Friday

Whew. I think I made it through the week. Tonight we will have pizza and hopefully I will set on my porch and watch my hummingbirds fight over the feeders.

Hope all you had a good week and we can just wonder about Kelly and The African Wards. A student who is in Washington State told me what beautiful weather they are having so I will assume that Jeff is enjoying good weather because everyone in the Northwest has the exact same weather, right :-).

Happy Weekend!

Ted Kennedy and the graves

In the Houston Chronicle's obituary/ front page story on Ted Kennedy's death, the reporter ask him (a few weeks ago) what he planned to do on Thanksgiving. Kennedy knew he was dying and said he wanted to go sit on his brothers' graves alone. I learned today he will be buried nearby.

That stunned me because I have done that. I have sat in the dark in Arlington Cemetery on both JFK's grave and Robert Kennedy's grave nearby.

A month after Robert Kennedy was assassinated, I went to visit Hunter Horgan at seminary. It was hot, we were wearing cut off's and t-shirts and watching some dull movie and drinking beer. I asked him what we could do for fun and he said, 'Let's go to Arlington and see Kennedy's grave."

So we did.

I never thought we would get in but it was wide open.

I never thought we would get t the grave site but we marched right up the hill and no one challenged us.

The beer buzz was wearing off and I asked Hunter if he thought we were being watched. He said , "Surely." So we wanted whomever was watching us to know we were not trying to sneak up or vandalize the grave.....

So being on Robert. E. Lee's former property, we started 'whistling Dixie' literally and as loud as we could.

We marched up the hill. No challenge. We sat down on the wall. The Eternal Flame was going and Robert Kennedy's grave -- which then seemed so close by JFK's was still a mound of fresh dirt... and a temporary marker. Later I learned it was basically a permanent one-- a simple cross..

Of course we were overwhelmed at that moment at where we were and that we were alone and that all of Washington, D.C. stretched before us all the way up to the Capitol Dome.

I commented to Hunter, and many times later, that I bet even the Kennedy family -- who all traveled together and with body guards and such, had never been here alone and in the still darkness... silent with the hiss of the gas flame on John Kennedy's grave-- one already settled in the dirt-- and the fresh smell of earth from Robert Kennedy's grave... and all alone to meditate or just sit.

Of course Hunter and I now were completely sober and in awe at where we were. I think we sat in silence for over two hours and did not talk..

When we slowly walked down the hill, we did not whistle Dixie or anything else.

Antique Cars

Schools starts for me Monday with threats of budget cuts, Swine Flu and overcrowded (or maybe under crowded) classes) so we start a typical new year. At least there are no hurricanes BUT we had a rumor there were earthquakes here last week.






But Saturday in Colorado in the early fall is glorious.. and one glorious thing is the sunsets along with things like the antique Car Classic.




Brother Phil

Have fun in Swaziland and I am swamped

Hi all,

You may have figured out by now that I am swamped this week. I got 46 new students on Monday and still have 150 others that seem to remain clueless about how to get registered. But it's all fun. I'll be back soon :-).

Music and travel.

Music and travel- Off to Swaziland tomorrow. Hopefully we will fly over any Atlantic Hurricanes and that they will stay away from the Gulf for a few weeks or more. We went to the Birdman for our Monday night music and heard a guy from Baton Rouge, originally from Lafayette, who played original songs for about an two hours. His name is Steve Judice and has had some play-time of Radio Free Texas in the past few weeks. We thought he was quite good-check him out if you can www.radiofreetexas.org

CD review

I am listening to the CD of Bill Frisell's New Album DisFarmer

It is the nicest new discovery I have made in music... well aside from the Big Damn Family album.

from Bill Frisell's album jacket..


Oh we had a 8 degree --- make that 28 degree--morning last week and the farmer's market is full of finished produce... beans and peas and such., I am making a nice veggie something.

