Author: DGThoma

Deanna Thoma is a grandmother of three wonderful grandchildren, one girl and 2 boys. After 20 years of dedication and loyal service to the children in the state of Texas (or so the plaque says), she retired in 2019 from the Texas School System to launch her career as a writer. After many years in the Finance realm, she was ready to trade numbers for words. She was included in the James Patterson Master Class Anthology and was awarded honorable mention in Tulsa County Creative writing-Childrens’ fiction in 2022. As a child, she walked to the library holding her older sister’s hand with their mother by their side. Every summer she carried books home and got lost in the characters lives. She has hosted a blog @nanasapronstings.com since July 2014. Along the way, she earned a BBA and an MBA and became a Certified Public Accountant. (Math nerd for short!) She graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Tx earning her MBA. She lives in Broken Arrow, Ok but Deanna is a Texan at heart. She was born in Texas and lived there until 2020.

Social Distancing

On June 7, 2020June 7, 2020 By DGThomaIn Writing1 Comment

Amid the pandemic, the mantra “Just stay home” has become my excuse for cutting back on exercise. The gyms are closed, so no classes. My long runs have turned into short walks.

Months ago I won the lottery to run in the New York City marathon. I was training hard and thrilled to get in.

Now I keep reminding myself I need to prepare, while I’m thinking, “it will be cancelled”!

So recently when friends invited me to join them for a run, I jumped at the opportunity. We planned to meet before 9AM Saturday, so Friday night I set the alarm for 7AM. My alarm and my phone went off in synchronized unison. Half asleep, I fumbled for my glasses to read the message. My friends were on the way to the trail and I was in my pjs! I replied that I might be a little late. I got dressed in the dark and rushed to the car. The run was fun despite the chaotic morning.

Our Saturday tradition is to run first and meet for breakfast. After our three-mile run, we drove thru a local restaurant. To comply with social distancing, we were in separate cars.

The egg burger, breakfast potatoes and vanilla shake I scarfed down, far outweighed the running calories I burned.

With a sense of accomplishment, I headed home, where I discovered that my skirt was on backwards!

Social distancing does have its merits. Nobody notices your clothes are not on properly or that you ate all your calories for the day in one meal!

Obsessions

On June 4, 2017 By DGThomaIn Exercise, Friends, Humor/Light Hearted, Writing1 Comment

Obsessions, everyone has a few. They may be mild or they may be extreme. Mine fall somewhere in the middle. I call them “my crazies”. People may say they don’t have obsessions, but I don’t believe it. Even Superman has Lois Lane. If you must have crazies, pick something you enjoy.

My current crazy is easy to recognize. Visit any of my social media accounts where threads of running related anecdotes litter the posts. Most days between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM, I’m dressed in spandex and Asics running shoes ready to exercise.

My number one addiction is running. I find it social, meditative and energizing. It can be a much-needed tension reliever and in my group, filled with laughter. We have christened ourselves, the fun group.

As a young naïve employee, I smirked watching my 50+ co-workers lace their Keds ready to spend the lunch break in a brisk walk. I lounged inside, enjoying the air conditioning. If I walked, I never wore tennis shoes and a dress!

Well, how silly was that? Who cares what I wear during a lunch walk? If they do, that’s their problem not mine. My mature self knows better. Most days I eat, then slip a favorite pair of athletic shoes on anxious feet, anticipating spending half an hour in the fresh air and sunshine.

My younger clueless self missed much enjoyment, choosing safety behind the glass while she could have meandered through the tree lined paths on the other side of the pane.

This current obsession has enjoyed a longer life span than former ones. With 18 marathons, over 20 half marathons and countless 5 and 10 K runs completed, I hope this one doesn’t end. And there I go again, letting crazy spill out.

If I run 100 marathons when I’m eighty, that’s my crazy. Well not that I’m 80 but I will be someday. I resolve to be diverse in choosing topics to tweet, post or blog, but for today, here is one more on my current obsession.

Red Cowboy Boots

On February 3, 2017 By DGThomaIn Writing1 Comment

Reposted from The Eclectic Nook https://theeclecticnook.com/

I had a dream the other night. Most of it faded as I woke up but I remember the last bit quite distinctly. My mother, father, and I were walking in a city somewhere. My mother was dressed in a red western shirt, jeans, and red cowboy boots. My father was wearing jean shorts, a t-shirt, and running shoes.

