Family in Town

We were so fortunate to enjoy the company of Kira and David, Neal's sister and her husband, for a week. We ate sugary, fattening things, walked, played games, and checked out a few local places. Upon picking them up from the airport, we toured the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth and learned a lot about our currency. Kira and David said it easily topped the tour they had of the other one in D.C.

We also visited the Dallas Art Museum by way of old trolleys. Because of it's proximity, Klyde Warren Park is always a fun stop.

We also went to In-Sync Exotics, a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue of neglected, abused and unwanted exotic felines, and found they only improvements they made in approximately 5 years since we last came were graveling the muddy paths.  It was fun though to watch the cougar tracking our youngest child like he was to be his next meal.  Rhys was unaware and we would say, "Hey, Rhys, walk over there next to that corner.  Okay, come on back."--just to use him as bait.

At dusk one evening, we were able to take them to see (and smell) a cattle egret nesting ground. There are thousands of them at a park just north of a park they chose the year before. We were also successfully able to spot a plethora of fireflies. David even caught one for us to examine. That was truly magical. Not until my adult life was I able to see them, outside of the electrified, false ones on The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland.

We also were able to enjoy one of our concerts in the park with them. 

So glad they came into town and we were able to spend some great time with them. We always enjoy them and have so much fun just being together.

Just as Kira and David were leaving town, Reba and DeWayne, Neal's step-mother's parents, were arriving to house and dog sit for Neal's dad and Becky.  We were able to visit, swim at the house, have them over for dinner, and eat out with them. They are so pleasant to be around.

I got talking with Reba about her earlier years. She married when she was 17 and was having her first child by 18.  She talked about how cinders would fall on the clothes left out to dry from the paper mill if they did not time things right.  The had a washer but not a dryer back then. Now the paper mill has to follow environmental laws set in place and it doesn't let off the same mess.  She even talked about how if there was a freeze they'd have to bring all those frozen cloth diapers in and defrost them. 

After having 3 kids, and feeling despondent, without drive. In time she caught hold of a passion of hers and went back to school, earned her degree, and started teaching elementary school, despite lack of support or understanding from her mother, next oldest brother, and sometimes, even her husband. She taught for over two decades.

DeWayne told us that when Becky brought Rudy home for them to meet, he invited Rudy to join him fishing one morning. They had not been out five minutes before it started sprinkling and looking stormy.  DeWayne said he could feel the electricity on the hair of his arms and told Rudy he wasn't one to chance lightning in that kind of situation. Rudy agreed and home they went. DeWayne thought that it was not the best of ways to start a new relationship with a possible soon-to-be son-in-law, but what could he do? 

I love learning about my family! Learning about their experiences, beliefs, and interests. I am surrounded by great people.