Blue Hills Antique Mall

6832 N State Highway 123

Seguin Welcomes Caterpillar

This Stage of Life

I remember when I would see friends at dances and plays . . . movies - all sorts of places. Then, with young children, we would visit with friends at school productions or athletic events. I would visit with other grandparents when I took the grandchildren to the park or a museum or musical.

NOW I see everyone I know at the doctor's office or the Wellness Center! I am very grateful for the excellent medical facilities we have here in Seguin. Keeps the motor running . . .

Habitat for Humanity

Since its founding in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International has built and rehabilitated more than 300,000 houses with partner families, helping house more than 1.5 million people and becoming a true world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing.

Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups and others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social problem – decent housing for all.

A Blank Screen

We rely so much on our computer; it seems as though our Life is on the computer. Poor little thing was being treated by the Computer Gurus at Computer Link for a week and thank goodness, we now have it back - in good condition. The problem? I updated from Internet Explorer 7 to Explorer 8 - and it caused all kinds of havoc. My computer was virtually at a standstill: no documents would open, no internet access, etc. Don't need to bore anyone reading this with my Boo Hoo Poor Me No Computer story - BUT we are back in business now. And very grateful!

Teaser Tuesdays

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

_____________________________

page 107

By nine the next morning I was in San Antonio, the one truly lovely city in the state.

...We have never really captured San Antonio, we Texans -- somehow the Spanish have managed to hold it. We have attacked with freeways and motels, shopping centers, and now that H-bomb of boosterism, HemisFair; but happily the victory still eludes us. San Antonio has kept an ambiance that all the rest of our cities lack.

Communicating

Shakespeare

Adopting Shakespeare by Folger Shakespeare Library

Rio Cibolo Ranch

Rio Cibolo Ranch

Rio Cibolo Ranch is an entertainment ranch that provides turn-key catering and entertainment services for private group functions.

1101 Ullrich Road, Marion, Texas

Bud Shrake

Bud Shrake Interview

"This is your lucky day," Billy said to the prisoners. "The county judge has swum the river on horseback so he could get here to hold court first thing this morning. You're lucky to be brought up before a real judge in these lawless times. Lt. Tom Custer will be in court in person to get a firsthand look at what kind of stupid idiot would try to steal his horse. His brother, General Custer himself, will be showing up here in Austin with the rest of his regiment in a few days, Uncle Santana says. Too bad you fellows will be dead by then. You, Robin, you would be thrilled to see the Seventh Cavalry riding into the capital of Texas with their flags and bugles and drums."

The Gay Place

"I've always imagined that Paradise would be a kind of library." Jorge Luis Borges

(The title comes from an F. Scott Fitzgerald verse: "I heard Helena/ In a haunted doze/ Say: "I know a gay place/ Nobody knows.")

The Gay Place by Billy Lee Brammer

As politician, Roy Sherwood had little to worry about so long as he behaved himself. He called himself a "conservative States' rights Democrat" -- it was a little game he played with people back home -- and his seat in the Legislature had practically been conferred on him, like a title. His grandfather, father, and older brother had served the same district before him -- an uncle had even put in twelve years as a Congressman in Washington. If anyone ever got rid of Roy, it would be his family, not his constitutions. And Roy tried to tell himself he didn't especially give a damn anyway.

Seguin Public Safety Youth Academy

For several years we have attended the graduation of youth who have completed firefighting and police training. The training is very arduous! These kids are serious! Perhaps one day one of these graduates will be working in our community as a firefighter or a police officer. This is such a good program for our youth - and whether any of them pursue a career in the fire department or the police department (here or elsewhere), they obtained some excellent leadership and character-building lessons.
We are very proud of these graduates.

HUGE ice and water dispenser

When I saw the workers the other day at the site of the future Baytown Steak and Seafood Restaurant, I had no idea they were laying the foundation for a gigantic ice and water dispenser. It is BIG!

Youth

Teaser Tuesdays

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!
______________________________________

Three Sentences:

page 18

The next morning at daybreak, a lean, sandy-haired man rode up on his mule to help his brother put in seed cane. Claude found them all and sat down on the one standing chair and bawled, looking at the forms on the floor and holding out a hand to each, crying out again and then hearing a miniature echo of his grief begin to rise out of the stove. He opened the door and saw the baby furry with ash, its face black but for the lightning strikes of its tears.

____________________________________________

Tim Gautreaux

Stuffed

"When we got lost in a bog last summer, my sister, said, 'If I die first, you can eat me.'"

__________________________

"My friend Brenda is on the English Red and Green Diet," I tell her. "You eat five fruits and five veggies every day. But on green days you add things that grow. And on red days you add things that walk."

