News of sorts!

We no longer take the daily newspaper. It is strange to wake without thoughts of the paper and a cup of coffee. The coffee is still with me. I really miss the paper. It is so much fun to open the paper and read all the little tidbits available about whatever there is to talk about. Then there is the food section. Karen Haram is the editor of the food section and she has a great ability to find and talk about making a wonderful dish or a wonderful dinner. I enjoy her culinary abilities, I have none.


The sports page is great too. The San Antonio Spurs are always featured when in season. Even when they are not, they have a little string of words about them. The Cowboys have been in town for the past week for their training camp in the Alamodome. It gives the natives opportunities to get acquainted with the team and garner devoted fans. Jerry Jones was on tap along with this son. Jerry was wearing his walking shorts and sun glasses.

Take out the trash day!

( Don’t forget.  November 2 is “Take out the trash day” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                                                                    The following senators voted against making English the official language of America : (Republicans are in red)                               Akaka (D-HI)                               Bayh (D-IN)                               Biden (D-DE)                               Bingaman (D-NM)                               Boxer (D-CA)                               Cantwell (D-WA)                               Clinton (D-NY)                               Dayton (D-MN)                              Dodd (D-CT)                               Domenici (R-NM)                              Durbin (D-IL)                               Feingold (D-WI)                               Feinstein (D-CA)                               Harkin (D-IA)                               Inouye (D-HI)                               Jeffords (I-VT)                               Kennedy (D-MA)                               Kerry (D-MA)                               Kohl (D-WI)                               Lautenberg (D-NJ)                               Leahy (D-VT)                               Levin (D-MI)                               Lieberman (D-CT)                               Menendez (D-NJ)                               Mikulski (D-MD)                               Murray (D-WA)                               Obama (D-IL)                               Reed (D-RI)                               Reid (D-NV)                               Salazar (D-CO)                               Sarbanes (D-MD)                               Schumer (D-NY)                               Stabenow (D-MI)                               Wyden (D-OR) Now, the  following  are the senators who voted to give illegal aliens Social Security benefits.   They are grouped by home state.  If a state is not listed, there was no voting representative. Alaska :                  Stevens (R)Arizona :                 McCain (R) Arkansas :              Lincoln (D)           Pryor (D) California :             Boxer (D)             Feinstein (D) Colorado :              Salazar (D) Connecticut :          Dodd (D)             Lieberman (D) Delaware :              Biden (D)             Carper (D) Florida :                 Martinez (R)Hawaii :                  Akaka (D)             Inouye (D) Illinois :                  Durbin (D)            Obama (D) Indiana:                  Bayh (D)              Lugar (R)Iowa:                      Harkin (D) Kansas:                 Brownback (R)Louisiana:              Landrieu (D) Maryland:               Mikulski (D)          Sarbanes (D) Massachusetts:      Kennedy (D)         Kerry (D) Montana:               Baucus (D) Nebraska:              Hagel (R)Nevada:                 Reid (D) New Jersey:           Lautenberg (D)      Menendez (D) New Mexico:          Bingaman (D) New York:              Clinton (D)            Schumer (D) North Dakota :        Dorgan (D) Ohio :                     DeWine (R)          Voinovich(R)Oregon :                 Wyden (D) Pennsylvania :        Specter (D) Rhode Island :        Chafee (R)            Reed (D) South Carolina :      Graham (R)South Dakota :       Johnson (D) Vermont :               Jeffords (I)           Leahy (D) Washington :          Cantwell (D)          Murray (D) West Virginia :        Rockefeller (D), by Not Voting Wisconsin :            Feingold (D)          Kohl (D) THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION..... UNLESS THEY DON'T MIND SHARING THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY WITH FOREIGN WORKERS WHO DIDN'T PAY A DIME INTO IT.

 "nuff" said. Senator McCain, what were you thinking? The usual suspects with a few exceptions: Sen Lieberman for one. Why on earth are we just paying attention to this? Senator Obama voted for both.

Yes, November 2 has to be take out the trash day.

Morning Ya'll

I realize the spelling of Ya'll is up for grabs, but this is how I spell it. If you are so inclined, go to www.papergarden.com and review the illustrations from my children's book, A Land of Multipliers. The book was written in honor of the late Nicole Johnson. She is my granddaughter, not was, and I love her very much. She ran from numbers and math. (So did I) Anyway, I am looking for an agent and publisher. Nicole is a native Texan, born in Methodist Hospital in San Antonio,Texas.

Long may she wave!

We have a beautiful, glorious flag....

Let's wave it and do what we can to honor and 

support our Constitution.

America is the Beautiful. 

Happy 4th of July!

A very special turtle!

