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Saturday, July 30, 2022

Nicknames

Mom and Joe, aka Rathole, Covington
 Do you have a nickname?  There was a family in the rural community where I grew into my teen years that had nicknames for most of the family.  The Covingtons had Doodle and Tootsie, two I recall at this time.  Oh, Cub was another of the brothers as well as Rathole.  Jet was the mom's nickname.  Doodle gave my Sis #1 her nickname, Racehorse, cause she could outrun everyone else.  She was thin and had long legs.  

During one of the last two sister times in McKinney, we sisters were discussing one of the Covington family's granddaughters.   Suddenly, Sis #1 asked, "Did Doodle die?"  I could not help myself.  I started giggling and rapidly repeating the question.  Then all of us four began laughing.  It was the kind of laughter that allows some of the stress to flow away on the gales of laughter.  Sis #1 grabbed her phone and within a minute had the answer.  Doodle indeed had passed away just a few days before our gathering.  The answer came, "Doodle did did".  

Strange how some words or phrases will stick with us through the decades of life.  Words we utter as children become catchphrases within a family.  Our son said rainbrella instead of umbrella;  bagoose rather than caboose.  He called Sis #1 MakMak instead of Margaret and Sisue instead of Suzie.  Nandad for Grandad and the list goes on.  So Sis #1 is called MakMak by many in the family.  Others called her Maggie.  Suzie is actually a nickname for Sue.  Machew Pow is actually Matthew Powell.


In my 'I don't care' stage

Needing to be a  girl stage

Daddy gave me the nickname Sam.  It has not one thing to do with my name, more my attitude, I guess.  He even had a rhyme to go with the name.  She's Sam cause she doesn't give a damn.   Once I hit puberty I informed the world I did care and I wanted to use my girl name, Janice.  For a the most part, folks complied with my demand request.  But there is still one guy, Joe Covington that still calls me Sam.  Yes, he is Rathole.

Just for the record, I have entered/returned to the I just don't give a care stage.  You can call me Sam, Jan, Wench, whatever.  Just do not forget to call me for supper.

Take care and love,
Sam


Friday, July 29, 2022

Eighty-three Years Ago

Hubby's folks were married 83 years ago today.  That is July 29, 1939.  Carl had an eighth-grade education.  Edna had completed high school and attended business college.  They made a great team working together for the almost 66 years they lived together.  He took correspondence classes for radio and television repair.  He felt an entirely new world opened up when he learned how to do square root equations.  He always pushed any young person to learn square root.  One of Son's favorite memories of his Grandpa.

Edna would work first as a hired hand for a farmer's wife in Kansas.  Cooking for the men working in the fields.  She came home to visit her folks living in Missouri.  Carl's aunt invited Edna to a party at a friend's home.  That is where the two kids met.  They must have hit it off cause when Edna returned to Kansas they began corresponding.  (We still have a few of those love letters.)  Edna convinced Carl to come to Kansas to work for the same farming operation where she was employed.  And as the folks will say, the rest is history.

All you fine folks out there, take care.  Take every opportunity to fill the world with love and laughter.

Janice

Friday, July 22, 2022

Birthdays and Such

Grandson #3 turned 18 on Wednesday.  Son, DIL, Gson # 2, #3, #4, Hubby, and I gathered at Pluckers for the celebration.  Chicken wings with various sauces are the main focus on the menu. DIL and I opted for a salad apiece.  They turned out to be huge.  We brought the salad leftovers home and they were enough for dinner.  

Pluckers have a special song for birthday people.  The birthday person is asked to put pointed cups in their mouth.  That is supposed to look like a chicken's beak.  A large menu is held in each hand.  As the song is sung the birthday person is to flap their arms like a chicken.  It is a sight to behold.  

Mom and Daddy renew their vows at their 60th-anniversary party.
Thursday was my folks' wedding anniversary.  Eighty-eight years since they drove into town and the Baptist preacher said the words that united them.  The preacher's wife was the only witness.  

For Mom and Dad's 60th anniversary we sisters decided it would be fun to surprise them with a ceremony to renew their vows.  Mom's ring was worn through so Daddy planned to give her a net set.  Well, we girls convinced him to do it.

We made Mom a veil and bouquet.  Mom's brother, Uncle Clay, walked her down the aisle.  Clay carried a shotgun so it could be a shotgun wedding.  BIL #2 was a pastor, so he performed the ceremony.  Mom had always regretted not getting to have family around for her and Daddy's wedding.  Mom finally had her wedding.

