Celebrations of Fall

My happiest time of year is fall. It seems that the natural world sort of lets go with a sigh and a quiet celebration. It decorates for the party with confetti of spice colored leaves and a huge mellow harvest moon. I accept my invitation every year!

As a child, I was happy to choose a few 'fall cottons' that Mother sewed into school clothes to accommodate Houston's tenacious September heat. The night before my first day of school, I would scrub summer from behind my ears with extra care. I would tuck myself into bed and anticipate wearing that fresh dark plaid cotton sleeveless jumper that Mother had just hemmed and pressed. (No need for a blouse for at least a month!) By Autumn's end there would be cozy knits and corduroy. Joy!

In my world, a generous armful of meaningful events happen in the fall. Thanksgiving has long been my favorite  holiday. It's a simpler home time of reunion, football, and a groaning family table. Another ritual that I remember warmly: my Dad and I sang Happy Birthday to each other somewhere between November 15th (his) and 16th (mine) for 65 years. To round out my love of Autumn, my husband and I married 45 years ago over a Thanksgiving weekend; and our firstborn arrived on the heels of the first 'Blue Norther' in October two years later.

Fall foods are some of my favorites. Mouth-watering apples are at their shiny, crisp peak. Sharp winds can be tamed with a hearty meat and potatoes stew or spicy venison chili. It's simply not Thanksgiving without my mother's cornbread dressing. And don't get me started on my husband's mother's Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Drizzle. It's a dense, creamy, cinnamon party in the mouth.

But the icing on my autumn joy comes every year on the day I witness an age-old miracle. I will be walking outside or hands deep in the dirt, planting some fall flowers when I hear faint puppy
sounds--little barks from a distant unknown place. Breathless, I stand and search the sky. I follow the insistent yelps to their source above. There I find a large, wavy, living V formation floating against a bright sky. While I take in the majesty of these migrating geese, I'm always overcome with awe and joy. I welcome them with teary praise for my faithful God, and am reminded once again--He directs their path as well as mine.

Oh, the Celebrations!

2 1/2 Disasters and a Celebration

Alma's home (on right with 2 front porch lights)
was surrounded by just enough water to seep
in and saturate all carpet padding.

DISASTER #1 MEMORIAL DAY FLOOD 2015
Overnight in late May, training storms dumped more than 10 inches of rain on ground already saturated by weeks of spring rains in parts of Texas. This disastrous flooding claimed lives and wrecked havoc on property throughout the state. We experienced no flooding at our home in Northwest Houston; but, unfortunately, my stepmother Alma's home took on just enough water to saturate the carpet pads throughout. After several days, I was able to get to her home, and insisted she come home with me while her sons-in-law took on the task of replacing all the carpet. Here are just a couple of pictures of that week. (I deleted all the interior shots of the mess.)

Tiny Goldilocks Alma tried all the beds in our house.
The guest room bed was way too high.
Daniel's crib mattress in its blow-up frame was too low.
The living room couch was just right.

 

 

After two days and nights, Alma was ready to go home
to new carpets and her very own bed.

Family worked tirelessly to move furniture, pack and unpack boxes, and sort/keep/donate. Disaster #1 passed quietly into June.


DISASTER #2 BLUE BELL ICE CREAM RECALL AND DROUGHT



One of many love letters to Blue Bell.

I expect there are some who don't know (or care) that our locally made Blue Bell Ice Cream was recalled in April. It made the national news once or twice.

Listeriosis  contracted from tainted Blue Bell products contributed to the deaths of three and illness in a number of others. After production was shut down, thousands of folks have been laid off in Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma. The largest plant in Brenham, Texas--Blue Bell's home for 108 years, has employed generations of families. Washington County's economy has felt the blow.

Less traumatically, after more than a century, supporters and consumers of the best ice cream in the country have been left without their beloved staple all summer. The flavors shipped on dry ice from Houston to New York City for my niece's wedding rehearsal dinner 10 years ago--now not available. Many refuse to buy any other brand, stating, "No Blue Bell--No Ice Cream in Our House!" As they say, we get cranky without our Blue Bell. Oh, the empty freezer cases! Take a look (above) at the laminated letter from Blue Bell's President taped to the freezer door at my local market. It reads like a love letter.

It's late June now. We hear that one of the plants will begin limited production soon. Can't wait for the Blue Bell drought to break.


DISASTER #2 1/2 STEVE'S 50TH HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

Goode Company Sea Food--check please.

Okay! Okay! It's really not a half disaster--or even a teeny bit disastrous, but I was not looking forward to Steve's reunion at all. #25 was all about who did what, and seemed pretty superficial to me. So Steve lured me with the promise of lunch at Goode Company Sea Food plus an overnight stay at the nice hotel where the reunion was held. I even got a new outfit. Cute shoes demanded a pedi with navy polish. (Who's superficial?!?)

And, you know, it was such a pleasant evening. By age 65+ life has really happened to most everyone. Age and wisdom and a serious dose of humility have helped us figure out what really matters in life. There were lots of kind, open-hearted people there who really admire my man. Lots of memories shared. Lots of chuckles.

