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Beau Wann, Jr.

     Charles...BRAGGING IS ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED...maybe, just maybe, we should all get together for the reunion, and instead of playing golf, which I cant, but instead, have a PIE bakeoff challenge marathon extravaganza...and the winner is...allus...Hey Pat, post the name of that book, I am allus looking for a good book, and love history.

      Wayne Lake gave a good book to me, called The Trail Drivers of Texas... It is full of great stories of real life on the trail and frontier...Waynes grandfather is in this book, so how extra special for Wayne to be reading history of his family...It is 1085 pages long, just barely long enough for me! Wayne told me the name of his grandfather, about 600 times, and of course I've slept since then and have forgotten.

     There is another one about the same size, An Autobiography of Buffalo Bill Cody...I was gonna give it to Wayne to read, but cant find my copy because I've packed it away...This book is much the same as the Trail Drivers of Texas, lots of stories about the wild west! The west being, anywhere past St Louis...

     I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up! Never thought you could pick or choose! I just thought whatever came along, chose you! Rather stunted thinking eh! Well, thats the way it was back in them DuBarry Daze! Now, I'm sorta leanin in the direction of where Teddie would like to lean...cowboy,frontiersman, mountain man, free trapper...well, I wouldnt actually hurt any of the animals, probably be a vegetarian and just feed the animals. Does chicken count as being a vegetarian? I know pie does! Kind of a "fruitatarian", or "pieitarian" if you will, and even if you wont!

     In my new capacity as "frontiersman/scout, cowboy, mountain man", would it be alright if I took air conditioning, and indoor plumbing? Oh, and ice cream and peanut butter? And DUCT TAPE? Sunscreen? Just a few little things eh! Oh, and my motorcycle? I've had flesh and blood horses, and prefer the "ironhorse" instead...of course then I'd have to take petrol with me, ok, forget about the motocycle, I can ride a horse...if it's very soft and gentle and easy going, and loving, and kind and soft...oh right, I already said soft...

     Fixed my famous and wonderfully glorious and delicious "breakfast tacos" this fine morn.
Oh my, they are wonderful...The recipe is a secret...I cant tell you that it has red peppers and yellow peppers and green peppers and jalapenos, and onion and potato and salsa, and egg and cheese on a flour tortilla with a light coating of olive oil, oh and I also cant tell you it has sausage in it...otherwise it wouldnt be a secret, so I wont tell you the ingredients...you'll just have to guess and experiment!

     Our grandaughter is visiting us from Katy...she loves board games, dominoes and card games, and so do we...what a great way to communicate and have fun...Haley and Diane went shopping yesterday, and bought a lot of goodies, all on sale they tell me. Both ladies have a good head for sales and bargains and fashion...They did splurge and go to James Avery and buy a charm bracelet for Haley...Haley called her mom and told her all the things she got to which Jill replied, "your just spoiling that child" (good naturedly) to which we replied in unison..." WELL DUH thats what grand children are for, for us to spoil, and then send em home"...

    Diane and Haley went swimming last night, and as much as the dogs love those two, they would not get in the pool with them. Me to either! Other than drinking it, and taking a shower in it and watering the flawrs with it, I never did care too much for water...went right out and joined the Navy....yessir, my brain is a contridiction extrodinare! Oh well, "when in danger and in doubt, run in circles scream and shout"...Thats the mantra of a Navy pilot...

    Time to hit the trail. got errands to run and yards to mow and "miles to go before I sleep"...
Keep the sun at your xis and the Son in your heart, and ride boldly ride...

Your frien and bro, Allen Badillion Trahern...aka Jabberwrocky

Pat Brantley (Ross)

My pie making skills are ordinary.  I would love a good apple pie recipe.  My cookies are very good, though.

beau the name of the book is "the Plantagenets" by Dan Jones.  I love reading American frontier history so share titles with me.  My grandmother was a cook on the king ranch for a year.  She was a great cook, but didn't pass the skill on to my mother.  Mother did a few things very well, but baking was not part of it.  

