LOOKING BACK
October, 2006
In 2006, our journal project was still in its infancy. We were still compiling emails and editing them into a weekly journal format. That format, unfortunately, limited the number of photos/collages that we could post because of the JPEG sizes.
Following is a segment from our October, 2006 journal.
Sunday,
October 15 – Saturday, October 21, 2006
Really
Enjoying
Things
I, or we, seldom had time for when we were
Rushing daily through our
Educational
Duties.
That sums up Sunday,
the 15th’s, adventure into the cultural world when we attended a
Monday brought clear, blue skies with the itch to go out and enjoy
our new calling in life…working in the “fields.” Jim and I being raised, and
then living in the city all of our lives, have found such peace and feeling of
accomplishment in working outdoors under the huge
As I rode upon that mower, I couldn’t help reflect on times in Sunday school in Liberal that Jerry Evans would talk of his farm and the sense of pride I could see in his face…now I could actually understand, even though we weren’t really farming in the true sense of the word, nor does that land really belong to us. None of those minor details matter though. There is just a sense of oneness with God; and oh, my, when we were finished, it was the same sense of accomplishment and beauty that I often found when I had finished painting a picture, publishing the yearbook, or the school newspaper.
At the end of the day, Jim, with
his usual wit and quick thinking, immediately looked over our work, and
declared that he was going to have new business cards made for us that would
announce us as, “Little Mowers and Hoers!” (Think this is one of those phrases
that loses its meaning when it’s not said out loud. Try saying that little
quote with a straight face!)
Tuesday was one of
those days where you make 3 runs to the store…do the laundry…pack…and get ready
to roll once again. Still, there was plenty of time to look around and admire
the beauty of the land, too! And, after a quiet supper with Jean and Paul and
then a short visit with Nancy and Jerry, it was time to head back to the house
for bed.
Wednesday was strictly a travel day as we pointed the car towards
Thursday we were
pleasantly surprised to pull into TJ’s driveway and be greeted at the door by
Edith, Jim’s mother. Her health has been such a concern to us, especially since
the doctors have now diagnosed her with Parkinson’s. But, there she was,
standing in the doorway with a huge smile on her face…it may seem like such a
small thing…but, it’s been almost 3 years since we’ve seen her meet us at the
door. The doctors have really helped her get on her feet, literally!
Friday Jim, TJ,
and Edith went over to
After all the tests, which showed there were no unusual
obstructions in her throat...she just needs to take small bites and chew more
completely before swallowing...probably something all of us should
consider….everyone rested until it was time for TJ to take us out for a catfish
dinner at Lake Fork.
Saturday will bring
another visit from Heather, Andy, Alexander, and Abby who will travel over to
Mineola from
Sunday we will return
home to Artesia with Edith where once again we will stay put for only 2 weeks.
Then we will mosey up to Liberal for several days before we take Big V back to
that RV hospital in
I will end this section of my journal entry with the winners of my
sign contest…
Top 5 Signs in my Clever Sign Contest….
4. Kiss My
Ribs Barbeque…I-20…somewhere…Just thought I’d start saying,
“Well…kiss my ribs!” Sounds better than some of those kiss phrases I’ve heard.
3. Frying Pan
Restaurant…I-20…near
2. Spoilers…Hwy.
69 between Lindale and
And the winner is…
1. Cycle of
Seasons…
Runners up…
Eye of the Needle…
Tan R Cise…tanning/exercise
place
Somewhere in Time…antique
shop
Winner of the worst sign award:
Alexander Training Station…Hwy. 69
right outside Mineola…horses…Since Alexander is our grandson’s name and he’s in
the potty training stage…my mind just visualized a field of potties with little
kids roaming around trying to hit one!
Hey, it’s my contest…I can judge them any way I want!
Will end with my favorite type of signs…
God makes your impossible mission possible!...(First
Christian Church in
Take care…Jim and Barbara
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Thursday, October 1 - Saturday, October 31, 2020
Believe it or don't, we can actually stay in one place (or close to that place) for a month at a time. Granted, it's not the way we like to live, but under the circumstances, we didn't have many choices.
Doctor visits and church activities kept us busy all month, but there were other things to do.
What better way to begin a month than to receive this beautiful quilt that had been made for Jim's mother by one of her best friends, Cherrie. Cherrie had kept this treasure for several years and decided it was time for it to be lodged in the house that Edith bought and then left to us when she passed away. Thank you, Cherrie, for blessing us with this labor of love
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Covid restrictions stayed in place, but the reins were loosened enough that the Lake Country Community Band could strike up rehearsals and plan for a concert. And Jim was also able to get out on some evenings to serenade the Heritage Square neighborhood. And we were also able to sneak away to visit San Antonio friends Sonny and Carol who were attending First Monday activities in Canton.
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The first Sunday of the month found us in the morning service at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where John, our music leader, decided that the special music would be performed by the women...and then followed by a song sung by the men. Barbara got to sing her first music special ever this morning...
The deaths of our military veterans did not cease during the pandemic, and there was always a need for a bugler to sound the final honors. These photos were taken near Palestine as a Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot was laid to rest by family and friends at a private ceremony.
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A surprise visit from Jim's nephew Gary Dan from the Atlanta, Georgia area brought special sunshine to a cloudy day in Mineola
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Early voting for the November elections began this month, and we were among the first to get to Quitman and cast our ballots as part of our American rights and responsibilities.
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One of the best kept secrets of our adopted hometown of Mineola, Texas is the Nature Preserve and nature trails southeast of the town. It seems that every time we visit, we find something new. On this visit we discovered a nature trail that is almost hidden from view of the general grounds...
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While Covid hasn't stopped friendships, it has severely curtailed some of our activities. However, we felt safe enough one night to enjoy a special meal and good time together with the Hutchins family...who are almost like family to us...
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As we said before, Wednesday nights we can be found at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church...and our favorite way to get there is a Taz ride...
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We believe that God works in truly mysterious ways. Perhaps limiting our travels this month was His way of giving us the opportunity to share Jimmy Clint's story of alcohol addiction and how it can destroy relationships. Thank you, Pastor Michael Mize, for inviting us to share the story with your juniors and seniors at Alba-Golden High School.
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We're pretty sure we mentioned Wednesday nights at New Hope. October gave us the opportunity to assist with the children to turn a traditional secular tradition into a spiritual lesson...remove the "gunk" from your life and let God's light shine through you.
“October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again.” - Hal Borland
Wrapping up October, 2020 from our adopted hometown, Mineola, Wood County, Texas,
Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams/Gramsie
