LOST AND FOUND IN THE HOOD

The emails were flying this week here in the hood!  It seems a dog almost exactly like this little cutie was wandering around lost in the neighborhood--reminiscent of the Israelite's wandering the desert for 40 years.

I lost count at around 30 when the neighbors were reporting spotting's, putting out food, wondering whose dog he was, etc.  FINALLY they came up with a plan for capturing the unexpecting  runner.  Since he would not let anyone get near him, it was an intricate plan---wars have had less planning.  They celebrated BIG TIME when one neighbor finally was successful at his capture.  I quote, "Our baby (dog also) was out for a walk with daddy and the precious fellow followed them home."  SERIOUSLY!  And THEN one neighbor sent a slightly sarcastic email wondering why the neighbors were NOT more concerned with a sidewalk for the children to walk home from school on.  There has been a request to ask the City Council to extend one of the walks to protect the children and it seems some are more concerned with the welfare of the canines in the hood than the safety of the children.

The other big happening in the hood dealt with the nearby train tracks.  I am very close to downtown, but also not far from the train yards--the tracks are about half a block away.  There is a LOT of train traffic--but I had grown accustomed to hearing them in the apartment and they do not bother me.  THEN one morning this week the train horn blew for 10-15 minutes---solid--no stopping at 6 AM!

ANOTHER flurry of emails.  The neighbors are calling the train company---and up in arms---surely it must have been an emergency.  The story finally gets "found out"--someone broke into the engine and had a "Whistle Party".  The whistle blew until the police arrived to end the party.  Every little boy dreams of blowing the train whistle.

I volunteered at the Cowtown Race Packet pickup yesterday.  I have a new and profound respect for the volunteers that put these races on.  It was Organized Chaos!  I must say that runners are some of the most polite people.  I loved it and ALMOST got the bug to run again---and then I remembered!

It has been a super busy week!  I am back painting --the apartment has to be painted before it can be rented.  Someone smoked in it---so it has to be kiltzed and painted.  GROAN!  I had central air put in it and will start my next career as a landlord soon.  NO NEED TO APPLY if you enjoy shenanigans!

AND I found Elvis--he is alive and well here in FW!

LIVING IN THE HOOD

I am settled and all is done--including organizing the garage--except hanging some curtains.  Did I tell you I bought a new drill---SUCH fun with the new drill!  I LOVE a power tool!

No pictures--but they are coming.  Camera battery seems to have died during the move and I need to locate the charger--IT IS HERE SOMEWHERE!

It is so quiet compared to living by the university.  There is a train track very close--but that has become a lullaby compared to the loud partying associated with college life.  I do miss the church bells!

I met one of my neighbors--and we have had quite the conversation.  I must say--I enjoy her a great deal--but she is different.  I have lived in a bubble for all of my life.  I have named her, Mother Earth, and I am sure she would not be offended.  She has multiple bumper stickers indicating her love of Mother Earth and being one with her.  She is disabled and not able to work---BUT she has 8 (EIGHT) dogs and cats living with her---BIG DOGS--as one is a Great Dane.  

We have already had a discussion about our faiths---and when she told me she is a Unitarian---and believes Jesus was a good man--I told her I would like to tell her what Jesus is to me on my front porch one night when not hurried or stressed.  She has extensive knowledge of gods and goddesses and Buddha--that she has already told me about.  Within five minutes of meeting her she told me she was a hippy.  I laughed and told her she was born in the wrong generation, but there are certainly many hippies still around.

I found it very interesting that she would tell me this so early in our conversation--but also know it is very telling.  I am looking forward to my many times of conversation with her to come.  Could this be one of the reasons that God has placed me here?

Meanwhile--my first over-night guest is coming tomorrow night!  Meredith--my adopted college student--is coming through on her way to her home in Shreveport.  She arrived home from Zimbabwe this week and I am SO looking forward to hearing her stories of this mission for God.

SO while she is here---the meeting of the SSS will convene at my little cottage.  I am cooking and we are fellowshipping AND hearing about Meredith's adventure.

The Cottage feels more like home--here in the hood--already.  My little cottage looks like me---and I am putting my touches all over it.  I will forever miss Ruston--but I am blessed with where He has me.

OLD HABITS DIE HARD---

I drove back from Austin today with 3 of the 5 grands in tow and all 5 in the same city---COLOR me happy!

It is a three hour trip--and I planned to stop in Waco which is half way for gas and a break.  I had thought of a brand new convenience store/gas station on the beaten path.  It did not occur to me until I pulled in for the rest stop that I had gotten off the interstate that takes you back to Fort Worth and in fact I was headed to Ruston.  Thankfully I had gone a very short distance before I made the stop and it was no big deal to get back on track.

Camille began Baylor in 2001 ---I traveled these roads for 4 years until she graduated.  She then worked in Waco for a year before marrying, and then married and lived there one more year.  SO for 6 years I had driven that path back and forth---forth and back--to see my sweet Camille.  THEN just before she moves to Erie for Adam to attend medical school, #1 son and family move to Austin.    It just so happens that you travel the same road through Waco to go to Austin. SO I have driven this same route since 2001---only for the last 6 years---there has not been a stop in Waco--but just traveling through.

It was second nature to get off that interstate and head to Ruston--and not even think about it.  Many things in life become second nature ---we do the same things over and over--and at some point not even think about them--we just do them.  I was well aware that I would probably always call Ruston home since I have spent 47 years there---but I wonder when it will finally dawn on me to not turn east toward Louisiana since I do not live there anymore.