Sioux Looks into the Wood

Washington Crossing NJ and PA

2011-10-22T14:41:00.001-05:00

Fantastic Historical Site! Every American needs to see this. This changed the world.

Our Interview with The 33 News

2011-07-07T13:05:00.001-05:00

Our Joey in Afghanistan

2011-06-24T00:33:00.002-05:00

Here is a photo of our Joey in Afghanistan. He is doing well, I believe, and we are praying for his safety. One of our friend's grandson was just severely injured in Iraq. His name is Joshua. Please pray for both these boys as they fight/fought for American freedom. If anyone is interested in sending Joey a card, email me at siouxcitysue@att.net,and I will send you his address.

Female Painted Bunting

2011-06-17T13:33:00.001-05:00

This was in our back yard on June 14...our Carolyn's birthday and Flag Day. We have finally identified it, by a form student of Raf's, as a female painted bunting. It is beautiful, isn't it!

Book Signing

2011-04-04T20:22:00.005-05:00

Last weekend I had a book signing at the Book Satchell book store in Mineral Wells, Texas, for my book Images of America: Mineral Wells. This book can be purchased from Arcadia Publishing or Amazon, or if you are in Mineral Wells at the Book Satchell or Waddy's Pharmacy.

Beginning of Wisteria 2011

2011-03-14T16:33:00.004-05:00

Beginning of Wisteria 201 a photo by SiouxSue on Flickr.

We have a wisteria bush in the back yard. Each year it produces beautiful blooms. Right now it is budding out but still has remnants of the fall with broken stems and bean pods.

Reflections on Creativity

2011-03-09T16:35:00.001-06:00

I believe author, Julia Cameron, said, “Life is a creative endeavor. It is active, not passive.”

Do you remember being creative as a child? By nature, I think, children are all highly creative creatures, and it takes only climbing into adulthood for that creativity to take a back seat to, oh, let’s see, going to school, making a living, raising children, providing food and shelter for ourselves and our families, and so forth.

And suddenly there doesn’t seem to be a creative bone in our bodies. We are stymied. There are just so many hours in a day, and, hey, we have to just relax and rest during some of those hours, watch tv, have a drink, go to a game.

Quickly we forget what it was like to be creative, to make up tunes, to write poems, to play an instrument, to draw a picture. And because we forget what it was like, we know within our very beings that there is not only no time for creativity, we don’t have what it takes, anyway.

As my mother was a musician, I took piano and voice as a child, I played the flute and timpani in the band, sang in various choirs, and I took painting with a woman who wore bright gypsy clothing, possessed wildly flying hair, and had creativity pouring out of her in every direction. I thought she was a bit crazy, but I so loved going to her house to learn to draw - her paintings displayed on all of her walls. And then, one day, pastels were introduced, and I was in heaven.

But Mother wasn’t particularly interested in drawing and painting, the supplies were quite expensive, and so, I stopped going to art class.

I never really thought I could draw, but, man, I loved to do it, and do it I continued on notebooks and book covers, and I doodled all over everything...still do, for that matter.

I did continue one creative outlet throughout my adulthood. I kept on with my writing, my passion for forming pictures with words. That helped a lot! But...

Then, six years ago, I retired from teaching, and I began using the internet more than I had before, and I found, there, women, and a few men, who were challenging each other to be creative, Violette Clark and Danny Gregory, in particular. They were challenging others not just to draw or to paint, but to live creative life styles. And I thought to myself, this sounds exactly like where I want to be right now.

And so I took some online courses, joined a couple of art groups, and formed a couple of others, and slowly, very slowly, I began to see a creative spark to my being that I had not seen since about third grade. Never mind all that music. I could create a piece of art, a collage, a drawing, a painting, a quilt, and I had found other people who also were finding their creative bliss. It was like a whole other world was opening up right before my eyes.

This doesn’t mean you has to be old or young to be creative. You just have to allow yourself to believe that you have creativity - everyone has creativity. And you have to give yourself time to explore where that creativity lies. Creativity, remember, is active!

I know several people, men and women, in our town who are taking music lessons. I know others who have taken up photography. More people are gardening, making quilts, decorating homes, making jewelry, painting, sculpting. Tthese are all creative pass times. Active, not passive. And I encourage you, as I encourage myself. Find your creative life. Now!

Reflections of Valentine's Day

2011-03-06T15:31:00.002-06:00

This column was published right before Valentine's Day:

I watched a movie during the Great Snow Storm of ’11. It was called Valentine’s Day, and it got me thinking about that day, February 14, that some of us love while others of us hate - and, perhaps, many of us are just indifferent about.

Who was this St. Valentine, and why is his day so important to us? Legend tells us that Valentine was persecuted because he was a Christian and on the evening before he was executed he sent a note (a Valentine) to his beloved which he signed “from your Valentine”.

Who knows if that was true, but because of that legend February 14 has become a day for lovers, or haters, depending on your point-of-view.

Remember in elementary school when you decorated a Valentine box and took it to school so that your classmates could place notes of love to you inside it? You put your heart and soul, and that of your mother’s, into making that box with all its red, pink, and white ornaments, hearts, doves, cherubs, bows and arrows, and you hoped, you fervently wished, that that one special someone, that little boy in the third seat to your right, or that little girl in front of you who hated it when you dipped her pigtails in ink, would drop that special card, meant just for you, inside your Valentine box.

I think that is one reason some people really hate Valentine’s Day. That boy or that girl didn’t put a card in your Valentine box. Sometimes I didn’t get that Valentine I wanted, but, you know, I do now. I have the best Valentine I could ever wish for! I am blessed.

Sometimes I think we take too much for granted. We either give a gift and a card out of tradition or because it’s expected, or we agree not to do “that” this year. But after watching that movie, I do believe we, perhaps we Americans, we older adults at least, well, some of us anyway, seem to forget the romance and anticipation of a special day for lovers. Valentine’s Day.

Sure, it isn’t a holiday, and I’m not sure it should be a time when we lavish gifts on our children or grandchildren. I think it’s more of a time when we need to lavish our love on that special person in our lives without whom we would not be completely whole. Or, in some cases, remember that person who loved us with their whole heart while they were here on earth.

Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers, in the pure sense. Perhaps even more, or different, from an anniversary. Valentine’s Day is a chance to celebrate our love. Maybe with a candle-lit dinner at home while the kids are at the movies. Perhaps with a special meal at that special restaurant, just the two of us. Perchance a walk in the park, a drive around the county, a romantic movie, the sharing of a chocolate soda with vanilla ice cream, all by ourselves.

Think about it. We have been given the special gift of love. Let’s celebrate it, quietly or with fanfare, but just the two of us, this Valentine’s Day!

Book of Beth

2011-03-04T11:26:00.002-06:00

Book of Beth a photo by SiouxSue on Flickr.

I just finished this handmade book for my granddaughter, Beth. It is made on watercolor paper. The backgrounds are all watercolor, with mixed media collage on each page. You can see the whole set at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/siouxsue/sets/72157626195312582/

Blessing Last Sunday

2011-03-03T13:12:00.001-06:00

Father Swickard blessed our grandson Joey (right) and his friend Stephen who are headed for their tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Reflections on a Snowy Day

2011-03-02T20:59:00.003-06:00

This was written in January during our snow. It is a Reflections column I am writing for our local newspaper. I am illustrating with an ATC for a willowing.ning swap. If you know a local paper who would like to run this sort of column, please have them contact me.

A blanket of snow on the ground with ice beneath. It’s cold, cold for north Texas, but, hey, that’s ok. Here I am with my warm tortoise shell kitty asleep by my legs as my mind wanders over the day.

We have many bird feeders in the back yard, and from my chair I can see them all. On them are perched white-winged doves in abundance - at least on those feeder that have room for the huge gray and white birds.

Also, I see English sparrows. Not a welcome visitor to our small sanctuary, but they, too, must feed in this weather - or die. I don’t recall how these sparrows came to our shores, but shame on whoever brought them, and on whoever brings other non-native animals and plants.

But, oh, well, that’s a whole different story, and it’s not one I want to burden you with right now.

There are at least five cardinals feeding; one male and four females. Guess the bright red male has his harem with him today. On milder days we don’t see so many cardinals. I understand, from my naturalist friend Jim, that the elms have had so many berries that the wild birds aren’t as interested in feeders this winter as they have been in earlier times.

There are a few of our northern friends, also visiting - but not many. The duller winter goldfinches that are usually here in droves have not appeared in large numbers, and today is the first day I have seen a pine siskin at my feeder since last year. We have had a few juncos, actually very few. We call them “nun birds” because their black and white feathers remind us of our friends the nuns at the convent in Maryland.

There are other northern visitors that we have seen all winter, the ruby crowned kinglet, the brown creeper, the red breasted nuthatch. And there are other birds hovering around.

We have house finches, Carolina wrens, tufted titmice, Carolina chickadees, and downy woodpeckers. And we have a couple of surprising additions beyond the bird hide of our patio windows. We have golden crowned kinglets and yellow bellied sapsuckers.

Of course, we also have the blue jay and the occasional mockingbird along with a small number of chipping sparrows.

So, although the day is cold outside - so cold, in fact, that our cat has napped rather than wandered even to the door to look at the birds - it is a perfect day for peace, of mind and of spirit.

This oh so cold day has brought a glorious hush to the life, to the week, to my mind. This is a time to be still, to relax, to know that rushing is not an option today. To read, to paint, to write for fun.

This is a day quiet reflection and thanksgiving. A time to curl up with a book or a laptop. To let all the problems of yesterday go.

I hope everyone has had some time this day to do the same.

From the BirdCam!

