# 547 - ME...HOUSE...EXCITED!

I feel like a caveman with my language because I am SO EXCITED about us inching close to our closing for our house! This month, hopefully within the next 10-15 days, we will be sitting at the bank and signing for our construction loan.

Of course, we are building a larger house than we originally intended because we did come to terms with the fact that long-term, having more room is important for numerous reasons...

1. Since we live a significant distance from our grown children and other family, most traveling to see us will be staying at least one night, so we need the room for them to be able to stay over, and we normally have a LOT of gatherings at our house.
2. Additions are more costly than adding ample square footage upfront. Additions often require more extensive roof issues. We decided to price the difference in the upfront cost of the extra square footage compared with potential costs down the road...upfront definitely won.
3. Having more room is better than not having enough. We can actually block off half of the second story so we don't have to fully heat and/or cool it, but the space is readily available.
4. Closet space is important and as the square footage goes down, the closet space takes a major hit. Also, I wanted to make sure our laundry room has ample room to store extra items, such as bulk items that can bring an overall savings for the budget.

I am also diligently working toward giving our house unique character. I am so excited because I found three stained glass windows that will go into our Master Bathroom.

I had been concerned about our wrap-around porch being too intrusive into private spaces, such as bathrooms, even with privacy glass. It felt like privacy glass was an UGLY option to have facing the porch. So, having these stained glass windows solves a lot of issues. The glass is mottled, so there is no clear visibility through it, yet it is beautiful.

While working with the local antiques dealer, I also decided to get this child's rocker to have in the living room for our grandbabies.

Then, I let this chair capture my attention because it is very similar to another antique chair I already own.

It almost time to celebrate!

# 468 - Hiking Treasures

Going on a hike through our woods is always interesting. A couple of days ago, Sgt. Dave and I walked through densely forested woods in which he'd cleared out a new path and wanted to show me his handiwork. Of course, he knows that I LOVE going on walks; I will never pass up a chance to go for a walk or hike.

Each hike through our acreage feels as if I am on a treasure hunt, and I am never disappointed.

This time around, my husband takes me to tree limbs that have beautiful, ornate clusters of berries in brilliant colors.

Never before have I seen these kind of berries. He broke off a couple of limbs for me to take back to document via photography for research. And he is sweet about it, knowing that such moments, for me, feels better than being given a store-bought gift.

These berries are beautiful. If they there were safe to eat, I would have popped one in my mouth for a taste. Of course, I'm prone to educating myself on whether or not the berry is poisonous before the popping begins.

Yes, we all know that the last couple of weeks included me falling on the deck steps to badly hurt my hip/back and after a ricocheted .38 bullet hitting me in the hand a few days ago, my middle name must be "extra-cautious." Ha Ha.

No tasting, I thought I'd give my Guardian Angel a much needed break.

On this hike, my husband took me to these berry-producing trees, knowing I would fall in love with them. Both of us value the natural treasures on our land and want to know more about them.

During our recent hike, I also found another deer jaw-bone along a well-traveled animal trail. It makes me wonder what kind of animal could be killing deer along this trail deep in the forest? It's too dense for hunters and clearly runs through our private property, but the heavily tread animal trail indicates the area is a favorite among wild-life. So, in this area, it appears there is a predator large enough to take out deer.

Supposedly, there are black panthers out here, which I would not doubt because of the eco-system providing a wonderful natural habitat.

As for the jaw-bone, I have no idea about the age of the deer, but would love to know, if anyone can tell by the teeth?

The other day, Sgt. Dave also found this bottle in the dirt. Is it old or new? What kind is it? I took a photo of it next to an egg for perspective.

Between animal bones, snakes and potential predatory animals, we always carry adequate weapons on our person. We also enforce high-tech and primitive surveillance methods which need to include this wild-life trail. Taking measures to detect motion and activity throughout the acreage is something many people are doing these days. It's rather easy with the technology of today.

Living with a man who has served in the military on a special forces team will create such a lifestyle. Those of you who have lived on military installations will understand the mindset of most military peeps - you can take the man out of the military, but the military can never be taken out of the man, or woman.

It's fine by me. Living with such a fellow for nearly 30 years of marriage will teach you a LOT.

