From Texas to Paris

DASH

2012-01-05T20:26:00.001-06:00

The diet I am following is DASH: Dietary Approaches to StopHypertension. I could call it low-fat, low-salt but I prefer saying what I CANhave instead of what I CAN NOT have.

I can have fruit, vegetables, cheese,meat, bread. Sure, they need to be low-fat or lean. No special, out of theordinary foods: tofu, bean sprouts, rice cakes are required.

Fake food likediet shakes are out.

No overdose of vitamin pills. Good, whole, real food.

I can eat this way forever.

And that’s the whole point.

Baggage, Part 2

2012-01-03T23:19:00.001-06:00

I drove to Waco and picked up my luggage.

A 100 mile round trip to get a suitcase.

Any wonder I was not nice on the telephone?

So I went to Whataburger afterwards.

American Airlines will hear from me.

B*st*rds.

(Any students reading this, I apologize for the language.)

Baggage

2012-01-02T21:34:00.002-06:00

(Have you seen me? Please bring me home.)

I tend to be easy to get along with. I smile, say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ I agree. And, on Sunday, when American Airlines asked passengers to check their rolling bags (for free!), I did.

Except for the minute when the bag was off loaded in Dallas, I have not seen my bag since. I watched out the plane window and saw my bag and others separated from the DFW luggage. It was ticketed to Waco (ACT).

In Waco I was told that my bag would be in on the next flight. It was but I couldn’t wait around for it. I filed the paperwork, explained the unique feature of my house (it’s light blue), and waited at home for its arrival.

All evening. Nothing.

Today, unlike so many other people, I had to go to work.

The airline tried to deliver my bag at 9am- I went to work at 7:30. They couldn’t leave the bag because I COULDN’T SIGN FOR IT!

And when do I find this out? When I call the airport this evening at 8pm!

Maybe, if they get a hold of the driver, my bag could be delivered … tomorrow. I have taped a note to the door giving permission to leave the bag there.

I hope to God he does. I’m tired of this one black bra. I want my clothes. I’m out of Crestor. I need my flatiron. I’d like to place the burnable candle my friend Lane made for me on the table in my kitchen.

Until tonight’s telephone call, I have been nice. I wasn’t too mean. I’m just frustrated.

What is better than a New Year’s Resolution?

2012-01-01T22:02:00.001-06:00

2012 begins on a Sunday, the start of the week. New week,new month, new year. New me? No. I can’t change THAT much.

But, two trips to the ER for chest pain in 13 months is morethan a message (it’s a great fee- doctor, hospital, ambulance), it is a foreshadowingof things to come if I don’t make changes right now. Heart disease is theNUMBER ONE killer of Americans. And I can do something about it.

Step one: diet. The highly recommended DASH diet is doable(I don’t have to eat tofu and kale.)

Step two: aerobic exercise. Dance is my choice. No one hasto see me.

Step three: weight bearing exercise. Callenetics (sort ofPilates) for the first month. Then small weights.

Step four: less TV time. I think I will read and work on myscrapbook.

Step five: do more and worry less.

So, what is better than a resolution? Change for the better.

(Plus, I want to post much more often, even withoutpictures.)

Stress

2011-10-12T17:52:00.001-05:00

I lived through 3 minutes of hell. Pure HELL. Nuclear stress tests are torture. Second only to the prep for a colonoscopy, nuclear stress tests bite the big one.

(A disclaimer: Everyone at Hillcrest Hospital, without fail, was professional and pleasant. All suffering was due to the procedure. )

Today began with a 5:30am alarm. By 6:39 the school copier was blessing me with word searches for my English classes. Sub notes occupy my desk and I am off to Waco.

Last week’s chest pains resulted in a trip to the ER, a doctor’s office visit, and now a stress test. I missed Monday at work due to stress (grades and a new 6 weeks) and today, Wednesday, due to this test. I’ll be out Friday for the funeral of a dear friend’s husband. Stress is part of my life. So are coronary artery disease and angina (chest pain.)

I arrive at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center at 7:55am. Fill in forms and wait. Register and discover this visit is covered by my insurance (!) except for 20%. Why is it covered you ask? I met my deductible last week with the ER visit ($1100 !) I pay a meager $50 and receive my two plastic bracelets, one with my name and info, a yellow one to warn everyone THIS WOMAN MIGHT FALL DOWN! (If I sit for very long, my feet feel sore- I look like a crippled person trying to walk. This goes away in a few minutes.)

Up to the third floor (one flight up from Registration and I take the elevator as directed) where my clear bracelet is checked, I’m given a number and sent to a waiting room. A few minutes with my Kindle and my number is called. No reading for me!

A nice nurse escorts me and a woman in a wheelchair down to… another waiting room! Wait! Wait again! My Kindle and I get together again. For a while. Then… I’m called and escorted to a room with a bed and a treadmill. I’m not running on that! Not me! This fat old lady does not run! My test will be chemical- nuclear. I do not have to run.

A new nice nurse cuts off the circulation in my right arm. No, let’s try the lower arm and stab the back of my hand. No good. Try the left arm. Success!

It looks like this

(This is my left arm. Photo taken with my iPod touch. )

A tech comes in and shoots something into my arm thru one of the blue ends. I can’t feel anything. Then he adds saline or something. This feels a bit cold. I return to the waiting room. Kindle and I go at it again.

Ten minutes and two pages later (can’t concentrate with a needle in my arm) I am called to a new room. I recline on a narrow table (recline because no one knows if the verb is ‘lie’ or ‘lay’). Two nice male techs set up a machine to photograph my heart. The big C-shaped arm is positioned about six inches above my ample chest and set to go. For about 15 minutes it stops and starts in an arc over me.

The easy stuff is over. I am led, like a condemned prisoner, to the torture chamber. Oh, it looks innocent. That room with the bed and the treadmill looks safe, nice even. I have a nurse, then a tech comes in, finally (not a minute later) my cardiologist. The nurse had stuck little tapes to me and attached probes to them and slipped on a pulse-ox and a blood pressure cuff. (That was before the men arrived. We are very civilized in Waco.)

Flat on my back, I stare at the ceiling. Nothing interesting there. Time to poison me. Isotope injected. I feel warm. Too warm. My heart speeds up. The staff, including my doctor, discuss Halloween and possible costumes. Best line: You know, I’m an excellent surgeon. I could do something about that hump. (second person) What hump? (lines from YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.)

I, meanwhile, am in distress! Distress, I tell you! This hurts! My head hurts, my chest hurts, my back hurts, my calves hurt! Warm, no, yes warm and in pain. Make it stop! I confess! Whatever it is I did it! Kill me now!

I’m cooling off. Some pain is leaving. However, my legs still feel afire. I’m done. Doc says it went well. Bye, Doc. (I never call him Doc. Seems rude.) Actually, I don’t say much. The tech leaves. The nurse removes many of the additions recently subjected to my body. Three tapes are left. A bandage on my left arm where the needle of torture was removed would later bleed a bit.

I am to go eat! I have had nothing since midnight. And the required foods: caffeine and fat! Caffeine will counteract the pain and I don’t know why I’m told to eat fat but I gladly go. Sticking point: the hospital cafeteria is CLOSED from 10am to 11am. It is now 10: 20am.

Fifteen minutes later McDonald’s is my home. I eat in my car. I think the hospital bracelets and bloody bandage on my arm might turn off other patrons. Eggs, sausage, biscuit, hash browns, and pancakes will supply the fat and a regular large Coca-cola will supply the caffeine. Ah, heaven. The Coke relieves the headache. My legs slowly drain of pain.

Back to Hillcrest, up to the 3^rd floor, waiting again. My Kindle out again for 10 minutes. Time for the last photos of the heart. Same room and one of the techs running the very close machine. This time the three probes are attached to a monitor (they weren’t there earlier when they took pictures.) Fifteen minutes later I am done.

I have my arm bandaged again (not one drop of blood gets on the new, larger bandage.) Off to Super-Wal-mart, a smaller Wal-mart, then the grocery store. Now I’m home. Ah, home. It is 2:30pm.

Next week, the RESULTS!

