Long Hollow

Closings and Close Encounters

January 16, 2014

"…and suddenly, it was Thursday night."

That was going to be the title of this post, because there I was, still chipping away at my Monday To-Do list,

"…and suddenly, it was Thursday night."

Does that ever happen to you?

I did have a couple of exciting things happen this week I want to tell you about, though…

On Tuesday I had my first real estate closing! Remember Lisa, my friend with the beautiful horses? She bought a lot that adjoins her property to give her horses more space to run. I'm so glad I was able to help her realize that dream.

Then, this morning on my usual walk with the puppies I encountered a different kind of excitement…

A flock of mallard ducks on a nearby pond was raising a ruckus. While sneaking up on them with my camera, I noticed something else sneaking up on them from the other side of the pond: a coyote. A great big coyote! To me, it looked as big as Max, who thank goodness obeyed my command to 'stay'. Belle, too.

I knew coyotes were out here. I've heard them howling at night, driving my dogs crazy. I've seen the torn, bloody remains of their prey/dinner…and their scat.

But until this morning, I've never actually seen one so up close and personal here in the Hollow.

The click of my camera alerted it that I was there, and it melted back into the brush. All the way home I searched the woods, wondering if it was watching us.

Part of me is unsettled by the knowledge of its presence…but most of me feels grateful that I caught a glimpse of it, and that I had my camera with me. Also, of course, that no ducks, dogs, or people were harmed in the process.

It's really quite beautiful, isn't it?

Last night I had a close encounter with another beautiful, yet much less harmful, object: the full moon rising over Lake Travis and the small village of Point Venture…

Hope you have a great weekend!
From reunions to George…what a week!

January 12, 2014

Tuesday I drove to Houston for a reunion of the DuPont Deer Park Old Farts Club, an exclusive group of people who helped start-up the DuPont Syngas/Methanol plant and worked there in its infancy. I was part of the second group of plant technicians to be hired (#43) in November of 1978, when the plant was still under construction.

The reunion wasn't just for us plant technicians who operated the plant, but also for the engineers who guided us, the maintenance and instrumentation crews, the office staff…you name it. We were a team and shared the adventure.

Too many have passed on, and that's why we decided a couple of years ago it was high time to get together. This was our second reunion. Why have it on a Tuesday? Ky was returning to the U.S. from vacation abroad the day before, Oscar was scheduled to fly out to Saudi Arabia for work the next morning, and Ken was returning to Panama, where he now lives, on the 10th.

It's amazing it worked out, when I think about it.

Even though some don't seem to be interested in the get-togethers, many of us cherish those friendships and memories and enjoy seeing each other again.

Still, it can be a bit of a headache sending out emails and getting people to commit. Thank goodness Mark, one of the engineers, stepped up to reserve a spot for us. Thank you, Mark!

Oscar sent an email the next day that made all of the preparations totally worthwhile.

Morning All,

Thanks again Barbara, for going that extra mile, literally, to bring everyone together. The food was outstanding, great friends with whom just to laugh, a little moment to share that something (talent) we were all so blessed and gifted with and all shared together. My God, we lived our lives all together for more hours than we spent with our families… This is what true friendship is all about, those 3 beautiful hours were worth more then money can ever buy. I loved this moment we shared with all of you, my family and old friends. Thank you all for being there and Donny, please stop saying your days are numbered. You will out live us all. Well, heading back to the airport for my 20 plus hour journey back to Saudi. We will do this again, be safe and stay healthy everyone. Happy New Year and send the photos please. If we don't see you all again, I promise we will see you in heaven. Later Oscar ( O G )

Thank you, Oscar, and be safe!

Heladio (what a great name!) and Oscar. (Oscar is the best whistler I've ever heard.)

Here are a few other sweet!s from my past week…

Tuesday: a pond reflection framed in ice; frisky dogs; your husband getting a fire going in your woodburning stove for you before leaving for work; a friend letting you crash at her house when in town for a quick visit; your mobile mapquest app guiding you around a traffic jam so you're in time for your reunion; hugs and visits and laughter with longtime friends; staying up late visiting with your sweet friend

Brian and Cliff – these two guys could make me laugh till I cried – and probably still could!

Ky introduced me to classical music while carpooling, along with Brian, and Chinese/Viet Nam history during breaks on nightshifts; Howard and I shared books, and he had my back when I voiced concerns about fumes in the lab while I was pregnant. (If you've read "A View from a Catwalk", he's the friend who was knocked off of his bicycle in an explosion.)

