A Texas Friday night....

...thunder and lightning in the distance and every once in awhile the sky lights up and the air crackles. It's rockin' and rollin' out there, making it romantic in here...

We put a brief playlist on the side bar ----> with some of our most favorite songs from our very beginning. It was literally a matter of him putting the music back into my life, sending me tunes across the miles, and it was like hearing them for the first time, really. WoW. As time goes by, we might add to the list, but for now, enjoy.

What a week! An emotional rollercoaster with a big dose of the good, the bad and the ugly all rolled into one. I'm exhausted from it all, but grateful everything came out all right in the end. Whew.

I've given some thought to things that have stressed me out, pretty much, and what it comes down to is remembering how I need to live, and to what I aspire:

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS ~Don Miguel Ruiz's Code For Life~

(Agreement One) Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

(Agreement Two) Don’t take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

(Agreement Three) Don’t make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

(Agreement Four) Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

A nice recipe for happy. Just add Shawn, and stir.

Shawn
****

Très chic ...

Well, the subject came up a couple of times in the last week. SGTex gifted me with a bottle of the cologne on my birthday (ala Celine Dion), and I absolutely love it! A sexy fragrance and it makes me feel all woozy about him... ;+). (Excellent choice, Honey). And then the word came up on Facebook again, just a bit ago. I had been looking for something in regards to "chic" and this mag cover image popped up, so there it is. Hmm, come to think of it, I could have pulled up something on CHIC, as I'm all for a little R&B, that's for sure....

Yes,I had a lovely birthday celebration, in case anyone is wondering. We started just after midnight and quite carried on for the rest of the weekend. Chocolate (as in cake and Bliss) and spent some real quality time together. Birthdays are a LOT nicer with my Man, TTYTT. A good work week, followed by what he dubbed a "Honeymoon Weekend," so I'd say things have been going well.

Spring has sprung on our street, and we're getting underway with the garden. Well, he is-- tomatoes went in, he's got this neat tiller thing that he uses and I see some seed packages laying on the breakfront in the kitchen, with some peppers which have been sacrificed to seed collection. I'm glad I'm hooked up with a gardener.

Our front door is now freshly painted a *chic* shiny black, thanks to my Man-of-many-talents. It looks great, and will be perfect, as soon as he mounts our plaque which states "This is a Buddhist home."

I really like that. A lot.

Shawn
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photo: mag cover of Chic Today Volume 023 Flights of Fancy

I'm not quite sure what to call this one....

It's Saturday night and I'm *in between*--thinking back over last week and looking forward to what's coming next. Monday is my birthday, and I'm looking forward to that. Not so much the 'adding another year' aspect, but about having a nice time with my man and our being together here, under the same roof, in the same time zone, etc.... That's worthy of celebration, in my book!

I was really proud of SGTex this week. He received his pretty-much-annual invitation to speak about his Buddhism at a local university class on world religions, and he gave a wonderful presentation. I listened in by cell phone, as I was at home working and doing puppy rodeo. It was a very interesting lecture and time of testimony, followed by some pretty insightful student questions. That was great! One thing that he talked about is the interfaith aspect of our relationship.

I guess we are pretty unique and different, and I think the picture here illustrates that. It's a Pagan Buddhist Japanese shrine, and what does actually not apply to us is this: Neither of us is Japanese, lol. I'll let you arrive at your own conclusions about the rest. ;+).

I really like spending time with SGTex, and it's nice that we don't wait for a special occasion to go out to eat or do something enjoyable together. An old friend mentioned that she hadn't been out with her husband for a loooong time, and that was remarkable, evidenced by another friend's exclamation of "PTL" over it (eyeroll here by me). Hmmm. What's up with a couple who claims to share the same practice of faith and values, yet don't share much, if any, of their free time? Not being on the scene, I can only speculate, and I'm not going to waste much thought on it. But I guess why this came to mind is that this morning, DH and I did have a discussion about the merits of eating in more often rather than going out, and I will confess that I didn't have the greatest attitude about it at the time (I like going out!) Come to think of it, I might have been a little more cheerfully practical, had I bothered to remember that I have it pretty good compared to some wives out there...And if you have any doubts, just ask my husband. He'll tell you how good I have it....LOL.

Don't I know it !!!

You're absolutely right, Darling....

Shawn
****

Good grief....

We lost a dear friend the other day to cancer, but she'll have no part of any persistent crying or sadness, which would be "bad grief." She passed on to her next life, and today, especially, she's been in my thoughts and on my heart. She made the most of living, and as it turns out, she made the best of dying. She knew how she wanted to live, and did a great job at it. When it was time, she knew how she wanted to go, and did so, leaving behind explicit instructions that said what she wanted us to remember and how to cope, which would be "good grief." We're trying our best...I am amazed and inspired. She's gone from us now, but will never be forgotten. (To tell you the truth, I fully expect to bump into her somewhere in time, as she's one of those rare people who has such a vibrant and strong personality that absolutely refuses to be ignored, LOL.)

So now it's time to get on with life and make the most of it....

Shawn
****

Great Expectations.....

...and I don't mean the book, I'm talking about "baggage."

Earlier this morning SGTex and I were sitting here in the office talking before we actually got down to work. He mentioned our plan to rent a car for our next extended out-of-state trip, and said we should be sure to have it all packed up, loaded with stuff to the point of nearly bursting, like we did when we made the big trip from WA to TX in 2008. He says we travel better that way. I laughed. But then, I got to thinking about it. Baggage. I came to Texas with quite a bit of it, and not all of it was particularly useful, IYKWIM ;+)....

Somebody on one of the boards once talked about the responsibility we have (or don't have) to make our life partner happy. I think both DH and I believe in making each other happy. I know he really aims to please and does a lot to make me happy and keep me that way. Every once in awhile he'll flat out ask me, "Are you happy?" Usually, it's a bit of a loaded question, because I've given a signal that I'm not.... I know it's very important to me to make him happy, and I am to do so, (or die trying, lol). Anyway, getting back to that board/bored question--the consensus was that it's our own responsibility, it's on us to make ourselves happy, and nobody else should get that involved in the process. I don't think I believe that. There's something quite important about seeing to the well-being and making the one we love feel loved. I know I really appreciate the fact that he cares about me and my ups and downs, and I do about him, and what's going on with him.

We're finally, really and truly all organized with our wedding celebration, after rescheduling and relocating and revamping everything. We actually have contracts we're signing, have the venue established, the reserved rooms for guests (and that would be a few of you out there~) so we are pretty excited. But I hear tell there might be a change in the cake flavor again--there's always something, huh?!! :+).

Anyway, this was a cute comic and I thought it appropriate, since the general gist of things around here for the next good long while is going to be about how a man loves his woman and a woman loves her man. That would be what's going on about us- my He and his Me....

Shawn
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A 100-year-ago wedding....

It's Friday night and I've got some time on my hands....

So, having wedding planning on my mind, I went searching for some vintage photos and ran onto this picture. The claim is made that "the first white wedding picture was known to be taken November 1910 in Detroit, Michigan." I'm not sure if it's this very one, but it was interesting to me, as sometimes it feels like it's been a hundred years since we started making plans for our wedding celebration!

