Curious

I purchased three Lantana plants in the spring: all at the same time, from the same store, with the same labels. But in the process of watering them this morning, I noticed one of the plants was not like the others. Two of the plants have wide leaves and a combination of pink and yellow blooms. The third plant has narrow leaves and its blooms are just yellow.

Yellow & Pink Blooms

Yellow Blooms

Wide leaves on the left. Narrow leaves on the right.

I Love Books

I've loved books from the moment I learned to read. 

Aside from the simple delight of reading, I'm amazed by the ability of authors to transport me to other places and times I could never visit on my own, or give me insight into those locations I was eventually fortunate enough to visit.

Novel w/great background of Irish Troubles.

This is one of the books I go back periodically and re-read.






Through books, both fiction and non-fiction, my knowledge and understanding of history, events, and time periods have been greatly expanded and the historical persons and fictional characters in those books have enriched my life.

 
Autographed books


I bought my first autographed book back in 1968. I was working at the Mercantile Bank. One day David Wade was signing his latest cook book at the Skillern's Drug Store (on the first floor of the bank building), so I bought one to give my s-n-l as a shower gift.

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Hearing an ad on the radio that Walter Cronkite signing was his book at the mall I  was passing on my way home. I parked, got in line... and waited. They announced his time was running out, but that there were 'signed book plates'. I decided to stay in line and as he was leaving he shook hands with those of us still there. He was a ubiquitous icon as I was growing up and I'm glad to have his book in my library.

Several of the autographed books I've purchased were for Bo.

The circumstances of buying 'You're Out...' were similar to Cronkite's... I happened to be going to the book store anyway and the author was there signing his book. 

 I purchased Medal of Honor and Doc

at a Veteran's Day Ceremony at the Garland 

 Senior Citizens' Center.

'Cap' was what the guys called Bo in the service.

F. Lee Bailey

The Defense Never Rests.

I have no recollection of the date, time, place or circumstances of purchasing this particular book.

I do vaguely remember meeting Mr. Bailey and shaking his hand... but that's it.

One of my favorite books

 

One of the WWII books I most treasure is a First Edition of William L. Shirer's Berlin Diary. Shirer was one of 'Morrow's Boys' who reported on happenings in Berlin shortly before the US entered the war.

There's more to tell, but no more time today.

March vs June

It was a long dry spell between camping trips... Spring Break 2010 to June 2011. Both times we camped at Eisenhower State Park. March 2010 was on the cool side. 

That chilly Friday night, as usual, we built a fire for roasting Weiners (not Anthony) for Chili Dogs and marshmallows to make S'mores. 

It was even colder on Saturday morning when Boompa and Misti worked together to create a Fritatta for breakfast. Then the 'kids' returned to Garland and it was just KayKay, Boompa and Whitney.

For the rest of Saturday we took walks, played games, read and cooked up a huge pot of stew. 

During the night the snow fell. 

The remains of our campfire; covered in snow

 

It was cold outside, but we were cozy in our shelter. 

We definitely wouldn't have been as comfortable without our trusty space heater, which we had purchased from the just as trusty Denison Wal-mart (5 miles from our campsite) a couple of years earlier.

On Sunday morning the snow had completely melted away, the sun was shining 

and the birds were singing. 

  

In fact, this cardinal woke us up.

 

This is Shelter #8 in March 2010.

  The trip of June 2011 was considerably warmer. The trees around Shelter #8 were leafy so we couldn't see as much of the lake, but they also provided shade. The first night's menu, as tradition dictates, was chili dogs and chips. 

After the sun went down it was time to ramp up the campfire for roasting marshmallows to make S'mores.

There was no need for a heater; the fans were the heros of the weekend. 

Saturday morning we had two Fritatas; one bacon, one sausage along with bananas and grapes.

 

As the day wore on, some found that a nap was needed.

For the adults, our athletic activity was limited to playing a trivia game and "chasing the shade", i.e. moving our chairs to stay in the shade.

Lunch was a refreshing Tuna Salad, chips and fresh fruit.

In the afternoon, water guns, water balloons and a trip to the swimming hole (which required a drive and a hike) helped cool things off for the younger set. 

Well, except for the ones that got too much sun... Right, Kayla?

 

Shoot it up in the air.

Catch it in your mouth?

Squirting Sisters

Ruby, Star and Whitney just enjoyed being outside in the fresh air.

Ruby

Star

Whitney was thrilled that she had just gotten a new hair cut.

Dinner was ham, slow heated over the campfire (nothing better); cabbage, quick cooked over the same fire; fried potatoes-n-onions (okay, the electric skillet was used for this), a yummy pasta salad and rolls (brought by Nicole) and fruit. 

Neither Willow, nor any of the rest of us, had trouble sleeping.

KayKay pulled the plug on Willow's air bed.

Willow wasn't her happiest at being awakened.

BoomPa made his signature "Deep-Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites". YUM!!!
They went perfectly with our left-over Fritattas and fruit.

We had a great weekend and hope it's not another 15 months before we can go camping again. 

Hopefully, next time we'll be able to go to either Meridian or Lake Mineral Wells State Park. At both of those, the shelters are right on the water.

Record size fish have been caught at Meridian, just not by BoomPa.

Fishing pier is just steps from the Meridian Shelters (1-6).

View of a sunset from Meridian Shelters (1-6).

Peninsula Shelter (from Shelter #5).

Shelter #5 (from Peninsula).