Texas

I have been in Texas since Dec 18 - have had wonderful time with family, friends etc. Had my first go round of authentic Mexican food, the best steak fingers in Texas, and am headed next week to some of the best chicken fried steak there is. Now all I need is some brisket BBQ by the Mesquite Burners here in town - they do local functions and things. Have had colder weather than we had had in Tennessee - cold, cold wind and rain, snow predicted for tomorrow. But all is fine when staying with parents and eating lunch at the Senior Citizen Center everyday. LOL Hope all had a great Christmas and New years is coming up!!

Lost Mt Hood Climbers

I so feel for the families of these climbers - I could be in their shoes one day. One of my sons has been on Mt Hood, another in Alaska climbing on a glacier - they are very experienced, but when you push to the edge, no one knows what can happen. My oldest when hiking through Yellowstone area spent 36 hours in a small tent with his partner in a blizzard with only limited food that didn't have to have hot water to eat. They, another time were close to hypothermia when God, I certainly feel, brought them a warm spring that was not gaseous water. They were able to get in, warm up then re-suit up to continue on to a warmer place. So one never knows what lies ahead in these expeditions. These pictures are of son #2, they are what were handy - couldn't find any of Eric.

Christmas Knitting

I have managed to do some knitting among the other necessary chores. Not enough - I am not finished for Christmas - and I fly to Texas tomorrow!! So I will have some "to be finished" gifts to give when I return in January. But being with family is priceless and the members who are going to have to wait to get a gift will appreciate that thought too! My second son and girlfriend came over and took us out last night. A family type place, not fancy, but perfect for the chance to visit before I leave. My children are all young adults and I am glad to say - they are people I enjoy being around.

These pictures were taken several weeks ago, so more is done than is shown.....and a new scarf started.

HowManyOfMe.com

There is: 1 person with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Eric, now in Hawaii

Well - my oldest is having it rough - living and working in Maui, Hawaii. He arrived safely, was able to pick up some furniture from a guide leaving for another place, so all he needed was a bed. And surely he can come up with that soon. But he has spent years sleeping in his sleeping bag in frigid weather, so a roof over his head and a sleeping bag will do him for a while. He is a trail guide and a rock climbing guide - and in his spare time a snorkeller, learning to scuba dive, rappel down water falls - etc. Just your average day at work! All of the relatives are lining up for visits to see him!!

After Thanksgiving Blessing

It is always hard to get your young adult children together for many occasions. It is harder in my family this year because our daughter is an exchange student at the U of NM - many miles away. She went on a ski trip with some other exchange students and had a great time. They cooked their own Thanksgiving meal, which opened all of their eyes to different traditions from different parts of the country. My boys are still around here - temporarily! My oldest is leaving Thursday for Maui where he is going to be a hiking and rockclimbing guide. His partner on his last hike, the Continental Divide Trail, is already there doing this and Eric is going to join him. Because Jeffery is a mfg rep and goes out of town, leaving Sunday afternoon to reach their destination to be set up by Monday am, we decided to have a breakfast with them and their girlfriends Sunday morning. It was early for me - I needed some rest after the busy of Thanksgiving - but it was worth it. To have them together one last time before Eric leaves - for what may be a long time - was great. I just praise God for the wonderful young adults that my children have grown into. They don't always make the same choices I would have - but that is how life moves. I just ask God to watch over Eric in his move and to protect him in his trips with paying hikers.

Thanksgiving Blessings

After the trips to the dentist and some visits to the chiropractor, my autoimmune stuff flew into a huge flare that has had me in bed for a week and a half.......never good in November and December! Too much to do. Thankfully my kids are coming tonight to help with cooking for our contribution to the annual Thanksgiving meal. We have spent Thanksgiving with a group of 4 families with a few extras thrown in now and then, for about 15 years. Each family has developed a tradition of bringing several cherished dishes, so while it seems boring to cook the same things, everyone expects them. And it helps with the grocery shopping list!

Hope all have many things to be Thankful for this year - especially family and friends.