The rifle woman

One of my most vivid memories was eating breakfast in Mother Berniece's kitchen when I was going to OSU. She was doing dishes at the sink looking out of the window. All of a sudden she ran toward the fireplace, grabbed the lever action 22 rifle from the mantle and ran out of the back door. As I followed her out through the gargage to the area near the clothsline, I heard a shot coming from where she stood. Then I saw two men in the pasture below with guns. She said, "Get off my land." They said, "We shot a bird and are just retrieving it." She shot again above their heads and said, "I said get off my land." They turned and left with out the bird. Daddy Harry, as usual, threw bird seed out again under the blackjack tree in the back that evening.

Summer time at the Glovers

Climbing on the rocks out back - they were ships, the grass in between the ocean and sometimes we were pirates. We would spend hours, it seemed, sailing our Oklahoma ocean. And some of the rocks were sand stone so we would rub them together and make things and toss them away when we moved on to the next thing. Later I realized there were probably lots of snakes, but they seemed to stay out of our way out there.

Fishing by the pond - I only remember catching some one time and we left them in a bucket in the garage to "clean" in the morning. In the morning they were gone and Daddy Harry said that some critter must have gotten them - raccoon or something. I don't know if that's what happened or if he went down and let them go after I went to bed. They were probably really small and too little to eat.

I used to play tag with Jim when I was off by myself. I would follow him for awhile and then walk up and tap him on his rear. Then I would turn around and walk the other way until he caught up with me and pushed me on my back with his nose. He seemed to know the game because then he would turn around and walk the other way. We could play this for a pretty long time :-).

And the cool basement. The walls were so good to lean on when it was really hot.

And the hammock, and how much fun it was to try to sneak up on someone and dump them out - unless they caught you and slugged you.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Well, I am listening to The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, The Whole FAM DAMN ILY. With songs such as DT's or the Devil, Your Cousin's on Cops, and Wal-Mart Killed the Country Store. Thanks Phil. Do you know these people? Just curious. True blues and the harmonica is really good. I do not have on the T-shirt because I'm at work and they frown on that, but this weekend I will give it a spin.

I will try to get back on pretty soon and think out loud about Mother B and Daddy H in the summer. And why we never got bit by snakes. It's a mystery!

spend ,spend,spend

From the family wisdom as I remember it:

Daddy Harry- save 10% of everything you earn and have at least six months of you monthly salary in the bank.

Upton- spend and enjoy and help take care of those less fortunate.

Richard and Cynthia-take care of your family; give them what they need.

At least that is my recollection.

I say put money in the economy, travel to see us.

The thing about blogs - and especially family blogs

Funny thing. As I was thinking about the news this morning and that I might throw out some thoughts, my some times active censor said, oh, but that might make someone uncomfortable. So then I had to think is the blog about having nice, safe conversations that we might have around a thanksgiving table and does not go much below the surface of how hot it is - already covered that, how Phil and I remember different things - covered some of that. Well, some of the best conversations I have around the thanksgiving table are the ones where I am trying to convince someone or they are trying to convince me - not the ones about how moist the turkey is and what's in that green bean casserole.

So, the news people keep telling us in order for us to get out of this recession and be prosperous again, we need to be spending more. But I already spend too much - I have debt, I buy pretty much what I want, I don't have room for more stuff. And when we go into town for "entertainment" we often go to a bookstore (who doesn't like bookstores?), or the computer gadget store (gadgets are so much fun), or other things like that. But when I think about what I wish I had more time to do I don't say, "gee, I wish I had more time so that I could go shopping and buy stuff," I wish I had more time to work on my house, play in the yard, build a garden, sit and talk to Jack or one of you. Now don't get me wrong, I like books and gadgets and things - just look at my house and office. And there are a few more I hope I can get. But I really do think we, as world people, not just as Americans, would actually be better off if we spent less. If we had houses that reflect the size we need rather than the size that is expected. If our cars were just for transportation and not a reflection of where we are in the social food chain - whatever that means (oh, dear, another rant I can save for later). We could do that and still live happy lives. But what would happen to the economy? Oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice e-co-no-my.

