The View from Here

The Lexington

The primary purpose of our trip to Corpus Christi was to tour the USS Lexington, the aircraft carrier on which Gary’s dad, Irwin Edward “Dutch” Maurer, served. His dad also served on the Yorktown and the submarines Hoe and Sargo. He was in the Navy from June of 1943 to December of 1945.

We spent several hours exploring the ship and even though we only saw a small portion of it we got a sense of what Dutch’s life might have been like on board. Gary explored some areas that I wasn’t able to navigate because he is smaller and more agile than I am. Be warned that if you plan to take the tour it is a bit strenuous- and definitely not for the claustrophobic! Access to most areas is narrow and steep; only the flight deck has an escalator going back down, and it was broken. Also, most areas did not seem to have air conditioning so I was happy that we went early in the morning.

While Gary was down below deck for a while I watched the dolphins diving and splashing. I only had my little camera with me and wasn’t able to take any good photos, but it was a thrill to watch them. I also watched a young man painting part of the ship, and a crew working on a new airplane display. I imagine there is always something to do on a ship, even one that is permanently docked.

The ship was a busy place, even on a Monday this early in the summer travel season. As we were leaving a large group of school children arrived. And the next day the museum was offering free admission to first responders and other emergency personnel. You might want to check their website for information, rates, and events if you will be in the area this summer. 

Where do I begin?

I’m not sure how to describe the last few days or what to say about a great vacation that also turned out to be a great escape.  We went to Corpus Christi to see the Lexington, one of the Navy carriers that Gary’s dad was stationed on, and to do a little bird watching on Padre Island. While we were there we saw some of the news coverage of the storms in Shawnee. Then Monday night as we were enjoying dinner at Johnny Carino’s the images from Moore began to fill the multiple screens around the room. My first thought was disbelief that Moore could be devastated again; my second thought was profound gratitude that we were nowhere near it.

Still thanking God for our safety this morning. We drove through some rain on the way home, but for the most part completely avoided the storm. Returned to an intact house. There are things out in the yard that will need to be retrieved later, but I can’t see any damage to anything. Extremely grateful for the four inches of rain we received. Blessed. Praying for those who were not.

Our mini-vacation was very enjoyable! We were able to spend quite a bit of time bird watching and walking around in nature areas. Spent several hours on the Lexington. Did a little shopping. Did a whole lot of eating. Gary and I took a total of 777 photos with our two cameras and he took over a hundred on his phone. I promise not to bore you with all of them, but I will be grouping them into some albums later. You can view the ones that interest you! Of course I managed to find a few flowers and butterflies, a dolphin, a rabbit, and even a lizard among the birds. We took a few “silly tourist” shots and some of the local landscape. I’ve posted a few samples here and will be blogging about some specific things in the next few days.

Spending today doing the laundry and recovering a bit. I didn’t have any problems walking around the beach, but let’s just say this fat old body was not designed to do much climbing and walking on an aircraft carrier!! By the time we finished and got ready to return to the parking lot across the street I was exhausted. We got settled on the shuttle and prepared to ride down, and…it wouldn’t start! lol More walking!

Do you see the "heart"?

Hope you are having a great day! Stay tuned…

 

Road Trip

We are starting off the summer with a little trip to the gulf. Haven’t been there in years. Okay, decades! Always loved being near any body of water!

I’m sure there will be a few photos when we return! Lol

Be good and stay safe. 

Too many words...

I am at a loss for words this morning. Or perhaps there are just too many words and feelings floating around in my brain:

Happy

Sad

Proud

Relieved

Thankful

Anxious

Another school year completed except for the celebration!

Unknown challenges ahead…

Thursday

Happy to see lilies.

Grateful for the rain.

Looking forward to the last full day of the school year.

Thankful for our safety.

Saddened by the storm damage.

Praying for the victims and their families.

 

Things happen...

You know I am often torn between planning and “to do” lists and schedules, and just “winging it” through life. My split personality comes from years of seeing my plans change because things happen that I don’t anticipate. I was reminded yesterday that some of those things can seem very insignificant until we see them from a different perspective. I am always asking God for guidance and yet sometimes when it comes it is so gentle and subtle that it is overlooked. I guess I am often guilty of waiting for the burning bush.

Looking back over this past year I can see some little events and encounters and experiences that have had a profound effect on how I will proceed toward the future. I am reminded this morning of Romans 8:28- “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” We just have to remember that Paul doesn’t mean fun times and comfort. He refers to our eternal life and he qualifies his statement with two requirements: we must love God and do His will.

Things happen…it is how we handle them that matters. 

