Posts Tagged ‘bluebonnets’
Comfort Zone Check
I was in a comfort loving mood this past week. Did it have anything to do with the rapid change in temperatures going from heat blasting hot to windy, rainy, cold weather…all within a couple of days? Could be. Although I was extremely happy with the rain. It washed some of the induced mask wearing pollen away.
Could it have been that we chose a realtor…our friend and former neighbor Courtney Foster? Don’t think so just because Courtney is so much fun to be around and we’ve known her for years. She helped us sell our house when we made the move to the RV. She truly lives up to her logo and web name…Go To Girl!
Is it because almost everything we do in the RV is now embedded as a special memory for us to pull out later? Almost certainly that will happen. That’s the bittersweet that goes with change.
I guess I could wonder all day as to why I’m seeking comfort. But, I think I’ll just let it go and accept it as it is…and make some Borracho Beans! Yeah, those drunken beans.
When I took the lid off the pot to stir them the Pilot roused up from his computer and asked what he was smelling. Of course, he asked that after I had added the beer in with the beans! Cue Jimmy Buffett singing, “It’s 5 O’Clock somewhere!”
I read this book this past week and heartedly recommend it. It brought me comfort and reminded me of Fried Green Tomatoes, Steel Magnolias and other books that deal with lifetime friendships…through good and bad times. This is one of the more colorful, rich books I’ve read and left me feeling like all the characters were my lifelong friends. Mr. Moore writes with humor and emotion and blends them seamlessly.
We went to Trader Joe’s finally and stocked up on wine, cheese and crackers. I didn’t realize until I later read in their newsletter that they were carrying ranunculus. I wish I had known. I love those flowers…and they bring me comfort. Aren’t they gorgeous?
A few days ago we started the process for buying a home. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. We took a break late in the afternoon with Tommy & Angela and had a glass of wine. The guys had a beer. We discussed how things used to be back in the 50′s. I’m rather surprised as I write about this that we didn’t break into a Doo-Wop song!
We came back inside and finished up the paperwork and sent it in. I then browsed through homes for sale a little bit more. I’ve got 5 chosen and just need the Pilot to check them out to see if he agrees.
I saw the official break through of spring this past week when I spotted our beloved Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes blooming beside the roads. That’s Bella from last year. Tank has yet to acquaint himself with these fields of flowers.
You know…with the thought of all these flowers and the book, I think I feel comforted!
Stay strong and steady with the wind always blowing at your back
as you travel down the road to your next adventure.
Until next week…keep creating Sentimental Journeyz in your RV.
I’m in a Texas State of Mind
Everyone has an opinion about Texas. And, everyone has their own view about our huge state. But, the majority of Texans, past and present, have a soft spot in their heart for it. After all, it’s deep in their soul.
As we made our way out west and back on our last trip, we both commented about hating to leave Texas. And, when we crossed the New Mexico border back into Texas, I asked the Pilot to stop the RV so that I could get out and kiss the ground. Yup, we love our state that much.
There are those who would argue that they can’t stand Texas. We understand that and we respect their opinion. That’s why there are 50 states and many countries where people can live that suits their needs. We want everyone to be as happy living where they are as we are right here in Texas.
There are as many different Texans as there are sizes, shapes and colors of boots. Somehow in this vast state, the majority of us find a way to live together. I mean, it isn’t as though there isn’t enough space!
We’ve got some fancy folks who have huge amounts of wealth like H. Ross Periot and T. Boone Pickens to name just a few.
And, we’ve got famous Texans who have left their mark not only on our state but on our country as well. There’s Howard Hughes, aviator, successful businessman; Red Adair, famous oil well fire fighter; Sam Houston; Stephen F. Austin; Presidents LBJ, and, both Bush’s; news journalists, Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather; movie stars, Cyd Charisse, Joan Crawford and Sissy Spacek; TV stars, Carol Burnett and Larry Hagman; and singers Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, our state treasure, George Strait, and my very own personal favorite…Roy Orbison. Who doesn’t remember listening to Roy sing and falling just a little bit deeper in love? This is just a short list of famous Texans.
Texas is defined by a lot of things but the oil rigs that are scattered across miles and miles of land are the most familiar. You can find them all over the state but they seem more prevelant in West Texas. I would have loved to have shown you photos of numerous oil rigs on small patches of land. However, trying to get a clear photo while driving down the highway is sometimes impossible.
Of course we have cowboys! Doesn’t everyone? Our cowboys are hunky and gorgeous. Rugged and romantic. Okay, I confess. This picture of a cowboy is our grandson Luke, who’s almost 3. I thought he fit the hunky description the most. I need to tell you that he loves women…yes, already! Thank goodness his parents are teaching him manners and respect…a quality in all great Texas cowboys!
