Childoftherockgarden's Blog

Gaylord Texan-Grapevine, Texas-Christmas, 2011

childoftherockgarden — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:23:49 +0000

Christmas with Fee, 2011

childoftherockgarden — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:05:51 +0000

B and I enjoyed spending time with Fee prior to Christmas–mom is always such a delight. We loved listening to her stories about Christmas memories from the past, watching her smile over the geese flying over the lake, watching her trying to figure out her new IPhone technology, seeing her in the kitchen cooking her culinary delights, listening to her talk with family friend Mary Lee, and seeing her sip her “Fee-tini” in her Christmas sparkle glass! There is only one Fee and we love her SO MUCH!!!!

The Dance-Christmas, 2011

childoftherockgarden — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:57:31 +0000

Rock Garden-Fall Photos

childoftherockgarden — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:48:29 +0000

Thanksgiving Week, 2011

childoftherockgarden — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:07:17 +0000

Buttons, You Are Real!

childoftherockgarden — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:34:30 +0000

Buttons and I visited his Mama Avonne in the nursing home today. It was a good day; some days we walk in the place and everyone is frantic and wanting freedom; while other days, we enter and a feeling of calmness permeates the walls. Today, everyone in the dining room wanted to hug Buttons. Could it have been the Beatle music playing in the background-a new twist for the new administrator? As we came in the front door, Opal, (who normally yells “Hurry; Hurry” at the top of her lungs) greeted Buttons and asked us to take her to the end of the hall and back. I hooked
Button’s leash to Opal’s chair and said “Let’s go!”. Opal said, “We are on the road now!”. I said, “Yes, Opal, we are really trucking’”. I pointed out to her that Buttons was pulling her down the hall. Opal said, “Oh, He is too little
to be a work horse.” But, when I told her Buttons really
liked her, she said, “He’s a sweet baby!”. Avonne was delighted to see her “baby dog”. I think Buttons secretly enjoys everyone thinking he is just a puppy, when he is
actually 11 years old. Avonne loves for everyone to see her baby. She wanted me to take Buttons over to meet the gentleman in the corner. Buttons and I met Marvin, who was
so excited to hold Buttons. He said, “Buttons, Get up here in my lap, you sweet dog!” Marvin then uttered the most
profound words to Buttons, “You ARE real!”. So many of the
residents came over to pet Buttons. Smiles were abundant. What a great little dog-so patient and attentive to every person who just needed his time!!

Fall, 2011

childoftherockgarden — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:43:28 +0000

Thus far this month I have:
Enjoyed a road trip With my sweet mama,
Celebrated the 90th birthday of my Aunt D.D.,
Reunited with “the three girls” of my childhood,
Enjoyed joyful times with family,
Called 91-year-old Judge Bob (the fishing buddy of my childhood), listening to him talk with joy and sadness about his sweet wife and our Peggy; telling us about sharing family dinner in Peggy’s honor with my best friend, Janie and her husband Bob at “The Country Squire”, a familiar place from my past,
Celebrated the 4 inches of rain and prayed for Baby Cade,
Cried sweet and painful tears for my friends and their
families, gifted with holding beautiful baby Cade for one precious hour of life,
Walked miles feeling Fall’s first breaths,
Cheered for my boys’ excitement in experiencing the Texas Ranger’s wins,
Enjoyed telephone visits and “texting” with my family,
Endured the barking of Buttons through the thunderstorms,
Rocked our Molly May nearing the end of her Fall season,
And shared good reads and pumpkins with my sweet Billy!

Fall, 2011 brings a mixture of pleasure and pain, moving me forward.

Pond Frog-Life is Good!

childoftherockgarden — Thu, 26 May 2011 02:03:55 +0000

There is no mistaking the billowing sound of a frog and there is a never ceasing amazement at that gutterally, symphonic production,

that in the end is nothing short of musical. This being, less than one inch long gives proof to the notion “less is MORE”!

Amidst the blooming water lilly—-summer is here!!!

Thank you for a wonderful birthday!!

childoftherockgarden — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:58:27 +0000

I enjoyed the most wonderful birthday. I started it off by walking with my friend, Gail at 6:30 in the morning. We extended our walk several miles and ended it by enjoying and discussing the garden. I accomplished some necessary daily tasks, like attending to our cat, Snowshoe, in the apartment and giving him some well-deserved attention. Then, I went to lunch with my dear friend, Kay. She gave me the most wonderful big rabbit holding a tealight for my garden. BG and I then took a nap–what a wonderful thing to do on your birthday-hah! BG then took me to buy shoes (it’s all about the shoes) at Dillard’s. As we returned home, Maya, my sweet neighbor, was waiting for me to help her with a 7th grade scrapbook regarding her trip to the Alamo in San Antonio. We spent the remainder of the day working on that project and I even managed to work in making a card at the same time. I received numerous phone calls and texts from those I love and BG and I ended the evening with candles and “porch sitting”! What a fine day!!! I could never ask for more!!