So convince me.

Ho, ho. A lurker.

Yes, yes. I see that a LeRay has checked us out. Is probably saying, "these old foggies. Don't they have anything better to do? :-). Well, yes. Sometimes.

Welcome.

Temperature

We are expecting another 101 degree day. We were having temps like this in June and July and have only rarely gone below 100 during the day. It takes its toll - ask Diana and Erin. My tomato plants look so healthy and I water them everyday, but they have pretty much told me it is too hot to give me any presents.

Yet in my mind I am trying to adjust to the fact that this may be how it is every summer and be cheerful about it. There is no doubt that I have gotten more used to the temp and do more things outside than I did two months ago, but I will be happy when the temperatures go down again. We have gone back to having dinner on the porch, but with as few clothes on as we can decently get by with. I worked on my stepping stone Saturday morning for about 1 1/2 hours and was really glad to get inside for awhile. A friend and I did some cactus shopping on Saturday and I had to watch to make sure she came back out of the greenhouse because it was probably about 120 degrees in there.

What is it like where you all are (am I punishing myself by asking)? I know I could look on the weather map, but that doesn't tell me what you do outside and how it feels. Sailing? Ahhh. Just the thought of it cools me down and makes me happy.

KINDL-ing curiousity

Steph--

You have the most experience with a Kindle. Should we get on that techno train? Tell us your experiences..

The Manitau Springs Fun House Arcade (red and white)

I went to Manitau Springs for a day... and the Garden of the Gods... wow what a mind warp. The old arcade is still there and it brought back a flood of memories I had forgotten.

There was a mud spa next door that Cyntha and someone... Shirley, Rhoda, a friend??? went to as we played next door in the Arcade.

They still have the old arcade games... and I remembered playing at least three.
Thre was a gun one, a ball game with circles that you had to bounce into (the name now escapes me but it is like fooseball in sound..with an s in it ..not the game).. there were machines with lightsyou squeezes to find your 'love zone' wherre an old light bulb lite up... random I am sure Peep shows. Old pin ball games. There was a monkey( who can't remember a very scary monkey) that played the cymbals and his eyes rolled and teeth bared.. when you turned a wheel.. Bumper cars, and very small carousals, and more i am sure. Five different old rooms r shops and the smells were just as memorable as the sights and sounds..

and the salt water taffy... I saw the brand logo and knew it was salt water taffy before I asked..

I did not carry a camera but should have.. it was a match day doing this and that quickly..

Next time...

Oh we are having forest fire smoke again in August. I will post one spectacular sunset photo from last night soon./

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6N_hVPRt-o

Oct. 16 - I have it on my calendar already. Can't wait.

Tonight I pour my first step for my room. I got it ready last night and just have to go get the concrete and dye tonight. It's a pain getting older (literally) because I have to be so careful of my back. Steady as she goes.

So my new phone will let me record my own ringtones and I am going to set one up for each of you. Kdog, I though "In the jungle" might be good for you since you keep going back and forth to Africa - although "He ain't nuthin but a hound dog" might be better. Phil the Elder - Red River Valley or a Dylan song? Diana, Skye Boat song or something more current? Let me know. I have several ideas for Trevor and Jack. Don't make it too hard because I plan to sing them in - not download them.

I am leaving for Swaziland on August 18 and returning on September 8-9. In addition to staying at Toby and Tanya's house in Swaziland we are also planing to go by car to Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwi. Depending on conditions we will either drive through South Africa and either Botswana of Zimbabwi. Toby says that it should be both beautiful and interesting. My last trip to Africa was very nice.

Gonna call Diana and see what's up

I think we need to see where Diana is. I know she is busy getting ready for school, but we need to get her on the blog.

By the way Kdog. When do you go to South Africa?