2011-02-28T20:43:00.004-06:00

Look what I found on my BirdCam 2.0. Quite a variety of birds...don't you think!

2011-02-26T13:38:00.002-06:00

If you are interested in reading a true life murder mystery, set in the 20th Century, I recommend this book, set in the North Central Texas area, particularly Erath County. It is the story of the Snow ax murders in 1925, what led to them, and what followed afterward. While the author, James Pylant, is a little too verbal when it comes to dates and names, often calling one person by several names, the story is quite intriguing, and I have spoken to the grandson of the sheriff involved, and I believe Pylant is as true to the actual happenings as it is possible to be. It is a self-published book and can be purchased from our local Mineral Wells Book Satchel as well as from Genealogy Magazine. If find no listing for from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Tennessee Waterfall

2011-02-03T17:13:00.001-06:00

Tennessee Waterfall
Originally uploaded by SiouxSue

This is a small acrylic painting using heavy gel medium and clear granular gel. It was fun painting.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

2011-01-31T09:36:00.001-06:00

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker
Originally uploaded by SiouxSue

This Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, along with the Golden Crowned Kinglet, are only two of the rare birds we are seeing at our bird dripper. Check out my Flickr page!

Dripper is Heaven to our Birds!

2011-01-09T08:55:00.005-06:00

Our dripper is being used way more than we see! I am so glad we have this dripper. We run it summer and winter. I think it means more than all the feeding! The cold front is in and still no appreciable goldfinches, siskins, or juncos!

The camera took 180 photos in a 24-hour period at the dripper.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse and Cardinal

Tufted Titmouse

American Robin -- For my UK friends, our robins are so different! Ours are huge.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Furbird

Carolina Chickadee

Carolina Wren

Carolina Chickadee

Northern Cardinal

Cardinal, Goldfinch, Furbird

2011-01-07T14:51:00.002-06:00

These were all at my feeder...actually dripper...today! Now we know we are "some" goldfinches!

Birds of a Feather

2011-01-06T09:08:00.005-06:00

Finally got some photos other than White-winged Doves and English Sparrows!

The first three are Red-breasted Nuthatches.

The next two are Tufted Titmice.

This is the rear end of what we call a "Fur Bird".

And the last two are Carolina Chickadees.

January Challenge at willowing.ning: Balloon

2011-01-05T14:23:00.002-06:00

Tam, at willowing.ning, holds challenges each month. This month the challenge was "Balloon". This is what I wrote: "January 2011 Challenge from willowing.ning is Balloon. So here am I, age 6, carrying my balloon. This must be at the State Fair of Texas. The year would be 1949. I am in first grade in Stephenville, Texas."

More BirdCam 2.0 Moved to a New Location

2011-01-04T10:43:00.003-06:00

Raf moved the BirdCam 2.0 to a new location. We have six feeders and one water dripper, so we are trying to move the camera to different locations. We have a lot of birds. Obviously we have tons of white winged doves, and we have lots of English sparrows, as well, but we have a chickadee in these shots, too, and I have the rear of a wren that I didn't put up. We have goldfinches, cardinals, titmice, woodpeckers, kinglets, creepers and more. The challenge is to get the camera set right to get them.

Journal 1-03-2011 Blithe Laughter

2011-01-03T22:39:00.002-06:00

The phrase Blithe Laughter that I just read in a book made me think of blue and music. Blue Music - Blithe Laughter. The tinkling of faerie bells. The giggling as musical as the tiniest of wind chimes, as soft as the fur of my Turtle cat. But with the silery sound of the bells comes the quietness of a golden sunset far in the western sky. Blithe Laughter, faerie bells, wind chimes on the cool breath of the evening wind on a hot summer's day. Shhh - do you hear it? The innocent faerie princess before she meets her prince.

BirdCam 2.0

2011-01-01T11:53:00.001-06:00

The BirdCam 2.0 was my Christmas gift from Raf. He put it up yesterday, and here are the first photos. All White Wing Doves so far. It was on a tree. He is now putting it on a tripod much closer to one of the 6 feeders.

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T10:07:00.000-06:00

Journal...New Year's Eve

2010-12-31T16:45:00.003-06:00

Today is New Year's Eve. The end of 2010 - the beginning of 2011. I have been so busy this week, and sick, that I haven't even tried to journal. In fact not since the day after my birthday.

Here is what I have done this week:

Reviewed Galley Proofs from Mineral Wells book, corrected, mailed √
Raf printed out the query for Back to the Brazos, I write the letter, mailed √
Finished the proposal for the Palo Pinto book, mailed √
Write my Chasing Our Tales column, submitted √
Taken all but one pill in the Z-pack (still sick) √

This is the journal entry after my grandson, John, gave me roses and callalilies for my birthday.
Theses are the real flowers...beautiful. I believe calallilies are now my favorites!

Tonight we will be going to our good friends, Louise and Jim's house, for an early New Year's celebration. None of us are late away from home people, and Raf and Jim are also sick.

Tomorrow if we feel like it, we will go to Euless to an annual New Year's Day gathering of guitar friends. Our friend, adopted son, Bill Chandler, died on Christmas Eve, and we are planning on making a CD for his wife dedicated to his memory. Also, a very, very close friend had a stroke the day after Christmas. God bless them and their families. This has been a hard couple of weeks.

So Happy New Year to you all. Go here to hear Dan Fogelberg play

Same Old Lang Syne

Painting Fabric with Sharpies and Alcohol

2010-12-27T09:34:00.003-06:00

The left scarf was done with blues and pinks to make the purples. The middle was done with browns, yellows, and oranges. The right scarf was done with pastels including some greens and oranges.

I have tried various brands of permanent ink. Sharpies are the best by far, and they come in about a million colors. Blue and yellow are the best for saturation. I did try the bottled alcohol ink, and it was too saturated with alcohol already to do anything much. It was too expensive, also, for what I wanted to do.

You literally color (mark) the area to begin with the different colors you want to use. Mark heavy and mark so that individual marks don't necessarily show. Then saturate the colored area with alcohol either using a spray, an eye dropper, a dropper bottle, or a syringe. They make different patterns. The colors will blend. A syringe at the end will make the tie-dyed look.

In some cases where the Sharpie marks are still appearing, rub with your fingers, and just experiment. If you use enough alcohol, the color will go away, so then you can start again! The brightness you see when the fabric is wet will fade somewhat when dried.

This is a lot of fun and very creative.

I have used polyester and nylon tricot, and I have seen it done on silk. I want to try cotton and velvet, but right now I am finishing the galley proofs on my book, so it will be a couple of days.

Oh, be sure to let it dry between each coat or painting. Markers won't paint anyway when the fabric is wet with alcohol.

It takes about a day to do a scarf, working on and off and letting it dry.

Good luck and have fun!

So This is Christmas. . .

2010-12-24T10:21:00.005-06:00

Love and joy come to you as we celebrate God's love in the Birth of His Son, Jesus the Christ!

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

or this

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

or this

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness: have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--: on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,: you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you: as with joy at the harvest,; as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,: and the bar across their shoulders,; the rod of their oppressor,; you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors: and all the garments rolled in blood; shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,: a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;: and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,: Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,: and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.: He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness: from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Psalm 96 Page 725, BCP

Cantate Domino

1: Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.
2: Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
3: Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.
4: For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5: As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.
6: Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
7: Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the LORD honor and power.
8: Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9: Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.
10: Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is King! *
he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."
11: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
12: Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the LORD when he comes, *
when he comes to judge the earth.
13: He will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with his truth.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,: and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Scarves and Blooms

2010-12-23T13:25:00.002-06:00

Here's some more Sharpie and Alcohol dyed scarves. They really are turning out well. These were made of Nylon Tricot, a fabric used to make slips. I think they can be made from almost any fabric, cotton, silk, etc. I plan to try velvet soon.

The Christmas Cactus is coming along great!

C. S. Lewis and the "Dawn Treader"

2010-12-22T16:35:00.000-06:00

Have you read C. S. Lewis? Are you familiar with Christian allegory? If you said "No" to either question, then you must read Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and you will learn about both!

Recently I went to a viewing of the new movie, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", which is either the third or fourth book in the Chronicles - depending on whom you believe. But that is NOT the point!

I saw the movie, and I do believe that if I had not read the Chronicles, which I have about 7 times, nor seen the movies, which I also have, I would have had no idea what was going on. I just finished reading the "Dawn Treader" again to satisfy my feelings about the movie.

I understand that Disney is disappointed in the money they have NOT made thus far on the movie - wishing they had made more, but, in fact, the movie strayed so far from the book that Lewis fans have probably panned the movie, as am I!

However, to the book, to all of Lewis' books be they the Chronicles or his others, I give a great review. Lewis is one of the greatest Christian apologists of the modern age, and if you miss his work, you have missed some of the greatest of 20th Century literature!

Christmas Party 2010

2010-12-19T23:34:00.003-06:00

Well, our 25th Annual Christmas Party is now a thing of the past. This year it was on John's 24th birthday. The first one was held two days after he was born! We had a lovely group of friends at the party this year. Raf's sister, Mary Lynn Seibert, comes from Findlay, Ohio. My cousin, Ron Johnson, always come in from Midland. My childhood friend Betty Moss comes up from Granbury, and this year our friends Bob and Gunni Berry came all the way up from Brownsville. Bob and Raf were in the Air Force together in Denver and Panama in the 1960's and found each other about 8 years ago. Anyway, we certainly had a great time at the party! Thanks all of you for coming...and the ones who didn't, we really missed!

Carolyn, Sue, Gunni

Sarah unwraps her Christmas gift (this is the scarf I dyed last week), as John watches.

Ron and Sammy catch up

Louise, Andy, and Ginger in the background; Bob, Judy, Doris, and Jack in the foreground.

