The Canyon! It IS GRAND!

Our trip continued from the Bay City area heading back East again via the Grand Canyon.  Grand Canyon South Rim is a long way from anywhere, but the drive is well worth the trek. Upon arrival at the park, we were ready to purchase our admission (posted as $30. per person per day) and mentioned that we thought there was a special deal for seniors!  Jackpot! I paid a $10. fee one time and received a pass valid for the remainder of my life for all occupants of my car.  My driver's license must be shown along with the pass and voila, my whole carload of people will be admitted to any national park.  Now that's a deal! (ok, we later discovered it does have some limitations.).

Mather Point near the Visitor's center

Once we had visited our hotel and asked when we might be able to check in, we had some lunch and took off to find the main attraction.  Through the gate, after attaining my lifetime pass and on to the visitor's center, we watched an informative movie and set off on the concrete path for the Mather Point Observation Point!

A long shot from the Desert View Watchtower

 A text from son that we must see the Desert View Watchtower and we set off to find it.  We returned to the town to check in to our room and asked about it.  The desk clerk gave us some less than clear directions, so we asked again as we went through the gate using our trusty pass. The  park ranger gave us a map and advised that it would show how to get there.

A view along the Desert View Drive

 We drove the distance to the Watchtower and it was time well spend.  As we drove along, glances to the left revealed seconds of glorious views as we followed the road along the south rim in search of the unknown attraction.

From the parking lot of the Watchtower

We were enthralled by the views from the Desert View Watchtower.  Thinking it might be a tower built by natives to protect themselves. It was surprising to find that it had been built using native stones and methods by a group of artists to better take advantage of the can views.  I  purchased a book detailing its vision, planning and construction (circa 1933) and am anxious to spend an afternoon reading it.

My last photo from the Canyon

Watching our time, we left the Watchtower and pulled over at several stops we had noticed on the way to the end of the drive.  Holding tickets to see the IMAX theater tour of the canyon, we wanted to be back in time to see the last showing by 8:30, but hoping to make it for the 6:30 event.  The views on every stop were breathtaking.  We agreed that the pullover with close by views would be our last stop.  It was hard to leave and we each took a dozen or so photos.  There were no railings for fences to keep us from going close to the edge for those spectacular views.  Ol' Abner ventured closer to the edge than I would, but I snapped the photo above just before I turned around and started back up the hill toward the car. 

That was the moment that I stepped on a gravel covered rock and the gravel made it's exit, taking my ripping, tearing tissue in my foot with it!  I knew the feeling of velcro being ripped apart was not a good omen.  I quickly advised everyone to NOT touch me as I glanced behind at the view you can see.  I was able to pull myself up and Ol' Abner supported me as I hobbled back to the car.  We went on to the IMAX theater in time to see the 7:30 showing of a fantastic film (from center theater with my bum foot propped up over the seat in from of me).  All absolute "must do" plans for the canyon had been completed.  

And the Green Grass Grows

Today in the big city near the coast, we worry not about yard and lawn work, opting instead to rent a living space with all that maintenance provided.  In the summer heat, I'm sure we will be grateful for those workers mowing and trimming and planting pretties.  Today I mourn the lost chance to be making things bloom myself.  I'm thinking of starting a little herb garden out on the tiny patio.  When the urge to cook hits, those will come in handy.  I may have to find some citrus mulch though to discourage critters from taking advantage of soft rich soil.  That will probably be the extent of possible horticulture events for me.

This morning, our neighbor texted two photos from the back side of the playhouse.  The grass has come in beautifully and created a verdant carpet behind the rocks. Oh yes, we do have green grass growing...I'm counting on my friends to watch it!

No daisies

It seemed like a strange time for Easter to come along.  After all, it was still March! I casually mentioned to daughter in law a week or so ago that we should think about an Easter brunch.  Actually I was thinking one of the yummy presentations offered by the great eateries in the area would be a nice way to spend a cool spring morning.  I hadn't yet gathered any spring flowers or for that matter, no friendship with a florist has been struck in our new surroundings.  Yep, this circumstance is making me miss my friend, Flower Girl.  It seemed like turning the celebration over to strangers for hire might be a good option.

Maybe I didn't make myself clear.  Shortly thereafter, DIL posted and tagged me on a social network with a recipe recommendation for a brunch casserole.  Sounded easy enough.  The foundation was set.  I was serving Easter Brunch!  I didn't quite get into it until Saturday afternoon, when it occurred to me that we were out of eggs!  With a promise to cook soon, I lured Ol' Abner to the grocery store.  I texted DIL that she should spread the word that brunch would be served around 10:30 or 11ish.  She would have preferred a little earlier, but my little oven only cooks so fast (not to mention, I don't often get moving early).

Not a single flower adorned my brunch table, but the simple food was good.  DIL arrived in time to stir up a big batch of tiny biscuits to complement the casserole, avocado-tomato mix and fruit salad.  Did I mention the mimosas with which we primed the appetite?  Surely no one else noticed the lack of floral offerings.


It's a nice Monday morning after the quiet celebration, and with no wilting flowers to  salvage, leftovers are the joy of the day. Oh wait, now I remember why I like to have holiday celebrations at home.  It's the leftovers! Yes, that's how we stretch the celebration over several days. Now what on earth will I do with the Blueberry-Banana dessert, Lemon Icebox pie, and White Chocolate Cheesecake.  This crowd does love desserts, but why wouldn't they take some home!   We will just have to persevere...


Brother In Law cannot go home to West Texas until this dessert is finished!

