Thursday, February 26, 2009

Black and White Sky Watch ...

See that break in the clouds ... way back in there ? Perhaps there is a teenie tiny piece of Spring lingering there, trying to find it's way through. Even though the wind is howling and the snow is flying. I promise to appreciate you when you get here ... now, Spring, can we get something on the calendar ?

For a look at skies around the world, some of which will be Spring, go to http://www.skyley.blogspot.com

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Sugar Wolf Snap Shots ...

Because I know my Sugar Wolf so well, I can tell that this photo was taken while one of my three cats, Leo, was slinking around, teasing her, and trying to get into our space. Leo is my Mr. Big, so Ruby has an unmanageable jealous streak about him.

Leo is really asking for it here. Because Ron is the Alpha Male, when Ruby wraps her jaws lightly around Leo's tail, or snugly around his neck for that matter, it's only to get his attention. It's not to hurt him. Only the Alpha Male can do that. I just made that up.

And no matter how important it is to keep her eyes on him and not let him into our space or near me, this would be the look I get when I ask her "Do you want to go for a ride".

Watching, Listening And Laughing ...



This is my cousin, Paul Brandriet, the oldest boy of 9 Siblings: Bev, Donna, Jeanette, Roger, Margie, Bryan, Dale, Doug and Russ. Paul passed away Thursday evening. He fought cancer for a long time and is the first sibling to pass. Our Fathers, both gone now too, are Brothers.

Whenever our family gathered, Paul would usually be off on the sidelines, minding his own business. It was hard not to gravitate towards him. It was like he had a secret ... a special formula for getting along in this huge family of ours. He watched. He listened. And when he decided to comment on whatever it was we were discussing, it was always something so adorably funny that you just wanted to pinch his little cheek and hope that some Paul would rub off on you.

When my sister was alive you would always find the two of them together, out of the loop and by themselves. It was always that way ... and whatever it was that Paul and Wendy talked about in those conversations that lasted through entire events, they laughed a lot.

I can believe the two of them are together right now, doing what they did best ... watching, listening and laughing. And they are both in great company.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Sham Wow Sky Watch Friday ...



It doesn't always have to be blue ... the sky, that is. Sometimes it can be whatever I turn it into. And if I want to look in to the photo instead of just at the photo, I have something.

Today there are photographs of skies all around the world at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com Don't just look at them ... look in to them.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Man Behind The Name ...


On Tuesday, when we came home from our three week winter break trip, we knew to look for our Christmas present. And there it was ... our last name, carved on a huge pine log, sitting up by the road. The present was from Mom, Catherine, Jesse, and Catherine's Dad, Eddie. For the surprise on Christmas Eve they wrapped a big container of wood preserver for us to guess from, then Catherine was ready with photos on her camera of the log they picked out.

I was tagged last weekend by my friend Karen for the Husband Tag. It has no rules. So I'm going to give you some choice info about Ron, along with the unveiling of the Keller log ...

1)Husband's Name:
Roland Bradford, Ron, RB, Punkie

2)How long have you been married? Since June 8, 1980. There was a hitch in there along the way but I like to pretend it didn't happen.

3)How long did you date? 6 months, then another 7 months living together prior to getting married. I wouldn't move in with him until we were engaged.

4)How old is he? When we met he was a young 41 and I was a mature 24. You can do the math if it's important to you.

5)Who eats more sweets? He does ... by a long shot.

6)Who is the better singer? I am. And I know the words to so many songs it's unbelievable. Whoops ... I forgot this tag is about him. Sorry.

7)Who is smarter? I can ask him a question about anything and he will know the answer. I guess that means he is. He's a graduate of the University of Florida with a BS and an MS. His Major was in Geology.

8)Who does the laundry? I do. But he knows how.

9)Who pays the bills? I do and I wish he did.

10)Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you look at the head of the bed from the foot of the bed, he does. It's closest to the bathroom. If I am lying in the bed, I do. It's the side closest to the double doors where the Boogie Man would come in. I guess it's my job to slay and/or discourage him from hurting either of us.

11)Who mows the lawn? He does ... 3.44 acres of it. He is very particular about it and I doubt I will ever be asked to.

12)Who cooks dinner? We share this job. He's a great cook and doesn't mind. He also does the shopping.

13)Who drives? I do most of the road trip driving so that he can navigate since he's the Map Dude. But I always want him to drive when we are on a date.

14)Who is the first to say they are wrong? He is. I have been working on this all my life.