Sue, Betty, Lou, Randy, Ron, and Sammy

Mary, Carolyn, and Gunni...and a bunch of other people~

Maria

John and Sarah

Raf and Gunni

Bethy and Riley

Bethy

We had as good a time as we seem to be having! I have no photos of Bob, but surely there is one somewhere. I will post more later.

Again, everyone...thanks for making our Christmas so special!

Fourth Sundy in Advent

2010-12-19T07:32:00.001-06:00

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Isaiah 7:10-16

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted."

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 Page 702, 703, BCP

Qui regis Israel

1: Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2: In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3: Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4: O LORD God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
5: You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6: You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7: Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

16: Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
17: And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
18: Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,: and they shall name him Emmanuel,"

which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Sharpie Alcohol Dying...FUN

2010-12-15T09:22:00.004-06:00

My friend, Carla, will be teaching a workshop in dying with alcohol and Sharpie pens at our first Mineral Wells All Art Assemblage club on January 19 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

Carla showed me the method, and I dyed this scarf for a very special young lady who is a friend of min.

This was really a lot of fun! All-in-all, it probably took me about an hour, but I started and stopped a lot to allow the alcohol to dry between paintings. I really like the way it turned out.

Here is a link to a YouTube presentation from the Houston Quilt Show on how to use this method. I just experimented and experimented, and this was my result. As you can see from YouTube, there is no limit to the creativity!

Today is a Smelly Good Day!

2010-12-13T15:27:00.002-06:00

Today we put up our little Christmas tree. It is ceramic and was Raf's parents' tree. The angel on the left was my mother's and the one on the right was Raf's parents'. I got the cross from a friend when I had my knee replacement.

This is Mother's nativity scene. Of course, as it isn't Christmas, Baby Jesus isn't there, and the wise men are traveling from afar (on a table across the room).
I am making beef soup today to eat tomorrow. This was when it first started, so you can still see the pieces of cabbage, carrot, onion, etc. And steam!
Made these oatmeal cookies do eat and to send to someone special who won't be here this Christmas.

Third Sunday in Advent

2010-12-12T09:14:00.001-06:00

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Isaiah 35:1-10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,: the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,: and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,: the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the LORD,: the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,: and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,: "Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.: He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.: He will come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,: and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,: and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,: and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,: and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,: the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there,: and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,: but it shall be for God's people;; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
No lion shall be there,: nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,: but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,: and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;: they shall obtain joy and gladness,; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalm 146:4-9 Page 803, BCP

Lauda, anima mea

4: Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!*
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
5: Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6: Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7: The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
8: The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9: The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

Canticle 15

The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

James 5:7-10

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 11:2-11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

`See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,: who will prepare your way before you.'

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Isaiah 35:1-10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,: the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,: and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,: the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the LORD,: the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,: and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,: "Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.: He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.: He will come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,: and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,: and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,: and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,: and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,: the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there,: and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,: but it shall be for God's people;; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
No lion shall be there,: nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,: but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,: and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;: they shall obtain joy and gladness,; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalm 146:4-9 Page 803, BCP

Lauda, anima mea

4: Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help!*
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
5: Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6: Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7: The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
8: The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9: The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

Canticle 15

The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

`See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,: who will prepare your way before you.'

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

The Holy Thorn Tree

2010-12-10T17:51:00.006-06:00

Photo by mythicalireland.com

According to legend, St. Joseph of Arimathea was said to have brought the Holy Grail, the cup used at the Last Supper, to Glastonbury. Upon reaching the Isle of Avalon, it is said, he thrust his staff into the ground on Wearyall Hill before he went to sleep. It took root and grew into the holy thorn tree, which lived on at Glastonbury as a natural shrine for European Christians.

Well, the tree lived on until today and every year the Queen had a flower from the Holy Thorn placed on her dinner table at Christmas, but in a single night of vandalism, this ancient site of pilgrimage is but a pile of splinters. The Holy Thorn Tree of Glastonbury was chopped down in what is a deliberate act of anti-Christianity!

From the Daily Mail:
Christian legend dictates that Jesus's great uncle, Joseph of Arimathea came to Britain after the crucifixion 2,000 years ago bearing the Holy Grail - the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. He visited Glastonbury and thrust his staff into Wearyall Hill, just below the Tor, planting a seed for the original thorn tree. Roundheads felled the tree during the English Civil War, when forces led by Oliver Cromwell waged a vicious battle against the Crown. However, locals salvaged the roots of the original tree, hiding it in secret locations around Glastonbury. It was then replanted on the hill in 1951. Other cuttings were also grown and placed around the town - including its famous Glastonbury Abbey. Experts had verified that the tree - known as the Crategus Monogyna Bi Flora - originated from the Middle East.

Also, please check out Annie Jeffries' series, A Virgin a Day.

At this season of Christmas, Dear Father, help us to bring Light back into our world that those who see our example and hear Your Word will glorify You and know Your Love and Your Peace. Amen.

French Journal and Girl and Deer

2010-12-09T12:56:00.003-06:00

I began working in my French journal yesterday. I did an introduction page. The round thing is a small mirror...doesn't look like it when scanned!

This is the deer and girl challenge by willowing.ning. I am dating each entry in the journal to try to make it more journal-like.

This afternoon we are supposed to have winds at the "wild fire" stage, and as we are so dry here I suspect we will have some fires in the county. Tonight Raf will be the entertainment for the Rotary Christmas party.

That's all folks!

ATC Swap for Willowing ning

2010-12-08T12:31:00.003-06:00

The theme for Willowing ning's ATC swap this month is SNOW! Granted we don't have any snow here in Texas-although we should by Christmas. Why, last year we had a blizzard. Never had seen anything like it here in this part of Texas (guess Al Gore's global warming is getting to us, too ;>) ).

Any who, these are the two ATCs I made. Tam hasn't sent up the name of the people we are swapping with, yet, but at least mine are ready to go.

Now for the challenge of drawing girl and deer. That's her other challenge this month!

Just received my French journal from Laughingelephant.com. It was recommended by Suzi Blu, and I ordered it from her friend at HygeiaAvenue because she takes paypal.

Too bad more stores online don't take paypal. It is such an easy way to pay! I have begun my first page in the journal. I have never kept a real art journal...I have several but I don't journal in them. This one I am going to journal and draw in! That's my challenge.

Remember all you people in the Mineral Wells area...we are starting an ALL ART club...first meeting is at St. Luke's, 600 NW 6th Street, on Wednesday, January 19, 7 pm. The program will be painting silk scarves with sharpies and alcohol. Also, if you have a piece of art you would like to share, bring it, too!

All for now...see ya tomorrow!

Another Texas Ghost Town: Hayrick, Texas

2010-12-07T22:48:00.003-06:00

Hayrick Cemetery Marker and County Seat Moarkerr

Hayrick Mountain in the background.

Hayrick Cemetery Sign

When I spoke to the the Mineral Wells Heritage Association about some ghost towns, I was asked to do a story on Hayrick, Texas. As I had never heard of it, I was excited and began doing the research. So here goes:

Hayrick is located in southeastern Coke County. It’s named for a nearby hill, or mountain, that is shaped like a mound of hay. It was founded in 1887 with twenty-five settlers and a post office, two years before Coke County was established on April 23, 1889. Hayrick became the county seat of the newly organized county. However, the election in 1891 made the nearby town of Robert Lee become the county seat, and many of Hayrick’s population moved there. Hayrick was left with only its cemetery.

Many of the settlers in the southern part of Coke County had always opposed Hayrick’s selection as county seat, and during the time it was the county seat, two of its log courthouses were burned to the ground. This was, in all probability, arson. Then in 1891 Robert Lee won the election for county seat by a margin of forty-eight votes in an election where nearly 400 people voted.

The outcome of this election was prompted by insufficient water supply in the county. Two prominent ranchers who owned land on both side of the Colorado River offered free lots to any resident in Hayrick if they would moved further south. There was much bitter disagreement at this time, including the burning of courthouses, where few records were saved.

Robert Lee, the new county seat, was named, of course, for Confederate General Robert E. Lee who had once visited the area. What records that could be salvaged from the fires in Hayrick were taken to Robert Lee where its first courthouse was also burned. Later many records were copied from the Tom Green County courthouse, and finally a new county seat was established and a building built that remained.

Coke County was carved out of territory previously assigned to Tom Green County. The first newspaper in the county was the Hayrick Democrat, but shortly afterward it was named the Hayrick Rustler although there is some disagreement saying the earliest newspaper known was The Coke County Rustler which was first published at Hayrick, Texas, April 4, 1891. The May issue carried a dateline at Robert Lee. The name was later changed to Robert Lee Observer. A newspaper was published at Bronte called The Democrat, but the name was later changed to The Bronte Enterprise. Today the Coke County newspaper is known as The Observer/Enterprise with offices in both Robert Lee and Bronte.

In the beginning the newspaper changed hands with almost every issue. Perhaps they couldn't get the business deal settled, or they couldn’t make up their minds who was to serve as editor or publisher. At any rate, the first issue, which may have been called The Coke County Democrat was a four-column, four-page paper, "published by Warren and Edgar, at Hayrick, Texas." The second issue of the Coke County Democrat named Warren and Mathews as editor and publisher, while a short time later Brady and Shores were proclaimed as editor and publisher. J. S. Brady bought Shores' interest in the paper and became both editor and publisher. Mr. Brady moved the plant to Robert Lee early in 1891, when the county seat moved there. Then the new paper in the new town in the new county was given the name of Coke County Rustler.

Seems it was real “western” there for a while, what with newspaper problems and court houses burning!

