The doberman

The rain finally stopped.

It was hot...and humid.

Paddy and I started too late in the day. Really. But we needed to get out-so we did.

On the way down to the park we passed the workers - fixing the siding on a neighbor's place.

On the way back up the hill we noticed they had an unrestrained doberman wandering the yard with them.

The doberman saw us.

He barked.

No one made an effort to restrain him.

We considered, headed to a parallel street, and made it home...hot and sweaty...and whole.

We counted more than 10 squirrel-planted pecans in OUR yard. Prevented from mowing by the wet we are all seeing things growing in the wrong places.

Bindweed or Wild Morning Glory (Ipomoea species). Yes, it is an invasive. Yes, it is a menace. But I love it anyway.

How can you not love this sweet face?

Not a snake, but a snaky looking thing.

Coneflowers.

Also called "Mexican Hats."

Small wafer ash tree.

I forget about these trees until the wafers seed containers form in the spring.

I've been watching for these purple leatherflowers and now have 3 spots to observe.

I wonder if the flower hasn't been damaged by too much water.

Bud of the leatherflower.

Mesquite catkin. It was hard to find some close enough to photograph. One good sized tree was abloom about 10 feet up - where the sun could catch them. So many of these trees are below the canopy of the woods.

This little grouping of trees seems to wait for me...

....presenting me with  this bouquet of honeysuckle.

The sliver -cup of the moon "pouring out" over the woods. Does this portend more rain?*

NOTE:

*It reminded me of the way (I had always heard) to properly hang a horseshoe (for luck). You hang it "legs" or "horns" UP so the luck doesn't pour out.  But then I read this...there is a difference of opinion on hanging horseshoes! http://www.transmet.com/for-good-luck-do-you-hang-a-horseshoe-with-the-open-end-up-or-down/

Yeah...well, this is what I found about the moon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_moon

FINAL note - I did call for DH to come pick me up, but he missed the call. It is a good thing I didn't wait.

We drove all over

My friend and I took advantage of a break in the weather this afternoon.

We drove to the country and bought tenderloin, bacon, cheese, sausage, kolaches and cookies (No, not a balanced meal. Hoping for some luck at the farmers' market in the morning). We saw water standing in the ditches and fields - and overflowing the tanks (ponds). Some small creeks were bursting their banks.

"Let's check the water at home," she said.

So we drove to view our local creek in three spots. The water was flowing bank to bank, but not "overflowing." Then we crossed the local dam and noted it full as well (we will have to take a trip down to the spillway and see what is happening there).

Finally, we headed out to a long bridge high over the river channel at the "start" of the lake. In 1991/92/93 it rained so that the water lapped up to the edges of the old bridge.* Road crews kept barricades at the ready in case the water entered the roadway.**

The river/lake today was some 20 feet below the new bridge.*** There appeared to be plenty of room for more rain, if we can bear it. "I've seen it higher than this," said I. "Me too," replied my friend. And we agreed that neither one of us wants to see a flood like that again.

My friend had been talking about a camping trip scheduled at a park nearby. Many parks are already under water and closed so we decided to check. We discovered that this park is on a bluff and, though damp, is still dry enough for camping.****

A doe was out enjoying the temporary sunshine.

I'm inviting DH for a drive tomorrow to see if we can take pictures of the wildflowers along the roadway - before the traffic becomes impossible on this holiday weekend.

NOTES:

*I drove this road many times during the flood. At night I would watch the tail lights of the car ahead of me. If that car "made it across" (and only then) I would start across. Later, my oldest told me that she always held her breath.

**I don't believe they ever closed the bridge or, if so, only closed it for a short time. After the flood the many of the trees below died, drowned or suffocated by silt.

***The narrow old bridge was replaced by a new bridge built from 2002-2004 at a cost of about $20 million (!).
http://m.tdtnews.com/archive/article_9507519e-04c7-55ae-9826-3167a857d68d.html?mode=jqm

**** Better her than me.

Little problems

It's raining.

Again.

This is our second wet spring after a number of years of drought. And, while I am not sure the aquifers have all "caught up," our lakes are full and some of our parks flooded. I've seen the flooded fields so my prayers for dry aren't in conflict with farmer prayers for rain.

Weather forecasts show rain for later today and tomorrow and all next week.

Early this morning I was surprised to wake up to silence. There was no thunder in the distance and no drum of rain on the roof. It was not too early, but a perfect time to walk so I check the radar (there was a break in the action - 30 minutes?),  made coffee, and prepared to head to the park with Padimus.

Poor girl. Her only walks have been from the yard to the house and back as we bring her inside during the lightning and thunder boomers. She is "afeared" of noise and storms can be too much. If left in the yard, she won't be there long.* These days of thunderstorms cannot be any fun for her. What happened to sweet gentle spring rain?

