It's always about the

FLOWERS! No matter where I go if I see beautiful flowers and/or great landscaping, I've got to take a pic. The roses in the rock setting are at the Woodlands Mall nearby. Everything is in bloom at the Mall and it is just delightful. The smaller patch of flowers was taken near my neighborhood. I was waiting for the light to change and had just enough time to take out my phone and snap a pic. Flowers delight me, make me smile and always add something to my day. Also makes me want to dig in the dirt and plant more stuff. Sigh.....

Not sure this is the most appropriate thought for the day but it more or less says how I feel about flowers, from Bill Hoest: I just need enough to tide me over until I need more". That might however also apply to cookies. Enjoy the day and have a cookie while you are smelling the roses. :-)

April 23, 2010 - Mother

Two years ago, April 23, 2008, my life changed in a flash of a minute. Now, I greet each day with grateful appreciation and realization of just how precious life, health, family, friends, and a joyful new love are. I have been blessed with this opportunity to once again reaffirm my being, and thankful for whatever reasons that G-d chose to let me survive. The sadness in my heart remains when I think of Mother and and although it is said that time heals, the empty ache lingers. I know that next year I will still feel the same way and for all the years to come I will always remember April 23, 2008.

So be it, Happy Birthday TEXAS

The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day Harris County, Texas, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texas Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican forces in a fight that lasted just eighteen minutes. About 700 of the Mexican soldiers were killed and 730 captured, while only nine Texans died.[2]
Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, was captured the following day and held as a prisoner of war. Three weeks later, he signed the peace treaties that dictated that the Mexican army leave the region, paving the way for the Republic of Texas to become an independent country. These treaties did not specifically recognize Texas as a sovereign nation, but stipulated that Santa Anna was to lobby for such recognition in Mexico City. Sam Houston became a national celebrity, and the Texans' rallying cries, "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" became etched into American history and legend.

Always improving.....

Once again April Sound is improving the community image - a new security, guard building is being built. The BOD approved the final plans and work has begun. We have such a lovely entrance way and the old guard shack has probably been standing for at least 20-25 years or more. A much needed improvement and it will coordinate in appearance and decor with the new country club. I'll take pics as the work progresses. You can probably see a bit of the azaleas that are in full bloom now. Nice place to live, I'm very lucky.

From Pablo Picasso "Everything you can imagine is real".

Messin' with Mother Nature....

Mother Nature - how amazing she is....:-) Not even Hurricane Ike and several very hard freezes can change her course if she wills it. This is my back flower bed, which took a real beating during Ike and of course the freezes of early 2010. My amaryllis had been a house plant for several years and then moved to the "earth". Blooming faithfully and bright every year. During the freeze the back garden was hit really hard, despite my attempts to cover everything. My mums are now coming back and to my pleasure and surprise, so is my amaryllis. I have one in the house that I shall now move to the yard.

From Keats - "A thing of beauty is a joy forever". That is the wonderful feeling I receive from Mother Nature and her blessings.

Finally getting my "land legs" back....

Getting back in the swing of things has taken a lot of energy. Today was Garden Gals and we went to the new Cornelius Nursery, out in Katy. All types of beautiful flowers, plants, shrubs, etc. Pleasant lady named Dorothy gave us a short presentation and then we shopped. Finished up with a nice lunch at the Texas C & H Steak House. A fine time was had by all. Tomorrow I have to head back to the hospital as a volunteer is ill and they ask me to fill in. Retirement sure keeps me busy.

I found the perfect thought for today from Elbert Hubbard "No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one". AMEN!

DAY #4

MORE PICS - bear with me. We are in Puerta Aallarta today. Having a really great time. The weather has been wonderful, the food is way 2 good and everyone is still getting along. We were in Cabo on Tues and in Mazatlan yesterday. Tomorrow and Sat we are siling, spa day. Probably one more blog. Take care!