Thanksgiving

What a busy week visiting with family. We had the holiday meal at my house and enjoyed Jeff, David, Mary, Kay and John being here. Turkeys were everywhere. Yes, we had a big turkey and also a tofurkey for the vegetarians and even turkey cookies from Mary's kitchen.


On Friday Mary fed us all with soup, sandwiches and veggies. The butternut squash was the best. Kelly and Sean had driven in from Austin and Will came from Fayetteville. Will could only stay one day but he was happy to see food and family.


Saturday night found most of us at Kay's enjoying pizza. John had gone on his annual deer hunt in south Texas. He was pleased to shoot an 8 point buck, a 10 point buck and a javelina. They were just trying to thin out the crop!


On Sunday we convened for brunch at Gilligan's. Cousin Andrew joined us from Dallas and then Kelly and Sean departed for Austin with it snowing outside. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Kay did the best shopping on Black Friday. Her new purple shoes will be a hit!

Music Music Music

Did you ever wonder what song was the #1 hit the day you were born? Well this is mine. Definitely showing my age now, aren't I?

If you too are curious then this site will give you the information and take you right to itunes to get a copy .. how clever!

Back to Mac

Several years ago I switched to a PC for the trip software available after having used Macintoshes for years. Today I went to an estate auction to buy a car but the exciting part is that I now am a Mac person again .. and for $100. People that don't know Macs don't always realize the hard drive might be in the monitor so I was just buying a 20" monitor .. or so everyone else thought. Then I found out it is only 5 months old! How sweet!

What to throw away?!!!

Paula and Drew

What a treat to have a visit from our Fayetteville friends. Drew came to hang out with his cross country team at the state meet since he is injured and couldn't travel with the team. We enjoyed taking Paula to her first gallery walk and then supper at Brau Haus.

Horseshoe Trail

Susan and I went for a 3 mile hike on a mountain in Lake Catherine State park. We had hiked the 2 mile one on Sunday a week ago at the same place. I used to look forward to getting old so I could slow down, what happened? Susan?

My knee is great so now I have to get the rest of the body in shape. I'm overweight by about 15 lbs and it's all in my stomach. Susan and I finally have no hurts and it's time to get healthy. I also swim at the YMCA on Mondays and Fridays for exercize.

Susan was in front of me by about 50 feet and she didn't see the black racer. She must of just missed stepping on it.

Not bright enough?

How bright does one have to be??? The other lady ran the stoplight. Poor "Little Miss Sunshine."

Thank goodness I had my seatbelt on. I was doing donuts in the middle of Central Avenue!

Lights...camera...action!

And I am happy that I am not hurt and I did not run this red light!

Hiking again

We are on the trail again after a long hiking break! We crossed the bridge to a two mile hike at Lake Catherine State Park.

We chose the Waterfall Hike the shortest of the three available. Since Leon hiked it last week we took the reverse route. The leaves are beginning to change and fluttered to the ground as we walked along. There were many visitors in the adjacent campground and the bright sun in the cool morning air made us wish we were one of the group. But one step at a time!

On the way home we stopped at Gilligan's overlooking a windy Lake Hamilton for our second breakfast and decided to call it lunch. The food really tasted good after the exercise. Now I will go drag some trees into the neighbor's woods that I cut yesterday in my fast disappearing woods while Leon watches his eyelids while the football game plays.

Stu and Joann Visit

Stu and Joann, two of our RV'ing friends, stopped for a visit during their trip from Minnesota back to Texas. We did our best to show Joann a bit of history on her first visit. We approached the historic district with a walk down the promenade behind bathhouse row.

Here we descended to the open hot water spring in the national park. Joann found the hot water just a little too much at 140 degrees. It is cooled in the bathhouses but not in this open spring.

We took a detour into the Arlington Hotel, one of the oldest in Hot Springs. I was surprised to find Al Capone's car on display in the lobby. He visited Hot Springs often and stayed at the Arlington. The car was made for protection with 1" thick windows. The back window let down so that the occupants could shoot out the back. He lived a much calmer life while visiting Arkansas.

The fall weather has arrived with the highs in the 60s and 70s and we enjoyed a stroll down bathhouse row. Photography appears to be one of Stu's hobbies.

