Yaya.  According to Sister #2, aka Yaya, she does not do everything he wants.  Everyone else disagrees with that. 

Daughter making one of many trips to check on her parents, aka BIL and Sister #2

I understand Yaya's love of that spirited youngster.  The unexpected things he says.  He recently picked up a roly poly bug.  He came to his Yaya and said, "See my roly poly? He's my friend".  His blue eyes light up talking about bugs, water and dirt.  Just the simple pleasures of childhood.  In this world with so many negative vibes, the innocent qualities in this little boy bring a refreshing distraction.

Great grandson and his dog, Ranger, enjoying a bit of water in his new pool.

I will leave you this evening with a photo of one of the Hackberry Emperor on my husband's hand.  Cause no matter the age we humans still enjoy the simple pleasures of lfe.