Walmart Therapy

Okay, I’ll be honest. I was feeling a little down yesterday after seeing all the wonderful Mother’s Day photos on FB. I don’t get to see my children for holidays or many other events. I’m blessed to talk to them on the phone, but there are times when I wish they lived closer. I was also feeling a smidgen of guilt and a bit of pity for them because they have such a dull, boring mother compared to so many others. I know they probably wish I was more stylish or trendy or creative or exciting or something. After all, I don’t drink, swear, smoke, gamble, or even dance. I don’t wear makeup or style my hair. No bling, no high heels, no polished nails. I don’t even have a tattoo! I don’t text, tweet, or skype. I don’t even have cable. Boring, dull, plain, and behind the times…besides being old and fat. If they did live closer they might not even want to be seen with me.

Then I went to Walmart to pick up my photos.

Oh, the blessings and life lessons of Walmart. Thank you Lord for making me appreciate even my shortcomings! The first person who walked past me was a man of about forty: obese and wearing a tank top, pierced eyebrow, spacers in ears, and sporting a long goatee decorated with beads!

Next was a woman pushing a young child in a cart. She had her hair covered by a “doo rag”, she was wearing a short sleeved shirt so I could see that her arms were completely covered by tattoos, and she had on tight jeans, leather boots, and a leather vest.

The woman with three layers of makeup, high heeled sandals, short shorts, and a tank top might have been attractive had she not been my age and size, plus more.

You know I could go on and on. There are all kinds of people in the world! Each person has a unique “style” and individual personality. I think I’ll just be happy with mine. If my children or anyone else complains, I’ll just send them to Walmart for a new perspective! 

Last Week of School

Yes…it has arrived. The week that seemed so far away in August is here and for once it doesn’t seem like there is much to celebrate. This is the last year I will teach under the leadership of my friend and former high school classmate. The last year I will see the smiling face of our wonderful pre-k assistant. The last year I will watch our amazing nurse care for our sick and injured students; the last year I will be able to seek out her advice and counsel for my own health. The last year I will see the understanding face of my former college classmate as she sits in her office listening patiently to my latest complaint.  Selfish thoughts, I know. I should celebrate the changes in their lives and wish them joy. I do. But I also feel so very sad for the rest of us. Change is always a challenge and next year there will be so many.

I WILL celebrate the accomplishments of my students and will be proud to stand next to them on Friday as they receive their diplomas. They have worked hard for me this year and have learned so very much! They have also matured and most have met the challenge of changing from child to student. It is a huge transformation and one that I feel privileged to witness each year.

I am looking forward to more time in the garden, a little travel, lots of writing, and perhaps a few photos here and there. LOL

Last week of school…

Mothers

It occurred to me yesterday that although I miss my own mother at times and in ways that are often inexplicable, the mothers that are most important to my current life are the mothers of my students and the mothers of my grandchildren.

The mothers of my students provide me with a job I love and they tolerate my intrusion into their lives. I am constantly asking them to do something that adds to their work and stress.  Homework and projects and extra handwriting practice require as much time and effort on their part as their child’s. Most graciously accept the extra tasks, and for that I am grateful. It is also my job to let them know if their child has a problem with skills or behavior and that is often news that is difficult to accept graciously. Mother’s don’t always agree with my assessment of their child and then we walk a thin line between tolerance and trouble. Some years dealing with angry mothers has proven to be more of a challenge than dealing with their mischievous children. But everything- the good, the bad, and the angry- has only added to my experience and my appreciation of the complex job of motherhood.

I wasn’t always a good mother. I would like to think that I did the best I could at the time with the knowledge and skills that I had, and that as I gained experience I improved. Maybe, maybe not. There are some things that happen in life for which there is no preparation, no experience that enables you to make the right decision or do the right thing. There are some things I did that in hindsight seem stupid, but I have to remind myself that I am a grandmother looking back and criticizing the actions of a woman who was barely more than a child herself when she started raising children. So I cut myself a little slack.

I do take some pride in my motherhood skills when I see what great adults my children have become- especially my girls, who are much better mothers than their own. I know that most of what they have accomplished and most of what they do is because of their genes and personalities and motivation and experience, but when I see who they have become I just have to take a little credit for providing the foundation for their futures. And as mothers themselves I think they will allow me that bit of selfishness.

So on this day set aside to honor mothers I salute the mothers of my students and the mothers of my grandchildren and wish them a day filled with love and hugs and the recognition they most certainly deserve! 

Water...

Not much to say this morning except that the rain passed us by...again...so I had to drag out the hose and supply some water for the locals. They seemed to appreciate it!