It was a beautiful sunny and warm January day when Loretta and I drove to Marshall, TX, to visit the Marshall Pottery and attend a book signing for a new author friend, Patty Wiseman. Loretta and I left Camden at 8 am and headed south to Ruston where we took the I-20 West through Shreveport and into Texas. It was a little longer route than going through Hope and south on I-30 to Texarkana, then to Marshall, but because it was foggy when we left town, we thought the southern route was best.
It had been a long time since I have been to Shreveport but we drove through with no problems. It was fun to see how the city had grown and changed since Gil and I lived there in 1975-1978 when we moved from there to Italy. There is a new interstate highway now going south (I-59) and a lot of new businesses along I-20, East and West of the city. It was not a long drive after we crossed into Texas that we came to Marshall and took the exit that led us to the pottery in just a half a mile. I had been wanting to go to the pottery for many years, but just had not had the chance before now. Loretta had never been there either.
The pottery had lots of things on which people can spend their money like home decor, candles, furniture - even jewelry. Some of those things are rather expensive, and some are rather cheap - like the plastic pots made in Taiwan and China. My interest was strictly the original signature Marshall pottery made right there. I found many beautiful pieces but specifically wanted a spigget for the large beverage urn that I had found a few months ago in a ditch in Camden. The urn undoubtedly fell off someone's truck when moving and was left in the ditch unharmed or unmarred in any way. Also found in the ditch was a lovely bowl and pitcher without a scratch! So I found the spigget needed, and a lid for the urn and also bought a small milk pitcher to match the other pieces.
After we left the pottery, we had lunch in a Chinese restaurant. It was a good lunch and we lingered over it talking and havng a good visit. Then we headed to the Marshall Mall to find the book event. I had met Patty Wiseman on one of the author fadebook sites and she had graciously produced a trailer for my own book. We hope to attend some book events together in the future, either in Texas or Louisiana. Patty and several other area authors were having their event in the mall that day outside a nice book store. Loretta and I met some very nice people that day and learned about their books, several of which are e-books to be found on the Kindle or Nook. We drove home and got in about 7 pm. It was a good day.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Reconnecting with Classmates from BHS
Reconnecting with many of my dear classmates from Bastrop High has been one of the highlights of 2011! We "Girls of 65" graduated together in May 1965, and get together as often as possible to catch up on what has happened with us since then. It has been a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing them again in the new year.
Goodbye to 2011 and Hello to 2012
It is hard to believe that 2011 is gone and the new year is here. Gil and I received many blessings in the past year and are prepared to go forward to receive more in 2012 as we strive to improve our health, and follow God's will in 2012.
In 2011 we were able to add a beautiful addition to our home which we enjoy very much each day. The family room added almost 500 sf to the home which gives us a great place for watching TV, working on the computer, playing games and entertaining. The new entrance to the nice laundry room that was completely remodeled is wonderful. It also gives us lots of storage in the house.
The new year will bring a visit from our children and grandchildren who live in China. They too will face new challenges this year as they move to a new province in February. Both Ed and Deb will teach classes in a highschool in Quzhou, a town of 2 1/2 million people. This will be a much warmer climate for them, less work for Ed, more money for the family and more time to venture out into the Chinese provinces to explore and see the area. It also means Suzanne will be staying with us once they visit this summer. She will continue high school studies with us (on line) and begin some college courses asap. She plans to take Vet Tech courses so she can work in a Veterinary clinic because she loves animals and hopes to make that a career. She has grown to be a lovely young lady and we are very proud of her.
Destiny is growing up so fast, talking and learning some Chinese words. It will be so great for her to actually see us in person and learn more about us when the family stays with us for a while. We have not held her since she was five mo. old and she is now 2 1/2 years old and will be almost 3 years old when she visits. We have watched her via skype as she learned to roll over, sit up, walk, run and talk; but actually seeing her in person, holding her, hugging her and walking and talking with her will be wonderful.
Gil and I are so thankful for the healing of our son Dan's legs as he is now able to walk without aid of braces or crutches. He has come a long way from that wheelchair that confined him after the accident in the summer of 2010. His own hard work and God's healing hand was what has brought him and his family through the dark times and now they see a brighter future. Praise God.
2012 will bring us a new great-grandchild in the spring as Rachael and Nate will have a baby in March or April. Emma is now 7 years old and will enjoy having a little brother or sister in the home. I know she will be very helpful to her mom. We wish them every happiness and good health for them all in the new year. Pat and James visited at Thanksgiving and brought Emma with them. It was great to see them. We pray blessing for them in the new year and hope to see Mitch this coming year.
So, as I reflect on the past year and the coming year, I will repost a quote from today's newspaper: Yesterday is in the past and tomorrow is in the future, but today is a gift - that is why it is called the 'present.' So we will go forth now and enjoy the gift of today, not looking back on yesterday's mistakes or concerned with what tomorrow brings, but trusting God to help us live in the present and in His will.
In 2011 we were able to add a beautiful addition to our home which we enjoy very much each day. The family room added almost 500 sf to the home which gives us a great place for watching TV, working on the computer, playing games and entertaining. The new entrance to the nice laundry room that was completely remodeled is wonderful. It also gives us lots of storage in the house.
The new year will bring a visit from our children and grandchildren who live in China. They too will face new challenges this year as they move to a new province in February. Both Ed and Deb will teach classes in a highschool in Quzhou, a town of 2 1/2 million people. This will be a much warmer climate for them, less work for Ed, more money for the family and more time to venture out into the Chinese provinces to explore and see the area. It also means Suzanne will be staying with us once they visit this summer. She will continue high school studies with us (on line) and begin some college courses asap. She plans to take Vet Tech courses so she can work in a Veterinary clinic because she loves animals and hopes to make that a career. She has grown to be a lovely young lady and we are very proud of her.
Destiny is growing up so fast, talking and learning some Chinese words. It will be so great for her to actually see us in person and learn more about us when the family stays with us for a while. We have not held her since she was five mo. old and she is now 2 1/2 years old and will be almost 3 years old when she visits. We have watched her via skype as she learned to roll over, sit up, walk, run and talk; but actually seeing her in person, holding her, hugging her and walking and talking with her will be wonderful.
Gil and I are so thankful for the healing of our son Dan's legs as he is now able to walk without aid of braces or crutches. He has come a long way from that wheelchair that confined him after the accident in the summer of 2010. His own hard work and God's healing hand was what has brought him and his family through the dark times and now they see a brighter future. Praise God.
2012 will bring us a new great-grandchild in the spring as Rachael and Nate will have a baby in March or April. Emma is now 7 years old and will enjoy having a little brother or sister in the home. I know she will be very helpful to her mom. We wish them every happiness and good health for them all in the new year. Pat and James visited at Thanksgiving and brought Emma with them. It was great to see them. We pray blessing for them in the new year and hope to see Mitch this coming year.
So, as I reflect on the past year and the coming year, I will repost a quote from today's newspaper: Yesterday is in the past and tomorrow is in the future, but today is a gift - that is why it is called the 'present.' So we will go forth now and enjoy the gift of today, not looking back on yesterday's mistakes or concerned with what tomorrow brings, but trusting God to help us live in the present and in His will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)