Here is your useless history fact for the day:  Vlad the impaler, also known as Dracula is not known as a villan in Romania.  He terrified the Muslim army and stopped them from sweeping through Europe.  He did this by decapitating his  enemies and placing the heads on spikes along the road the army would have to travel on.  Bram stoker never visited Romania.  He just wrote a book based on tales of several cruel military men.  No one knows where Vlad is buried.  The crypt is empty.  Interesting, huh?  His castles are really neat.  You get to climb all over them.  They have no safety laws in Romania.  

Pat Brantley (Ross)

I forgot to say that my San Antonio spurs didn't win the series but I still love them.  Hope we give them a parade.  

Beau Wann, Jr.

Pat, thanks for the info...if I'd been paying attention, you gave the name of the book in your earlier post...thats me, "doesnt pay attention, mind wanders, looks out the winder (east texas for window) runs with sissors, doesnt play well with others etc...

     Your grandmother cooked at the King Ranch???? Wow, more history come to life in the class of 64! How cool is that? Waynes grandfather was a trail drover...my dads side of the family was probably close kin to Vlad the Impaler, cause thats the area where they were from! Someone on my dads side of the family, a cousin, was doing geneology research, and couldnt get any further beyond the time period of Vlad the impaler 1431-1476 or roundabouts thereof...do de do do, do de do do, do de do do. (theme from Twilight Zone)...Prince Charles claimed he is a descendant of Vlad the Impaler, and at the same time of that announcment, he pledged help to save the forests of Transylvania...

      I've wanted to know about our past on my dads side, but after having suffered through the geneology lectures from my father in law, came to the conclusion, AINT KNOW WAY I'M GONNA TURN INTO A GENEOLOGIST... sometimes they are insuferable, their every waking moment consumed with, "aunt Minnies cousins mothers uncles father was buried in an unmarked grave, and was purported to be the real Howard Hughes"...ad finitum...

      Someone did an entire family tree on my mothers fathers side of the family, and we of cours come from royalty...I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT ALL ALONG...I'M AN EARL! ! ! ! Well, you all wont have to bow or curtsey, or kiss the ring, but be aware, you are among royalty...

      I have the book, and it starts all the way back to the 11 century, about the time of King Malcolm of Scotland...I am a direct descendant of the King...Glory haleluia! ! !
And, you know what else? My beloved is a direct descendant of the farmer that hid King Malcolm in a hay stack and saved him from Beowulf, or was that Macbeth...no matter, bad guys are all the same...

     There are alot of other interesting characters in that family tree...William Claiborne for one, and all his descendants...My 10th great grandfather was William Claiborne who came to america sometime in the 16th century...I just love history...but all this knowledge and 5 bucks will get you a lousy cup o joe from starbucks...

     And as luck would have it, and sho nuff, she pretty well has it her way, I cant find that book on the "Claiborne Pedigree". I have several copies, just Xerox copies, but cant find them eyether...packed away for posterior...a pain in the --- for sure!

     Ok, approaching ZERO HOUR...gotta mow the yahd and the neighbors yahd, who are vacationing in Europe as I type this...how come everyone gets to vacation and I dont? I've had to capture and recapture their dog Rosie whenever a storm starts brewing...had to repair their fence where Rosie the termite gnaws through it...I finally put two 4 X 8 , 3/4 inch pieces of plywood and 1 X 6 deck boards on fence and gate...she hasnt gotten out since, but at first sign of thunder or dark clouds, Diane has to run over and put her and Roxi in the laundry room...Rosie just freaks out from storms...so does our dog Jack...He wont even take a treat of any kind whilst a storm is in the area...

      No danger of me driving the tractor into the cement pond, cause I put up a barrier...but if I do, I'll be on the 10 oclock gnus...

      Keep the sun at your six and the Son in your heart, and ride ride ride...
your frien and brother...Beaucephus...The earl of...Jabberwrocky...I guess that would make my dog Cooper, The Coop of Earl...Oh God, I just crack mysel up...I'm in a whirld of my own...they gnow me there! ! ! !

