313 What?

Can you hear me in your headphones?

White Sands New Mexico Circa 1982

I found this little gem while going through my dad's belongings this week. Here we are in the famed White Sands National Monument where you can bake on the sand like a little weenie in a biscuit. I remember a couple of trips to White Sands; my parents thought it was really awesome. And I guess, it sort of is. Gwynn and Phil liked to take us to lots of cool places, and my mom would always follow the visit up with the same quip, "Not bad for poor people."

On this particular trip, I remember some sandwiches out of ice chest being consumed, then lunch was followed with either card board or garbage bags being used to slide down the giant hills of sand. Of course, pictured below is mom and dad and me and charlie. Yes, I look like a boy with a dorthy hamill cut. Just go with it. No, my sister isn't wearing shoes. We did a lot of non shoe wearing. My mom and dad were what i like to call, "free spirits" ok?

I also remember I was able to get a souvenir: a paper weight with a scorpion in suspended animation in the sort of amber-tree sap sort of way. I had that paper weight until at least college. If you are wondering, "why white sands?" Well, my family drove from Dallas, TX to California every summer. We always stopped in El Paso to see my granddad. Often, we'd do excursions around that area. I guess mom was right....for poor people, we didn't do too bad.

This Is How We Camp....Now...

Scott and I took the girls to Tyler State Park for about 24 hours of fun. Before kids, we would have stayed several days with lots of late nights and naps. But, one night seems just right at this point in our lives. In a Texas State Park, you don't need a fishing license. It's free. Scout LOVED fishing. Scott was really patient with the girls even when Brooke drowned the bait (worms). The picture below is of my morning coffee brewing....

Brooke's "fishing pole."

Christy brought Cale out for a couple of hours to visit. Brooke enjoyed playing with him at the camp and on the playground (and even in the fire pit).

Night Crawlers anyone...?

Scout casting...

Camper is kid friendly...

Christy...

My prized pony...

Scout with her new fishing pole and fishing hat (from WalMart, duh)...

We are gearing up (practicing ) for our big week long camping trip in June in Flagstaff, AZ. We may have to get back out to Tyler for more "practice."

Biggest Snow in North Texas Since the Alamo

I don't know what that title is saying, but I have just really enjoyed watching "real" snow fall and accumulate. I see how people up north need mudrooms too. We have kids boots, mittens, hats, etc, etc all over this house with water puddling. First pic from yesterday and the 2nd two are from today. I got to use the 4 wheel drive today for the 2nd time. I had to dust the cobwebs off the shift knob.

We Have A Visitor

I hope you can see these pictures. I took them of the tree outside our bedroom window and of an opossum. Since an opossum is not that uncommon and perhaps not that exciting, you may be wondering why I would take time to blog these pictures. I am posting them because I was excited to finally get a visual of what was waking me up in the middle of the night stomping around the side of my house! Yes, this opossum is the answer to my lingering question. See, we have quite a lot of what I like to call detritus, or leaf litter, also known as lots of dead leaves on the side of our house. I like it there because it is natural in how it breaks down organically. But, I also like it there because it provides a natural security or alarm system: you can't sneak up on the side of the house...it is so loud walking on 2 feet of detritus. So, yeah, I've heard what sounds like a small person walking outside my window a few times recently in the night. And, yes, I GET UP and look out the blinds all stealth-like. One time I woke Scott up determined that someone was on the side of our house. He got out of bed and even went and inspected. I realize that it could have been a dog or cat, but I never could see anything. But, this morning was different because I heard the noise of some tiny person or huge cat walking on the leaves when I looked out the window and saw an opossum at the base of the smaller tree we have out there. Then, he crawed slowly up the tree right in front of me and the window. He perched up there on the branch in the early morning sunlight probably trying to get some rest from a night of foraging.

Anyway, I'm happy to identifiy our intruder. I'm also looking forward to spotting him each morning when he returns. I've got Scout on high alert for opossum spottings as well. It is like we are training for camping.

I WANT A TATOO

These People Must Have Made This For Me...

Are you kidding me? Unbelievably dreamy...

My retirement vision:
Watch out coastal regions, Alaska, and any amazing place I could explore:
If you can dream it, you can achieve it...

You can get them with toilets, sinks, fridges, and even showers.

Even their own website states what I want: Whether your need is to get out in nature for four days or four years, we have an expedition vehicle for you. With an EarthRoamer® Xpedition Vehicle, you can truly Live Your Dream!™

Happy Birthday Jesus and Christy

We got together to give thanks for Jesus' birth. Wow, we are really thankful.

Christy turned another year older too, so we threw her a bone and had an amazing cake and shared stories and shenanigans.

J-Rock even came over to join in the fun. Thank goodness my mom was able to keep the kids overnight! Merry Christmas to all....

When You Are A Teacher - It's Just Another Day...of Stanky A's...

One of my African-American students just loudly told about 5 other random kids this as the bell rang and they were leaving my class...

And I quote:

"Oooh I was just in the bathroom and these dumb African girls kept turning the lights off and laughing. I told them, uh, you do that one mo time and I'm gonna slap yo stanky asses."

Glad I quick blogged this so I wouldn't forget.

Tyler State Park - Texas Parks & Wildlife

Here is a picture of the drive into the park. I am motivated to return very soon.

What a great day out of town I had last weekend. I drove out to Tyler, Texas and took the pop-up for 36 hours in nature. The beauty of Tyler State Park totally surprised me. I couldn't believe that only 2 hours from Dallas exist lake front camp sites, tall pine trees, and a small spring fed lake where kayaks and paddle boats could effortlessly be rented. Christy and I sat by our campfire on the grass covered incline overlooking the still waters. Lisa arrived just in time for me to pour a final drink and for Christy to turn on the mattress warmer that she informed me was available on the pop up.

This is roughly how our chairs were situated:

This was our view from our campsite looking across the lake's inlet. The waters were so calm. Only one motorized little fishing skiff came by the whole time we were there.
People were surprised that I'd go camping for one day. However, I just love getting outdoors, starting fires, visiting with friends, and washing my mind of the "city dirt." Makes me think of this quote I came across some time ago:

"As to when I shall revisit civilization, it will not be soon ... I prefer the saddle to the streetcar and the star sprinkled sky to the roof, the obscure and difficult trail leading into the unknown to any paved highway, the deep peace of the wild to the discontent bred by cities.“

-Everett Ruess (1934 in Utah)