Plans are kinda like that, though, and I suppose most particularly weddings. We're not having the traditional ceremony or reception by any means, nothing like what we see pictured here, but that doesn't mean that we haven't been stretched <-----> budget-wise, schedule-wise, patience-wise, changing the date, the venue, the guest list, the refreshments, the officiant, the theme...just about everything except what *really* actually matters.....What's really important: The Who, the Why, the What. And I'm really, really glad about that!!

Shawn
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photo courtesy of: fashion-era.com/Weddings

It's Valentine's Day, and I'm living with the King of Hearts...

But I can still feel for you who wish you were having a happier, more romantic holiday (you know who you are). I used to be one of those people who avoided Hallmark shops and the greeting card aisle at Albertson's when everything started bursting with red and pink hearts and ribbons and streamers. It's a lot more fun now, I don't mind telling you, as I give you a {{{hug}}} and tell you to hang in there, your day will come.

Here's how it happened at our house:

Our Valentine's holiday started a bit early this year. SGTex came home with a pretty little red rose plant and a new house key (another story there) and a sweet sticky note saying really nice things. Then a few days later he showed up with a cute stuffed monkey bearing a "Be Mine" heart. He says "it was the only simian they had left"(lol)and it sits atop my computer armoire. What I won't tell you is that he did that by way of smoothing my all-too-often-ruffled feathers. It seems I can be quite the witch, and it had not been a good day, bless his heart. Anyway, last night we went out for Chinese to celebrate SGTex's new job, and we made a last minute, late night run to Walgreen's, where we split up and picked out some Valentiney things. Being the gent that he is, SGTex ended up sending me out to the car while he stood in line and paid for it all, declaring that he wouldn't peek at his card and candy and Valentine pencils, lol. Then a coffee stop and we went home to celebrate. It was a gorgeous starry night, and by the time it was two minutes past midnight and actually February 14, he'd surprised me with a dozen pink long-stemmed roses, chocolates, sweethearts, a lovely card and pink champagne cocktails, served with his handmade ham-n-cheese rollups, all served bedside....Yeah, go ahead and sigh.

We did stop all the heartsy-flowery fun long enough for the Atlas Van Lines truck to roll up and the King helped Mr. Trucker Guy unload 1000 pounds of furniture and boxes that made the long awaited trip from Washington. Thank you, Honey. You're The Very Best!!!

XOXOXOXOXO, ETC....

Shawn
****

photo courtesy of: I dunno, I forgot to check

By the way.....

On CNN I saw one of the reporters who was back from Haiti, now here in the states talking, and he mentioned how it was frustrating (my word) to not have any one person to "shake a fist at," or blame. I thought that was interesting and thought about it for awhile.
So, there's nobody to blame for the earth giving way beneath the feet of these people, but soon enough there are those to blame who descend upon Haiti like carpetbaggers in the Old South, taking advantage of them, representing themselves as The Answer, speaking for and serving God.

Sure they are...

Shawn
****

photo courtesy of infodigest.files.wordpress.com

Did you see that robin?....Did you see that, Robin?.....

Okay, well...Last week we saw a big pretty robin sitting in a tree outside the restaurant window. It was an encouraging, "oh, it's gonna be spring soon" sight to probably anybody this time of year. Today, someone posted on one of the chat boards that they, too, had seen a robin here in Texas. What makes this worthy of comment? Well, I don't know, but suppose it's that we here in the land of sunshine and moderate temps are watching the Eastern seaboard get buried in snow. We're not really gloating about blue skies and open windows (40 degrees here), and I confess to getting pretty tired of the rain we had (and there's more to come). It's really pretty out there today, so we're feeling pretty blessed and think it might be nice to let everyone else know there is some hope of clear skies--outside of Texas, lol.

Which brings me to my, umm, point. I googled "robin" in the Images category and was given 4 choices: Robin, as in Batman (one thumbnail shows 'em kissing, lol), the English Robin (really cute, one of my fav birds), the American Robin, and then of course, this Robin, as in Williams.

Actually, there's not a lot to talk about here and I'm not sure why I'm even blogging today, but it's Saturday and I don't have to be working. The kitchen is in need of some serious attention, the bed isn't made yet, the house needs to be cleaned and put in order, but I'm working on the first cup of coffee and just finished a lovely SGTex breakfast. He's here in the office working away and it's nice to just sit and look out at the sunshine and relax for a bit.

Someone else was posting on their blog (Hi, E) about Groundhog Day. This is one week I seriously would not want to live over and over again, for the most part. There were some good times, which I do look forward to repeating (Hi, Honey), however. All in all, it's nice that the sun comes up (somewhere) every morning and the moon shines on the day every night, that we're given a fresh opportunity to rise and hopefully shine once more, thanks to Tender Mercies....

Shawn
****

P.S. SGTex is wishing I'd left this alone when I published this with an over-sized, HUGE pic of RW, which only got his ear, award, and hand showing his wedding ring. His point, "It was a BIG robin..." It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he doesn't come along and redo the picture to make it so. I'm putting this here by way of explanation, just in case, LOL!!!

picture courtesy of xoncemorewithfeelingx.files.wordpress.com

How 'bout we take a little break from all the smarmy stuff and get down to business, boyhowdy?.....

My friend Lilly asked a very interesting question on another board I happen to "own," regarding the subject of feeling sorry for a particular lady whose husband has been caught cheating, contributing to the baby bastard population (which probably sets him apart from Tiger Woods)and then lying about it, right smack-gob in front of America....Do I feel sorry for that wife? You bet. But not only because of what her cheating husband has been getting himself up to, but because she got mixed up with him in the first place. I wonder how long it took for her to figure out that he was not all he cracked himself up to be. This possibly isn't the first time she's had to deal with this matter, but chances are, it will be the last. Really, it's hard to know how sick she must feel, considering what she's already forced to endure in managing her life and the journey before her. Good grief. She's kept her dignity and dealt with it gracefully, and she should be admired. And what should become of her cheating husband? I'm going to be just a tad bit more than mildly interested to see him get what's coming to him. And, FWIW, I'd feel the same way if it was somebody's wife doing that to her husband. I believe in the sanctity of a committed relationship, whether it be within or without the so-called confines of marriage. Just in case anybody's wondering....

Cheaters never win. Pretty boys never quite seem to age well, ya know?

Shawn
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photo courtesy of redhotbulldogs.com

For the love of gods....

The tale of Cupid and Psyche has been retold many times over. As a student, I loved Greek mythology and pretty much devoured any literature that fell into my hands about the gods and their dealings with mankind. "Till We Have Faces" by C.S. Lewis is a favorite of mine, and it gives the story of Psyche from her older, less attractive sister's point of view.

It's funny how I actually started out thinking about that book and did some research, delving into the meaning of C.S. Lewis' tale and all about that. Which, of course, led me to looking into more about Psyche and Cupid. Before I knew it, I was thinking about the upcoming Valentine's Day....

SGTex has said we should "do something romantic." Well, that shouldn't be too difficult, since romance comes easy for us. I'm one of those few,lucky women who just happened to land a man who doesn't mind being romantic--in fact, it comes naturally for him, thank the gods.... ;+) I don't mind confessing to being utterly and completely spoiled that way. It's been nearly five years since the first of many, many dozen red roses...Lately it's been mistletoe, the Buddhist embracing his Pagan, hmmmm....