At some point the cowboy boots begin to hurt my mom’s feet, so my dad trades shoes with her. I remember seeing him in his aforementioned attire with the bright red cowboy boots on his feet. He is grinning not a care in the world what anyone thinks. My mom and I both smile back at him secretly wishing we could be more like that.

I sent my mother a text recounting my dream and she agreed that it sounded just like my dad. This post is dedicated to the hope that we can all learn to be a little more like my dad and wear our Red Cowboy boots not caring what other people think.

Addendum: Thank you Katrina for sharing your dream. I have to say that Katrina’s daughter’s response was simply “Yeah, that’s his superpower!” Well said!

A Saturday of Surprises

On June 15, 2016 By DGThomaIn News and Reviews, Writing1 Comment

I was scheduled to work Saturday a few weeks ago. Well I scheduled myself, but there were a lot of things I needed to get done. I planned to sleep in a bit, maybe even until 7:30 AM. Weekdays, the alarm goes off at 5:00 AM. I also planned to drop by the Farmer’s Market on my way out of town. From our suburb outside Austin, TX to my office is normally a 60-90 minute commute. On Saturdays, if we leave early enough we can make it 45 minutes. A stop by the market would still get me to work relatively early.

I did sleep until 7:30 AM and was in the kitchen by 8:00 AM, trying to decide what I wanted for breakfast. My phone beeped to alert me, I had a text. One of my co-workers, already at the office informed me the water was off and everyone was going home. I resisted the temptation to text “Woo hoo!” and simply replied “Thanks!”

With unexpected free time, I stirred up a vegetable frittata, steamed new potatoes from my garden and had a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, I managed to talk both my husband and son into going with me to the Farmer’s Market downtown.

Elgin Farmers’ Market

It’s not a large venue. There were about 15 vendor stalls, live local musicians, and a decent number of people milling about. Saturday morning, the crowd, smaller than normal due in part to an early morning rain shower, still provided quite a few shoppers. We arrived around 10:45 AM, just in time for a drawing. A vendor approached us and insisted we drop our names in the bucket. I appointed my husband our representative. He often wins these things but I rarely do.

I continued to shop while he signed up for the raffle. He surprised me by entering all three of our names. A little late, but not too long after 11:00 AM someone announced the drawing was about to begin. No matter what the prize, the anticipation of waiting for your name to be called is exhilarating. The “grand prize” was a gift certificate for handmade goat milk soaps and lotions from Sweet Life. Everyone had an eye on that one. First name called? My son. Several people nearby whispered, “Maybe he isn’t here,” but he hurried to the grandstand, calling “Here I am!”

Now everyone was interested in the drawing. We all moved closer and circled the grandstand. Several more prizes were awarded, before they announced the next prize was an olive tree. “That’s what I want,” I told my husband. I don’t know why, but it seemed really cool. Winner? My husband; still exciting because I suspected I would be the actual recipient.

More names were drawn and prizes awarded. The next prize? Two glitter tattoos. Immediately, I whispered, “that’s what I’m going to win.” Yes, absolutely they called my name. I looked around for a little girl I could donate to, but alas they all already sported a glittery tattoo.

I only claimed one of my tattoos, I didn’t want to be greedy after all. I left with a pretty Celtic knot plastered on my calf. I thanked my benefactor and had to smile as I walked away. She shouted to me, “Sometimes, they will last up to two weeks.”

Two weeks later, I can still see the outline. Wonderful day of surprises!

I Want “That” Job

On June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 By DGThomaIn Writing7 Comments

So, I work too many hours and I don’t love my job. Yep, that’s on me. My choices, but sometimes it sure doesn’t feel as if it’s my choice. I mean I do like to eat! I’ve invested more years than I should in my current position, but not enough to walk away and retire.

In 2014, Forbes reported that 52.3% of Americans are unhappy with their work life. That’s up from 42.6% in 2010. I’m in the unhappy category, unable to find an alternative worth making a leap into the unknown.

I mean that’s the problem, isn’t it? The devil you recognize is safer than the one you don’t. When my father began his work life, longevity was rewarded by success. In a 2012 article, Forbes lists 4.4 as the number of years people stay in a job. Today careers are advanced by hop scotching through employers, stepping up as you move. Thirteen years ago, I quit hopscotching and settled.

Now, I want “that” job. You know, the one where everyone smiles, you get to be nice to people and everyone loves everyone else.

There are people who love going to work. When you ask them where they work and what they do, they spew endless amounts of job facts, idyllic accounts of interacting with their co-workers and how their work life balance is so great.