Scotty Croom

hello my waltrip family...just back from week in beautiful,cleveland,ohio...arrived by 11am at airport,but weather delay in cicagop caused delay until 4pm...late arrival moved return to 7pm,but other delays pushed to 7=pm...finally arrived near 11pm..

Teddie Jordan

Welcome home Scotty and Lola. Traveling is fun, and sometimes not, but either way there's no place like home.

I was looking through some wildlife pictures the other day and ran across one from 2007 that has always been one of my favorites.

It is of a pair of Blue (Scaled) Quail, and the hen (on the right) is striking a pose that any old married man will instantly recognize. She is all bowed up to her partner, looking him in the eyes, and if I'm not mistaken she is saying something like, "Let me tell you something big boy, I've had just about enough of your stuff!", or something very similar to that.

Thanks to my good friend and old business partner Dick Weinland for capturing this priceless moment of marital strife in the wild years ago down at Freer. 

Beau Wann, Jr.

Howdy...Welcome home Scotty and Lola...CLEVELAND? Cleveland rocks, right?

Teddie, your friend is sure a gifted photographer...My nephew Forrest has such a wonderful eye for photos...I've looked at his albums, and they are plural, and the photos are better than National Geographic...

Here's a photo that someone sent to me along with others, but it is of a horse called an
AKHAL-TEKE, from Turkmenistan, and dubbed "The most beautiful horse in the whirld"... and from the picture, I'd have to agree with em! Whadda ya think?

Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

I have a difficult time saying it is THE most beautiful horse, but durn, it sure would be one of the contenders.  It looks like a platinum statue.

How's the new house coming along?  When are you going to post a picture of the progress?

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Ok, this is the fourth and final time I will try to post something...if it doesnt post, I am gone...this stupid new computer just doesnt know what it's doing...

      That horse that I posted IS the most beautiful horse in the whirld, and most possibly the universe...I am a bonifide expert on horse stuff and all related matters...close contenders would be Clydesdale; Gypsy Vanner; Belgian Draft Horse, and the ever beautiful Chihuahua...

     As far as the home building, thats running behind...I first thought June foist, and now it may be July foist or after...Lots of small plan changes etc...had the engineers from Bluebonnet Elect co out, and they gave me a price...YOWYZOWY...well, they are bringing it up from the valley floor to the top of the mountain...Well, there's a well, and a septic...and I dont know whatall...lots O stuff thats for sure...

     I've never had the pleasure or displeasure of building a home from scratch, cept maybe the odd Lincoln Log home, and house of cards, and dominoes and leggos...
So, knowing how things can and will go wrong, I've never been one to count my chickens...too many things can go wrong...we've all been there...plan something, and get all excited, and wham...life comes around and kicks your teeth in...So, until I see it standing and I'm standing in the middle of it, then I will say..."OK"...

     I will try to post this and just post a picture separate from this...I'm trying to get into my external hard drive, and it lets me, but when I try to upload, it's good bye charlie...

Beau Wann, Jr.

Gonna try a picture or two...

This will be the view from the front porch...

And this is the view from almost the bottom of the valley to where the house is gonna sit... Got our own bluebonnet farm...yall can bring out your grandkids and cameras and take pics...I will give yall family rates....

Teddie Jordan

Beau, your place is perfect and you can't beat the location. What a beautiful area and building site.

And the horse is a beautiful animal for sure. Judging by his small hooves and long legs and sleek rear end I'd say he has some thoroughbred blood and was probably bred for the show arena. Definitely wouldn't make it as a cow pony. Wouldn't stand a chance against a quarter horse in a drag race but would probably win in 5/8 to 3/4 mile or more. Our good friend and classmate Jimmy Stockton is one of the best horsemen I know and I'll bet he can tell us if the horse has any Arab blood, and might even have an idea of who the mama and daddy are. Would be interested in your comments Jimmy.

Not to connect a good man like Jimmy to my deviant mind, but it reminds me of an old saying. "She was only a rancher's daughter, but all the horsemenuer!"