New Year...New Hopes!

I'm really glad we're finished with 2012!  You could say it was a wonderful year, and perhaps that's how it should be remembered.  My brutally honest self, however must be reminded that the fun and thrills were not as evident as this final outcome for the year would indicate.  Yes! We are Texas residents again.  No place has ever quite felt like home except Texas, anywhere in Texas, and yes we have lived in most parts of Texas.

That said, I will put a few traumas to rest here and now.  The long drawn out move took it's toll on Ol' Abner's health and my attitude.  While we are ever so glad to drive 45 minutes on a freeway to the farthest medical appointment, the good relationship with doctors and dentists hasn't yet gelled for him.

The house we found with  a "view of Lake Travis" is actually a view of the bed of the Colorado Riverbed.  Three years of drought accompanied by forced release of water to the rice-growers downstream has made our beautiful lake a thin stream of water connecting tiny pools getting shallower daily.

The house, oh yes the house, it's small...actually downright tiny.  During the move we passed along rooms full of furniture and "stuff" to friends, family and charitable organizations.  It felt good to purge, but on arrival, the scary realization that we should have purged so much more.  I like the house with it's big windows and feel of openness.  If I could only open it out by a few hundred extra feet and I do miss my high ceilings.  Nine foot ceilings seem so low after twelve, fourteen, and even a sixteen foot ceiling.  We really didn't think we needed those huge closets...Yep we did!

The extra lot in the back of the property to perfectly accommodate the manly garage/playhouse has been cleared of the scroungy cedar trees and that's about all there is to tell about that.  There is a building boom in central Texas, and our little job entices few takers.  Son brought out his bulldozer and backhoe to make the site ready for building just after we moved in.  I envisioned wonderful storage for all the containers stacked in the garage, a bathroom to keep dirty hands from keeping my back door in constant need of a scrubbing, and better yet the beginning of beautiful landscaping for the back of the property.

It's been wonderful seeing old friends now living within an easy drive to visit.  New friends have begun to evolve from acquaintances in our new surroundings.  With any move, though, we must accept the longing to visit with close friends we left behind.  I hope for a trip to the Ozarks soon!

Perceptions

Moving to a new area brings exciting new places to explore, shop and visit.  New friends open our eyes and hearts as we choose to know them better.  Yesterday one of our neighbors hosted an intimate little afternoon gathering for just this purpose.  It was our first chance to talk at length with either of them.  A brief introduction followed by an occasional wave as we walked our dogs along the streets was the extent of previous encounters.  The previous occupants of our home were there.  They too,  are dealing with the challenges of down-sizing a household.  This home that seems so tiny to us was the "big one" from which they moved.  She laments the "large closets" that seem so cramped to me.  Many of the things we love about this house are the very same things they miss.  He mentioned the view from the breakfast area windows with heavy nostalgia.  They miss watching the deer frolic in the yard early in the morning.  It's early this morning and still dark outside.  I wonder if the view of the twinkling lights across the hills stirred their spirit in the night.   We discussed our plans to finish the big-boy-playhouse and addition of a pool beside it.  Landscaping challenges unique to the hill country were compared and we indulged in our host's beautiful back yard.  Sitting beside the pool on the patio overlooking the outdoor fireplace with treetops just over the fence, it was hard to imagine any neighbors nearby.  That is, until the siren from the fire station erupted just over a block away.  No view of the emergency vehicles interrupted the serenity, but the sound had broken the spell.

Lively Colors

At times I'm caught up in the daily details of life and overlook some of it's glory.  After months of political bombardment by the media, personal discussions and general unrest in the nation; the election finally was completed and we can get back to day to day life with one uncertainty resolved.  Now the media has a new story to chase and I find myself sickened by the news I hear everywhere.  It sort of makes me want to disconnect all news and find a quiet cave somewhere.

Health issues suffered by the men in my life are a constant concern.  Driving Papa to the Ozarks to spend the next couple of months with Brother and Sis-In-Law was a reminder of his fragile health and fading mental state.  A stop to overnight with a cousin demonstrated to this leg of the family that he is effectively gone from them.  Descendents from his only sister remembered the "Unk" who was always their hero.  Some old photos were passed around and his eyes were interested but failed to recognize any of the occupants posed. One photo included a proud soldier in uniform with a pretty young woman, Papa with his first wife, soon after their marriage.  He did not recognize either or remember seeing the picture.

View from screened porch

Ol' Abner did not accompany us to the Ozarks.  He traveled as far as the Arkansas Capitol City to finish his dental work.  On that visit, he arranged to transfer all his medical care to Texas.  Access to oxygen delivery is critical to his well being.  An appointment was scheduled in our new area to begin that process, and it conflicted with the planned trip to Dogpatch.

Arrival on the mountain where we lived for several years, was a joy to  my eyes.  As we crossed the Arkansas River before beginning the ascent into the mountains, I advised Papa to look closely at the foliage.  In the past, when it was in full glory there, the leaves in Dogpatch were pretty much gone.   I was thrilled to see the fall colors in full bloom throughout our journey.

A peace   enveloped my spirit when I ventured onto the screened porch of our former home on the mountain.  Something about  sitting in the treetops looking at a sunrise brings joy to my spirit. On the solitary drive home my reverie was one of gratitude for so many of the day to day blessings I enjoy.  Sadness at changes that are  predictable will not be indulged.  I will take joy in the unexpected flashes of glorious color   expected  to be long gone!      

Front yard foliage in our "former" home