Cyndy's goats

2011-08-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time my cousin Cyndy was a fashion plate. She looked perfect from head to toe and down to her nails. She tells me now she wasn't happy then. Now she is happy living on a farm, wearing old clothes and tending to the animals. I've never seen her so happy. She sent me this picture of her goats. She has 3 horses, two goats, donkeys, chickens, dogs, and cats. And a possum and whatever other strays cross her path.

roses

2011-08-03T23:01:00.000-05:00

Some of the climbing roses at Mom's house. Left untrimmed for two years.

A lovely day

2011-08-02T20:37:00.000-05:00

Years ago I asked my students to write about the best day of their life so far. This got me thinking: what was my best day? I thought back to college and a day I spent with Lane at his grandmother's house. We listened to music- on a Victrola! and read some of his old essays. It was a normal day for two people who didn't thrive on 'normal.'
Well, this summer Lane fell ill and spent 28 days in the hospital! After he got out I went to see him and we had another great day. We watched a bit of a movie, had dinner at Denny's (we are not gourmets) and visited Swallow Falls state park. Ah! What a lovely place! And I spent time outside- I NEVER do that!

Aunt Delores

2011-08-01T22:00:00.000-05:00

On the 29th of July, my Aunt Delores died of lung cancer. She taught Kindergarten in 4 or 5 schools (even the Y) and loved every day of it. God bless her.

still alive

2011-07-11T23:01:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a few months. I will return and try to be interesting and up to date starting in August.

Until then, be like this cat (my brother's cat) and relax.

Hail

2011-03-27T14:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was miserable. The temperature reached 87 or more. Hot, awful weather. I did very little. Okay, my plants got more potting soil and a bit of water. You know, because it's spring I wanted to bring my cactus and aloe vera back to life. But the heat was too much for me. I stayed in the house; I didn't even check the mail.
And then it happened. A few at first; a tapping on the air conditioners, the roof, the windows. On tv they warned of storms in a nearby county, not Robertson. But here it was- hail! HAIL! That means rain and lower temperatures! And OMG did it hail and rain.
My cactus, three in one pot, held up well. Today the world is leaf strewn, chilly, and wet. I'm in heaven. I love the rain and cold.

Is that a cell phone?

2011-03-18T21:37:00.000-05:00

During one of my four trips to Paris I took many pictures of statues. Captions came to my mind most of the time. Sorry to say this one inspired a "Can you hear me now?" quote. Isn't that a cell phone? Next trip, I promise to keep track of what I photograph and where. Of course, not knowing gives me a reason to return and take more pictures!

50 years

2011-02-24T01:38:00.000-06:00

I am 50 years old. And I'm real glad! I'm not afraid or angry or worried that I'm 'over the hill' or just plain old. I'm 50. I have lived for half a century. I've seen music change from the Beatles to Lady Gaga; from records to mp3 players. My country has gone from Kennedy to Obama and survived just fine, thank you.

I'm the aunt to one wonderful young lady of a niece and three young nephews who show me what 'different' means. I have two brothers who made my life fun, weird, and wonderful. My mother is still hale and hardy at 80. My father died 20 years ago- and I miss him every day. The best decision I ever made was to adopt my dog, Nanna, the best friend a single woman could ask for.

I have a career instead of a job. This is my 20th year of teaching English and the important things in life to my students. Sometimes I think I actually teach a few of them.

I have old friends and new friends and several cities where I feel at home. I have travelled and I'm not done yet. I still plan to retire in Paris. I still think I may get married some day.

I never know what's next and that's a good thing. I like surprises. Life has more good to it than bad.

Fifty means I've had a lot of time, so far. It means I need to see what I've done and what I want to do next. It is hope and optimism.

I'm 50 and I'm real glad!

Call This Snow?

2011-02-04T20:45:00.000-06:00

This was the view of my backyard this morning. School was cancelled because of ice and snow. See the snow? Yep, not a lot of snow. I would have had to scrape windows if I'd gone anywhere. Nanna did go outside with me when I walked down the driveway for the newspaper. We have had cold temps. It's been below freezing for several days. Today it got up to 33 or so. Then it froze again. I like the look of the table with snow.

What Teachers Make Final Moviebk2 0001

2011-01-12T17:06:00.000-06:00

Maybe

2010-12-29T22:25:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I chatted via Facebook messaging with my cousin Cyn. An old idea I had of becoming a flight attendant resurfaced. I'm not too short, nor am I too old. And I can fly part-time. Hmm. Maybe. I just hope the uniforms are nicer than these. (Delta uniforms found with Google.)

Green Room

2010-12-04T18:06:00.001-06:00

When I went to college, good old Slippery Rock University, I didn't know anyone there except for my brother Karl. We commuted that first frosty semester (we began in January). Commuting makes it hard to get to know anyone. One good accident (thank you Karl, for the black eyes and the scar.) and I knew I had to live there in the future. I would make friends one way or another. So I got a loan and lived in the dorms for one year. Not too bad, really.

One class I took was a theatre stagecraft PITA (pain-in-the-*$$) where I met a young man I will always consider my best friend, Lane. He even lived in the same dorm, but on a lower floor. Lane was smart, charming, talented and handsome. We became friends anyway. Lane stayed only a couple years, then dropped out of college and my life. I graduated in 1986 and became a teacher. I never stopped wondering what happened to my friend.

And then along came the internet. And Facebook. We reconnected. We saw each other for the first time in decades (!) this past summer. He is still the best friend I always wanted.

And to think we met in the green room at the theatre; this is the place where actors practice and get ready for 'the show.' That's where our freindship grew in preparation for life.

(He's not marriage material, so don't even suggest it.)

Tx Ren Fest 2010

2010-10-30T22:37:00.000-05:00

My friend Cara and I went to the Texas Ren Fest today. She went in costume (this is her above.) The *baby* was a hit! So many people asked to take her picture and commented on the *lovely* baby!

Still Alive

2010-10-24T20:46:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted much (it's been a month!) This was the bonfire we had over a week ago. The sign for the town of Hubbard has a story behind it; the kids were told NOT to steal a city sign from the town we were playing. So the kids had one made. Not everyone knew they had the sign made. The principal did and he agreed to be in with the kids on how much trouble they were in for getting the sign. Many people thought the whole senior class (50 kids) had ISS on Monday!
A parent and even the cops thought the sign was real. The parent complained but that's normal in a small town. The cops were glad the sign was a fake.
Anyway, I'll try to post more often. Try, don't hold me to it.

2010-09-23T21:41:00.002-05:00

Number One

Our school won a national award. Of all the schools in the nation that participated in a certain survey, we came in with the highest percentage: 149!
(A student could take the survey any number of times.)
Our reward was an assembly with an NFL player (or which ever group the Cowboys play for.) Tashard Choice, a Cowboy's running back, visited. The topic was underage drinking and Tashard spoke of losing a friend to drinking and driving.
Tashard is the man on the left. Next to him are our senior class president (in blue) and one of our best all-around students (in white.) The lady next to them is our guidance counselor.

I hope the kids get the message: Under 21? Don't drink.

I know these boys have it.

Footsteps

2010-08-07T21:42:00.000-05:00

These footprints can be found on Butler's Main Street from the courthouse to Penn Street. Then they continue up Penn into Alameda Park. It's for the annual Butler 5k (or is it 10k) race.

I don't know how long Butler has been doing this but I do know that my cousin Brad (hello) asked what they were back in 1989 when our grandmother, Nanna, died.

Another abnormality on Main Street is the crosswalks. All traffic stops for pedestrians. Pedestrians cross with the lights and a bell (ok, now it's a tone) meant for the blind. It took me years to relearn how to walk across a street. Seems in every other town and city on the planet that traffic stops on one road but continues AND TURNS on the cross roads.

The Best People In The World Pass Through These Doors, Our Customers

2010-07-21T15:05:00.000-05:00

In an earlier post I wrote of the saddest sight in Slippery Rock- the vacation notice of Bob’s Subs. Luckily for us that closing is only temporary. Roast beef subs with secret recipe mayo are once again available to all.

However, in the town of Butler the saddest sign is the ‘For Sale’ sign in the window of The Hot Dog Shop.

I’ve read of people crying because their favorite restaurant in all of Butler closed and they were not aware of it. It closed a few years ago. If a kind soul redirects them to a nearby restaurant with similar ingredients, the citizen is grateful yet aware that it is JUST NOT THE SAME.