A nap before the party.

Who are all these old people?
Oh, that's us.

Steve ready to go

Sandy ready to go

Childhood neighbors and friends

Best Friends since 5th Grade?!



No, the Rocket was not a graduate of BHS Class of '65.
But several actors were in Steve's class.
Star Trek fans know Data. He's one.
Ferris Bueller's mother, too.

Breakfast chat with former neighbor

 

 

AND A CELEBRATION OF MOTHER'S DAY

Look who came to make my day special!

I invited Steve to join us for lunch.
You know how crazy it is to try to eat out on Mother's Day!
I wanted to cook and visit at home.

Steve told me that a friend of his was shocked
that "he made me cook on Mother's Day."
These pix are proof that he helped. 

He's pretending to work very hard.
I approve!

Steve was the first one to give me
the privilege of becoming a mother.
He's been lighting up my life for
almost 40 years!
 

Disasters come and go. And so do celebrations. Ob la di. Ob la da.

Celebrate Blessings

Here are some pictures of Daniel's Baptism Birthday Celebration on Valentine's Day, 2015.



St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Community
holds a special Children's Baptism Service
on the second Saturday of each month.
It's not a private event. It's very Spirit-filled, casual, child-friendly,
and attended by any family and friends who can come.
The officiant knew every family there, which made it so sweet.

Daniel's Tia Valeria and Uncle Fred
are his Godparents.

First, our celebrant speaks to everyone in the foyer of the church.
He goes from family to family asking,
"What do you want for your child?"
D speaks up when it's his turn, "I want to be baptized."

After meeting in the foyer with the 12 other families
whose children will be baptized in this special service,
we all bring our little ones into the sanctuary.
We are first in.

D listens to the deacon who conducts the service.

Practicing some preaching moves?

Sacramental EVOO

Each child is anointed first over his/her heart.



From the background of this picture,
you can see that almost all the other children are infants.
Daniel explains how he was anointed to his friend Anthony.

and also to Lovely, Sachin, and HeyYea.

Baptismal Font and Pool

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Joy! Joy!

Josie, Papi, and Uncle Dodo look on while D is baptized
at the back of the church.



The anointing after baptism is lavish and fragrant.



Then Godparents Valeria and Fred light Daniel's candle
from the Christ candle . . .

 

. . . and give it to D.



 

D blesses the celebrant with his extinguished candle;
a gentle touch to the forehead.

Everyone enjoys the gesture!

Cecilia's best friend, Valeria, and Valeria's husband Klaus
travelled from Rio to Texas.

Love this.
On so many levels.

Next, the party at our house.

A new birthday number!

Lots of blessings to celebrate.
In the big frame on the mantel,
a dozen photos of the past year to review.

More blessings!

More love--my brother Doug aka Uncle Dodo and
his wife, my sister Iris aka Auntie Nana.

Party chat (in Portuguese)

Josie graciously intervenes in the present pillaging.
[See the oil on D's forehead? It was ree-ee-ally fragrant.
We were all reaching for allergy meds by mid-afternoon.]

After Garlic Shrimp, Lasagna, breads, cheeses, fruits and veggies,
the buffet is cleared for the good stuff.
A fruit bouquet, chocolate-dipped strawberries, Cowboy Cookies,
Chocolate Cake, and--of course--BlueBell Homemade Vanilla.
[This is just before the recall. There's been a BlueBell drought all summer.]

 

The Cupcake Cowgirls do a great job on a
"Messy Chocolate Cake."
What?!!
No, I did not make my grandson's cake from scratch.
Let me just say that before the party, the 4 adult house guests
escaped for an impromptu overnight in The Big Easy.
The Brasilieros took a rare chance to be grown-ups
and 'research' the difference between
Mardi Gras and Carnival.
At 65, I've gained a little wisdom.
Cookies, lasagna, and marinated shrimp
are make-aheads to satisfy the homemade list.
GiGi can bake all she wants after her boy leaves
for LA. But now we have more important things
on our agenda.
Hopefully he won't have to pay a therapist to
unravel all the complex emotional repercussions
of a store-bought cake for birthday #3. 

Mamae helps Daniel see the whole table,
including the happy little box people floating above.

After the weekend's festivities, we needed to take
Klaus and Valeria for Goode Company Texas Barbecue.
Brazilian Churrascos are unrivaled, but after this meal,
 Klaus asked if we could come back to Goode Company
before they flew home to Rio the next day.

Iris always has something going on with Steve.

Lots of stickers!! A funny face book.
Pecan Pie. All of these are best when shared.

Almost all of the fam chows down on Goode Company
ribs, brisket, sides, and that heavenly Jalapeno Cheese Bread.
left: Doug, Iris, Daniel, Cecilia, Valeria
right: me, Klaus, Will, Steve Sr.
[We sure missed Steve Jr.--he had an out-of-town commitment this weekend.]
 

I'm just so thankful to celebrate all these blessings in my life. Thank You, God.

 

Whatever is good and perfect

comes down to us from God our Father,

who created all the lights in the heavens.

He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

                                                                                                     James 1:17, New Living Translation