I have a new phone and stuff

Jack has really, really been wanting to upgrade our phones so he investigated the google phone yesterday and presto, we have new phones. Now, I have to admit that Trevor got a google phone recently so we had already heard good reviews about it. I told Jack I probably did not need a phone - I would just keep my old phone, but then I saw some pictures that someone took with their phone and changed my mind.

I am still in the learning curve part of having a new phone and today will be too busy to do much with it, but soon.

For those of you who have been to my house in the past year or so and know that I am remodeling my back room (for ever and ever), I have designed two steps to make the deep step down into the room safer (and prettier). I'm really happy with the design and have almost all the glass cut. I will pour the first one this weekend and when it is dry, I'll take a picture with my new phone and show it to you. I call it lotus petals falling.

A friend of mine was talking about the difference between manager scheduling and maker scheduling. Basically, managers schedule in hour increments (because they can) and makers like to schedule in at least half day increments, because they need to stay with an activity longer for it to happen. I realize that part of my life is conducted in manager timing and the rest should be maker timing. Now I just need to mesh them together in a constructive way.

Just musing :-).

A grammy in contrast to the old version

That version of the Trading Wards Jingle would win a Grammy compared to the tragically unmelodic version in the 50's on KSPI-AM at noon. Great photo.

Trading Wards

At least this is the way I remember it...

Trading Ward song

Howdy all,

I am so far behind I did not know Toby had a second kid.

The name Aunt Kathryn gave me awhile back. I like white russians but I rarely drink, although I do have this rug that ties my room together very well.

On remembrances, the one person I do not have any memories of is Cynthia (spelling?). Maybe I'll post what I remember of my great-grandparents later.

Welcome Dude. Good to hear from you. Your father and I looked like dude ranch dudes as we rode our horses in Gunneson recently. A great visit. I reminded Toby of the Blog; just talked to him on Skye and will be going to see him in Swaziland in a few weeks. They have updated their website www.tatesworld.com and have pictures of their trip to Capetown and other stuff. his email is tobias@tatesworld.com . Grad-cordinator on-the-run-send him an invitation.

Welcome to The Dude

Howdy Dude. Do you drink White Russians? Now if we can get a couple others of your generation watching (and maybe posting or commenting) it will be even more fun.

Mesa Verde

One of the really good summer reads is a book called House of Rain, about the Mesa Verde area and all but it is mire ta that... It is a good travelogue and a good view of how young (25-40) people ehre take risks.. This guy slides down valleys in the snow like 200-300 fet without skies and gets into roaring flood rivers on the flash flood desert... etc.

Here are some more photos from Mesa Verde... oh that is the incarnation of Kelly and I at the cliff's edge..




































Yeap I climbed it...

the rest are at
www.photofive.com

Cotton Bowl

I do remember riding with Upton and Richard going to the Cotton Bowl in 1958-- Jan. 1. 1959 to be accurate... and listening to this new guy named Castro lead a revolution to take over Cuba.. Upton kind of liked him... Upton also like Huey Long...Air Force played Texas Tech I think to a tie.
Nope-- I looked it up. From the Dallas Morning News--It was TCU, you Texas sports fans..
The 23d Cotton Bowl classic will be remembered as the Battle of the Fruitless Field Goals and Fumbles.

Mimi seemed non political as far as I could tell. I think her love was always sports/ golf at least and fashion .. and Mimi made a mean Apple pie too. She made her crusts from scratch and I used to love watching her roll them ... She was proud of that.

I think that is why I liked coffee so much..... I smelled it first at her house... then later at Mother Bernice's .
(I tried again to post this as a comment and it would not work.... ahhhh the cookie machine was left on. )

-Riding to football games on thanksgiving at the high school with Upton and Richard, the smell of cigars, coffee in the old Stanley thermos, and a smell I would later appreciate as the smell of good Bourbon.

-walking down to the barn fence to dump the "compost" for Jim and the chickens.

-visting with Upton in his hospital room when he was being treated for bone cancer. You just thought his stories were interesting normally; you should have heard his painkiller induced stories. I was like time travel.