Terrapin Station

Home again home again!

A long travel day yesterday (shuttle broke down twice en route to BWI, but that was the only glitch in the whole trip and I was headed out there plenty early).  We landed on time at 9 pm, and Ken was waiting outside with the dogs in the car.  I  opened the VW trunk to put suitcase in and Josie came flying right through from the front seat and into my arms!  A MOST satisfactory welcome indeed. 

Jazzercise this am and unpacked the whole suitcase and all put away (this is kind of a big deal for me so I get a sticker that says "TERRIFIC!").  A lazy am otherwise, laundry and Ken is napping and this afternoon we are headed to the Harley rally in Flower Mound. 

I'd hoped to have RevGal meet ups with Mibi Rev-to-be-Mibi (but didn't get back in touch with her, my bad) and Deb (Another Unfinished Symphony), but neither materialized.  However, I did get to have a phone call with Deb, and she told me some VERY EXCITING news.  I am so proud and happy for her!  While I was outside the noisy hotel lobby, talking with her on the sidewalk, I found the most amazing and beautiful item hanging on a brass fire hydrant, and I put it on right away in her honor.  Here is a picture of it from later that night (next to the coffee maker in my hotel):
















It is a beautiful and REAL plumeria lei!  I have no idea why it was there, but based on what she had told me, it seemed to be kind of a crazy God thing.  It's her news to tell, so I'll let you wonder....check in with her and when she's ready to announce, you'll see what I mean.  :) 

The Washington Convention Center is quite new (2003) and has some fascinating art.  I took some pix of an installation that really caught my fancy:                                                                                                                                         






















It's a rack of "pills" to help with all kinds of pesky things.  There are "Believe in God" pills, "Rhythm Pills," pills to  "Change your Eye Color," and "Intimacy Pills."              

Here we have the ever popular "Understand Why She Left You," and "Clone Your Best Friend's Girlfriend," medications. 










O, brave new world! 

Our Nation's Capital

On Memorial Day?  Washington, D.C. is, oh, about like Denton.  Yeah, I know what it'll be tomorrow.  But it was really bizarrely quiet today. 

The only folks around were a few tourists, NAFSAns getting ready for the conference I'm here for, and the Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee kiddos, who are based in my hotel THIS WEEK.  Fortunately, none of them are over 15 and all are with parents, so I don't expect a lot of late-night riding thru the halls on luggage carts.  (Hold that thought). 

I have a special fondness for the spellers, as I was a school champeen many years ago and if there is one thing I can do, folks, it is SPELL.  And, my fabulous niece Mallory was second in her region this year...one spot away from being down the hall from me this week!!! 

Hey!  My hotel room has a "Herman Miller Aeron Chair," of Prairie Home Companion advertising fame.  Yeah, the desk chairs that are all ergonomic and cost $1000.  Yeah.  How good can a chair be, really?  Hmm, so good that I might sleep in it instead of the big cushy bed.  Yeah, we're in trouble. 

Considered eating Subway for lunch, as I know how to count those points (!)  but instead took a chance and went local at a place called EAT FIRST in Chinatown.  Mmmmm.  Worth it.  A reception this eve and the conference proper starts tomorrow. 

Pray for my friend L, please, and my friends A and P. 

That is all. 

It's a funny thing...

...when EVERYONE is getting ready to go on vacation, the tenor of a workplace changes greatly. 

Like the week before Spring Break here (Mar. 10-14).  We were all either planning to be away for a week, or planning on a pretty quiet week due to all the staff going on vacation (and ALL the students doing so). 

But when NO ONE but you is getting ready to leave, nobody cares.  They're all in their workaday modes and rushing around. 

However, I am happy to say that from this point on, the next several items showing up in my Outlook calendar all say "RGBE" and I am so out of here!

Before I leave tomorrow, two things I must do:

• Pack my bag
• Take down the Christmas tree (I am not making this up). 

See y'all on the flip side!

Home Again, Home Again

We are back!  We actually came home a day early, since our preplanned Christmas Day tour fell through (problem with the tour company) and there wasn't a lot to do in San Jose on Christmas Day...most things closed and it was raining and chilly to boot.  So we changed our flights and came on back. 