Let me explain. The Hot Dog Shop did not just sell hot dogs. One could get a hamburger, or strawberry pie, or a fish sandwich. But the dogs were special. It was the chili sauce. Mmmm. Recipe? If one searches the internet for ‘Butler Hot Dog Sauce Recipe’ several will appear. (It makes a gallon of sauce so use an 1/8th of a CUP of salt.) The best dog followed these steps: steamed bun, then grilled hot dog, chili sauce, diced onion, and pickle spear. Served with French fries with gravy and whipped chocolate milk (I hate milk but I drank this!) And the ambiance of the restaurant cannot be duplicated. To some, it looked dirty. On closer inspection, it was just dingy. The place had been in operation since before WWII. The waitresses never wrote anything down. They yelled to the grill, which was in the front window, whatever the order was. “Two hots, everything and pickle, fries gravy.” That’s right. Like a diner. And everything did not include mustard, ketchup or pickle.

Did I say fries with gravy? Yep. (Obviously not the healthiest meals I’ve ever eaten.) It wasn’t beef gravy (I think) or chicken gravy (I think). It did have paprika in it.

Now, for the locals there is some salvation; the chili recipe and the gravy recipe are sold at the same meat market that prepared them for the shop. The recipe belongs to the family that owned The Hot Dog Shop. So, it is the SAME. The chili sauce is also available in the grocery stores. (It must be kept refrigerated.)

PS You might ask why such a popular old restaurant closed. Money. Let’s leave it at that.

One Ride I Will Never Ride Again

2010-07-12T19:39:00.001-05:00

This ride has been a staple at the Big Butler Fair since my childhool. I finally rode it in graduate school with my roommate Becky (1991). Never again! Those little cabins go upside down as does the wheel they are attached to and one can very easily get bruised! I did. I don't mind being frightened but I draw the line at being damaged.
I will ride a rollercoaster and such but I haven't tried since the heart scare 3 years ago. Seems I have coronary artery disease (folks, whatever your age, now is the time to start eating right and exercising.)

Big Butler Fair- I was there!

2010-07-10T23:11:00.000-05:00

This meal cost me $12; the gyro was $7 and the lemonade was $5 and they were worth it! The sandwich is a lamb/beef mix with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a cucumber sauce on a pita. The lemonade has actual lemon halves in the cup. Hey, it's fair food. I didn't ride any of the rides. I walked around and took pictures of some of the exhibits and rides. It's a large fair, one of the largest in the state.

(I also went to Doo Dah Days, the Stephen Foster Music and Heritage Festival. Pictures to come.)

History, not a mystery

2010-07-07T20:50:00.000-05:00

When my parents returned to Butler in the early 1970s I discovered mind-numbing sameness. Almost everyone I met was born in Butler and their father worked at one of two places: Pullman or Armco. (Ok, *some* parents worked at other places. But 9 out of 10 worked at one or the other of these two places.) I was secretly happy that my father had worked at Pullman for a short time but he hated it.

I was only 11 when we moved to Butler. By that time I had lived on three continents, in four countries, and in three states. I had a Louisiana accent that I quickly lost by copying others; a skill I retain to this day. To this day I am glad my parents chose to take their children everywhere they possibly could. When Dad got orders Mom was as eager as he was to see this new place. I am my father's daughter, and my mother's daughter. My love of travel is inborn.

(I found this picture on the internet. I'm guessing Armco made ashtrays. And I had an uncle who worked at Armco for many years until he could retire to Florida where he and my aunt live till this day.)

Once upon a time

2010-07-06T21:49:00.000-05:00

I have worked in far too many jobs to try and remember them all now. Teaching is the best one; it's the only one I didn't enjoy in Pennsylvania. I got to sub which is a step above begging. I've said I'll never sub again as long as there is Unemployment and people to scam. (Not that I'm good at that. ;))
But one job that stands out is working at the movie theatre. I began at the drive-in as a summer worker, then manager, then part-time at this two screen indoor theatre. It was built back in the 30s I believe. After decades of showing great and sometimes weird movies, it has closed. I wish I could say I miss it, but I don't.
(It is located on Main Street and pretty much looks like this right now. I got the picture from a Google search.)

I'm tired of waiting for tires

2010-07-05T23:18:00.000-05:00

My brother drove me past this car. He once lived nearby and tells me it looked like this 2 years ago!
It does NOT represent Butler but it is in the city, down by the new bridge.
No one else has old cars sitting around, do they?

(BTW it is too hot here- 90s! I'm burining up. Or as the witch says "I'm melting!")

the old and the new

2010-07-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

I noticed this wall in Butler, on the side of the Ford Garage. The windows are painted on and the lower painting is of cars over the years. I don't know who painted it or when, but I liked it and knew it belonged in the Butler Daily Photo series.

Thank you Dad

2010-07-04T23:04:00.000-05:00

On this, the 4th of July 2010, I remember my father.

My father served three years in the navy after World War II and 18 years in the air force during the 50s and 60s. He was very proud of serving our country and is buried in his air force uniform. Dad retired in 1968 at 39 (almost 40) after over 20 years of service. He had three children then, all in or about to be in school. He wanted to be there for us. He did not want to be just a picture or a name we recognized. So, for the next 22 years, I had my father in my life. Just a month and a half before his 62nd birthday, he died of lung cancer.

Thank you, Dad, for serving our country and being my dad. I never say the pledge of allegence without thinking of you. I love you.

Aged About 59 Y'rs

2010-07-03T21:40:00.000-05:00

Mom wanted to plant some flowers on Dad's grave and I went with her. Actually, Nanna and I went with her. While Mom planted flowers and pulled weeds, we took a walk and I took pictures.
This is an old cemetery. Among the interesting stones was this one on a little tower (I don't know what they are called but it was maybe 6 feet tall.) The 'aged about 59 y'rs' seemed strange. Was her exact age really unknown? No proof? Never asked, never said? Was she like cheese or wine- better with age?
I like cemeteries. The scary rep doesn't make sense. This one is open and green with lots of curious stones. Once, we talked to the guy who runs it, sorta, and did he have stories! He knew which men would lay alone in perpetuity because the wife married again and was buried with husband number two. Which deaths were mysteries? (Murder, suicide, accident.)
Not the least bit morbid.

What have they been waiting for?

2010-07-03T21:20:00.001-05:00

(I tried to publish this a few days ago but my pics wouldn't load. Obviously, this is Bremond and not Butler. )

14 years ago we moved out of this building. Last year we voted to tear it down. Then a group got together to Save Our School! This is the shape it is in as of May 2010- windows gone, roof leaks, vandalism so bad they put a fence around it.
I understand history and the desire to keep mementos of the past. But 13 years on disuse is not good for a building. After a request to listen to the SOS group at a school board meeting, it was realized that the plans to tear it down must continue. Why? Because the citizens voted to tear it town and the vote must be honored. Some one could sue the board if they didn't. (Hmm... I've never brought suit against anyone, yet.)

Lesson learned: don't wait until the wrecking ball is at the door to start doing something

Saddest Sign in Slippery Rock

2010-07-03T11:37:00.002-05:00

In older days, the 1980's, the best sub shop in my college town of Slippery Rock was Bob's Subs. I lived only 20 minutes away and wanted a sub during the summer. However, THEY CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER!
Later, they moved to the old post office. And they no longer closed for the summer. :) But I graduated and moved away.
Now I am visiting for the summer. Several times a week I get to go to the college and swim in their wonderful indoor pool. ahhh. Then we (Mom and Karl) go to Bob's for dinner.
BUT, not today. Because they posted this sign:

However, they were already closed on the evening of the 2nd. (And why are they closed until Bastille Day? Do they like the French, too?)

(This is a reprint of an article that would not post- to show my desperation.)
The saddest sign I've seen is this one posted in my favorite Slippery Rock Sub Shop. Back in the 80's, when I attended college there, the store closed for much of the summer. Most of the students left town and they could survive without being open for a while.
Now, they close and I don't think *I* can survive! No roast beef subs with Bob's special mayo! (sniff, sniff pardon me while I cry!)
I must be strong. I will eat at home (Mom's house) after swimming at the college pool. And I will allow the hard working people at Bob's Subs to have the time off from just before American Independence until Bastille Day.
I will return, smaller no doubt, but eager for a junior or senior roast beef sub. I can wait.
(Yep, but my summer is quickly going by.)

