Memories of Pecans

This morning I went out letterboxing in Floresville, TX. One of the places I visited was the city park. It is named Pecan Park. The park was full of pecan trees with some picnic tables and playground equipment thrown in. It was a nice park. As I walked around looking for the letterbox (which I didn't find) I kept stopping to pick up pecans. I would pick up the pecan and then put it back down - not sure why. After a while of doing this I had a déjà vu experience.

My grandparents lived in a ranch style home on a large lot in an older subdivision. The yard was full of pecan trees. Whenever we visited, my grandmother would give us each a paper grocery bag and we would go out and pick pecans. I remember it as a fun time - we would have contests to see who could pick the most pecans. We would pick the pecans and then give them to my grandmother and that was the end of that. Then every Christmas my grandfather along with my grandmother and some of my aunts would make pecan cakes. I finally realized that those cakes were made with all the pecans that my sisters, cousins and myself had picked. And I loved those cakes!

I also remember when a few of the pecan trees had to be cut down. During a hurricane one year a very large branch from one of the trees fell onto the roof. A portion of that branch actually went through the roof and then through the ceiling. My grandfather said all the trees that were close to the house had to go. So they were cut down - but there were still plenty left for us to pick pecans.

My grandparents are gone now and someone else lives in the house. I wonder if they have grandkids that go out and have pecan picking contests.

A Message by George Carlin . . .

This was sent to me by my friend Tammy. I really liked it and decided to post it here. I think it is so accurate.

A Message by George Carlin . . .
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, widerFreeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.! We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And ! give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER . . .
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

A Walk Among Sculptures

This post is an extension of my As I See It blog for today. I walked around the College of Santa Fe and enjoyed many of the sculptures that they have. I took quite a few pictures and picked one for my picture of the day. I decided to place the pictures of the other sculptures on this blog - just because I thought they were interesting.

Ballroom Dancing for Dogs

While having my morning cup of coffee I was perusing the spring issue of the Continuing Education Catalog for the Santa Fe Community College. I am always looking for an interesting class to take. (I am hoping to slow down the effects of dementia - it seems to be creeping up on me.) So, I came across this course offering and it got me to thinking. It is a class to teach you to dance with your dog. I have a dog - a wonderful English Bulldog named Boudreaux. Would I want to learn to ballroom dance with him. I decided "NO". No offense to dog owners or dog lovers out there but I decided that this was just going a little too far. And to pay $75 for this was just way over the top. I love my dog - I really do but this class is not for me. I think I will stick to the basics - going for a walk, playing fetch, etc. I guess this goes to show you . . . there is something out there for everyone.

Out with the old, in with the new!

Welcome 2008!