All of my smart friends have forsaken hot Texas and headed to cooler climes like Montana or Colorado, or Minnesota like Wayne, but I came down to Freer today. It's 102 in the shade right now, 108 predicted for Saturday.

Everything down here either sticks, stings or bites. In the stinging department we have killer bees, millipedes, and scorpions, who seem to be enjoying much reproductive success since our blessed May rains. The good news is I haven't seen any big snakes this trip. It's so hot they mainly move at night and early morning in summer. They den up during the day after it heats to 88 degrees. When you do see one out in the middle of the day this time of year it is almost always carrying a parasol! The other good news is I have seen quite a few quail, including a covey of newly hatched bumblebee sized babies running along behind their mother, a large Horny Toad (Horned Lizard), several large Tarantulas, the usual deer and Javelina, and too many rabbits to count. All of which along with our numerous bird species I enjoy watching. 

Even with the heat I got some needed work done and It has been a good trip.

Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

Very beautiful photos, Beau!  Hope you don't mow all the bluebonnets down in order to build your house.  I speak from experience that they are hard to regrow.  How many acres of bluebonnets and amber waves of grain do you own?  Sure hope the construction can get started soon so you can hold your Christmas festivities there.

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Beau and Diane,,,,,beautiful site.  Definitely a good last place to land....part of God's Country (all of tx far as I'm concerned)  my sis  says it is pricey.  Well they have a good friend, last name of Moody, living there now and they are very happy there, have chickens, ducks, dogs and cats. 

My first husband and I built two homes in Cypress area of Houston, 1970 and 1976.  It was excruciationg.  Being single when I moved down here I looked at "plain vanilla" Tilson homes and opted to not endure unknown local contractors, or Tilson and instead found a manufactured home, Oak Creek brand, put the money I would have paid Tilson and bought an upend plan that I was really happy with. They do have real floors, fireplaces and good insulation and plaster walls too.  Have not had a problem since 1998. Made sure the house loan was not connected to my land - 14 acs.  Kids can live in after me.  My job is to maintain and take care of it.  It has been trouble free and a wonderful home for myself and all my animals that have passed  thru.

I'm telling you all, the German rancher I was engaged to had a 150 ac. farm, top vegetable garden, cattle, 8 ac. pond filled w/delectable catfish 20 lb + catfish with beautiful immaculate brick home, soon to have an oil well drilled on it..  Compared to my comfortable home here where I am boss......don't miss it at all. This is my summer childhood farm and I so enjoy being a part of it, with thankfullness for the protection and love of Jesus Christ,  my favorite Lutheran family minutes from me and my Lutheran church 2 mi. down the road (that the rich fool would not attend).  Ain't life grand! (In. case ya'll haven't noticed I've always been fiercely independent)

Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

I'm sure you know, Kay that there are reasons for the decisions we make in life whether we know the reasons at the time we make the decisions or not.  It sounds like you have made some good decisions, knowing what you want and are basking in the rewards of decisions well made.  Your place (property & house) sounds great!  I know we have been living and loving "country life" for the past seventeen years.  When we left Houston we never looked back.  Whether this will be our last residence or not I hope never to have to move back into a big city.  There is a peace in the country that cannot be found elsewhere.

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey Jan, it is 7 acres, and not all bluebonnets. Some coastal bermuda. (was a hay field before it became our Bluebonnet Hill) There is a plethora of bluebonnets up and down the hill. And some of them will have to sacrifice their blue lives for our home, but that still leaves about 2 or 3 acres or more of amber waves of blue...Dont worry about the bluebonnets, my wife has dreamed of having her own place just full of wildflowers, and this fits the bill!  And as most of you know, there isnt anything I wouldnt do for my beloved, if I got to plant, by hand, the entire 7 acres in bluebonnets.

     Is there a particular time of the year that is acceptable to mow them down so they will prosper in the sprang? I see them being mowed on public land, only to see them come back in the spring. I'm all for leaving the place pristine. I'm not a mowing nut, unless I can driver er into the swimming pool. I'd rather not mow, or weedeat. No flawer beds ! ! ! !! ! ! !