15)Who kissed who first? He kissed me. On St. Patricks Day, the day we met in 1979. We were on a blind date, arranged by a mutual friend, John. Ron invited Chester and Terry to come along for support. Chester thought it was a match made in Heaven before Ron did. : )

16)Who asked who out first? He did. After the fix up, and after running into each other a couple of weeks later, in the building we both worked in. He was seeing someone he worked with at the time. We eventually started going out regularly and I did not inquire, even when sometimes it was Friday night, and sometimes it was Saturday night. I just waited for her toothbrush and Jontue body lotion to disappear from his bathroom, and her sandals to disappear from his closet. He did eventually let me know about her.

17)Who wears the pants? I run the house. He runs the farm. We are almost always on the same page about the big stuff.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Map Quest ...

We are a map family ... that's because Ron is a Geologist and loves them. When we road trip and I'm at the wheel, he always has the map open for the state we are in. He follows it along to be sure of ... I'm just not sure. I sort of like to do it by the big green signs above the interstate. When he's driving I could care less about the map and what's coming up next ... but I'll get in trouble if I can't tell him we are coming up on Butcher Hollow.

My quirk is that I have to see the distance between one finger and another, of where we left from and where we are going to. I like to see the space shorten as the miles go by.

The car is packed and Ron is studying the map with Wally. It looks like Rockport, Illinois tonight. Allison is reading the paper. Meg will be up soon. Emily spent the night at a girlfriends and will be home in a few minutes. And Muzzie is blogging, about to be Facebooking. As usual.

Tennessee River Bridge Boy ...

I was standing on the Bridge of the Tennessee River Thursday afternoon with Ron, Allison, and Anna. Below me, I saw this.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentines Day ...

I know ... my little Angel's hair is a bit strange but there is lots of Love in those Rose Wreaths he is tossing. Let's do a little History now.

This day was originally a Pagan Festival named after two early Christian martyrs named Valentine. It became associated with Romantic Love in the Middle Ages. Today is the second largest card sending day of the year ... after Christmas. And it's estimated that men spend twice as much on their Valentines as women.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Tennessee Tuxedo Sky Watch Friday ...

I sure do like that itty bitty patch of blue ... the clouds in Tennessee are spectacular.

All is well. If things go as planned I'll be having coffee in the morning with Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. I promise to conduct myself appropriately.

More spectacular skies at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com

Monday, February 9, 2009

Bye Ya'll ...

I am getting a little more used to the idea that when I visit Houston, it's not like I will never be back. So I don't have to see it all, do it all, and in this trip's case, eat it all.

I didn't have that perfect Chopped Beef BBQ Sammich from Goode and Co, but I overdosed on Sushi at Sushi Rock. I missed out on the Smoked Salmon appetizer from Houston's, but the Number 26 with a Cheese Enchiladas at Spanish Village was just as great as it was 30 years ago. I missed out on Mimi's Hummus ... so sorry I missed you this trip, Mimi. But Jim and Tirey's Crab Claws were to die for. And, ohhhhh, that Chicken Bryan, Texas from Carabba's ... I can't even put it into words. I didn't eat the whole chicken breast, but I totally scarfed that fresh Fettucine Alfredo that comes on the side.

The weather was perfect. Our stay at Jim and Tirey's was full of laughs, as usual. Jim is a gourmet cook and last night he whipped up a French dish called 40 Cloves of Garlic Chicken. Don't get too close to me today ... it's coming out of my pores as we speak !

We spent a lot of time with the Grand Babes. And we both had work that we accomplished early on in the trip so we could kick back and vacation too. Yesterday we saw our friends, the Strommen's, an adorable young couple with 3 children who bought our house. They are very happy there. It was great to see the changes they have made as well as the things that are still the same.

So off we go, in just a short while, to Nashville, Tennessee. More specifically, to Franklin and Ron's daughter Allison's family, to spread some more love. It's been a great trip. And we will be back. Ya hear?

Friday, February 6, 2009

The Skeyes of Texas Sky Watch Friday ...

Perhaps I was not looking up enough when I lived here in Houston ... because I have been seeing some pretty mean ass great looking Texas skies since I've been back.

So I am appreciating these blues and peaches and pinks in the clouds ... their fluttering shapes and the swift clip with which they move.

As suspected, the vacation is going great. With love from the Texas Gulf Coast. xoxo.

Lots of Eyes Upon The Skies at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Lillian Rose ...

Meet Lilly ... her parents are my friends Kelley and Jeremy. Lilly will be 3 months old this week. She's such a Sweet Heart.

Moisturize, Little Scorpio ... and be gentle with the area around your eyes. xoxo.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Remember The First Time You Had ...

Sushi. I'm not asking you if you do. I'm suggesting that you might. Or that you might not. I'm easy. I'm on vacation.