Mom and Daddy lacked 4 months to make it to their 70th anniversary.  That was because Daddy passed away. Someone once asked Mom how they managed to stay married so long.  "Pretty simple, divorce was never an option, and killing him would have landed me in jail!"

Earlier this week Hubby had his 6-month doctor visit.  The doctor told Hubby that his A1C was way too high.  The doctor said no more meds to attempt to control the problem.  A change in diet and more walking exercise for Hubby was the prescription!  That means a lot fewer sweets, white potatoes, chips, etc.  Change is on the way.  Maybe I'll even lose a few pounds, also. 

Now it is Friday.  Usually, Hubby makes French toast for French toast Friday.  Not today!  The change starts now.  That is all that is going on in the little apartment home in Central Texas.  Hope you are staying comfortable and safe in this extreme heat.

Janice

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Visits from Another Continent

 Our little part of the world has visitors today.  Visitors in the form of minute grains of sand. So in addition to the temperatures today being 104 ℉, 40 ℃, the air quality sucks.  At least the humidity is only 33 %.  I presume these current conditions give just a taste of what desert living might be like.  Hot, dry, but no air conditioning.  We, thankfully, are still blessed with cooled air.  Sometimes I wonder how we lived back in a time with only an oscillating fan.  Then my mind wanders to centuries ago with only a hand fan to provide air movement.


Hubby has a weather station on our patio.  It transmits to a tablet-looking device that the manufacturer calls a terminal.  Hubby has the terminal sitting on the table next to his chair.  If he puts his glass or cup on the table it blocks my view of the display on the terminal.  Oh, no, I have to move out of my chair to check the temperature,  humidity, wind speed, and various other weather details.  I do have an app on my laptop that allows me to see the readings without moving.  Only the terminal is not talking to our router.  I am not sure why they had such a falling out but they did.

Since returning from the stretch lab the two of us worked to get the two devices to talk to each other.   The process is almost as unsuccessful as nations negotiating oil prices.  Really.  Regardless of all the things we have tried today, the silly devices are not any closer to talking than the Republican and Democratic parties are in working out immigration policy.  We shall try a couple or three other attempts to encourage the devices to talk.  If those do not work I guess the devices will drift apart like Sahara sands over the Atlantic.

Take care, y'all.

Janice  


Monday, July 18, 2022

Ashes to Ashes

Today Nephew #4 picked up his mom's ashes.  That is Sis #1 for me.  It crossed my mind about all the living, happy, sad, and dangerous, that she had lived.  All that energy that had been a part of my family's life.  Energy spent raising three children only to watch the oldest descend into alcoholism.  She was his home health person for at least 7 years of his life.  She was at his bedside, alone as she wanted it to be, as the life support was removed from his septic body.

Saying bye as we leave after our 1971 visit.
I am in a striped shirt.
She married young, 19 years old.  That marriage lasted 25 years but the alcohol curse that claimed her son's life had ended that first marriage.  Till her dying day she still loved the father of her children.  During the 25 years, they built a family.  Jack, #1 BIL, was a rising star in the world of a specific type of insurance, something planes, ships, and cargo.  Jack was promoted and transferred to Portland Oregon in 1969.  They purchased a home across the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington.

The 3 years they lived there were probably the best years of their marriage.  A great group of neighbors.  One group's husband would go salmon fishing then smoke and can the salmon.    Sis #1 was always talented and with Joan G. she began tole painting.  She was wonderful at painting.  In 2018 when our Sister time was a trip to Oregon, Sis #1 spent the last 3 days of the trip with Walt and Joan.

Both Jack's parents and Sis #1 and my parents constantly begged them to move back.  Eventually, they could not stand all the tears and asked for a transfer back to Texas.  After that is when the drinking took over and the marriage began a descent.  By 1979, Sis #1 had moved out of the house.  A year later Jack filed for divorce.

Sis #1 would marry four more times.  She did not make good choices.  The first man pulled a gun on her.  She divorced him.  The next man turned out to have cancer that was in remission.  They lived in a home near a river.  Their home flooded one spring causing her to lose all her children's photos, etc.  A couple of years later Joe's cancer returned.  She cared for him until his death.  

