In Memory

Taps At Arlington

"You May Not Know"

The sound of the ramp hitting ground

Vibrations of boots plunking sound

You are here to liberate

Just leaving family, last week-late

You May Not Know

The sound of a heart in its chest

Pushing blood at its best

Saluting a woodened box draped in shroud

That could be you- silently thinking; not said--aloud

You May Not Know

November 13, 2007

Spider Web Hunting

Body Part for Texan! LOL

ROFL Texan You crack me up! Hee Hee, my husband had not even heard about my fight nor the Nippa Hut I wrote about on my Versatile Blogger post. I think he would pass out if, he knew my entire sordid past.  I believe we all have stories to tell just some are more willing than others to fess up.  One day, I will write a book; I have a title already picked out.  "NEKKID TRUTHS: From An Inquiring Chicken's Mind."

(SNORTING OUT LOUD HERE)

Yes, that is a swallowtail butterfly tattoo.  It is larger than my palm and my first tat.  I drew the picture and took it in to shop in San Antonio to have done at the ripe old age of 30.  Why a butterfly because they are a symbol for profound change of a soul or unfurling growth. Another interesting factor in Greek Myth: Psyche  means soul; she was represented by the shape of a butterfly and she was linked to EROS the god of love.  Which at the time I did not know my husband would soon be coming into my life.

 I wear my boots or flip flops all year round.  If I had to work outside my house; I would probably die since, my feet have not been in shoes in FOREVER! 

Thing is my sons or grandkids can say!

MY MOM WORE COMBAT BOOTS and mean it.

Per the request......LOL

Yeah we are going to the Texas State Aquarium this weekend. Hip Hip Hooorah!

500th Blog Giveaway

Whelppers, I am close to my 500th blog and so, I will be having a 'giveaway' to celebrate our five years of being here at HOE HEN INN.  See these lovely little mesquite flowers; they are blooming and that means bean pods will be next.  This year I will be harvesting, drying and then grinding them into mesquite bean flour.   Also I will include two of these hanging dish towels I crocheted the top but, will not be these exact prints.

On Memorial Day, Whomever comments will get five entries --- a link back to this blog inside your blog will gain you another five entries.  I will have my cubby man (look at that precious angelic face) draw names from a box and the 'winner' will recieve 1 pound of mesquite bean flour plus, I will pick a few alternates for 'gifts' from our farm.  Google this 'new found' mesquite bean flour.  The flour is supposedly good for those with diabetes because it does not raise blood sugar like white flour does? 

So who is going to blink first? LOL

We are enjoying our visit with Lisa.  The boys follow her around like puppies -- they really miss having her here. I like having her here because she spends time with all of us, helps around the house, plays games,and teaches Zephyr his letters. 

Mrs. Lilly and her mom are hopefully coming for a visit this week as well.  I really enjoy having a full house full of family and friends. Don't ya'll?  Off to spend the day with them...see ya!

It's a really beautiful week!

Versatile = Handy or Adaptable Award

Texan was kind enough to recognize my eccentricity and give me a versatile blogger award. Thanks lady, I enjoy reading your blog and one day hope to become the handy gardener that you have become.  I also love reading about your adventures and loving relationship.  In marriage, each party has to be adaptable or else the marriage will not last. 

Before I comply with the 'rules' of this award; I trotted off over to Feral Female's blog just to see what Texan was yakking about.  Right away, I joined as a follower -- love the pithy commentary and will be waiting with baited chicken breath to read more from your archives.  The high on the 'haybale photo' cracked me up and reminded me of kid Pices taking a shot at hubby on the day kid Opposum was born.  Way too funny for cha cha, so many goats and such preditable behavior. LOL

On to the OFFICIAL STUFF and Proceedings.

Things about myself no one knows (or if they did I dumped their bodies already.)

I love giving speeches, acting, being a emcee, teaching a classroom, and once served as instructor on Iraklion Air Station; Crete, Greece as installation CPR, Self Aid and Buddy Care, and Basic Life Savings skills instructor.


