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.