The next relationship with a man, CW, was a casual arrangement.  They cohabitated never marrying.  CW was a good man.  He eventually left her his house and a warehouse that could be leased.  Before his death, Sis had found another man to marry.  That was marriage number 4.  JC seemed nice, taking care of her.  Later he became very possessive and would knock her around.  She finally got the courage to leave him only to have him shoot through the garage apartment where she moved.  Even threatened to run his truck into the garage supports and cause the place to collapse.  The police became involved.

Once Sis was out of that disaster, she worked for the Tarrant County transportation department.  Basically, she was in charge of the smaller buses used to transport the handicapped, elderly, and otherwise those in need of transportation.  She had to attend meetings at the state capitol, budget meetings, etc. At some point, the county changed services or transferred the services to private companies.  Sis rebounded by getting a job with a local newsgroup.  

Around 2004 Sis reconnected with Johnny, a friend from the early days back on the farm in Chambersville.  They began dating.  He lived near Wichita Falls, too far to drive home at night.  They spent several years together, even sharing the home that CW willed Sis.  Johnny was a former alcoholic and a heavy smoker.  He developed cancer.  Sis spent time caring for him until he moved to his daughter's home here in the Austin area.

While working with the transportation group, Sis became acquainted with a gentleman, Mr. Calhoun.  They worked together for several years.  He was married but then his wife became ill and passed away.  Sometime later he and Sis started dating and later married.  They remained married until he passed away in 2012.  

Sis began a new job in 2011.  She worked as a receptionist at Carter Blood Center.  Her Facebook posts were filled with people she met there.  Those posting saw her as a very special person.  Here is one picture and post sent during Sis's last weeks:

  "I remember this day so clearly 7 years ago (I kind of coveted that scarf) that smile can light up any room. You gave me my congrats on 4 gallons card and I cried. Thanks for being part of my miracle Maggie. We love you!"

Sis was a good grandmother and great-grandmother.  I could write my opinion but I'll let her youngest grandson have the last words.  

"It’s sad to say but I lost someone who meant the world to me. We both helped each other through the death of my dad but now I have no clue which direction to go. She was a woman who loved unconditionally and always spoke her mind. She cared for me as if I was her son but I wasn’t her responsibility. She guided me through a darkness and showed me the light, and I never paid her back in full. There are a million ways to cope but none of them are effective when you lose a diamond. Margaret, and it feels weird saying that instead of Memaw, you gave the world so much and expected nothing in return. I’ve never heard a negative thing spoken about you, as it should be. You loved everyone as they were and I can’t express the amount of grief and turmoil that lingers from your passing. But I know I need to be strong, like you always were. I know it’s lame to say but this isn’t goodbye but rather I’ll see you later because I know in my heart we’ll see each other again. I hope you’re having the time of your life up there with my dad. I love you Memaw."


Sis #1 loved people, flowers, sunrises, sunsets, family, casinos, banana ice cream, banana pudding, and having fun.  Now all of that energy is condensed to ashes in an urn.  RIP Sis #1.

Y'all stay safe and as cool as possible.

Janice


Sunday, July 17, 2022

How Much Did I Miss?

Yesterday I put together five 300-piece puzzles online.  This has become such a habit over the last few years that I spend hour after hour 'puzzling.'  Not always the best way to spend my time.  There are so many sewing projects I could be doing.  More scanning of photos would be very productive, too.   But I do puzzles and watch old TV shows.  And read a lot of books, too.  That was till this week when I subscribed to Hulu so Hubby could watch his beloved Cardinals.  Still did not get the baseball game.

Yet somehow in doing these puzzles while watching old TV shows, I've missed lots of good comedy. The one I am streaming now is "Only Murders in the Building".  I cannot stop.  Nor can I stop laughing.  Nor waiting for the next turn and twist. Cause it is not all funny but still quirky.  Steve Martin and Martin Short play off of each other so perfectly.  Both SNL alumni.  And Ms. Gomez is the right mix with the Old Timers.

Several years ago Son gave me "The Handmaiden's Tale" in book form.  Since the book has become a Hulu series, why not binge on this, too.  I have found it can only be taken in small quantities.  Very intense.  A little too real with all the January 6 meetings going on. Along with the overturn of Roe v Wade and gun laws.

Pretty sure I have missed a lot more.  But who cares, there are always puzzles to be assembled.