By 1890 there were 163 farms and ranches in the county with 2,059 people living there, and only 4,000 acres of the county was classified as being improved at the time of the 1890 census. Ranching dominated the local economy, and 13,806 head of cattle were counted that year in Coke County.

Banks and hotels were established in the 1890s, along with livery stables and mercantiles. By the turn of the century, there were Baptist and Methodist churches, as well as other denominations, and many community nondenominational meeting places. A funeral parlor was known to be in existence prior to 1906. A railroad, connecting Bronte and Fort Chadbourne with San Angelo and Abilene, was completed in 1907.

The 1964 anniversary edition of The Robert Lee Observer reported the first flag was flown at the courthouse in Robert Lee in 1894. It was hand made by Mrs. Arthur Haley, and it took her three full days to complete the flag. She remembered making a total of three flags for the county.

When the county was established in 1889 there were four or five schools operating, and by the 1920’s there were 30 rural schools in the county. The first schools were in Oso (later called Bronte), Sand Springs, Sanco, and Hayrick. The first school in Robert Lee was opened in 1891.

Some interesting people were born in Hayrick, Texas. One in particular became quite famous. He was Carl Coke Rister who was born on June 30, 1889 in Hayrick and died on April 16, 1955 in Rotan, Texas. He was married to Mattie May on June 11, 1916.

Carl Coke Rister was the son of a Baptist minister. He graduated from Simmons College in 1915. While working for the US Treasury Department in Washington, DC, he attended George Washington University and earned a master's degree in 1920. Afterwards, he began teaching at Simmons College and attending summer school at the University of California, Berkley. Later, Carl returned to teach at George Washington University while working on his PHD, which he received in 1925. He then returned to teach at Simmons College and helped form the West Texas Historical Association, serving as the editor of its Yearbook from 1925 to 1929. For the next 22 years, he taught at Oklahoma University, serving as professor of history, chairman of the history department, and research professor of history. His work in the areas southwestern military, Indian, and oil history garnered him notable reputation in his field. In 1951, Carl began teaching history at Texas Tech College. He died on April 16, 1955, unexpectedly of a heart attack. The Handbook of Texas has published a more in-depth online biography of Carl Coke Rister at http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/search.html.

William Francis Nail, Senior, was born on June 23, 1909, in Hayrick, Texas. He died on October 1, 1997 in Dallas, Texas. His parents were James M. Nail and Annie Baker. He married Vivian Pearl Ray on October 8, 1932, in Coleman, Texas.

Here is an obituary for Ollie Mae Cowley. “Ollie Mae Cowley, 90, of Bronte, died Sunday, April 19, 1998, at her residence. Funeral services were held at 2 pm Wednesday, April 22, 1998, at the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Marilyn Austin officiating. Burial followed in the Robert Lee Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home.
“Ollie Mae was born June 20, 1907, in Hayrick, Texas. She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as an operator for many years before her retirement. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and the Southwestern Bell Pioneers.

“She was preceded in death by her parents: L. C. (Bus) and Jettie Robbins and an infant daughter, Katie Frank Cowley.

“She is survived by three brothers, Carroll Robbins and Rupert Robbins, both of Bronte, and Portis Robbins of San Angelo; three sisters, Annie Williams of Midland, Katherine Patterson of Bronte, and Maxine Allen of San Angelo; two aunts, Ollie K. Hogue of Duncanville, Texas, and Helen Kirkland of Bronte; numerous cousins, and many, many nieces and nephewswho loved her dearly, and considered by her, her children.”

The Hayrick Masonic Lodge No. 696. Thy Hayrick Masonic Lodge No. 606, the oldest fraternal organization in Coke County, was organized at Hayrick, Texas, on December 11, 1890. When the County Seat was moved to Robert Lee in 1891, the lodge was moved, but by vote of the membership, the name “Hayrick” Lodge was retained, and it is still known by this title. The two-story building in downtown Robert Lee was built in 1906 by the Masons. They met upstairs and rented downstairs to many businesses including the US Post Office. The two-story building was sold to West Texas Utilities in 1986. A new building, ground level, was built in 1986 on the corner of Commerce and 9th Street in Robert Lee. On September 29, 1892, early settlers, L.B. Harris and Eugene Cartledge as officers of Austin & Northern Land and Cattle Company sold for $1.00 the 11.7 acre burial ground, Hayrick Lodge Cemetery Association. It was deeded to Hayrick Masonic Lodge No. 696 for “Sole use as cemetery grounds for the members, relatives and friends.” The Robert Lee Cemetery Association was reorganized about 1964. Jeffie Roberts and Sue Shoemaker, members of Robert Lee Eastern Star No 187, secured many names and addresses of those who had relatives buried in the Robert Lee cemetery. A list was prepared and donation requests were mailed.

Now here is some correspondence I have received. Perhaps you can help:
“Dear Sue, I recently found an article on the internet titled “Chasing Our Tales-John Hittson, Palo Pinto County’s First Sheriff, and His Brother, James”. In this story you mention that John Hittson drove cattle to Colorado in 1866 on a trail opened up by James Patterson in 1865, which later became the Goodnight-Loving Trail. I am with the Deer Trail Colorado Historical Society and am doing research on John Hittson and James Patterson, from whom John Hittson bought his Deer Trail ranch. My husband and I now own the Hittson ranch at Deer Trail. I have a lot of information on John Hittson, but virtually none on James Patterson. Thank you, Susan Eldringhott, seldring@aol.com, 84625 ECR 34, Deer Trail, Colorado 80105.” If you have information on Patterson, please contact Susan and also let us know!
Well, folks, that’s about all for this month. You all take care, keep warm, and we’ll see you soon.

A Fun Book for Christmas

2010-12-06T16:16:00.002-06:00

If you haven't read any of the adventures of Faith Fairchild in Katherine Hall Page's series, you really should. This one just came out in paper, and it's a fun read for the Christmas season. It is set on Deer Isle, which Page calls Sanpere Island, in Maine. I love Page's cozy mysteries, and while they are cozy, they are also intriguing mysteries...real page-turners.

Second Sunday in Advent

2010-12-05T13:48:00.001-06:00

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,: and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him,: the spirit of wisdom and understanding,; the spirit of counsel and might,; the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,: or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,: and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,: and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,: and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,: the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,: and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,: their young shall lie down together;; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,: and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den.
They will not hurt or destroy: on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD: as the waters cover the sea.

On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Page 685, BCP

Deus, judicium

1: Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King's Son;
2: That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
3: That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
4: He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
5: He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6: He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.
7: In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
18: Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, *
who alone does wondrous deeds!
19: And blessed be his glorious Name for ever! *
and may all the earth be filled with his glory.
Amen. Amen.

Romans 15:4-13

Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

"Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
and sing praises to your name";

and again he says,

"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people";

and again,

"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples praise him";

and again Isaiah says,

"The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope."

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
`Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.'"

Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

"I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Winter Day?

2010-12-04T16:01:00.002-06:00

Well, it is almost winter. For Texas it is just plain blustery. Temperatures in the 20˚F's at night. 'Course the wind is always blowing here, but in the late fall it becomes extremely potent! It blows the leaves off the trees, and they swirl around on the ground hiding all sorts of pit falls. And low and behold I ran into a pit fall today! This has been a very depressing day in many ways. It actually started out quite good. The sun was, and still is, shinning brightly. I went to DAR this morning, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the members are a dear group of patriotic women. On the other hand, it didn't end, the meeting, that is, quite as well as it began. Oh, well...what could one expect, after all? I got what I expected...no more to say about that. A pit fall is a pit fall!

Raf picked up 2 dozen tamales from the Catholic Bazaar. They will be part of our Christmas dinner. YUM.

We are having steak and baked potato tonight, but I made leek and potato soup for tomorrow night and the kids are coming over. Soup is always better the next day.

I had seen this little limb earlier, so I went out and picked it up and sketched it. It sort of goes along with my general feeling of malaise.

So...that's all for today, folks! See ya tomorrow!

Mineral Wells All Art Assemblage

2010-12-02T14:50:00.002-06:00

Do you live in or close to Mineral Wells, Texas? Do you enjoy art...all art? Draw, Paint, Zentangle, Mixed Media, Jewelry, Wire, Pottery, Yarn, Polymer Clay, Metal Clay, Fabric, Photography, Collage, Journal, ATC, 4X4? Other art forms? Do you want to learn more? To share your talent? Join us!

Each 3rd Wednesday evening of the month, 7 pm, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 600 NW 6th Street.

Email siouxcitysue@att.net for information!

THE FIRST MEETING WILL BE JANUARY 19!

Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mwallart/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Mineral-Wells-All-Art-Assemblage/149504905098012

Pen and Ink Bottles and Shading

2010-11-30T13:49:00.003-06:00

I am using Claudia Nice's book, First Steps Drawing in Pen and Ink, to refine my drawing abilities. This bottle was copies from a contour drawing she made.
This one was from a stippled drawing she made.
Then I set up this bottle and drew it using stippling. This book is really helping me!

Falling into Autumn

2010-11-28T08:41:00.000-06:00

Using Claudia Nice's techniques, I drew these two leaves as ATCs for friends of mine. I love Claudia's methods!

First Sunday in Advent

2010-11-28T08:33:00.001-06:00

OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 2: 1 - 5

Isai 2:1 (NRSV) The word that Isai'ah son of A'moz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In days to come
the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3 Many peoples shall come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD!

PSALM 122

Psal 122:1 (NRSV) I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
2 Our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem--built as a city
that is bound firmly together.
4 To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 For there the thrones for judgment were set up,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers."
8 For the sake of my relatives and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your good.

122 Laetatus sum (ECUSA BCP)

1 I was glad when they said to me, *
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."

2 Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;

4 To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the Lord.

5 For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
"May they prosper who love you.

7 Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.

