Me With Nothing to Say!!!!

It seems I have nothing to say today.  I am still sick -- have been this way for a week.  Not happy and I can't taste anything.  So, I thought I would share a couple of photos I took a few days ago.  Probably shouldn't have been outside in the cedar pollen to take them but here they are.

A gorgeous Texas sunset --

It was really pink and orange -- you can't really see the intensity here but it was beautiful.

What it Means to be Texan

I am a Texan.  I have lived here my entire life.  People are correct when they say it is like a different world.  Texas has it's own culture, sort of it's own language, it's own style.  Texas has lots of things. I have always been proud to be Texan, felt I lived a different life than most Americans (I didn't but that is how it felt), I love it, would never leave it except under duress but I have to say that sometimes it is hard to be a Texan. Why? Read on.

From the Texas State Handbook online we learn this:

TEXAS, ORIGIN OF NAME. The word texas (tejas, tayshas, texias, thecas?, techan, teysas, techas?) had wide usage among the Indians of East Texas even before the coming of the Spanish, whose various transcriptions and interpretations gave rise to many theories about the meaning. The usual meaning was "friends," although the Hasinais applied the word to many groups-including Caddoan-to mean "allies."

This is true, we are a friendly bunch.  We wave a lot, bless peoples hearts a lot, if you go out to the country the farmers still wave at you as you drive down the highway and in the little towns, people still stop, pull over and take off their hats for a funeral procession.  Sometimes, though, it is just hard to feel that "perky" all the time!


We have a style from Texas Tacky decor to big hair  to giant homecoming mums (I really don't get that one).

these are very commonly found on houses or patios

Any small town gift shop or antique store will have these

Big Texas Hair -- my daughter does it SO well

Big Texas Mum

(All of these photos were taken from a google search.  I hope I haven't made anybody mad.) It is hard to be a Texas gal when you can't get your hair big! Bad hair and humidity make it almost impossible for me to achieve this iconic look.  My daughter, however, has it nailed but then she has enough hair for three or four people

And, we have a language all our own -- such as -- 'Aw, the poor little thing tumped over his bowl of grits -- bless his little heart.  Y'all we'll  just give him a coca-cola to cheer him up'. Yep, that is pure Tex-ese and while it sounds like it should come out of somebody from the country it is "big city" too.  I never lived in the country, I hailed from the big city and this is how I talk.  I just love the word "tump".  The hard part about it?  Well, if we are talking in our own circles it is fine -- we don't even notice but let somebody from, say, Pennsylvania listen to us and they laugh at us.  Yes, laugh.  I had a cousin ask me who taught me to talk because I didn't pronounce "ambulance" the "right"" way. Hmmmmp.


So, living here is like a down home, friendly, country all around sort or existence-- there is so much to love. But there are some negatives as well.

We have lots of poisonous snakes -- like rattlesnakes.

 We have coons, possum, fox, coyotes, alligators, rabbits -- ok,  the rabbits are ok --  and mockingbirds -- the state bird -- they make lots of noise.

We have really weird weather -- floods, twisters, well, that is mostly it except for the fact that it is spring right now in January.  But, that is ok, it IS Texas -- like that explains/excuses everything.

Flooding at Ft. Hood

This one was right here in Ft. Worth

So, with all this good, bad, and terrifying stuff about Texas there is one thing that is just the most miserable, deplorable thing EVER!

It is Mountain Cedar coming out of the Hill Country and blowing up here to make us all miserable.

pollen blowing off a cedar tree in the Texas Hill country

A pollen explosion outside of Austin, TX

this visual just terrifies me

innocent looking isn't it? ha! don't be fooled

So, if there was anything I would change about Texas this would be it.  I wouldn't do away with our corny, countrified ways or our unique style but I would obliterate these dang nasty bushes from the entire planet.

I was always sick as a child with "colds" -- stopped up ears to the point of complete deafness, general malaise, just miserable like I have been since last Thursday.  We had one of these monster trees right outside my bedroom window.  We slept with the windows open.  I am suprised I am not dead.

So, if  you are thinking about coming to visit Texas there is a lot to consider.  If you want to go to the coast to see the Gulf of Mexico and the beaches, or maybe out west to the Davis Mountains and Marfa to see the Marfa lights go right ahead.  Or maybe up here to Dallas to see  the giant metropolis that is Dallas with all it has to offer -- a veritable "little New York" or San Antonio with it's rich German history and it's warm Mexican heritage -- not to mention the wonderful, warm Mexican food!  Go ahead, plan away -- you can find almost anything here but whatever you do --

Don't come between December and March -- the cedar will get you and not let you go -- it will forever ruin what could be a beautiful memory.  So...just sayin -- October and November are real nice.