I want to solve issues for people and never have to say “No, I’m sorry, I can’t authorize that”.

I don’t want to talk to the man who wanted “to put my head in a blender”.

I don’t want to smile at two young children while their father rants and insists I tell them why they won’t be able to celebrate Christmas.

I don’t want to receive a call that someone’s electricity is being turned off because of me.

I have many happy memories, but well, these three memories are very vivid in my mental photo album.

None of these events were my fault or caused by my actions. I have oversight of the payroll department in my company and these people were employees.

So now I’m ready to be happy and love my job. I’m thinking it may be time to walk in the sand and sell bicycles on the beach. Anyone have any leads on “that” job?

Since You’ve Been Gone….

On May 11, 2016 By DGThomaIn Family, Food, Travel, Writing2 Comments

Since you’ve been gone, no wait maybe that was me. I believe I’ve been away for a time. Unlike Alice, I felt myself pulled under the riptide of busy work and never found the white rabbit or any other muse.

Sucked into the overwhelming crush of long hours and too many projects, none of them personal, I had no time, energy or creativity left to write one word.

A generational family trip proved to be the cure. Combine one granddaughter, her mother and me, a grandmother. Allow the mixture to rest until mellow. Toss in a sprinkle of laughter, a dash of high adventure and season well with affection. A change of scenery, an abundance of laughter, lots of companionship and a journey is a sure cure for recovery.

Embarking on a road trip across ten states in five days, we visited aliens in Roswell, slid across blistering white sand in search of Area 57 and followed a trail of crumbs left by Guy Fieri to consume amazing food.

Our final destination, Mount Rushmore. We arrived after twilight, late in the night, while mule deer grazed the shoulders of the winding mountain roads. The mountains, shrouded in the thick night air loomed eerily against the darkness.

As we drove, we played long forgotten car games, naming animals, flowers and songs beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Hotel lights, a beacon, welcomed three weary explorers ready for a warm bed and restful night’s sleep. It was a lovely hotel, but all we longed for was warm and clean. The next morning, we awoke to a crisp 24 degrees, a dramatic swing from the 83 degrees I left behind in Austin, TX a few days before.

Squeezing a trip in wasn’t easy. It took willpower to leave unfinished projects on the table and walk away. The respite was exactly what I needed and I am so thankful I could do it with my daughter and granddaughter. I am rested and ready to reignite.

A Calm Mind is a Precious Gift

On March 10, 2016 By DGThomaIn 2016, Exercise, Family, News and Reviews, WritingLeave a comment

The Bastrop State Park is a quick 20-minute drive from my home. I love to visit the park, picnicking, cooking on the grill or hiking and running the trails. My memories are peppered with hours spent in the park.

In September 2011 a roaring fire swept through Bastrop County in Central Texas. The fiery inferno didn’t spare the state park. The resulting devastation affected ninety-six percent of the park as firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze. Ultimately, it charred 32,000 acres.

The recovery has been amazing and the many volunteers who work tirelessly to revitalize it are inspiring.

Last Sunday, we arrived at the park for our first visit of the new year. As I tightened my laces, my spirit stirred. The sandy trail, flowed beneath my sneakers, grabbing for traction, keeping me sure-footed as I navigated the rocky trail.

The rustle of the dry leaves falling from the trees whispered, reminiscent of a Texas rattlesnake.

Fallen trees lay tangled, a jigsaw of trunks etched on the ground by spring flooding. We passed a young hiker garbed in a pink dress and knee high cowboy boots. She grasped her father’s hand wide eyed as her brother warned us “to watch out for those ants up ahead”. He punctuated his words with his walking stick, the stick twice his size.

Regal pine trees crooned a melody, their branches, the wind’s violin. Small white flowers sprinkled across our path an embryo that would soon be plump juicy berries, ripe and tart.

Trudging up slopes I flew down the other side, shedding inhibitions. I felt free to stumble, laugh, fall and get back up to do it again. Leaping mud puddles in a single bound, I conquered makeshift bridges and eluded poisonous tendrils of vines alongside the trail.

Fire damage and destruction faded. Sparks of green climbed over and under fallen and damaged trees.

Seven miles of fun later, wonderfully spent but also energized, I sat. Warmed by the sun, I enjoyed the song of a bird, the notes carried on the breeze. Marveling at the unexpected joy of a soul unburdened, my soul and body were restored. What a precious gift!