8 For my brethren and companions' sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.

9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, *
I will seek to do you good."

NEW TESTAMENT: Romans 13: 11 - 14

Roma 13:8 (NRSV) 11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

GOSPEL: Matthew 24: 36 - 44 (RCL)

Matt 24:36 (NRSV) "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Quick and to the Point...Thanks, Guys!

2010-11-27T17:04:00.003-06:00

Yesterday Rafael and Darrell cleaned out the shed. It was a total mess, but that got it all cleaned out, we went through everything, threw tons of stuff away, and then Darrell insulated the ceiling and the walls. It will be much warmer in there now...much warmer...or colder, as the case may be. Carolyn did a ton of work, too, toting and carrying stuff all over the place, and Bethy got in on the act and helped carry the loom to the shed. Today Raf and I went through some other stuff, but the cold weather has old arthur...itis acting up a LOT!

More Thanksgiving Photos

2010-11-26T15:30:00.004-06:00

Raf

Carolyn's 3, Joey, Beth, and John

Joey

Christi's Jennifer and Carolyn's Beth

Our 4 grandsons, Travis, Tim, Joey, John

Tim eating

John's Diesel

Turtle telling me there is a big, black monster outside!

Bethy journaling

Christi and Bethy

Beautiful Day!

2010-11-25T23:35:00.004-06:00

This was early this morning. Top to bottom, 1. Son-in-law Darrell cooking; 2. Bethy making a face while sitting on her daddy's lap; 3. Carolyn and Rafael watching the Macy's 84th Thanksgiving Day Parade; 4. Snacks while we prepare food; 5. Turtle gets out of the way in preparation for John's big German Shepherd, Diesel.

More to to come tomorrow. Up to 48,138 words in nanowrimo as of this morning.

Cooking and a Leaf...a busy day!

2010-11-23T16:51:00.002-06:00

This is the raspberry pie I made for ME. I got the recipe here at
Thibeault's Table , and it looks delicious. Can't wait to try it.

These buttermilk pies are for my daughter, Carolyn, who loves them. I never make them the same way twice, but they always turn out ok.

These pumpkin pies are for everyone else! Made from the recipe on the Libby's 100% pumpkin can.

This cranberry sauce is never made the same way twice, either. This time with honey, orange juice, apple/raspberry juice, orange zest, and pumpkin pie seasoning.

I'm glad I drew this yesterday, because I never got to draw today! Boooooo... I did, however, write 1900 words for nanowrimo.

Leaves, Starving Artists, and Writing

2010-11-23T13:17:00.005-06:00

Last night I made Kielbasa & Kraut Medley that I got from Cathy Johnson and Joseph Ruckman's blog called Starving Artists...in the Kitchen. I am including their recipe here, but they have many recipes on their blog:

4 6-8” kielbasa (about 2 lbs)
2 C sauerkraut
4 small apples (Jonathans are good), cored and sliced
1 large onion, quartered and sliced
Canola oil

Brown the kielbasa well in a little bit of canola oil. Remove from pan, add onion and cook until glazed. Add apples and cook until slightly browned. If you’re drinking beer or hard cider while cooking, you can add a little of that. Add kielbasa and kraut. Stir up well, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Serves six--or makes wonderful leftovers!

Try this. It is wonderful. I will be really good for a church covered dish dinner, too!

Toni Kelly also has a great soup recipe group on Facebook called Soup Night and Recipe Swap. It's getting to be Soup weather again, after all.

Yesterday my daughter, Carolyn, came over and asked for my beef stew recipe. I don't have a recipe! I told her sort of what I do, but, hey, I just do it as I feel it. You know?
Here is yesterday's leaf with sepia pen and light gray brush pen added.

I am looking out my studio window at the golden wisteria leaves with butterflies dancing all around. Decided to go out and take some photos...they don't do it justice. I am always amazed at our fall butterflies, and, of course, in Texas we have leaves that are still green, as well as those turning color. We have many colored leaves in Texas, and this fall, probably because of a wet year, the colors are riotous! Hey, if you haven't been down Texas Highway 4, you better do it soon and they state is going to impound it...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

And here is our "cammo" cat ready for fall. In fact, the first day of dove season she got more than our son-in-law! We tell her not to eat the red ones! lol
Today I am up to 44,112 words in nanowrimo!

Well, that's all for today, folks. God bless you and yours.

Writing and Art Today

2010-11-22T15:57:00.002-06:00

The is the WIP of the VanGogh project from willowing.org.
This is part of my studio...showing a card Toby sent me, Blick oils, leaves, and a pencil drawing of a leaf.
Pencil drawing of one of the leaves.
The leaves..the yellow one from our yard, the others from the church.
Mixed media card for Thanksgiving from my friend Toby with whom I grew up in Stephenville, Texas. Toby never forgets a holiday!

Today I caught up on nanowrimo. I did 3100 words today with a total of 41,506 in all. 50,000 does not a novel make. Publishers don't want it with less than 80,000. They like them over 100,000. Raf is editing the first novel now, but his laptop is in the shop, so he has to work on his desktop.

Today was Wonderful!

2010-11-21T23:40:00.003-06:00

Church. Always a good thing!

Then. . .

Then we met with most of our family at the Hulen Movie Tavern in Fort Worth to see Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. John made reservations for 11 of us including his girlfriend, Sarah, Raf and me, Kathi and her kids Dani and Tim, and Christi and Brian and their kids Jenn and Travis. This is one of our many family traditions.

I REALLY liked the Movie Tavern. Very comfortable, good food, good sound, wonderful visual! We will go there again.

Then on to Central Market...twice in one week...for good food!!

in the Manner of Van Gogh WIP

2010-11-20T14:20:00.002-06:00

This is the WIP of a mixed media piece I am painting for willowing.ning's monthly November Art Challenge. Tam's challenge:

"One of the most famous of the old masters, with such a sad life, mesmerizing many of us in this day and age with his stunning paintings!

"This month: try to create a painting in the painterly style of Vincent van Gogh."

If you enjoy a monthly challenge and the ability to discuss with other artists around the world, this is the place for you. Also, tune in to willowing. org for lots of inspiration or follow Tam on Facebook.

Thanksgiving/Christmas Boxes

2010-11-20T10:31:00.003-06:00

Today about 20 of us from St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Mineral Wells, Texas, delivered 30 Thanksgiving/Christmas boxes with enough food to feed a family of four for two weeks in each box. This is a tradition our church's Outreach Committee has done for years, and it really meets the needs of our community. The people we delivered to were very grateful, and it is heart-warming to see that we are helping our townspeople...especially the elderly. We don't honor the elderly the way they were honored in the past, and this is quite a shame.

ATCs for November

2010-11-19T15:05:00.002-06:00

The willowing and friends art challenge for November has several parts. The ATC swap theme is butterflies. These butterflies are headed for Canada. I know it will be cold up there, but I think their recipient will keep them warm! Enjoy! Tomorrow I will work on the other challenge, try to create a painting in the painterly style of Vincent van Gogh. I have a start, but I have a fur piece to go.

If you aren't familiar with willowing, check Tam out online at willowing.org.

Upgrading my Original iPhone

2010-11-18T21:27:00.003-06:00

Today I found that my elderly iPhone, pre-3G, had something like 4,000 photos. I had downloaded some app updates, including the Facebook app. Last Saturday I tried to use it out at the Double J, and I took a photo and then the Facebook app shut down. I have been trying all week to get it to work. I restarted it, and tonight I synced it with my laptop. That showed that I had this tremendous number of photos. Finally I restored the phone back to its old settings. Then it synced to all the things I had saved. Then it showed that I had apps that needed updating, and one was Facebook. When all this was done I seemed to have only 183 photos which I deleted, and Facebook is working again. Magic!!!

Send in the Clowns...the way I feel today

2010-11-17T22:42:00.000-06:00

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.

Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.

Just when I'd stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours,
Making my entrance again with my usual flair,
Sure of my lines,
No one is there.

Don't you love farce?
My fault I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here.

Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer,
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Well, maybe next year.

by Stephen Sondheim, A Little Night Music

Today Jenn is 15!

2010-11-16T12:26:00.002-06:00

Our youngest granddaughter, Jennifer, just turned 15 today. Isn't she beautiful! She is one of our three who are in 9th grade this year. She runs track VERY WELL, and she is a very good writer and photographer. Sunday the family will get together to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at a Movie Tavern in Fort Worth, and we will be able to celebrate her birthday at the same time.

We are very proud of all of our grandchildren, and it will be nice to be with some of them this weekend!

A Necklace

2010-11-15T13:54:00.003-06:00

Made this necklace today of wood, volcanic stone, and silver. Thought it turned out very well...and, no, I did not laser cut the symbol. Found it at Pinto Beans in Weatherford.

Beautiful Day

2010-11-14T16:26:00.004-06:00

Today on our trip to Weatherford and up Highway 4.

A card for a friend.

Went to church this morning, as usual. Good turn out and lots of great fellowship afterward at Coffee Hour. Raf gave a report on the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth 28th annual convention. He is the delegate from St. Luke's.

This afternoon we went of a drive. We haven't been doing that a lot lately, but we are hoping to do more. First I wrote 2390 pages for nanowrimo. I am writing our sequel novel called Moon Shadows, (a Bill Routh novel by Raf and Sioux Seibert). Then we drove to Weatherford for Raf to take photos of a persimmon tree that we saw Friday night on Spring Street in Weatherford. The tree is glorious...the fruit bright orange!