Teaser Tuesday

It is Teaser Tuesday time again.  The point is to take a couple of lines from a random page in your current read -- as a teaser-- no spoilers please!

I am really not reading anything right now because I am too busy dealing with allergies which means I am sneezing and blowing my nose.  Not good for reading.  But, these lines are from a book that I have in my queue which may be my next read as soon as I can adequately see again.

"Fireflies blinked, illuminating the stepping-stones to Los Land Lake.  "You see that, Lolly?" my mom laughed in the twilight.  "Mother Nature is giving us a preview to the fireworks."

This is from page 3 of "The Charm Bracelet" by Viola Shipman.

Sorry this is such a short post but I feel really awful and just need to lay down.  More tomorrow.

Our World Tuesday

Our World Tuesday is a meme to give a snapshot of our daily life. I don't know if I should be participating because that is sort of the normal theme of my blog but I will give it a go.

Our World, January 16, 2016

The weather has been very strange this winter on the whole but yesterday we had some dangerously severe thunderstorms.  It wasn't cold and it felt more like spring.  Today was beautiful and the pollen count was very low which was wonderful but I am already sick with "cedar fever" which is what we call how you feel when you get attacked by the cedar/juniper pollen that thrives in Texas.

The weather was so nice today that my husband decided to change the oil in the car. Of course, once a tinkerer, always a tinkerer so he pulled some wires, put them back and voila! the car wouldn't start.

We now have a new car battery.  We noticed that it was slow to start on one of our colder days.  Glad he got that done before we got stuck someplace. 

And me?  I have sneezed all day.  All. Day.  A low fever -- very low.  Aching face/teeth. Scratchy sore throat and ..... sneezing.

That is what is going on in our little world today, 16 January 2016.

The New Year

We are well into the new year now.  Resolutions have been made and broken.  Diets have begun and failed.  To Do lists have been made and ripped to shreds.  I think the better thing to do is reflect -- on the LAST year.

Last year for me seemed to be a rather hectic thing.  I had lots of things I wanted to do, got very few of them done, was truly unorganized which showed at the holidays and I just generally think I failed at 2016.  That realization has given me pause for reflection.

Reading my cousin's recent blog entry (mlhalldotcom.blogspot.com) made me think about how I would like 2017 to go.  A little better than 2016 I would say.  He talks about not getting caught up in extraneous events and happenings but being more in the moment with things that are more personal.  I like what he says and I agree with his approach.

In the past year I have tried to live my life between doctor's appointments.  Stupid, I know.  It is like, ok, I just had a positive doctor visit so let's see how much living I can get done in the next four months before the NEXT visit.  Of course, the month before the NEXT visit is always fraught with anxiety so that is a waste of precious "ok" time.  I seem to judge time as "ok for now" time until the next time.  Really annoying so I am trying to get past that.  That sort of thinking is SO counterproductive and I waste so much time determining if I am ok or not ok so I can plan how to live and what to prioritize.  Really not good.

This was the year of our latest election and what an election it was.  It was the most mean spirited, back-biting, lying, accusing, disgusting time I have ever seen.  I guess elections can do that to people.  The problem is, people are still doing it! It is like everybody is still in campaign mode!  People, it is over.  Let it go (breaks into song here).  Eight years ago I didn't vote for Obama, I voted for Romney.  I didn't like either of them, I determined my vote based on who made me the least nervous.  Romney didn't win but I didn't go out acting the fool and being obnoxious to people with name calling and be being assinine.  This election I voted for Donald Trump.  Again, I voted for who made the least nervous.  I actually think I voted for Mike Pence.  The point is we all do the best we can under the circumstances, make the best decisions we can based on our concerns and go with it.  In eight years it will be over and we can judge then whether it was good, bad, or ugly.  The one thing I have learned through all this is that you don't really know people until you tangle with them politically.  I have had people that I thought were friends be so degrading and hateful that I no longer communicate with them.  That is sad.  So, the lesson I learned is.......don't talk about politics.  Make your choice, change  your mind, talk to yourself but whatever you do, don't talk to anybody else! Or, maybe you should -- good way to see people as they truly are.

