A View from the Crosswalk--It's a wrap!

Sigh!  I'm so ready for a break from the crosswalk but the last day always makes me sad.  It means change, transition, a move forward into the unkown.  In other words, it's the end of my 17th year and I'm old.  That's all there is to it.  But is it?  

This is the first year I've kind of gotten emotional about the end.  The looming luxury of sleeping in at least a couple of days out of the week and knowing for sure I'll be back iin the fall usually override any sadness I would feel.  At this point I'm planning on being back but maybe this time, I'm just not sure.  Or maybe my loathing of good-bye's and change is growing with increasing strength as I age.

It doesn't help that it's Colt's last year.  I met Colt when he was a little toddler and his mom would walk the older two siblings across the street.  I mean, seriously, where did these six years go?  As he made his way across the street this afternoon he gave me a big ol' hug and thanked me for always walking them across. 

Then there's Cody.  Cody is the grandson of an old friend of mine and he lives down the street from me.  When Cody was about four his mom died and so he has lived with his grandmother  ever since.  He is now graduated from elementary school and I've given him a ride almost every year since he started.  I'll miss his fun personality in the mornings. 

 And Janina too.  I also met her as a toddler and, even though she's been a little more sporadic than Colt, she's walked across every year since.  Janina's mom is very Americanized but from the middle east and still speaks with a strong accent.  As they both walked across this afternoon the mom thanked me "for your kindness".  Wait!  Where did those tears come from?  Sometimes I go way overboard into sentimental territory.

Okay, before I put the stop sign away for the summer, it's time to hold it up in front of myself and  put an end to my sappy silliness.  Time to  move on to late mornings, uncommitted afternoons, four day weekends, and decking out that new patio we just put in!!  Oh, did I forget to tell you about that?  Well, more news on that is just around the corner.  That post may get the title of "How to Move Quickly Toward Divorce!".  Just kidding................hmmmmm!           

Updates

My home made vanilla flavoring project is an ongoing work in progress but a success.  The far left jar is the three month old version done with whole vanilla beans soaked in vodka.  The jar on the right is new, as you can see from the label, but was made with the leftover vanilla beans, cut open and seeds scraped out.  I'm pretty sure the second version will be the most flavorful if color decides any part of the outcome. 

Then there's my winter sowing project....not so successful.  Here on the right is all I salvaged from the five seed starts.  It's one of the types of seed I harvested when I was out and about somewhere so I don't even know what it's called except that its a bushy plant with orange daisy like flowers that are hearty in heat.  They don't seem really happy right now in these little pots but I don't have a good spot to put them so am stalling a few more days till I find a sunny place.  Not so easy anymore since there is more and more shaded area in my yard. 

Here's a not so successful (the jury's still out) example of my winter sowing project.  From this distance while it looks like there's nothing....... 

here's a closer look and there are actually little seedlings!  I'm not sure that they aren't just little weeds that will soon just die, I am having fun watching to see what will happen.  One thing I know for sure is that they're not what I planted in the milk carton.  This is the container where I planted the castor seed.  It didn't take.  The good news, though, is that I went scrounging around in my seed collection and found what I thought was a castor seed.  I wasn't sure and the seed had to be at least two years old and had been out int the elements.  But I figured it was worth a try so I planted it.  And now I've got a castor plant growing out in my garden under the hollyhocks.  So when the hollyhocks are spent for this season I'll just cut them down to make way for my baby castor plant to grow into the glorious and beautiful addition to my garden. 

Okay, remember the potential-wildflower-but-probably-weed I picked from the property that used to belong to my ancestors?  Well, now it's just pretty much a weed.  Actually it looks like it may want to bloom something but I think some wierd little some kind of bug came along for the ride from the country because it's eaten what might have been a bloom.  I can't tell for sure if my theory is correct about the blooms but there is definitely some  strange bug that's chowing down.  It looks like a walking stick bug but is tiny.  The good thing is that I still have a reminder of our family outing in the country.

This next picture is sort of an update on the chickens.  Because of them I pretty much can't have any exposed dirt or plant that's accessible to them.  Therefore, I've had to make little fences with chicken wire for my dragon wing begonia....   

and my impatiens on the porch.  Kaylee and I built a makeshift fence around my little veggie garden so now I've got tomatoes growing safe from scratching and pecking.  The chickens still get into my flower garden sometimes when I'm not around to shoo them out with the broom but they haven't done that much harm so I guess I'll give them a pass with that.  For now. 

And here's the final update.  I have an unexpected and always welcome day off from my driving job today so I took a picture of where I might be headed, oh, around 1 or 2 this afternoon, for a little nap.  Ah, the plus side of the empty nest! 

Moses, Joseph, David, and Mom

I've been hearing and reading lately about different people in the Bible and God has allowed me to see clearly that these heroes that I've learned about all my life are flawed.  I mean, I knew their stories but their mistakes and imperfections while also growing spiritually and being used mightily by God have really stuck out to me this time. 

Joseph started out being a tattletale and annoyed everyone in his family by bragging but, boy, did God use Joseph.  He later had an amazing work ethic, didn't fall easily into temptation, was forgiving, and he honored and worshipped God above all else.