Then we went back west on I-20 to exit on Highway 4 in Palo Pinto County. We went north through the area that is to be dammed...damn! It is so beautiful, and the state is taking it away because they were too, something, to dredge the lake when we had our drought. Anyway, between Lone Camp and Palo Pinto, driving up into the Pinto Hills Raf had seen a bright red sumac bush in from of the dark green junipers. He got some photos of that, too.

Then on home.

Holiday Season

2010-11-13T13:19:00.003-06:00

The Hallmark Channel informs me that it is 12 days until Thanksgiving and 41 days until Christmas.

Until Christmas!

And the channel is showing Thanksgiving and Christmas movies until Christmas. Cool...huh? My favorite time of the year!

The McCaslands and Lone Camp

2010-11-12T15:03:00.003-06:00

Becky and Norman Marsden have renovated the Lone Camp convenience store, offering not only every day merchandise and items but also a grill and pies that have people going out of their way to purchase. ~~ Mineral Wells Index

Today our friends, Barney and Margaret McCasland, came to visit from Pensacola, Florida, where they had moved last spring. First we went on a little Geocaching Trip around town. Then we went by and picked up Jim Dillard and headed out to Lone Camp to eat at the Lone Camp Cafe (best pie in 5 counties...at least) and visit the Community Center's Arts and Crafts sale...which is on today and tomorrow. The Handbook of Texas Online tells us:

Lone Camp, on Farm Road 4 eight miles north of Santo in central Palo Pinto County, was settled in the 1870s. It had no rail or major road transportation, and its proximity to Santo and Palo Pinto inhibited its growth. A post office operated in Lone Camp from 1907 until 1920. The population was fifty in 1914 and forty-eight in 1940, when the community had two stores. It was reported at thirty-two in 1980 and 1990. The population grew to 110 by 2000.

Katherine Elizabeth is 45!

2010-11-11T22:55:00.001-06:00

Today is Veteran's Day, but more to the point, 45 years ago tonight I became a mother for the first time. She was beautiful then, and she is beautiful now. Happy Birthday, Honey!

Well, Pooh on Cold Stone Creamery!

2010-11-10T16:14:00.005-06:00

We drove to Gordon yesterday to get whooping cough/tetanus shots. It seems whooping cough is coming back, and people of our generation never got the vaccine. Then we went to Weatherford to watch our third oldest grandson, Tim, #12 maroon, play basketball for Westlake Academy. Westlake beat the Weatherford Express, 58 - 49. Oh, and Cold Stone Creamery is NO LONGER in business in Weatherford...pooh!!!!

It was a good game, and we got to visit with Tim's older sister, Dani, too and to meet some of her friends.

Today we went back to Weatherford to the doctor and by a bead shop called Pinto Beans on York Avenue. Neat shop...nice shop keepers, too!

Good, but rushed, couple of days. Tomorrow night I speak to the Mineral Wells Heritage Club. Also tomorrow is Veterans' Day and our oldest daughter, Kathi's, birthday.

NANIDRAWMO

2010-11-08T11:13:00.002-06:00

Check out nanodrawmo. Didn't know about it, and I think it's too much to catch up on now!

Well, I started this yesterday but DIDN'T publish it yesterday. Man, with this writing I am loosing myself a little, so this will have to count as two!

I'm up to over 15,000 words for nanowrimo, and the story is coming along. Raf is editing and re-writing the first novel, so we should have something ready to submit soon. Hopefully we will find a publisher.

I found this tutorial on eyes, and thought everyone would like to see it...at least everyone who draws: http://www.artistsnetwork.com/article/drawing-eyes-eye-movements-paul-leveille/?r=tamcmnl110910

Guess I will stop now. Going to doctor for whooping cough shots and then to Weatherford, Texas, to watch our grandson play basketball. Maybe stop in a Cold Stone Creamery for an ice cream, too.

See ya!

Sunday Evening

2010-11-07T23:26:00.002-06:00

We went to Fort Worth tonight so Raf could go to a music group meeting. I went to Barnes and Noble and got some magazines and blank journals. I had ALMOST forgotten to post tonight, and as my goal is to post every day, I thought I'd better get on the stick.

nanowrimo is going well....12,103 words to day, so right on schedule.

Ghost Town Series

2010-11-06T13:03:00.003-05:00

Cemetery in Trickham, Texas

Just got back from DAR, Ralph Ripley Chapter in Mineral Wells, where I gave a program on Trickham, Texas, a ghost town in Coleman County, Texas. This is a part of my little known ghost towns in Texas series. Coleman County is a very western county in Texas, although it isn't in the extreme western area of the state. Check out Coleman and Trickham!

Bethy is in D-Bat

2010-11-05T09:18:00.003-05:00

Our second oldest granddaughter, Bethy, is a freshman at Mineral Wells High School in Mineral Wells, Texas...where we live. She has been playing softball since she was 5. She is on the high school team this year, as a freshman, and she is also play for a D-Bat Team. She is on the Moore 16-U team. She plays catcher and third-base, and she hit 5 home runs this past season. I do believe she is a force to be reckoned with and will make a great college, and perhaps professional, softball player. Softball world, look out!

Not a Lot Today

2010-11-04T15:16:00.003-05:00

In writing for nanowrimo today, I had my character, Bill Routh, along with the sheriff Ezra Moore and other law enforcement officers heading up to the northern part of Palo Pinto County. They passed this marker, which sites that this was the area where the Oliver Loving ranch was located in 1855. Remember Oliver Loving...and Charles Goodnight in Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove? It took place here in Palo Pinto County, Texas! Great history! 6,697 words as of today!!!

Writing and Reading

2010-11-03T12:12:00.003-05:00

"From the time he first arrived in Texas in 1827 at the age of nineteen, Noah Smithwick was involved many of the events in the evolution of Texas. For the next thirty-four years before leaving for California just prior to the Civil War, he became closely acquainted with many well-known Texans, several Comanche chiefs, and a large and varied assortment of early Texas pioneers.

"More importantly, Smithwick was a keen observer of these passing events. His anecdotes of many of the events are recorded in his memoirs, first published in book form in 1900 by Gammel Book Company of Austin. Since that time, The Evolution of a State has been reprinted in numerous formats, and remains today as perhaps the most interesting and most accurate of all memoirs about life in early Texans.

"Smithwick's lucid accounts are of equal interest to the seasoned historian and the more casual reader. For the historian, the memoirs offer perspective on important events not documented in any other source. For the more casual reader, Smithwick paints a detailed picture of daily life in the days of the Republic--what people wore, what they ate, and how they found amusement amid a sometimes hard and dangerous life. It's the next best thing to being there!"

~~Taken from Evolution of a State online

I have been doing a lot of reading and writing of late. I am writing a second novel, sequel to Home to the Brazos, called Moon Shadows, during November...nanowrimo month. At the same time we are cleaning up the first book to submit to a couple of Texas publishers...with fingers crossed. These are both mysteries set in Palo Pinto County, Texas.

Also, I write a monthly column for the North Texas Star called Chasing Our Tales. Right now I am researching little-known ghost towns in Texas. Of these, I am giving three talks on the ghost town, Trickham, Texas, in Coleman County.

Last night we had friends for dinner, the husband is also a writer, and he has lent me a book entitled, Heap Many Texas Chiefs by Roy D. Holt. It has some interesting bits of info regarding the Trickham area and one Comanche Chief, Mukewarrah. Through this book I have found a book called Evolution of a State by Noah Smithwick whose photo is above.

As to other writing, I have completed and sent to the publisher, Arcadia Publishing, my photo history of Mineral Wells. We hope to start on a Palo Pinto County book for them in the spring. My Mineral Wells book is to be printed in March 2011.

I enjoy writing. Can you tell? It is comes easily. The nanowrimo requires 50,000 words in 30 days, so that is about 1,700 words a day which is about an hour's work for me. In three days I have 5,000 words. This newest books is going to deal with crime is small counties in Texas...particularly that of murder and rape.

Oh, I said I was reading, too. My latest just read is Margaret Maron's Sand Sharks, and I am now reading John Sandford's Rough Country.

And I have to get busy on three art challenges from Tam's page, Willowing and Artist Friends. If you are interested in art, this is a great site for friends and challenges. Also, Tamara Laporte in on Facebook as is her site, Willowing.

So, stay tuned! ~~until next time tomorrow!!

Dani Turns 17

2010-11-02T10:12:00.002-05:00

Our eldest granddaughter, Danielle Nichole, turns 17 today. She is an absolutely beautiful young woman of high intelligence. She attends Westlake Academy in the D/FW Metroplex. She is a volleyball player. She works at Great Wolf Lodge as a lifeguard. She attends church and aspires to be an artist or architect when she's grown. Happy Birthday, today, Dani!

You Tube Movies

2010-11-01T14:21:00.003-05:00

Our friend, Moby of Moby in the Morning and his wife, Marybeth did the parody:

Our friend Chris Stern led American Pie at the final night of rmmga's TX-11:

ENJOY!!

Double J Hacienda and Art Ranch in Mineral Wells

2010-10-31T16:50:00.002-05:00

If you want a great musical experience, you should come to the Double J Hacienda and Art Ranch in Mineral Wells, Texas. Last night we heard Nancy Apple, the Queen of Memphis! We were welcomed by Jimmy Baldwin. He and Nancy have both been nominated for a Grammy! After the show, Jimmy, Nancy, my Raf, and a couple of other guys played a couple of hours in a song circle. Wow...what an evening!