Take care,

Janice

Friday, July 15, 2022

Recent Doctor Visit

Yearly doctor visits are something I am pretty careful to do.  The old ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure idea.  The only thing Doc saw was I was a bit low on B12.  I mentioned, since he always asks, that I did seem to be bruising really easily.  His response, "Quit running into things!"  Of course, he said it with that adorable smile of his.  

Dr. Daniel is such a good guy.  He is about 40 and single.  I keep attempting to find him the perfect match.  Neither he nor I have been successful.  He has pretty high standards.  No previous marriages, no children from previous relationships.  He says at his age all the good ones are taken.

He is not the first person I have heard say that.  I worked with two women that never found 'the one'.  Are these folks looking for something that does not exist?  Too selective?  I have no answer nor an idea of the circumstances where acceptable mates could be found.  

Hubby and I had a mutual friend that thought we would be a good match.  Fifty-five years later, seems he was correct.  Do I know someone I think would be a good match for doctor D?  Maybe one, but maybe not.  I suppose not everyone visits their doctor and asks if they have found someone.  Well, I do.  And he tells me not to run into things.

Take care out there,

Janice

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Hot Days in The Summer

The temperature projections for the next week are not an improvement from the last several days.  For the last week, a new record has been set almost every day.  Sunday was 110 ℉,  43.3 ℃, exceeding the previous record by one degree.  No rain keeps the ground so warm records are being set for the highest nighttime low temperatures.  It is just plain hot with the humidity giving even higher feels like temps.


This morning I slept until about 7:45. I rolled out of bed, dressed, made the bed, and gathered items I would need for Stretch Lab.  Actually, the items needed for Stretch Lab are my purse and non-skid socks.  I did not even stop for breakfast.  I did drink a bit of water.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  

Last night I had made up my mind to load the recycling into the car before the temperatures were outrageous.  Thus the somewhat earlier time to roll out of the bed.  Even though it was only  8:15 AM the temperature was already 90 ℉,  32.2 ℃.   By the time I gathered the indoor recycling, loaded the sorted items on the cart, and then moved it all out to the car, my head was wet with perspiration.  I failed to bring the gate key so a bit more of a trek to get back to the storage closet to store the cart.  Oh, well more steps for the step count. 

Snow blown into the entry
After storing the cart, I could return to the refreshing 78 ℉,  25.5 ℃, apartment temperature.  We do have the ceiling fans running per the request of  Oncor.  Oncor is the energy management mafia organization for the state of Texas.  This is the organization we Texans had to thank for the mismanagement of power needs in February 2021.  That was the year we had to live with our son for 5 days.  

Sure, that snowstorm was beyond anything normally seen in Central Texas.  Temperatures well below normal and lasting for days pushed the grid to a breaking point.  And, sure enough, it broke.   The persons monitoring the cost of power failed to adjust the formula as the prices fluctuated.  That is why some folks had bills of up to $10,000.  Now to be fully open, the folks had signed contracts that gave much lower rates when the cost for the grid was fine.  But $10,000 seems a bit like overkill when someone or some program did not properly perform.

The state legislature did nothing except pass a bill with no balls.  Oncor was given recommendations but no deadlines nor punishments for not meeting the recommendations.  Gotta love a state run by the lobbyists for the oil companies.  That is not likely to change in the near future.  

Tonight I might be able to do a load of laundry before bedtime.  We should wait to cook dinner till later.  That will not hurt us in the least.  That is how I do my part to keep the grid viable.  Hopefully, driving a hybrid,  requesting my energy come from wind farms, and even just the simple recycling will help.  Folks that drive electric cars are beginning to install solar systems to supply their charging needs.  Just another way we can help the strain on the grid in Texas.

Till all the renewable energy is allowed to be more than 15% of the power grid, the limits will continue.  But this really is still a first-world problem.  Unfortunately, there are still folks that do not have air conditioning.  Some do not even have a home.   BTW, we saw gas for $3.99 a gallon.  

Y'all take care.
Janice

PS:  Oncor has suggested using outdoor heated surfaces for cooking to further conserve energy.

The round rock that gave the city its name.











Sunday, July 10, 2022

Software Updates

For the past several years we have used iolo software for computer security.  In early June Hubby renewed the subscription making a decision to upgrade to a higher level that includes additional features.  The software covered all our computers, laptops, and tablets.  With coupons and cashback, the upgrade was a no-brainer.  