Only one of the bathhouses is operating as they did in the past when "Hot Springs bathed the world."

Another bathhouse is the national park visitor's center and provides an indepth look at what life was like in past decades on bathhouse row. Leon and Joann try out two of the rockers that were quite plentiful throughout the bathhouses.

This is the men's bathing hall which has lots of tile and marble surrounding the statue in the center of the room. Here men could sit and visit in a group before going for individual baths, steam cabinets, sitz baths, massages, and all sorts of "modern" treatments that would cure arthritis, syphillis, and a variety of other ailments.


There is a magnificent stained glass skylight above the statue.

Leon and Stu got along as fabulously as Joann and I always have. We hope this is only the first of many visits from these two. We went down town one night and stopped in the old Ohio Club before window shopping along Central Avenue. Leon, Stu and Joann did a couple of the hikes at Lake Catherine State Park but there is much more to do!

Leon goes shopping

Leon left this morning for Illinois in hopes of returning with a fifth wheel camper. He sold his toy hauler several months ago and has been watching for the right one to come along. He found what he wants but he could not find anyone to compete with the price he found on the outskirts of Chicago. So if he must drive 11 hours it should be an adventure! I only wish I could be along but projects at home prevent that.
The traffic was heavy going to Little Rock during morning work hour so he stopped at Denny's for breakfast. It didn't seem to matter that he had just eaten cereal and a banana an hour earlier, but we don't have a Denny's in Hot Springs! Since he is going up I55 to Sikeston, Missouri a stop at the Home of the Throwed Rolls aka Lambert's seems like a must for lunch. He then has been forewarned to stop for gas at the BP just a few miles up 57 and that the Cairo, Illinois area is a speed trap. Several have recommended that he spend the night in Effingham, IL. Stay tuned......Leon arrived at House of Camping and the Rockwood was all he hoped it would be. We think this will look great behind Leon's truck. He will leave with it today .. Thursday.

As luck would have it they had to switch the tv in the Rockwood so Leon spent the night in the parking lot and will head home on Friday. And this is where he slept.

Well, Leon made it 120 miles down the road before the 12 volt system went out. He returned to House of Camping only to find out that his truck was the problem, not the Rockwood. They had to rewire the truck and then he luckily realized that the universal joints were about to go out on his truck. Saturday morning he spent at Firestone getting that fixed. He then started on a safe trip home and arrived early Sunday afternoon. Woody is ready to be loaded for his first adventure.

Treat yourself

Make it do! Wear it out! My grandfather died when my mother was a teenager and her mother raised five young children by herself. They were taught to be frugal as times were difficult. Their idea of toys were china chips. And fruit was something they got at Christmas in their stockings. So perhaps this is where I got the idea that I must be frugal; no, make that cheap!
My ironing board cover was looking rather dismal and the foam underneath might as well not have been there. But it worked and it wasn't worn out. Only when a friend spilled Austrian grapeseed oil or some such did I reward myself. For only five dollars at the local Walmart I now have a new ironing board cover. I have never minded ironing and often reflect on how I would visit with our maid, Johnnie Q, while she ironed and showed me how to properly iron a shirt. So when is the last time you treated yourself to a new ironing board cover? Mine is a soft, moss green.

David's Dilemna

Many decided not to leave Galveston with a level two hurricane approaching. They recalled the disastrous exodus for Rita where many had been stranded on the highways for hours and days in what must have been a nightmare, many even losing their lives.
Even as early as Saturday morning the water was 3 inches deep in David's yard which is located on the back side of Galveston Island near Offut Bay. To stay there was not an option. So with a bag of clean clothes and a bag of medicines he chose to take cover under the 61st street bridge which has a 16' clearance. His Castle Heights military boots from the 1950's didn't fair so well as the leather fell apart when it got wet. Luckily he had an extra pair of shoes. If one is going into combat be prepared..right? One wave came and washed his bag of clothes away and as he reached to save it the bag of medicines were swept away. His glasses were so wet he couldn't see but they stayed on while the nose piece broke off against his face. Of course one would not weather a storm in his good glasses, so he wore an old pair and had all his good ones in his medicine bag. When the storm was finally over on Sunday morning he heard that the Red Cross was at Ball High School so he trekked through the streets of Galveston for twenty blocks falling once in a hole he could not see. All the while his shoes were rubbing blisters on his feet. At one point a refrigerator drifted by and he opened it and found a couple of sodas to quench his thirst. He arrived wet and tired only to learn the Red Cross was not there and he would not be able to procure medicines as thought. When he tried to leave he was told he would be arrested so he was "kidnapped" and put on a bus to San Antonio. This photo shows what is left of his mobile home park.