I have also come to understand how I want to spend my time.  I have always been involved in several hobbies -- mostly needlework of some sort.  I used to enjoy it.  I don't really anymore.  I tried to keep doing it anyway because I thought I "should".  Yep -- not gonna do that anymore.  I have decided I don't like any hobbies that make a mess or cause me physical pain.  So, I will be coloring.  A lot.  And reading.  And maybe drawing -- something I have become quite interested in the last few months.  I have also considered taking up painting -- not sure if that is doable but  you know, I can dream.

So, my take on 2017 is going to be like mlhall's -- the year of me.  That sounds selfish but it isn't . I am going to take this year to learn more about "me", to sort out what is really "me", to explore some sides of "me" that have been left unexplored.  Maybe I will try my hand at writing again -- or get deeper into my family history (don't understand DNA at all, BTW).   For certain I am going to be a more regular blogger even though nobody reads it or at least nobody comments. 

So, here's to the year of "me" -- discovering who I am and what I am supposed to be doing at this point in my journey.  Hopefully 2017 will be a kinder, gentler year.

Angels in my Hair by Lorna Byrne

A while back I caught Lorna Byrne on a television program and decided to check out her book "Angels in my Hair".  Lorna Byrne is a modern day Irish mystic who claims she can see and talk to angels...not just her angels but everybody's angels.

I believe in angels because they are spoken of in the Bible.  I believe in Jesus and accept him as my Lord and saviour and I believe in God as the creator of everything.  Because of my beliefs I had no problem believing in the angels that Byrne speaks of.  I am not sure of her ability to have such a relationship with angels, however.  It is very interesting, though, to read her accounts of knowing angels since she was a baby.  Her descriptions are beautiful.  She seems to be a very gentle person and not the sort to deceive.

The one thing that I noticed, though, is that as I read I found myself wanting to know my angel's name and to feel my angel's touch.  Yes, I believe we all have a guardian angel and if Byrne is correct, we have angels all around us all the time.  I found myself curious and desiring the same sort of relationship she claims to have.  It was all very beautiful.  I also have found myself thinking I would like to speak to Byrne myself.

Do I recommend this book?  Yes.  If you are a spiritual person it will only strengthen your faith. If you aren't, it might change something.  If nothing else it opens up a whole new conversation.

Unconscious Mutterings

Unconscious Mutterings

 

 

Free association is described as a "psychonanalytic procedure in which a person is encouraged to give free rein to his or her thoughts and feelings, verbalizing whatever comes into the mind without monitoring its content." Over time, this technique is supposed to help bring forth repressed thoughts and feelings that the person can then work through to gain a better sense of self.
That's an admirable goal, but for the purposes of this excercise, we're just hoping to have a little fun with the technique. Each week I'll post ten words to which you can respond to with the first thing that comes to mind.
"Rules are, there are no rules." There are no right or wrong answers. Don't limit yourself to one word responses; just say everything that pops into your head. AND you don't have to have your words up on Sunday. Take all week if you want! Read the FAQ for more information.

Sunday, January 08, 2017

Week 728

1 week, 5 hours, 35 minutes ago

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Boarded ::  windows, hurricane
2. System::  diet
3. Favor ::  something you do for somebody
4. Sphere ::  orb
5. Priorities ::  everything
6. Chips ::  Mr.
7. Lighting :: low
8. Hopes ::  and dreams
9. Standing ::  up
10. Interest ::  bank account

http://subliminal.lunanina.com

Vintage Photos of San Antonio, Texas

I grew up in San Antonio, Texas.  I was always aware that we lived in a very historic place -- who hasn't heard of the Alamo?  I always loved the old architecture.  We lived relatively close to downtown and while the neighborhood we lived in was "new" -- circa 1948 -- many of the buildings were quite old.  I loved the vintage feel of all of it.

There is a site on Facebook that is dedicated to photos of vintage San Antonio.  I thought it might be nice to share some of old photos here.  Some of the photos are of really old buildings, some are places that I spent time at as a child.  There isn't much rhyme or reason to my selection, just whatever speaks to me at the moment.  I won't show them all here today but spread them out over several posts.  It could be an ongoing project as people are always finding "new" old photos.

This first one is going to be of Firehouse No. 7 at 604 South Alamo.

This building was built in 1924 and was the third structure to be on this piece of property.  It began in 1885 as a volunteer unit.  It is said to be haunted with the spirits of former firefighters.