Never say Never……

On February 24, 2016 By DGThomaIn Exercise, Family, Friends, WritingLeave a comment

Everyone is guilty of saying I will never… I’ve begun many sentences with it myself.

A few of my favorites are:

“I will never wear tennis shoes with a dress just to get in a walk during my work day.” This one I do often!
“I will never be one of those parents/grandparents who…, well lots of things.” There are too many of these to list.
And, “I will never run 13.1 miles!” This time I don’t mind being proven wrong.

In 2001, my husband signed up for and trained for the 3M half marathon. I thought he was crazy to even consider it, but I knew he would finish it once he’d committed.

He trained for several months and never missed a scheduled run. We lived in the Texas panhandle and rain, sleet or snow never kept him from completing a training run. He is much more disciplined than me. When we met, I was a runner, and he a cyclist. I jogged occasional laps on the track and around the neighborhood; he rode for 60 miles on the weekend. I learned to ride but rode only once or twice a year. He fell in love with running.

So before sunrise early February 4, 2001, I dropped my husband at the start line. I ate breakfast and headed downtown to watch him finish. Runners crossed the finish line celebrating their victories. I turned to my friend and vowed, “I could never run 13 miles and why would anyone want to run that far?”

Fifteen years later, having completed 15 half marathons and 17 full marathons, I stood in the predawn chill ready to run the 3M half marathon. As I waited along with 5400+ runners, I shivered in the cool morning breeze and remembered that declaration. I could never have envisioned myself running more than 2-3 miles at a time back then.

On this day, I was running with my good friend, Shirley and our goal was simply to finish. Shirley has lost over one hundred pounds and is determined to keep it off. She ran her first half marathon in San Antonio in December 2015 and as we crossed the finish line, she asked, “When’s the next one?” So here we are lining up to make the trek from North Austin to the State Capitol downtown. Shirley trained for the run using the run/walk method. In San Antonio, we ran one minute and walked one minute throughout the course. Our plan today was to do the same.

When we crossed the start line, we were both running strong. As the alarm sounded for our walk break, Shirley said, “I’m feeling good. I want to keep going.” So we kept going. Eleven minutes later I looked up and saw the first mile sign. Pointing to the sign I asked, “Have you ever run a mile without a break?”

When she answered no, I replied, “Well now you have!” Both our eyes were glistening when we passed the one-mile mark.

At mile 7, we waited in line for a “porta potty”. That stop cost us 10 minutes but sometimes you have to listen to mother nature!

As we ran through the University of Texas I was in front of Shirley. Suddenly, I heard a group of runners singing. Shirley was talking to a nearby runner and mentioned it was her birthday the next day. A spontaneous rendition of Happy Birthday rang out as we passed by the UT stadium.

We completed the course and shaved 10 minutes off our San Antonio time. Even with the delay of our bathroom break we were faster. Amazing!

First thing Monday morning Shirley was standing at my desk with a handful of ½ marathon flyers, asking “Which one is next?”

So while we decide on the next one, we’ve already signed up for 3M 2017!

Commuting in Central Texas

On January 27, 2016 By DGThomaIn Travel, Writing1 Comment

I may be wrong, but I don’t think we have mass transportation figured out in Central Texas. We love our SUV’s and Ford F150 pickup trucks. They line our highways and tollways, with only a few random “Smart” cars sprinkled in like the toy prize in a Cracker Jacks box.

Austin, TX has a light rail system but it doesn’t run to my suburban area. A commuter bus service picks up and drops off near my home. I’ve often thought I might enjoy catching the bus into town. I envisioned writing or reading a book for the 1 to 1 ½ trip to the office. I was unsure of the bus route, so didn’t know if it would be convenient.

I never got around to checking the route or the schedule but each time I saw the commuter bus moving through traffic, I remembered I wanted to find out more.

So when our vehicle decided to stop running, mid-commute on Friday, we checked it into the auto hospital and decided it was time to take the commuter bus. It’s odd. When we travel to other cities, we ride buses, subways, trains and take taxis. It’s never an issue and we are completely comfortable. But something about having to catch the last bus home became worrisome. The published route and fares were listed on the website, but there were few specifics. The bus stop was a short ¾ mile from my office and less than ¼ mile from my husband’s office. The last bus left Austin at 6:20 PM. We gave ourselves over an hour to get to the stop so we had have plenty of time. We were unsure if the bus accepted cash or tokens.