Big Butler Fair

2010-07-01T18:41:00.003-05:00

The Big Butler Fair (http://www.bigbutlerfair.com/) is a tradition dating back to the Civil War. In recent years it has expanded to nine days (9) and always includes the 4th of July. My mother is in the grange (see http://www.pagrange.org/ ). This farm based organization has its own permanent building where members sell food and raffle off quilts (I won one once!) and assorted prizes. Several days her grange is assigned to work selling food and she helps. I do NOT help. Once was enough and most people have forgotten that event (I say as I look around innocently.)This fair has animals to be judged, rides to get spun on, and talent (?) to enjoy. I'm not a big fair person but I do like to go for the fireworks and a gyro, lamb/beef mix on pita bread with cucumber sauce. Mmmm.

Anyway, I will be there on Sunday and will take a few pictures.

Ch Ch Ch Changes

2010-06-26T19:42:00.000-05:00

As you can see, I've decided to change my blog a bit. I would have posted something with a picture but they are not loading at the moment.

I'm on vacation. Since the 6th of June I have traveled to Pennsylvania (I drove), New York City (by tour bus), back to Pennsylvania (tour bus again), Florida (I drove, again), and back to Pennsylvania (yep, I drove.) I love to travel but that was almost too much for me.

Starting July 1st I will post a pic each day from the home place in Butler Pennsylvania. The fair starts that weekend so I have to include that.

I hope everyone is enjoying family and friends. I know Nanna and I are!

Prom 2010

2010-05-01T00:54:00.001-05:00

Teaching in a high school has its ups and downs. One major down is raising money for the prom. We do most of it in the concession stand during football season. Our class got to do it two years in a row! :-( The result was a lot of money. So we spent money to have a GREAT prom. The prom committee chose the theme and all the decorations. I have to say it was the best prom ever! Which means, yes, that the prom is one of the ups of teaching high school (especially when the prom is over.) This year the prom took place on the 24th of April.

Our location in Bryan, the the country club, was a dream. Great food, excellent service, and they cleaned up when we were done! The lower picture is of the background used for prom portraits. Kids showed up at 8am to put this all together. Lovely.

Doors of Inspiration

2010-04-19T22:13:00.002-05:00

Since before Easter I have had door issues. OK. The problem goes back beyond that. I hate screen doors. I *really* hate them. They close on my heels. They grab my sleeves. They annoy me. So one day, as I tried to get in the house, the kitchen door caught my foot; I kicked the lower panel on the door and it gave. And the storm door, the heavy one, would stick when shut. It stuck so well that, on Easter morning, I had to go out the front door and walk around the house to kick open the kitchen door. I said a few words that nice old ladies are not supposed to say.
I told the world’s best landlord about my problems and he sent help. On Friday night and Saturday afternoon Roger K. fixed my doors. The screen closes without help. The storm door fits perfectly- I can open and close it with ease.

I like my doors. (OK, I still hate screen doors; but, I’m glad it closes so well.)

Learning Process

2010-03-29T17:48:00.001-05:00

In the past few weeks I've learned a few things I thought I'd share:

1. Lots of sugar, salt and/or fat is bad for you. Really bad. As in 'my guts don't like me anymore.' I thought they only affected my heart and weight. Nope.

2. Teens will say yes, ask for information, not read it, and ~~ask~~ whine for help at the last minute. (I KNEW this, I just forgot it is ALWAYS true.) Thanks UIL participants.

3. Rehearsal for a play is NOT important to teens until they stand on stage during contest and go totally BLANK!

4. Requiring Theatre Arts students to participate in plays is OK, not wrong, cruel or unusual. I will do so next year. (Only took me 19 years to learn this lesson!)

5. Setting dirty hair in hot rollers makes the hair look clean and nice for three, ok two, more days. (Today it just looks ... dirty.)

6. The best thing about the county fair is the Friday and Monday days off combination we had this weekend. :-)

7. Even better than #6 is a three day school week (because of the fair and Easter.)

8. Bush's Chicken... and rolls. mmm... (dang, now I'm hungry.)

9. After more than 24 years, my best friend from college and I can still talk on the phone (until the batteries run down) like we've just seen each other yesterday.

10. No matter how many days I have to grade papers and complete lesson plans, I'll do them the evening before I have to return. Every time. And I'll begin right after dinner and the first load of laundry. Really.

Spring Break and skunks

2010-03-19T23:08:00.001-05:00

Many years ago, while driving on Rt 173 to Slippery Rock University (I think it was still a state college then) my brother and I noticed daily additions to the roadkill on the trip. We decided spring must be ‘small animal suicide season.’

I was reminded of this on the 15th of March as I drove out to Highway 6 from Bremond. Dotting the four miles of road were five skunks and something brown. The poor critters, often quite young, must be trying to escape life in a small town only to have their lives, but not their scents, snuffed out in what an autopsy would call ‘blunt force trauma.’

In Texas roadkill is removed by self-serving vultures. In Pennsylvania I think removal was left to ‘certain politic worms’ as Hamlet would say. In other words, they rotted by the side or in the middle of the road. That wouldn’t be so bad if Pennsylvanians didn’t hit more deer with their cars than with their guns.

Anyway, why, since this week was Spring Break, was I out on the road on Monday morning? I had jury duty. One hundred or so of us reported, mostly on time, to the county courthouse. Two cases were scheduled for this week. Two juries would be picked. Long story short, after six hours (and no food- ok a Coke Zero and animal crackers) I was not chosen for the first jury. The second case resolved itself before we could meet with the lawyers.

Of great concern for this case was the possibility of awarding a great deal of money for a car accident that resulted in a death. This is a rural county but not a backwoods one. The Houston based lawyers tried explaining how money is all we have to offer the family of the deceased. We do understand. During the prosecution lawyer’s talk (which went on forever!) I wanted to yell “Don’t baffle us with b---s---; just talk to us.”I did not like him. I noticed the defendant’s lawyer making reaction faces. I thought I might like him. Nope. He did balance the information so I didn’t have strong feelings one way or another.

Today I read what happened with the jury. They awarded the plaintiffs (there were three) just under 22 million dollars!

Turns out the defendant had been on his cell phone, texting and making calls, in a construction zone in the evening in the mist. He killed a young woman (he was 20, she was 21 and her best friend was in a second car that got run off the road and now has flashbacks.) by hitting her car head on.

This road is Highway 6, still under construction (from two lanes to four lanes, divided), and the main road for people in my town to get anywhere like grocery shopping, the movies, or the mall. I’ll bet a month does not go by without a bad accident on this highway.

After non-jury duty I drove Highway 6 to Bryan-College Station; no accidents but a few skunks had ended their earthly travels in the middle of the road.

Glad I’m not a skunk and that I didn’t get on the jury. I got to sleep for most of Spring Break.

Again, this time with feeling

2010-02-23T16:45:00.000-06:00

It snowed again. We've learned to doubt forcasts of snow in our area. The last one glittered on us a bit but nothing to worry about. Today we got INCHES of the fluffy white stuff.

This is my house at 12:45 today. School got out at noon and begins again tomorrow at 11am. The teens used the football field as a snowball fighting rink. I have had my days of playing in the snow.

My neighbor and her adult son, however, have not had too many days in the snow. They built this snowman, minus a head. When the head got slammed on top, the poor thing crumbled. I'm sure there are snowmen all over town today.

A little snow

2010-02-14T19:39:00.001-06:00

     We got snow on the 11th of February. Not a lot of snow; just an inch or so. Then it rained and the snow went away. But in that Magic hour of evening snow my students experienced snow in a new way.
    Several high school kids drove to the school (it was after 7pm) to have a snowball fight. No disasters. Everyone drove home.
    But, the next day they talked about it.
"Driving in snow is weird. It's like STAR WARS. Instead of stars we had snow coming at us!"
"The snow was too powerery. It wouldn't pack."
"We built a snowman."

I found out it was snowing when I checked Facebook and people kept posting "it's snowing!"
Nothing to shovel, scrape or slide in is my kind of snow. Lovely.

French Bread!

2010-02-10T18:48:00.001-06:00

This bread is from France. I found it in the grocery store a few weeks ago. The bread is made in France and shipped here where we get to bake it. And I must say NOTHING beats fresh, warm, crusty bread.