Henry and Donnie…oh, I have lots of stories about Donnie. Unfortunately, most I can't share.

Groundbreakers. Imagine us all in hard hats and safety glasses. Well, and thirty years younger. These are just a few of the interesting, smart, talented women I worked with.

Wednesday: a deal coming through you thought was lost; breakfast at a friend's restaurant with another friend and your sister; making it home safe, despite constant rain and traffic; being able to stop and visit your mom on your way home; your daughter making you a quesadilla for dinner

Thursday: making lots of progress on a project; finally taking two boxes of stuff to Goodwill

Friday: a glimpse of the Mallard couple, even though you don't have your camera; feeling optimistic about your listing; your son surprising you with a ticket to see George Strait in concert

Saturday: an evening at home with your mom, husband, and kids, eating hamburgers and watching "Enchanted"

Sunday: attending Mass with your husband; another day hanging out with your mom; Realtor friends who think of you when they need someone to cover for them at an open house

I hope you remember to notice the sweet! moments in your week!

"Do not take anything for granted — not one smile or one person or one rainbow or one breath, or one night in your cozy bed."

~Terri Guillemets
Epiphanies (and other sweet!s from the past week)

January 7, 2014

epiph·a·ny

noun \i-ˈpi-fə-nē\

Epiphany : a Christian festival held on January 6 in honor of the coming of the three kings to the infant Jesus Christ

: a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way

Yesterday was Epiphany in the Catholic world. It's the 12th day after Christmas, celebrating the visit of the three kings or wise men to the Christ Child, signifying the extension of salvation to the Gentiles.

It's a light shining into darkness, revealing and guiding and reassuring. I love that it's celebrated in January, giving us hope and calming our trepidation as we face the unknowns of the coming year…especially when we look back and see what we survived in the last one.

Sweet!s are like little epiphanies…points of light that shine in the shadows of our day, helping us move forward and not get lost in the darkness. They are there; we just have to see them. Which is pretty sweet! all by itself.

And here are a few more from the past week…

Monday: fiery sunsets; the peace that comes from having your mom close by and the sense that she's in good hands

Tuesday: listing a beautiful home with views of Lake Travis; welcoming the new year watching movies with your kids; adults kids who can share a bottle of champagne with you…and realizing champagne does go with popcorn!

Wednesday: celebrating a new year with your family…including your mom; smoked ribs, a la your husband; time to sit on your deck with family, soaking up the sunshine; a husband who loves your mother enough to build ramps for her wheelchair

Thursday: morning walks with your puppies; sunlight glistening on your pond, now full of water again

Friday: finding time to revise your children's story; watching movies with your kids

Saturday: a day spent helping clients; visits with your mom and cousin at the same time

Sunday: helping to celebrate a dear friend's birthday; restaurant staff who sing "Happy Birthday" with gusto; strawberry cake topped with chocolate covered strawberries; writing critique group meetings with amazing women

Monday: a glimmer of hope that a deal you thought had died might come back alive; your son and husband stopping to visit your mom

Tuesday: the anticipation of a reunion with co-workers from your past who stayed in your life as friends

I hope you notice the points of light along your path. Have a great week!

Keep your flame lit, and you will never feel darkness. ~J. Parker
Stepping Boldly into 2014

January 2, 2014

"When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted."

Psalm 138:3

I greeted 2014 in my home, watching goofy movies (Napoleon Dynamite and Mystery Men), eating popcorn, and drinking champagne with my kids.

(I revealed a lot about myself in that one sentence, didn't I?)

I'm ready for a new year. 2013 wasn't all bad – remember The.Best.Wedding.Ever.? And I have no illusions that 2014 won't carry it's own mix of highs and lows. But I'm ready to move forward, even if I have no idea what's ahead of me.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.I do not see the road ahead of me.I cannot know for certain where it will end….

~Thomas Merton

My word for 2013 was "Faith", which turned out to be just right for this past year of constant change.

"Faith to keep moving forward, even when my path is obscured. Faith that I'll have the wisdom I need. Faith I'll find a way to be a light for others…that I'll be flexible in the pushes and pulls to come in this next year…that I will know when to fly and when to perch and rest for awhile. Faith that there will be enough money, enough love, enough time. Enough respect and trust. Enough whatever…which shouldn't be hard, because we've always had at least just enough in the past."

