Made a second trip down to Leroy on Saturday - had to hold down the stand while hubby did a small show for the locals.
In the spirit of road trips, I opted to take an alternate (and technically more direct) route and see a bit more of the Texas countryside. After I got past the major suburbs of DFW, I headed down Highway 157 and went through Venus, Griffith, Maypearl (where I caught Hwy. 66), Files Valley, & Itasca. I missed a turn somewhere and ended up back on my normal I35W . Also passed the outskirts of Hillsboro, Chatt, Abbott, West (which I mentioned the other day), and Ross. While I was in Leroy, had to visit the truck stop in Elm Mott to do a bit of laundry for my boys.
A lovely summer thunderstorm blew through. I wasn't up on a hill will a vista view, but we watched the dark thunderheads roll over. The rain didn't start until the fireworks show ended, so that was a blessing. After that, my daughter and I trekked home, watching the heavenly fireworks in the eastern sky. It was nice to have a bit of rain to cool the temps and keep the threat of a burn ban as low as possible.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
"I've Been Everywhere..."
Well, the Texas version of that song keeps rolling through my head, so I had to title my post that way. But I haven't really been everywhere.
Yesterday in North Texas was perfect for a road trip. The sun was shining while white puffy clouds dotted the sky, offering small pools of shade every so often, and the roads (at least the ones I drove on) were wide open. Here's a shout out to the small towns I passed through, any of which I would love to live in: Crandall, Gastonia, Kaufman, Kemp, Mabank, Eustace, Athens, Crescent Heights, Malakoff, Trinidad, Kerens, Powell, Corsicana, Silver City, Spring Hill, Dawson, Hubbard, Malone, Penelope, Birome, Hoen, Leroy, Tours, & West. These towns were of various populations, some a mere a cluster of homes along the highway, some a bit larger with bank, post office, and grocery store. Some we traveled right through, while we hit the outskirts of others.
As I watched trees and sky, wild grasses and crops roll by, I felt a keen longing for a such a place to call my own. Even the owners of the most ramshackle, run-down, rusted out single-wides we passed had my envy. They have something I do not - property out in the country. I've lived my life (mostly) within the confines of larger urban cities. I've always been an introvert, but at the risk of turning into a complete hermit, I long to be out in the wide open places, miles from the hustle and bustle of a big city. A small town with an old fashioned Main Street would suit me fine. Or better yet, a farm house on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. I want to watch the seasons - such as they are in Texas; I want to see a thunderstorm coming and going, rolling across the plains. I want simplicity.
Yesterday in North Texas was perfect for a road trip. The sun was shining while white puffy clouds dotted the sky, offering small pools of shade every so often, and the roads (at least the ones I drove on) were wide open. Here's a shout out to the small towns I passed through, any of which I would love to live in: Crandall, Gastonia, Kaufman, Kemp, Mabank, Eustace, Athens, Crescent Heights, Malakoff, Trinidad, Kerens, Powell, Corsicana, Silver City, Spring Hill, Dawson, Hubbard, Malone, Penelope, Birome, Hoen, Leroy, Tours, & West. These towns were of various populations, some a mere a cluster of homes along the highway, some a bit larger with bank, post office, and grocery store. Some we traveled right through, while we hit the outskirts of others.
As I watched trees and sky, wild grasses and crops roll by, I felt a keen longing for a such a place to call my own. Even the owners of the most ramshackle, run-down, rusted out single-wides we passed had my envy. They have something I do not - property out in the country. I've lived my life (mostly) within the confines of larger urban cities. I've always been an introvert, but at the risk of turning into a complete hermit, I long to be out in the wide open places, miles from the hustle and bustle of a big city. A small town with an old fashioned Main Street would suit me fine. Or better yet, a farm house on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. I want to watch the seasons - such as they are in Texas; I want to see a thunderstorm coming and going, rolling across the plains. I want simplicity.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Road trip...
Well, with the rising cost of gas prices, I'm going to be driving all over hell and half-acre... I mean, Texas, today. From Fort Worth to Athens, then on down to the fireworks stand in Leroy, I will have traversed the heart of Texas in 100 degree heat. My new car has great A/C and cruise control. Plus I can plug my iPod in and listen to my current audio book in surround sound. To be honest, it beats being in the office right now. As long as I have something to drink (and enough of it to last the entire trip) I'm good to go. I could even forgo the iPod and just listen to the silence if necessary. (There's always people and noise in my house, that silence is always a treat.)
So what's your favorite road trip?
So what's your favorite road trip?
Monday, June 23, 2008
Days of my life...
Well, I've got one child home from camp, the other off to camp this morning. Hubby and daughters are down in Leroy, putting the finishing touches on the ol' fireworks stand. Actually, I should say new stand. It's only our second year, and hubby expanded it to over twice the size. I had orange polka dots all over me last night from painting all the new parts. I'll be picking up the girls this evening and bringing them home while hubby stays behind to start selling. Tomorrow is the first day to sell fireworks for the 4th.
Saturday, I attended my first book-signing for the Love, Texas Style anthology in which I have a short story published. It was fun and exciting to share that with seven of the eleven authors. If you're interested in this collection of short romantic stories, visit The Wild Rose Press - you can buy an e-copy (PDF format) or an actual hold-in-your-hands book.
After the book signing, fellow anthology author Marty Tidwell and I headed to North Dallas for the annual Texas JAG Meet. What's this you ask? Well, every year the Texas fans of the TV show JAG get together for a wild weekend of JAG watching and JAG discussion. There's always food, sometimes alcohol, but always, always a good time. These women have come from all walks of life, some young, most middle-age, a few older, & several nationalities, to bond in friendship - all because of a TV show. And this doesn't just happen in Texas. There are annual meets in several other parts of the country. And while JAG is a predominant topic, and episodes run practically around the clock, we have become friends, and we do share all other aspects of our lives. Despite how crazy it might sound, it's pretty amazing that such a disparate group of women have formed these ties and become such good friends.