I had not really given the upgrade any attention for this laptop.  Seems the last month my brain has been very preoccupied with more important issues.  In addition yesterday I noticed two additional charges from iolo.com on two different cards.  I knew the information would need to be gathered in order to resolve the issues.  Today the old grey matter noticed that my laptop was not being monitored.  Oops.  That notice reminded me to gather the data.  Once gathered I went to the customer support window, but no chat window.  I typed all the info into a separate customer service window with no result.  Ugh.

Hubby says he has a chat window.  I copied my text and emailed him the info.  He copied it to the text window.  The tech returned the funds and we were smiling.  Now I attempted to download the upgrade because I needed security software.  Simple enough.  Just go to iolo.com, sign in to Hubby's account, note the invoice number, and download.  Just as we have since we first purchased iolo software.

Nope.  First of all, there was no place to sign in to an account.  I attempt different approaches only to reach the same place every time, the purchase page.  Ugh.  Hubby sent me the original email thinking there was a link that would allow the download.  Nope, UGh.  Since Hubby had already been on the chat line that I could not bring up, he started another chat.  This was not simple.  The tech sent me an email.  The email had me download software so the tech could 'see' my computer.  UGH.  The software was downloaded remotely by the tech.  Works fine.

That process obviously employs another person.  From this customer's point of view, what a cluster.  We spent far too much time doing an upgrade that had previously taken less than 5 minutes.  Double Ugh.  Thanks for listening to my rant.  Meanwhile, the software is checking my computer for any suspicious files.  In spite of today's hiccup, we still like iolo software protection.

Take care out there.  May want to put that mask back on and sanitize those hands again.  Infections are up.  For those of us in the US, stay in the shade and hydrate.  Our temperature is 102 ℉, 38.8℃.  Beyond UGH!

Janice

Saturday, July 9, 2022

The Travel Bag

When we made the trip of a lifetime to Eastern Europe in 2016 we needed new suitcases.  The old ones did not have the convenience of wheels.  Well, wheels that still worked.  I spent some time researching and finally purchased bags from e-bags.com.  There were four bags.  A suit bag that could hold two men's suits as well as shoes, socks, etc with swiveling wheels.  A 32-inch with an expandable top with stationary wheels.  The wheels turn of course just do not swivel. A 20-inch with expandable top and swiveling wheels.  One bag that fits underneath the airplane seat in front of me.  No expansion gussets and the wheels do not swivel.  We mostly use this last bag for our individual bathroom bags, extra plugs, and cords for phones and other small devices.  

The bathroom bag as we call the smallest bag makes a great weekender bag if only one of us is traveling.  That is the bag I have left within easy reach over the last few weeks.  It was the 'just in case I needed to go" to be with my Sis #1.  Wednesday night of this week I was preparing to drive north on Thursday afternoon to help with Sis #1.  That trip never happened.  Sis #1 passed before noon on Thursday as I noted in my previous post.

So now I sit once more in my recliner.  There is an emptiness that was once filled by Sis #1.  We seldom called one another.  We did stay in touch by texts and Marco Polo apps.  Of course Sis #1 sort of lived on Facebook since her retirement at 80 years of age.  She posted photos of sunrises and sunsets until she could no longer walk without help.  Then all her Facebook friends and our Niece #2 started posting for her.  Sis #1 would leave a post at night inviting folks to join her for coffee in the mornings.  As expected, she would have a post in the early hours about her first cup of coffee.

One cousin in California is a fan of dragons.  Each day she posts a dragon of some sort.  At some point, Sis #1 decided to start writing a comment about what the dragons were saying.   Folks became a fan of the comments.  About 3 or 4 weeks before her passing she was no longer able to comment.  Sis #2 took up the gauntlet. Sis #1 posted memes about flowers every day.  I guess I could do that since that is one thing we had in common, a love of gardening.  But it just will not be the same.

This morning I put the bag away up on the shelf.  I shed a few tears knowing why the bag no longer needed to be ready to pack quickly.  There are no sister times planned at this time.  For many years Sis #1 was unable to attend sister times so it was just the three of us.  Once Sis #1 retired and was no longer married nor caring for her ill son, she began attending sister time.  We will be back to the three of us.  I am calling us the Three Quarter Sisters as in 3/4 or three-fourths of The Sisters.  