Faith is a lifesaving weapon in any year, and I plan to keep it handy, but this year, another word has brazenly stepped forward, volunteering to accompany me through the year…

Bold.

That's my word for 2014. It actually came knocking halfway through the year, when I took a U-Turn and became a Realtor.

“Leap, and the net will appear.”

~Julia Cameron

Caught in a mix of restlessness, a sense of too little time and too much I want to do, I also feel a strange sense of calm and peace and acceptance of my own limits; I know I don't have to rely on my own strength…

…kind of like when Belle barks into the darkness, feeling big and brave because she hears Max barking behind her.

Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are your own fears.

~Rudyard Kipling

Life is too short to listen to the whispers of our fears, isn't it? And really, our fears are the only limits we have.

Boldness is a mask for fear, however great.

~John Dryden

Yes, I do hear those whispers…those ugly whispers casting doubts on my knowledge, my abilities. But I've learned to shush them, to remember I've been lead upon this path, that time is short and options are few and help is there when I need it.

That others depend on me to cast my fears aside and do my best. To be bold.

Put a grain of boldness into everything you do.

~Baltasar Gracián, translated from Spanish

Do you choose a word? Did you make resolutions? Share them in the comments.

My gift to you for 2014 is Thomas Merton's prayer…perfect for a new year.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and will never leave me to face my perils alone.

~ Thomas Merton
Searching for Silver Linings

December 29, 2013

Let's just say…

I found this card in my mailbox yesterday. Inside it says "Hang in there, girlfriend," with a sweet note of encouragement from my friend Rae. She knows me, she knows my mom, and she knew this transition wouldn't be without some bumps.

It's perfect and made me smile. Thank you, sweet Rae! And thank you to all of you who have offered words of advice and support…or just prayed.

I still feel in my heart that moving my mom closer to me is the best thing for her, which will help me in those times when unhappiness over her life's recent turn of events overwhelms her…and she takes it out on me, while I'm also trying to take care of my family, myself, and my infant business.

Here are a few other sweet! moments from the past week…

Monday: driving into the sunrise and the sunset in one day; bringing your mom to live closer to you, with help from your daughter and son; friends who drop by to offer hugs and words of encouragement; the gift of a handmade driftwood cross from a friend; sharing burgers and fries with your mom and daughter in a Whataburger parking lot; your husband building stone and wooden ramps to make it easier for your mom's wheelchair to get into your house, and his foresight to build doors big enough to accomodate it

Tuesday: your husband's help getting your mom settled in a new place; watching "It's a Wonderful Life" with your husband on Christmas Eve; your kids waking you both up in time to attend Midnight Mass; attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve with your family

Wednesday: "Merry Christmas" texts from friends first thing on Christmas morning; the silence in a house when everyone else is still sleeping; your son and daughter-in-law picking up your mom so she can spend Christmas with you; your son and daughter cooking a bacon and egg breakfast for you, and then chopping and grilling all of the peppers and onions to go with the fajita dinner; a game of ping-pong with your son

Thursday: spotting a Mallard duck couple swimming on a nearby pond; being able to stop and see your mom on your way into town to deliver earnest money, and on your way back home; watching Shrek 1 and 2 with your kids

Friday: joining your mom for lunch and meeting some spunky ladies; helping your mom get her hair cut and styled for the first time in months; watching a funny movie with your son and husband

Saturday: visits with your mom becoming part of your daily routine; exploring model homes; a sweet card from a friend in your mailbox; chopping away at much-needed projects; another movie with your son

Sunday: making up for missing Mass by taking a long walk with your son and puppies; watching a funny movie with your mom; nurses who take a personal interest in their patients; great hamburgers, courtesy of your husband

Hoping you can spot silver linings in those inevitable gray clouds life blows our way.

"'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise."

~Laura Story
Random 5 Friday

December 27, 2013

1. "Knock and the door will open."

One of my dearest friends dropped by to see me and my mom on Monday before we headed back to Austin. She gave me this cross made from driftwood gathered on a Galveston beach (where we spent many summers together!)

She's such a gifted artist in all mediums. She's written a book on assemblage art and will soon be teaching a painting workshop. Find out more at Annie Lockhart.

2. For two days I've set my alarm for 5 am. I'm so behind on everything, and since morning is my most productive time (and it's usually taken up with puppy chores) I've meant to get up extra early and tackle some projects before the sun rises and I can see Belle staring at me through the French doors.

