No, I don't miss winter

My parents had a snowy return to Illinois on Monday. (This is their front yard.) I really don't miss a traditional winter, all that shoveling, white knuckle driving on ice, and bundling up against cold, hard, wet winds.

Before I moved to Texas, I gave my snowshoes to Doreen, but I kept my cross-country skis. I do miss the kick and glide and the quiet of the woods while on the trail.

I enjoy our February weather. Morning runs in the 30s and 40s, with temps in the high 60s to low 80s in the late afternoon. If we don't get wind...and sometimes we do....the weather is mighty nice.

Obit of the Day Club

We live in three different states, but for years we worked just steps from each other. Only Scott has to read the obituary pages for work; I guess you could call it a 'hobby' for me and Anne, reading and sharing these short essays on life. Obituaries, done well, are joyful and express love and pose an important question....how to sum up a life in a few words, sentences or paragraphs? And indeed, how to live in the short time given us?

A few weeks ago, Anne sent us a link to an obit on the Iowa City Press-Citizen website. The decades old photo had a jolly looking lady wearing a huge bouffant hairdo. Her work history was sophisticated, having been on the staff of a national magazine and seemed to be a lady-about-town. Why this picture? Was she happiest then, at the moment when it was taken? Was she with friends she loved on that occaison? Was this a moment she was finally able to relax and have fun?

And what photo would be selected for my own obituary? From a golden time of my life--the wide-eyed kindergartener taking in everything and skipping home from school? From a time of some triumph in my life, or just a shot when I looked really good? Or really happy?

I enjoy seeing the infinite range of the course of modern life through these obituaries. Sure we can trudge through our days feeling so homogenized by television, feeling our lives need something different, something to make us feel the individual we are. We watch others ignore rich moments of living in their quest to buy the next very best thing. In our down moments we feel a blandness, a sameness in the quest for advancement and security. But obits are evidence to the contrary. They vary tremendously in story, loves and family, occupation and pasttimes. Give me a obit writer with verve, with a true sense of who I am, who isn't afraid to be different, and can see me as an individual.

Scott recently sent us an obit so warm and chatty, I felt I was at the writer's kitchen table munching on post-funeral cookies and sharing memories and laughs. It is a great one, and one of our "club" favorites. Here are some highlights:

"He won state and national awards for showing both sheep and himself."

"Our proud Norwegian will live on in his trees, wit, stories, and our hearts. He's off to his next great adventure at U of I Medical School; we only wish he could be a more active participant."

"In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to ............. and we will send them to the hospice program at the Iowa State Penitentiary (Not tax deductible), or plant a tree anywhere (you can call it Max) but TAKE CARE OF IT!"

"We will miss him desperately, but he said he was tired."

Sounds like a fun guy who was truly loved. Who wouldn't want that for themselves?

Nice picture of Mom and Dad at the Mayor's park

Spring is just coming on now in Van Horn. During my parents' (very nice) visit this weekend, we saw the season's first jonquils!

Ranch Sitting

In a couple of weeks, I'll be ranch-sitting with a personable pug named Frankie. It will be my first experience living out in the desert, which I expect will be eye-opening and a world apart from being a day visitor. This week, I was out there getting briefed on Frankie's care. Here's a few pictures. I'm sure I'll post more the week I'm there.

Visits!

Two visits of note:

Thursday my parents arrive for their first trip to Far West Texas!

And Iowans, put these dates on your calendars:

We're (note the plural) arriving April 24 and staying through the morning of April 28 to celebrate my birthday! And I'm planning to run in Iowa City's RiverRun on the 27th. I hope to visit with as many of you as I can!

Javelina

Javelina on the way home from Fort Davis this afternoon! (click on the photos for a closer view!)

Distinctive Destination

This morning I head to Fort Davis for the official naming of that community as one of this year's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Deserving because of its nearly pristine setting in the mountains (no stop lights in town!), significant historic fabric, and well-developed (but not commercialized) tourism infrastructure, Fort Davis is one of my favorite places in the region. Pictured here is the well preserved Fort Davis National Historic Site, part of the National Park Service.

I was happy when the Chamber director asked me to write a letter of support for their nomination and was thrilled to learn they got the designation. All week I've been sending out press releases, putting together press packets, and helping in any way I can. That's my role. A few weeks ago the Chamber director was desperate for photos for the new historic walking tour brochure they'll launch today--so camera in hand, I got them for her.

In the eight years of the program, only three other Texas communities have received this honor, so this is a big, big deal. We'll use this honor to get media attention for the entire region.