Regardless, wildlife roams the land; it is their home too, so I am considering making some kind of forest-find chandelier or wind-chime with all the animal bones collected from our acreage. Kind of creepy; however, it's part of living in a natural setting that's been undisturbed for...a very long time.

As long as I don't find a human skull, I'm A-Okay.

# 465 - Pet for Half a Day

Going for a walk on our acreage means a treasure-hunt is included. To tell the truth, we don't even have to look for the unusual or the curious because it usually crosses our path.

This little dude was moving along the ground and he got selected to be the pet for half a day.

Sgt. Dave was generous enough to volunteer to capture the creepy-crawler between his fingers and to carry it all the way to the home-site for me to put into the examination jar. I am thinking this is a cricket of some sort.

The colors on this guys body stand out...reds, yellows, black and the design is intricate. How can I not stare at it?

 

Very quickly we let the beauty go into the edge of the forest.

 

Living the city does not offer such opportunities as does a walk through the country to see nature first-hand. And being in the country seems to put me closer to God, to see His handiwork more often, and very up close.

I love exploring nature, as long as it does not include a slithering creature with fangs.

# 455 - Turtle Crossing in the Country

The land is beginning to look more like home to humans. Well, a sliver of it is looking more approachable without a machete.

Trying to get St. Augustine grass to grow around the RV and
future home-site. It helps the ground not be so sandy.

However, every day, there is a mini-adventure here in the country on our acreage.

Today, Howdy the Aussie was barking at a small cluster of dried leaves in the center of the yard (seen above) and when I first took a look, I thought he was being goofy and barking at a few branches.

Then, I looked closer and saw this little beauty, which Sgt. Dave picked up for me to inspect for injuries.

After that, I was carrying around the turtle and inspecting it really close...not worried one bit. I should have been concerned about it being a snapping turtle since I have vivid memories of my brother putting them on my neck in the morning, a special wake-up call.

As usual, I can't tell you the kind of turtle this happens to be...knowing our luck, it is some rare breed that we aren't allowed to touch with human hands.

I kept the turtle in a box for a couple of hours with some celery. Why celery? Heck, it was the turtle-menu-item of the day. Anyway, I made sure the turtle looked okay so I could let it go into the woods.

And what would've happened if the turtle had NOT been okay? Well, I know the shell would NOT have gone to waste, but I am very happy this little critter was able to be released without incident.

I still am wondering how it got so far into the pasture area of our land, away from a water source.

The dogs were extremely interested in this turtle, as they are with all things that make motion.

He/She appeared to be perfectly healthy and rather strong, so I took the turtle to the edge of the woods, toward the creek, and I let it go. Which, letting a turtle go is not a MOMENTOUS occasion such as when you let a bird go free and it flies out of sight as you feel delighted. Letting a turtle go is kind of like slow torture...it's a release that requires patience.

Run turtle RUN, the chickens are coming your way!

# 449 - Dream Home Tour, by Accident

Since moving to the country a month ago, I've come across some houses that catch my eye, but there's this one house in particular that makes my heart go pitter-patter.

Every time we pass by the house, I tell my husband, "That's my house, a dream home! We have to stop and take pictures!"

So, this past Friday, on our 27th Wedding Anniversary, my husband finds a spot to pull off so I can jump out in front of my dream home and take some quick snaps shots as he pulls the car down the road alongside the house for a turn-around.

Man...I was so happy to just get a few photos!

This house is an older Southern style home and the colors make it pop beneath the wooded grounds.

And, to shorten the story, the home-owners happened to be sitting under a few tall oaks in the backyard and as we were getting ready to leave, I decided to walk up to their back fence to ask about their paint colors. The woman kind of looked us up and down as I was telling her that I LOVED her house and confessed to hanging around the frontage to get a few shots.

She opened her back gate and said, "You two come on in and I'll take you on a tour."

Heart - Be - Still!

And so we spent about two hours with our new friends in our small town as we got a tour of EVERYTHING.

And it turns out that Shirley is an artist. She takes me on a tour of her studio in the house. This room has plenty of natural light and she pulled out a few canvases and drawings to show me her latest projects from photos she'd taken when on vacation in Florida. She's about to go to Alaska and will be taking more photos upon which to base her artwork.

Then, she shows me a wall of books. She's not only an artist, she's a published author of many books that provide instructions for painting some of her favorite things.

