Baby Shower, Charolais Cattle

Sunday, October 17, 2010
It's taken me a while to get back to this, but I truly was held up by my photographer who got involved in setting up a web site for PCWNC for which we are truly thankful.

This past Saturday was a fun day giving a baby shower for expected Ethan and his mommy and daddy, Cat and Drew. Cat's beautiful mother, Bert came with Cat's little son Landon in tow. This shower is a joint effort by "Mimi", Taylor's mother Kelley, and "Great Grammy" Carla, mother of "Pops", her son Russ.



We have rolled flour tortilla sandwiches filled with turkey, ham, pastrami and lettuce with cream cheese dressing. Other dishes include fresh fruit with Devonshire Cream, crackers and cheeses, chips and dip and orange sherbet punch. Kelley works diligently putting up streamers, signs and balloons to add to the atmosphere.



Also attending the shower are grandchildren Jennifer and Taylor, expectant parents of Ashton and Landon, due to arrive November 5th. The last baby in the family is now five years old so we are all excited at the prospect of having three almost at the same time.


Jennifer and Taylor are in charge of games and we all have a great time playing. Shower games are certainly more elaborate and complicated than in my day, but a terrific learning process. After opening gifts and enjoying the food, Jennifer winds up on the floor playing a game with Landon. We tell her she is "Mommy in Training". Other guests are Great Aunt Lynne, Teresa (best friend of Cat), Aunt Tiffany and her friend Michael.


Now, all we have to do is wait for the birth days to come in November and December.


My sweet Doug decides to take me out to lunch on Sunday after all the shower preparations and party. We drive to our favorite Mexican food place, La Choza (The Shack) located on the edge of Azle, Texas. The food is always delicious and the owners are quite friendly. (See photo of me doing a Vanna on their fence sign.)


After lunch, Doug mentions that he would like to photograph some cows for his photography forum. I remember seeing these huge white French Charolais cattle near The Havens Spa on Highway 180 in Weatherford, Texas and after discussing, we decide to drive there. When we arrive, it is quite apparent that one cow has just birthed a calf. She is lying in a heap in the grassy field and Momma is cleaning her up. Another calf, maybe three or four days older is nearby.



When the cleaning is over, Doug gets shots of the baby getting up on all fours and finding her way immediately to dinner. We feel privileged to witness this natural event and, as you can see, Doug gets a great shot of some of the herd as well.

This is all I have to say for now.

Tea, Doss Reception, TOTS Production

Sunday, October 10, 2010
I cook all week in preparation for a fun day with Jamie Bodiford who chairs "Discover Parker County", an activity associated with the Parker County Women's and Newcomers' Club.




First, we all try on hats in my Red Hat room. Doug is busy taking pictures as we each choose a hat to wear to the tea party.


On the menu is strawberry nut bread, apricot scones with Devonshire Cream and homemade apricot jam, chocolate/orange loaf cake, pecan tuna crunch sandwiches, apple-almond chicken sandwiches and strawberry tea sandwiches. Each enjoys several varieties of tea and great conversation.

After the tea party, Doug and I get ready and attend the Doss Cultural Center 's "The Power of Music" Reception.



The exhibit it celebrates is made up of photographic portraits of Americans and their musical instruments, 1860-1915, accompanied by displays of period instruments, old radios, and so forth. Often, after a hard days work, homemade music was the chosen, I dare say, the only source of relaxation for these people. The photos, collected over a twenty-five year period by musician Mark L. Gardner, form a remarkable revelation of life and music during this fifty-five year span. The great majority of these photos have never been published and this is the first time these images have been assembled for public view. Weatherford, Texas is indeed most fortunate to have this marvelous organization in their midst.


As we walk around the gallery viewing the portraits, a duo plays all those lovely songs from "way back when." I know the words to a lot of them and find it almost impossible not to sing along.

Friday, October 8, 2010 I attend the PCWNC monthly luncheon and how wonderful that C. B. Williams from the Doss Center is the program presenter. She is the chief of exhibits there. This lady is deeply enthusiastic about her work with the Doss and it just bubbles out of her as she talks. As usual, I wind up buying another handbag from our little gift shop. They have beautiful, inexpensive items for sale every month. I tell myself it's for a good cause as I make one more purchase!


Friday evening, Doug and I get all gussied up and attend the Southwest Premier of "The Red Velvet Cake War" at the Theater Off the Square (TOTS) here in Weatherford. Playwrights Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten are the creators of this marvelously funny presentation. TOTS is most fortunate to have a cadre of talented actors to call on. The first photo is of me with Ray Shannon who expertly plays the role of Newt Blaylock in the production. The Bakery & Sandwich Shoppe of Weatherford provides red velvet cupcakes for all in attendance. The rest of the photos are of the actors lined up at the entrance after the show enabling attendees the opportunity to comment on the production and their acting expertise. TOTS is such an asset to Weatherford and one you should appreciate by supporting with your attendance.




This is all I have to say for now.

