So happy to spend time on New Year’s Day with good friend Jennifer and her family.
Spring has arrived! And with it, the wind. The wind has been blowing off and on since February, at times fiercely. I have continued to assimilate my new life in West Texas. I am continually amazed at the variety of birds. On a given day I see or hear such a great number as to marvel anew at creation, beginning, of course, with the ever-present doves whose calls never cease from dawn to dusk. Till now our weather (minus the wind!) has rivaled any beautiful mild day in Southern California, but soon the heat of summer will be upon us. We’ve been enjoying cool starlit evenings out front, sitting near our chiminea fires in our patio furniture that was recently repainted by Hot Rod. The winter wheat planted in front of our house has been mowed in neat rows and lays ripening in the sun until such time as it will be baled. Meanwhile the doves and quail have found generous bounty in the yellowing rows. The hummingbirds have returned, arriving just before the beginning of April.
The pecan trees were the last to bud out, so late in fact that I was beginning to be a bit impatient in my anticipation. By now the orchards are filled with the fallen catkins, the feathery pollen-producing strings that cause little newborn pecans. On the other hand, hunting for tree squirrels will be far more difficult now that they will be in cover of the dark leaves. Squirrels: the scourge of the orchard. When I grew up here in the 60’s through 80’s, there were no squirrels around these parts. It is my understanding that one squirrel can decimate $1000 of pecan income per year. They don’t eat that many nuts, but they do eat their fill, after which they continue to harvest far more nuts than they could ever eat, after which they damage trees and limbs by stripping the bark and killing branches.
I am happy to have a bit of time and some inclination to write. Things have begun to slow just a bit. Beginning in January, we literally worked for the government all month. You know that the average person “works” for the government till May? Meaning that is about the amount of income Big Brother takes from you in taxes. But in business, apart from that, we do most of our actual work for the government: accounting, calculating and processing W-2’s for the employees, filing state and federal reports for unemployment taxes and income taxes, and preparing the books for the accountant to file income tax reports. These are the longest, most arduous days in the office!
February brought the most delightful visit from Mando and Cathe! I was in heaven with my sister there to listen to me for hours on end! In return she watched me milk, helped me make scones and sandwiches for a shower, which she attended, and dubiously allowed me to drive her up to “the hills” in the jeep with Mando and The Millionaire, where Hot Rod joined us on the motorbike and we enjoyed God’s expansive vistas with wine and cheese. We ended the beautiful affair on the levee, right where the border fence ends, and prayed the Rosary together. Wait! They still had a little time for target practice before going home! Thank you sooooo much, Mando and Cathe, for the beauty of your love.
This spring had brought with it some frightening medical news regarding The Millionaire. However, Jesus had personally worked out all the details beforehand, including lining us up with some of the best doctors in the country through no fault of our own. Measures were taken swiftly and positively, and miraculously. The Millionaire is, considering the circumstances, in great health, and a cancer survivor! We have no idea why God is so good to us! How can we return Him thanks for all the good He has done for us?
Meanwhile, cousin Chelsea generously and selflessly took over my homeschooling program and WOW! Is she ever talented! Organized! Motivated! Virtuous! Beautiful! Aaaah – I’m in love with you, Chelsea. . . . Jesus hand-delivered you to us, or us to you.
On to other news:
Hot Rod is at this moment in California soaking up time with old friends before summer school. She’ll be staying in Midland, TX over the summer, taking a class and working. Here in El Paso, jobs are more scarce and her schedule was such that it was complicated to find employment. Midland, however, being in the middle of an oil boom, has a “reverse” economic problem. It sometimes boils down to one qualification to obtain a job: a place to live. Businesses there are almost desperate for workers, so we hope she’ll prosper over the summer as she completes a math course and enjoys the fine company of her darling cousin, Nevada, and Warren and Sara! She’s been accepted into two Universities in the fall, so she’s got a big decision ahead, and I can’t help mention how proud we are of her finishing her freshman year with a 4.0 grade average.
A fun and mystical ride through deserts and pastures.
The Elf continues to flourish in archery. She won the last two competitions she entered, and we are now shopping for a new bow that will more closely reflect her growing ability. She continues to shoot shotgun as well. And milk the cow. And be sweet and accommodating and imaginative! She is so steady and faithful that we have hired her to milk regularly. (Lady Moo is quite happy with the arrangement.) The Elf’s plans for the summer: she will be attending training camp for The Survivors in Silverado, CA, two archery competitions in June, 4-H Congress in July, the 4-H State Shoot right after Congress, and plans for mountain camping and fishing late in July.
Dead Eye, living up to his name, has done very well in competitions, having finished first in team in the last two shoots (first, second, and third lately!), and high point youth recently. The last competition he was just one point away from high-point youth. And it was on his birthday! I can’t believe he’s fourteen already! He received a deer rifle which he is VERY fond of. He’s quite a bit taller than me now, and he’s courteous and gentlemanly. Also a very good scholar. His plans for the summer also include Survivors camp, possibly Congress, if there are enough seats, and the state shoot and camping.
A little about Survivors: IMHO the best, most effective, and inspiring organization for young people to get involved in the pro-life movement. As The Elf repeats: Are you pro-life? Yes? Then what are you DOING about it? Go
to this website and learn more. I think every pro-life teenager in the U.S. should attend the training camps. Besides the effectiveness of the training, the price for what you get cannot be beat!
A little about 4-H Congress: 4-H is a leadership program. It comes to us through the university system as an extension program, and it is nation-wide. It is funded, but the kids also raise money. They can learn about anything from parliamentary procedure, to hunting, culinary arts, fashion design, livestock, you name it. They also compete. And in the process, they learn to lead. If I’m not mistaken, each state has a 4-H Congress in which members from each county act as state legislators in session. They write bills, debate them in committee, present them on the floor, and pass or decline them. Only in Texas, Congress actually is held at the state capital. The Elf is busy thinking of bills to write. (I suggested they vote to repeal unnecessary laws, as there are already too many on the books!) Since I will be near Austin attending a pecan conference at the time, I hope to stop in and sit in the gallery and watch my children legislate!
Today there will be a team-roping competition in our back yard. Last time there were 14 teams competing. We look forward to seeing all the cowboys and horses here! Dead Eye plans to go to the range and practice with his new rifle. Cousin Michael spent hours helping him sight it in and adjust it perfectly – a very scientific process from what I understand. How blessed we are to have such a talent in the family as Michael!
Happiness . . . .
Last but not least: we’ll be arriving in Southern CA the 26
th or 27
th. San Diego first, to visit sister Linda, and then to Sylmar/San Fernando around the 29
th. Mando, Cathe, Joe, Cece, Bill, Kim, are you ready for us? KRISTI, I’M ON MY WAY TO SEE YOU!!!
Another mysterious jeep ride with Uncle of the Corn.
(He don’t give a dorn.)
Early spring
Listen my children and you will learn
Tip O' Texas Catholic 