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.