I have gotten in a fight with a drunk sailor and WON in the Philippines.  He started assaulting one of my female friends and pulling on her clothing -- middle of the street mind you.  Well,  I jumped him after he put his hands on her -- in a horrible manner -- she was screaming NO -- passerbys just kept walking. We (with me on his back) fell through a plate glass window as I was punching him; he wound up on Admin / International Hold for assaulting my friend. NUFF SAID   Personally, I think I have seen Norma Rae one too many times. LOL

I once got on stage to dance like the Philippino bar girls however, I kept my clothes on.  I have also went with a herd of Marines to the Nipa Hut.  If you want to know -- just Google it. LOL Not for the PG crowd, and yes it was quiet gross but; I learned stuff about human nature.  MIND YOU, I now empathize with 'randy goats.'

I stop for folks on the side of the road in case they need help. (Drives my husband nuts, and he usually drives because of this.)


I can tolerate all music except for Korean Opera -- brings up horrible memories of being a teenager at my first job with a tyrannical boss; who's short statue place his eyes right on my SHE BAGS. A very self-conscience time I think in a blooming female's life.


I have pledged to be a perpetual student and so far, I have accumulated over 200 semester hours just to keep my honor.  I don't understand the need for television on; in place of reading a great book.  My theory is, if you are not learning then it's fluff.  While fluff is good for pillows, it is not for the brain.  Keep stuffing that sponge (brain) full because you never know when; you will need useless facts to kick serious hiney at Trival Pursuit.

At age 16, I found myself in the foster care program.  The family I stayed with in central Los Angelos was a wonderful Mexican family.  Decades later, I am happily married to a Hispanic; love the tight knit family culture.

 My Nomination and why?

My nominee is Kelley. This woman works her A. DOUBLE S off trying to rescue kittens in her neighborhood.  I have learned so much about kitten biology just from reading her life adentures.  Personally, if folks would take the time to spay or neuter pets then the world would not be such a dramatic place for feral animals.  It breaks my heart, her family is scarificing so much to clean up a problem which is in fact, a national issue.


Now I am off to do some chores.  We are super stoked to have our daughter visiting from San Antonio.  WOOO HOOO, Doncha love family?

A.D.D. or Just NOT Interested?

Since we spend most of our days within the house during the heat, encrusted mosquito, summer.  I have to come up with ways to get the boys to help me clean (without being a drill sergeant) which, is actually my nature. So, I have 'enlisted' the help of my trusty Breast Cancer awareness timer to ten minutes interof mayhem.  The boys race each other to see who can pick up the most stuff from their floors or other rooms.  Not bad eh?  In ten minutes they are zooming to clean their rooms; I clean up the bathroom, master bedroom, hallway, or vacuum upstairs.  Rarely does this have to go on more than twice day but, they actually enjoy the competition and keeps focus on the task.  Little by little, I will move the hand to 15 minutes to expand their cleaning range and work out. 

We also use this timer in the classroom to get their minds on staying on task.  Twenty minutes of math drills, letter reconition, or some other scholarly pursuit.  Really, Saenz's focus is growing more each day with less dwelling on being a failure.  It is not easy building his confidence back to where it should be.  Zephyr loves to set this and hide it somewhere.  Little monster! LOL


This weekend we are expecting a visitor.  Our Lisa will be coming down Saturday to stay for awhile.  The boys are stoked, and I ordered a GRILL package from Omaha Steaks to celebrate. Zephyr has his own method of keeping track of when his Big Sister arrives and constantly asks:  IS SHE COMING THREE (down from ten) DAYS AFTER THAT????


Another side bar,  Our remaining Guineas went on 'walk about,' for three days and decided to come home this morning.  I was quiet surprised but so happy to see their noisy, kissable faces.  Welcome Back!

THE ROMAS ARE COMING

This is from our first plant we sat out in the planter hubby built with our boys! YEAH, I love fresh maters.  Did ya'll eat mater sandwichs growing up? We used to eat those and banana sandwichs.  It was a fast, cheap, and easy meal. 

I am thinking about making a Greek Salata to go with dinner tonight.  Simple eats but, tasty.  Dice the tomatoes, sliced or diced cucumber, onions, kalamata olives, fresh herbs especially oregano, feta topped with extra virgin oil olive. YUM YUM!


 (I used to always say when ordering this in Greece --- "OSHEE CREMETI!,' No onions basically, because the onions on Crete was dangerous. LOL

This is what the planter looks like, it hold 4 large tomato plants and one serrano pepper.
http://saenzmom.blogspot.com/2010/02/planter-boxes-baby-goats.html