Thursday, June 28
This journal entry is the conclusion of our journey first to Lubbock where we met up with Becky and then Ann & her family. Next, we went to ENMU in Portales so Jim could play in the reunion band where we were thrilled to have sister, Carol, join us. And, of course, since we were so close to Artesia, we had to go visit Jean and her family. With all of that behind us, we began the journey back to Mineola.
Barbara:
After leaving
Artesia, we stopped at Loco Hills to touch base with 2 of my nieces.
Next stop
Lovington, NM, where Jim visited his former mother-in-law Marie who is very
special to him.
We eventually
made it as far as Eastland where we spent the night.
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Friday, June 29-Tuesday, July 3rd
Once back in Mineola, after visiting
Edith, Jim & I began the daily routines of the everyday homeowners! Which
for us, meant deep cleaning the house and mowing yards as we will have Edith
home for lunch on the 5th. In addition to all that, we had the lake
property to take care of…it looked like a jungle! And, it was time for Big V’s
yearly inspection. Have I mentioned that there is no rest for the wicked?
We were
excited this time though that we got to see Addie’s “adopted” daughter, Linda.
Last time she was here in Mineola, Jim & I were gone.
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Thursday, July 4rd
Jim started
the morning preparing for his mom’s visit home tomorrow by putting a brisket on
to smoke.
Since TJ had her son Donnie & his
wife Lynette, as well as Rob’s family minus Rob, and Angela’s family, including
Logan who is in the Air Force stationed in Nebraska home for the 4th.
Jim & I joined them for a hamburger lunch.
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Friday, July 5th
Jim & I
were pretty excited about this day since our guest list included Heather, Andy,
and the kids! We weren’t certain we could find seating for 19; but…were there’s
a will, there seemed to be a way. What a fantastic time we had!
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Thursday, July 12th
It was good
to hear yesterday that Gene & Michelle are back in Texas for a bit; so we
had a fun evening tonight catching up on each others’ lives. I have absolutely no idea
why we are posing the way we are. Guess we were looking to be different; and we
are!
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Sunday, July 15th
Jim has joined the ranks of the praise
and worship group on Sunday mornings.
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Tuesday, July 17th
Jim: I started the morning with the prayer group at Yantis
FBC. While we were having our discussion
group, I mentioned that I was going to get to see a former student this
afternoon, all as a result of reconnecting through Facebook.
I guess I
often forget that I’m getting older (although my knees and elbows remind me
along the way), because I kept referring to Gary (the former student) as one of
my “kids.” I related the story of how I
first met Gary Grindstaff at North Belmont School in North Carolina the first
year I started teaching. Gary was a
trumpet player in the first class of beginners at North Belmont and went on to
attend East Gaston High School, where I was the choral director and assistant
band director.
As I sat there telling the story, I
mentioned that Gary graduated in 1976, my last year of teaching in North
Carolina before I moved to Texas. When I
said that, Gary Long, one of the men in the prayer group, said, “Jim, I
graduated from high school in 1974!”
Well, that certainly put my age back in perspective as I was reminded
that I am now in my senior years, and no longer am I that young band/choir
director just learning my trade.
Anyway, Gary Grindstaff, now a
long-haul truck driver, was scheduled to drive across I-20 to a destination in
Louisiana this afternoon, so we made arrangements to meet at a truck stop for a
few minutes to renew our acquaintance and do a little catching up on our
lives. It was a delight to spend that
time with Gary...just hope I can do that again with him, as well as other
former students.
Barbara: That evening we finally were able to
coordinate our schedules with Gene & Carolyn! Anyone who thinks retirees
have all this tremendous down time, certainly haven’t met Jim & me and our
friends! We feel very blessed when we can get together.
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Wednesday, July 18th
Another jammed day.
First, we took lunch
at the nursing home to Edith so she could have a regular hamburger and watch
some pics of luncheons we have had for her. Her favorite caregiver, Vanessa
popped in to check on her and to watch a bit with us.
It was also
our night to baby-sit at church during the youth group. We use that time to not
only play with Jeremiah; but to take photos of the youth and activities.
Gene & Michelle also came by earlier to
tell us good-bye as they were headed back to their farm in Kansas.
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Thursday, July 19th
Jim: I got up early this morning and
rode the motorcycle to Winona, a small town about 45 minutes southeast of
Mineola, to join a large contingent of Patriot Guard Riders and Blue Knights at
the funeral of William Rider
Despite
the high heat index, more than 75 riders paid tribute this morning to William
E. Rider in Winona, Texas. Mr. Rider died July 15 in a Tyler hospice center; he
was 39 years old at the time of his death. Will served in the United States Air
Force and worked as a Tyler ISD police officer.
Leading the procession to the
cemetery were 38 East Texas Patriot Guard motorcycles and 25 Blue Knight
motorcycles.
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Friday, July 20th
After all the
busyness of this week, we decided this morning that we were due some serious
fun which in our minds equals a trip to the Louisiana Boardwalk to find just
the perfect gift for a friend who had just bought a new home. While there, we
decided to visit a couple of new places…the Merry-Go-Round and the Cheesecake
Factory for lunch.
At the
merry-go round, Evelyn, the ticket taker, let us enter free just so we could
“horse” around and take some cool photos as we reminisced about our youthful experiences
with this favorite amusement park ride.
Since
shopping and fake riding left us hungry, we decided to splurge and have lunch
at the Cheesecake Factory. We were like two kids in a candy store! Don’t laugh,
but we have never been in an establishment like this before! Yeah, pretty
sheltered life we live.
Kind of
interesting, funny fact. Now that I don’t smoke, I can actually smell how yucky
the casinos smell; so we don’t spend much time in them at all. Just sayin’.
Home, sweet
home after a wonderful time together!
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Saturday, July 20th
Grandkids…enough
said!
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Monday, July 23rd
Since son John and his family were going
to be in Cleburne with Leah and Ryan, Jim and I drove over and took the kids out to lunch. My
sister Nancy took a little time to run back during her lunch break to say hello
to everyone. Fun times!
After lunch,
we went over to Leah’s apartment for a bit. There she showed me the autograph
dog that Henry and I gave her a couple of days before he died back in 1990. The
dog, Auto, was already special; but then she realized that her brother, Jimmy
Clint, who died in December of 2010, had signed it as well. And…so had big
brother John who calls himself the elder statesman! I had signed too, but my
message is rather faded out as well as her Daddy's.
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Tuesday, July 24-Saturday 28
The rest of
this week was taken up with getting Big V road worthy, volunteering at the
church library, and packing for the up-coming trip with Alexander & Abby to
Galveston as well as the daily clean, mow, visit Edith, take care of Bonita,
etc., etc.
“If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next
year ... Today should always be our most wonderful day.” - Thomas Dreier
Back in the
Mineola saddle,
Jim/Dad/Gramps
and Barbara/Mom/Grams