It is great to be here.  Yesterday I picked up the dogs and estimated a job and that was ALL!  Ken is feeling bad with his stomach (first time since before the trip) so we are laying low.  I am getting office work and re-org done today!  and doctor appts. 

Hope to have Christmas with Brandon and Holley this weekend. 

The dogs are soooooo glad to see us and the feeling is mutual! 

Pictures to come. 

Bilingual Advent IV

Yesterday we went to the Tabacon Grand Spa.  It really does look like these pictures (but I really don´t look like that in a bathing suit).  But it was GLORIOUS.  Hot water (heated by the volcano!) for half a day.  Swim up bar.  Super fancy massage with aromatherapy stuff. 

This morning we went to Good Shepherd / El Buen Pastor Episcopal church.  About half the service was in English and half in Spanish.  The sermon was in both!  About Joseph.  Very fiery, that sermon.  Also, the service was very much more laid back than ours.  I imagined Fr. David´s eyes rolling back in his head!!!

I loved meeting the people.  And we enjoyed a very cute pageant with some kiddos from a local school.  Now we are taking it easy.  It´s cloudy and a little cool. 

Tomorrow...back to the hot springs, the next day, the beach, and then home. 

I heart New York

Had a perfectly wonderful time in The Big Apple!  Meant to write while I was there, but the laptop keyboard wasn't easy for me and I was tired tired at the end of long days. 

Herewith, a bit of what happened:

Arrived late Wednesday night, on the way out of LaGuardia, cab was rear ended by another cab.  Cabbies yelled at each other.  Cabbie asked if I wanted to go to ER?  NO! 

Arrived at cute Chelsea B&B, shared room with parents.  Next morning went to Empire State Building, took driving tour with private driver, and had dinner at Smith and Wollensky.  Holy Cow!  (It must be, to cost so much!)

Next day, bridesmaids' luncheon and Times Square, home of the M&M Store and the world's biggest Toys R Us (with ferris wheel inside).  In the evening, welcome drinks & hors d'oeuvres at Metrazur, inside Grand Central Station. 

Saturday, ran down to wave at the camera during filming of Fox and Friends (BIL's fave show).  Then a trip to see Statue of Liberty (though we didn't go over to the island), lunch at Serendipity 3 for nephew Spencer's 8th birthday, visit to Dylan's Candy Bar, quick run through the Museum of Natural History, and then off to the wedding!

It was at the Manhattan Penthouse on Fifth Avenue, and Susan and Adam were married at sunset, with the Empire State Building as a backdrop.  (Her office is on the 5th floor of that building).  We had a gorgeous reception with dancing and amazing food. 

Early the next morning, back to Texas.

It was a great time with family and friends...old and new ones!  I'm so glad that so many of my family could be there and it was great to meet Adam's family as well. 

NEW YORK CITY!

Sorry to shout, but I always hear that in my head as if it's exclaimed by the feller in the Pace Picante Sauce commercial....

I'm off to the Big Apple to see my lovely niece Susan be married to the charming Adam.  I'm looking forward to spending time with lots of family and enjoying a city where I have never been before. 

Last night I woke up at about 3 and Ken had the TV tuned to The Taking of Pelham 123.  I had heard that title but never knew that the movie was about a hijacked NYC subway train.  And, you know, I didn't need to know right now. 

No, really, it's fine.  Just a little ironic.

Why (you may ask) does the category include "religion"?  Well, because I included it by mistake and can't make it go away.  :)  So IN the religion category, I will say that I would very much like to make a visit to the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where my hero Madeleine L'Engle set some of her books and where she was for years the librarian and writer in residence. 

Have fun!

All my bags are packed

...with books, t-shirts, knitting, Ipod

laptop...

See you on the flip side y'all.

Friday Five - Island Getaways!

My dear beachfriend Cathy says:  "We snitched a bit of time on an quiet island nearby this week. It was a last minute plan, escaping with a minimal amount of preparation. One must have essentials that make it a relaxing time. Perhaps you have had this opportunity to escape, or maybe it's only been a thought to get away. However, suppose you were told to pack some essentials for a trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Describe your location, in general or specific terms and...."

NEXT TUESDAY (this is a real and upcoming vacation!), I am going to St. Teresa Beach in North Florida.  My great-grandfather had a house there in the late 1900's, so it is a long tradition for us.  My parents had to sell the home my grandfather built after WW II when they returned to Texas, so we will stay down the beach in Miss Muriel Crusoe's house (now owned by her daughter). 

