Beth and Harold

We learned to our delight that good friends Beth and Harold were also in South Texas for a grandson's graduation from college.   We met them when we lived in Omaha.   Beth is a scientist specializing in fertility issues of rare animals and specializes in bats.   Harold was a dispatcher with the Union Pacific Railroad.   Now both have retired and they returned a week ago from a four month trip which included two months in Australia (Beth's home) and two months in Dubai where Beth worked on camel fertility issues.

We agreed to meet at a Starbucks for coffee about half an hour East of here.  We arrived at the Starbucks and found that they had just arrived.   Coffee all around and nearly two hours later we surfaced for air and had to leave as we all had other obligations.  It was a reconnection as if we had seen each other yesterday.

What a joy to reconnect with good friends.   Happy travels.

Four ticket ride

Kim and boys with us in tow drove down to McAllen, TX for Keilah's graduation on Wednesday.   We left Denton about 2 pm and arrived there around 11 pm quite tired.  We are staying at a house of friends of Tim and Kristy and Kim and boys are staying with Tim and Kristy.   On Thursday we decided to take the kids out for lunch at Fuddruckers.  Keilah drove the family Ford people hauler which holds 11 comfortably.   This van is quite big but Keilah handled it like a pro.  She did manage to drive over several curbs when trying to turn into parking lots with small entrances.   Thus the four ticket ride for the passengers sitting in the back of the van.   We all laughed and Keilah took it in good humor.   I think that if any of the adults were the drivers they would have hit the curbs too.  

There was much coming and going all day.   Keilah went to graduation practice with her parents.   I took Lydia to soccer practice.  Other trips kept happening.   Dinner was served in two sessions as people returned at various times.  It was a fun day and the cousins enjoyed each other.   Happy travels.

Fun lunches

After going to church we decided to walk around the corned around the Denton City Square for mother's day lunch.   Foxy enjoyed the treat as we went to Cartwright's Restaurant.   I had a club sandwich and she had Cobb Salad.   She was keeping weight off as we had a doctors appointment on Tuesday.   Lunch was good and then later we were invited to Kim and Chuck for a mother's day dinner.   It was good.  We left quite filled.

On Monday Chris came through Denton on his way to a meeting in the Dallas area and we took him to lunch at Cartwrights again.   This time he had the chicken fried steak, Foxy had soup and salad and I had catfish.   The food was good and we talked non stop catching up on Chris's family.

Today we kept a good thing going and went to lunch with Kim at Seven Mile Cafe.  She got a salad and lentil soup, Foxy salad with chicken and I had eggs Benedict.  

You might wonder why we keep going out to eat and the fact that our refrigerator is empty as we get ready to travel to New York at the end of the month might be the explanation.  Happy travels.

Came the 100

I heard today that a definition of friend is that when the whole world leaves you, the person that stays is your friend.   Herb was in decline for many years and toward the end of his life really felt like the person that the whole world leaves.  Throughout this time some of us did not leave and tried in many ways to assist Herb as he fought his depression and difficult time.   In the end it overwhelmed him and the illness that finally took over his body did him a great service as now he can be at peace.  

In the service of commemoration of Herb's life several of his friends and both of his children spoke.  I looked around at the service and later at the reception and could see that the 100 were present and supportive of him and his life.   He touched many of us as life went along and probably never realized what a great friend he had been to each.   Happy and restful travel, Herb.

Home again

After spending a week in Albuquerque preparing for Herb's funeral, we have returned home.   The funeral was on Friday and a celebration of his life.  It was good to bring closure and especially good to see and visit with friends.   He will be missed but he is in a better place.  

On Saturday we left Albuquerque about 6:30 am which is late for us since I like to get an early start on a road trip.  Gas prices varied but the best price was $3.55.  We arrived here in Denton about 6 pm, unloaded, drove to the storage unit and finished unloading, and then to the kids house to pick up Max.   He is shaggy but loveable and really needs a trim.   Home and early to bed for sure. 

We will be here until Wednesday when we head to South Texas for Keilah's high school graduation. Lots to do in a short time.   Happy travels.

Valley Admin Team meets for lunch

In the late 1980's I was appointed Principal of Valley High School and stayed in that job for many years until retirement.   I was very fortunate to assemble a wonderful administrative team who worked well together.   Since retirement we meet on occasion usually every couple of years.   Since we had returned to Albuquerque for Herb's funeral, I wrote them emails and today we managed to get together for lunch.  We (Foxy and I)  were joined by Toby, Leah and Dr. Gus and Toby gets the credit for finding a good restaurant and making sure that Gus and Leah could make today's lunch.  Leah was double booked but still managed two lunches, although she only ate at one of them .  Gus has now retired and Toby and Leah could but still remain doing fine work for the school system.   We spent the whole time getting caught up on each others lives and doings.  The Mexican food was excellent.  One of the owners had gone to high school with Toby.   It is a small world.  Most of all we laughed the whole time.

I have worked in various schools over the years and this by far is the best team that I have ever worked with.  Indeed we not only like and respect each other but like has grown  into love and caring.   What a joy!  Happy travels.

Panos racing car

Jerry has been racing his Panos, company made, racing car for several years now.   We have talked about various races in locations all over the western states but have never had the opportunity to see him race.  This weekend he was racing on Saturday and Sunday, just West of Albuquerque.  Sunday after church we drove out to the racetrack in time to watch his 2 pm race.    Michelle checked us in at the gate and Andy showed us where to sit to view the race just as it began.  There were seven cars in the race and early on Jerry was in third place and then passed a car and became second and finished in that position at the end.  

We left the stands and went out to the pit area to congratulate him on his second place finish and also got to look over all of the cars and meet many of the driver/owners.  What a terrific group of men we met and most complementary of Jerry.   No wonder he likes this sport.   It was a nice break for us in this week preparing for Herb's funeral.  One of  Herb's best friends is also a racer.   He drives a Porche. 

Home for salmon and portobello mushrooms on the grill.   A great day for sure.   Happy travels.