Anyway, it's very late and we're here together in the office doing our thing, back to back. Before too long we'll turn out the light and spend what's left of this night doing our thing, side by side... He just asked me if there's any reason we shouldn't sleep in for awhile, come morning. I told him I couldn't think of any reason why not, so he jumps up, comes over and kisses me....

G'nite.

Shawn
****

picture: Cupid & Psyche, Canova 1796 The Louvre Museum, Paris

On Haiti....

I was searching for a picture to go with some thoughts here about Haiti, and couldn't find anything that actually showed what I felt I had to say. Was it Anderson Cooper the other night who said something about the camera lens being too small? I think maybe it was. I thought this was a beautiful work of art and wanted to share it here.

Anyway, we've been watching CNN and like everyone else, we're greatly moved and saddened by the misery and devastation. We truly wish we had the resources of time and energy and finances to give, and offer our prayers for those dear people with such a great need. Those who survive have much to endure. Their lives have been forever changed....


Shawn
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Picture courtesy of: The Haiti Art Cooperative, a network of non-profit projects with programs in Haiti serving Haiti's poor, including persons deported, streetchildren, orphans, students, persons in need of medical care and families.

I didn't know we had Stellar's jays in Texas.....

We went out to lunch today and on our way home I spotted a pair of Stellar's jays in a nearby tree. I hadn't seen any of those since living in the Pacific Northwest, and admit I was really surprised and impressed by their high-color beauty. I had to come home and google to see if it was even possible they'd come here, but sure enough, some had been recently sighted in San Antonio. Well, I don't know why I'm going on about birds, except that they were awfully pretty and it was fun to see them.

Right now I'm waiting on the really neat plant stand SGTex has painted for the top of my etagere here in the office. It looks rather oriental and exotic, so I'm very impressed! We found it back in September at an antique shop when we were on vacation. Speaking of painting, he picked up a couple of books on furniture painting at the library today. It's about time I got re-inspired. That's something I really love to do. In fact, there are times when I could be persuaded to do just about nothing *but* that sort of thing...Maybe that's what SGTex had in mind....

The Christmas outdoor lights came down this evening and we finally took the wreath off the door. I was reluctant about that- it was so cute and festive out there. This house is just made for cozy holidays. Don't ask if we've taken down the tree yet....I said, don't ask....Maybe if we're lucky we'll get another snowfall before spring. I really was happy to see a white Christmas, all romantic and pretty.

I guess that's about it for now...Guess I'll go put some potatoes on to cook. He's got the steaks smothered in garlic, and has plans for some lovely fried green tomatoes.

Is your mouth watering? ;+P

Shawn
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photo courtesy of: http://www.birdfinders.co.uk/images/stellers-jay-helen-california-2007

A wonderful find...

We appreciate crystals as repositories of order. Experiments in origin-of-life chemistry have shown that an inaugural phase of evolution likely entailed the arraying of amino acids on the lattice of crystal faces. Molecular players fit just so along such scaffolding, establishing the sequences and rudimentary code for ongoing increase of order = beauty = gain and goodness...

No wonder folks imagine (or maybe they simply discern) that crystals influence/direct an "energy" (chi) to mystic efficacious effect. Such is our intuition on handling a nice, heavy mineral crystal from the Earth. It's like the wonderful law, profound and fundamental.

Shawn was looking for something Texas for her Facebook avatar and recalled that blue topaz is the state gemstone, whereupon she found this picture. It's just like her to creatively discover striking and meaningful images for this blog, but she really blew me away this time, for...

This is the very specimen my uncle Dick romanced from the granite and sand on a lease out on the Seaquist Ranch near Mason, back in 1969. I'll never forget the way he tumbled the humongous thing out onto a cup towel on my parents' dining table, along with a couple of other large chunks to make a rockhound/treasure hunter's eyes bug out. A spectacular find, and famous.

It's just like my Shawn to acquire for us this significance, considering our plan/dream of topaz hunting one of these days. Goes to show you, she will divine us a fabulous cache, pointing a magick finger where I'm to dig. Thus it is I who have found a gem extraordinaire.

SGTex
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Photo from utexas.edu

Hyvää Uutta Vuotta....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! As we come down the home stretch to 2010, like everyone else, I can't help but take a look back over 2009 and think, "Wow, what an adventure!!!" Last year at this time we were getting ready for our trip to DFW to see King Tut, to celebrate New Year's Eve at a wonderful, romantic B&B and then attend a great Buddhist New Year's Day celebration, after which we picked up our Havanese puppy, Sebastian. We had no idea we'd fall so much in love with the little guy that we'd not make it through spring without adding his little brother Seamus to the family!! We've changed addresses and have had a wonderful time in our little home. We've done lots of working, lots of playing, managed to take another B&B vacation. We've had some sad times and some glad times. We celebrated 09/09/09 in a most unique and wonderful, life-changing way...It's been an exhausting, exhilarating, and completely amazing year.

About all that's left to do is gather some mistletoe and chill the champagne...

Life has been good, to say the least. May ours, and yours, only get better in 2010.

Shawn
****

(that's Happy New Year in Finnish, btw...)

Yes, Shawn, there is a Santa Claus....

No, I'm not entering my second childhood, lol. It's just that I've always chosen to reserve that special corner of my heart at the holiday time for Father Christmas. I grew up knowing full well that the gifts under the tree came from my family. Some of my fondest memories of childhood are of spending the night in the front bedroom at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Tacoma, getting up early at the crack of dawn to get ready to get on the bus to Seattle and shop the big department stores with Grandma. I could hardly wait to see how Frederick and Nelson had decorated their store- not just the display windows, which were amazing, but they'd change their carpeting colors and have enormous ornaments and snowflakes hanging from the ceilings and glass counters covered in snow, draped in ribbons and trees all lit up, with wonderful music playing. And the Dickensian carolers singing outside.... and the doorman all decked out in holiday splendor. Then on to the Bon Marche, Nordstrom, and back to Tacoma to go to Rhodes and Peoples....We'd first go to the bakery for biscuit, then the linen department for the latest sheets and towels by Vera, the book department for the new book Grandma had picked out from the NY Times Bestseller List, then lady's wear. We'd stop and have lunch in the restaurant and watch the fashion show. I'd have grilled cheese and dill pickles, a milkshake that I could barely see over. We'd linger awhile, then go to the toy department. It was a great day of riding the elevators and escalators up and down until I was exhausted. I helped Grandma carry the paper shopping bags (most of what we bought would be delivered to the house the next day). Then it was back on the bus. I'd doze in my seat, leaning on Grandma, as evening fell. We stopped off at the meat market in Tacoma and I'd pick out what we were to have for dinner (I just realized that somehow it always ended up being pork chops, no matter what I picked out) and we'd get "link weinies" on a string (I got to count out as many as I liked) for breakfast with toast in the morning and biscuit. Last, but not least, we'd go to the dime store, just for fun. We'd finally get on the city bus and ride up the hills. I got to pull the cord to ding the bell when we neared our street and we'd be dropped off in front of the house, just after dark. Grandpa would have put on the coffee and the house was nice and warm...It was a lot of fun.