Texas has the Cotton-Eyed Joe and Texas Two-Step that everyone loves to dance to. Some other two-steps that seem to go together are mesquite and bluebonnets that you can find growing wild along the highway.
This is what we call natural pairings and are familiar to us alongside our highways. Thanks to Lady Bird Johnson we have gorgeous thick wildflowers along our roads done in brilliant colors. We’re also famous for our Longhorn cattle and our great colleges and universities.
Who doesn’t know about our famous Texas cuisine? Yes, there’s BBQ and it’s always mouth-watering good no matter how you eat it…sauce or no sauce but always with a rub. But, my very favorite is Tex-Mex, a marvelous fusion of Mexican and cowboy food with reverant offerings from the Indians and the mission priests. What better way to start your day than with the pictured Huevos Rancheros? There are tacos, puffy tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, tamales…well, the list is endless and it seems that you can always find room for one more Tex-Mex item. It’s a lot like Texas…you can never get enough of it!
I could go on and one but you get the idea of what I’m talking about. I’ll close with a quote from John Steinbeck…who wasn’t even from Texas but found a place for our state in his heart. This sums up what most of us feel:
“I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans.” ― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America
Stay strong and steady with the wind always blowing at your back
as you travel down the road to your next adventure.
Until next week…keep creating Sentimental Journeyz in your RV.
Wildflowers
The Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas are beyond your wildest dreams. Where else can you roam freely through a field of wildflowers snapping pictures as fast as your camera allows? The Pilot and I are standing in a field of Corn Poppies as they surround us in lush beauty.
This is part of what greets you when you arrive at the farm. Everywhere you look there is art…done in plants.
Except for this one which was done in metal and ceramics. The cactus are done in metal and you have to get up close to recognize it because they look so natural.
As we walked through the store on our way to the gardens we came across this unique wind chime! I’ll admit, I was tempted…simply because it made me smile. But, I quickly remembered we live in an RV and have to watch how much we accumulate because of the very true adage, “When something comes in…something must go out!”
This is Rocket Larkspur and took my breath away with its beauty. It’s at once art and nostalgic memories. Do you remember growing up with these flowers either in the garden or on the table?
It was the color that drew me to these flowers. They are a blue-violet shade but should have a more sophisticated name than that. Like Elizabeth Taylor Larkspur in memory of her eyes? Maybe, Royal Decree because of the royal purple color. Or, how about Simply Beautiful…because they are.
We found these bluebonnets tucked back against the fence begging to be photographed. Whoever landscapes this nursery is genius!
This photo is so Texas. The ruggedness of the cactus softened by the beauty of the bluebonnets. This is one of the reasons we love Texas so much. It seeps into your bones and becomes a part of your heart. Color me happy that I was able to see my beloved bluebonnets before the season ended.
Stay steady and strong with the wind always blowing at your back while you travel down the road to your next adventure. Until next week…keep creating Sentimental Journeyz in your RV.
Lesson learned on the Road
I kept having bluish red liquid drips on two of the shelves in the door of our freezer. I looked all around trying to figure out what was leaking…never making the connection that the refrigerator wouldn’t cool unless the generator was running while we were on the road. I only noticed the drips when we were stopped.
I threw out a package of blueberries…and still had drips. I then threw out a package of cranberries…and, yet the drips still appeared.
Once we got home I was in the freezer again getting out some spaghetti sauce and meatballs for dinner. Lo and behold…there were those dreaded bluish red drops.
This time I was determined to figure out what was causing it. I looked at the shelf above and there, behind the frozen smoothie kits I’d made, was the culprit.
Frozen wine ice cubes that I’d made so that I’d have them when making certain dishes! My mistake was that I hadn’t put them in food saver bags to seal. They were in a regular zip lock bag. Mystery solved. Lesson learned.
It’s Rex Vogel’s Fault!
“Oink, oink” was the sound coming from our booth as we inhaled BBQ pork sandwiches. We’re beginning to think that there is no such thing as bad BBQ in this part of Texas.
You see, Rex was writing these articles in the early part of January and they have stuck in my mind ever since. We knew that we were going to stop in Luling, TX for an overnighter.
We settled on Black’s BBQ in Lockhart, TX because we figured that anyone who had been in business for 80 years knew what they were doing. We drove by the restuarants that Rex recommended but they were full to overflowing and very few parking spots.
We’re thinking that this area has the BBQ thing down pat!
We should have sat in the backyard and enjoyed the breeze, great food and temps of 68. Is this fine dining or what?
On our drive to Luling we saw bluebonnets coming into bloom alongside the highway. They were gorgeous. I had been feeling a bit down knowing that we were going to miss bluebonnet season. This was a wonderful surprise.
While driving through Lockhart we saw this sign. So, if you’ve been doing a lot of bronc riding and are sore, this is where you’d go. If you lost your hat while doing this same bronc riding then…
this is where you could get another fancy hat…just across the road.