In San Antonio the evacuees were registered and he was sent to Kelly Air Force Base. In his first call he mistakenly told us it was Andersen Air Force Base which we learned was in Guam and that led to some confusion on our part. Since he had given his money to someone that was trying to leave Galveston on Saturday he arrived not only wet and tired but penniless.
He was fed well at Kelly AFB and the phones available for their use "resembled a Jerry Lewis telethon. It was like a high school reunion running into people from Galveston that he hadn't seen in years." I wired him some money and Monday he was able to get to Walmart and buy some dry clothes and shoes. After another day of kids running wild everywhere and lines of people, he caught the 5am Greyhoud for Hot Springs. While he rode in comfort we got busy and got the rental ready for him. Thank goodness it was empty. Every man in his 60s needs his own space especially when that is something to which he is accustomed.
As the bus crossed the bridge leaving Galveston he could see that both vehicles and his modest abode were all gone. The ground was again white revealing the oyster shells that had been brought in long ago to create the land. But one wonders what happens to the many he left in San Antonio that have no family, no place to go, and nothing to which they can return.

yIKEs!!

And then along came Ike. The storm that came through Hot Springs on Saturday night did not bring so much rain but the winds took their toll. Again there were trees down all over town and they took the power lines down with them.

At least the Entergy crews did not head to Galveston but stayed to take care of problems at home. Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day. It is good that the temps were in the 70s as 40,000 people in the county have no electricity. We cleaned the freezer to accomodate Kay and John and enjoyed their supper visit. We feel so fortunate to again have electricity. What a way for these folks to get rid of a gas guzzler!

Then what a delight to have our friend Joy spend the night after her 2 am flight in from Austria. We got to hear a little about her trip over pancakes before she headed to work.

If you feel as fortunate as we do then you might want to help those that are less fortunate. The Red Cross is my choice.

The day that Ziggy died!

I met him shortly after I retired in 1997. Things evolved slowly but the more time we spent together the closer we became. As I learned more and more about his internal workings we developed quite a close relationship. I knew just what buttons I could push to turn him on. He let me down every once in awhile but then I always forgave his troublesome ways. We traveled together often and some years spent perhaps 5 months out of the year together. People talked about us and pointed at us but we did not care. I would sing at the top of my lungs while he purred like a kitten. There were hills and valleys, backroads and main roads, large cities and small and we stuck together through thick and thin. Other than when he would have his breakdowns life was always happy when we were traveling together. I would talk to him when there was noone else around. We also had nice friends like Snow White and old Blue that understood us.


In 2002 I met Hernando and Ziggy soon moved to Texas. Sure Hernando and I had new friends like Mildred and Chiquita Rosita and had a lot of good times together. But Ziggy was not happy in Texas. Although I was pleased with Hernando it just wasn't the same. After six years Ziggy purred no longer and did not get out much if at all. I knew some day I would go to Galveston and bring him back home. But I waited too long! Late on Saturday night Ike came along and gave him a real beating. He probably dumped him in Offut Bay never to be found again! He deserved better.









Ziggy and Maryvw and Snow White

Old Blue and Bev

Snow White, Mildred, Hernando, and Chaquita

Ziggy 1987-2008

Fresh from the farm

Thank goodness someone is still having success with gardens. Each week we go to the Farmer's Market in town and stock up on fruits and veggies. Yesterday we shelled purple hull peas and then had some fresh corn on the cob, cornbread, sliced tomatoes, and cantaloupe. It is a good time of the year to be vegetarian. The rest of the week includes fried okra, green beans and new potatoes, butternut couscous, etc. And we have zuchini, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, eggplant, and red peppers for the grill. It just doesn't get much better than this where food is concerned. The peaches this week were delicious. We should have gotten more and will go back tomorrow in the hopes someone will have them.