Before she died my granddaughter Nicole drew a very special turtle in honor of her Mom and her Mom's ongoing battle with MS. This insidious disease destroys the myelin sheath covering the nerves which allow them to connect with each other. So things don't work as they should, much like a frayed wire so eventually the impulse required to move a leg, or type a sentence may not connect. The color orange is the national color of MS, so the rabbit wears orange rabbit ears and bunny tail. Slow and steady may have won the race in the past, but now we need to get a move on. PICK UP THE PACE!

Nicole the Turtle Mother, was born in San Antonio, TX so her turtle is right at home on the Camp Texas blog. In fact the MS turtle was drawn in SA as well. Coco was a girly girl, so her turtle bears that imprint. She has her mother's blue eyes, what can I say I love the kid. It is not a typo that the word is "love" and not a past tense. I don't know that Coco's mother has been publicly thanked for sharing such a prize with us, but here it is: Thank you!

Random thoughts

It is hot in south Texas. I adore the heat and luxuriate in its complete surrounding warmness. It is the birthday of my son, a guy with great ability in the world of photography, a grasp and understanding of the world that is rare. Happy Birthday Robert!

This is a week of memories and admitting short comings, whatever they are. America tied England in the World Cup. Soccer is a game I do not understand but admire the ability of a player.

Tonight is the 5th game of the NBA playoffs. Big Baby Davis is from LSU and puts his heart and soul into the game. And when he cries, it is LOUD!  If it can' be the Spurs, let it be Boston.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of reflection, barbies and ice cold beer. Wishing all of you a great day and a salute to our Armed Forces wherever they may be. Years ago we enjoyed the company of friends and family for a big celebration, now our family is much smaller and the celebration will be smaller but just as meaningful. 

Go Arizona!

We live in an impossible political climate. Out country is now two polarized camps. We have apparently lost the ability of compromise and solution which we once enjoyed. We invite the President of our neighbor, Mexico, to address a joint session of congress and parts of that body, the majority party, give him a standing ovation. This in response to Arizona's intent to defend its citizens and borders. He might consider cleaning his own house before he attempts to clean ours. 


If I lived in Phoenix, AZ, the kidnap capital of the world, I would feel a little better with someone with gumption telling it like it is.

Our Service Men and Women

My sister-in-law forwards me all sorts of things...some funny like "Men can fix anything" to a sober remembrance of a sailor in Iraq who spared a column of Seals passing by. He threw himself over the grenade and saved the whole bunch. It's like the song: Some Gave All. Mike Monsoor was his name and he was 28 years old. How did he get so honorable and devoted at 28? He was a baby. But a baby who recognized something inside himself....that wouldn't let something awful happen that was bigger than he. 

Massive quiet acknowledgement of service above and beyond belongs to Mike Monsoor.

Spring!

Spring in south Texas is with us...The oaks drop their leaves straight into the pool, they seem to think it is their own private trash can. Then they break out their major weapon in the fight for survival. A lime green fuzz which threatens the life of everybody else.Oak Pollen frightens the most daring of us.  It goes directly into one's nose. No amount of spray, tissues or prayers help. It simply is what it is: a mess. Weeks of sniffing and trying to compromise is to no avail. If it rains, it turns into a gloop impossible to describe. Gluey and sticky...Ugh!

On the bright side, flowers parade up and down the street. Yellow, reds, pinks, new life all over the place. Bees buzz, butterflies flutter, life is renewed. It is after the green nightmare, a wonder to behold. 

www.camptexas is still in the forming stage, actually it is ready. It may never see the light of day who knows? Maybe soon, maybe never.

Texas Reps who voted for the health care bill

According to the San Antonio Express News, Henry Cuellar, Charlie Gonzalez, Solomon Ortiz, Ciro Rodriguez, all Dems,  from south Texas districts voted to strangle our health care system with a new bill which puts the government in charge. Gene Green and Lloyd Doggett also Texas representatives, (don't know what districts they represent,)   voted for the measure. Thank goodness for Lamar Smith a Republican from San Antonio who voted NO!  How can we as a nation accept the meddling  Congress as our caretaker? They do little right. I have deep respect for the government of The United States as an entity and for the office of the President. But the occupants are not the office, and they are ridiculous at the moment. Votes are sold under the table and on top of it. Good intentions are railroaded with promises. The founding fathers would be horrified. Our nation is becoming used to being fed the pablum of birth to death care and we have the misguided notion that we "have the right" to it. Baloney.

camptexas.com coming soooooon!

We are working on the website and hope to have it up in the next day or two. It will feature the photography of Robert Turner. He is very talented and if you like photos, you will be intrigued.

The Spurs lost to Cleveland by 2 or so points the other night. Roger Mason, Jr. didn't connect with a possible 3 pt. winner. He is playing a lot right now since Tony Parker is out with a broken hand. Roger can't be expected to be super-man at this late date, he has sat on the bench almost the whole season. Give him a break!