As we left Luling the next morning the bluebonnets gave way to scrub bushes backdropped by carved out stone on either side of the highway that was beautiful in a different way. Kind of like Texas. Soft in some areas and rough in others.
To top our day off before heading into the wide barren land before New Mexico, we overnighted at Ft. Stockton RV Park and ate at the Roadrunner Cafe that is attched to it. Oh my, the food was wonderful. A mesquite smoked thick rib with all the fixin’s, including dessert, all for $7.99. To Top it off….
this is the view as you come out of the café. Pretty good for inducing sweet dreams before we start off on the 350 mile leg of our trip to push us into Las Cruces.
So, in closing for this week, thanks Rex for the great articles that sometimes guide us to our next destination.
Side Note: Thanks to all of you who follow me on Facebook and the wonderful advice and sharing of your own experiences in this surprising weather. We overnighted in the Cracker Barrel parking lot in Las Cruces while the winds continued to whirl at 40-50mph. They finally died down late last night and this morning are at 2mph. We’ve been doing a constant check of the weather and will make a decision for our day after breakfast. The winds have died down and rain is forecasted for the afternoon.
Bluebonnets and Happy Tracks
Every spring I think of Lady Bird Johnson and the legacy that she left Texas and the rest of the country in her beautification program. Even before they bloom I find myself counting the days until the Texas Bluebonnets start popping up in grand profusion along our roads. Alongside the bluebonnets are red Indian Paintbrush and brilliant pink Winecups. We are now in our prime time for Texas wildflowers.
Lady Bird Johnson
Our first hint that the wildflowers are ready to bloom is the uncut grass on otherwise well manicured sides of the road as well as some businesses lawns. I revel in the beauty of these natural flowers and they make me smile…something that is needed more often than not these days.
So, when my daughter in-law Jamie called and asked if we wanted to go with them to look at wildflowers and take the kids annual picture, I told her we were game. We debated where to go. Should we go to Brenham where they are known for their fantastic wildflower displays and then stop at the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory for a tour? That was hard decision because we’re all hard core Blue Bell lovers…my favorite being Happy Tracks. Just thought you might want to know!
A dish of Happy Tracks to whet your appetite!
We finally agreed on working our way up to Conroe, which isn’t that far from where we live. Jamie knew of some spots along Highway 105 where there were thick patches of bluebonnets. With our plan cemented, I quickly thumbed through the manual to my new Nikon to see if I had missed anything. Yes…I had missed quite a lot but it wasn’t information that I was going to need for this trip.
The timing worked out beautifully since we had a couple of showings on the house and needed to be away. And, because there was a house showing, we took Bella with us. Of course, she just hates going everywhere with us…not!!! With one stop to park our truck in a shopping mall so that our driveway would look gigantic and quick potty call stop for Addie, we found what we were looking for.
Addie, age 4 1/2, got out of the car with a blanket in hand and quickly found a spot thickly filled with bluebonnets. She very efficiently laid the blanket on the ground and quietly sat down, smoothing the skirt of her dress. Looking back up at us, she smiled and then leaned over to smell a wildflower. I quickly snapped to and brought the camera up, ready to catch her in her photo shoot. These grandkids constantly keep me on my toes and this child knows how to work a photo shoot!
Luke, age 21 months, was more interested in the scenery than joining his sister for a photo.
He finally gave it a half shot just so everyone would stop calling his name!
It’s not easy being a model you know! And, this is also why I will never become a children’s photographer!
Luke suddenly noticed that Bella was on a leash. He’s always seen her freely walking about. Fascinated, he took the leash from me and started to walk away with her.
Bella started walking faster and Luke found himself tumbling, getting up only to tumble again. Giving it one more try, he finally gave up.
Looking disgusted, he turned the leash back over and went off to explore.
He thought the wildflowers smelled good and then found that they made a great hiding place.
After snapping over 60 some photos and kids getting restless, we decided to call it a day. A very profitable day I must say.
Maybe it’s because we’re so close to selling our house and getting ready to go fulltime in an RV that I’m noticing more and more about my beloved state. Are the wildflowers really more vivid in color and profusion this year? Does the grass appear greener? And, most importantly, is Blue Bell tailoring their ice cream to our tastes?
See the fudge track littered with peanut butter cups?
No matter what is going on, I’m seeing more of my state with my heart rather than with my eyes. The Pilot and I are getting older and with the passing of our family and friends, we are seeing our life…without rose colored glasses…and we’re enjoying it more and more.
Happy Tracks to you!
Welcome to Aging Gracefully...Without Fear. Please join us as we travel the road to a richer more fulfilling life as we age. This blog is for people who are aging and their family and friends. We're here to share our experiences with others so that we may all age gracefully...and without fear.