sojourn to smiley

Meet Katy.  She's a dear friend of mine from seminary and we've managed to keep in touch pretty well in the years since then.  Katy is one of the most unique people I know: the girl who wore vintage skirts, pearls and tennis shoes to class, who takes stunning pictures, who laughs infectiously and who is always up for grand (and sometimes random) adventures.  Our most recent time of catching up was no exception.   Katy was home visiting family in San Antonio and I live in Victoria, so we made plans to meet somewhere in the middle.  As we went to Goliad and explored the missions last time we met up, we were looking for something new to do.  Our conversation went something like this:

Katy:  "Hey!  What about meeting in Smiley or Nixon?  They're halfway 

          between us."

Me:    (pausing to think of what there could possibly be to do in Smiley, Texas)    

          "Okay, that sounds good."  

Katy:  "Do you like old cemeteries?"

Me:    (pausing to take in that question) "Um...sure."

Well, apparently Katy and her husband Will loved wandering around old Victorian cemeteries in Atlanta and sort of have a habit of exploring tiny, old cemeteries.  (This was apparently a very romantic first date of theirs!)  Katy takes pictures, Will takes in the peaceful quiet and they have themselves a grand ol' time.  I've learned in my friendship with Katy that if she suggests something new to do, as strange as it may be, you'll wind up having the most fun day ever.

And so on Friday we did.  It was fantastic to see Katy and Will again and they had mapped out on their iPhone all sorts of teeny country cemeteries to explore.  

And you know what?  They were beautiful and holy, peaceful and relaxing.

I loved all the different imagery used, and could feel the love with which people were remembered.

 We also discovered some caterpillars: this quite friendly looking one.

 And this not-so-friendly fellow.

Katy and I took pictures and talked about seminary days and exciting calls we're both starting soon.

Cemeteries really are beautiful places: in Victorian days, folks used to go to cemeteries all the time.  They were like parks, with winding pathways, benches and families enjoying picnics, celebrating life in the midst of those who have passed on.

I loved the different ways people were celebrated: some with hand-written care and thought.

Others, simply remembered with a cross (what else do you really need?).

 Smiling, adventurous Katy.

 We then went to this cemetery, where color and imagery abounded.

 Will was feeling quite inspired.

 I wonder about who made this heart in the dirt and left the rose.  Such deep love.  Cemeteries could be seen as depressing, but I think they remind us of our connection to God and one another that never dies.  And in a world where everyone is pressured to be fine all the time, they create space to acknowledge our grief and express our emotions.

It was definitely an adventure.  In the middle of finding ancient resting places and admiring unexpected beauty, we also took time to sit on a blanket and eat lunch, tell stories, laugh and breathe and celebrate life for the gift it is.  What an unexpectedly lovely day.

ain't life grand?

We've a wee bit of catching up to do, don't we?

 First, a glimpse of grace from a few days ago: perfect cheery sunlight streaming in through the window and onto my chair, making it seem like that's exactly where I was to be sitting in that moment.  (And under the chair seems to be exactly where Hayden preferred to be resting at that moment.)

With a move to North Carolina coming quickly, I decided to take a break from packing (going great!) to visit my Grandmother.  Isn't she lovely and joyful?  We had a wonderful time.

She made me what I've had at her house for as long as I can remember: biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

 There's nothing as good as my Grandmother's gravy.

 (And of course, copious amounts of coffee to go with it!)

 I went with her to get her hair fixed, and met her hilarious hairdresser.  As you can see, they get on famously.

My Grandmother lives in Alice, Texas, a small South Texas town with plentiful palm trees, several Mexican restaurants, a friendly feel and, apparently, an old Mexican-Italian restaurant.  Judging from the disrepair of the place, I take it fusion food isn't too big in Alice.  We did, though, discover some very fun boutiques in Alice.

This monarch butterfly fluttered around a blooming bush near Grandmother's apartment. If I got a bit too close, it would just take off in large arcs around me before finding its way back to that same bush.

Thanks for everything, Grandmother!  What a fun time.  Love you!

purple cows and striped horses

Guess what?  Cameron Presbyterian had their congregational meeting to approve my calling as their next pastor!  I'm thrilled.  I'm getting all packed up and ready to move, but I also made a quick trip with my parents to Brady, Texas to see my Aunt Madelynn and Uncle Jack.  The great thing about driving that direction is that you go right through charming San Antonio, where somehow your car magically drives in the direction of the riverwalk and tasty Mexican food.

Casa Rio is the best place, with their vibrant umbrellas and relaxing view.  It was slightly chilly, so I had a delicious bowl of tortilla soup.

Hayden enjoyed himself, too.  Though he began to think his name was "Awww" with all the doting dog fans who passed by.

Papacito.

Full of yummy Mexican food, it was off to Bradytown.  Hayden enjoyed his nap on the journey.  Fortunately, fantastic Fredericksburg is also on the way, so we stopped in their tempting kitchen store.

(They also make fantastic dark chocolate mochas.)

We arrived in Brady, had a fabulous dinner and enjoyed catching up and then the next day went back to Fredericksburg to really explore.

This sculpture is in the park, and it shows a peace pipe being shared between a Native American and a settler.  The treaty between the Comanche Nation and the people of Fredericksburg is the only known peace treaty with Native Americans that was never broken.  The things you learn walking through a garden.

The antiques abounded, and I found this vintage canister set that will be perfect in my kitchen.  And really, what does a person need besides tea, coffee and sugar? :)

The sunrises at my aunt and uncle's house were stunning, especially with the full moon glowing.

Hayden enjoyed his own moment in the sun.

We had a delicious Texan breakfast of taquitos with bacon.

(Perhaps I need a 'bacon' canister!)

My Aunt's stylish sitting room.  I adore the color combination and especially love that green loveseat.

My uncle works on a ranch and took us driving around.  There were the usual sights, like old barns and windmills.  But then we saw something unexpected...

Purple cows!  They've been eating prickly pear (cactus) that has a beetle living on it.  The cactus looks like it has a white substance on it, but when it's smushed (technical term) it produces a bright purple dye.  So, the cows wind up purple.

Okay, lady, enough with the pictures.

These are cave drawings from around 1000 ad.  It's pretty amazing that they're still so vibrant.

Speaking of vibrant, purple cows were not the only strange creatures to see.  They have some exotic animals and we came across a zebra gathering.

This is the charming little house that my Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Travis would stay in from time to time.  I remember visiting it when I was young.

A gorgeous sunset on the way home.  What a fun little trip.

golden oldies

 -Offering plates at church, scratched and worn by years and years of generosity.

-The refreshing change in the air as a cold front blew in.

 -Remember that old mirror I was restoring?  I've finally finished it!  It was one of those start-and-stop projects that kept getting interrupted by wonderful things, but it's done.  It needed a serious cleaning, the largest section of mirror needed to be reattached and the wood was woefully dry.

Here it is!  I'm going to love putting it over a fireplace (a North Carolina fireplace, to be exact).

it's a small world after all

-My friend Chris sending me this picture from worship at Fitzroy this morning (the church I served in Belfast).  It seems Steve let everyone know about my exciting call to Cameron Presbyterian and they prayed for me.  How thoughtful.  I think those two congregations would adore one another.

-Receiving a very thoughtful, beautifully hand-written letter.  I fear my generation and those after me will have forgotten how to write a letter with all of our constant typing.  The letter also included a peanut butter fudge recipe I'm eager to make.

-A precious little ball of fur sleeping on my lap, barking and running as he dreams.