Tuesday 4- The Wild West

Time for the Tuesday 4. This week is about the Wild West. Join me if you'd like. 

Before we get to the main questions, I have an aside story.  I'm not sure how it came up, but I asked one of the young shelvers at work if she knew what a Western was. And she said, "In what context?" Of course, all of the older people immediately thought of the entertainment that was so popular years ago. I was surprised by her answer and decided to go home and ask my kids if they knew what a Western was. I was sure they would know because they read a lot and the reruns were all over TV. However, their response was identical, "In what context?"  Westerns are supposedly making a comeback, so I wonder if I would get the same response now, a couple of years later?

1. Do you have a favorite TV western you enjoyed? Tell us about it.

I definitely grew up when Westerns were a big thing. However, I didn't watch many at the time because we could only get one TV channel-CBS. The only one I saw was Gunsmoke which we watched every Monday night as a family. BTW, It was during that show that I realized that the big action scenes always occurred 10 minutes before the end of a show. I have seen many other Westerns since then in reruns as well as listened to reruns of Gunsmoke when it was a radio show. 

2. Lots of western movies... which was one you enjoyed?

Theo ready for the Rodeo.

 The only one I can think of was True Grit from 1969. I haven't watched it since then, but I do remember thinking that Glen Campbell was not a very good actor. However, I did enjoy the movie.

3. John Wayne was in many westerns and had many fans. What actor is your favorite? 

Uncle Billy loves John Wayne and his movies and will watch one every time he sees one on TV. Me, I'm not sure I have a favorite unless you count Chuck Connors because he reminds me of my father.

4. You are going to have to move to a western state that has cowboys! Which state will you choose and why?

That's a hard question. Without considering political climate, tax structure, etc., I would say Utah because besides the beautiful scenery, it is not as hot and dry as the southwest. I find after a few days in an arid area, my eyes crave green. However, I have really enjoyed every state that I have visited in the west.

I lived in Texas for 10 years where there are still many present day cowboys. Houston, where we lived, hosted a huge two week rodeo every year. Besides big rodeo events and concerts, people all over the state did a "trail ride" into town for it. The park where they met was close to our house and I would take the kids to watch the horses and wagons roll in (as well as their campers and tailors). The cowboys and cowgirls would be dressed in their finest western wear and the ladies all had the famous "big Texan hair". It was a very fun time.

Happy Birthday, Kitties!

Annie and Leo

Today our cats, Leo and Annie, turn 18 years old. They are definitely showing their age, but they are still showing their spunk and insistence on being the center of everyone's world, as well.

We already had two cats when we got Annie and Leo and were not planning to get any more. But you know what they say about best laid plans. Miss Landers had gotten us a gift certificate for Petsmart that we went to use one afternoon. As chance would have it, it was cat adoption day. While I enjoyed seeing the cats, I was not tempted to get any more. I thought we were doing our part with the two we already had.  I wasn't tempted, but Ward was. He started campaigning that we needed some kittens. All of my red flags went up--what about the extra litter boxes, torn furniture, vet bills, etc. Those didn't seem to phase him. I agreed to go back and look at two kittens we had seen - a brother and sister that they wanted to adopt together. 

The kittens were shy with one (Annie) cautiously venturing out of their carrier to be petted while the other (Leo) hid inside. We went about our shopping, but went back before we left the store and said that we might be interested in adopting the pair. However, we needed time to think about it. Then we went home to talk to Wally and Leo.

They thought getting two more cats was the greatest idea in the world. I laid forth all of the arguments as to why we should not get the kittens, but they had a counter argument for every one of them. So then I started to think seriously about the idea. I tended to be the one in the family who put a damper on many thing by looking at the practical/negative side of things. I told myself that maybe for once, I could do something without thinking through all of the possibilities. I gave the adoption group a call the next day and said we were interested. 

The group was very happy we called back. They had  others interested in the kittens but liked us because they knew we weren't doing it on impulse. The group's goal was to get a lifelong placement for the cats in a good home. Not one that would have them for a period of time and then get rid of them. We had to have an extensive interview, fill out a lot of paperwork, make promises for their care, and pay for a spay and neuter. All good practices, but there was one question in particular that I thought was very smart. They said that in all likelihood, that our kids would be out of the house long before the cats. Would Ward and I be okay with having four cats with only two of us to care for them? We said we would.

And two days later, we picked up the kittens in the parking lot of Petsmart and took them home to spend the next couple of weeks anchored in a bedroom as we introduced them to are existing cats, Lucky and Lucy. But that's a story for another day.

