Love-Hate Relationships

We definitely have a love-hate relationship with the cottonwood tree behind our house. The tallest tree in the neighborhood, it stately stands in our neighbor's yard, shading our backyard in the summer. The hate part comes when it sheds its cotton in early July. Some years it coats our backyard so badly, we think it has snowed. In July. It also serves as a home for numerous squirrels - another love/hate relationship in and of itself. And then in the fall, our yard is covered with cottonwood leaves. Lots of them. But we don't mind that as much . . . they mow up easily and mulch our garden.

The love part relates to its beauty. On hot summer days, our backyard is nicely shaded, which keeps it cooler than other yards. The rustling leaves during a light wind musically soothe us when we are outside. And sometimes, especially during storms, we get amazing pictures. This one was taken after a thunderstorm last Monday. Gorgeous.

Then Wednesday, I heard a chain saw. Looking out the back door, I saw three men in the neighbor's backyard. They were cutting down the big cottonwood tree. Oh my gosh. Watching these men risking their lives, standing in harrowing positions at the top of the tree, they slowly felled it, missing every fence and coming down unscathed. It was amazing . . . but sad.

And now, two days after the beautiful storm shot, the tree is gone. We won't miss the cotton, and the squirrels will probably migrate to our trees - not good - but we will miss the tree nevertheless.

Holly, Part 3

I have so many favorite dogs. Of course, Babs is #1. Then there are Bella and PattySue, both of whom have funny personalities with cute quirks. And then there's Holly.

We got to see Holly when we went to Texas a few weeks ago, and she is still one of the cutest dogs I know. She is a bigger Sepia or Babs, with curly hair, a teddy bear face, and sweet disposition. I love how calm she is, and she obeys beautifully. She hardly barks, she loves to be cuddled . . . she is an amazing dog.

Several months ago, I posted a "not so modest" pose of Holly on the couch. She frequently sleeps on her back, and I thought it was cute. When Diana sent the following picture to me, I laughed out loud. Apparently when Holly gets down from the couch, she stretches. On this particular day, however, she stretched . . . and then fell back asleep. In.this.position. I loved it.

A Poem to Chocolates

I think that there could not exist

Chocolates lovely as these six.

From Japan, by friend they came,

Too bad I can't read their name.

I do know they taste really great,

And my sweet tooth they will sate,

But soon Lent. I'd best be hasty,

So that they don't go to wasty.

No matter though how good they taste,

They will end up on my waist!

I Hate Close Ball Games

Yes I do. Especially close K-State games. Today's was the classic. Playing Baylor, the #10 team in the nation, we got behind, caught up, got behind, caught up . . . it was that kind of day.

Don and I went to the Catbacker Watch Party at Fat Tony's in downtown Wichita. The first half, abysmal as it was, ended with a miraculous shot by Jamar Samuels, and we were leading by 4. Couldn't believe that one!

The second half was equally interesting, but as time began to wind down, the more nervous I became. When I watch games at home, I can pace, or work on the computer, or do dishes, or leave the room or something. But at Fat Tony's, all I could do is sit. And watch.

Every time a team would put up a shot, my heart would skip a beat. We went ahead with 1:57 remaining in the game . . . and the next 2 minutes was agony. When the last shot went up, I thought the refs had called a foul . . . I (as well as many others) didn't even know the game was over.

Amazingly, the good guys won. And I could breathe again.

Next time, I will sit toward the back so I can stand up and pace if necessary!

Go 'Cats!

Randoms

Just a few random thoughts about the last week:

1. Well, Valentine's Day was totally "unawesome" around our house. At least from my perspective. No cards, no calls, no emails - at least not from my family. Don redeemed himself, however, on Wednesday when he walked in with flowers and candy hearts. All the better because they were half-off. He's forgiven. Kenneth and Diana, however - well, let it be known I can hold a grudge.

2. The Kansas Author Dinner is next week, and I am so excited. Besides the fact that Clare Vanderpool, last year's Newbery award winner, is speaking, we just found out that Tom Averill's book Rode won the Outstanding Western Book of 2011, awarded by the Western Heritage Association in Oklahoma City. Other authors such as James Michener, Barbara Kinsolver, and Cormac McCarthy have also won the award . . . good company to be in.

3. I have been privileged the past few weeks to be on tv promoting the dinner. I have met such nice people while doing it, and it is fun to talk about such a fun evening. Proceeds go to literacy projects here in Wichita . . .

4. My books are slowly beginning to sell. Today I shipped 4 . . . but I think kids (kids meaning 20 somethings) are talking to other kids (twenty somethings), and they are spreading the word. PattySue's sales are still slow . . . working on marketing, but it is tough! Have some new ideas . . . hope they work.

5. Back to the drawing board on condos in Austin. The family took the other contract, so we are back at square one. Glad Di can stay where she is as long as she needs to! This could be a long process.

6. Go 'Cats! Always cheering for them, no matter what!

The First of Many 29th Birthdays!

Well, today is the first of many 29th birthdays for Kenneth.

Reflecting back, thinking about being 29 . . . I was pregnant with Kenneth! It was a good year, despite two bouts with pneumonia. Since I was pregnant the first time and nursing the second, I wasn't allowed to take much medication, though the doctor finally did let me have some cough syrup with codeine. And when I was pregnant with him, I cracked a rib because I was coughing so hard . . . that was pleasant.

And the day before Kenneth was a born, a woman walked by me in JC Penney's, patted my stomach, and said, "You are the biggest pregnant woman I have ever seen." Lovely. Thank you very much. I couldn't tell her the next day that he was 9 pounds 5 ounces. My mother said he was born half-grown.

The past 29 years have been a blast, raising our family, creating memories, having fun. For Kenneth, I hope the next 29 years are as fulfilling for him as he has made the past 29 for us! Happy Birthday, Kenneth!

Thirty-eight Valentine's Days Later

Is that possible? We have celebrated 38 Valentine's days? What's the big deal? If a person is married, shouldn't every day be Valentine's Day? In theory, maybe, but unfortunately, life gets in the way.

I remember our first Valentine's Day. Don and I had just started dating, but I was told that he was snowed - the term used back then for a person who had fallen for another. So I thought for Valentine's Day maybe a dozen roses would show up at the sorority house; or that we would go to dinner; or something. Yes, he did remember . . . but rather than roses, he brought me a small vase of dried flowers. It was very nice and so . . . practical. I kept it for many years, and I liked it . . . but it was certainly an indication that I could not expect Don to be a "sweep-you-off-your-feet romantic."

Don't get me wrong . . . I am practical too, and frankly, the money wasted on roses every year would be into the thousands by now. So I don't miss the roses . . . much.

Don kids me that he is going to buy me tires (he has), an oil change (that, too), or a tank of gas . . . yep, got that one also. So I really don't mind, because it keeps me from having to do that. But the year he bought me a book that was recommended by our doctor (he shall remain unnamed, but his first name is Hew) takes the cake. I have told Hew he should no longer dispense Valentine's Day advice. The book's name? Healthy Aging. They both could spin it any way they wanted: I want you to be healthy in your later years, we will age together gracefully, I love you so much I want you to live longer. But really. Healthy Aging? For Valentine's Day?

So who knows what today will bring. I suspect maybe a card and dinner. But it doesn't really matter. I am married to a wonderful man who puts up with opinionated, over-the-top me. And what could be better than that?

Happy Valentine's Day, Don.