And!  I get to meet up with beachfriend Cathy!  WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

1) What book(s) will you bring?  What books will I NOT bring?  Okay, my Prayer Book and Bible.  Forward Day by Day.  Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.  And The Great Influenza: The story of the deadliest pandemic in history by John M. Barry. 

2) What music accompanies you?  Everything on my Ipod, which is a wild and eclectic mix of all types of things.  I will only use it when the noise of the congregated house gets to be too much for me...as there will be six other adults and five children, ages eleven, ten, six, four, and two.  On the beach...I need to hear the beach!  No music there.

3) What essentials of everyday living must you take (as in the health and beauty aids aisle variety)? NOTHING!  I cannot think of anything I must have from the store.  I do need my night guard, which I wear while I sleep to keep me from breaking my teeth off.  But I already have that.  I'll borrow shampoo, etc. from others. 

4) What technological gadgets if any, will you take with you or do you leave it all behind?  I'll have the Ipod, but probably won't use it much.  And the laptop...otherwise how could I play the Friday Five?

5) What culinary delights will you partake in while there?  Fish!  especially mullet.  Shrimp!  Crab!  Good homegrown tomatoes.  Boiled peanuts. 

As a bonus question, what makes for a perfect day on vacation for you?   Time to read, nap, swim, repeat all of the above as desired.  Never wearing shoes.

What we carried and what we found

The trip from which we've just returned was very interesting.  Ken and I had more time alone together than we ever have, and with less distraction.  We took one duffel bag between the two of us because we were on the motorcycle.  I took NO books, NO knitting.  NO computer or internet use the entire time. 

I must say that I compulsively read all the free travel magazines I could find, but that was useful for finding things to do and coupons! 

We talked.  We talked about what we want to do when we retire (which is to NOT live in Key West! but maybe somewhere else in the Keys), Brandon, our business, our home, our dogs, our famlies, God, the people we saw, and many other things.  We held hands.  We laughed.  We ate delicious, fabulous, wonderful food.  Conch fritters!  Here's Ken at BO's Fish Wagon.  Man, oh man.  Was that some food. 

Two different people asked if we were newlyweds.  (Okay, one was selling something, but still....) 

We don't tend to like touristy things so after a few days we'd had enough of Key West.  It was great fun to ride back north and just stop in places.  We visited several Sherwin Williams stores and talked with people about the striping trade there.  :)  You loves what you loves!

Riding on the motorcycle was fun but I have to say not excessively comfortable for me during the long distances on the highways.  It didn't have the best back seat available for that (I learned afterward!).  My sciatic nerve protested some; and highway riding was a bit like being beaten up.  Ken and I were able to talk, though.  You smell a lot of things!  Some good and some not!  And unusual things, like people doing laundry.  I found highway riding a good time for praying. 

The bike WAS a lot of fun in towns.  That was great!  I wouldn't mind riding with Ken around here at all. 

We went to Pigeon Key, just west of Marathon Key, where the Seven Mile Bridge begins that links the Upper and Lower Keys.  The workers who built the bridge starting in 1905 ("one pylon at a time") lived in pretty miserable conditions there.  Now, one of the buildings still there is a little guest house that is for rent by the foundation that runs it.  We saw a bunch of fish and a 3 foot shark off the dock.  We daydreamed about renting the place and snorkeling all around it. 

My grandfather was involved in soil testing during the building of the Overseas Highway through the Keys sometime in the late 1920's.  The bridge was a different and earlier project, but it was still poignant to think of him and my grandmother there as newlyweds, helping on such a huge and far-reaching project. 

Such a quiet time.  No programming.  The two things I especially wanted to do in Key West were: go to St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Sunday - four new Daughters of the King were installed at the service I attended!  and go to the Hemingway Home, which was wonderful.  Otherwise we just wandered.  It was good for us and good to us. 

We ended up coming home with the same amount of things we left with, plus:  two Hemingway books (I just HAD to!), several pieces of coral and shells, and three T-shirts to replace dirty ones we threw away.  Oh, and a little sun.  And a renewed appreciation for our home, our dogs, and each other.