Moses let his anger get away from him and was later afraid to speak out even though God gave him all that he needed to do so.  But then he was responsible for thousands of Jews making it to the promised land and he agreed to be the vessel that God used to administer the ten commandments.

David was available to be used by God from pretty much the very beginning and was called "a man after God's own heart".  But David had flaws too.  He succumbed to temptation that ruined other's lives and even resulted in a death.  He was also a pretty sad excuse for a father.  But God used him.

So how does Mary Jacqueline Bibb Walton fit into this scenario?  Well, she's no Joseph, Moses, or David, I'll admit, but for me, anyway, she was used by God.  As I grew up I was always aware that my Mom desired God and His ways.  She was distracted by a large family and disappointments along the way, allowing Satan in the mix to rob her of happiness sometimes, but she always went back to the foundation of why she was here, to know God better and to glorify Him in her life.  Like Joseph, Moses, and David, she was flawed.  She was a sinner and her actions sometimes had harmful results.  But, for me, ultimately she was the arrow that pointed to God.  I was influenced spiritually by several different people along the way but Mom was the one that caused me to desire to know God better and to further study His Word.  

So on this Mother's Day 2012 I'm thankful that God has provided His Word so that we might learn about imperfect people and how He used them.  And I'm thankful for  my mom and the spiritual legacy she left to me.    

 

Iowa holiday

For me, it's always so nice to get away.  And this time my destination of choice was Iowa where I was able to visit my good and long time friend, Shari.  I've written about her before but Shari used to be my neighbor here on Georgetown Dr.  She and her fun family,  unfortunately for me, moved back to her home state of Iowa about 17 years ago and we have written weekly letters back and forth ever since. 

Shari is really busy right now getting her last child and only son graduated from high school but she made time for me and we had a great time visiting and seeing the Iowa sights. 

On Saturday, after her son Ryan's soccer game, we ate outside at a restaurant right on the Mississippi River.  Such a beautiful day!  Shari invited her friend Dottie to eat with us because she thought we might hit it off and we did!  I definitely have a new friend now and that's always fun.  The three of us just sat, eating and talking for three hours.  So lovely to be able to relax and enjoy visiting. 

 


Saturday night was Ryan's prom so I was glad to get this picture of  mom and son.  He's her youngest child and only son so when he leaves for California to go to college this fall there will be an empty spot for sure.  I feel like her sadness probably won't last long though since her eighth grandchild in three years will be born in September.  Yeah, amazing!  The eight are spread pretty evenly between her three beautiful daughters.     


Apparently they have black squirrels
 in this part of Iowa so of course
 I had to get a picture of that.



Here's how the whole idea for the trip started.  I offered to make Ryan a t-shirt quilt for his graduation.  And I didn't want to trust the mail options to get it there safely so I just decided to hand deliver it.  They were more than appreciative and I know the quilt will be treasured.

And here's Shari and her husband, Kip.  He's one of the pastors of
a church there and they make a pretty great ministry team. 
Thanks again, guys, for hosting me!

Henhouse woes

It was bound to happen.  When I acquired three hens, that meant I acquired females.  And that means hormones.  And that means nothing but trouble.  Are you with me, ladies??

One of my hens has gone broody.  Her body wants badly to lay on eggs and hatch them.  There's just one problem with that plan though.  It's not possible for my hens to lay fertile eggs.  You need a rooster and that ain't happenin'.  First of all I'm already breaking city codes by having chickens in my back yard and second of all, neighbors would probably complain about the crowing, setting off issues with the subject of the first reason.  And thirdly, well,  I don't want a rooster, thank you very much.  

So, because there's no rooster, the eggs don't get fertilized and we can't have babies.  I know!  Isn't that the saddest thing you've ever heard?  Just come on over and I'll show you sad!  I was so worried about the poor Rock that I even checked on Craig's List about buying a fertile egg for her to lay on and hatch.  The lady from the ad didn't even laugh at me when I called her but gave me several reasons why that's not a good idea, one being that the fertile egg might turn into, you guessed it, a rooster.  Huh!  Hadn't thought of that.  

The Rock doesn't seem to be as bothered as much today but I'm trying to keep her out of the nesting box as much as possible and get her through this depressing and "broody" time.  I read online that you can dunk the hen in cold water to help her get over it.  Are you kidding me???  Some man had that bright idea is what I'm thinking!!

And yesterday when I was figuring all this out, I noticed that the Rock and the Buff both were pecking all under their feathers as if they were itching like crazy.  Mites!!  I'd read about them before I got chickens but learned that if you only had a few and if they were able to "bathe" enough then the liklihood of getting mites was minimal.  Well, so much for that theory.  Actually, I'm not even sure they've got mites but while I was in crisis mode I thought I'd just add to the female drama and go all the way.  So last night Bob caught the Buff (he's my hero!), I took her by the legs and turned her over, and she just hung there.  Weird!  Turns out when they're upside down they're very docile.  Who'da thunk?  (I know that you're wishing there were pictures right about now but I'm sorry to say that we were otherwise occupied so, sadly, there are none.)  Anyway, one by one, we sprinkled the hens with mite powder and, after cleaning out the nesting boxes and sprinkling them well, hopefully we've taken care of the potential but maybe nonexisting mites.  One can only hope, right?