So, actually, I guess it's the spirit of Old St. Nick/a.k.a. Grandma Mary that I've actually tucked away in my heart and I've never quite gotten over it...As an adult, I managed to acquire the most fabu Father Christmas collection. They're long gone now, hopefully having found their ways into the homes and hearts of other, like-minded realists ;+).

Happy Holidays!!!

Shawn, who loves her Santa Baby SGTex
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photo courtesy of Vintage Postcards, a depiction by Raphael Tuck

We thought this was cute, in a holiday sorta way....

Thanks, Kim T! And may your days be merry and bright....

Shawn&SGTex
****

Here's that old family favorite holiday cookie....

BACARDI XMAS COOKIES:

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Bacardi Rum

Sample the Bacardi to check quality.
Take a large bowl, check the Barcardi again, to be sure it is of the highest
quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one teaspoon of sugar...Beat again.
At this point it's best to make sure the Barcardi is still OK, try another cup, just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in
the cup of dried fruit. Pick the frigging fruit off floor. Mix on the
turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with
a drewscriver. Sample the Barcardi to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who giveshz a sheet. Check
the Barcardi. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one
table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash
the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget
to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Rarcardi Bum and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

CHERRY MISTMAS

(and if we posted this last year, well, we said it's an old family favorite)

Shawn&SGTex
****
photo courtesy of kingarthurflour.com

Robert Frost had it down cold....

"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." -Robert Frost

It just doesn't seem possible that it's December already. I think it was on CNN in the early morning hours that someone said they were amazed that it was the first day of the last month in this decade...Wow. I would never have believed that life would have taken the turns that it has over the past few years. All I'm going to say about that is that I'm grateful.

Lately I've been thinking about love and what it means, the effect it has and how it is manifested. I've no time for much reading these days, but I'm aware of what's out there on the subject of love. Like "The 5 Love Languages" book that is quite popular. Or how about the Greeks? What they say about love 5 different ways: Epithumia (strong desire, longing, lust), Eros (romantic, passionate, sentimental-goes nicely with epithumia), Storge (comfortable, as in old shoe--not to be avoided, because it's the belonging-type love), Phileo (comradeship, friendship), and Agape (selfless, giving, without thought of self). Or how about Sir Richard Burton's translation of the Kama Sutra? Not for sissies...Then there's the letter to the Corinthians chapter 13, or Letter to the Brothers, two passages included in our wedding ceremony.

Actually,I tend to agree with Mr. Frost.

photo courtesy of mediastorehouse.com (a picture of a frosty leaf to go with the poem by Robert Frost--get it?!)

Come, ye thankful people, come....

Here it is, just a couple of days before Thanksgiving, and the holidays are upon us! Last year at this time I was figuring out how to work at my job, shop and have my menu set for what to put together for dinner. I was thinking then, "Well, by this time next year I'll be more organized and it will be easier putting Thanksgiving on the table..." Little did I know that we'd move across town and we'd still be unpacking, that rather than a turkey thawing in the kitchen there'd be a couple of wild Havanese things bouncing around and wreaking puppy havoc, lol...And those are just a couple of the changes we've experienced since Thanksgiving 2008.

But it's that way for so many people, I think. I'm hearing and reading a lot about how America is going through big changes. Some are good, some are bad. Maybe in spite of it all, or maybe because of it all, we can be grateful and enjoy our time together, because who knows what the tomorrows may bring....

Shawn
****

Don't nod and dream....

"Stay awake, don't rest your head
Don't lie down upon your bed
While the moon drifts in the sky
Stay awake, don't close your eyes

Though the world is fast asleep
Though your pillow's soft and deep
You're not sleepy as you seem
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
Stay awake, don't nod and dream"

The other day SGTex and I were discussing naps. For several reasons, I've developed the habit of not taking a nap if I can possibly avoid it. I've been told that as a small child I was known to stay awake as long as possible, as I was afraid I might miss something...Cousin C might remember how we used to take summertime naps upstairs in Grandma Mac's feather bed out at Aunt L and Uncle R's ranch. I could only take that so long, as it was warm and bright in that room, and feather beds can be pretty overwhelming, lol. I'd try the best that I could to relax and enjoy the experience, but before long I'd had all I could take, run down the stairs looking to be entertained by the elders. Funny thing, they were expecting me and always had something interesting and educational to do. I loved those times.

But that was a lifetime ago. Times have changed, and here I am thinking about how nice it is to go to sleep at night in peace. We can do that these days, because of those who were willing to sacrifice their security in order to preserve ours...Thanks to those who have made that possible.

Well, I'd better go hush the puppies. SGTex just laid down for a 20-minute nap...

Shawn
****

photo of sweet kitty courtesy of wings

Autumn mornings....

No, I don't particularly like spiders--well, except for this particular garden variety. I remember these pretty webs all heavy with dew, glistening in the mornings at this time of year up in the PNW. For some reason this kind of spider seemed friendly and not very menacing...

So, what's going on around here? Working as usual, if not more than usual...and lots of pecan harvesting. We're very lucky to have such a bumper crop--sacks full of nuts sitting in the corner, and pralines have been the topic of conversation...Oh, my.

Shawn
****

BOO !!!....

All right, lightening up, now.......(Shhhh. We've got candy here, but how come the porch light's out and nobody'll answer the door? LOL)

Shawn
****

Everybody else have a great Hallowe'en....

A friend shared this link about the church in Arizona with the so-called haunted house, called "Final Destination." in the news at: http://www.azfamily.com/video/featured-videos/Parents-outraged-at-churchs-haunted-house-67796337.html

Well, I had this to say about that on a message board:

"That's certainly disturbing---and worthy of picketers, IMO.

I have issues with the concept of that sort of thing, along with Superbowl Sunday at church, etc...and I really don't see the need for "haunted houses" at churches to begin with.

Basically, I'm not a fan of the ghosty-goblin-ghouly ***!!BOO!!*** stuff and have made a concerted effort to avoid watching it on TV, like the "Rosanne" Hallowe'en episodes, lol. Just too grizzly for me.

OTOH, SGTex and I spent awhile driving around town the other evening attempting to locate a residence that was featured in the local newspaper, the article written by a friend of SGTex. "Annie" is a presence who has made herself known over time, and there are some really interesting stories passed down over the years. I found it particularly interesting, as the incidences were very similar to experiences I'd heard about and witnessed in Astoria. I have a certain amount of respect for the Real Thing, you see ;+).

Anyway, this church has absolutely no business doing what they're doing. They're totally off base, committing acts of fundamentalist terrorism on the community and then excusing themselves, playing the "you know what you're getting into" card. I find that revolting, and if it weren't so utterly lame and trite, I might whip out the old "WWJD" myself. Rather than stoop to that, let me just say that I think THIS just might be the final nail in that coffin-- these ignoramuses (ignoramii?) have finally managed to polish off the last crumbs of respect I had for those who dare to call themselves Xians....

Hello God,

Save me from such morons."

Shawn
****

photo: Austin bats

Hail, Bo!!! (insert whistle) The First Pooch....

