Texas
Becoming a Plant Expert
I have been reading J.D. Wyss' novel, Swiss Family Robinson, to my children for the last 3 weeks. We are almost halfway through the novel, but are enjoying it immensely. Well, we enjoy the story, but both Jake... »
Continuing Education
Most fields in today's workforce require an employee to go to seminars, take classes, etc. to stay current. I would assume that for anyone in a technological field this would be essential as times and technology are always changing. When my husband was an automotive technician, the dealerships would send him to school for one week of the year. Now... »
THSC Convention
I wrote last week about inspiring your children. Well, sometimes adults need to be inspired, too. We need to be encouraged by like-minded individuals and our spirits need to be refreshed. Every year for the last five or six years I have left the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) State Convention and Family Conference in The Woodlands feeling renewed and... »
Travel Texas
This month Lane and I went to Gruene, Texas with the adults in our extended family. It was a beautiful and fun weekend. We floated the Guadalupe River twice. It was flowing fast. Several of us joined the Guadalupe Swimming Team, including myself. Some were more sunburned than others. Some had a few bruises and scrapes... »
Stung by a Scorpion
Every once in a while we find dead scorpions in our house when we sweep the floors. Less often do we see one run across our floor in the late evening. I do not like it at all. Scorpions give me the creeps. I have always been afraid that one would... »
County Fair Results
Our family had a great time at the 2010 Grimes County Fair. It was the first time that our children completed and showed animal projects for the fair. In addition to caring for the animals we raise here at home, the travel and stay at the fairgrounds consumed our week. We were... »
2010 Grimes County Fair
Is it just me or is time flying by at a mind-boggling speed? I cannot believe that it is time for the 2010 Grimes County Fair. It seems like it was not that long ago and we were looking for potential show animals. Both Jake and Kyla are showing animals for their first time this year. It has been a learning... »
Trip to the Coast
This weekend is Memorial Day. The weather is beautiful. Public schools are finishing up the year. The oil spill is spreading out in the Gulf of Mexico despite attempts to contain it. My mom is here on vacation. Why am I listing these seemingly random facts? Because they were all reasons why my family needed... »
Shoo Fly! Don’t Bother Me
Upon my return from New York, one of the first things that I noticed is we had developed a fly problem. I have read that in hot weather flies can multiply in 2-3 weeks. The weather has certainly warmed up in Texas. Flies are not only a huge nuisance to animals and people alike; they can spread disease. Flies are attracted... »
Poison Ivy
Poison ivy grows well in Texas. It grows well in almost every part of the United States except for the desert. It invites you to touch it with it beautiful green leaves that turn a beautiful red color in autumn. It climbs up tree trunks and thrives. The stem of well-established... »
A Lone Wolf
Walking is such great exercise. It is also kind to your body. Walking is easy on your joints, and it helps you lose weight. After the birth of my third child, I lost all of my pregnancy weight and more walking one hour a day on the treadmill. Walking on a treadmill has its advantages. You can pace yourself with ease. ... »
Wild Turkey
While wild turkeys roamed the piney woods of Texas years ago, their population has almost completely diminished. I had never seen a wild turkey in the area. If you wanted to hunt a wild turkey, then you need to go down south or up in the Panhandle because Grimes County has no open... »
Inspired by Bluebonnets
“Bluebonnets have inspired the poet’s pen, the artist’s brush, the cowboy’s dream, and the legislator’s eloquence throughout the broad spaces of Texas. Their royal beauty and enchanting fragrance have a particular message which speaks to the emotions with compelling directness.” –Mary Daggett Lake Mary Daggett Lake was... »
A Photographic Nature Walk
After school and chores were done, the kids and I went on a walk to get some exercise and enjoy the absolutely beautiful Texas day. I grabbed my camera because you never know what you are going to see. I wanted to capture the rebirth of spring. Kyla grabbed her camera also. We had the most fun on the walk. I... »
Spring has Sprung
The signs of spring are everywhere. Rebirth and newness are evident all over creation from the first wildflowers to the newborn calves in the pastures. The landscape has turned green seemingly overnight. I so love springtime! The skies are clear and blue. The warmth of the sun is rousing ... »