Instead, I've been resetting the alarm for 7. It's just hard to get up before the sun when everyone else in your house is snoozing, isn't it?

3. The kids and I have revisited the "Shrek" movies the past two nights. (That might be why I'm having trouble getting up.) We're skipping "Shrek 3", though. Once was enough for it.

4. Be careful when choosing your words.

I made the mistake of telling the nursing home my mom was allergic to eggs, when actually they just irritate her stomach.

Now they're balking at giving her the flu shot, even though I've assured them she gets a shot every single year and has never had a reaction. (I took her and Daddy last year, so I know from personal experience.)

I've also assured them she will probably die if she contracts the flu…given her age and severe asthma…which is why her doctors have always encouraged her to get one. And why I'll take her myself if they still refuse.

5. How would you like to win $50,000?

Keller Williams created this cool mobile app that lets you search for homes in your area (it's GPS based) or by entering a zip code to search in other areas. I love playing with it.

As if that wasn't enough, now if you download the app, you're not only entered for a chance to win $50,000, but you give me a chance to win $20,000!

Go HERE to get my code and download the app. Thanks in advance!

Another year is right around the corner.

I'm hoping your journey through 2014 is one filled with laughter and light, and if there are any bumps in the road, you have plenty of help to get you through.

Linking with Nancy…
Christmas Firsts

December 26, 2013

I was on the road early Monday morning with TG, heading east to Houston. We gathered my mom's belongings from the nursing home, spent a few hours at the house gathering more things and visiting with my sister and friends before loading up and heading west into the sunset, back to Austin to start a new chapter in both of our lives.

Tom helped me get her settled in her new room on Tuesday. Her roommate is a character. The two of them together might be trouble.

This was the first Christmas my son and daughter-in-law spent as a married couple, the first in their new home.

I think they felt tugged and pulled by all of the family celebrations – his and hers…we all live in Austin – so I am grateful we had so much time to celebrate with them on Christmas Day, including a game of ping-pong.

This was our first Christmas without my Daddy.

I know Mama felt it more than the rest of us, but, as usual, she kept a smile on her face, only fussing about getting too many presents.

To better accomodate Mama's wheelchair, Tom added a stone 'ramp' to the pathway leading to our house.

He is amazing in both his skill and his thoughtfulness. He truly loves my mom and, believe me, the feeling is mutual.

I saw Mama twice today, first on my way into town to deliver earnest money to a title company and stop by the grocery store, and then on my way home, dropping off snacks and picking up her laundry.

I wish she could just stay with us, but this is the next best thing, to have her so close.

In honor and encouragement of my new career (and because she's nuts and goes overboard at Christmas), my friend Mary Kay made me this ornament/wreath. It's on the tree now, but will have a place in my office once the tree and other decorations are boxed up.

My first closing as a Realtor is Monday. Another first to close out 2013, a year that brought us much happiness with Tommy and Kirby's wedding, hope and faith in the future with my new career, but also heartache in the passing of my sweet Daddy.

I wish all of you the peace and comfort of Christmas throughout the coming year, and sweet memories to treasure the rest of your life.
(Bitter)sweet

December 22, 2013

Tomorrow is going to be a day of transition, of goodbyes and new beginnings. I'm traveling to Houston and bringing my mother back here to live in a nursing home minutes from my house.

Except for occasional weekends in her house – my childhood home – she has been living in a nursing home near Houston since she and Daddy were released from the hospital in July. She has been whirling through one transition after another for months, including my Daddy's death, hoping the day would come when she could just go back to the house she'd called home for almost sixty years and live in peace. The house she vowed she would live in forever.

It took time, but she finally agreed moving closer to me might be the best thing. It will certainly bring me peace of mind having her close enough that I can just jump in the car when I can't reach her on the phone, or when I have questions about her care.

I'll be able to stop for a hug on my way to and from work. On rare days when I can't go see her, Tom and the kids will be there. I plan to take her on outings, to my house or my son's, or the mall or out to eat or wherever she wants to go.

But first we have to get through tomorrow, and Tuesday, and Christmas. I have to watch her say goodbye to her house and familiar streets, and then help her look forward, reminding her she'll carry those places and memories in her heart wherever she goes.

It will be a bittersweet day at best.

But I'll still be on the lookout for purely sweet! moments, those little gifts of light God sends to brighten the dark days. I know they'll be there.

