My "Pot" Garden

My Daddy always had a garden.  My grandparents always had a garden as did my aunts and uncles.  As my Daddy got older, he would inquire if we were coming home to help "shell" peas, "shuck" corn, "dig" potatoes, or "cut" okra.  I always seemed to find an excuse to be working, out of town or just not up to the trip home for those events.

As I look back I now realize how much I truly enjoyed the bounty from these gardens my family grew each year.  Last year when Daddy died in June, he and his friend, Joe, had planted five (5) acres of purple hull peas.  Daddy was not really able to get out and work the garden and Joe was so kind to help him.  But Daddy loved peppers, tomatoes, and other things that grew in the garden.  Since he was not able to walk very far, he gathered up some tacky tubs, huge pots, and even hung some upside down strawberries (as seen on TV - and given to him for his birthday by Rhett) in a corner in the back yard.  It was really a sight to behold and he kept telling Mother not to worry that his "Pot Garden" would yield some of the best vegetables ever and they would be right out the back door.

We as you can imagine, he died in early June leaving Mama with that "tacky" Pot Garden to tend, water, and harvest.  By the way, it was nearly impossible to mow around so it was by no means manicured.  And of course, he left Joe with that five acres of peas to pick and leaving Mama to help shell peas all summer long.  We have all had a few words to say about that as we each had to come in pretty often to help wind up Daddy's affairs and always got roped into pea shelling.



Well I miss my Daddy's garden almost as much as I miss him.  So this year, I have planted my own little "Pot Garden".  I have two tomato plants, green and red bell pepper, banana pepper, onions and cucumbers.  I hope he is smiling up there in heaven watching me "tend" my little garden.  I plan to enjoy the bounty this year in hopes he has passed on his green thumb to me.

And by the way---Joe only planted two acres of peas this year!  I do hope he will share.  I don't think I would even mind shelling a few - just to remember the good ole days!

Dying

Daddy's birthday this week reminded me of the loss I suffered when he went to heaven last June.  This past week I have also experienced loss again.  Miss Ann, as she was affectionately known, has suffered so since her surgery and her family made the decision to honor her wishes in her living will.  Another family is losing one of its core members.

Miss Ann's situation has brought forth so many good memories in spite of the tragedy of this situation.  Last night as Kim and I talked we were recalling the things from our past about her Mother that were good memories.  I wanted to focus on some of things and the lessons that I learned from them.

When I was in the 9th grade and tried out for majorette, Miss Ann was my twirling teacher.  We discovered too late that she was gifted in that area and didn't really put much effort into trying out.  But the thing I learned from Miss Ann was to try harder.  And I did.  And I won the next year.

When Kim was a but a little girl and times were hard for school teachers, Miss Ann cooked four pieces of fish for the family.  Kim assumed they were having a fish fry and invited our whole family for dinner.  Much to our family's surprise, there was but four pieces of fish.  Miss Ann cobbled together some other stuff from the fridge and we all ate together as if we were having a big ole southern' fish fry.  I learned that you are gracious as a hostess no matter what and that you are gracious as a guest - no matter what is served.

I will never forget the night before Jacob was born.   My Mother was playing bridge, my Daddy was home with me and Kenny was traveling from Dallas.  I went to Miss Ann's and burst into tears exclaiming that I was not ready to be a mother.  She assured me that I was and that it was really too late to change my mind.  A week later when I brought Jake home from the hospital and everyone had gone back to work, she came over when I panicked about bathing him.  She assured me that Dial soap and water would not kill him and that he was a pretty sturdy little guy.  I learned alot about not stressing over the little things from her in those early months and years of Jake's life.  She and my Mother taught me that kids can eat rice cereal before the pediatrician tells you they can, Dial soap will not rot the baby's skin off, and boys are going to get cuts, bruises and scrapes as they go through life.

She raised a lot of kids at "Miss Ann's Day Care" and I am sure there are so many others that can share a life lesson learned from Miss Ann.  As she approaches the final days of her life, lets not dwell on the sadness but on the memories of great things that we learned from our Southern friend - Miss Ann!

Daddy's Birthday

Every year on March 26th we celebrated the birthday of my sweet Daddy. Roy Wayne "Buddy" Cagle was born on March 26, 1933.  He passed away last June.  Mother made a big deal out of birthday's.  She always taught us that YOUR birthday was your special day to celebrate your life and blessings God had bestowed upon you. So every year, Mom would host a big birthday party for Daddy for the immediate family and close friends. 