Quilt, TOTS Awards Night

Sunday, October 3, 2010
We did indeed attend the Weatherford/Parker County Quilt Show and it was bigger and better than ever before. For the first time, they set up in the Parker County Sheriff's Posse building where they have more room for display of the magnificent quilts men and women created. I spot a lovely regular size quilt made by Dianna Carter especially for Red Hatters. (See Photo) It is now on the bed in my Red Hat/Guest Room.

This same date (September 25, 2010) we are invited to be the guests of Barbara Farley at the Theater Off The Square (TOTS) Starlight Awards Gala taking place in a banquet room of the Fire Oak Grill on the square in Weatherford, Texas. Unfortunately, Barbara becomes quite ill, calls and earnestly suggests that we attend without her since the reservations are made.


For all intents and purposes, one could call the TOTS Awards Gala Weatherford's answer to Hollywood's Oscar night. The only thing missing is the red carpet and more paparazzi. We walk in and over to an almost empty table with one gentleman occupying a chair. I ask if the table is saved. He invites us to sit down. It turns out that he is none other than Ray Shannon who wins the award for Best Director for "Southern Hospitality".


The dinner is buffet style and quite delicious. The desserts are to die for. We enjoy interacting with Ray and two ladies sharing the table. Steve Markwardt is a charming Master of Ceremonies as well as having a marvelous singing voice and he entertains with a medley of songs to kick off the awards portion of the event. Vignettes of the past season are presented by various actors between award presentations and are quite entertaining. Doug only has the small camera with him so photos are hard to get, but shown here are some of these. One is Holly Kiehn winning Best Actress in a Minor Role in "The Wizard of Oz" and, of course, our tablemate Ray Shannon. The overall Best Production of the 2009-2010 Season is "The Wizard of Oz" with several actors winning awards for their acting in this winning production.



The upcoming 2010-2011 season is presented, one of which is a premier of "The Red Velvet Cake War" on October 8 at 8:00 p.m. We have our reservations. Hope to see you at TOTS, 114 North Denton Street, Weatherford, Texas 76086, Phone: 817-341-8687.

This is all I have to say for now.

Frog Tale, Game Daze PCWNC

Saturday, September 25, 2010
I picked up the large trash receptacle on the patio and here sat this amazing little frog. For obvious reasons, I name him "Camo Frog". I just love my nature run ins. Hope you enjoy my sharing them with you.

Right this moment we are waiting for the rain to let up so we can go to the Parker County Quilt Show. This is always so interesting and it is astounding the amount of talent that abounds in Parker County. Hope to come back to you later with some wonderful observations on this years show.

On Friday, September 24th I attended the Women's and Newcomers' Game Daze event hosted by Jan Barrow in her lovely home. We had a large turnout with several visitors. We played Farkle, Polish Rummy and Mexican Train. We always bring a covered dish to this event and the food was delicious. I took "Firecrackers" and several wanted the recipe. It is just so simple to make. We have a lovely gift shop here in Weatherford called The Copper Pumpkin and they carry these packets of spices called "Firecrackers". It takes one package with 1/2 cup Canola oil to coat 60 saltine crackers. It's best to leave them set overnight and serve them with whipped cream cheese as a spread.

Our new chair of Game Daze is Marcy Brooks and she is doing a fine job. Not only was she right there helping the hostess, but she also kicked off the event with a fun game to help everyone get better acquainted. Kudos to Marcy. You've started us off very well.

This is all I have to say for now.

Ailing, Decorated High Heel Cookies

Wednesday, September 22, 2010
I know all of you probably think I've gone away forever, but not true. I have been laid low by a horrendous sinus infection and am just today finally feeling human again after taking antibiotics, prednisone and cough syrup followed by many hours of sleep. Living proof you can't keep a good woman down for long.








While shopping in San Diego at the International Red Hat Convention, I spotted a high heel cookie cutter about 7-1/2 inches tall with a recipe attached. Remembering that our womens club here in Weatherford started the year with a new theme "Stepping Out" which is all about shoes (our president is as big a shoe nut as I am) and putting our best foot forward, I had a brainstorm and bought the cookie cutter.



This brainstorm led to the creation of eight dozen decorated high heel sugar cookies, one for each attendee at our regular September luncheon. If I had realized the enormity of individually decorating this many cookies, I probably would never have started the project. In the beginning were the cookie crumbles, of which Doug happily scarfed down. Once I overcame this problem, after decorating the cookies and allowing them to set and dry, when I began placing them in the cellophane bags every third or fourth cookie would crack. After Doug ate several of these, I determined it was too late to start over and cracked or not, the cookies would be served at the meeting. I termed this Carla's Cracked Cookie Caper. It is, after all the thought that counts!!


Doug was kind enough to photograph the whole procedure which, by the way, took about ten days to complete.

This is all I have to say for now.