Here is Jimmy's Peace, Love and Chicken-fried Steak. Order it for a dollar on iTunes. That dollar goes to the Make a Wish Foundation:

A Day In Graham

2010-10-30T10:05:00.010-05:00

Yesterday we went to Graham, Texas, to take birthday gifts to our 12-year-old grandson, Travis. He is the youngest of our grandchildren. Isn't he handsome!
Travis and his family have two cats. This is Angel...a male cat they found that had been abused. Angel weighs in access of 20 pound...of solid cat.
These next two are photos are of Stripes. Stripes is a very long, strong male tabby.
Before we went to see Travis, we went to the ghost town of Gooseneck, Texas, on the Gooseneck Bend of the Brazos River south of Graham on highway 1287. Buried in the Gooseneck Cemetery is one James James, also known as Double Jimmy, who fought in the War of 1812 and died at the age of 114.

And Finally:

This was a very good day!

Back Again...Day Two

2010-10-29T11:04:00.002-05:00

Well, here I am again. Endeavoring to meet my goal of blogging every day until December 31, when I hope it will be habitual! I thought a jack-o-lantern was in order today as we are very close to Halloween.

Have you noticed the different colors and shapes of pumpkins now? Back in the day when I was a kid, the were round and orange. Now they are every shape, and they are black, gray, blue, green, white, and, occasionally, orange!

If you have not seen this video, it will enhance your feeling about fall and pumpkins

Today we are going to Graham, Texas, to take our grandson, Travis, his belated birthday gifts. He is, like I am, a Yankees fan, and I was able to find an antique copy of the book Lucky to be a Yankee by Joe DiMaggio. I loved that book as a kid. We also got him the American Boys Handibook ca. 1890 and a book of Sherlock Holmes stories. Hope he enjoys them.

In addition, we plan to go by Gooseneck, Texas, a ghost town on the Brazos River south of Graham. I am starting a book on obscure ghost towns of Texas.

Now, I need to begin cleaning my studio...once again. When the electricians put in the new air-conditioner/heater, they left a right mess.

Until next time....

Getting My Grove Back

2010-10-28T11:45:00.006-05:00

Well, it has been over 10 weeks since surgery. Interestingly, senses have slowly begun to come back, and finally I am able to read, quite quickly, and I am beginning to draw again, quite slowly. Since our oldest granddaughter, Dani', is about to turn 17, I decided to "tangle" a card for her. This was not very creative and slow going, but, as my daddy, John McBee Ficke, used to say, "One day at a time."

Yesterday we went to Fort Worth...the longest trip we have made since either of our surgeries. We left after lunch. We went to the liquor store (not one in our little burg) and to the health food store (ours is too expensive and does NOT carry Raf's special vitamins without vitamin K). Then we went to Michael's for gold leaf for a picture frame Raf is making with a photo he shot for a wedding gift. Then we stopped by a very small park (our Secret Garden) near TCU for some drawing and photographing and on to Barnes and Noble for books. Next we ate at our favorite Fort Worth restaurant, Lili's Bistro on Magnolia, and finally ended the day buying meat, bread, etc. at Central Market. We were (are) exhausted, but it was a spectacular, wonderful, restful day...after so much "cabin fever" of Mineral Wells!

This was the first thing I did upon coming out of the surgery stupor this week.

This birdie was the second...oh, well, at least I tried!
This was one of the barriers through which to see the world from our Secret Garden.

So, God willin' and the crick don't rise, I am going to endeavor to post each day. My goal is a post each day until December 31...by then I hope it will be a habit.

I am also going to do the NANOWRIMO in November and get a second novel underway. We are still looking for a literary agent for the first, Back to the Brazos. If you know someone who is reputable and works with the mystery genre, let me know! I have finished the pictorial history called Mineral Wells for Arcadia Publishing, and Raf and I hope to do one on Palo Pinto County next year. And one on little known ghost towns of Texas. I have three speaking engagements lined up starting next week, also. AND Raf has his new CD out, Used Cows, which can be purchased online at CD Baby. It is also on Amazon and iTunes. So, we are being somewhat productive!

Until tomorrow...God bless you all and be sure to VOTE!!!

Ruby Tuesday

2010-07-13T09:07:00.002-05:00

Our Bethy (second from right...by the coach) is playing in the United States Fastpitch Association World Series in Panama City, Florida, this week. Last night she hit her 5th, for the season, home run. They are 14U.

This is a RUBY as it gets today!

Now off to write more of my book!

Ruby Tuesday

2010-07-05T11:34:00.002-05:00

There was a lot of red over Independence Day.. Like bunting and the flag, Travis' shirt, Christi's shirt, Bethy's newly dyed hair for the World Series, and Raf's birthday strawberries on pound cake with whipped cream!

Raf is 68

2010-07-03T07:43:00.002-05:00

Well, yesterday was Raf's 68th birthday. He had already gotten a new camera, but I got him a pair of shorts and a shirt (thanks to Barney and Allen).

We started the day with eggs and bacon at the house. Then we took off for Fort Worth. We ate lunch at Kincaid's Hamburgers. We went to the Omni, an IMAX theatre, in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History to see a movie on Van Gogh. We went to the art store, to the Amon Carter Museum to see the Ansel Adams exhibit, to the book store, and finally dinner at Saltgrass (they are about the only people in town who serve Prime Rib (guess that is "out" right now in the culinary world)).

Then home. Carolyn, John, and Bethy came over for a while. He got lots and lots of phone calls and well wishes on the net, especially of FaceBook. I think he had a good day.

He is the love of my life, and I am so thankful for him. Happy Birthday, again, Honey!

At Saltgrass getting a birthday telephone call while drinking wine.

At the Amon Carter...I was not suppose to take a photo here, but an old man guard came up and yelled at me about taking a photo when I was texting John. I was NOT taking a photo, but he kept on and on...so I just did anyway!

At the Omni we saw a Van Gogh film.

SkyWatch Friday

2010-07-01T16:52:00.003-05:00

Inland from Alex
Texas sky changes often
Invigorating

Musical Turtle

2010-06-29T20:55:00.002-05:00

Kitten on the keys
Musical tortie Turtle
Feisty little queen

Some Rubyness in my Back Yard

2010-06-28T19:46:00.002-05:00

Red feeder hanging
Crepey flowers shimmering
Calling all birdies

Swap Lives ~~ Sunday Scribblings

2010-06-27T12:54:00.003-05:00

I cannot live a life of "what if". Have you ever read C. S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? If you have, you will remember Aslan saying something to the order of, "you can't ask what if".

Another saying, particularly used in the 70's, was "if Life gives you lemons, make Lemonade."

We get one life, and we should live it to the best of our abilities. Our lives are what we make of them, so. . .

no, I don't want to trade lives with anyone, past or present. I am not rich or famous, but, for the most part, I am happy. I don't mean joyous every minute, but peacefully happy most of the time. I have everything I need and lots of what I want. . .

and I have love. . .the love of God and the love of my husband and family and friends. For this I am very thankful!

Across the Wide Mississippi!

2010-06-26T11:16:00.003-05:00

This is traveling back across the Mississipppi River at Vicksburg. Wasn't particularly muddy! You know, I love Tennessee and would gladly have stayed there to live, and I loved seeing Moby and visiting the McCaslands. We have missed Barney and Margaret so much, BUT, we are surely glad to be home. Turtle is glad to have us here, too.

You know the saying, "East or West, Home is Best!" Yup!

Bayou Marcus in Pensacola for SkyWatch Friday

2010-06-25T10:40:00.002-05:00

Clouds float softly by
In water but not the sky
Reflected softly

Little Frogs

2010-06-23T09:03:00.002-05:00

Aren't these the cutest little things! These are in the entry area of Margaret and Barney's house. The top two are different from the bottom two...I mean they are different frogs. I think they are probably the same type.

Signal Mountain, Tennessee

2010-06-22T15:53:00.003-05:00

This was the beautiful scene from Signal Mountain, Tennessee, on Saturday. Breathtaking!

And, just so you know, we have been in Pensacola, Florida, for 2 days, and we have gone to the shore and hiked around, and there is no sign of the oil here.

Fun in Pensacola and Ruby Tuesday

2010-06-21T18:00:00.007-05:00

For Ruby Tuesday, I am sharing this beautiful quilt on our bed in Pensacola made by our friend, Margaret...

and a fire truck in downtown Pensacola where we ate lunch.
This is us with Barney and Margaret having lunch.
Then we went to one of the National Parks.
These flowers were on our table at lunch.
The beach in Pensacola, and...

the beach with a Great Blue Heron on the boardwalk.

Our first visit to Pensacola. The beach and white sand is beautiful.

Last Night, Today, and Texas in War

2010-06-19T21:27:00.003-05:00

Today we traveled from Nashville to Atlanta. BUT, last night we went to Elliston Place to hear "music" at the Exit In. Walking down the street, I took a photo of the Gold Rush...our favorite bar back in the '70's. It's still there. Then on to the Exit In where I left because it was too hot and too uncomfortable. The show started almost 2 hours later than advertised, and Raf left after two "songs" because they were too loud and no good. He texted me, "Basta! Come and get me!" So I did! Oh, well, we just like singer/songwriter music better than loud whatever it was! Oh, the music was to start at 7 pm...we didn't get in the building until almost 8 pm! Bummer!

Headed from Chattanooga to Atlanta, we were in beautify mountains. Problem was, it poured most of the way...we saw very little of Georgia due to rain and traffic on I-75. Deliver me from ever again traveling on I-75!
Then we got to Atlanta and met with our friend of many, many years Moby (Moby in the Morning) and his beautiful wife Mary Beth and their daughter, Gracie. Check out Moby's show!!
Raf and Moby just LOVE one another!!!
Here Gracie joined in the act. We had a lovely time. We got to see Moby's studio, too. He has really "done good". Yeah, Baby!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On another note, please watch this video to see what is really going on in Texas' War with Mexico. We need to join Arizona! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXs8gRI70oo

Last Day in Nashville

2010-06-18T15:31:00.004-05:00

Today is our last day in Nashville. We ate at Le Peep again...see photos of paintings below. Aren't they great! Then we bought Dasani bottled water...hard to find in Tennessee and went to the Centennial Park Craft Fair. The first one I went to was on our first anniversary, and Raf bought me a bamboo flute, and I bought him a belt buckle. We came to it several years ago, too, when we had a Seibert and a Clifford family reunion here a week apart. The Clifford side went with us to the fair that year. I took photos of some of the booths and of the Parthenon and Raf taking a photo of the Parthenon.