And there in her studio, I see a wall of books --- books that I've seen many times at stores such as Hobby Lobby, and I ask if I can buy a couple of them on the spot.

I buy the books. Of course, book is on how to draw roosters/chickens.

Then, we take more tours of her gardens and grounds to have a fascinating look at artwork Shirley's son produces out of old shovel heads, hoes, horseshoes, etc., Below is a bird made from an old shovel. Her gardens are a LOT of fun!

But, the house had me falling in love --- built in 1934, it is a beauty. I loved the red doors and red shutters with the white trim and picket fence.

Over the years, the house had gone through numerous additions, but the nine foot ceilings and open rooms with pocket doors and wide wood trim brought character into this house that you don't see in newer homes.

She has two homes on the property, but the house with the metal patchwork roof had been the garage --- many years ago, it had a one car garage with a small section set aside for living quarters, probably for a servant or grounds-keeper. It is now converted into a beautiful cottage.

And Shirley showed me her "Outhouse" that was never really an outhouse, but is a garden tool shed. The old license plates serve a double function, they add personality to the structure and cover the holes in the wood chewed out by squirrels.

And here we have another piece of shovel art --- a strange shovel critter with horse-shoe legs.

The walking path around the house is made up of all different kinds of stones and patio steps that she found or purchased through the years. Somehow, it all comes together to look WONDERFUL and welcoming.

Shirley let me know that a couple of people have stopped and told her to name her price for her place because they insisted on buying it. But, her home is not for sale. She loves it there and adores it.

 

And I get back to our own little home, which is now an RV as we prepare the land for our future home to live in until we are old, gray and full of happy wrinkles --- happy-smile-wrinkles.

 

I felt inspired.

 

Taking her books outside, I set them down on a chair and kept shooing the chickens away because they were interfering with me trying to get a good shot of the books. Finally, I realized that the chickens could not have posed any better, so I clicked and laughed at the coincidence. My chickens are looking at me looking at a book about how to draw chickens.

 

 

 

And since my field of study in the field of Humanities had been Visual Arts and Design, I realized that we "art-types" are often drawn to each other. I don't know how it happens, but creative people are built with some kind of mysterious magnetic that pulls us together. Perhaps since I wore my new hat during my outing that day to Shirley's house, she knew I was an artist by looking at me.

 

I had a wonderful day --- who would've thought a tour of a stranger's house would turn out to be such a beautiful experience? And I also got to look at her daughter's newly published children's book, a hardback book in a retro-style that made me crack-up.

 



 

And our anniversary lunch earlier that day had been enjoyable, but the local restaurant is off our list for future visits. There isn't much to choose from around here, so it is hard to mark one off, but usually for good reason. At least we had a great lunch that led to our outing at the Dream House!

 

Being married for 27 years is not an easy task, but we've come to the point to where we are in a great place --- in all areas. It's definitely a "feel-good" time of being happy and content and thrilled about our new direction.

 



 

Shirley, and her friend, BJ who is a World War I AND a World War II veteran have invited us to come back or to meet them for margaritas at a nearby Cantina where the locals love to go! I am not much for drinking, but I do like chips and salsa, so I will probably hang out with them.

I better start sketching some chickens so Shirley can get a few laughs of her own.

My dream home led us to make new friends. Bravery and graciousness combined to make for a beautiful 27th anniversary adventure.

# 434 - The Country Life in EIGHT DAYS and Things I Wish to Know

The Country Life in Eight Days, and

Things I Wish to Know

Packing for our move to the country is a tedious process. But, we better get in gear because we are moving to our acreage in EIGHT DAYS! May 15th is closing day. As of May 15th, another family will own our house in the city and we'll be living in an RV on the acreage as we get ready to build the country cabin. Well, we will be living in an RV we have not yet purchased because we can't let it sit in the driveway blocking the garage door. We've got to be able to get a large U-Haul truck in the driveway next week to load up our household items and the garage full of OH MY LORD stuff!

Meanwhile, as I pack breakables, I am going through boxes of old photos and feel pressured to record everything for family reference and history. So, I put photos on to scan as I pack. And I know I will be setting my printer up in the RV so I can scan photos during the heat of Texas summer daytime hours.

