Today we said farewell to one of our five canine companions. Although he was small, Baxter occupied a big space in Cloud 9. And in our hearts. Unlike our other dogs, Baxter had a bed of his own that took up floor space under the table. We thought it was a better alternative to him…
We had planned a big Memorial Day vacation trip to Shenandoah National Park and Washington, D.C., but we simply cannot justify spending so much money on gas and other expenses at this time of high inflation. So we’ll enjoy a “staycation” at Loyd Park, close to home, instead. After all, the capital’s monuments, memorials, and…
We’ve been talking about death lately. Perhaps it’s because we recently had our annual physical examinations, and, as a result, had to schedule and undergo follow-up tests. In addition to having to continue treating our cholesterol and gout, we’re long overdue for a colonoscopy. Cliff has hypertension; Jon has circulatory problems—so a stroke or a…
This weekend, we camped at Loyd Park, along the western side of Joe Pool Lake. With record-breaking heat, we were concerned that it would be difficult to keep Cloud 9 at a comfortable 73 degrees, but Loyd Park’s dense tree canopy made climate control more manageable. We arrived on Friday in time to set up,…
We spend most weekends “at the lake,” but the fact of the matter is that we spend very little time in or even near the water. Oh, we catch an occasional glimpse of the shore as we drive in or out of the park. We see a couple of ducks swimming in a tiny inlet…
This weekend, while camping at Cedar Hill State Park, we finalized our reservations for our next big trip — to Shenandoah National Park and Washington, D.C. (For the record, the folksong refers to the Missouri River and in most versions of the song the name “Shenandoah” refers to an Indian chief, not the Shenandoah Valley.)…
It’s Easter, Passover, the middle of Ramadan, and Vaisakhi—an unusual confluence of holy days, yet a timely reminder of the common bond of humanity. We witness this each day, in the people we work with and in the students and faculty we serve. We are inseparably connected. In some ways we are all becoming Generation…
It’s that time of year again: The Texas bluebonnets are in full bloom throughout the state—a sign that spring has sprung and soon we’ll be enduring a hot, humid summer. Before then, we get to enjoy this alluring little wildflower as it adds a pop of deep-blue color to our fields and roadways. In 1901,…
Upon arriving for our weekender at Cedar Hill State Park, we had no idea what awaited us just beyond the park entrance. The ranger dutifully warned us about Argentine ants but said nothing about the missing section of road between us and our campsite. And by “missing” we mean non-existent. Completely gone. We knew from…
We traveled to Cedar Hill State Park to get away from March Madness, only to find ourselves surrounded by it. The park was crowded with campers of every sort, including Boy Scouts in tents, newbies in Class B’s, seasoned pros on electric scooters and first-timers. Having done this routine for more than eight years, we…
Garinns on the Go 