Did you read or hear all the chatter about the First Family official portrait? I read nice comments, bored comments, approving and disapproving comments...I was sitting here thinking, "What a lovely family, aren't they pretty!" But something was missing. Bo!! So I mentioned that on a message board and someone came along (Thanks, G) and posted a link to this picture. Well, he's just about the cutest dog going in DC (ours being the 2 cutest in this Texas town). Absolutely a classy dog, definitely owns his piece of the green, lol.

Just hadta put it here. Stop by often for a smile...

Shawn
****
photo borrowed from backseatcuddler.com

Spirit-lifting, lighthearted and downright bubbly...strawberries optional....

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells."
John Keats

Well, it's been a less-than-festive mood around here today, what with the pouring rain and gray, gloomy clouds. I never expected to be so affected by weather, but since I've come to Texas from the Pacific Northwest, I've become rather spoiled by abundant sunshine and blue skies. Not to say I didn't appreciate the cloudless days up there in my old corner of the country, because I did. Bright sunshine-filled days are just something to which I've become accustomed. You know, I've developed that expectant attitude tinged with a sense of entitlement. More often than not, I actually do rise and shine thinking "Texas owes me a nice day, dammit--I came all this way, now let's have it!"

All right. So, I'm in a funky, weird mood, and I'm wishing for something spirit-lifting, lighthearted and downright bubbly.... thus the picture I've borrowed from the Armagan Champagne people. Alas, but there's not a drop of alcohol in the house, nor a strawberry to be found. SGTex did mention that we really should be having red wine with the (fabulous) steak, mushroom and pepper dinner he whipped up (Thank you, Dearling). OTOH, we've got sweet blackberries in the frig, movie popcorn in the cupboard and newly-harvested gorgeous pecans from our very own trees. Besides that, I've spied a dark chocolate something-or-other-type of candy bar on the breakfront in the kitchen.... and coffee we've got. Champagne will be great later on down the way, come wedding time.

I wonder what a girl hasta do around here to convince her man it's the perfect night for a cozy, romantic bedtime picnic?

Hmmm...Give me a minute. I'll think of something.........;+)

Shawn
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photo: armagan-champagne.com, armagan champagne cellars, Healdsburg,CA

"...and the desert shall rejoice...."

Another article from the desk of SGTex:

I considered it unfortunate enough that government and the people have been unable to arrive at a reasonable solution with regard to that cross on public land in the Mojave desert, and that meanwhile we have this butt-ugly plywood box up there, conveying equal disrespect to all creeds as well as the wildlife.

Then, looking into the matter via Internet, I discovered an intriguing angle on the story that CNN did not mention. In 1999, the National Park Service was approached about erecting a Buddhist shrine in the vicinity, and it was the Park Service’s refusal to permit this that actually precipitated the current round of litigation. Plaintiff Frank Buono, a Catholic who used to be an assistant superintendent at the preserve, personally had no problem with a cross being on government property --- but did object to its being there while symbols of other religions are not allowed.

Take note, please, everybody. This set of plain facts should clear up some several misconceptions. For one thing, y’all conservative Christians can give up blaming the Atheists for everything --- they are not involved in this one. And behold, a case in which the ACLU is on the Christian side (for yes, a Catholic is a Christian), and it’s hardly the first time.

To top it off, the plaintiff is not guilty of wanting anything taken away --- on the contrary, he just wanted to see religious liberty lifted up and enlarged! Get that bit straight, then, before taking sides against Mr. Buono or making him the subject of your fretful little prayer cells.

Once and for all, consider this: The issue is not that somebody was “offended” at
this cross out in the middle of Nowhere, California. To make it look like a given lawsuit is unreasonable, church ladies in your e-mail will complain that all the fuss is over some silly extremist who was “offended” at the mere sight of a cross, the Ten Commandments or Baby Jesus. They hope to dismiss religious equal protection issues as so much zany “political correctness.” They might still be able to reassure each other with that story, but an evolution of justice is leaving them behind.

As a non-Christian, I don’t need the government to protect me against hurt feelings or irritation --- goodness knows that could keep the National Guard busy --- but I will insist that it keep its foundational promise not to let the majority religion commandeer resources and venues for which we all pay taxes.

If the expression “separation of church and state” isn’t in the constitution, the words “no…establishment” certainly are. It is wrong and illegal to have a Christian-only National Day of Prayer on the steps of City Hall, and there is a problem with having a cross and only a cross displayed on government land. The cheap/easy answer would be to remove the thing, but there is another way, disappointing to no one who loves freedom.

If Solomon the Wise and Thomas Jefferson were here today, I know they would recommend we uncover and repaint that cross --- and then promptly enjoin the National Park Service to welcome and encourage the erection of other symbols of faith and philosophy, several and various. They ought to be 5 to 8 feet tall --- the Buddhist Lotus or Dharma Wheel; the venerable Star of David; the Star and Crescent, one supposes, representing Islam; a nice pentagram from the Wiccans, and hey perhaps the American Atheist Atom, out of respect for the belief that religions are all myth and fancy.

I cannot imagine that the war dead would object, nor the long-nosed leopard lizard.

****
SGTex

Let's give it some Morning Glory....

It's a quiet Sunday/almost Monday night. SGTex made a late run to HEB for milk (he's doing homemade biscuits) and I'm sitting here doing this. We were out and about today and passed through the tiny nearby village on our way out to see the cotton fields, and discovered a fence covered with these Heavenly Blue morning glories...which prompted SGTex to tell me a very interesting story about his A&M days as an Aggie...(but I digress). I love his reminiscences....Anyway, the flowers were so stunning and gorgeous I decided we must plant a million of them right away, even if we have to wait until next year to enjoy the blooms.

Actually, we're enjoying our days off. Last night was terrific-- Austin City Limits with the Dave Matthews Band, another very interesting "what's in the frig" bed picnic and the rain on the roof. Anybody else love it when the A/C goes down and the windows come up? We sure do. And it was a full moon above it all, which is good.

And it was absolutely SUPER getting in touch with my long-but-not-lost cousin Cheryl! Just as much fun and sweet as ever! Let's do that more often!

Here's hoping everyone has a great week doing what you all do.

Shawn
*****
Photo by bratsmom via Photobucket--Heavenly Blue

"The calla lilies are in bloom again... (sigh)..." Who was it that said that?

It was a black and white movie from long ago, and that was said by some sultry actress as she drooped across the room...I can barely remember.

Calla lilies...I love them, always have. These are the last of the florals to be ordered for our upcoming wedding celebration, and I've been waiting for them to "come in" so they could be crossed off that list. There are so many things to do, so many loose ends to pull together. On Monday we're going to meet the person we hope to preside over the ceremony (thanks for the recommendation, Brian), so we're really excited about that.

Anyway, that all being said, what's really important is putting the work into ourselves. Gathering the loose ends, weaving together what constitutes real happiness, ya know what I mean? That's what really matters. I'm going to be working on that....

PS. SGTex says that's from "Stage Door," and it was Kate Hepburn, of course... ;+)

Shawn (test driving her new PC- thanks, Honey)
****

A Texas Sunday evening....

It's been good to be home. We had a wonderful vacation and actually drove past this Texas Grill sign on our way to the first B&B where we were staying. That was an absolutely wonderful time, by the way!! (Thanks, D&D, for being splendid hosts and for everything you did for us! We have plans on returning next year...) We had a great time out in the countryside for a bit, then went to another B&B, totally different- in town, artsy/crafty hippie funk. That was fun, too.

