Month: January 2015

Let it rain, Let it rain…..

On By DGThomaIn Humor/Light Hearted, Musings, WritingLeave a comment

Texas is in a drought as are many other states.  When I first moved to Central Texas 12 years ago, it rained often.  Someone once commented, a 20% chance of rain meant it would rain at least 20% of the afternoon.  And it did rain most afternoons; a light pleasant shower.

Now when rain falls, we cheer.  Rain in Austin often comes in heavy, concentrated downpours that are a deluge and cause flooding.  But we welcome any rain with glee.Rain Clouds

Last week, we had rain in Austin, Texas.  Rain fell hard and fast and it was wonderful.  I love the rain and smiled happily, as it poured.

Austin drivers are more courteous than I have experienced in other large cities.  There is a sense of camaraderie rarely found in commuter traffic.  But, drivers in Austin don’t just forget how to drive in the rain, they become ridiculous risk takers.  I wonder if the rain is so miraculous that it makes them feel invincible.

Last week, we were driving to work, rain pounding, and visibility a quarter of a mile.   The dry ponds along the highway were teeming with the brackish rain water.  As we drove through an intersection in heavy commuter traffic, a small dark car entered the flow from the left.  The car shot across four lanes to access the McDonalds parking lot on the far right. I hope the Egg McMuffin was worth jeopardizing themselves and dozens of other cars!

Remarkably, everyone survived and I heard no metal on metal screeching.  Inching forward we moved toward the next traffic light which was green.  Suddenly, the Super Shuttle van in front of us pumped the brakes and came to a full stop at the green light.  Expecting the driver to look up and move forward, we waited unable to change lanes.  We assumed he would wake soon.  Nope!  The light turned red while we were still waiting.

I could just imagine the driver, looking back at the passengers and calling, “Don’t make me come back there!”  Followed by, “I’m not moving until you settle down!”  The light changed back to green and the van made an illegal left turn from the center lane.  “Ah,” I thought.  “Missed his turn.”

As we move into 2015 I hope the drought comes to an end.  Perhaps if it does, Austin drivers will remember that when it rains you should exercise caution.

You are not traveling alone…

On By DGThomaIn Friends, Musings, Travel, WritingLeave a comment

Today will be my 44th post.  I began posting weekly in May 2014 and have posted each week since.  For those of you who joined me, thank you.  I love to read your posts and spend time with you through your writings or photographs.Peaceful Waters

The past week has been a busy whirlwind of activities, some good and some not so much. I wasn’t able to write this week, so I searched my snippets to see if I might stumble across  a ready made post.  No luck.

I found a poem of sorts I had written for someone special and the last line was “Please remember each time you look at it, you are not traveling alone”.    The line referred to a ring I had given as a gift.

The Culture Monk, a blog I follow,  posted today about community.  As I read the post I thought about that line. I realized community was exactly what I was describing.

My interpretation of community is an ever changing sea of people and environments. Since December 19th, I  traveled from Austin, TX to New York City, NY; back to Austin Travelsand immediately on to Tulsa, OK.  I returned to Austin for a few days before being called to Wichita Falls, TX where I spent the last week.  Now I am back in Austin and am scheduled to be in San Antonio, TX this weekend.

What a profound community I have experienced!  One thing I know for certain.  I am not traveling alone.  During my travels, I was entertained by people, moved by others and exchanged smiles with many.

I received hugs, handshakes and words of encouragement.  So I offer to you to “Remember you are never traveling alone”.  There is always someone nearby with a smile or a story.

Death becomes us

On By DGThomaIn WritingLeave a comment

A Grandaughter and her Granny…..

Katrina Wightman's avatarKatrinaWightman.com

A phone rings.
Come home.
Across the miles we all run.
At her bedside we gather.
The center of our family.
Bringing us together one last time.

Past differences forgotten.
Hanging on every breath.
Holding ours and each other.
A circle of love.

Promises.
The bonds bound by your love
are woven in our hearts
and will not break.

Permission.
Rest your weary body.
Well lived dear one.
One final breath.
Tears and hugs.
Sleep Sweet.
Our Blue Angel.

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The Legacy

On By DGThomaIn Family, Writing1 Comment

If you ask me if I am like my mother I would tell you no. Her name was Dorothy Jane Cooper Greenway. She was a caregiver and a lifetime homemaker. I am a professional and work in an office away from my home. But those are only superficial differences. My mother was a strong and determined woman. She battled numerous physical ailments and was in a wheel chair for many years. She gifted us with the realization that nothing was unattainable if we worked hard enough. She would listen carefully and value your opinion right before she convinced you she was right and you were wrong. From my mother I learned to be a diplomat.