Gustav's Gusto

Hurricane Gustav blew through Arkansas with plenty of gusto left after coming ashore west of New Orleans. We were lucky that we were not among the many thousands that lost power. It didn't help that the Entergy crews had left the day before to go restore power in Louisiana. The ground was so saturated that the stately Oaks just lay down! The gusting winds didn't help.

The national park on Whittington Avenue was not so fortunate as many trees fell in that area, which was typical of streets all about town. I wonder if anyone was sitting on the bench in the park when this giant toppled.

Our yard is full of twigs and leaves but at least the trees stayed upright at the dead end. With so many trees blocking the roads and streets and 28,000 homes and businesses without power the area schools were forced to close. I have seen a lot of snow days but I can't recall our schools ever closing for a hurricane!

Preventive measures with sandbags kept the water out of most of the buildings in town. It rained and rained and rained!

Do you SKYPE?

I have just been introduced to Skype and am having a great time visiting online! I recommend it to my friends, especially the grandmothers. Noah's uncle was kind enough to put a camera on my computer and download skype for me. We were delighted to have a visit with Noah the morning of his first day back to school. Thank goodness we were looking decent at 7am Tucson time! We were headed to Little Rock where Leon got the staples out of his knee and a good report from his doctor.

This morning started with a skype call from Robert, if that is the proper terminology. He didn't have a camera but that did not matter. You don't have to have one! I learned to put my photo up and he even sent along this picture of the yard long cucumbers that he has in his North Carolina garden!

As for my garden I left everything up to Mother Nature and she failed me! But we are on our third day of a slow gentle almost all day long type summer rain which is probably going to save my grass, shrubs, and trees. And the highs are in the 70s as opposed to 100 plus like last week!

OK, Brian, do you skype and what's in your garden?

Tucson visitors

On August 4 Noah's aunt and uncle came to town and Noah was delighted to give them a whirlwind tour of Hot Springs. We drove past Magic Springs, one of Noah's favorite haunts, and through town along bathhouse row in historic Hot Springs. On Whittington Avenue Noah showed them the house where he was born and we even slowed to listen to a concert in the national park. We stopped for a view of town from the top of the nearby mountain which in August seemed like a lush forest to the visitors from the Arizona desert, even with the 103 degree temperature.

A cancelled flight due to the small hurricane in Houston gave Noah an opportunity to share more with them. He enjoyed leading them along the trails in the yard.

First Carlos and Noah tried the woods. Oh my gosh! We did not spray there for chiggers.

Carlos and Belinda come through the wash where the coyotes were born last year. It is our only hill with a thrill.
We then joined Kay, our captain, for a ride on Mable and a tour of Lake Hamilton at dusk. It was the perfect ending to a busy day. How kind of her to muster the energy on her first day back to school/work!

John joined us after a small celebration for his birthday. He and Carlos bonded and they will have to tell that story.

Noah is always delighted to have a visit with Nick! Nick brought his favorite bear along for the ride.

Then it was time for Noah to introduce Uncle Carlos to Mable! Hang on, Uncle Carlos! Full speed ahead!

Mable got a little full of water and Uncle Carlos had to just lie back and take it. It got dark and their next video was just a blur as Kay finally managed to sling them both off Mable. It was quite a thrilling experience for Carlos. Noah had gotten so good no amount of turning and waves could trick him into a spill.

Noah left early the next morning for the flight home with his Aunt Belinda and Uncle Carlos. We are delighted that he could make the trip and wish him the best. We feel so fortunate to have him in our lives. I know he will have a wonderful home and a great school year. He could hardly wait to see his cousins, Joe and Christina.

What to do?

For 20 days we had company. Now everyone has flown the coop! I think I heard a pin drop ... it is so quiet here. Leon had a visit from the home nurse and the physical therapist yesterday. He is progressing nicely but takes lots of naps.

Gunnar flew back to California on Monday. It was a delight to have him here. He is one fine young man!

Noah left for church camp Monday morning. He will be at Spring Lake for 5 days.

I have caught up on laundry, errands, house cleaning! What to do?! It is sure too hot to go outside at 101 degrees. Such solitude. Ahhhhhhh!!!