SGTex is out back fixing up our wonderful, sagging old fence, and the sky is turning golden pink colors- a combo sunset/threatening thunderstorm...We were thinking we might head out in a bit for the drive-in movie. Hmmm. Wonder if we'll be watching Julie & Julia through the windshield wipers, lol?! Hopefully not.

The puppies are totally intrigued- watching "Daddy" intently through the kitchen screen door and then having a total meltdown when he all-of-a-sudden appears at the front door! It's pretty hysterical, how they go from wagging tails to bared teeth and growls, until they realize who it is and then they're all embarrassed, haha!! That's only happened about 3 times in the last hour or so- you'd think they'd get over it ;+).

This morning the back yard was filled with bird song. I think we have a pair of mockingbirds who are back from vacation, too. It was quiet out there for a few weeks and this morning it sounded so nice. I spotted a big, brownish-colored squirrel in the pecan trees, too. He/she wasn't the usual grey variety, so that's kinda different.

Well, here he is. I'm going to go tell him what a great job he did, no doubt extending the life of that tired old fence. We'll be grateful for his carpentry skills when the roses and trumpet vines are all in bloom, come springtime. Thanks, Darling Man!

Shawn
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Déjà Vu....

We were sitting here talking a little bit ago and I experienced one of those moments like, woah...I remember this. It was a weird feeling, kinda spooky. SGTex would tell you I have those more than the average person, but every time it happens I'm surprised. And then I get to thinking...

Well, we're in the last days of summer. I've been enjoying blue skies and warm temps. Not too many complaints from this Pacific Northwesterner, really. Of course, I keep the A/C going all the time....last evening he turned it down and put on his shirt, saying it was "cold." I'm like, "it's 99 degrees outside and you're cold?" Well, okay...acclimatization is a work in progress, evidently. Maybe I'll get totally used to the heat at about the same time I get so I can drive across town without getting lost, haha. If we had a nickel for every time I've asked, "Where are we now?" ;+)

The other day I looked up at the horizon and we were in a particular spot where it seemed that Mt. Rainier should be sitting right over there on the skyline. And then I remembered that I'd had the same experience in Astoria, OR, getting out of the car and looking over at the hills and wondering what happened to the mountain?!! I've done the same thing with the Columbia River, though. I guess it'll always be like that for me. It's nice to keep those scenes tucked away in your heart- you can whip them out whenever you like. Right now I'm anticipating seeing the cotton fields in bloom. We've been out to check on them a couple of times when they were flowering. It probably won't be long now.

Our days are filled with the usual desk work, unpacking and arranging (speaking of a work in progress), attempting civilization of the savages/puppies (speaking of another work in progress) and getting ourselves ready for another road trip. We're loving our little house and big yard (tomatoes and peppers coming on, better late than never!), and we've actually found a gent to do our lawns and keep the yard in shape! (Thanks, T!!)

Summer has been very good to us...

Shawn
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"If I had ever been here before I would pro'bly know just what to do
Hey, don't you?
If I had ever been here before on another time around the wheel I would pro'bly know just how to deal
With all of you

And I feel like I've been here before
Feel like I've been here before
And you know it does make me wonder
What's going on under the ground

Do you know?
Don't you wonder?
What's going on
Down under you

Na, na, na...


We have all been here before
We have all been here before
We have all been here before
We have all been here before"

David Crosby

A president who understands constitutional religious liberty....

"Given the increasing diversity of America's population, the dangers of sectarianism have never been greater. Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian Nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers." --President Obama

Nicest thing any president has said since Jefferson.

Indeed, this Chief Executive expounds the true patriotism, rises up charged with its mystic fire just like the founders, a statesman. The Obama thing enables, empowers us to believe in America again. When this guy practices his right to deliver some free speech, it sounds like something set down on parchment with a pen calligraphic.

But freedom isn't always pretty. Forgive me if I smile, oh ye wildly indignant who try to shout down the new town meeting. Go ahead and have a big hissy fit, oh ye goaded and orchestrated via Internet or evening radio. Your primal scream therapy ought to be protected speech, helps persuade folks over to the liberal side, and entertains in any case.

Shawn and I have been talking about how a free society tends to get raucous, like the British House of Commons. She authorizes me to quote another eloquent American:

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
And the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.

--Bob Dylan

SGTex
****

Someplace just outside of town....

Today we were sitting here in the office talking and SGTex said something about going "someplace just outside of town." Which got me to day-dreaming, which led me to thinking....

Someday, if we ever *do* get the Chance and the Time and the Money to actually *do* what we're probably *meant* to do (the B&B/Guesthouse bit), we should call it, "Someplace Just Outside Of Town." Granted, it might actually be located right smackdab in the heart of town, but I kinda doubt that.

See, he's this great writer and needs the time to finish his writing projects and be published. And I have this yen for getting to know people from all sorts of places and learning about them and their kids and their pets and their neighbors. We're both kinda artsy-crafty and have a knack for decorating, and we like everything from Victoriana to American Funk. Not to mention the fact that he makes a killer cup of coffee and bakes monkey bread, and one of my most fav things is to set a pretty table with all sorts of delicious things to eat and let company just have at it!

Really, we should see what we must do to make it all happen...

But meanwhile, we're settling into this cute little bungalow, which actually turned out to be a composite of my two most favorite houses in the Pacific Northwest. How it came to be in Texas, (well heavens, how did *I* turn up in Texas?!) I'll never know, but I can tell you, I'm delighted and will be forever grateful.

Meanwhile, until this particular dream comes true, we'll just take the easy route and make like guests in such fine establishments. And we're going to do just that, come September!

Shawn
****

The Epitomy of Femininity...(IMO)

I like this picture of Marilyn, so here it is. I'm not sure where I'm going with this post...but it's something about womanliness and femininity and oh yes, deliciousness. If I weren't a bit shy, I'd confess it's something to which I aspire.

I always liked her and admired her, even when I was little and didn't think much past "I wish my hair would do that." Later on, I was more like "Wouldn't it be something to have that kind of _____...."

Well, she sure had it, and she knew how to use it. Uh,huh. There was that wow, the special something that gave her an edge, lifted her more than a little bit above the rest of women and made so many love (and envy) her. I'd like to have tapped into that supply of whatever *it* was-- the secret ingredient in the potion that made her oh, so Marilyn, but gosh, she took the recipe with her, didn't she?!

If I'd had some, I'd have mixed some more and bottled it for sale, and I'd definitely have called it Mystique.

Shawn
****
(note: I told SGTex I forgot to sign my post and would have to come back and do it later. He said, "Oh, now they're going to think that *I* wrote that!" LOL. Oh yeah, and when he looked at this post and saw the picture of Marilyn, he said, "WOW!" See what I mean? ;+)

Lucky for me, I was born in the US of A....

It's been quite a week here in America, what with the passing of MJ and FF, all the discussion and controversy, the speculation and the digging up of past issues, etc... I, for one, can't believe how utterly hateful people can be and the things they say (anonymously, of course) on chat boards about someone who isn't alive to defend himself. How unfortunate.