The positive side of this is I no longer will tense up when the phone rings.  Or a text notification sounds.  I can smile at something my son, DIL, or grandkids text.  Even look forward to pulling down one of the bags for a bit of travel.  All this and knowing Sis #1 is no longer in pain.  I also know I did what I could for her when she was alive.  But there will always be the baggage of her love for us sisters to carry.  And that baggage has expansion capabilities and wheels that not only swivel but dance to whatever tune is played.  Now that is the best kind of baggage.

Y'all take care out there in the world.  I'll sit in my apartment hiding from the 106-7 ℉ (41.6 ℃) temperatures.

Peace,

Janice



Thursday, July 7, 2022

Well, It Is High Noon

Copyright 1952 – United Artists Corporation.Public Domain, 
High Noon is an old 1952 cowboy movie.  It starred Gary Cooper, a major star at the time.  A few other names of cast members you might recognize are Grace Kelly, Lee Van Cleef, Lon Chaney, Harry Morgan, and Lloyd Bridges to name a few.  This was just past the time some folks refer to this as the golden age of Hollywood.  A time in the 1930s and 1940s when several classic movies such as Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, and Gone With the Wind were filmed.  High Noon was considered by the US Library of Congress to be one of 25 films to be preserved in the National Film Registry.

Interesting how decisions are made.  Everyone has an opinion but few have the power to make the final decision.  At this point, I could make all kinds of statements about the US Supreme Court.  My opinion means nothing.  So why waste time typing them.  I can just say, I don't agree with some of the more recent rulings.

The movie, High Noon, dealt with a man of honor standing against men with no honor.  A wife that sets aside her beliefs to save her husband.  Decisions about life and living.

Today I spoke with Sis #4.  She was standing by Sis #1's bedside in the hospice unit.  Sis #1's breathing is so slow she is sure to pass within hours.  Sis #1 has never given up the hope of a miracle.  She made to decision to live past May 27 and then past July 4th.  She has done it.  So decisions do matter.

Word came around noon today that Sis #1 has passed from this life.  The exact time was 11:25

Take care,

Janice

1936 - 2022

 



Saturday, July 2, 2022

A Quiet Celebration

Thursday was our 55th wedding anniversary.  That is a long time.  That reflects so many ranges of emotions and life.  The early years were our building years.  Within three or four months of getting married in the summer of 1967, we purchased a 1.8-acre lot in a development 'way out in the country'.  We worked together to save money as well as pay off the property.  Living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture were purchased in 1968 when we moved into an unfurnished apartment.

By the spring of 1969 the house was being built.  We chronicled the process by having Hubby stand next to the fireplace area.  I would stand at the kitchen window. Not only did the house grow, but Hubby and I seemed to have added to our girth. 





Work progressed through the summer and we moved in the first week of September 1969.  The nearest house at that time was about 1/4 mile away.  As the years went by additional homes were built on the next-door lots.  Through the years we would drive by our first home when we were in the area visiting my folks.

February 1970, just a bit of snow.

Chuck and Billie's home with our house on the left of the photo

Over the six years we lived in that home, we hosted family gatherings, youth group functions, baby showers, brunches, and one family camped in the back yard.  One member of the family that camped with us visited Sis #1 the last week of June.  Sis #2 and I make the trek to visit with Patty.  Patty was around 6 when she visited for the only time.  Sis #4 arranged for us to once again drive to the area so Patty could see if the place was like she remembered.

The first thing I saw was Chuck and Billie's home had been torn down and a new home was being built.  The empty lot that they used for their two horses had a home on it that appeared to be occupied. 


House on an previously empty lot of Chuck and Billie's

The empty hay field across the country lane was having homes built on it.  Our home was still there as well as the Lawson's to the north.


We are pretty sure that we would not be able to afford the taxes on our old home if we still lived there.  Taxes are horribly high in Texas.  Regardless, here is our home that is now 53 years old.  Even though we have not lived there since 1975, we will think of it as our home.


Cousin Patty said the house was familiar.  She remembered flowerbeds as they were during their visit.  Those beds have been long gone.  

It is good to see that there were several other homes still standing.  A few had been remodeled to add features including our home.  Garages converted to living space.  A new wing had been added to a couple of the others as well as outbuildings.

Life moves forward.  We had our dreams.  Folks dream bigger now.  The new homes are four and five times larger in square feet.  As we age we find we can do just fine with less and less.  But every now and then I remember all the joy we had living on Route 2, Mckinney TX.

Y'all take care out there.  My FAB family has had two more cases of covid.  It's still out there.

Peace and love