     Told my beloved that if she wants to plant a flawr, just pick a spot and plant it...NO FLAWR BEDS ! ! ! ! ! ! AH HATE FLAWR BEDS ! ! ! ! ! !! !!! !

     Yeah, Jimmy S gnows his horses! That Akhal - Teke is beautiful, but not much good for anything cept gazing upon...of course a small child with health problems, could probably sit astride that beautiful creature, and do the child a whirld of good. I've seen first hand how good and productive an animal can be to a child...COOPER...I have heard, that horses work even better...works for me! Dolphins too...of course, I have neither horse nor dolphins, and being the owner of a cement pond, dont think the idear hasnt crossed my mind for some mini-dolphins. I have a plastic inflatable one, but it doesnt really have healing abilities. Although I do enjoy riding it around the cement pond!

     My grandaughter got to swim with the dolphins in Florida? or somewhere not here! got pictures of her with them. Wonder what I did with them? Oh bother and drat! Which leads me to my question of the day...

     How many 64 Waltrip grads does it take to change a lightbulb????        Apparently more than one. Tried to change a 48 inch flourescent bulb in the fixture in the laundry room, and pulled the whole thing down out of the ceiling...it's not like the first time I have changed them. I have replaced them  several times before, no problem. Now all of a sudden I'm a one man wrecking crew...My beloved tried so hard not to laugh, even said she would help me put it back...now isnt that nice!!!!!  In the imortal woids of Master
Charlie Brown..."GOOD GRIEF"...I want a recount...

     On the plus side, to salve the indignity of the situation, I treated myself to a new RIGID Drill/driver combo on sale at Beaus Home Depot...I almost feel good about it. Tried to register the products, and they said it is a 1 2 3 simple process! Hey, how hard can it be? I've registered things on line before...OH BOTHER...and GOOD GRIEF...
Filled out all the required fields*, all to know avail. Kept telling me my serial numbers were wrong...wonder how they know, when I'm looking right at em...

      Finally had to contact customer service and shootem an email...you see what I deal with everyday? I am Charlie Brown, with my kite stuck up in the tree, and Lucy pulling away the footballllll ! But, guess I wouldnt have it any other way. How else are all yall gonna get some REAL entertainment. Folks want a reality show???? Follow me around for a day or seven...

      Ok, me beloved is home, and we need to go over the plans, yet again...But, it's sort of fun...sort of...

Ok, keep the sun at your six and light fixtures in the ceiling and ride boldly ride...
Your frien and brother...Charlie Brown aka whomever I am this week...

Teddie Jordan

Beau, from my experience it is best to only mow your bluebonnet areas in late spring or early summer, after all of the seeds from the previous bloom have dried and completely fallen off of the plants. As for sowing new seeds I've had the best luck planting them in October, then praying for a little rain before the first frost in mid December so that the seeds are able to germinate before then. The bluebonnet seed is very hardy and a few can survive for several years without spring rains, then bloom and bring some new seeds when we finally get good fall and early year rains. They will always do best on hillsides as they require very well drained soil. You will almost never see them in low lying or bottom areas, but the good news is other wild flowers will flourish in those areas.

Wayne Lake

Beau, I either get most of that stuff off the internet where you can believe anything or so they say or make it up as I go along so don’t get too wrapped up in anything I say. WRT horseflesh, I guess beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but I think that although that horse has a beautiful coat, the confirmation is weak at best. I grew up riding jug heads so what do I know, but I like to judge horses more on performance and confirmation so I like the American Quarter Horse, Clydesdale, Morgan, Arabian, Thoroughbred etc., I always was partial to the Appaloosa as I like the spots, never liked Palomino, Paints or Pintos as the aficionados call them as they are crazy or Shetland Ponies (mean and bite).  I saw the Lipizzaner Stallions perform at the Summit, and they were great, bred in Spain but reside in Vienna, Austria since they belong to royalty or some such – there are some great youtube videos showing how they were used in war. Great movie/book: Seabiskit and War Horse or some sort about WWI.