Mom was also a peacemaker, doing what she could to keep everyone happy. She gifted us with a talent for mediation.

Today is the day I say goodbye to my mother. I’m really glad she isn’t suffering, but selfishly I still want her to be at the end of the phone when I call.
As I sat in the floor this morning, scrubbing baseboards at 5:00 AM I reflected on my mother. I want the house to be clean for everyone coming to celebrate her life. I believe perhaps I am like my mother in many ways and for that I’m extremely grateful.

How Could I Resist “He’s the One”

On By DGThomaIn Family, Humor/Light Hearted, Musings, Travel, Writing6 Comments

I recently resurrected crocheting as a hobby.  It’s been years since I created anything with yarn and a crochet needle.  Crochet patterns and yarn have changed significantly.  I practiced on some old yarn I found stored in my sewing supplies and contemplated what I should create.

When my daughter was scheduled for surgery on her broken ankle, I knew I would have some down time while I waited.  I decided it was time to start a project.  I intended to pass time during her surgery by crocheting.  A great idea, but I didn’t get to the store before the surgery.

Because I would stay with my daughter in Tulsa while she recuperated, I picked up yarn the following evening.  Although I had crochet needles at home, I picked up a new set along with a two skeins of yarn, (Yarn Bee, First Love, he’s the one) a beginner refresher book and a basket to hold the yarn.  The baskets were half price so I couldn’t resist.

He's the one!
He’s the one!

I found a basic afghan pattern and realized I would need a lot more yarn.  The yarn I purchased was variegated so I decided not to worry about the lot#.

I headed back to the original Hobby Lobby and discovered I had bought the last two skeins.   I did find and purchase 4 small skeins of a nice cotton blend.  After all they were on clearance. How could I resist?  En route to the second Tulsa location of Hobby Lobby on East 71st, I spotted a Barnes and Nobles and decided I would duck in for just a minute.  An hour later I realized I had no idea what time the second Hobby Lobby closed.  I paid  for my books and rushed off in search of ‘he’s the one’.

As we pulled into the parking lot of the Hobby Lobby on 71st, I could see people milling about as I hurried toward the entrance.  No luck.  A store employee  waved me away and mouthed, “We are closed”.

I searched for the yarn online and discovered it appeared to be sold exclusively at Hobby Lobby.  The yarn was out of stock for on-line purchasing.  The next morning, I called the store on 71st and found out they were also out.  Apparently, ‘he’s the one!’ was a big seller.  And so began the quest for ‘he’s the one’.  An internet search identified Hobby Lobby stores in two nearby towns.  A phone call to Owasso confirmed they were out of the yarn but the Broken Arrow store had 4 skeins in stock.

My husband set off  to Broken Arrow to pick the up the yarn. He returned triumphant with the four skeins.  That was great but I still needed more yarn.

We would drive home through the Dallas area the next day, so my husband called the Dallas Hobby Lobby on Preston.  As I was making lunch, I could hear him on the phone.  “Yes, I need to see if you have a specific yarn.”  (pause) “Yarn Bee, First Love, he’s the one!”   He had to keep repeating, “First Love, he’s the one!”  as he was disconnected twice and transferred between departments.   I believe he just demonstrated, he is definitely the one!  Finally he was told that yes they did have 5 skeins. The sales clerk said no they could not hold them until tomorrow and no he couldn’t purchase them over the phone.

20150105_181341

Still searching for yarn, I made an afternoon trip to Tuesday Morning and found 4 skeins of cashmere yarn and 2 of a lovely wool blend on the clearance aisle.  Of course I had to buy them!

When we left Tulsa, OK for Austin, TX,  I used Google maps to locate a Hobby Lobby in Sherman, TX where we found 4 more skeins of ‘he’s the one!’  on the shelf.  Score!  Stopping by the clearance section, I found several more skeins of yarn which found their way into my cart.

Work In Progress
Work In Progress

I now have 10 skeins of ‘he’s the one’, and about the same number of skeins of miscellaneous clearance yarn.  Doing the math I realized I could use a few more of ‘he’s the one!  We set off to find the Dallas store to determine if they had any of the five skeins left.  Upon arriving, I rushed to the yarn department to grab all five skeins which were still on the shelf!  I completed the quest!  This will be a lovely and fun project!

Now I just have to buy a bigger basket for all the yarn and figure out a few more projects.  Aren’t clearance sales wonderful?