We then made a rushed trip out to Pegram to the Mud Puddle Pottery and bought a couple of things. (see the wood carving below) If you feel like giving some money to someone, send the Mud Puddle money for flood relief for the Harpeth Valley area.

Then we ate at Krystals. I have always loathed square meat, but I decided to be a sport and try some today...ugh! If God had wanted us to eat square meat, He would have made square cows!

Then we drove through Percy Priest Park and back to the hotel. The park was glorious, but once again many signs of flood were present.

Tonight we are going to the Exit In to hear Victor Wooten. Then on to Atlanta to see Moby, of Moby in the Morning, tomorrow and on to Pensacola Sunday to Margaret and Barney.

Thursday AND Skywatch Friday

2010-06-17T20:51:00.007-05:00

OK...so let's start with a little of Wednesday and continue with Thursday. The photo below is one Raf took of Radnor Lake yesterday. It has survived pretty well since the flood...500 Years Flood that hit Nashville about 60 days ago. This is where we walked many times while courting and where we took the girls and where we've taken John. It is absolutely beautiful...the best, by far, of Nashville.

By-the-way, Nashville itself is coming back strong from the flood...no looting, no violence...people here, like people in Texas, don't belly-ache and beg for government assistance, they just get on with it.

The cutlines are under the photos this time!

Radnor Lake, Nashville, Tennessee
Bluebird Cafe in Nashville...the best for singer/songwriter music, this time with Rob Crosby and John Ford Colby...can't remember the other guy's name, but he was VERY good, too...Colby, not so much...Crosby, great!
This morning we ate at Le Peep. This is one of the outstanding paintings on their wall.
Church Street Coffeehouse in White Bluff, Tennessee...great owl painting.

Loveless Motel and Cafe in Nashville...great food...home cooking at its best.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY! Nashville skies...so different from Texas Skies!
Radnor Lake Sky
Montgomery Bell State Park Sky
Nashville
Nashville

Today we went to Kingston Springs, our best home here....I miss it soooooooo much. Went by the Bon Aqua house, too! Lovely day!!! In Kingston we went to the park, and lo and behold, a garden and bench dedicated to an old friend Lula Bell Finch!

Nashville on Wednesday...Daytime

2010-06-16T17:24:00.008-05:00

This was a great day. I am not going to put these in order, but here's where we went in the daytime on Wednesday in Nashville. Tonight we go to the Bluebird Cafe...for music!

Radnor Lake...a local, in town lake, once saved by Minnie Pearl and Mrs. Tex Ritter. This was where we went on dates a lot. Don't miss the beautiful wilderness area in the middle of Nashville if you come here!!

More Radnor Lake
Lunch at the Ellingston Place Soda Shop
Soda Shop
Sodas
Raf at the Soda Shop
Web Pierce's House where Raf once swam in his guitar-shaped swimming pool and got sick as a dog!
Minnie Pearl's former home
Hillsboro Village
Hillsboro Village
Breakfast at the Pancake Pantry

Tuesday...Little Rock to Nashville...right through Jackson

2010-06-15T17:13:00.007-05:00

Ate at Waffle House this morning...love Waffle House!

Today we traveled from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Nashville, Tennessee. We got to Nashville about 3 pm. It is a beautiful drive once you get past Memphis..which, in my opinion, has very few redeeming features! Mostly it's traffic all the way through, people driving poorly, and the few times we have stopped, it's a fairly dirty city. Maybe all river cities are that way, but frankly I don't think so. Just a prejudice of mine, I suppose, as Middle Tennessee is so beautiful! As we traveled along the highway I just wanted to reach out and touch those beautiful, green trees and all that beautiful water. We crossed the Harpeth River three times...as usual. We lived right by the Harpeth when we lived here. It just can't be beat! If you want a river to canoe down, or just to sit by or fish on, and you're in Tennessee, find the Harpeth!

We are now in the Comfort Inn on Demonbreun Street in Nashville. Will go out and eat, probably at the Irish pub across the street, and will fill you in on that later! Dan Mc Guiness Irish Pub. We had fish and chips, and while it isn't authentic Irish, it was good, service was good, reminded me of "back in the day"!

This was taken crossing the Mighty Mississippi today...not good, but I tried.

Two books on tape we have listened to are The Vanished Man by Jeffery Deaver and Mischief by Ed McBain...(thanks, Sheila)!

See you tomorrow!

Tripping to the East and Ruby Tuesday

2010-06-14T18:37:00.004-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAROLYN!!

(Bethy and Carolyn)

Well, we got up about 7:45, got dressed, and went to Jimmy's Cafe for breakfast. Of course, we saw lots of folks we knew. It's always nice to visit at Jimmy's!

Then we got gas and headed East. Our first stop was in Greenville, Texas, where we ate an early McDonald's lunch and got $5 worth of gas. Raf had driven to begin with, so I began driving there and drove to Texarkana where we got gas (much higher priced). Raf took over the driving again, and we cruised through the green, tall treed southern Arkansas flat. We saw only one river that was flooded, the Little Missouri. It was out of its banks, but, of course, we were up on the interstate, so we were cool. I even saw kids playing and swimming in other rivers.

We got to the west side of Little Rock a little before 5, checked in to the Comfort Inn, sat a while, then ate at Wendy's...now I HATE square meat, but I had a salad...but Raf didn't like his, and neither did I. I tried a chocolate shake, and it was terrible, too. Ole Dave Thomas would not have been pleased.

We are now in for the night. Using computers, reading. . .Talk to you tomorrow!

For Ruby Tuesday, I took this photo of Raf fixing his knife that he bent in the office chair in the motel room!

Trip so far:

Raf at the Double J last night

2010-06-13T15:22:00.003-05:00

Last night Raf played at the Double J Hacienda and Art Ranch along with owner, Jimmy Baldwin, as an opening act for Big John Mills.

This song, The Arriajan Bar, was written about a bar in Panama where Raf and his friend Bob and others used to hang out, back in the day, when they were stationed in Panama in the Air Force. This song is one of 15 that will be on his new album, Used Cows, which will come out this fall.

Haiku Bones and Radient Bethy

2010-06-12T16:28:00.005-05:00

Glow of Achievement
Smile of Success in All Thing
Accomplishment Done

Bethy has hit her 4th home run in as many weeks today. Her select softball team is playing a tournament in Mesquite. They presented her with the ball in a little trophy holder. She will be playing in the state finals in Denton in a couple of weeks and will go to the World Series in July in Panama City, Florida. She is now a freshman.

Skywatch Friday

2010-06-10T13:04:00.002-05:00

Hot as hell, Texas
Breeze blowing hardly ever
Blue and green summer

Thursday "Stuff"

2010-06-10T08:31:00.004-05:00

For the past few weeks...I am slow, aren't I...I have been drawing iris. This top one is the last I did. It is pen and ink and watercolour pencil. I think I like it best. What do you think?
This one is colored pencil, and I like it also, but not as much.
This one is TomBow marker...don't particularly like it, except the colours.
Last weekend we were in Tolar, Texas, with my longest/best friend, Dianne, and her family and some other friends. She plays bass and sings and her husband, Dub, plays guitar, fiddle, and sings. This is one of the songs they sang that day, Carmen. Raf was in the circle, too, on the right, and a friend of Dianne, Keron Vanlandingham, is on the left. There were about 5 other folks there, too.

Wednesday

2010-06-09T14:18:00.002-05:00

Well, it looks to me as though it will be a close call whether we get one tomato before we leave for the East. We did eat the two little sugar grape tomatoes that were ripe yesterday, but, as with lots of tomatoes we have heard about in this area, the spring rains were too much, and so there have been no blooms after the first.

Oh, well, if we don't get them, Carolyn will, and she will enjoy them while we are gone.

This is a new woodpecker log Raf put up. The old one...about 5 years...just won't hang any longer. You would think it was the dead of winter the way the woodpeckers attack this peanut butter...and their woodpecker cakes, as well. Right now, away from my camera, the white winged doves are all over the feeders. They usually fight with the common grackles and blue jays. The woodpeckers we have are downys...and they have had at leas one clutch. We may not be able to raise veg very well, but our birds are doing great!

Ruby Tuesday

2010-06-08T12:06:00.000-05:00

I read all the red
Books of every description
Delighting, restful

Mess - Sunday Scribblings

2010-06-07T16:22:00.003-05:00

Sorry I didn't do this yesterday. The prompt came on very late; blogger wouldn't let me log on; then today we were out of town sitting with friends in the hospital...now I'm back!

If you're not from the South or from Texas, you may find this a little confusing, but we call a "bunch" of vegetables or fruit just picked and/or cooked, a "mess". Below you will see two illustrations...one is a "Mess of Turnip Greens" and the other is a "Mess of Beans".

In case you haven't heard this expression before, it is sort of in the category with "fixin'", as in "I am fixin' to go to the store", which, of course, has nothing to do with repairing anything and a lot to do with beginning to do something.

As this is just a short course in Southern.Texan speech, I am fixin' to stop writin', and I'm goin' into the kitchen to fix a mess of beans. Y'all have a good 'un, you hear!