And Teddie, I can understand about wanting to be a 19^th century frontiersman all your life from the time you were a little kid through adulthood and now even into your golden years, whenever they begin. I always thought I wanted to be a sailor/beach bum and sail the world on a 50’, two masted wooden schooner aka Brad Pitt in ‘Legends of the Fall’ (my reference is to the boat and adventure – I don’t exactly compare myself to Brad Pitt but wouldn’t mind having a good close look at his wives past or present).

I was lucky enough to do some sailing over the years from as far South as Buenos Aries to as far North as Maine but never got to live at some remote beach, get a tat of a gecko, pierce my ear or wear a pony tail so I could not rightfully claim to be a real live beach bum although I do like to wear flip flops, tee shirts and shorts.  Therefore, I will just settle for being a plain ol’bum until I find myself permanently planted on a beach in a hammock under a palm tree.

I had hopes to learn to ride a long board, weld without sticking or burning holes (nothing exotic like aluminum just maybe mild steel), master the jitterbug (not like John Travolta dancing with Uma Thurman in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction to Chuck Berry’s You Never Can Tell – just without embarrassing myself), pencil sketch, play acoustical guitar, shoot the breeze and maybe share a dubbie with Willie) but it don’t look like any of those are gonna happen now either. Oh well, I feel like I’ve been very lucky and got to see and do a lot more than I ever imagined in my wildest dreams. There are some islands to visit on my bucket list such as Bora Bora Tahiti, San Blas Panama and Turneffe Belize.  

For any of you who think your Mom made the best pies, I’ve gotta say you are wrong as my Mom made the best Chocolate and Lemon tart meringue pies about every Saturday to be cut after lunch on Sunday. However, my favorite was dewberry cobbler, still warm from the oven with some vanilla ice cream on top.   

I went to Trinidad last week and stopped in Houston on my way home Saturday – my car thermometer read 103F and I thought I was gonna melt into a puddle right there – scary, ain’t it?  I started a new book called the President’s Club on my trip which is a very interesting insight into presidential relationships from Hoover to Obama – again from a guy who never bothered to learn much history, it is informative.

From Lake Wobegon, stay cool my friends,

wtl

Tom Faria, Jr.

Good morning Wayne,

If you are interested in presidential philosophy you might find "For the President's Eyes Only" by Christopher Andrew amusing.

Tom Faria

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

June 30, 2013

Update on Charles:

June 20 was Charles’ last radiation treatment – FOREVER!  It was also the day we moved back home – YES!  We thought we might have to rent a U-Haul trailer to get all of our stuff home, but somehow Charles made it all fit (he was REALLY READY to get home).  Our kids and grandkids were all here to greet us and unloaded the car for us – what a blessing that was! 

The doctors told Charles the radiation would be making him feel worse before he felt better – approximately 10 days (that’s today and he’s just starting to feel somewhat better).  The radiation had burned the skin on his back and it’s healing and peeling like a severe sunburn.  His esophagus was also burned, so he’s had a very difficult time swallowing.  They said that what’s happened to his esophagus is similar to what happened to his back – it’s burned and trying to heal.  They gave him a liquid med to swallow before eating, but it’s not helped a lot.  So, since it has been very painful to eat or drink, he’s been getting IV hydration about 3 times a week.  Fortunately, Baylor Oncology – McKinney is 5 minutes from our home and he had a pic line put in his arm to cut down on IV insertion time.  So now the process takes about 1-1/2 hours, vs. the former 3-hour procedure.

The doctors told Charles he should use the next 3 months to “recover” (rest & heal).  He goes back to MD Anderson July 11 & 12 for blood work, analysis and a more powerful form of chemo and then he’ll return August 2 for another chemo.  The end of September, he’ll go back to MDA for scans and tests and we’ll find out how all the treatments have worked.  They explained that the chemo and radiation remains in his body and keeps working for those 3 months and we’ll just have to wait until September to see the results.