The party has traditionally been held at Hamp's cabin the last 10 years and Hamp would always fry fish for Daddy.  We would all trek in for the party with gifts for the man who had everything.  As our lives got busier, our kids grew up and we moved farther away from home, it became more and more difficult to find a day that everyone could gather for the "party".  But Mother always insisted that we celebrate the birthday of Daddy and we always knew that it could be the "last" birthday we ever celebrated with him. 

We would bring gifts of an interesting nature.  He got a squirrel bungee for the backyard, an strange tool that would do just one special thing, a rock that came from an interesting place or a handmade knife (as if he didn't have enough) that was made especially for him.  He always delighted in the gifts, the cake and the fish but at the end of the night when we sang "Happy Birthday dear Daddy", he would always say that the best gift of all was having us all together as a family to fellowship with him.

I learned many lessons from my Mother and Daddy but one of the most important lessons is to love your family and enjoy the love they have for you.  Little did we know that last year was the LAST year that we would ever celebrate Daddy's birthday with him.  As I reflect today on him, I join my Mother and sister and our "family" as we celebrate his life in spirit with him.  He was a great man and I was so blessed to call him my Daddy. 

Daddy, I especially miss you today because I did not get to celebrate your birthday with you this year.  I hope you are celebrating in Heaven with those who have joined you there!  I love you and I miss you so much.  You were a great Daddy!

Gathering of Friends

Do you know value of real friends?  I do and I cherish those special people in my life.  I love having them around to talk to and laugh with as much as I can.  Since my Daddy died, I really do appreciate having those special people in my life that are the people I call my friends.  These people are the family you pick because of their importance in your life.

I am so blessed to have so many dear and wonderful friends. I have also learned that to have many friends, you must be a friend.  Being a friend is giving when you are tired, smiling when you are sad and putting someone else above your own wants.  Being a friend is letting someone into your heart and sharing your world with with them.  Being a friend is going that extra mile for someone just because.........

I love having friends.  They are worth more than riches and gold. They are the pearls that enrich your life because of the memories you have made!  I listened last night at a gathering of friends talking about old times and people in their lives.  Making memories with friends sustains us on cloudy days when we are out of sorts.  Planning with friends gives us positive things to look forward to in our lives.

If you are my friend, thank you for being there for me!!

Like Father - Like Grandson

Every year my Daddy would call one of us and ask us to get Mama some pretty flowers.  This is the first year that Daddy has not been around to get her flowers.  It was bittersweet for all of us.  However, my sweet son was right there to make things right.  When my Mom returned from Vegas yesterday, she called to tell me that my son had left her a lovely bouquet of beautiful tulips on the table for her for Valentine's Day.

My Daddy made sure that my son always knew to celebrate special days with the ones you love.  His tradition continues.  He taught my son so much.  How blessed to have had my Daddy's influence in my son's life.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day to everyone.

Jane Ann's Slaw

Last night was just so much fun.  Great friends, good fellowship, wine and food!  Nights just don't get much better than this around here.  My dear friend, Blair, was kind enough to make a huge pot of stew for us for dinner.  All I had to do was make some cornbread and a salad.  Of course, my go to recipe for quick salad is always Jane Ann's Slaw.  Jane Ann is my sister-in-law and one of the world's best cooks ever.  She was kind enough to share this recipe with me.

Well, my friend, Dana, was helping me around in the kitchen as we were drinking wine and cutting up.  I asked her to chop the green onions for me for the slaw.  I poured the shredded cabbage in the bowl and she added the onions.  When she asked what to do next, I told her to just put in it the icebox.  She could not believe I was going to serve it just like that.  I told her there were better things to come........it would get better in the icebox.

Later, I dressed the slaw and she could not believe it did not have mayo in it.  She fell in love with it and asked me to post the recipe here today.   So, for Dana - a sweetheart that I started kindergarten with and eventually went to college with at SFA - here is that recipe for Jane Ann's slaw.

Jane Ann's Slaw

1 bag of shredded cabbage/slaw
1 bunch of green onions
1 pkg of Ramen noodles
1 c. sunflower seeds
1/3 c sugar
2/3 c. peanut oil

Chop onions and add to slaw mix.  Refrigerate.  Crush Ramen noodles and set aside.  Mix sugar, oil and the seasoning from the Ramen Noodles and let sit in the fridge for an hour.  When you are ready to eat, add the crushed Ramen noodles and sunflower seeds to the slaw mix.  Dress with the oil/sugar/seasoning you mixed up and Serve!  Will easily feed 8-10 people.

