Now Arriving in Carefree Country, Colorado

It was as though we had switched bodies or something...and I was observing myself while yet still being my self. Obviously when I "left on a jet plane," I really did just that...I left, took a respite from myself, and let the "country roads" of Colorado "take me home." (I've had John Denver on the brain recently...can you tell?) At least, the excuse of "taking a break from myself" is how I justified my actions/consoled myself when I realized I hardly took any pictures of our vacation to Colorado a couple of weeks ago. That, or there's always that issue of the oxygen levels experienced at high altitudes...you know, not enough blood flow to brain = fluctuating outlook on life (otherwise known as F.O.O.L.). But, who am I kidding? Let's get back to the switching bodies part. You see, while I was busy being afflicted with a currently undiagnosed syndrome, my mom was busy being "F.O.O.L proof " (i.e. She was busy taking photos, and serving as Photographer in Chief (otherwise known as "P.I.C.") while I was away from my post, er...tripod). Therefore, I must credit some of these photos to her. Thanks momma! But, most of all, I must credit them to that which stood before the camera lens, whose only syndrome was on occasion the change in weather...which only made it more beautiful! To Colorado, to the Country, and to those special moments in time that allow you to be Carefree! Amen.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Ice Falls and Ice Climbing...

And (last, but definitely not least) Snowshoing...

E.T. and Snow ... One Friend and One Foe

Everyone has something they're afraid of...right? Something that just makes you want to shriek from the shock of its sight or sound, squirm from the eerie feeling that it sends coursing through your veins, and shake and shudder to try and rid your eyes, ears, and mind of what you just saw and/or heard?

Yeah...that's what I thought! So, guess what that one thing is for me? I'll give you a hint: the answer can be found in the title of this post. If you said my friends, foes, or the snow, then I must tell you NO! If you said E.T., then you're right on the money. (Oh wait, bad analogy...money is green...E.T. is green...shriek, squirm, shake, shudder...ok, I'm good...I think.) Yeah, seeing that little guy/alien/amorphous creature thing just gives me the creeps! Which is why I wanted you to know that when I tell you my mom, dad, nephew, and I all went to go see E.T. and that we had a great time, I'm not telling you that we were probed onto a spaceship and transported to meet the real-life version of E.T. on an other-worldly planet, but that we actually went to go see my grandpa at his ranch. Lost and confused yet? Yeah...that's what I thought!

You see, E.T. stands for "Edmondson" and "Throckmorton," which are, respectively, the last names of my grandpa and my great uncle. So, no need to fear, the real E.T. is neither here nor there! Actually, it would be rare to find another human, let alone alien, out where my grandpa has his ranch. What you will find though is a place so special, words alone cannot describe the place it holds in my heart...I LOVE it out there! I could give you countless reasons why (the picturesque country, the horses, the cows, the donkey and the goat (BFF's), the smell created by said animals, the dirt roads that turn red after it rains, the majestic oak trees and the rolling plains that make sunsets just that much more beautiful...etc.), but it's simpler if I just tell you that, from where I stand, it's a little piece of heaven on earth. And I don't say that lightly!

Recently, we've been able to take my nephew Justin out there with us. I can see that he appreciates and loves my grandpa and his ranch just like I do, and that only makes our visits more special. He can horseback ride and bareback- donkey ride with the best of 'em! And now, he has a new friend in Rowdy, a puppy (soon to be hunting dog) my grandpa just acquired.

One more thing about E.T. (the ranch version) that I think we can all agree on is the time we spend gathered around a campfire, swappin' stories about the past, present, and the future. Especially those times when we're baking cake in oranges. But, that's a story for another time. Haha!

Oh, and in case the town crier in your neck of the woods (Wow, I just keep on gettin' butter...I mean...better at this country dialect/lingo thing!) didn't alert you to what passed through here (the Texas Hill Country...emphasis on Texas) a couple of weeks ago, I feel it is my duty to inform you that WE GOT SNOW! I know! Snow! It was pretty, and pearly, and, well, at the risk of sounding too superfluous, it was perfect.

Spanish: Hasta luego. Ojala que vayan con Dios!

Texan: See y'all later! God bless ya'!

English: Until next time. May God be with you!

All my love, ~April~

A Peach Tree and Me

Deep breath...ahhhh! Spring, is that you? Are you what has brought the crisp, cool air and the sunny skies that have coaxed the peach trees to blossom? Have you arrived? Or am I too early in my anticipation of your arrival? Whatever the answer, it sure is a lovely time of year here. Some people scoff at the occasional chilly days, but I look the other way and say "Horray! Hurrah! Come see, come saw!" (No, I don't really...I could sense that you were worried about my mental state of mind...thanks for your concern.)

I enjoy this mix of overcast skies and clear Spring-like days. It's as though the seasons are in transition, neither here nor there, all the while displaying their emotions everywhere. It reminds me of all the facets of life and all the factors of living. It inspires me to think, to reflect and to look towards the future. And just like the blossoming peach trees and the soft, make-my-eyes-glaze-over sunsets that this weather brings, I myself am neither here nor there, but like the seasons, am in transition. So I breath (deep breath...ahhhh!), and am at peace. And then I realize something: the weather will always be weather, the peach trees will always blossom and bear peaches, life will always be full of transitions, and I will always be ME!