A quick call to the Capitol Metro office and answered my questions. The representative assured me payment could be cash as long as the change was exact and the total fare was 4.75 per person. The website listed the price as 3.50, so I was glad I’d checked.

My husband and I arrived at the stop by 5:30 PM, well before departure. We bought a bottle of water from a downtown grocer so we would have exact change. A Starbucks sat on one corner and a Which Wich on the opposite; but we sat on a bench outside, around the corner from the bus stop to watch for the 990 commuter to arrive. Dusk settled as professional workers heading home gave way to Austin night life spilling across the sidewalk.

A few minutes after 6:00 PM, we relocated to the stop in hopes our bus might arrive early. It was a bit nippy but not too uncomfortable as we waited. After thirty minutes, a plethora of city buses lumbered past but no 990 commuter bus among them.

Around 6:40 PM our bus finally arrived. Four of us waited to board by the time it slowed and stopped. On board we began inserting dollars into the machine. The driver stopped us when we had deposited 7.00 dollars. The fare really was only 3.50 each. What a nice surprise!

We stopped four times before we reached our destination. The bus picked up and dropped off a few passengers before our journey ended. Commuting on the bus wasn’t quite what I had pictured. My fantasy, of a slow lumbering train ride, soft comfortable seats with low lighting wasn’t completely accurate. The ride was nice, if a little bumpy. We arrived in a reasonable time frame and it was comfortable. Would I ride it again? Yes…. But not every day just yet!

Winding down the Old and Quietly Ushering in the New

On January 20, 2016January 22, 2016 By DGThomaIn Family, News and Reviews, Travel, Writing2 Comments

My anniversary is the first week in January and instead of exchanging gifts, my husband and I often take a weekend trip. We are usually in need of a bit of recuperation. Although fun, holiday travel can take a toll. Our hectic schedule begins with Thanksgiving and culminates with our anniversary weekend.

I love to travel but am always grateful to return home. This year our holiday plans included multiple trips, and I wanted to avoid piling on more miles when planning our anniversary.

I debated planning a special meal instead of a weekend trip, but decided to search online for day trips. A few familiar options popped up, but, there was one I had not heard of , the 9E Ranch. Intrigued, I read the following blurb:

“On a 320-acre ranch, this rustic cabin resort lies 13.4 miles from both downtown Bastrop and Smithville.

The 4 antiques-filled cabins are individually decorated and come with full kitchens and country views. Some add sleeper lofts, claw-foot tubs, air-conditioning, decks or wood-burning stoves.

Paths and hiking trails crisscross the property. Breakfast muffins and coffee are complimentary.”

The description sounded perfect for a quiet restful weekend! I checked the website for a vacancy and found The Eagles’ Nest Log Cabin was available. I booked the cabin and on Friday afternoon, we headed for the 9E Ranch.

We arrived at the ranch half an hour after we left home. The entrance was easy enough to find but I recommend using GPS. It is well marked but in the dusk it wasn’t as obvious as I expected. As we drove through the gate, we shook, rattled and rolled down the hard-packed dirt road.

It was a typical ranch road as expected on a working ranch. When we pulled up to the cabin, a smile spread across my face. The scene was idyllic. Thankfully, we had packed light, bringing few bags. The air was chilly and damp, so minimal luggage made unloading easy.

Inside, I was instantly charmed. The view was lovely. The stately pine trees meandered across the grassy slope tossing pine needles in their wake. Huddled at the bottom of the hill a small herd of longhorn cattle strolled.

We stowed our bags and settled on the sofa as the evening dusk faded to cast delightful light show across the horizon. Later, we sat at the little wooden table and ate a light meal. Tuna and fruit on a bed of greens and a tray of cheese with crackers on the side made a light and tasty meal! The rest of the evening we sat quietly reading, talking and just looking at the skyline.

On Saturday we drove to Smithville to visit a few antique stores and enjoy a fun lunch at Pocket’s Grille. At Pockets, the burger bar is the trunk of a 1961 Ford Galaxy. I ordered fish tacos and it was a delicious choice. Ron opted for a burger. We both cleaned our plates. After lunch, we headed back to our cabin. With the drizzle now a rain, we stayed inside the rest of the day. We had planned to take long walks on the trails and view the animals that roam the ranch.

Instead we stayed indoors, wrapped in a quilt while we played Trivial Pursuit and watched the night sky come to life. We left the Eagles’ Nest cabin around noon on Sunday, refreshed and rested. It was the perfect getaway and I can hardly wait to return.