Last Saturday I received an email from my son-in-law -- in Dubai.  It said "Merry Christmas."  It was a cc of a confirmation email for the flight schedule sending my daughter and two grandsons home (Houston) for Christmas. 

I had gotten used to the idea that I wouldn't see them u… Read full post »

My great Aunt* Grace died last week.  She was 86 years old.  She'd been telling anybody who asked how tired she had gotten.  Tired, and ready to go.  She seemingly willed herself to die last Thursday morning.  My grandmother (her sister, Bernice) did the same thing when she p… Read full post »

I had such a great day here today.  I thought I'd close out the night with this little tribute to my OS buddies.

I was in the first grade at Walzem Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas.  Mrs. Marsh, my teacher, stood in the hallway connecting our classroom with the next and cried with the other teacher.  Not big gulping heaving shoulders crying, but silent tears crying.  I'm sure, looking back… Read full post »

  My brother Jim and my other brother Jack, went off down to Houston and never come back.     I volunteered for the army on my birthday, they draft the white trash first down here anyway.     Help me, I broke apart my insides.  N… Read full post »

I just came back from watching an hour and forty minute long parade in downtown Houston.  The Veterans Day Parade.  This year was longer than any I've been to, and it was a great parade. 

As the veterans passed by, I got teary-eyed.  I clapped to show my appreciation. … Read full post »

Edgar Johnson.  Born in Panola County, Texas.  Sometime around 1915, maybe earlier.  Perhaps he was born on the wrong side of the tracks, which would explain why 1) my grandmother married him and 2) my grandmother's family hated him. 

Around 1939, Edgar opted to leave the piney wo… Read full post »

The history of Texas includes the stories of many Americans from Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, North & South Carolina, Virginia, New York, Germany, Austria, England, Ireland and many other states and countries.  Not to mention the indigenous peoples and the Mexicans.

Not onc… Read full post »

Since seeing the video of the wedding the other day (the one with the bridesmaids and groomsmen and the groom and the bride all dancing down the aisle to some techno-love song) it makes me think more about how the unexpected makes any event much more memorable.  And because t… Read full post »

As most of you have already read, my oldest daughter and her family (husband, and two sons, Ben (5) and Liam (3)) live in Dubai.  They've been there almost a year (coming home for the summer), and the boys recently started attending schools.  The schools are "American", but the st… Read full post »

Because last year's Alternate Judge (a democrat) for my precinct was not able to work the poll, she asked me to help.  Anxious to do my part for the election of Obama, I gladly accepted.  It was an interesting process which included a lengthy class on election law.  The day… Read full post »

As you can see,

Ric has done it again –

and I must say, mine rocks big time. 

Be sure to notice the moon when the

title changes.  Is that the coolest thing

you’ve ever seen?

Thanks, Ric.  You are

a genius.  No, you’re… Read full post »

Sunday I had a visit from the husband of the woman with leukemia (they were going to stay with me while she recovered from bone marrow transplant surgery, but she took a turn for the worse).  He called but I didn't answer the phone so he drove over anyway.   (Hint, hint, buddy,… Read full post »

I noticed this beautiful web this morning .  .  . precariously woven between the outstretched limbs of two trees in my neighbor's yard.

I'd love to add Joan Osborne's song, Spiderweb, but haven't figured out how to do that.

To give you some perspective:

&n… Read full post »

Ah, memories of my younger days.

In lieu of actually photoshopping the really heavy tiara onto my head, I opted for this photo of me and Will Someone Feed The Cat, as she's crowning me back when I won the Miss Beat Up On The Washington Insider competition.

Here's a slightly larger pic, for your viewing pleasure.… Read full post »

Here's my Halloween jibjab starring my daughters and grandsons.

Indulge me.

Gilbert rode into town after two months on the back of his horse, moving a hundred head up to meet the train in Topeka.  He and the boys drove that herd at a good pace, with little or no trouble.  Living on the trail had suited him just fine, but… Read full post »

I'm sure we all know somebody like Charlie.

And now, a future Parisian woman who KNOWS she's beautiful and will be writing fiction on OS before you know it.

I’ve already talked about my psychotherapist, Rosemary, and how she played a very important part in my rescue from myself when I was drinking and drugging.  All those years ago, she recommended I read Women Who Run With The Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D.  This book be… Read full post »

The other day I posted about how a woman recovering from a bone marrow transplant and her husband were going to come stay with me for an extended period.  I was having cold feet and was being honest about not really being too excited about the prospect.  Many of you commented saying… Read full post »

 Thanks to the intrepid reporter, Bill S., the identity of the Owl has been confirmed as an Eastern Screech Owl. 

http://mooreslore.corante.com/archives/images/e_screech%20owl.jpg

I'll have to do some reading to find out if Houston, Texas, is considered the Eastern Screech Owl's stomping g… Read full post »

I'm visiting Los Angeles (Redondo Beach to be exact) in November.  Arriving Thursday the 12th, departing Monday the 16th.  Are there any OSers interested in getting together for dinner or coffee that weekend?

 Since I'm not familiar with the terrain, any suggestion for a meet-up spot w… Read full post »