Dishes

My Mother is so wonderful.  She bought me the most amazing gift for Christmas this year - a set of 8 plates.  Not just any ordinary set of plates, but Christmas China.  The pretty one from Lennox with the gold rim.  I loved them so much I ate my black eyed peas and cabbage on them for New Year's Day.  This started a new tradition for me.  I plan to eat the peas and cabbage every New Year on my beautiful Christmas China.

Southern mothers know how important it is to acquire lovely dishes to hand down to your children.  My Mother has made sure I have an incredible set of good china.  It's a 12 piece place setting and I have every single piece from the oval serving platter down to the sugar bowl.  The other thing my Mother taught me was that it is important to USE your good china.  I host an intimate dinner party at least once a month and use the good china. 

What is the point of having nice things if you put them on a shelf and never use them?

Did You Miss Me?

Have you been wondering where I have been lately?  Well I've been busy.  I had all of my six grandkids for one night at Christmas.  Left on Christmas Eve to spend the holiday with my Mother.  We did church, cooked, ate, ate some more, had gifts and saw many friends.  The day after we traveled in the bus to visit relatives and take a short vacation only to cut our trip short to visit a friend who lost her father.  Finally ended the year at the ranch with the dearest of friends and then home to lots of laundry.  What a great holiday-------now it time to get back to work.

Graduation

What an amazing weekend.  I celebrated the graduation of my niece with her Master's in Educational Philosophy and my son in law with his Executive MBA.  It is so awesome to watch the passing of the diploma, the hooding ceremony and the tradition of Pomp and Circumstance.  I love hearing that music each time it is played. 

I am filled with joy as I watched them walk down the isle.  There is such revelry in the after party as the family and friends gather to celebrate this wonderful milestone in their life!  What a joyous occasion to celebrate!

Being Sick

I am not a good sick person.  I whine.  I moan.  I want someone to take care of me but not be up in my space.  I married the best caregiver ever.  He checks on me.  Makes sure I am resting and doesn't bother me when I am asleep.   I am so lucky to have a good hubby!

Cold Weather

During my first marriage after I purchased a home, no one told me to wrap the pipes and unhook the hoses when it dropped below freezing.  Of course the pipes froze and burst in the brick requiring some extensive plumbing work.  Daddy took care of it for me every year after that tragic incident.

After I divorced, my Daddy taught my 11 year old son how to take care of his Momma.  He taught him how to wrap the pipes so that we would not have water damage when we move 200 miles away from them.  My Daddy was so proud of the wonderful skills he taught my son.  He not only taught him how to wrap the pipes but also how to change my air filter, and make sure the flue was open before we started a fire in the fireplace.

Daddy always called when the weather called for freezing to remind me to get those pipes wrapped.  Daddy had a funny way of wrapping pipes.  He was very creative in saving money.  Of course they sell those wonderful insulated covers at Walmart for $3 or $4, but Daddy found it was much cheaper to buy a bag of baby diapers and after unscrewing the hose, the insulate the faucet in the baby diaper.  Of course you had to secure the baby diaper with duct tape which made for an interesting picture.  And just to make sure the tape didn't get wet and fall off, you had to wrap the whole big thing in tin foil.  Such a lovely sight on the side of your house but oh so economical.

Well yesterday was the first good cold snap and I really missed getting the call from my Daddy to remind me to remind my husband to go get some baby diapers and wrap the faucet.  Of course Ray used the insulated covers from Walmart, but I did call and remind my son to take care of Mom's pipes so they would not freeze.

Isn't it funny how the little things in life remind of the wonderful lessons taught to us by caring and loving parents.  Daddy, if you are reading this in heaven, every body's pipes are wrapped!

Thanksgiving Night

Since Daddy is not here we opted to do a little different for Thanksgiving this year.  My little sister and Mom ate lunch at Copeland's and then served the homeless at the shelter.  My son ate with his Dad.  My nephew ate with a friend.  I went to my stepdaughter's.  However, at 5:00 that afternoon, our whole family gathered at my house for hot dogs.  We watched football, and celebrated our blessings with friends and family.  No matter what your circumstances in life.........you always have things to be thankful for in life.

