I am sitting in a quiet house. Sarah and Luna and Ray are upstairs, settled for the night. Gregorio flew back to LA earlier today and is safely there. Our nephew Jim and his family flew back to Salt Lake City today and are safely there. Rachael is back in McKinney, recovering from a sore throat,…

We had a come-and-go reception for our daughter, Sarah, today at our home in Texas to celebrate Sarah’s graduation from medical school. Sarah’s teacher K – 5 at Edison Montessori, Barbara Powell, was one of the guest. She had a big impact on Sarah from an early age and we were delighted she could come…

Today, our oldest daughter, Sarah, became Dr. Sarah Beaty. She is now a bona fide physician who is ready to head off to her three year residency in Family Medicine beginning the middle of June. To say I am proud is certainly true, but I am also delighted to see Sarah accomplish a goal that…

We are in Fort Worth with Sarah, Gregorio and Luna. Tomorrow is Sarah’s birthday and then on Friday we have her graduation from medical school. Here are a few pictures of Grandpa and Luna tonight after her bath while her parents took an hour to go out and buy a few necessities that they couldn’t…

I am sitting in our house in Texas and I just have to say that it is just ridiculous how beautiful it is. I realize I am biased since we have chosen everything that is in it from the wall paper to the mantles to the tiles on the hearths to the light fixtures since…

We experienced an impressive thunderstorm here in Texas today. We had every window and door open so fresh clean air could swish all through the house. The thunder rumbled, the lightning flashed, the wind blew and then the rain came. Big fat drops, lots of them. The rain pattered on the tin roof and splashed…

In no order and certainly not all of them: 1) Don’t give a damn what anybody else thinks. They won’t care long since their own lives will keep them busy. 2) Figure out how to be good with money. 3) Create a marriage that works for both partners; don’t be tied to traditions that don’t…

We are back in Lyon House in Texas. Rachael is sleeping in the next room. The dogs, who we haven’t seen in three weeks, are asleep at the foot of our bed. The wind is blowing outside, making the trees sway. The night is quiet except for the whistle of a passing train. We are…

List of a few things that make me happy (in no order and far from exhaustive): 1) Luna 2) Sarah, Liz, Rachael, Gregorio, and Ron 3) Ray 4) My extended family 5) Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Handel and Haydn 6) Birdsong 7) The Orange Grove and the smell of orange blossoms 8) My friends…

Today I had to tackle one of those dreaded areas of my life: clothes shopping. I realize that for many women (and men) taking time to pick out just the right outfit is a pleasant pastime, perhaps even fun, but for me, shopping is one of those activities that rivals cleaning out the refrigerator. The…