What Texans Do in the Spring

After a week, I like (very much) being retired. I am getting some sleep. (I think I have stopped waking up every night screaming) I honestly did not believe I was stressed. But now I know the difference and I guess I was stressed. I made Thank You cards for my friends at work who gave me very nice gifts, even though I told them not to. And I really like my Pandora bracelet that was a gift from the hospital.

Allister went to a nurses workshop and his lovely family came to visit us last weekend.

We took a little bluebonnet trip with them to Fredricksburg and to Wildseed Farms.

Isaac took our "48th Anniversary" picture. How do you like my sale shirt? I discovered it was 2 different colors when I wore it outside. But it was only $7 with a coupon.

The real Texas tradition: Get out on the median of a 6 lane Interstate and take family pictures. You will have to wait in line.

Wildseed Farms

Zion went hiking with us.

 

 

At Lady Bird Municipal Park

There was a huge Volkswagon  gathering there that the rest of the family explored.

This spring has been the best for wildflowers in Texas....thank you, Lord for the rain!

The kids liked German Food. I'm thinking they are 1/8th German. Their great grandmother was German.

Shopping in the rain in Fredricksburg.

There is a possibility that perhaps, I might be retired. But I'm not sure.

Retirement is not something I planned, but in the past two weeks, it seems this is the path the Lord has prepared for me.  I was made to take care of sick folks. I'm not sure I'm finished with that, but I did quit my job and I don't have another one! Anybody need a nurse?

You have heard about Judi and Bob, our roommates. Judi is in heaven, now, but I have to think she might be peaking down, thinking, "It's about time, dummy!" She never did think much of some of my decisions. And she was not impressed by my intelligence.

Jeri  is famous for leading me down the wicked path of getting pierced ears and almost getting us kicked out of school. You should see the big honking diamonds I have been wearing to work lately, girlfriend. I think of you both often.

Barbies had not been invented when I was a little girl, but if they had, my dream house would have been a hospital. My dolls were always in bed, in their pajamas, with lots of band aids and shots. My doctor kit was well used. When I went to play with other girls, their dolls needed a lot of attention. I tried to teach them how to take care of them, but they really didn't get it. (This is my sweet Daddy and he kept me supplied with beds for the dolls.)

The first 20 years, I worked in surgery. This is what that is like.

 I picked the doctor's camera up by the shutter release and invented the selfie.

The last 26 years, I have spent on the rehab unit at Shannon, taking care of old folks.  More and more I am noticing that  I am older than my patients. I kept thinking one of them was going to ask me about that.

She complained.

 

I sent my friend, Charlsie, a little scrapbook with pictures of our trip to Weatherford and she complained that there were no pictures of me. (You might want to consider bringing a camera and actually taking some for yourself, dear friend.)
I certainly don't want anyone to feel deprived of anything I can provide for them, so I began a search for some pictures of ME for Charlsie. I thought you might like to see what I found.

Rocky Mountain National Park 1969. This was my first trip to anywhere, ever. Jenny, this is the one where we left you with your grandmother and you didn't know us when we got home.

Big Bend National Park 1977. Wendy, this is the trip that we left you and Courtney with your grandmother. When we got home, you had an ear infection and she had taken you to the doctor and they gave you a shot. I am feeling like a very irresponsible parent about now.

I included this one because Charlsie took it in 1983.

Included this one because I liked it. 1983, too.

This is my favorite of me and Charlsie together from 2003. Yes, we are on the golf course.

I wanted this one because I was thinking, "Yes, take my picture because I don't think you will ever see me on a horse, again."  2006

Don't know where this came from. I think someone took my camera away from me because I took too many pictures of her beside this tree.

Someone at work gave me this jewelry. I couldn't figure out how to tell her that I was not a jewelry kind of girl. So I wore it one Sunday and had Basil take my picture for her. Then I regifted.

I look very happy on Redondo Beach.

Sometimes my grandchildren lose focus and desert me before I finish the book. I have to know the ending. (The monkeys pick up all the caps.)

Remembering Brooke on Memorial Day

I am thinking about my cousin, (Derwin) Brooke Pitts today and want to honor him and his service to our country.
He died in Vietnam in August 22, 1969

We were friends as well as cousins when we were very young. We lived on the same street and spent a lot of time together. One memory I have is of us standing by my sister's crib when she was a newborn and watching her sleep through the bars. I was 9 and he was 7.

 He was awarded a Silver Star for heroism and gallantry in action, and two Bronze Stars for meritorious service and valor. He also had several other medals. One I really like is the sharpshooters rifle badge.

This account is from a newspaper:

As a small element of the company moved forward, the enemy opened fire from a concealed position. Sgt. Pitts ordered his men to withdraw and exposed himself in order to draw the fire away from his comrades. He maneuvered against a North Vietnamese bunker and succeeded in silencing the enemy position with hand grenades. He was wounded for the second time and fell to the ground but refused assistance. Instead, ordered his men to remain within the company perimeter. As the enemy closed in he rolled over, engaged them with a final burst of fire from his M-16 rifle. "His courageous and timely actions were instrumental in saving the lives of his fellow soldiers and in thwarting the enemy attack," the citation said.
 Praying for peace and blessings for you all who are remembering a loved one who gave his life or health for us.

 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. . John 15:11-14

Our Trip to Lubbock

Zane and Caedon went to Lubbock to visit their cousins and Aunt and Uncle. They need to tell their parents and little brothers what they did.

The first night, we went to Isaac's play, Twinderella. Isaac was a gerbil and a sportscaster. He was funny.

After that, was Malachi's play. He was Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. It was very long.  He had lots of lines and the words were weird, but he did a great job.

                                                     We went to Zion's Ballet Recital.

We are all having piano recitals this weekend and we played our pieces for each other.

Zion had to give her bed to Granny and sleep with the boys. She had them play the quiet game so she could go to sleep. She gave prizes to the winners.

                                                 We went to the park every day.
                   
                           

                                                            We flew kites.

                                                                We climbed trees.

We walked around the lake looking for treasures. Some of us picked up some treasures that we should have left alone.

We did not have to go to the mall with Zion and Granny to shop for her birthday present.

                                  We hardly played with electronics or watched TV at all.