Brooks Braunstein

Congrats to my friend Gretchen, husband Aaron and son Graham. They welcomed a precious new addition to their family this weekend. Brooks, such a cute name.

Mud Wrestling

I know Jim and Helen Warnica will never believe that I haven't really ever mud-wrestled, but I haven't, really. Well there was that one time...at Phi Chi Phandango..
I thought they would get a kick outta this photo of me and my grand buscuit playing in her sand box. She was helping Paul (Popo) water.. and just accidentally filled up the sandbox. It's good ole red sand like Grammy used to play in. So we stripped off the pink polkadots, and dove in. I hope I haven't started something.

Jonny Lang

Now years ago, standing in front of a stage, swooning over a rock star for two hours would have been no problem. Today, I would have to give serious thought to standing in a line for free money. The pain usually wins, and we just buy the CD. But there are those few rare musicians, that I will put up with a little pain to see in person. VERY FEW. But Jonny Lang is on my short list. I have loved him from the first time I heard him. That was eight years ago. When he was only 19. He cut his first CD/Album when he was 13. Even at that age his voice sounded like he had actually endured the blues that he sang about. Such a big voice, from such a cute little boy.
Last night Paul and I, along with three of my best girl friends drove to Dallas, to the House of Blues. We saw Jonny Lang, live, inperson. House of Blues was nice enough to offer reserved seats to ADA folks that call ahead and tell them that they will need a seat. So I had a chair. Had I been unable to stand occationally, I might have been miffed. The folding chairs were behind all the people standing... but I was truely just thankful to have a place to sit.

The show was just what I expected of him. Absolutely so intense that you get tired just watching him. His guitar playing has got to rate up there with the best. The best I have seen in person.. anyway. Now if we can just get Marc Brousarrd back to Texas.

I bought my grandbaby a CD/dvd this week. Riders in the Sky is still making music "the cowboy way". What a delight these guys are. I first saw them about 30 years ago in Portales at the Peanut festival. They still going and if you ever get a chance to see them in person... they are a hoot. Talented musicians too.

The Hipster

I had an appointment with my doctor today. The pain in the hip has gotten so constant, that I really need to proceed with something medical. Question is, what? I have been reading about the "Hip Resurfacing" and wanted to see if that might be an option for me. Since they don't amputate the femur like in Total Hip Replacement (THR), I thought it would buy me some time. Then if ten years down the road that failed, I could go with the THR.

My doctor however feels that the deterioration is too severe, and the construction to poor. I have dysplasia. The Acetabulum (socket) is basically non-existant. But the arthritis is what causes the pain I guess. He wants me to see a doctor in Dallas that has hundreds of these types of surguries under his belt, and the most cutting edge devices. So, that's where we are at the moment.

I did get a RX for a handicap parking permit. I've been putting it off. Some days I just decide not to go places. Or have to find a chair before I can walk back to my car. I really look forward to having the surgury over, and being able to walk again.

FATHERS DAY

Jarrod and Brooke were home for Father's Day. As were Lacey, Farley, Dale and Bo. Logan spent the morning taking care of me... but made her weekly trip to see Phil.
Logan was a delegate at the Republican Convention in Houston over the weekend. She learned that she had a lot to learn. But more power to her. At 19, she already knows more about politics than I did at 40.
Thanks to Phillip and Kevin E.

Kevin and JaiceyBelle. She certainly changed her opinion on him after he ran through the sprinkler with her a few times. We had a nice evening in the Bukowski Forrest. Paul made Tacos. (about 40). It was such a nice end to a nice weekend.

Father's Day... we had several Father's hanging around the backyard. This is a photo JaiceyBelle and Dale Rhoden. He is Lacey's old soccer coach from Adams State. He and Kevin Farley were on a brief layover before heading back to South Dakota.

Farmer Bo

Paul's Uncle Jimmy in Cuero has a baby pecan orchard that needs watering. Bo looks pretty good up there doesn't he?

Success

Everyone caught their limit in Red Snapper. They also caught some vermillion snapper and Brooke caught a king fish. I'm sure it was fun. I will remember it as one of the most horrible days of my life. It wasn't smart for me to think that one or two little pills could heal my years of motion sickness. On top of that... an Eleven Hour trip... yeah...

I was violently ill for ten hours and 45 minutes. If I wasn't heaving, I was passed out, or wishing for death. Sounds extreme...but unless you have experienced it...

Beach Exploration

Yep... took the sein to the beach. They caught crabs, jelly fish, all sorts of fish and shrimp... and a few things that we couldn't identify.
Brooke, Baby Boy Bo and Paul.