School Days Meandering Ways

 

It is a beautiful February Thursday.  I love to be in my yard when the local school bus rumbles down my rural county numbered road.  The bus driver throws me a wave and sometimes the students wave too.  I remember my Mother sending a note to my 3^rd grade teacher, Mrs. Massengail  requesting that I be allowed to walk home.  My teacher was not to keen on the idea and I really cannot remember if I actually had permission - I just did it anyway.  I hated riding the bus.  Those big yellow school buses intimidated me lined up with numbers all out of order and grumpy drivers that seemed totally unapproachable. Like how was a little girl supposed to get on the correct bus when I could not even figure out what number the bus was or remember what number I was supposed to look for not to mention it never seemed like I recognized anyone from the day before?  Besides I loved walking home by myself.  I would pick wildflowers along the way, maybe pick up a horny toad-I thought horny toads were very friendly-and daydream about all sorts of things as I meandered home.   My Mom had taught me not to talk to strangers but I usually stayed in the field off the paved road anyway.  I was way more afraid of stepping on a  rattlesnake or any kind of snake than I was maybe having to run from a slowing car I did not recognize.  I kinda wonder now if times have really changed that much or the media just has us all scared to death of kid snacthers.  Welp, I’m not spending too much time contemplating that just thankful for my memories and meandering childhood days.  I think I will go meander right now!  kisses 

Happy Valentine's Day-Next Year

Valentine's Day is almost over according to the digital clock on my Macbook Pro.  No flowers for me this year, not even a picture of one via text message.  Evidently fishing(I'm not buying it but it is what he said) is more important or more interesting or exciting...whatever.  I understand.  I still love Valentine's Day.  I watched my grandsons so my beautiful daughter and her handsome husband could go out for a romantic dinner.  Young parents need date night especially on Valentine's.  I hear people say, mostly single women, that it is just another day.  I guess it is just another day if you want it to be.  I want it to be fun and romantic.  Since I didn't have a date and short on cash myself I cruised the internet for Valentine's Day stuff, cute pics, sexy pics, where it originated-pretty good stuff!  Wikipedia, my personal favorite source of all things I used to look up in Encyclopedia Britannica, informed me St. Valentine was a third century Roman saint that died on February 14.   Did you know the flower-crowned skull of St. Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome?  I could have lived without knowing that!  Anyway, I am not giving up my romantic idea's of Valentine's Day and besides, tomorrow is Friday nite-can't beat that!  Happy Valentine's Day, flowers or no flowers, date or no date, there is always next year!  kisses  

Back Roads & Abandoned Homes

Whenever or as often as I get a chance I love driving around my great home state of Texas or more specifically every back road, dirt road, numbered county road and even private roads with the proper permission of course, where local wildlife can actually be seen still alive and all sorts of  ‘If only the oak trees could talk’ is my favorite escape.  Plus I just enjoy all the trees, weeds and wild growing beautiful things not allowed in manicured Lawn Boy neighborhoods.   Scattered here and there are the very old abandoned homes.  Stone work crumbling and weathered wood left to the forces of nature.  Mother earth slowly reclaiming what a long ago family constructed to keep her out.   I know I cannot be the only one that visualizes the tin roof in its proper place, colorful river rock masonry placed with pride and that once eggshell white picket fence with the mountain laurel growing wild beside the gate.  The two story homestead with a wrap around porch, sagging balcony and wisteria vines hanging raggedy in empty windows could have been full of a big happy Ma & Paw Kettle family.  Hey, there is a cow looking at me.  Not exactly native wildlife but it is local and alive.  Next time you get a chance drive down a country road you are unfamiliar with and make up your own stories.  Send me a comment; I would love to hear about your adventures.  Have a great rest of your Wednesday day.  kisses