The Cherokee National Holiday

Tuesday, September 7, 2010
On Thursday, September 2, 2010, we packed our car and began our five hour trek to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, capital of The Cherokee Nation. So many people come from all over the country, indeed, the world, that we are forced to stay in Muskogee, Oklahoma, only about 20 miles from Tahlequah. We settle in at the La Quinta Inn & Suites, a lovely, comfortable hostelry where we enjoy substantial free breakfasts each morning with choices of waffles, biscuits and gravy, omelets, sausages, eggs and various muffins, cereals and sweet rolls, juice and coffee.

Friday morning we drive to Tahlequah to check out the areas where we need to be and in the afternoon, we visit some vendor booths making some purchases. Finally, it is time to register to dance in the sacred circle during the powwow. When I begin completing the form, the woman in charge says, "You are over 55, right?" I said, "Yes." She tells me to register with the Golden Age group. This is my first time ever to do this and my original idea is to wear the shawl I especially decorated for this event doing the Women's Shawl Dance (Butterfly). I assume I can still do this, just as a "Golden Ager". She also tells me that to qualify for any prize money, I must come back the next night and take part in the Grand Entry at the beginning of the powwow wearing the identical clothing that I dance in.




The first photo above is with a lady from Pryor, Oklahoma who is in town for a meeting with the Cherokee Council. As you will see by more photos, it is an exciting event with extremely elaborate dancing costumes. A coordinator sends us into the circle in our respective groups in the Grand Entry and I note that the women I enter with are mostly wearing beautiful buckskin ensembles and are daintily carrying their shawls folded neatly over one arm. After the opening ceremonies, we all leave the circle and the dancing competition begins. The Golden Agers are second on the agenda. We all enter the circle walking to the beat of the drums. I am the only one wearing my shawl. The ladies are very sedately walking to the drum beat while the emcee talks about how revered and respected the Cherokee women are and he asks everyone to stand to show respect while we dance around the circle. By this time, I'm well into doing my shawl dance to the drum beat, dancing like nobody's watching. When it is over, we all stand in a line while the judges make their decisions on a clip board. When I look down the line, I notice that most of the women are looking quite serious with their lips pursed. That is except for the one black woman in the group who is looking right at me and laughing. Obviously, I totally misunderstood the meaning of "Golden Age" and perhaps shook up the establishment a bit. I'm glad I did it and I had fun being the orange in the bucket of apples.




Saturday, we return to Tahlequah and watch the parade of 105 entries of which next to last is the equestrian group followed by the largest spiffy new street sweeper we've ever seen. We also listen to Chief Chadwick Corntassel Smith's State of the Nation address in the capital square. Afterwards we enter an interesting little book store, "Jacob Gallery" and I buy a couple of books by Cherokee Historian, Robert J. Conley, to help with my research for my current book. The owner of the book store is Murv Jacob and not only is he a writer, but a serious painter in acrylics.



We then drive to the Cherokee Heritage Center where all of the vendor artists are set up for the event. We find a beautiful acrylic of a wolf by Bill Rabbit, a winner of many painting awards. I was definitely in the market for a good wolf painting since I am a member of the Cherokee Wolf Clan and I was thrilled when Doug bought it for me.


Saturday evening I again take part in the Grand Entry as required by the contest rules and the crowd is phenomenal. I haven't heard a number, but there were several thousand people in attendance. Saturday night is given over to the men dancing and they are just incredible.



It was a marvelous experience and I'm looking forward to doing it again. This has inspired me to make a serious effort to learn the Cherokee language. They teach it to their young people in school and people all around us during the parade were speaking Cherokee. In fact, the running commentary during the parade was all in Cherokee.

This is all I have to say for now.

90th Birthday Celebration

Sunday, August 29, 2010
We were privileged to share in the 90th birthday party for Fr. John Keene at St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Ft. Worth, Texas. A delicious barbecue luncheon with all the trimmings was provided and there was such a crowd it took three cakes to treat everyone to birthday cake.

We are especially fond of Fr. John because he was the first regular priest at The Episcopal Church in Parker County, a congregation that was formed in November, 2008 to carry on the operation, within The Episcopal Church, of the Episcopal parishes of St. Francis, Willow Park; All Saints', Weatherford; and Holy Apostles, Ft. Worth. Their former clergy had left The Episcopal Church to form congregations of the same names within another denomination, operating in the same buildings. Fr. John served in this capacity until a full-time priest was assigned to the church in December, 2009.

He has been married to the lovely Jeanneane for some years after having been widowed. (See Photo) He has six grown children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, a number of which were in attendance at this special affair.

Fr. John was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and held many jobs from an early age including pumping gas, setting pins in a bowling alley, delivering ice and assistant manager in a movie theater. He piloted P-40's and C-47 transports in the Army Air Corps during the war. After the war, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a Master's degree in Hospital Administration from Columbia University in New York. In 1956, John felt the call to the ministry and enrolled in Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was ordained a priest in 1958.

We feel especially blessed to know this wonderful gentleman and to have participated in this milestone in his life, becoming a nonagenarian.

This is all I have to say for now.