Changes at CyFair College

Hi Sweetheart,

This is the Health Science Center at CyFair College. I wanted to make sure you knew that the building you began to document was finished. This picture was taken from the floor of the TECH building, second floor, close to my office. Just think, we could have had our offices close to each other. We could have eaten lunch together nearly every day. We could have commuted together.

It is enough for me to now drive to campus and home from campus each day remembering you drove the same way. It is enough for me to know that I cross your paths on a daily basis for you to know that I love you more than my own life.

There is a large Duck installed in front of the dean's offices down stairs, and I plan to photograph him in all his abundant splendor for your perusal. I hope you enjoy these remembrances.

We Gather Together...

Hi Love,

This past week was Thanksgiving. Carrie cooked up a storm of food. I don't know how she does it, but it was all better than I had remembered from past years. I cooked also, but my meager offerings didn't meet the standard Carrie set. I tried to brine the turkey, again. This was my second attempt, but not nearly as good as my first. Greg did his best to help, but with Joel out of town (he spent the week in Nac. with Darin) the turkey didn't turn out as good as I had hoped. I also made my famous Cranberry Salad (more commonly known around the world as "Southern Ambrosia"), gravy (I tried to make my Mom's gravy, but I can never produce anything like hers), ... There were other items I brought, but I can't remember them all here.  Oh! I also bought a small spiral ham and baked it for Dad. He loves it so much!

Carrie, on the other hand, baked and sauteed more food than I had ever seen in my life! It looked like it would have fed a medium-sized army! There were 7 of us at the dinner, and it looked like we hadn't even touched the food when we all finished!

Carrie made some new deserts which we all had to taste: Frog Eye Salad (Not what you are thinking), Sweet Potato Pie (two of 'em), Bread pudding, and something she called Chocolate Surprise. I had brought a store bought Pecan Pie, but nobody touched it. Anyway, we all had to have some of each. Tim made whipped cream and I dumped it all over the plate covering everything so I couldn't tell what was under the white blanket. I loved the Chocolate Surprise and the Sweet Potato Pie. Not so much the bread pudding, though. Too much like what I remembered from my youth.

I had planned to take pictures, but forgot at the last minute, so no pictures.

In the preparation, I learned from Dad that he was really cold at night. I ordered an all-season down comforter for him. It arrived the day after Thanksgiving. On the following Sunday, I asked Dad if he liked his new blanket and he seemed genuinely pleased to have it. I told him it was an early Christmas Present, or a late Birthday Present. He could choose.

Greg and I spoke in Church on Sunday about Gratitude. I must admit that I allowed myself to fade into the background and let Greg shine. He did such a great job. Opening up his life as he did brought tears to the eyes of those listening. It was good for him to let people know that he is a work in progress and that he is trying harder than anything to conquer his down moments.

My talk was very theoretical. The premise is that we must show gratitude for the gifts we have received from God. The part we must do is to "Remember" them. I gave the Ward practical tips on how to remember our blessings.

1. We must pause during our prayers and allow the day to come to our memories. The more we remember, the more we will see God's hand in our lives.
2. We should write down our blessings and leave them as a reminder for our posterity to look for the love we receive from our Heavenly Father.

You are the greatest blessing I have ever received. Your life and your laughter are constant beacons showing me the way to eternity. The fact that we are sealed together for time and for eternity gives me courage to carry on without you. Although you have been gone more than 5 years, I still feel your breathe on my neck, your quick wit everywhere I turn, and your brown eyes focused so lovingly on me. 

I shall always thank the Lord above that you came into my life. I shall also always praise Him for allowing me to know such love. I have tried to extend that same love to others, but I am not nearly as good at it as you. You are so much better than me.

Until we meet, May God Hold You in His Heart...

CyFair College Comes Alive!

My Beloved,

The following pictures are from the campus at Cyfair. I hope you see people you remember. 

Protest March Around the Cyfair Pond

Group behind the lead students with signs

Sign signifying that all colors of skin are equal

Muslim girl quietly walking to protest the direction of the country

It was a silent protest. No one spoke while they marched around the pond. Some held up signs and the signs were about their concerns: 

• Muslims are people, too
• Black Lives Matter
• Don't deport those without papers
• We are here to stay!

A couple of the protesters had tape across their mouths to signify that they felt they had no voice. I stood at the edge and snapped pictures as well as raised my thumb in solidarity. Some of the protesters smiled when they saw that I recognized their willingness to speak out. Some looked at the ground. Interspersed with the protesters, were faculty members.

Before the protest was organized, we all received a notice from Chancellor Steve Head stating that if the students wanted to protest, he felt it was part of their education to do so and there would be no repercussions for doing so, to the students nor to the faculty. I was invited to join them, but as I had a soda and a salad (my lunch) in my hands, I begged off.

I must say, it does my heart some good to see the limited protest by the students. I worry that soon our children will not have a venue in which to express their sympathies. I also worry that with Trump's election to the Presidency, our freedoms and rights will be curtailed; first subtely and then openly. There are a number of things about the 1950s that do not reflect the changes of time.

I wish the world well. I really don't think I have much say, but you make my life easier to survive. I wish you were here. Together, we could have withstood anything.

Trump won the 2016 election, and now Republicans hold both houses of Congress...

Hi Frank,

I am stunned and demoralized that Donald J. Trump will be our next President. I can't believe that Americans voted in a man who satirized the disabled, called Mexicans "murderers and rapists", used such foul language trying to limit his competitors, who demanded that all Muslims get out of the country. I can't believe this is the America I was born into and raised in. I don't know what damage he will inflict on our nation during the next four years.

The Donald's run appears to be based on an episode of  The Simpsons. That is where the first seeds were planted in the hearts of popular culture America and it was a joke! A joke! It was never supposed to represent more than the demented idea of the worst possible person in the Presidency, but there he is.

I have been treated the same way he treats women, as an object of his sexual desire. I was abused and when I objected, I was ridiculed and thrown away like a cheaply made garment, ripped up and made useless for anything but a rag.

It is my belief that American's voted for Trump to bring jobs back to America. I don't know how he plans to do it, but we will have to see. I believe that Republicans are planning to ditch the Affordable Care Act, leaving millions of Americans without health insurance. I believe that Trump will elect Alt Right people to offices and he may even set up a special prosecutor to put Hilary Clinton in prison, but for what? The emails? They are not as big a problem as what he will bring into our White House.

I have yet to decide how I will approach his presidency. I need time to think and focus.

The Cubbies Won!

Hi My Love,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know that your beloved Indians didn't win the World Series last night. Instead, the Chicago Cubs, who have been without a World Series win for 108 years now can relax. They have overcome the goat.

You would have loved the game. There was intrigue, suspense, and excitement! The Indians stole two runs off a wild pitch to even the game at 6/6. It was perfect. It went into extra innings, They even had a rain delay! I kid you not!

I made shrimp creole (it was wonderful) and Dad ate three helpings. He loves my cooking! Joel can barely stand my food, and Greg merely tolerates it, but Pop loves it. Dad stayed and watched the game until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer and went to sleep. Greg walked him out to the truck.

I guess I am writing to tell you how sad I am that the Indians didn't win. They worked so hard to even up the score, only to have the Cubs relief pitchers hold them off.

I can tell you that I am still waiting to see your face again. I had hoped I'd see you last night, but when the Indians didn't win, I knew it would only be in my dreams...

I wait for you. If the Lord is willing, I will wait less than an eternity. If not, I'll wait even longer.