I do have one picture of the oh so uncomfortable and grumpy Rock just trying to get some peace while I keep opening the door of the nesting boxes to shoo her off.  Poor thing!  Maybe her system will get back to normal soon.          

Just a little jaunt!

A couple of weeks ago some of my extended family and Bob and I decided to take a trip back in time and went to explore where my maternal grandfather grew up. Dave had researched the information and had an old map to follow so we were ready and enthusiastic.

The property was a little north and west of Whitesboro, almost to the Red River, and so we had to drive for about 20 minutes from my dad's house.  Mind you, it might have taken quite a bit longer had we meandered our way over the quaint country roads enjoying the peaceful drive......it might have had Dave not been driving, that is.   As it was I was lucky to get a look at anything  as the coutryside whizzed by.  I mean, seriously, I thought maybe I'd found myself smack dab in the middle of a NASCAR race.  Good grief, Dave, I know you're from Houston but take a chill pill!  

Anyway, we reached our destination in no time flat and pulled in to this driveway only to be greeted by a locked gate.  Dave had previously gotten permission for us to go onto the property but that didn't include a personal welcome with a butler to open the door so we did what any good country kid turned city slicker does.  We climbed over.....or under, as you'll see later.  Dave thought of everything so had loaded a lawn chair for Dad to sit in while he waited for us to go on our jouney.  Guess he didn't feel much like climbing a fence at 95.  Here's a picture of Dad and Dave as the quest began.   

Here we are feeling like quite the adventurers having conquered the fence.  We were ready.  Ready to plant our feet on the land that our forefathers had settled and raised a family on.  Well, we were hoping that was true anyway.  Nobody knew for 100% sure that this was the place but we were thinking positively as we began the journey.  In front from the left are Dave, me, Kelly, and Erin.  Trudging along behind us were Suzy, Marie, and Bob.  Amy was there but she must be hidden in front of somebody.  And Catherine was taking the picture. 

Okay, my very fun sister-in-law, Catherine, gets to model part of what we did several times that day.  She was crawling under this fence but we did some climbing over too.  Turns out there were a few other fences.     

We hadn't walked very far, maybe about 50 yards up a sloping hill, and we found this very old well that we felt was definitely built around the time our great grandfather came to Texas.  It was a very good sign and and a theory I chose to believe.

Here's an example of what some of the property looked like.  Green, beautiful, and oh, so quiet.  Isn't that what is most noticeable when you're in the country, the quiet?  I love it because true quiet is very rare when you live in the city. 

We continued on but kind of spread out to explore and see what each of us could find and I found something!  A sort of petrified frog!  Euuww!  But I held on to it.  I was with Catherine but  Amy and Erin had run on ahead so I wanted to show it to them.

They weren't that impressed!  Ya think?!?

After about an hour of tramping around the property, seeing the sights and dodging the cow patties, I found I was really enjoying discovering flowers I'd never seen before.  So before we started back I decided I'd just bring one home.  I had no clue what was what and the difference between a weed and a flower (heck, they all were probably weeds, for all I know) and I tried several times without much success and no tool to dig with, but finally dug up something green with a stick and my bare, and now dirty, hands.  More about the weed a little later.

When we got back to where the well was we discovered, not too far away, what we thought might have been a cellar.  Okay, I, being the idealist that I am, decided that this was the cellar of my forefathers.  I mean, it made sense.  There was the well not 20 feet away and both were on a hill overlooking the countryside.  A perfect place to build a house and a life on.  That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.     

Erin and I are posing with red faces, hot and tired from our fun and adventurous day.  Notice the droopy weed and dirt in my hand?  Oh, ye of little faith!

And here it is!!  The weed, two weeks later transplanted in my flower garden.  It was sad for a couple of days but has perked up in its new home after a little TLC and water.  It's probably truly only a weed but it's a weed from the land where my grandfather played as a little boy and farmed as a man.  And a reminder of the memory making day I spent with my family.

Happy Birthday Captain Bobby!

Bobby's birthday was actually yesterday, the 11th, so I'm a little late posting.  But it's never too late to shout proudly the praises of those that deserve it. 

I never dreamed that 22 years ago that sweet little infant boy would grow up to become the strong, outgoing, and confident young man he's become. 

Right now he's in Tulsa fulfilling a four day drill obligation with the Air National Guard of which he's been a member for three years. 

Bobby is a junior, working on his professional pilot degree at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.  He is serving his first year as captain of the university flight team and, in May, they'll be going to Kansas to compete in the national flight competition.  He's wearing his flight team shirt in the picture I've posted.  

Since Bobby's been at Southeastern, he's been awarded several scholarships from the flight department as well as the university and just last week he learned about yet another one.  

So before I go way overboard in the bragging department (maybe I already did!) let me just say........That's my boy!!!