We thank all of you who continue to check on Charles’ progress, call to offer food and breaks for me and especially all the prayers of support for both of us and our family.  The Lord gave us access to the best institution, the best doctors and the best treatments available for Charles and we have felt a peace with the whole process.  We will be very anxious to get the results in September, but we know that Charles has given his best effort to get through everything so far, and with The Lord’s support and your continued prayers, he will get through this last lap.

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

LIKE!          Jimmie and  Charles!

Gloria Hornick (Walker)

Great news, Charles and Jimmie Lee!  Yay!!!!!

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

JL and Charles, miss y'all not being  here, but know you are loving it being home!  Charles has been through a lot and especially the radiation, but know his results in September will all be worth it!   Only a good report!

I've taken a break from my Taxol treatments for the past 3 weeks.  I took my 12 treatments and then Dr. Arun added 6 more.  So have had 2 of the 6 but just stopped because of continued complications (numbness in fingers and toes, tingling in right hand and arm and losing fingernails and toenails).  Was in MD Anderson ER last Tuesday week overnight (during my vacation) - dehydrated, low in potassium, etc. was on IV's all night.  Saw Dr. Arun yesterday and I will start the Taxol back next week but at a lower dosage and see how that goes.

Charles keep on dancing!  As I said, we'll both be kickin' up our heels at Class Reunion next year!  Hope everyone has marked your calendar - Saturday, October 18, 2014 (The Woodlands Resort and Spa) and a Friday night function also!

Also to all, have just enjoyed all the forum messages and pictures, and good to see Tom Faria joining us, just catching up today since I was on vacation last week. 

And the weekend  before had Crowe Family Reunion at Canyon Lake - great time with such a loving family and all my kids were there, except my son-in-law, Bobby - Cheryl's husband!  Cheryl and my other two grandsons flew in from Kansas and stayed for a week.  So had all 3 grandsons together, James - 2, Ryan - 6 and Dylan - 16, a Grandma's dream!!!   Also my son, Doug and his wife, Bianca, hosted this year's reunion, they did a fantastic job and I'm so proud of them.

My crew!  Ryan in very front, then my son, Doug, me, and daughters, Cheryl and Carrie - Back row - Bianca, James, Theo and Dylan

Missing is Cheryl's husband, Bobby, who stayed behind in Kansas.

Oldest daughter, Cheryl, and my grandsons Ryan and Dylan

Grandma and boys!

Theo and Carrie - my youngest daughter. He's a fireman, she's a nurse but they also own, manage and coach - CrossFit H town in Heights/Houston area.

 Great Outback Hall we had from Friday to Sunday morning at the resort and our cabin was just a few yards away!  Canyon Lake was beautiful!

Doug and Bianca busy keeping machine refilled - Margarita for adults and Citrus Slush for kids. It was a big hit!

Boys in the pool - Dylan, James and Ryan - Theo and Carrie lifeguarding.

James enjoying his swim

Okay, it's time to rest for James!

Hugs,

J

Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

Jackie, It looks like you enjoyed a wonderful family reunion.  Great pictures!  I've heard you mention your son but never knew about your two daughters.  They look just like you.  And what handsome grandsons!  A beautiful family.

Hang in there with your  treatment.  They (your family) and we (your Waltrip family) are pulling for you.

Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

Nothing prettier than fireworks in the country!

Susan Howard (Bowman)

Jackie, what a wonderful group of Crowes gathering for your family reunion!  It is so good to see you in the midst of those you love and enjoying each and every moment!  You are looking great!  Sorry you keep having all of those side-effects  from your treatments!  I am hoping, as all of us in your Waltrip family are, that this will be over soon!  Your attitude is wonderful!  Keep taking it a day at a time and keep lookin' up!

Charles and Jimmie Lee, I know there is no place better than home for you!  Bet your pooches are loving it, too!  Take care of each other and know that you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for the regular updates!  Keep them coming!

I hope everyone had a fantastic July 4th!  We live in such a wonderful country!  I am thankful every day for the history that we celebrate on this day.  In these times, every day should be July 4th as we think about the men and women who keep us safe - enough can never be said to pay tribute to them all, past and present!