Samaritan House

Today I enjoyed a delightful lunch with friends to benefit Samaritan House.  I am so proud of my friend, Todd, who was a Table Captain and put this great table together.  He inspires me with his devotion to this amazing charity.  They do so much for so many on such a small budget.  Today reminded me of what the real reason for the holiday season is at this time of year......thankfulness for all we have and joyously sharing our prosperity with those who are less fortunate.

Thanks Todd for getting me motivated for the generosity of the holiday season!

Good Friends

I just have to tell you about an amazing hot sauce a friend of mine makes.  It is called Los Vera's Hot Sauce. Tony and his family have been making it for four generations.  I remember as a little girl going to his Dad's restaurant and just loving that sauce. 

Well 36 years later I can still get it.  Tony was kind enough to bring me a case or two as I eat it like candy around my house.  I would definately say that this is the best hot sauce I hav ever eaten !!!! 

Family Fun

Today is an exciting day in the lives of our family.  Sweet Laci is celebrating her bachelorette party this afternoon and another dear friend's baby shower for her son is being held.  This is an all day affair for me because of the distances I live from all these events.  That is where the good news comes in for me today..............my driver will pick me up and I get to spend the whole day hopping from place to place with my "sister Susan"!  We have will get some quality visiting time in the car while being chauffeured around all over the metroplex!!!!!

Look out Saturday - here I come!

Nite

Good night sweet tweeps.  I hope I have a 100 new followers by tomrrow.  Plesae post and help me!

Dressing the Part

Big discussion among some friends today in the Club about what to wear when you are there. I think there should be a dress code but the question is how to define it and how to enforce it. What is appropriate dress wear for the Grille, Library Bar and 21 Room?

Posted mobile from my IPad.

Moving On!

Today I have decided to let go of the past, of past anger, of past disappointments and of the past in general.  I am looking toward the future.  What does it hold?  I have no idea.  I know that if I trust in God HE will provide.  I know that if I lean on God, no struggle is too big for HIM to handle.  I know that my life will be enriched if I don't worry about junk!

Today I am moving forward.  I might even start exercising.  Maybe not but at least I am am thinking about it.  I might even start cooking healthier.  Maybe not because what tastes good without butter.  I might even give up wine.  For sure not because I do love it.  I will resolve to drink less of it in the future !!!!

Are you ready for the future?

Random Thoughts

Wow, my mind has been running in a million different directions and so have I.  This week has brought about quite a bit of reality and sadness.  Two friends from home died randomly this week way too young.  It made me realize how precious life is and how I should embrace the time we have here on earth with those we love.

So, it also hit me that the holidays are fast approaching  and with Laci's wedding over the Thanksgiving, I will have no time to put up my Christmas decorations. I got busy (with help) and up is the tree and the staircase.  Lot's more to go but what a great start!

And I cooked.  Some of my favorite things..... speckled butter beans and cornbread!  I love to cook and it soothes my soul.  I may make a cake today.

With the upcoming holiday season........ Patty and I will attend all of Cleburne's open houses for the wonderful and amazing boutiques in our little fair city.

I know today's post rambled and is boring but thanks for reading!

The Foundation

Friday night was pretty awesome. Our family unveiled the Roy W. Cagle Memorial Education Foundation in honor of my Daddy. He spent countless hours working tirelessly for the school. He was always trying to make it a better place without costing the school any money. I remember him taking his own tractor and grading the parking lot of the elementary school to save the school money before they put the asphalt drive in at the campus.

Because of his dedication, our family was offered donations to help the school in his honor. We created the foundation for the benefit of the school which he loved so very much. He would have been so proud that the funds raised went solely for the benefit of the facilities. Our hearts have been touched by the number of lives he touched at NBISD who are willing to give in his memory to make THEIR high school a better place.

The Birthday

Today is bittersweet. My sweet nephew, Rhett, turns 19 and the family is gathering to celebrate. Unfortunately, our new normal is minus my Daddy. He loved celebrating birthdays.

Nephew is pretty awesome. Soph at La Tech. Smart, good looking, snappy dresser and lover of the finer things in life. He really is my child. Happy Birthday, Rhett!!!!!!


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Southern Belles

I am a real southern belle. I am not ashamed of it. In fact, I embrace it. There is nothing embarrassing about being a southern belle. I know they will be portrayed as brainless twits on "The Help", but modern southern belles are anything but! Real southern belles are smart, savvy and engaging. They may be degreed, work, divorced, of any race or actually live somewhere other than the south.

