Family – Page 24 – Sheila365

Sister time (and a little football).

Last night my mom and I went over to Noreen and David’s for dinner. Colleen and Jake drove over and joined us. After dinner we all sat around just telling funny stories for a couple hours. It’s nice to laugh like that. Everyone in my family is a comedian it seems…

Instead of driving all the way back to Seattle, Colleen and Jake slept at my mom’s, as we were planning on going to Francine and Art’s in the morning to watch the Seahawks game… a rare treat for me, since in Texas all that is usually on the networks is the Cowboys or the Texans (ho hum).

When I went out the front door to get the paper I was greeted by this stunning view of the Olympics. They seemed particularly white today.

Francine whipped up some biscuits & gravy and mimosa’s — breakfast of football divas 🙂 Noreen and David came over after church and we all cheered and screamed at the refs until the Seahawks won in overtime. Awesome!

Celtic knot glasswork.

Another of Noreen's creations. — Another of Noreen’s creations.

My mom has been on my mind lately, so earlier this month I decided to make a trip to spend some time with her before the Christmas bustle. I can work from her house there and spend the evenings with her.

So today, after work, I hopped on a plane. It is pouring rain here, and is expected to do the same all week. I wish i could bring some of this water home with me…

I’ll also have a chance to see my sisters and brother while i’m here. An added bonus. Noreen gave me this beautiful leaded glass piece that she designed and made just for me. Celtic knot… love it! She does beautiful work. I can’t wait to pick out a place to hang it at home.

Sailing away.

We went for a sail today, the winds were 10-15 knots. A nice sail up towards Lakeway, and then down to Arky South, where we dropped a hook and ate turkey sandwiches. Then back to the marina before sunset. Julie and Joel joined us. A very nice day. I wonder why they call this Black Friday?! 🙂

Thankful.

112212 — A day of thanks. And family. And friends. A feast. And fun.

Every year my birthday falls near Thanksgiving, and every few years it falls on Thanksgiving. So, when I was a kid, my birthday cakes and decorations always had pilgrims on them. This pair of pilgrims are ones that my mom sent me several years back. I just had to break them out today. I hope each of you had a wonderful day.

We certainly had a great day. Julie, Marty, Sue, Laura and Joe joined us. The menu included roasted (brined) turkey – 2 of them, to make sure we had leftovers, absolutely heavenly mashed potatoes, delicious and sweet squash fest, cranberry relish, green beans, the (awesome) brussels sprouts dish, and homemade yeast rolls. For dessert we had monte’s apple tart, a birthday cake, and homemade vanilla icecream. Woof!

After the delicious and nearly debilitating dinner, we had to move around a bit, so we played games inside and out until the cows came home.

I am thankful for all the blessings I have been given, great friends and family. I am truly blessed.

And, one more thing to be thankful for: thanks, Marty and Sue for the pretty vase!

1122121 — Birthday tulip from Monte. Birthday vase from Sue & Marty. 🙂

Just playin’ a round.

111912 — Looking back at the 17th hole (I think).

We made a trip down to southeast Austin to run an errand or two this morning. Since we were heading down there, we planned to play a round of golf at Jimmy Clay Golf Course. So, we loaded our clubs into the car on our way out.

We played 18 holes. Not only has it been a while since we played golf together. It’s been a very long time since we played 18. We usually play a twilight 9 holes after work. But we got there early enough today to hit the range, the chipping and putting greens, and then play a full round. We even got a cart today… a treat… as we usually walk it.

It was a nice day – sunny with highs in the 70’s. I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo, but when we got there, we found a big flock of Monk parakeets (aka Quaker parrots) in residence at the golf course. They were noisily greeting golfers from the oak trees around the clubhouse. When we finished our round, they had gone – they must have returned to their nest for the evening.

A nice day.

Hmmm. What’s wrong with this picture? 🙂

Because they served, we are free.

Today the US celebrates Veteran’s Day. My flag is flying out front. And my mind is especially on the veterans in my family. My father, my father-in-law, 2 of my uncles, a brother-in-law, my cousin and his son – who just enlisted in the Air Force. It’s an amazing thing, to give part, or all, of your life in service of your country. It wasn’t even yet my dad’s country when he enlisted shortly after immigrating to the States from Ireland.

To all US Veterans and their families: I thank you.

Rude awakening.

Gene & Jo stopped by for a few days in Austin on their way home – a month-long road trip. I know they’re looking forward to getting home but it has been great to get a visit in with them. Last night Monte made roast leg of lamb. Julie joined us, too. It was fantastic!

This morning, as we were contemplating getting up, the alarm on our security system went off… right outside Gene & Jo’s room (!) It was SO loud! I don’t know what set it off. And we didn’t know how to make it stop, so…. it is no longer attached to the house 🙂

Phew!

We headed to the marina after the fire drill today. Gene and Jo headed home from there after visiting Nirvana.

Monte and I rafted up in Arky south with Rory & Greg on Sapphire, and Lori & Dave on Camelot. We had very little wind for the Beer Can regatta. But afterwards we sailed through 20+ knot gusts on our way to the cove. It was nice to raft up and relax. Leftover lamb sandwiches for dinner!

I could get used to this “retirement” thing.