Rather than dwell on that, it's more pleasant to focus on the puppies, all snuggled together in their "bus" (crate) after their morning mayhem, lol. It's been full-on *bark* this holiday for Sebastian the Vocal. He's finally settled down next to Seamus the Deceptively Calm, collapsed in a heap. Each seem momentarily bored, their chin resting on their favorite toys, a sheep and a buffalo purchased for them at the Cracker Barrel gift shop.

We're further along with our moving project. Everything that was There is Here. Or so I've been told...

It's the Fourth of July!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday. After SGTex finishes his work for the day we'll take in the local firework display, have a car picnic and come home for popcorn and the Boston Pops.

(LOL- I just sighed and said, "I hope I spelled everything right." SGTex looks over his shoulder and says, "that's e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g." Hmm, now why didn't I see that one coming?)

It's a very pretty day here in America. Enjoy!!!

Shawn
****

It's been awhile....

Just dropping by on a warm Texas night to catch up. A lot has happened since the last entry....

On the home front, we've found a lovely older house here in town that has been restored and are getting situated, one box at a time, lol. It's shaded by pecan trees with a big back yard with plenty of room for gardening, and we're looking forward to putting that into shape. The puppies seem very pleased in their new surroundings and have been very well-behaved, in spite of the daily morning and evening neighborhood Barkfest!! I think everyone in our part of town just throws up their hands and turns their dogs outside, LOL!! It'd be quite comical if we were a just a little better rested, I suppose....Anyway, it's a very nice place to call home.

I suppose I can't neglect to mention yesterday's sad news about Farrah and Michael. Someone mentioned that the one surprising death overshadowed the other. I don't know what to think about all that's been said, it's just sad all around. I feel that they both handled the difficulties of their lives with courage. It can't have been easy to be them on their less than good days. They will be sorely missed, and may their journey onward be one of joy and peace.

Well, it's time to call it a day....

G'nite.

Shawn
****

photo courtesy of mountain meadow seeds "moonflower"

In case you don't get the Sunday paper....

Here's what SGTex, guest columnist has to say:

"Thank goodness the ACLU of Texas is conducting a legal investigation of school districts that have been accommodating Gideon Bible distribution on campus. I wrote a letter to the editor on May 19 voicing approval of the AISD policy restricting the Gideon organization from doing that, and questioning the way schools in nearby towns have been flagrant in permitting it.

In my letter, I mentioned concern about other things conservative Christians seem to think they should be allowed to do, in condescending disregard for their neighbors who happen to believe differently---such as conducting sectarian prayer at a graduation ceremony, teaching creationism in defiance of the findings of science, and insisting on reference to God in the socially compulsory Pledge of Allegiance. Oh, and then there is our school district’s habit of providing churches with a list of the addresses of very young students for use in mailing out Vacation Bible School invitations, for Pete’s sake.

As has often been the case, there followed multiple letters of rebuttal from God-fearing Bible believers, understandably incensed that someone should speak against all this righteous Constitution-stomping. That is a reaction I have always found gratifying, as it shows that I am a writer after all, with an audience.

Since moving from San Angelo to Abilene in 1986, I must have written more than a hundred letters to the editor, always about this sort of thing---though the frequency of my commentary did fall off with the advent of Internet discussion forums. In 1997, I wrote the one of which I’m proudest, disagreeing with Billy Graham about reincarnation, which arguably led to my being harassed and persecuted right out of a career by my employer of 11 years, a Baptist hospital best not named here.

But, hey. Many hours of chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, quite a few blessed occasions of dialogue and learning with the Abilene Interfaith Council, considerable tequila and, now, the love of a lovely Pagan Methodist…these happy factors have healed my bitterness and dissolved my grudge, leaving the grizzled hippie heathen you see before you today. Quiet, perhaps, but not silent, and hoping the Abilene Reporter-News prints his occasional column with a minimum of editing.

Whatever they may say about you, Abilene, you have come a good long way and are getting better every day. Did y’all notice how the National Day of Prayer went this year? We Buddhists and Jews and Catholics and Muslims had our interfaith ceremony at the little park downtown once again, our fourth such open and progressive event…

Whereas, I hear, the conservative or fundamentalist congregations had their usual type of observance, imbued with frenetic passion for tearing down the barriers Satan and the First Amendment have placed against making theirs the national religion. For them, it was the same down-home exclusivisitic National Day of Prayer as always, but---by heaven!---they did not have it on the steps of City Hall."

SGTex
****

image borrowed from sfusualsuspects.com

Letter to the Editor....

....about Gideon Bible distribution in public schools:

I wish to commend the AISD for their enlightened policy prohibiting Gideon Bible distribution on the campuses of (our city's) public schools. It is unfortunate (and decidedly unlawful) that the presumptuous practice continues in (local small towns).The constitutional guarantee regarding "no establishment of religion" should extend to all communities where the U.S. flag is flown, without exceptions made just because a town is little. It would not hurt for public school students (and faculty/administration) in those places to learn that tax-supported institutions are supposed to be neutral in the matter of faith options. Unless they welcome the literature of Buddhists, Pagans, etc., just as affirmatively as they do Gideon Bibles, they are in egregious violation of the letter and spirit of constitutional religious liberty.
In the same sense, it violates the rights of many citizens to have prayers "in Jesus' name" at graduation ceremonies; to present the creationist or intelligent design "theory" alongside or instead of valid science; to use elementary school rosters for Vacation Bible School mailings---and indeed, to have inserted the expression "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance at public school functions all these years.
There has been progress, but surely a ways to go yet toward the ideal of justice for all Americans regardless of faith status. Freedom is dubious that hasn't proper equality to it.

SGTex
****

photo borrowed from pyrophile.livejournal.com

Spring is on the move, and so are the rattlesnakes, it seems....

I love this picture of the bird's nest. Spring is well underway around here. Some would say it'll be summer before you know it, and others say that it's already here! Whichever it is out there, it's been the usual busy schedule for us, mostly work and a little R&R time on the weekend. We did go out to do some more treasure-hunting out at the old fort site where we were before. We had a car picnic and the caretaker came by to chat. "Are you guys going to get out and walk around?" "Yeah, we are." "Well, watch out for rattlesnakes!" "Oh yeah? Okay." "Yeah, someone saw one yesterday out by the surgeon's quarters." So, DH tells him about the one I'd encountered last time, and the caretaker's eyes get all big. Then he proceeds to tell us, rather matter-of-factly and by the way, about the one he shot the day before that he and his puppy encountered...finishing his story up with a wave of the hand and a "Be careful, they're on the move!" Needless to say, I didn't get out and walk around after all. SGTex did, and since I was wearing sandals--the same ones I had on last time I was there. I know...what was I thinking? LOL

Oh, yeah, and then there's the sign we see at a local vet's office about "It's time to get your dog immunized for rattlesnake bite." I'm like, "Whaaat?"

Anyway, here's hoping you are having a wonderful spring!

Shawn
****
Picture courtesy of our friend T in TN, a Chipping Sparrows nest. Thank you, T!

I don't know what to put here....How about "All's well that ends well," or something like that?