Carol Channing at TETA

2010-01-24T22:30:00.000-06:00

Carol Channing graced the Texas Education Theatre Association convention this past January 22nd. She spoke about her life in the theatre. She sang and joked- she even repositioned her chair because the interviewer was upstaging her!

Miss Channing will be 89 this month. With her energy she will live to 121 (older than anyone has ever lived!)

This picture is special to me because the man with her is her beloved husband Harry. They met in junior high school; 70 years later they married!

Carol and her husband support arts in the schools. Please help all students by encouraging schools to keep the arts. Remember, Einstein played the violin!

(This is the best picture I took. I was so far away and my poor little camera did its best. Thanks to Picasa for the free software to edit it a bit.)

Best "Thank You" Speech

2010-01-18T23:03:00.000-06:00

I've enjoyed Robert Downey Jr. in movies since TUFF TURF many years ago. He's an amazingly talented actor. I've cheered him in CHAPLIN and IRON MAN and many other fun and great films (and a few turkeys.)
Currently, he is enjoying a string of successes. Last night he won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. He gave one of the best speeches I think I have ever heard. Good job, Mr. Downey- you rule!

Snuggie

2010-01-04T21:21:00.001-06:00

Nanna was quite happy to have Mommy come home. Sunday she would not let me out of her sight. Cara and Donnie did a great job of caring for her- she looks quite healthy!
Before I left, I bought her a Snuggie. Here she models it for you. Recently, Nanna decided that clothes are to be worn outside only. Once inside she tries like mad to get out of any shirt, sweater or coat. She feels the same way about the Snuggie!
btw We are expecting very cold weather this week. Brrrrrr! Just maybe, Nanna will stay dressed!

UPDATE: I left Nanna at home, in her Snuggie, while I got my lessons ready for the sub. Upon return I was greeted by a naked dog. Her Snuggie was abandoned on the bed with a mouse glue trap attached to it. No mouse (thank goodness). Snuggie and glue trap are still usable. Snuggie is in the wash; Nanna is naked for the time being.

December Snow 2009, before Christmas

2009-12-24T16:47:00.001-06:00

I arrived on the 20th of December and everything was covered in snow! Mom and Karl met me at the Pittsburgh airport. Since then, I have seen both brothers, been shopping, gotten my body beaten by a bunch of seniors (people in their 60's+!) and shivered. Brrrr. It looks like Christmas. Tonight is the cantata at Mom's church and 10pm mass at mine. In between we will visit family.

Tomorrow we are expecting 6 of us for lunch. Ham for lunch and pineapple upside down cake for dessert. Mmm. And the weatherman has promised rain and cold. Nasty weather. Oh, well, makes us thankful for all we have.

Kindle

2009-12-09T00:01:00.001-06:00

I bought a Kindle. It's a new way to read novels, magazines and newspapers. Material is sent by wifi, or a cable from my computer, to the Kindle and I can read it almost everywhere. It is only available from Amazon.com as is the reading material. It is less than a quarter the size of the Waco Tribune-Herald. It can hold 1,500 novels! Now, if only I could get the books I have in the house put on the Kindle and removed from my space.

Heat

2009-12-08T21:08:00.003-06:00

I don't mind the cold or the rain or the hints of snow. Actually, I like the changes in weather. However, I don't like lighting the gas space heater in my bedroom. Once it is lit, I don't have to light it again until next fall. You see, it has a pilot light. This picture is of the matches I used to try to light this bugger. Notice the matches are not burned down very far? They burn out early. I think they got wet or something. And the box is giving me trouble, making it hard to light a match. I have one other space heater in the living room. It has to be lit everytime because it does not have a pilot light. At least I keep warm and dry. Eventually.

Ren Fest 2009

2009-11-29T12:32:00.000-06:00

Saturday I went to the Texas Renaissance Festival near Plantersville. Some of the people present are in costume or garb and are quite nice about having their pictures taken. This man is holding his tail. He is a wolf. A wolf with knives. We spoke to him for a few minutes and found him delightful.

I say we because my friend Cara and her son Jeromy went with me. They had never been to the Ren Fest. Let me say it was like introducing television (satellite tv at that) to someone who had not seen it before. They marvelled at the costumes, buildings, entertainment, and beer.

At dusk we attempted to leave. It took three hours to get out of the parking lot due to 2 accidents.
Still, we plan to go back next year.

Hope for better days

2009-11-26T19:12:00.000-06:00

Several years ago I planted Morning Glories. They were a mix of blue, pink and purple. Only the purples return, unaided, every Spring. Our recent rain and nice weather have caused the flowers to return now. I'm taking this as a sign of hope for better things. I know they are going to die. But they came back when I needed hope the most. See you, my friends, in the Spring.

Oh, by the way, happy Thanksgiving everyone. Thanks to Donnie and Cara I only had to bake a pumpkin pie (that I bought, frozen, from Schwann's).

Bad Week

2009-11-09T23:05:00.000-06:00

I don't have a picture today. Last week was a bad week and no picture could convey that. Let's start with Monday. One of my students suffered a head injury when he surfed on a friend's car and fell on his head. he suffered a concussion and spent two days in the hospital.

Then on Thursday, after school, two students were in a wreck at the school entrance. At first I was the only teacher in attendance. The police took 30 minutes to arrive. Ems, parents, super, principal, everyone else was there first. End result: the passenger in the student's car has whiplash and a concussion, both drivers are ok (one was a grandma the other a junior in high school.) The student's car is trashed.

Then I heard about the tragedy at Fort Hood. Hard to believe a serviceman would do that. Again the ugly Anti-Muslim sentiments from the misguided. The fort is not too far from me (anyplace less than 150 miles away is 'not too far' in Texas lingo.)

Then, on Friday, a former student posted an idiotic comment on Facebook. This was before lunch but I heard about it after lunch. Let's say NEVER mention a school district and Columbine in the same sentence. We had parents drive to the school to check out their kids. If this guy wanted to shoot anyone, many of these people would have been in his easy line of fire. Classroom doors were locked, the front door was manned and locked, and office phones rang off the wall. Why would parents call their kids (who's phones should be OFF) and ask them what's going on? To scare them half to death?

Anyway, the pep rally was cancelled. But, in true Texas fashion, the game was on. Ok, the idiot who posted the comment was in custody before school was out. I work the ticket booth. And that night I accidentally knocked the stick out of the way (the one that holds the window up) and it tried to cut off my fingers. Lucky me, I suffered a bruise finger and a cut cuticle. One band-aid and bag of ice later and I was back to work selling tickets.

Any wonder why I went out for ice cream? And was on the verge of tears?

Halloween 2009

2009-11-04T17:37:00.000-06:00

My neighbors loooove to decorate for the holidays. And I get the best view! This was their yard for this year's Halloween. This is the busiest night of the year for our poor little roads. Parents drive their children around in cars, trucks, flatbed trailers and anything they can get a kid to sit on. Ah, the TinyTown life!

bazaar

2009-10-18T19:28:00.000-05:00

Today is the day of the second largest celebration in town- the catholic church bazaar. And I didn't go. I just didn't feel like going anywhere.

However, a few weeks ago I took this picture of a map in the city park. This was a great idea. The chamber of commerce collected a rock from every state. (Would you believe some states were difficult? Whoever was called did not know if they were 'allowed' to mail a rock?!)

Anyway, I think it's pretty neat.

BooBoo

2009-10-06T22:54:00.000-05:00

Nanna must feel like we do after a doctor's visit: worse than before! Her little wrapped leg looks like something awful happened. Actually, the doc just wants the toe to heal without Nanna licking it.
By the way, when visiting the vet Nanna was quite nervous, and she is not a nervous dog. We could here a dog barking in the clinic, somewhere.
How would people feel if we heard another patient screaming while we waited to see the doctor? Nervous?
To say the least!

Single Dog Mom

2009-10-05T00:42:00.000-05:00

I'm missing work today because of Nanna's right back foot. It's hard to take a picture of her foot (I can touch it but the angle is odd.) I know she was licking it last night but it wasn't until this afternoon that I saw how it hurt. I think this is from a cactus. I hope to see the vet Monday to find out.

Sky

2009-10-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the sky is just amazing! Taking a good picture is a pain. The good thing about digital cameras is instant availability of one's shots. I tried different settings before I got a good one. I think this goes with the 'contrast' theme for today.
I may keep posting about Bremond for the next month. If it is possible, I will do it.

