I decided to trim up the bushes in the front yard from underneath. I got one side done, now I just have to even it out by doing the other side, but it is too wet now! My joints get a reprieve till everything dries out.

Enjoy the ride!

Click here. Great message. Just do it~!

Good advice

For medical students: What treatment, in an emergency, is administered by ear?

Words of comfort~ Great medical advice and great wisdom for everyday life.

From the book Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Friday night delight

We went for a cookout tonight at the Ponderosa. I was trying to photograph a large bird flying overhead that I was later told was a crane, but I think my 'almost dead' camera battery delayed me getting the crane in the shot, but a nice picture never the less. Good thing we could sit in the large covered building as it was pretty windy.

Words from the Wise

A Middle Eastern folktale tale well known to children all over Africa: Abu Kassem, a miserly Baghdad merchant had held on to his battered, much repaired pair of slippers even though they were objects of derision. The merchant could not rid himself of his slippers. Every attempt to get rid of them ended in disaster: when he tossed them out of his window they landed on the head of a pregnant woman who miscarried, and he was thrown in jail: when he dropped them in the canal, they choked off the main drain and caused flooding and again he went to jail.

The slippers in the story mean that everything you see and do and touch, every seed you sow, or don't sow, becomes a part of your destiny. The key to your happiness is to own your slippers, own who you are, own how you look, own your family, own the talents you have, and own the ones you don't. If you keep saying your slippers aren't yours, then you'll die searching, you'll die bitter, always feeling you were promised more."

Excerpts taken from this book review of this book, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. You should read it. Although a complex, very detailed book, the story is worth reading, full of wise tales.

A Stitch in Time

...saves nine! If you have ever wondered where a phrase originated, check out this website. You can subscribe to get a phrase a week in your email box too. I did.

Hey Garry, "keep your shirt on!" Daddy used to say that a lot and Garry investigated the meaning of that a while back. You can look that up on this site too.

Pat's Ponderosa

We went out to the Ponderosa today on Don's request that Mike help exterminate the turtle population so his restocked tank will flourish. Ryan and Sarah went with us. The fish should thrive now. Sarah is a pretty good shot too! The weather was perfect. No wind, finally! and a beautiful evening.

Remembering Pat on the 3rd anniversary of his passing. (4-18) We miss our PattyBoy!

Talking Heads

This is one on Uncle John's latest pieces. Sorry, it is sold, but there are others or you can commission your own. Ryan is wanting something like this for his house. Check out JRB Art Gallery. 

Happy Nik!

(Pictures hijacked from Mara's blog.)

Little Nik was enjoying the animal pictures on the wall at the hospital. He is now home and doing very well after his surgery.

Have a blessed Easter

The kids came over after church for dinner. We had a nice visit. Mike is still down in his back and slept through the meal. I have switched Internet service to Road Runner and it went out yesterday right after the cable guy left, but somehow Ryan figured it out today and has it up and running for me. I was beginning to have withdrawals and the Internet is still going on and off. I am now trying to post this note for the third time today. We got some hail about marble size which somewhat covered the ground and more rain. We had to clean out our gutters as they were full of gunk!

Terrible Tuesday Anniversary

Yesterday, April 10th, marked the 30th anniversary of Terrible Tuesday. The day when a horrific tornado ripped through the lives of residents in Wichita Falls. The aftermath of the storm was unbelievable. I can still remember the darkness that fell that night and of trying to sleep and hearing only helicopters and sirens all night long. Everyone seemed to know someone who was killed that day in Tornado Alley. Here are some photos from the local newspaper. Click here.

Peace, be still!

It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.

Today's wind is blowing gusts up to 60 and 70 miles an hour. There are wild fires all around. It is so dry here. Rain is in the forecast for next week, but that doesn't help today. We will be glad when the wind "lays down".

Little ones

Nik is doing well recovering from his surgery. According to Tim's report, he is just mad that he is on a liquid diet and can't eat solid food. Thanks for your prayers for him. (Pictured here with Mom Mara at the circus a month or so back.)

Here is a picture of brothers Andrew and Owen, (two of Tim's other grandchildren) celebrating their March birthdays together.

Got Ink?

Does anyone's printer use HP 56?

Yummy!

Joey bought Kara an ice cream cake from Maggie Moos for her birthday!

Don't leave home without it!

What? Your camera, click here to read some very good reasons why you should always carry your camera with you.

Celebrate!

What is the perfect mother/daughter weekend? A shopping trip! Kara and I went to the Frisco area Friday afternoon to celebrate her birthday. We stayed at Aloft Hotel. It was not unlike NYLoft where I stayed last year. Very compact, but nice, retro-modern, and clean. We were a little worried when we saw a junior league hockey team was staying there too, but the noise wasn't too bad, all things considered. (Their walls are a little thin though.) Because we had a slow check-in they comped us several packages of Premium M&Ms, Mint and Raspberry Almond.

We ate at Spoon's Cafe for brunch in McKinney and shopped their historic town square. We discovered Mom & PopCorn They have yummy flavors. Loaded potato, hot cheese, jalapeno, creamy dill, plus we bought cornfetti which is a variety of all of their candied fruit flavors. I guess you can tell what we had for lunch?

We met up with Garry, Gracie and Michelle. at the North Park Mall. We got to see where Michelle works and then we went to P F Changs for dinner. Thanks guys ~ We enjoyed the food and the company!

Backyard Paradise

Isn't my backyard beautiful this time of year?

Hail in San Antonio?

Hail yes!

Janice sent me this picture of their recent weather. (double click on the picture for a better look)