You are all SO CLOSE TO MY HEART-I LOVE YOU, Terry

Historic Iris

childoftherockgarden — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:35:19 +0000

The burgundy iris are in abundance on the creek this year.

Fee’s English Garden

childoftherockgarden — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:01:25 +0000

For several years, I’ve had a vision of creating a beautiful English garden. In honor of my mother’s birthday this year, I have accomplished this dream. My grandfather’s petrified wood; a rock path; a favorite pottery piece; historic iris; a blooming salvia bush here and there; vegetable plants; verbena; phlox; and a velvet fuschia snapdragon-breathtaking. We planted a grape vine last year (in honor of our trip with Brett, Leanna, and Brandon to San Francisco and the Napa Valley last summer) and it has returned along the rock fence on the edge of the garden, following a long, cold winter. The yellow, purple, and cranberry iris adorn the perimeter in gorgeous color.

Sonny in the Iris

childoftherockgarden — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:12:21 +0000

Sonny has returned to Riverside and we are enjoying him immensely. Sonny and I spent some moments on the creek amidst the iris today–a beautiful day!

Cards Created with Tim Holtz’ Vagabond

childoftherockgarden — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:30:26 +0000

AUTISM

childoftherockgarden — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:08:52 +0000

It occupies my days and my mind. I used to give presentations on information from Dr. Jane Healey, who I brought to Abilene to speak about her book “Failure to Connect” regarding her prediction that technology would ultimately change our children’s brains. As I assess 2- and 3-year old children as the SLP on an Early Childhood Autism team, I am seeing a great number of children who do not meet the criteria of autism, but who do demonstrate evidence of “different brains” and spend an extraordinary time within a “television” or “game time” environment. If you begin hours of this activity prior to age 2, there will be differences.

Owl Watching

childoftherockgarden — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:13:05 +0000

Bill and I were discussing this evening where we would consider moving to besides Abilene! Then, we heard the owls and we went down to the creek and watched them–amazing! Some moments, we have it all!!

Ice Melts

childoftherockgarden — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:58:43 +0000

THUNDERSNOW!!

childoftherockgarden — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:08:58 +0000

Well, as usual, Abilene creates new words for a thunderstorm and snow occurring at the same time: Thundersnow! But, alas, it was a wonderful snowstorm–very dry and it is still with us. Hoping my rabbits and owls are doing well–7 degrees in the morning. Another snow day–I guess we will be working over Spring Break, but I for one love the opportunity to look out at the drifts–yes Texas Drifts! It was very cold today, but I managed to take a few pictures.

Do Squirrels Demonstrate Empathy?

childoftherockgarden — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:41:33 +0000

Perhaps some clues to the answer to this question reside outside our window. We were observing the “critter action” on the creek this week and were highly entertained by seven baby squirrels swinging from branch-to-branch across the old pecan trees, chattering and chasing each other up, down and around. After several minutes, we noticed a squirrel leg in full extension, hanging from the barbed wire part of the bird house off of one of the big pecan trees; the remainder of the squirrel evidently inside of the birdhouse. After several moments of no leg movement, we could only assume that this one particular squirrel had one leg permanently caught in the barbed wire of the birdhouse. We watched in amazement as another squirrel kept trying to assist his squirrel friend, by pawing at his foot and using his teeth to try to free the other squirrel’s foot. As he tried to help without success, we decided we would have to intervene before the squirrel broke his leg. Armed with garden gloves, needle-point pliers, and stool, we proceeded to go outside to rescue the squirrel. After several attempts at trying to free the squirrel”s toenail from the barbed wire by bending the wire downward, our neighbor came in to assist, as we needed more heighth. He donned his gloves and climbed up on the stool, freeing the squirrel’s claw from the barbed wire. The squirrel immediately scrambled back into the birdhouse. We backed away and watched, as his squirrel friend climbed down onto the roof of the birdhouse and immediately stuck his head inside, chattering to the rescued squirrel. After several minutes of conversation, both squirrels climbed out of the house and returned to their frolicking in the great pecan trees. A loud chatter could be heard, as all of the squirrels “discussed” Fred’s adventure. You decide the answer to the question!

Owling on Elm Creek

childoftherockgarden — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 02:24:37 +0000

Two Great Horned Owls reside on our stretch of Elm Creek. Nature at it’s best.

Christmas Tag

childoftherockgarden — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 02:06:41 +0000

I used my Vagabond to cut the tag and then just “went with it”.

Visit with Santa Tag