This evening we went out to dinner with our friend Jared and tried a new (to us) restaurant in downtown Sherman.  Camino Viejo is right off the square at 110 East Houston Street.  Ray was reluctant to go since we don’t eat pork and often small Mexican restaurants say they don’t use lard but often do. …

Coming to our home in Sherman, Texas is a bit of a Twilight Zone experience.  Not scary in any way, but almost as if we live in an alternate universe.  We forget when we’re in California just how many people we know here, how wonderful this house is and just how much work there is…

I wrote the blog post below two years ago for Rachael’s birthday and, honestly, I don’t think I can improve upon it.  (Besides, I’d forgotten I’d even written it!) I will just add that in those two years, Rachael has grown even more beautiful, inside and out, and I am very proud to be her…

Ron Betty, my son-in-law-to-be, turns 31 today.  He is Liz’s fiance, best friend and sweetheart.  That description is quite apt since Ron truly has a sweet heart.  He is generous, gentle, loving and kind and a very decent human being all around.  He is also a wonderful match for Elizabeth, who always has something she’s…

HI all, I sat and stared at this computer screen for well over an hour tonight before heading upstairs to stare at the television instead. I simply couldn’t think of a thing to write about tonight. I have just now returned from a walk around the block with the dogs and it occurred to me…

This was a big family day.  Ron’s birthday is Tuesday and Rachael’s is Wednesday so we had a lot of celebrating to do.  I made Rachael’s requested pumpkin lasagna and baked both a peach pie and a banana cream pie.  Liz made a salad, Sarah supplied lentil soup, chicken, baked vegetables and bread. We exchanged…

I am sitting at the long table in the living room, which is one of my primary work spots. Three items in this room are especially important to me: the fireplace, a stained glass lamp, and an icon of St. Mary. The fireplace is right behind where I sit and during most of the winter…

As a gift to Rachael for her upcoming birthday, her dad suggested that we might spend one day (along with Liz and Ron) in Ojai helping her with the renovation of a little “Canned Ham” camper that she and Ariel bought. Rachael was thrilled with the offer since they have limited time to come up…

We are watching “Giant” with Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean tonight. This is one of my favorite old movies, which I’ve seen at least six times. I love how Elizabeth Taylor jumps right into West Texas life, how Rick Hudson loves his family with such heart and how James Dean is such an…