So I grabbed a cup of coffee and a reflective belt and headed down the street with my companion.

We made it a block before I could see the flicker of distant lightning. A few gusts of wind indicated something was coming. We made it another block and the rumble of thunder told us the rain was closer.

On this part of the walk we are sheltered under oak and pecan trees that extend over the sidewalk. The shade provided on a sunny day is priceless. And today they sheltered us from the storm that broke around us in a rustle of leaves as plump drops fought their way to the ground.

We arrived back in the kitchen to a DH joking. He had planned to join us in the walk and did not make it out of the yard. Seeing our bobbing lights** headed back as the rain began, he turned around and got credit for the attempt.

Paddy is sleeping at my feet. DH and I are drinking coffee and watching the news.***

Letting a sleeping dog lie (Don't look at my dirty carpet!)

There's still time to walk after breakfast if that last wave of rain will blow through. But nothing happens on "our time." 

NOTES:

*I caught her yesterday as she attempted an escape. She was hidden from view in the "secret passageway" - a tunnel between the fence and a shed where she can dig in secret - and she was not responding to my call.

**We have these fabulous runners' lights we attach to the leash.

*** The storms keep blowing up to our west. "Redevelopment" they call it.


FINAL NOTE:

Continuing the "gratitude" series - I am grateful that we are not expected to see the kind of rain that caused killer floods last Memorial Day weekend. Flooding on Memorial Day seems to happen with regularity, but last year was indescribable. God bless all.

A walk discloses - For Memorial Day 2016

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_memorialday.html

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_memorialday.html

 In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Memorial Day will soon be upon us. Flags will fly and and we will remember "the silence of our friends."

Paddy and I walked in the neighborhood cemetery noting this grave and that. I recognize so many of these last names Yes, I knew some of our permanent neighbors. But most are strangers.

The flags always draw my attention as do the many military stones - some from the Civil War, the Great War, Korea, Vietnam, and the current wars. Many served and lived to return home to family and friends; to die old men and women, having raised children and enjoyed careers. But we passed two graves where the dates and notations on the stones indicated these service men did not survive their service.

SGT Kleber L. Jones was a bombardier serving during World War II. I wonder as I research the records if he was shot down. Older records are not always clear. I searched again and found that he was part of a bombing group targeting Ijmuiden in Holland. Heavy flak and a midair collision resulted in the crash of 8 planes, while 2 were shot down by enemy fighters. Twenty-three of his comrades were reported KIA, 11 MIA, and 24 POWs. Two men are shown as "returned" and one POW "repatriated." Jones ended up as a prisoner of war and died while in captivity.

SGT Daniel K. Methvin was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas and was killed as a result of a grenade being thrown from a window of an Iraqi civilian hospital he was helping guard in Baqubah, Iraq. Also killed in the same attack were Pfc. Wilfredo Perez Jr., 24, of Norwalk, Conn., and Spc. Jonathan Paul Barnes, 21, of Anderson, Mo.

Daniel wanted to help guard a hospital in Iraq because of his love of children. The troops sometimes played with the young children, throwing a football around. Michelle Methvin says she fell in love with her husband in the seventh grade and finally got up the nerve to call him when she was 16. They have a 2-year-old son. Daniel was proud to be a Ranger, but he was first and foremost a family man. [From Find-a-grave listing].

Memorial Day is their day, theirs and that of their brothers and sisters at arms who died in the service of their country.

And we remember.

SGT Jones was in the Army Air Corps. He died as a prisoner of war in Stalag 9c. He was 28 years old.

SGT Daniel K. Methvin, killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was 22 years old.

SGT Methvin's grave.

For love of country they accepted death.

~James A. Garfield

A few more words:

May 29, 2016

I went out to visit the graves of SGT Methvin and SGT Jones to make sure flags were placed and to add flowers (inspired by a Vietnam Veteran who has challenged people to say thanks). Because I had extra flags I looked for a military grave or two before I left the cemetery.

I found James Henry Messer. Messer was a Motor Machinist Mate First Class in the United States Navy and died during the battle of Leyte Gulf. He was the son of Oscar and Muriel Hemphill Messer.  He had an older sister, Nelda, and a younger brother, Robert. 

James was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously.

The Crapshoot or Angels Watching Over Me

He felt that life was largely a crap shoot 

and that we simply need to muddle on as best we can, 

being as kind and loving to one another as possible, right now. 

It’s a pretty good philosophy, 

no matter what one’s religious beliefs or lack of them.

~Michael Dirda, 

book columnist for The Washington Post, 

referring to Kurt Vonnegut

Yeah.

