Tag: photos

Flickr: Field Guide to Birds

This is a perfect example of what makes Flickr such a phenomenal tool. I’ve always been a interested in birds. When I see an unusual bird, I like to find out what kind it is and learn a little about it. My mom was a devoted bird watcher and I inherited a little of her love of birds. I used to keep a list of the birds I have seen in the yard.

This interesting and useful Flickr group contains photos of birds from all over the world. I wish the tags were more organized (i.e., by type of bird and location). Otherwise this is a great collaborative effort by bird watchers from all over the world.

Just another reason to love Flickr.

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Another Fun Camping Trip

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We just got back from another fun camping trip. This time the Newsomes, the Clarks, the LeFevers and the Veldmans went to Concan, Texas and stayed at Frio Country. Frio Country in is the Texas Hill Country, surrounded by rolling hills, forests and the Frio River.

We spent a lot of time on the river, swimming and tubing. On Monday, we went on a 2.5 hour trip down the river. The kids had a blast, and the adults did too. It was a ton of fun.

We also fished on the river and caught quite a few fish. Cassidy caught her third fish all-time (a little perch), and her first one all by herself. She also caught 3 frogs and spotted a jackrabbit and a skunk near our cabin.

Delaney was the youngest one to go tubing and she was a champ. She had fun, was brave on the rapids and never fell out of her tube.

It was a great trip and the group has already made plans to go back next summer. In the meantime, we’ll look forward to our next trip this October. It will be cooler by then and we can begin our tent camping season. There’s nothing more fun than camping with your family and friends. We are blessed to be a part of such a fun group.

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4th of July Fun

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The City of Bellaire held its annual Fourth of July parade today, which was a slice of small town fun for kids and parents alike. After the parade, we walked over to the nearby festival, where Cassidy once again climbed a high wall. The wall was much higher than it looks in the photo and Cassidy climbed it in about 90 seconds in flip-flops.

Entrepreneurs

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Cassidy and Rachael decided this morning that they needed to start a business and make some money. They talked about a few business plans, including a fly-catching business (which would have integrated with their other operations very well, since Cassidy caught a spider this morning and needs to feed it) and selling cookies.

They decided on a lemonade stand. Then they made some lemonade, set the price (50 cents), made a sign, hired Delaney to help (in exchange for free lemonade) and set up shop. They have already expanded into rock sales ($1 each).

12th Anniversary

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12 years ago today, I married a sweet, beautiful, wonderful woman. She has done a great job of putting up with me.

I am lucky to have Raina, and though I don’t tell her that enough, I know it.

We got married in Fort Worth on June 26th, 1993. My old and dear friend Carter Via married us, with (mandated, by whom I’m still not sure) help from Barry Bailey, then the minister at the church where the wedding took place. Barry later ran into a bit of trouble.

The rehersal dinner was held the night before at Billy Bob’s.

Bye Bye House Next Door

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We bought the house next door a month or so ago. After much unnecessary delay thanks to the City of Bellaire, it was demolished yesterday. That big ol’ Hyundai Excavator levelled the entire house in less than a half hour. Then it loaded the remains into big dumptrucks that hauled it away. It was really fun to watch.

After we move the fence and do a little landscaping, we’ll have a nice yard to run around in.

Father’s Day

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I can barely remember anything about my father. He died on November 14, 1968. I remember watching Combat with him in the very room we’re standing in above. I remember driving to Virginia with him once. That’s about it.

Most of what I know about him is second hand- things I’ve read or been told. He was a fighter pilot in World War II. Flew off of the Intrepid and received a DFC and 2 Air Medals. They are in a frame in our Media Room. I have a book on World War II with his picture in it. He was a pretty good golfer. He smoked too many cigarettes.

I don’t know if he had a good sense of humor, or what kind of music he liked. I don’t know if he liked to dance or what kind of beer he drank. My kids have some vague idea that I had a mother, who died shortly before the oldest was born. My dad is nothing more than a picture they’ve seen once or twice. I’d tell them more about him, if I knew more.

It’s not something I think about a lot. Maybe once or twice a year.