The modern day Southern Belle is a lady first and foremost. Not to say she may from time to time engage in what Mama would declare an "un-lady-like" activity. Such activities might include wearing leather on a Harley, swilling beer from a bottle at a tailgate, dropping an occasional curse word during an appropriately timed hissy fit, or going around all weekend with NO makeup or lipstick. Today's Southern belle is tough-she can smile the whole time while negotiating with a salesman for a car, helping a dying friend thru chemotherapy or juggling a business, family, aging parents and a busy social schedule.

The Southern Belle is a dying breed. What traits do you see in a modern southern belle?


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The Cell Phone

I have decided that the cell is the greatest and worst invention of all time.  We can't live without it.  We can communicate instantly with the world via facebook, twitter, texts, and blogs.  But there was a day when we did not have a cell phone as an appendage to our hand.  Those were the good old days.  The beauty of cell phones is that they have voicemail.  If it is really urgent you can get the message even if it is two hours later.  What is so urgent that it can't wait a couple of hours.

I don't think the majority of the world has good cell phone manners.  So here are times when you should leave your phone in your car, your purse or turned off.  You should not text, twitter, facebook or talk on your phone during these times - for any reason at all!!!

1.  When you are talking face to face with another individual.  If you must answer a call - ask to be excused and walk away.

2.  When you are at the table eating a meal.

3.  When you are in church.

4.  When you are in a meeting with a client.

5.  When you are swimming.  Cell phones do not work well in the water.

6.  When you attending a funeral.

7.  When you are in a movie, at a play or in the theatre.

8.  When you are in the bathroom.  The toilet and the shower should not be shared with the world.

I would love to hear of other times when you think the phone should be put away.  I promise if you will put it away your life will be enriched by pleasant conversation, your attention will be focused where it should be and you will enjoy the meal so much more!



It's Hot

How do you stay cool in this dreadful heat?  When I was a child, I played in this heat all day long.  When I was a teenager in the band, I twirled and marched in this heat all day long.  When I was a young adult, I worked as a lifeguard and stayed outside on a chair all afternoon long.  Today as a middle-aged adult, I can hardly walk from the covered parking garage to the elevator of my office without sweltering.  I spend all my time indoors.  In the evening I gaze at my pool from the kitchen and refuse to get in the water because it is tepid. 

I have come to literally dread the Texas summer.  Each August I promise myself that NEXT summer, I plan to move to the mountains for a month and get out of the heat.  I really do plan to do that next summer.  Really!  I don't know how people who are required to work outside stand this miserable heat.

I have become a serious fall and winter fan.  September to March are my favorite months.  I love being able to build a fire, cook some soup and sit out on the patio and enjoy the breeze.  September is usually a bit warm for me but at least the evenings cool off enough that you can enjoy sitting outside.  Wishing your life away is never a good thing but come on September!

What are you doing to stay cool in this dreadful heat?

Tea Snob

I have become somewhat of a tea "snob."  After my lap band procedure, I had to give up soda pop so my new drink of choice is tea.  Iced tea.  Straight up. No sweetener with a slice of lime or lemon.  Preferably over crushed ice.  In my favorite Tervis tumbler.  I am pretty southern - but not enough to drink SWEET tea.  I don't like sweet stuff (except Billy Fox's coconut pie, Janice Holliday's ice cream cake, Bryce's peach pie or Beverly Watson's rum cake - maybe I do like sweets). 

So I have been on a voyage to see what kind of tea tastes best.  I have discovered that Community Tea is probably the best brewed tea there ever was.  It is smooth with no bitter taste. If you are traveling and don't have access to heat, you can't beat the Lipton Cold Brew.  My friend, Tam, turned me on to that little jewel up in Alaska.  Now when I travel I always carry a quart container and a bag or two of Lipton Cold brew.  Great tea when I get to my hotel room anytime!

As for fast food, Chicken Express or Dairy Queen are tops in tea.  Sonic has pretty good tea but maybe it is is just their crushed ice.  McDonald's has the cheapest tea - $1 for a large - except in airports and in Europe.  Most restaurants where you dine will always fix you a glass to go after lunch so you can enjoy it on the way back to the office.

So my dear friends and bloggers..........what is your favorite kind of tea?