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
****
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
****

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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What a wonderful morning....

So, how was your Saturday morning? Ours was terrific. It was cold this morning (for Texas), so SGTex went gathering kindling and made a fire in the fireplace. We sat and talked, drank coffee (with brandy), and he read from The World Tribune. You know, it was really, really nice after the week we had. Yesterday was our day off too, but that was pretty busy.

The best day of the week was Inauguration Day (wasn't that great?!), made unforgettable by the arrival of My Ring (WoW!!!). Thank you, Dear Man. And the other great thing is that the new job is going well. It's so nice to be working with super people while I'm learning some new stuff, re-learning some old and forgotten stuff, which makes it all go down that much easier.

The puppy is doing great! He seems to feel that we're here to entertain him. (He's teaching us to fetch, lol). I've been wondering if he actually thinks his name really is "NoSebastian!!" Probably not... ;+)

Well, time to find my shoes and head out for PeopleStupid. I mean PetSmart.

Life is good...

Shawn
****

So we were in line at Starbucks yesterday....

...actually, one of two lines coming from two directions, and SGTex lets this lady pull in front of us. It was after 3:00 in the afternoon, and we hadn't had any coffee yet at all, so it was pretty nice of him to let her go ahead of us. To our surprise, when we pulled up to pay for our two white chocolate mocha grandes, the guy says, "Your coffee is paid for! The lady in front of you took care of your bill!" How nice was that?!! It tastes even better when it's free, and I have a feeling her coffee tasted pretty good to her, too!

Well, I just haveta report we had a fantastic New Year's holiday in Dallas. The King Tut exhibit is absolutely awesome. The city is beautiful, and the B&B is the nicest yet! We had a wonderful SGI Buddhist meeting in Ft. Worth (I met a lot of really nice people who made me feel very welcome), and we're hoping to do it all over again next New Year's! We actually made it out of town without any delay, in spite of the Cottonbowl traffic (wow), and all in all, it was a wonderful trip. That night sky with the buildings lit up for the holidays was amazing, and we had a 'to die for' view from the balcony off our room. The Texas hospitality of Peter and Dan made our stay very memorable.

And now we're back, and 2009 is in full swing. Tomorrow I start my new account (about which I'm kinda chicken....), but everything is pretty much under control. Well, the new puppy has us pretty much under his control, LOL! He's made himself right at home.

That's about it for now, so have a great week!

Shawn
***

picture borrowed from Pegasus News, Blackland Coffee Royce City