I used to work at the San Antonio Independent School District which is right behind this fire station.  We would walk across the parking lot, through the fire station, wave at the firemen, cross the street and walk a half a block to  our favorite Mexican food restaurant, El Mirador.

This is what it looks like today.  It was for sale in October.  $150 square foot.  5300+ square feet.  What a fantastic house that would make. I could even go get my old job back and walk to work!  Well, ok, maybe not. 

Anyway, just a little bit of SA history! More to come!

Header Photo

In case you are wondering about the layout of my blog, I have been playing again! I love to arrange and design these things even though I am not terribly creative.  The current photo is inappropriately Christmas themed.  We already did Christmas, didn't we?  I think so. 

Anyway, during the Christmas season many vintage photos of San Antonio, Texas were posted on a facebook page devoted to San Antonio memories.  Since San Antonio is my home town I decided to save a few of the photos and this is one.  I remember Christmas in downtown so well -- this was taken in the 40's -- before my time -- but it hadn't changed much when I was a child.  I remember all these stores and the decorations that spanned the streets.  It was a magical time!

So, since it is still January, technically winter although hard to tell here in DFW with the 70-80 degree days we have been having, I thought I would share for a few days.  It won't last long, though, because I love to change these things around!

Book Beginnings on Friday hosted by Rose City Reader

Again, this is a meme I used to participate in but have let go for some reason.  I decided to pick it up again today.  If you would like to join in you can find the rules at RoseCityReader.com.  The idea is to post the first one or two sentences from  your current read and then link back to the website.

I am currently reading "Angels in my Hair" by Lorna Byrne, a modern day Irish mystic that claims to be able to see angels.  I saw her on a television program and decided to explore her book which is autobiographical.  It is a good read, interesting, funny in parts, questionable but thought provoking.  I would recommend.

Here are my first sentences --

"When I was two years old the doctor told my mother I was "retarded."  "When I was a baby, my mother noticed that I always seemed to be in a world of my own.  I can even remember lying in a cot--a big basket--and seeing my mother bending over me."

So, if you decide to check out Lorna Byrne, there are lots of articles about her.  Interesting lady.

Buh-by Hygge, Hello Lagom!

I am probably really slow on the uptake but in the last several months I have heard a lot about the Danish lifestyle concept known as "hygge". "Hygge" doesn't really have an English translation but loosely means "cozy".  It is a way that the Danes look at life and structure their homelife.  It has to do with the cold, dark weather there and is meant to make it more comfortable and festive.  It involves lots of knitted items, hot cocoa, simple meals with good friends and candles.  It sounds lovely but.....

It is Texas, it is January, is is 80 degrees and I am in shorts.  Hard to "hygge" under those conditions unless you factor in a comfy lawn chair, some new flip flops and a big iced tea.  That is "hygge" in Texas.

I do understand the concept though and I like it, it sounds great.

However, it seems that "hygge" is so 2016!  According to magazines and the internet the next new thing is "lagom".

"Lagom" is a Swedish word meaning "just the right amount" or "just enough".  It is also a lifestyle concept and it promotes simple living, moderation.

Now, that is something I can get my head around.  I have done that all my life! Who knew I was living some exotic, foreign lifestyle!!  Maybe it has to do with all that Scandinavian blood coursing through my veins according to Ancestry.com DNA.  Maybe it came from my mother -- nah, she didn't believe much in moderation as I think back.  I don't know but I do know that I have always lived "in moderation".

I can't be a minimalist for sure.  I just can't.  I like my "stuff" too much.  Now, I don't go out every chance I get and acquire new "stuff" and I don't particularly like shopping at all but I can't live with one plate, one towel and one pair of shoes.  My feet hurt too much for just one pair of shoes.

I also cannot live with excess.  Right now my kitchen cabinets are giving me grief because they are running over with unnecessary stuff.  I need to purge.  Most of the stuff I didn't buy but rather fell heir to.  Falling heir is not a good thing in a lot of cases.  Anyway, I dont' like having too much --too many plastic storage containers, too many towels, definitely too many magazines.  I can't handle too much.

So, it seems that for me, 2017 being the year of "lagom" is going to be a good fit! It gives me license to go in and dig out all those casserole dishes that I don't ever use.  It gives me the "ok" to throw out all the magazines! Yes, it gives me permission to be myself!

Yay 2017 and the year of "lagom"!!!