For years, Patti has been wanting to go to see the Bluebonnets blooming in the Texas Hill Country. Two weeks ago we did just that. It was fun, beautiful and somewhat like stepping into a Claude Monet painting.
In addition to the seasonal flower extravaganza, we enjoyed two historic Texas Cities… Palestine and Fredericksburg.
Palestine …
The Redlands Hotel is a piece of art in itself. For forty years the owners have poured their hearts into restoring this downtown Palestine historic masterpiece. Living area in our suite. The “Queen” Dining Room.A Carnegie Library
Fredericksburg…
We loved this 1840’s city with its shops, restaurants, German heritage and location in middle of wine tours, Bluebonnets trails, museums, etc. A special treat for us was the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Japanese Peace Park … a gift from Japan.
We made this trip to see the Bluebonnets but discovered so much more. Clearly, there’s a lot more to the Lone Star State then the big metro areas. We will return.
I’m frequently greeted by someone I haven’t seen in a long while with … “wow, you sure are looking good!” Translated … “you look good for an old man. OUCH!
I’ve shared my love of Christmas and my passion for Christmas lights.I care not my age … 5 years , 50 years or “looking good years, it’s all about the spirit of the lights.I’m stillcaptivated by the lights. Christmas Lights take me back, take me back to my childhood, take me back to cutting a tree on family land, bringing it home, putting it up in the front window, hanging the light strings, the bubble lights, the ornaments, the tinsel and then, flipping the switch ,,, sharing a family moment … the joy of lighting our own Christmas tree.
Our Christmas Home
Christmas has been a meaningful part of my life, my marriage and my family from childhood to adulthood to beyond. During the adulthood phase, Patti, I and our four children experienced cutting our own tree … a big one for the tall glass entry and a smaller one for the den or living room. One Christmas, we decorated a tree in Little Rock, took it down, carried it on top of our van so we would have a tree to decorate in our Colorado Condo. The Children made the ornaments while we drove to Ski Country.
Our big tree in the foyer … DJ, Laura, Jeff, DonnaNeighbors help Patti load our freshly cut native Pine tree. I could not end this blog entry without mention of Charlie Brown . First there is Jesus and His Birth, then there is family … kids, grands, etc. Then there are the symbols.The photo above pretty well covers the bases. Just like Santa, Charlie Brown represents for me a spirit of love, fun, friendship, family and Peace on Earth. Christmas lights represent that spirit as well … so Here goes … I HATE TO SEE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COME DOWN. Maybe we need a worldwide year of Christmas lights everywhere to remind us of our shared humanity and the need to be a light in the lives of others … that includes candidates, governments, businesses, races, genders, neighbors, families, etc … Everyone!!
Charlie Brown Christmas Backpacking … Richland Creek … circa 2015,,, Living Tree.This must make you smile!
Jim Dailey is just an ordinary guy who has travelled many trails, met a bunch of heroes along the way and finally decided to write TRAILS, TRIBUTES AND THOUGHTS before his LAST PAIR OF BOOTS bite the dust.
Jim grew up in Little Rock, AR., owned a furniture store, has a wife of 50 plus years, four grown children, six grandkids, is VP of Government Relations with Kelley Commercial Partners, served as Mayor of Little Rock for 14 years and Director of Tourism for the state of Arkansas
Jim Dailey 