A control freak of sorts, lately I've been reminded (repeatedly) that control is an illusion. Call life a crapshoot, but that sounds kind of negative (especially if you are bad at craps). A more positive spin was provided in an article I read this week which states that "you've already won the lotto."*

The article shares that concept of giving thanks and recognizing that we are who we are and what we are not only because of our hard work but because of a series of incidents (good and bad), accidents, blessings, circumstances, and lucky throws of the dice. Further, the article postulates that gratitude for our good fortune (for things turning out okay) makes us better, more generous (and genuine) human beings. It makes sense to me.

I've always known there are at least two ways to look at everything and the positive has always worked best for me.  I attribute my habit of thought first to my mother's example - I remember her seeing the good in everything to the point where I knew what her response would be - even to tragedy. Almost immediately she would see the "other side" in any situation**

Miss Haley Mills also deserves some credit too, making the Disney Pollyanna character believable and worth emulating. Most of my life I have been "playing the The Glad Game"*** - looking on the bright side of things.

And in a more challenging way, Brother John Totten, SM**** always asked us to look at things from a different perspective. He would physically turn his hand over while saying, "on the other hand." We exercised our minds and spirits in his course, Philosophy of Religion and God, as we attempted to achieve insight.***** Was a semester long enough to establish a kind of muscle memory for the mind, the heart, the spirit? Maybe so. I hope so.

My friend and I discussed the Times article on one of our walks this week (when I could catch my breath to talk). I was sharing some "close calls" in my family history. I have a list of "I almost wasn't here" stories. My children almost weren't here too.

My brother writes a "gratitude Friday message." He can really capture that sense of good fortune and reminds us to be grateful.

So I am making a list. It isn't complete. It's a start. My list includes stories I have told and have yet to tell. There are "other sides" to them. They aren't all funny or pretty stories. My list may not make sense to you. It makes sense to me.

For now, here are the prisms casting rainbows on the wall of my sickroom (Pollyanna helped hang them - watch the movie.):

     I am grateful to the mule which kicked my paternal grandfather in the face causing such damage that the Marines wouldn't take him when he tried to enlist.

     I am grateful for the unnamed man from Rockport, TX who recognized my ailing maternal grandfather in the French hospital (pneumonia from mustard gas) and brought Uncle Oscar, a doctor, to him.

     I am grateful for Uncle Oscar.

     I am grateful for the inner tubes my traveling salesman grandfather carried in his vehicle and used to float away from the old river bridge where he was stuck during a flood.

     I am grateful for life being so bad in Ireland, Germany, Russia and other countries that people (many mere children) risked everything for a chance (there it is again - rolling the dice) in a new land.

     I am grateful for people who took in strays and orphans.

     I am grateful for the major who found the runaway.

     I am grateful for the tree a young MP climbed up and fell out of.

     I am grateful for helicopter pilots.

     I am grateful for following orders.

     I am grateful for nearsighted drivers.

     I am grateful for Toyota Camrys.

     I am grateful for all the stupid choices made and survived.

     I am grateful for the wise choices made in spite of ourselves.

     I am grateful for my mother's good cooking.

     I am grateful for the bravery, not only of my father, grandfathers, and great grandfathers, but also for the courage and resourcefulness of my mother, grandmothers, great grandmothers and other ancestors.

     I am grateful for all the friends, neighbors, aunts, and uncles who helped raise my parents, DH, and me. God bless the random parent.

     If our lives indeed are shaped by those who love us and those who refuse to love us (not sure who said this. I had the poster years ago.), I am grateful to both.

     I am grateful for things I cannot speak or write.

     I am grateful for the angels watching over all of us.


NOTES: 

*http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/22/upshot/are-you-successful-if-so-youve-already-won-the-lottery.html

**And she taught us there was good in everyone (so look for it) and that people are who and what they are for a reason.

***https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollyanna 

****http://www.marianist.com/?p=16358
As proof that the saying "only the good die young" is untrue, Brother John Totten was still living, the oldest member of the Marianists, as of the date of the writing of this post.  He had us reading Paul Tillich. Brother John said the material was challenging, but not too great a reach for us.

*****Brother John taught us that sometimes a good question was better than a mediocre answer. And if you achieved an insight there would be a large "I" on your paper. Additional excellence was noted with a plus sign or signs (an "I +" was a wonderful achievement).

Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day,
be at my side
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.

~ Prayer to my Guardian Angel

Goin' to Chicago!

Whenever we were going on a trip my mother would sing, "going to Chicago" as we planned and packed. She just sang those three words and laughed. And we never really were going to Chicago.