We’ve had company here this week – my sister visiting, a colleague of mine for dinner last friday, and Julie joining us when she can find time. So, Monte has been cooking up a storm… grilled chickens, Cincinnati chili, cedar plank salmon, risotto, catfish, creme caramel, cooked apples, grilled pork ribs, and today for lunch: homemade ravioli with goat cheese stuffing. Hoooo-wheeeeee!

Delicious!

Taking the day off.

My sister leaves tomorrow, so I took the afternoon off to play hooky with her. We started off buying beads at a bead shop to get supplies for making jewelry thingies. No pics of that – a project for another day. Then we headed to Zilker Park for a hike on the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail. It was really lovely out. High 70’s and sunny. Perfect for a hike. The creek is mostly dry. We did see lots of flowers, butterflies and dragonflies.

The orange butterfly in the shot below stopped to let me take several shots.

1008125 — Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae).

Later on down the trail this swallowtail stopped to let me do the same thing.

1008126 — Eastern tiger swallowtail (papilio glaucus?).

I found a pretty good butterfly guide website to try to identify them. You might want to bookmark for future reference.

After the hike we stopped by Barton Springs Pool. Such a pretty place. The pool was beautifully clear.

Then we ran over to Sno-Beach for a must-have best-snocone-ever experience. You’d better hurry, they close at the end of October for the winter. Go out and get one!

Then. Back to Zilker to rent a kayak and tootle around Town Lake (ok, sorry “Lady Bird Lake.” old habits die hard). We paddled all the way to the South 1st Street bridge. On our paddle back we passed 3 UT Women’s Crew boats training.

The Austin City Limits Music Festival takes place this weekend. It’s a 3 day music extravaganza hosted in Zilker Park. Everything is setup and just about ready for the throngs of festival-goers. I took the opportunity to take a quick shot of the festival entrance, so I wouldn’t have to come down here with 75,000 of my closest friends to get the shot this weekend.

What a great Austin afternoon!

Joie de vivre.

Even though the chill of Fall is in the air, we, of course, headed to the lake. We raced in the beer can today. We had a great turnout: Wally & Joe on Zen, Kurt & Kevin on Dancer, Lori & Doray on Camelot, Dave and Wiz on MisGuided, and the 4 of us on Nirvana. We got off the start line a minute and a half late (need to work on that). Monte and I, the racing novices that we are, debated re: tactics as we sailed the course (need to work on that, too). 🙂 We didn’t win, place or show, but had fun.

Afterwards we anchored up in Arky South in our usual spot for the night.

My sister is visiting for a week. She took her turn on the winches and at the wheel. Another natural mariner 🙂 Julie joined us, too.

I enjoy it very much when family comes to visit, and when we hit the road to visit family as well. We both come from big families but don’t live close to them. My thoughts are especially on the importance of spending time with family, as I learned that my cousin died unexpectedly and tragically from a pulmonary embolism this week – a complication from relatively routine back surgery a few days before. So sad. So sobering. He had just turned 48 a few weeks back, in the prime of his life, raised a wonderful family, and was an active and accomplished Air Force colonel, getting ready to chart the next phase of his life’s course. I had a chance to visit with him in Seattle last summer. So glad I did.

Tuesday at the chez…

It’s Tuesday already. Almost halfway to the weekend! The picture above is of Monte’s latest project… a homemade sundial. I think this is a prototype. But it seems to work pretty well. He’s aligned the center of the dial with magnetic North using a compass. Some adjustments will be necessary. Stayed tuned.

The zinnia patch has flower stalks that are over 4′ tall. We’re still harvesting them. This is today’s selection.

And, last one, this is a shot of 2/3’s of the flock as we settle in for the evening.

G’nite!

The big 1-0.

Happy Anniversary, to us. 🙂

(our song)

Sunday postscript.

©Sheila365 — Red peppers, onion, garlic, black olives, mushrooms and goat cheese.

One last post for tonight. We made 3 pizza doughs. A margerita, a proscuitto-mozzarella-blackolive and this delicious one with red pepper and goat cheese. Yum-mee. 2+ pizzas are in the fridge for leftovers this week.

Great weekend!

Eleven years on.

I’ve had an eerie experience this morning. Monte went to the marina last night for some repairs to the jib, and spent the night on the boat. So I’m up drinking coffee and watching the morning news by myself. The very same kind of morning I was having 11 years ago today — when I watched a plane fly into the World Trade Center.

At about a quarter to 8AM, central time, it all started. I recall the evolving emotions I felt …disbelief, anger, uncertainty and confusion throughout the rest of the day as events unfolded. I went to work that day, but everyone was glued to their web browser or TV monitors. And then came the prolonged feeling of what can only be described as grief, as I watched the aftermath of the attack play out on television over the following days and weeks. I did not experience personal loss of family or friends in the attack, but I believe all Americans were mourning the loss, together, of an attack directed at all of us.

Since then, life has moved on for me, bringing both joy and loss. But in reflecting on that day 11 years ago, it’s startling to realize how quickly the time has flown by. And, it’s embarrassing to note that I let too many of my days be filled with meaningless concerns and busy work.

So, on this day I pause to remember those that lost their lives, those that sacrificed their lives for others, the family and friends that experienced inconsolable loss, the feeling of national unity that today seems unattainable, and the responsibility we all must bear to live each day of our lives to the fullest.

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