Pink

2009-09-30T22:58:00.001-05:00

On my walk the other night I saw this plant. The rain has brought a lot of color to this little town; much of it is in this kind of plant. I especially like the brightness of it next to the darkness of the night. Love what a flash can do!

Good Luck

2009-09-29T22:35:00.000-05:00

I will bet that most people in town have no idea this stone exists. And that is sad. It is located in the city park next to the post office. I haven't touched it, yet.

I will be posting some other pictures from this park in the days to come.

Also on Main Street

2009-09-28T23:02:00.000-05:00

On Main Street we have several benches. Now, this street is not very long and many of the businesses are closed (and have been for years.) So why do we have benches? No idea.

I do like the art work. Vandals have left these alone, so far.

Paul Bremond

2009-09-27T21:33:00.000-05:00

This is history. I believe Mr. Bremond never set foot in Bremond. Oddly, that happened in Butler, PA as well. (That's the family center.)

mosaic

2009-09-26T20:30:00.000-05:00

I needed some pictures. I needed some exercise. So Nanna and I took a walk up to Main Street and looked around. Just up the street, beside the Specialty Shop Mall (a variety store), I spied this bench. Mosaic is a favorite from of art for me so I had to take a picture. Mosaics are a lot like life; all manner of broken things make up our lives and it is the inclusion of the broken things that makes it complete.

Looking Up

2009-09-24T21:20:00.000-05:00

With autmn comes the leaves. This is one of the trees in my yard. I can identify only a few trees: pine, mimosa, palm and ones with leaves. This falls into the last category. Pin oak is common in the area. I also have pecan trees. They are in the backyard. This is in the front. Anyway, this tree is one reason my house cannot be seen from above.
I really, really need to get out and take some pictures!

Sadie

2009-09-23T22:26:00.001-05:00

This dog is my dog's best friend. Sadie was rescued by her owner from under a house he was working on. She loves hime to death. And she and Nanna have so much fun together. They stay in the dog house when it rains. They dig holes and lay in them. They bark at other dogs. Nanna would rather spend a rainy day outside with Sadie than inside with no one.

This picture was taken in the evening and lightened with the help of Picasa 3.

New School

2009-09-22T22:35:00.001-05:00

This is the 'new' school. It opened in 1996. In this photo we see the high school side at the office entrance. The old school was a collection of permanent and temporary buildings connected by covered sidewalks. Here, everything from pre-k to 12 is in one building.

Old school

2009-09-21T21:05:00.000-05:00

This is the old high school. Notice the open windows. Thank vandals for those. This was the front entrance. My room was upstairs and in the back. I do not miss the steps at all.

Cinderella in Bremond

2009-09-20T18:23:00.001-05:00

Homecoming includes a parade, a football game, and beautiful girls in gorgeous dresses. Five senior girls vie for queen while one girl from each class grades 9 to 11 is the duchess and a representative of her class. Several organizations have sweethearts who are presented as well. Each girl is walked on the track by her father or other escort. It is a lovely time and an honor for the girls involved.

This year the freshman class had as a nominee a girl who wasn’t used to dresses and makeup and high heels and jewelry. She did not decline the nomination. To her surprise, she was elected Freshman Class Duchess. She did not decline the honor. After years of being teased she knew this was a joke; maybe someone was trying to make fun of her. With the current economy, her family did not have the funds for gowns and frivolities. Would she be able to represent her class?

I’ll call her Cherri. She is quiet. She does not cause trouble, nor does she raise her voice. She is not a fighter in the physical sense. But this time she decided to push on. She was elected and therefore she would be duchess. Teachers encouraged her as did her older sister and friends and family.

This is where the fairy godmothers appear. I don’t know who they are. But I know what they did. Someone took Cherri shopping for a gown and jewelry and shoes (high heels!) She received several beauty treatments; eyebrow waxing, pedicure and manicure. She got her ears pierced. On homecoming day she had her hair done and was given earrings. A teacher, who also sells makeup, made up her face and gave her the makeup. For the parade she rode in a black mustang convertible owned by an upper class girl (sophomore.)

The beautiful duchess walked down the track with her daddy. She felt like Cinderella. When her name was announced she was sure the audience cheered more for her than they had for anyone else!

I love the people of Bremond. It is the people who make a town a home.
(Thank you Mrs. Y for the use of the picture!)

Backing the Tigers

2009-09-19T20:05:00.000-05:00

The homecoming parade ends with a pep rally which ends with the school song. That's what the team is doing here, singing the song. (Sorry to say we lost 21-19.)

goats at school

2009-09-18T22:52:00.000-05:00

In 1996 we moved to a new school building. The old buildings are still there; ok, some of the old buildings are still there. The main high school building has been left to rot over the years and has suffered a lot of vandalism. To combat this a fence was erected around the building. To keep the grass and weeds down, two goats have been given a home behind the fence. Before anyone calls the pet police please note that they are owned and well cared for.

I drove to the old school (it isn't far from the 'new' school-- nothing is far away in TinyTown!) to take pictures of the bonfire set up and decided to take pics of the remaining buildings. The goats happened to be on the road side of the high school so I took this picture.

A three part bond that passed this past spring included funds to remove the old school. It also included new technology so we have electronic white boards (by Promethean). Money-- got to love it.

bonfire!

2009-09-17T23:36:00.000-05:00

It's homecoming week and Thursday night means bonfire! The seniors build a bonfire to light the night before the homecoming game. This year the kids added their names. Anyone from outside of town might think we have a race problem. Not really. We have a great mix of students: white, black and brown. In a small town we learn to work together in order to get anything done! Way to go seniors! Go Tigers!

library

2009-09-16T22:35:00.000-05:00

When I moved here in 1994 (!) Bremond did not have a library. Now, thanks to the hard work of many people, we have one complete with computers, best sellers, and a children's program. Naturally, it is on Main Street.

Bremond begins

2009-09-15T20:58:00.000-05:00

This sign is just a block and a half from my home and I had never read it before today. It is located on Main Street, near the library. The rail road is located just a half block away and has two tracks. Trains run throughout the day and currently only in one direction- toward Hearne, Texas.

Many of the families here are of Polish extraction with the odd German and others thrown in.

The last census indicated a population of less than 900. The newspaper speculated the difference was due to differing rules regarding what is concidered 'in town' and 'in the city.'

Just after I took this picture a train went past. I tried to take a picture but it was too dark. Maybe later.

time and temp

2009-09-14T23:51:00.000-05:00

This picture made me think "I need to get out more!" It was taken on my back porch a few days ago. I've become too obsessed with the weather. (I really like rain.) So I promise, tomorrow my pic will be of something in downtown Bremond. Really.

proof

2009-09-13T19:35:00.000-05:00

It has rained for the last two and a half days! I love rain! This picture is of the end of my driveway. A puddle always forms there. Highs only in the 80s this week. I won't have to leave the a/c on all day. This is the cheap season.

dining table

2009-09-12T19:53:00.010-05:00

When I remember to do it, I feed these two cats. Christy, the one looking at the camera, is the mother of AJ, the one with her head in the bowl. The neighbors actually named them and care for them. I provide a snack and the occasional head rub. Christy's right ear bends down because of a bad case of ear mites several years ago. I don't know if it affected her hearing. (Are cats able to hear? They don't act like it!) BTW Christy and AJ are the names of my adult niece and nephew who live out west. Coincidence that these cats hang out here; there are plenty of other cats around who have tried to take over, but they lose.

It has rained for the past 2 days. The football game was not cancelled or delayed. And we lost. Fridays are busy days.

Rain?

2009-09-10T23:11:00.000-05:00

As I left work today, at around 4:30 due to a drama club meeting, this cloudy sky greeted me. When the weather is hot and dry people look forward to thunder, lightning and rain. I know the grass in front of the school looks quite healthy. It is frequently watered.
It is now many hours later and still no rain. Later tonight maybe; tomorrow for sure. Will the football game be cut short or, OMG no!, cancelled? We'll see.

Main Street

2009-09-09T20:56:00.000-05:00

This is Main Street as seen from the post office front parking lot. The park from the other day is to the right. The business part of town is only a few blocks long and begins just past the pine on the left. We have one blinking light in town but it is NOT on Main Street. Some of the businesses are empty.

angel

2009-09-08T22:16:00.000-05:00

After tonight's volleyball games I drove around a bit looking for something to photograph. Eventually I stopped in the catholic cemetery where I noticed this angel statue. It is the only free standing statue in the yard. I like to think she represents the request from God that we pray for each other.