Don't forget www.camptexas.com coming soon!

Snow, Allstar game in Jerry's Playpen

The snow in southern Colorado was a challenge even to my snow lovin' son. We drove for 4 days to get to San Antonio from Colorado Springs. We went through southwestern Colorado where the average snowfall is 50" around Rico, Ouray and Gunnison. The snowstorm was Texas size, big flakes and lots of 'em. Piled in giant drifts, they looked like meringue on a pie. It hit the highways faster than the snowplows could scrape them away.

Colorado has fab snowplow drivers. They patrol to catch the first hints of the white stuff. San Antonio, on the other hand, has probably one at the most two and the officials probably don't remember where they put them. We do however, have lots of salt for bridges, and small gravel. I am so glad to be out of the snowbelt.

The NBA held its tribute to the best players as per votes of fans. You can really see that their are more people on the east coast than the west.

Photos here copyright Robert Turner at swagpics on Facebook and Twitter. Website going up very soooooonn.

Snow storm coming down the pike!

North Texas is, as we speak, being clobbered by a big ice and snow storm. South Texas where I hang out, is a much warmer place. It is the home of the San Antonio Spurs. Woo Hoo! One of the problems with south Texas is that it is growing so fast that detour signs sprout like weeds. San Antonio has a premier shopping center. The Shops at La Cantera are special, they showcase the architecture of the region, have stores that everybody wants to visit.

Oh, I did not mention the River Walk. A romantic combo of water, restaurants, gorgeous plantings, it is truly beautiful. You know it has to be gorgeous to raise such a blast from Mark Cuban. He hates it. That should count for something. Come'on Down!

On the news a minute ago there was an article on school text books. It seems different factions are attempting to change what is to what isn't. Attacking things like Christmas, a hero of the Alamo, and various other staunch American ideals. Lay off.

Napoleon said "What is history but lies agreed upon." We had best look to our politicians to straighten up and stand for something besides themselves.

Don't forget that the NBA All Star game will be held in Jerry's playpen, February 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The Cowboys Stadium, holds 80,000 fans with the ability to expand to 100,000. That is a lot of fans boys and girls! It is truly a Texas size venue. Oh, the excitement will be spread between American Airlines Center and the Dallas Convention Center. Just in case you are not aware of it, the XLV Super Bowl in 2011 will be there as well. David Stern NBA commissioner, Mark Cuban owner of the Dallas Mavericks and Big Daddy i.e. Jerry Jones announced the events. The renewal of the Arkansas-Texas A&M game will also be played in the retractable domed wonder. Go Aggies!

Even thinking about the Mavs leads me in a direct brain hook-up with the San Antonio Spurs, my favorite NBA team. They are wonderful, marvelous, have not only a great team but a team with a great coach. Greg Popavitch and his staff are the understatement of the decade. They never, ever bloviate ( word courtesy of Bill O'Reilly) the way the Mark Cuban does. Go Spurs Go!

Important stuff

Jerry Jones has a new playpen. It is the biggest and the best that money can buy. It houses the Dallas Cowboys and it holds boo-coodles of fans. Located outside Dallas a ways, it is an incredible place. America's Team is the most well known brand in the NFL. The Lone Star is prominent on their helmet and throughout the venue. When you see the star...you know where you are.

Big announcement: Lisa Davis is now the captioning guru for the Cowboys. She is an enterprising young woman with her own company and an office in Jerry's Playpen. She intends to do it right. Captioning for those who need it is at times an abysmal business. Way to Go!

It's a Whole Other Country

For those of you who have not been to Texas,

here is a small part of the scoop:

Texas was an independent nation from 1836 until 1845 when it became by treaty the 28th state. The capital is Austin, home of the University of Texas. The largest cities are Houston, San Antonio (home of the San Antonio Spurs), Dallas and El Paso. College Station is the home of Texas A&M. Chili, Bluebonnets and Armadillos are right up there with the Dallas Cowboys!

Wishin' and Wantin'

For several years I have wished and wanted to write a blog. It just goes to show, wishin' and wantin' won't do it. So here at last is the ever-hiding, ever-receding blog, a baby-steps blog.

Our family relocated to Texas in 1970. My Daughter eventually migrated to Colorado, my son graduated from Texas A&M and we founded a family business.

The size of Texas is daunting; at the same time it is filled to the brim with interesting people, places and things. The Texas flag is gorgeous. It is red, white and blue with one star, i.e. Lone Star. It is nestled in a blue field on the left, with a red horizontal stripe on the right bottom and a white stripe on the top. With any luck at all, there is a picture here somewhere of the flag.