Isn't that a gorgeous flower? Blue Spider Gerbera. I'd love to have some of those growing in a pot on the verandah. I've discovered that it might be best to avoid starting things by seed, as the Finch Family from next door (Fred and Ethel) makes short work of anything we're trying to grow that way. It seems it's their policy to clean out the flower pot and then swing on the hanging baskets and burst into song...Singing for their supper, I guess ;^).

It's been one of those exhausting weeks, for various reasons. And we're already ready for next weekend to roll around, so have been making tentative plans--hah. Hopefully, the work week will go smoothly and quickly so we can get back to that R&R thing we pretty much missed out on this time, whew.

The big deal this week was finally deciding on red velvet wedding cake-- (What, we didn't *have* to buy a whole cake for taste-testing?) Hmmmm....Okay. Next time I'll forego the Mexican Mudslide and have it with black coffee, though. That was just way too good for my own good, IYKWIM.

Speaking of coffee, it's kahvi aika.

TTYL!

Shawn
****

A Texas-Styled Easter....

Happy Easter!

It's a fine, breezy holiday here in Texas, after a rainy night with some pretty exciting thunder and lightning. We'd gone out treasure-hunting yesterday and I confess I kept one eye on the sky when it was getting dark and threatening with the wind blowing pretty hard. SGTex was off in the distance with metal-detector and shovel seeing what could be found. The location is an old fort, pretty impressive, actually. I do think we'll be going back earlier in the day when the weather is calmer. About the only thing I discovered was what it sounds like when a rattlesnake feels cranky about the weather, hiding out under a not-nearly-distant-enough-for-me rock tucked next to a yucca!! I froze, made a slow, 360-degree turn and then backed politely away, LOL. The find of the day was a toy Easter egg, evidently lost at an earlier egg hunt that day, so it's something to add to our collection of found memorabilia. Next time it'll be a gold coin.... ;+) What else was impressive was the beautiful pastureland of the ranches and bluebonnets carpeting the roadside. It's really wonderful getting to live here in Texas.

Last weekend we went to see "Clue," and really enjoyed A's performance. After that we hit the road and headed out to meet J & I at an old ghost town. They met us there and we came home with Seamus (who gets carsick, btw, lol). He is a darling, and is getting along well with his big brother Sebastian and big sister Sasha. We're having fun and are completely enamored of these two special puppies.

This morning we discovered a pair of doves working on a nest just across the way, right out in the open atop one of the lights on the building next door. Talk about a bird's eye view, lol.

Have a wonderful holiday and a prosperous week!

Shawn & SGTex
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Bluebonnets and a blessing....

St. Theresa's Prayer:

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

Our friend Jan sent the above prayer to us today, and I thought it was definitely worth sharing. Thanks, Jan!

And it's bluebonnet time in our part of Texas, at last! We went hunting them on the weekend (Yes, D reminded us that you have to sneak up on 'em, and C gave us a "don't shoot toward the road" tip, LOL!!) They are lovely, and I'm so excited to see them emerge. Bluebonnets are our wedding flower, so that makes them extra special. We'll be on the road this weekend to go pick up Seamus, and part of the fun of that trip is going to be seeing more bluebonnets, as well as getting a glimpse of a Texas ghost town. That's my idea of a great way to spend a Saturday late afternoon. Earlier in the day we'll get to see A, son of SGTex, perform in his college play.

Meanwhile, it's one more day of work here in the office and then a busy Friday getting ready for the arrival of Hav-II. Stay tuned for how that all turns out. I'm pretty sure there will be something to tell, when it's all said and done....

Shawn
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Did you ever...

...have a really, really weird dream? I mean, totally out of character for you and something so realistic and strange that it left you shocked and bothered for most of the following day? Well, sure you have. I did in the early hours the other morning, and I'm still shaking my head and wondering wheretheheck did that come from? How can one's mind go so far astray in the night? Bewildering to me, and I did an entire college semester independent study on dreams, rather than have to get up early during the winter and make it to class (awake) at 8 a.m. It was fascinating and very educational, I did well, but I can't recall anything from that study that could explain this. Then again, I seem to have other things going on regarding the subject of so-called dreams, soooo...Oh, but that's another blog entirely!!

We did something fun this weekend. In spite of being somewhat ill with URIs, we pulled ourselves together and went out to a nearby small town big deal flea market. I had a ball! Came back with some wonderful bird feeders (china cup/plate and cut glass) to use in the plants on our verandah. SGTex just put some grape nuts out there to coax the neighbor finches over. We also picked up some movies and watched one last night for "date night." I'm wondering, though...why do they call them "flea" markets? It's held every month in an old oak grove, so it was nice and mostly shady, filled with interesting sights and pleasant people willing to chat. I loved it!

And yes. There is a new Havanese puppy on the way. We're not quite sure how that happened. I guess the Cute Factor got the best of us. No, we're not rich, just totally mad for our little guy and can only imagine how 2 is going to be double-good-fun!

Until next time,

Shawn
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photo courtesy of stamptabulous

Can't stop staring at our wedding rings....

Well, our rings came back today from Dallas and SGTex went out in the rain (!) to pick them up. They are *drop-dead-gorgeous* and we're very happy with them... A very nice way to brighten up the day!

I had an amazing, Texas-style birthday weekend. Roses, chocolate cake w/choco-covered-strawberries (that were massive!) and gifts. We shopped 'til we dropped, ate out, listened to live music at the coffee house (a song-writer of some fame was performing), and just had a great 3 days together. SGTex took the day off from work to help me celebrate (Thank you, Sir), and that means a lot.

There's catfish for supper tonight, so I'd better go see about that...

Shawn
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photo courtesy of tacomacc.edu (amish double wedding rings quilt)

Texas Independence Day.....

Today is Texas Independence Day, the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. That's the Lone Star above, something you see a lot of around these parts. Two things I've noticed about Texas folks: They show a lot of friendliness, and they show a lot of pride.

We just acquired something I'm getting ready to hang, maybe in the kitchen. It's a cute wooden box advertising "Made In Texas," and it says this: "You might give some serious thought to thanking your lucky stars you're in Texas." We found that in an antique store in a nearby town, and what it says really applies to my personal situation!

We're keeping busy as usual with work and play, training the puppy (when he's not training us!), planning the future and just all-around enjoying signs of spring.

Shawn
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image courtesy of downtownaustin.com

Hearts and Flowers....

Valentine's Day started early for us! There's a HUGE bouquet of gorgeous red roses on the dining room table, a gift from SGTex. (Thanks again, Darling Man) We've found and purchased our rings, at long last. The mansion is reserved for the day of our wedding, the perfect place to celebrate and have our sunset reception. All in all, it has been great!

Hope your Valentine's Day is special for you and yours...

Shawn&SGTex
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A Texas Valentine....

I'm finding it hard to believe that it's February already! We just got back from another trip to PetSmart and as we were checking out the sunset sky was so gorgeous, amazing to look one direction and see the beautiful moon, turn and look off to the west and see what was left of the sunset. Forgive me, but it's still incredible to me to be able to look out and see so much sky, unlike Washington, where there was so much in the way, lol!! Beautiful, but still, this is really nice! I s'pose I'll always be like that.

Anyway, just dropping by to say Happy Valentine's Day coming up real soon, and that we hope yours is as nice as can be.

Shawn & SGTex
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