Pre-4th of July is the craziest time of year for me. Even worse than a vacation or Christmas. It should settle down some now that the stand is up and running. But I'm the type of person who really likes order and routine in her life, and this time of year is rough. Since I know it's inevitable, I try to go in resigned, but God bless him, my husband gets wild ideas at the last minute that just completely throw life out of whack for days on end.
Well, once the girls are back home and life settles down, I'll get back to my kitchen cabinets. I'm determined to have my cabinets complete, and everything unpacked from the shed, by the time my husband comes home. Pray for me!
Saturday, I attended my first book-signing for the Love, Texas Style anthology in which I have a short story published. It was fun and exciting to share that with seven of the eleven authors. If you're interested in this collection of short romantic stories, visit The Wild Rose Press - you can buy an e-copy (PDF format) or an actual hold-in-your-hands book.
After the book signing, fellow anthology author Marty Tidwell and I headed to North Dallas for the annual Texas JAG Meet. What's this you ask? Well, every year the Texas fans of the TV show JAG get together for a wild weekend of JAG watching and JAG discussion. There's always food, sometimes alcohol, but always, always a good time. These women have come from all walks of life, some young, most middle-age, a few older, & several nationalities, to bond in friendship - all because of a TV show. And this doesn't just happen in Texas. There are annual meets in several other parts of the country. And while JAG is a predominant topic, and episodes run practically around the clock, we have become friends, and we do share all other aspects of our lives. Despite how crazy it might sound, it's pretty amazing that such a disparate group of women have formed these ties and become such good friends.
Pre-4th of July is the craziest time of year for me. Even worse than a vacation or Christmas. It should settle down some now that the stand is up and running. But I'm the type of person who really likes order and routine in her life, and this time of year is rough. Since I know it's inevitable, I try to go in resigned, but God bless him, my husband gets wild ideas at the last minute that just completely throw life out of whack for days on end.
Well, once the girls are back home and life settles down, I'll get back to my kitchen cabinets. I'm determined to have my cabinets complete, and everything unpacked from the shed, by the time my husband comes home. Pray for me!
Friday, June 20, 2008
The storm clouds are gathering...
The title above is, among other things, a quote from the 90s TV show "Sports Night" - a brilliant, downright laugh-out-loud funny thirty minute comedy. It was the first TV show we bought on DVD and we have gotten our money's worth out of it. The whole family loves it and watches it, sometimes together, sometimes individually. It's not a sports show, it's a show about the people who do a sports show. And we quote it extensively among ourselves, eliciting yet more laughter.
The title was, as of Wednesday night, a portent. Here in North Texas, the storm clouds gathered overnight and, at about 6am Thursday, the storm began. Lots of wonderful rain - we don't want any burn bans come 4th of July - rumbly rolling thunder, and some brilliant, if minor, flashes of lightening. I lay in bed listening to the pattering, plopping, and splattering of the rain against the trees, bushes, and roofs, enjoying one of nature's symphonies, thanking God for his infinite wisdom in creating such a wonderful system.
The title is also, and most importantly, a warning. About a month ago, I posted about the End Times, specifically, the signs of the times. Things are happening just as the Bible, the inerrant Word of God, says. Not everything has happened yet, but the pieces are falling into place.
Last week, my Wednesday night Bible study class started the topic of the End Times, and this past Wednesday night Pastor Barry preached a riveting sermon on the Day of the Lord (listen here). The Day of Lord will happen after Jesus has gathered up believers, both those who have already died, and those who are still alive at the time. That means everyone else has chosen not to believe and/or accept that Jesus is who He says He is - our risen Savior.
There's still time, though. How much time is unknown. But we *are* living in the End Times. And we still have an opprtunity to find hope in Jesus. If you choose Jesus, you can watch the gathering storm clouds, but have no fear of the coming storm.
I know this isn't a favorite topic to some of my regular readers (the three of you), but it is my duty. If you knew a hurricane was coming, wouldn't you do your darndest to warn people and get them to evacuate?
The title was, as of Wednesday night, a portent. Here in North Texas, the storm clouds gathered overnight and, at about 6am Thursday, the storm began. Lots of wonderful rain - we don't want any burn bans come 4th of July - rumbly rolling thunder, and some brilliant, if minor, flashes of lightening. I lay in bed listening to the pattering, plopping, and splattering of the rain against the trees, bushes, and roofs, enjoying one of nature's symphonies, thanking God for his infinite wisdom in creating such a wonderful system.
The title is also, and most importantly, a warning. About a month ago, I posted about the End Times, specifically, the signs of the times. Things are happening just as the Bible, the inerrant Word of God, says. Not everything has happened yet, but the pieces are falling into place.
Last week, my Wednesday night Bible study class started the topic of the End Times, and this past Wednesday night Pastor Barry preached a riveting sermon on the Day of the Lord (listen here). The Day of Lord will happen after Jesus has gathered up believers, both those who have already died, and those who are still alive at the time. That means everyone else has chosen not to believe and/or accept that Jesus is who He says He is - our risen Savior.
There's still time, though. How much time is unknown. But we *are* living in the End Times. And we still have an opprtunity to find hope in Jesus. If you choose Jesus, you can watch the gathering storm clouds, but have no fear of the coming storm.
I know this isn't a favorite topic to some of my regular readers (the three of you), but it is my duty. If you knew a hurricane was coming, wouldn't you do your darndest to warn people and get them to evacuate?
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