Here are a few more from this past week…

Tuesday: flexibility in your job; delivering Texas-shaped gingerbread to clients; finding a beautiful ornament from a friend in your mailbox

Wednesday: gorgeous sunrises through your window; a productive day at home; Mucinex; watching The Grinch and decorating your tree with your daughter

Thursday: a photo of your mom with Santa, thanks to your sister; time to take care of things that have been nagging at you; going to the movies with your kids, even if it's not a good movie; a large bucket of theater popcorn

Friday: spotting a Mallard duck couple swimming on a pond; watching a movie with your kids and laughing so hard your stomach hurts; an executed contract

Saturday: bumping into a friend you haven't seen in years in the post office and being asked to find property for her in Wyoming; an afternoon of baking; warm cookies fresh from the oven; Christmas parties with friends and family; dancing in an airplane hangar; fresh homemade empanadas

Sunday: seeing the magic of Santa in children's eyes; friends who are willing to dress up like elves; assurance that your mother hasn't developed sepsis; a walk with your puppies after church; a blue heron flying overhead; seeing a dear friend in the grocery store; watching the best parts of the old "Sound of Music" with your son and daughter

May you spot the sweet! moments in your life, even on the bittersweet days. I promise they are there.

May we see after the rain, fair weather, after the darkness, light, after these storms and tempests, a gentle calm. Amen.

- St. Cyprian of Carthage
Five Things

December 20, 2013

1. Last year I took my kids to see The Hobbit right before Christmas. We loved it so much, we decided to make it a Christmas tradition by seeing Part 2, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug", last night.

Our consensus? It sucked…and I don't use that word often or lightly. I was so disappointed. I'll wait to see Part 3 on Netflix. Or I'll just skip it and read the book again.

On the up side, I spent an evening with my kids and got my movie popcorn fix!

2. Someone plugged my name and number into a zillion auto insurance online quote searches. We've been inundated with phone calls today.

Who would hate me that much?

3. I love that Pope Frances tweets, photo bombs, and was a bar bouncer once upon a time. Besides all the other stuff there is to love about him, of course.

4. Five of my high school classmates passed away in 2013. One would be too many, but five? We're only 54, for goodness sake. We've pinky-sworn to be careful and take care of ourselves and do all within our power to keep the number zero in 2014.

5. Last week I wore two jackets, a hat, and gloves on my morning walks. Today I was in shorts and a tank top.

Crazy Texas weather.

Joining Nancy at A Rural Journal
While bread is baking…

December 19, 2013

Pumpkin bread is baking in my oven as I type. Several small loaves and one larger Texas-sized ceramic dish I bought years ago near Round Top. My friend Ann bought one just like it.

Would you believe I've never used it for baking until this year? I made a Texas-shaped gingerbread earlier this week, and now pumpkin bread.

Who knew, so many years ago when I bought it, that I was preparing for this Christmas season, when Texas-shaped bread would be such a cute gift for my real estate clients?

The spicy scent drifts to me from the kitchen, making me eager for a taste. Most of the loaves will be gifts, but I know we'll cut into one of them right out of the oven.

I've been in a flurry of preparation, lately, trying to prepare for Christmas and the new year. Kind of like spring fever jitters or pregnancy nesting.

I've been getting systems, a budget, and a 2014 plan in place for my business…sorting my stuff into "sell", "give", or "keep" stacks…taking steps to move my mom closer to us…planning another reunion with my old DuPont gang…and preparing for Christmas in all of the outward ways – the cards, the tree, the decorations, the gingerbread and pumpkin bread.

Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, though, so I've been working on that, too, with prayer and daily readings, but I keep stumbling over patience… with myself, with others, with results.

At a party Saturday night, a friend told me how she illustrated Advent for the children in her Sunday school class by baking gingerbread. She showed them how you take different specific ingredients, how you measure them and blend together just right, how you prepare pans and an oven for the baking, then you wait, while the house fills with that heavenly scent of ginger and warmth and spices, making your mouth water and your tummy growl in anticipation.

The smell isn't the end, just a sign that it is coming, one that makes you eager to see and taste the finished results. But you have to be patient.

And so I'm reminded to open up my spiritual senses, to be aware of the miracles and blessings and signs of God's presence that I encounter every day…signs of something greater to come…although too often I don't notice them in my busy-ness.

I'm reminded to prepare, to be awake and to be patient…because patience is rewarded.

"Patience with others is Love, Patience with self is Hope, Patience with God is Faith."

~Adel Bestavros

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