This angel does not mark a grave. The inscription on it is from a family and for all time.

Early settlers to this town were Polish; therefore, many of the names in this cemetery are of Polish origin. The name Bremond is about the only French thing here. It was named for some big-wig in Austin who never set foot in this part of the state. One day I'll explain why this town was created. Promise.

city park

2009-09-07T21:47:00.000-05:00

This is our city park. It's next to the post office on Main Street. Several sidewalks wind around and pass boxes with the names of composers, rocks from every state, and street signs from donors. I believe some pavers are included with donor names as well.

We have a few other parks as well and some day I'll have to show them.

This was taken on Labor Day 2009. Very few people were hanging around Main Street that day.

dry thumb

2009-09-06T20:31:00.000-05:00

We've had about 50 days this summer with temperatures 100 or over. Too hot for me! I'm glad I spent June and July in Pennsylvania.

These plants are mine. Aloe vera and cactus thrive in hot weather. However, they would have died if my great neighbor Donnie had not watered them now and then. These are on the sidewalk; others are on an unused window air conditioner in my kitchen window.

(I took these at about 8pm when it was getting dark; the flash works quite well.)

mini diner

2009-09-05T19:30:00.000-05:00

This was today's breakfast. Not too many days ago a small trailer appeared near the liquor store. The man there sells breakfast burritos and lunch plates like tacos and beans. This burrito of chorizo, eggs, potatoes and cheese cost $2 and is quite filling! Bremond has two full time restaurants, three gas stations with mini marts, one every-other-weekend bbq place, and now this burrito-taco stand (there is no seating.) No McDonald's, no Wal-Mart. This is small town Texas (not even a Dairy Queen!)

prayers answered

2009-09-04T21:41:00.000-05:00

Today is Friday and that means the local newspaper is delivered (in the mail!) It is a weekly that keeps us up to date on sports, deaths, and local events.

The sign at a Baptist church says "pray for rain" and this morning our prayers were answered. I awoke to thunder and rain. As promised to my students, I raised the blinds on my one classroom window (it is 6 ft wide and taller than that) and let us see the rain.

street

2009-09-03T23:58:00.000-05:00

This is the road in front of my house. Typical small town details include narrow streets (cars passing each other have to drive with one side in the grass), large old-growth trees, and the occasional building. The building is our police and fire station. Oddly, I don't hear a lot of sirens.

Even the cats are friendly

2009-09-02T23:21:00.000-05:00

This is one of the neighbor's cats. She (he?) appeared in the kitchen window one day; just looking in. The other cats hang out at my house but they are not mine. (The grass is greener than the dried leaves that litter the yard presently. This may have been in the spring.)

2009-09-02T00:00:00.004-05:00

My neighbor called the other day with a request: could I film her husband on his motorized bicycle? His what?? No way I could say no to that!

This is a typical bike with a motor. Once it gets moving, the motor kicks in. I don't know if it's something that needs a license plate but even with the police station nearby, no one was worried about getting a ticket.

BIG-- football

2009-09-01T23:48:00.004-05:00

To begin BremondDailyPhoto I needed something BIG to go with the CDP theme. Not much of anything is large in size so I had to think of BIG as importance instead. And the biggest thing in small town Texas is Friday night football!
This picture was taken today after the girl's volleyball team won against Snook. Football practice had ended. Once the boys are done, they attend what's left of the volleyball game.

This field is about 12 years old. The school is one year newer. Some day I'll have to take a picture of the old school.

The Ugly, The Good, Tinytown

2009-08-31T21:52:00.005-05:00

When I returned to Tinytown on the 8th of August I had no idea that a tragedy had occured which would deeply affect me. This is the "Ugly" part of the post.

A man I and many others respected was charged with a crime we know he could not have committed. No way, no how. However, maybe to spare his family a trial or cruel allegations, he ended his life on the morning of August 9th. When I found out, I was as close to being in shock as I have ever been (and that includes having been in a one car accident and losing my neighbors in a horrific car-train crash.)The worst part was reading the blogs for the news channels. Cruel, clueless, stupid people left comments designed to hurt innocent people. Fortunately the priest reads the blogs as well and the funeral was held in private before the out of town press knew anything about it.

Now for the "Good." Everyone I have spoken to has said the same thing. This man was a gentleman. He would hurt himself before he would ever hurt anyone else. And no one had ever heard one word against the man. I said he was an example of God showing off; good-looking, kind, smart, deeply religious, took care of his mom and differently-abled brother. John can rest in peace. His friends and fellow catholics are praying for him and his family. This is a good town. When we need to we stand together and protect our own. We are not stupid, nor are we naive.

And now the "Tinytown" part. For at least one month I will post a picture each day of this 'Tinytown.' I have called Bremond 'home' for 15 years. There is so much good here. I just don't know if there is enough for a picture a day for a month, let alone four months or a year. But I will try.

So, for one month at least, this blog could be subtitled: BremondDailyPhoto.

(This month's theme day is BIG. What's big in Tinytown? Check in tomorrow to find out.)

Wren

A View of a Bridge

2009-08-15T22:00:00.003-05:00

Nanna and I drove home taking the loooong way; we stopped in Florida to drop off my teen nephews. One stop along the way is this bridge on Rt 19 in WVA. We walked down the steps (over 200!) to the viewing area. This bridge is one that allows base jumpers and bungie jumpers once a year. Beautiful and very far to the bottom.

The boys and Nanna returned to the car while I took my time (as my heart and lungs demanded).

My aunt and uncle in Florida were delighted to meet the nephews; they had never seen them before! I'll be back in June!

Nanna's update

2009-07-24T22:54:00.004-05:00

This is Nanna. If I got to choose "where" I would like to spend my time, this would be the place- the kitchen porch. Ok, deck. I can see the road. I can see the mailman and the papercarrier and anyone who pulls into the driveway. And it's outside; where Mommy does NOT like to be.

My second favorite place is our recliner in the living room. I ran down the steps yesterday when Mommy told me she was leaving, and sat on our chair. She said no, I could either stay in the basement or up in our room. I chose our chair. So Mommy carried me upstairs. :-(

There is a boy dog next door behind a fence. His name is Cha-chi. We bark at each other and run the length of the fence but we haven't touched noses,yet!

Mommy said we will be home in two weeks. I hope that isn't a long time because I miss Sadie and Auntie Cara and Mister Donnie and Mister Bennie and Callie.

woof

One slight movement for a woman...

2009-07-19T22:51:00.001-05:00

This picture surprises me with its clarity. I was on the ground near the Statue of Liberty (we couldn't go inside because all the tickets were long gone.) I guess my brother was right when he said, "stop buying cheap cameras." This is how good the closeups can be. Facinating place, everyone should see the Statue of Liberty. (Now I know of a smaller one I have yet to check out. On the river in Paris.)

Lock answer

2009-07-12T22:51:00.003-05:00

I just got an answer to the question in April about locks on a foot bridge. According to an anonymous poster on my blog, engaged couples lock a lock on the bridge as a way of demonstrating their engagement. Ofter there initials are on the locks. Isn't that lovely?

Billy Eliot!

2009-07-10T12:32:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday we saw BILLY ELIOT, the winner of best new show! This was fantastic! The young man who performed the lead that night is an amazing dancer and actor. One great song- Merry Christmas Mrs. Thatcher! My favorite number has Billy and his friend dressing up in girls' clothing and giving a full-out spectacle of a dance number. Even better than the movie.

Empire inspires

2009-07-06T18:11:00.004-05:00

After Shrek we went to the Empire State Building. This meant taking my brother on his first New York subway ride. He has heard many bad things about the subway; this means he has NOT been listening to me for the last 10 years! I've said it is clean, safe, cheap and efficient. Because it is. So, after figuring out which way to go (it may be the 'nearest thing to heaven' but there are an awful lot of tall buildings in the way- and I can't see through them.) we decended to the depths, bought our tickets and stepped onto one on New York's nicest subway trains. Little brother was impressed.