Today I came across some family photos that are literally over ONE HUNDRED years old! I began to scan these photos into the computer and my dad showed up for an unexpected visit. He does that...he just drives over and visits...I LOVE that about my dad. I am a bit panicked that my distance from him will be so far to make that little luxury more difficult, especially since he is in the middle of rough chemo treatment.

Onward...

I showed him the photos I was working on and it gave him joy. He is very happy that I am interested in preserving family history and to helping future generations to know their origins.

I pulled out one photo I had already scanned and he got such a kick out of it! The photo shows my great-grandfather George, great-grandmother Lulu is standing outside of their house with their small boy, Raymond, who is my grandfather. We believe the photo to have been taken in the area of Grapeland, Texas around 1905.

My dad and I became so interested in the photograph that he asked for a magnifying glass. Good thing Deputy Dave needs one on hand, so I had a magnifying glass close by. We began to explore the photo, trying to figure out what is what in the photo.

Dad made a comment that he wished he could better see his grandfather's facial features. So, I went back to the scanner and rescanned at a higher resolution, cropping the photos at different segments so we could get a closer look at each zone.

I love that they seem proud, wearing their finest clothes and standing in front of a house that seems to be rather perfect for a home around 1905. My great-grandfather there had BOTH his medical degree AND a law degree. Supposedly, he was a hard man...mean.

Below is a photo I am slipping in that is a close-up of my great-grandfather George.

This part of my family came from Scotland.

Back to the photo with the house, that photo shows a lovely home with everything so perfect, especially for over one hundred years ago. In fact, I'd LOVE to have this very house on my acreage. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Then, I scanned and cropped the right side of the photo to get a closer glimpse of the things that were in the yard. We finally figured out that there was a wood pile in the back. A nice barn is in sight, and the picket fence looks to encircle the house. The horse is beautiful.

But, I especially love the wicker chair on the front porch and the front porch posts that are ornate. Dad looked for power lines and figured the house did not have any electricity. I cannot imagine living in Texas during the summer months without air-conditioning. And I hope my great-grandmother, Lulu Johnson, had some cooler clothes that were appropriate to wear during the hottest months because that long-sleeved, high-necked, long waist-cinching skirt seems to be very hot attire.



Lulu died young, when my grandfather (pictured) was about 5-6 years old. So, she must have died rather shortly after this photo was taken. My dad believes she might have died because of pneumonia. My great-grandfather married again and had several more children...one died while running with a flute in his mouth and another died because of the old-fashioned car door handles that stuck out dangerously. My dad remembers the second wife, Dora, as his "grand-mother" although she was actually his grandfather's second wife, not his dad's mother.

When a child, my father remembers his dad saying, "Your Uncle John might still be alive if door handles had been made differently back then..." and I found that to be so sad, even today.

My dad said that the horse probably pulled the family carriage.

And the other side of the picture has miscellaneous things that we were trying to see, but it is difficult.

Who knows what has become of this house? Who knows what has happened to this area of land? Who knows so many things?

I wish to know...

# 423 - Tree Changes

Since our house is in a Bay Community, our landscaping includes a lot of tropical touches.

A couple of months ago, the towering Palm tree at the front of our house had a shaggy appearance. The palm leaves needed to be thinned out and the peeling bark needed to the shredded off.

 

Deputy Dave shimmied up the tree, well, with the use of a very tall ladder and he worked all day on this tree to clean it up.

One thing is for sure, this tree grows extremely fast.

Another tree I've enjoyed in the city is the Magnolia tree that my husband planted for me. I wanted a Magnolia tree in honor of my mother who loved Magnolias. I was sad about having to leave this tree behind. Apparently, the people who were set to buy our house loved the tree as well.

Miraculously, while on our land, Deputy Dave was clearing a section of land and came across an odd looking little tree, which he realized was one of the wild Magnolias we have growing on our acreage. He transplanted the magnolia into a pot we'd brought from home.

I felt as if this Magnolia was a true gift from God. The one linked to my mother would be staying with the house we're selling, but this one appeared on the land and it will be nurtured so it can grow big and strong with gorgeous fragrant blooms.

I'm glad to have this free, wild Magnolia that made itself known during a time I needed it! No store was needed for this plant because it said, "Here I Am!"

I am hoping to find more wild Magnolias throughout the acreage so I can make sure they are planted in the best locations to savor the ultimate Magnolia happiness!