Pickles

Aunts

GOLDEN RULES FOR NIECES AND NEPHEWS

1. Don't assume that you are the most important thing in your aunt's life.
2. A Thank-You letter or message -- by telephone or e-mail, if not by mail -- is due for every gift or outing.
3. Remember your aunt's birthday, as she remembers yours.
4. Keep in mind that she's getting old, but don't remind her of it.
5. Tease her as much as you like, but don't call her "aunt" or "auntie" if she really doesn't like it.
6. Keep in touch

Roundup - a Good Cause

In 2003, a group of volunteers in Seguin, Texas dedicated themselves to finding a way to raise funds for our community hospital as well as create an event that would preserve the area’s cowboy and ranching heritage for future generations. With those objectives and with that dedication, Roundup was born as the major annual fundraiser for Guadalupe Valley Hospital Foundation which has since been renamed Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation.What began as a small group of people with a dream has developed into a nationally recognized Cowboy, Ranching and Western Heritage Gathering supported by the efforts of more than 300 volunteers who commit their time and talents to support Roundup. All of them share a passion for preserving the history that made Texas a legend around the world.

The event's proceeds this year went to purchase special hospital beds. Each bed costs $7500 and was much needed in our hospital. Hospital beds have evolved to include a lot of new technologies. The newly purchased hospital beds can even monitor the patient's body position and alert the nurses to risky shifts. The bed can record the patient's weight and a degree of incline in a lying or seated position. The bed can be better positioned (than the older beds) for linen changes and patient examinations and will certainly improve hospital safety.

When we left yesterday evening (probably a little after 9:00 p.m.) Bevo still had not 'dropped' on any of the squares so I don't know who won this raffle!!

Delicious food! My favorite: the chili and cornbread!

If you have never attended Roundup (or if you HAVE), consider going March 20, 2010. A worthwhile cause and a Great Time

The 2008 Roundup was cancelled because our community was helping refugees from the hurricanes that struck Texas. Last night's function was a "make-up" event and did not have several of the family and children's activities that will be available next year. I love watching the kids scramble on and off the frisky sheep (think this is called the Mutton Bust) and is so much fun. There is also a roping contest for the Little Tykes. It is a great family event. Good food. Western storytellers and singers. And, again: for a good cause.

Red Steagall, 2006 Poet Laureate of Texas, is usually at Roundup (except for this strange year) and will most certainly be present in 2010.

Red Steagall

Shanghai Chicken and Zucchini

Hot Chili Oil
{H-E-B used to carry this item - but it is no longer on the shelves]

Chili Oil Ingredients
10 - 12 small dried chilies (1 - 2 inches long)
to make 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped chili flakes

Note: use rubber gloves when working with the chilies.
(I used about 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped packaged chili peppers)
1/2 cup peanut, canola, or olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil, optional

Slit open the dried chilies.
Remove and discard the seeds.
Chop into flakes and put into a glass jar.

Heat the oil in a saucepan until it smokes.
Remove at once from the heat.
Let cool for 3 or 4 minutes.

Pour into the jar.
The chili flakes will rise to the surface but will sink to the bottom gradually.
The oil becomes spicy hot almost immediately,
but will become more so in a few days time. it keeps for months in a cool place.

SHANGHAI CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI

WITH SPICY MANDARIN GINGER GLAZE

2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices

1 can (11 ounces) Mandarin oranges, drained

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon hot chili oil

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon minced fresh gingrroot or 1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Lime wedges

In a medium or large Ziploc Zip 'n Steam bag, combine chicken, zucchini, oranges, soy sauce, hot chili oil, cornstarch, ginger root, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Seal bag and shake gently to combine ingredients. Pat ingredients into single layer.

Cook on full power for 5-6 minutes (I cooked 7 minutes) or until chicken juices run clear. Allow bag to stand 1 minute before handling. Carefully open bag. To serve, cut chicken into thirds and top with zucchini, oranges and sauce. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with fresh lime wedges.

[I did not sprinkle with the cilantro - although it certainly would have made a pretty dish with either cilantro and/or parsley atop it.]

I put the chicken and sauce on a bed of jasmine rice. This dish was scrumptious!! Doubt anyone uses that word to describe delicious food - but believe me, it was SCRUMPTIOUS!

Artist J. K. Lamkin

One of the first persons I met when we moved to Farmington in 1953 was Janet Curry. Janet now lives in Taos and is producing some stunning art.

http://www.coloradomagazineonline.com/Art/JK_Lamkin/JK_Lamkin.htm

http://lamkin.jk.googlepages.com/

The Patience of Ordinary Things

The Patience of Ordinary Things
by Pat Schneider
Another River: New and Selected Poems

It is a kind of love, is it not?
How the cup holds the tea,
How the chair stands sturdy and foursquare,
How the floor receives the bottoms of shoes
Or toes. How soles of feet know
Where they're supposed to be.
I've been thinking about the patience
Of ordinary things, how clothes
Wait respectfully in closets.
And soap dries quietly in the dish,
And towels drink the wet
From the skin of the back.
And the lovely repetition of stairs.
And what is more generous than a window?