We arrived at the ESB (Empire State Building) around 10:30 pm. Last elevator up is midnight. We have time. Fortunately I bought tickets online. Oddly, we do not have a long wait because the place is not busy. That's right; after the shows the ESB is not busy. It is not a simple ride to the top. No. Escalator, walk, elevator, cattle drive, elevator, top. Along this path there are places to take tourist photos (Look, I;m standing next to the ESB and I can touch the top. My brother did so in the pic I took of him. I wasn't thinking and just stood there, I think.)

Once we got outside, into the night air with a great view of the city, my brother was the most impressed I've ever seen him. He took LOTS of pictures! He had two cameras with him. It sounds like a 'typical' thing to visit the ESB, but it really is something to experience. The first time I saw it was during a warm drizzly day in 2002. This was so much better.

I love New York!

Shrek

2009-06-23T19:37:00.002-05:00

My brother Karl had never been to New York City. I have gone almost every year since 2000. This year my mother allowed Karl to go in her place. This is the trip: a 6am bus trip with two rest stops and a lunch break at Perkin’s Restaurant; 3pm check-in; show at 7pm; next day show at 8pm; day after leave at 11am for home with two rest stops and dinner with shopping in Lewisburg. Most of our time is unplanned.

After unpacking, we joined a friend of his who had taken the trip the year before and explored Times Square and that area. Then back to the hotel for a change of clothes and off to dinner with Mary (the friend) and her husband. Cool little Asian restaurant called ‘The Blue Chili Bowl.’

And then we saw SHREK! This is my brother’s first Broadway show and I must say we were all impressed! Marvelous set! Great performances! Rousing show!

Day 2 and more

2009-06-22T21:49:00.005-05:00

(This is Wren. Nanna hasn’t written recently because her secretary has not sat down to write ;) She is insisting that I get out an update. )

Nanna: Day 2
We traveled all day! We left Vicksburg MS in the am and ended up north of Chattenooga, Tennessee. That’s over 500 miles. The picture above is me in my bag. Mommy makes me stay in it when she’s driving. I miss her lap but my bag is cozy and has several soft toys in it.
Day 3
We arrived at Grandma’s house! I love Grandma’s house! It has steps and a deck and more steps up to my room (ok, our room). We have a big bed. Our bathroom (ok, Mommy’s bathroom) is in the basement. That means we trot down two flights of stairs in order to …go.
And so on…
So that was Wednesday and Thursday. We stayed at home mostly the other days. (I know I did. She goes somewhere and I have to stay in the basement or up in our room. )
On Monday one of Uncle Karl’s friends came to the house and cut and colored Mommy’s hair. She really liked it a lot. She said she felt beautiful and no longer hates her hair.
Then on Tuesday morning she left me here at 5 am. I stayed with Grandma for the next three days and missed Mommy like crazy. I was so happy she returned on Thursday. I hope she never leaves me again.
One day, I don’t remember which one but it wasn’t this past Sunday, we (me, Mommy and Grandma) drove to the cemetery where Grandpa is buried. I never met him but Mommy says he would have loved me. Of course he would, I thought. Doesn’t everyone?
Uncle Mark and his family came over on Father’s Day and I was sentenced to the basement while they went out to eat. Are lovely little princesses in black coats not welcome in restaurants? Why? I take baths.
Anyway, Mommy is going to write a bit tomorrow about what she’s been up to. Then I’ll know where she went. She finished a book today. Something about a vampire and a girl in Washington state. :>
Woof! (Hi Joey!)

travel- day one

2009-06-09T22:14:00.003-05:00

(This is Wren. We didn't leave until Tuesday because I spent time with friends and didn't get my packing done. Nanna had little to no pain from her shots. She was so antsy this morning before she left- this girl likes to go with me.)

This is Nanna. Trip Day One. Tiny Town Texas to ...

I was so excited this morning! We left on our trip to Pennsylvania! Mommy packed last night while I stretched out on the bed and watched. She packed a whole bag just for me! Once she got everything in the car, she had me get into my bag. I know that bag means I am going on a trip and I have to stay in the bag while Mommy drives.
After almost 400 miles we stopped in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Our hotel is new and they like pets! I met another canine who was not friendly. He barked at me and tried to scare me. His daddy got him away from me. (I think the big guy was a mix with some Pit Bull and something nice, maybe a bloodhound. He didn’t scare me. Much.) Any way, I was on a leash and he wasn’t. I was brave.
Mommy fed me roast beef from Arby’s and chicken from Wendy’s today. I like meat! Tonight I get to sleep in a big bed. Mommy can sleep there, too.
Tomorrow is all travel. Mississippi to Tennessee. I get to sleep a lot.
I miss you Aunt Cara and Mr. Donnie! Tell Sadie I said ‘hello.’

Nanna's Vacation- Preparation

2009-06-05T22:14:00.003-05:00

This is Nanna. Before Mommy will take me on a long car trip she took me on a 'short' trip. We went to the vet! A nice lady cut my nails; not too short, thank you. Then the doctor gave me three shots! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! And I had to swallow some yummy yellow stuff.

Then Mommy stopped at our favorite restaurant- McDonald's! I ate some sausage and biscuit and hash browns. I do not like eggs! Mommy would not give me any pancakes so I slept on the way home and ignored her. She should share more!

Evening update:

My shoulders are starting to hurt. Mommy will have to be very careful for the next few days when she picks me up. Oh yes, Mommy bought more flea control for me and more heart worm preventative. Please do the same for your dog(s) EVERY month!

We pack on Sunday and leave on Monday. Check back then- Mommy might have her camera with her for now on. (She forgot it and her cell phone today. unprepared Mommy.)

Woff!

Ms Nanna's vacation

2009-06-03T22:51:00.003-05:00

Since last summer I have gone on three vacations without my beloved dog Nanna. She has been well cared for by her 'Aunt' Cara and Mr. Donnie. But come Monday Nanna is going with me to Pennsylvania for the summer. In order to keep 'Aunt' Cara aware of Nanna and me I have decided to post 'Ms. Nanna's vacation.'
Currently, Ms. Nanna has nothing to do to prepare for the trip. Check back on Friday for part one.

Pictures speak but what do they mean

2009-05-27T21:30:00.003-05:00

During my trip to Paris I visited a few museums. I created this collage to post on a bulletin board outside my room. Colorful, if nothing else!

x-men, angels and demons

2009-05-23T23:05:00.003-05:00

I saw a couple of movies. Since I have tons of stuff to grade and 5 final exams to write, I thought I would take the day off and see several movies!

Number one- Wolverine. I've never seen an X-men movie and don't know anything about the story. However, Hugh Jackman is a favorite of mine so I decided to give this movie a chance. Enjoyable and a good use of my time. But I'm not sure why these characters are mutants. What did they mutate from or with?

The second- Angels and Demons. I listened to the book a few years ago. I've read THE DAVINCI CODE and enjoyed that movie. I had to check this out. I remember who is behind everything and kept that in mind as I watched. Nicely done and more interesting than the book.

On a different note, my younger brother is most likely going to New York City with me in June!

And one more week of school. Only three days left of the class from hell (that would be 7th period.)

Hope and the Iron Lady

2009-05-17T13:50:00.003-05:00

I realise if I'm going to call this blog "From Texas to Paris" I should post something quite often about one place of the other. So today it is the 'Iron Lady.' This picture is from the ground up and I'm happy to admit I took this.

Looking up to the blue sky is a way of creating hope. Hope for the future. Hope for better things. Hope.

shattered dreams

2009-05-12T21:26:00.007-05:00

May 9th was the prom. On May 5th and 6th our school and city participated in a Shattered Dreams program.
High school students watch as some of their friends are transported to hospitals and one to jail as the result of a drunk driving accident. All the emergency personnel arrive. Cars are cut open. Some students are covered with sheets or blankets- they have 'died.' Memorial pictures are set up in the cafeteria at lunch. The next day the 'victims' read letters to their parents about what their lives would have been if they had not died. Most touching this year was a young man who 'died' and left behind a new born son (for real.) To die 5 days after your son is born, even to imagine it, is heartbreaking.

Several students were remeoved from class by the Grim Reaper. One of the girls would later THAT DAY have an accident. Despite rolling the car, she is ok. Thank God.

And why does everyone participate? Practice for the EMS and others. Driving home a point to the kids. Don't drink and drive.

The picture above is from the reenactment.