From the National Trust, here's this year's group of nominees:

Aiken, S.C.—Aiken seamlessly balances its varied 19th century heritage with cosmopolitan flair to offer all the necessary ingredients for a great vacation.
Apalachicola, Fla.— Apalachicola, an authentic coastal town renowned for its mouth-watering seafood and singular charm, features a waterfront dotted with fishing vessels, a downtown filled with eclectic shops and streets lined with historic buildings.
Columbus, Miss.—The birthplace of prize-winning playwright, Tennessee Williams, Columbus thrives on its extraordinary mix of Southern history, natural beauty and culture—with antebellum homes spared during the Civil War and historic tours showcasing the remarkable impact of the African American community to a revitalized Main Street that possesses great curb appeal.
Crested Butte, Colo.—One of the most charming vacation destinations in the Rockies, this former coal mining village is a recreational paradise that offers a rare mix of rugged beauty, history and adventure no matter the time of year.
Fort Davis, Texas—With no traffic lights or chain stores, Fort Davis is a gateway to an unspoiled terrain, offering an extraordinary blend of majestic scenery, abundant wildlife and cultural resources that bring to life the history of the 19th century western frontier.
Friday Harbor, Wash.—This small, well-preserved community in the San Juan Island chain is one square mile of perfection—an antidote to city life, ideal for outdoor adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Portland, Ore.— Boasting both the charm of a small town community and the urban vitality of a big city, Portland, Oregon is a dynamic destination that offers an alluring mix of natural beauty, lively downtown entertainment and landmark historic attractions.
Portsmouth, N.H.—This elegant seaport, the nation’s third oldest city, is one of the most culturally rich destinations in the country with its captivating blend of coastal beauty, historic buildings and lively downtown.
Red Wing, Minn.—Conveniently located one hour south of the Twin Cities, this handsome historic town features a treasure trove of architectural gems dating back to its beginnings as a riverfront trade point as well as an enviable natural environment.
Ste. Genevieve, Mo.—One hour south of St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve is the only French colonial village remaining in the United States, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the pioneer spirit of the early settlers.
San Juan Bautista, Calif.—Known as the “City of History” because of its exceptional collection of Spanish colonial architecture, San Juan Bautista showcases Old California like no other.
Wilmington, N.C.—From riverboats to battleships, grand old mansions to historic museums, splendid gardens to Civil War sites—Wilmington, North Carolina has a charm and style all its own that dates back nearly three centuries.

I think we're in good company!

Beautiful Tuesday Morning

bother; don't bother

I've now seen our Marfa-filmed, Academy Award-nominated movies. See one of them for the cinematic experience of a really good film, even if you have to shield your eyes from the considerable violence. Don't bother with the other.

No Country for Old Men is a great film with a capital F. Artful, riveting, well acted, just beautifully done in every respect. But the violence is there, and it is,...well,...considerable. And disturbing, as the film demands it to be. I was initially disappointed that they didn't show a Van Horn scene from Cormac McCarthy's book, but it doesn't really matter. Being in No Country won't help, nor will it hinder Van Horn.

I would have walked out on There Will Be Blood, if I hadn't felt compelled to watch it for work. Sure, Daniel Day Lewis does some great acting and he has some moments of real genius, but I was far more taken with his (similar) role in The Gangs of New York. (I shocked myself by loving that one.) And it was fun to see the locals in the movie--the little boy is from Fort Davis, and the Sunday matriarch works at an art center in Marfa. The score was ridiculous, over and over building tension with no payoff whatsoever. When it was all said and done, the violence made far less sense than in No Country. Yes, you do learn the hardships endured by the early mining industry, but is that enough? Not for me.

Beth Nobles, Travel Writer!

You can read my travel article on pages 19-21 of this publication, which was poly-bagged into 400,000 issues of Texas Monthly and Women's Day this month! Photos of mine are on pages 2, 20 and 21!

Why I teach

Last week I dashed off the equipment list and course description for a weekend class I'll be teaching at Arrowmont in Tennessee in October. Arrowmont holds a special place in my heart because it is where I first started taking myself seriously. Period. Though I was still fresh from a crushing divorce and working only part time (the employment market in Iowa City was ridiculous at the time) I took out a small education loan to finance a two week class with an embroiderer whose work I admired. That class made me feel I could accomplish something with my stitching, the teacher became a mentor, and I made a life long friend in Teresa. It was a leap which, seemed unlikely to bring a return on such a considerable risk, but set the course for the rest of my life.

So it is incredibly satisfying to get a note from a woman from last January's class from the north shore of Chicago, "You would be pleased to see people embroidering small stories at meetings--you planted hearty seeds."