I, however, was going to Chicago. I heard Mom's voice in my head  and sang along as I planned and packed.

We started early - in the rain. [DH was a champ this week as he spent a good deal of time driving - and he didn't even get to go to Chicago.]

Girlfriends are sisters by choice. I've written about these ladies, KKM and SAS, before. I continue to be in awe of them - they are brilliant human beings. And they graciously put up with me. How lucky am I?

We three met in college - three girls from different places (Chicago, Fort Worth, small town Texas), but with similar close Catholic families. We have been friends through good times and hard times for over 40 years. Each of us chose a different field and found very different work and I am fascinated to hear about what they do. I often talk about the way our children "grow" us as we learn from their experiences. In a similar way I grow from exposure to my friends' work, their dedication to their families, their views of politics and the world, and their generosity of spirit. They are bright lights. I am blessed to know them.

Some trips together are very busy (weddings and such where our time is not our own). This trip felt like a spa weekend (or what I would expect from one). I took a bit of a break from technology and relaxed. We talked, took walks, went to a musical, drank in the beauty of the arboretum, shopped (they have such good taste and always help me pick the right thing), ate out (so we didn't have to spend too much time in the kitchen),  and enjoyed a "girlfriend luncheon." We were present and enjoyed that presence.

SAS's husband who also hosted the weekend thanked us as we left for the airport. He thanked us for making his wife happy. And we thanked him back - for making her happy too (and for making us coffee each morning!).

I returned home with a new blouse, memories, support for renewed attempts at a healthier lifestyle (and a new app), suggestions for a better coffee pot, family recipes, and a peaceful spirit.***

I love my friends.

PHOTOS: 

Okay. This was not a "see everything there is to see in Chicago. This was a "oh my goodness DH is a gem for driving me to the airport and back" and "three friends get together for the weekend" and "SAS is an incredible hostess" photos. You were warned.

Chasing the mail truck up the highway.

We headed east - to "Big D" first - to the airport.

From this skyline (through the magic of Southwest Airlines) to...

...the green suburbs of Chicago!

We ate our first meal at a restaurant holding "biker night." There were more bikes, but I was moving fast.

I was shocked to see the time when I went to bed...I think this clock was off by an hour.

My friend's home is relaxing and lovely.

I don't think this Drury Lane Theatre is related to the one in London. We saw Hazel - the musical! Note the buses.*

We laughed and laughed! Bet we see this in NYC soon.

The staging was clever...sliding sets.

This is a lovely and comfortable theatre.

Did I mention we ate? Chinese food. The orange beef was the winner!

I call this "Morning still life"

This is "Morning still life with coffee"

KKM brought me this book...my friends know me.

There's never enough coffee, is there? We headed to the diner for breakfast one morning.

The Morton Arboretum** - formerly the Morton (as in SALT) Estate. What a gift!

While the parking lots were full, we were not crowded on our walk.

Everyone has asters. We are all connected.

We didn't even think about climbing the trees!

Evergreens

The tips of most of the evergreens showed new growth. This was particularly spectacular.

This is not the maze (although there is one). It must take a great deal of work to keep these boxwood hedges trimmed.

Ozark Blue Star (I want these!)

Carpet of pansies.

A living billboard.

I think this is a dogwood in a planter of pansies.

There were ground squirrels and regular squirrels.

May Night Woodland Sage

Viburnum - amazing

Molly Schroeder Doublefile Viburnum

We saw these blooming and I thought, "It's got to be a single petaled rose."

Here's the bud.

Another bloom and leaves. We saw the stems and they were solid-thorn - definitely a rose.

More running around:

At Fresh Thyme grocery store everything was fresh, orderly,  and clean.

The entire store made me happy. It was a small store - convenient.

Cheesy bread at the pizza place. We were hungry and the pizza disappeared before I could take a picture.

The dining room ready for the luncheon.

Now THAT'S a Caprese salad.

Spinach, berry and pecan salad

Ham and cheese sandwiches two ways.

The plane was late, but the flight was an easy one. And DH was there to take me home.

On our way home from the airport - now under the full moon. 

This is a better view - one can tell the moon from a street light. I love the bright lights, but am not a city girl.

NOTES:

* DH and I always joke about being followed by the "blue rinse" brigade (even as we prepare to join that august group). Buses full of elderly women followed us on our first big trip (our honeymoon) and always seemed to appear on subsequent trips. The audience for the musical consisted of many seniors (senior to us!) and a very few youngsters on school trips.

** http://www.mortonarb.org/visit-explore/about-arboretum

*** As well as plans for another visit - soon.

FINAL NOTE - Our husbands are really special people. We got lucky/blessed - whatever you call it. And we are grateful for our good fortune.