So was it a good decision to have four cats? Yes. Were there problems with this many? Yes. But the joy, comfort, laughter, and companionship they have provided have far outweighed the difficulties. 

Happy Birthday, Annie and Leo! We're so glad that you are part of our family.

Tuesday 4 - Me

 It's time for Tuesday 4. This week is about describing yourself. Join me if you'd like.

Me at 5 years old.

1. How are you unique or different from your friends or family? How typical are you?

This is a hard question. Maybe I should ask an outside observer to get a better perspective, but I can't find anyone. So I give it a go on my own.

I feel like I am very similar to my sisters - detail oriented, good at thinking through plans, like simple things. I am different than my husband's family where most things are examined from an engineering/physics perspective. I, too, am science oriented, but physics is my least favorite and hardest science discipline for me. 

I am different from some of my friends in that I tend to try to find the positive in most situations. I can be annoying in that way sometimes so I've been told. But that is not to say that I don't enjoy a good complaining session at work as much as the next person.

2.  How do you spend your spare time? books, hobbies, visiting, tv etc. I like being outside and observing nature, so I often work in the yard. Except when it's really hot. Then I melt. :) I also read, watch TV, play computer games, and pet cats to relax. In the past, I did knitting and cross-stitching.

3. What was high school like for you? Overall, high school was pretty good for me. When I was a freshman, I tried out for everything I could--student council, cheerleader, class play, etc. And I lost every single one of them. I was not the prettiest, curviest, or richest which were all things that were of great value to 14 year olds. But I came back the next year and tried again and had a few successes. By the time I was a senior, I was student body president, a varsity cheerleader, and valedictorian. When I look back, I'm not sure where I got the courage to overcome all of the rejections.

4. This question has multiple parts:

a. Handbag: designer style or any will do?  My bag has to be not too big and have a good carrying strap. Designer or not, I like to get a well made one and carry it for years until I get embarrassed about how worn it looks.

b. Pajamas or night gown? Pajamas. I've never understood nightgowns in that they always seem to end up in an uncomfortable ball around my waist when I have worn them.

c. Shoes: sturdy or pretty ? Definitely sturdy. I have various issues with my feet, so when I find a pair of shoes that are comfortable for me, I tend to wear them all the time. Until, much like the purse, I get embarrassed about how worn they look.

d.home decor: classic, modern, farm house style, traditional? I don't know what our style is. I'm not sure we have one. But in general, we lean more to the traditional and less to the modern. And uncluttered. That's not to say that we always achieve that, but I generally don't like a cluttered space. Which is one reason my desk is bothering me right now. But not enough to do anything about it. Same goes for my nightstand. :)

e. Movies: feel good, drama, romance, action? We watch very few movies, but I enjoy a feel good comedy more than an intense action movie.

To There and Back Again

 Ward and I just spent a long weekend in West Virginia for a family reunion with my family. 

Let's get the COVID concerns out of the way that you all are wondering about. It was a small vaccinated crowd, outdoors with plenty of room to socially distance. And even though we were all glad to see each other, there was little to no hugging. I felt as safe there as I do anywhere else. Now onto the trip.

On the way there, we left the beaten path to visit this Amish planing mill. Ward enjoyed seeing their processes and talking with the workers. I did not enjoy how hot it was.

The next day we were up early to set up at the Ft. Boreman Historical Park where the event was held. 

The park overlooks the confluence of the Little Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. Originally the site was a Civil War fort to protect railroad facilities.

The following day, we visited the WV Botanical Gardens before heading home. The gardens were at the site of an old reservoir and had different garden rooms carved out of the forest. 

One of the many gardens was a fairy garden. You can see some of the fairy houses that have been built in the background.

There was a butterfly garden.

Close to the butterfly garden was a gazebo
where Ward was doing his thing of seeing how it was constructed.

There was a pond with marshy ground around it.

And a boardwalk through a swamp.

To summarize our trip:

It was HOT! Thank goodness for fans.

We saw lots of beautiful scenery both in the mountains and along the river.

I am very lucky to have the family I do both immediate and extended.

Until next time...

And We're Off!

The group that started it all.
My father is the tallest one in the group.

 

This morning we begin another trip across the mountains to my family reunion in West Virginia. I'm up early waiting for Ward to join me so we can begin the loading the car. 

Besides visiting with family, we have two new-to-us parks we plan to visit. I'll share some of the details with you next week.

Until next time...