1 Chilly Day = 1 Beautiful Sunset Display

Hey everyone, I hope that y'all are doing great, and that you had a wonderful Christmas and a joyful New Year's! I know we did. Ahhh, our tree, our fires, our family. Parties, movies, and games of Monopoly (well, ok, not Monopoly, but games no less). Gifts, to-do lists, and well, you get my drift. While the holidays have come and gone, and our Christmas tree is officially on standby for our next campfire, that doesn't mean that we all have to stop celebrating, does it? We don't? you may be asking. Call me crazy, a celebration enabler if you must, but no, we don't.

For everyday is a gift from God, and, as the Bible tells us, we should not worry, but have faith and rejoice in Him. We are always welcome to sing praises to His name. Not just on Christmas or for as long as our stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but every day of the week. I can't think of a better way to spend my time, or my year. So, in honor of 2010, of my faith in God and the foundation and the future I have in Him, here are some pictures I took of a recent sunset display on a rather chilly Texas hill country day. Have a wonderful day and remember, I gave you permission to celebrate! Haha. ~April~

Topper and the Popper

A Cowboy and A Campfire

This past weekend, we took a (too many superlatives to express such a great day) trip to visit my grandpa out at his ranch. I just love that word...."ranch." Use it in any sentence, and I'm all ears.

"Hey, do you want to go out to the ranch?".... I'm already in the car with my boots on.

"Okay, so there's the gate to the ranch, if you don't mind opening...." I'm already back in the car from opening the gate.

.... even the culinary meaning of the word produces a quick response.

"What kind of dressing would you like with that?"...."Ranch, please," I say without a second thought. "We also have blue cheese, Italian vinaigrette...." Eeeeww, I think to myself as the waiter trails on. "No, ranch is fine..." I respond, taking pleasure in the fact that I was able to utter "the word" more than once.

Back to my original story though. Our visit to see my grandpa, and his ranch. Actually, my grandpa has begun exchanging the phrase "the ranch" for "the home place." This is due to recent developments (imagine saying that with a British accent). Haha. My mom and dad have been discussing plans to place a couple of small cabins out there, which, as you can probably imagine, has me already thinking of bed placement and room decor scenarios. We are all excited. It is such a great place, this "home place" of ours, and the best fringe benefit of it all is that when we're there, we get to spend time with a cowboy and a campfire.

Here are a couple of photos and a video to tide you over until our next visit to the ranch. Or, if you're more into swappin' sayings like my grandpa, and are less akin/enchanted/obsessed with the word "ranch" like I am....here are a few photos and a video from our visit to the home place. Enjoy, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ~April~

The Tale of Two Blogs

Hey everyone, I just thought I'd let you know about my new favorite blog. I have many. The one I just discovered, and have come to really enjoy reading is called "The Pioneer Woman." Check it out: http://thepioneerwoman.com/. Every time I read her blog, it reminds me of how much I want to live on a ranch when I am older. (P.S. Cowboys, feel free to leave comments...just kidding!) For now though, I'm loving life set amidst the beauty of the Texas Hill Country... it's a very special place! Speaking of special places, many are mentioned on another favorite blog of mine, the "Intelligent Travel Blog." You should check it out: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/intelligenttravel/.

Have a wonderful week! ~April~

To end this note, here is a quote: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~St. Augustine~

A Creek, a Rose, and some Buffaloes

"There they are!" I squealed with excitement as our car approached a herd of buffaloes grazing not more than 20 yards from the road. I was 99.9% sure that I had seen some buffaloes the last time we drove this way. But there was still that .1% percent of uncertainty...until now.

"Oh, wow... you were right," my mom and dad said, with as far as I could detect, a hint of both awe and surprise in their voices.

That's what I love about Texas: it never ceases to amaze...whether your a cowboy-hat-totin' native or a cowboy-hat-totin' wannabe. Take the buffaloes for instance. Or the "lost maple" trees we saw when we went on our annual Fall hike at Lost Maples State Park later that day. Or the abundance of natural creeks and springs that can be found throughout the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country. Anyway, you get what I'm saying. There is always something or someplace amazing just waiting to be discovered!

But, while there are many surprises, that still doesn't mean that all the stereotypes made about Texas are inaccurate. For instance, when your rose bush blooms for the first time since you planted it 2 years ago... it is a cause for celebration. In fact, keeping anything (humans included) alive throughout the summer (i.e. throughout the drought) is a cause for celebration.

So today, as with every day, I raise my camera to you, my dear Texas, my home...where the deer and the buffalo roam! And to you, my readers, I post my photos and videos! Enjoy! ~April~

First Fire of the Year!

Ahhh, there's nothing better than a campfire! Especially when that campfire is fueled by our Christmas tree from last year. Oh yeah...you get the picture! It was an amazing sight...and it was an amazing night. In addition to the fire, this past weekend we also celebrated my Mom's birthday. Let's just say that one great family mixed with one great campfire equals one great night of fun! I hope that y'all enjoy the video I took of our "first fire of the year." I decided not to post the one I got from when our Christmas tree was added. Too much screaming and squealing, if you know what I mean! Have a great day! ~April~

Winkle, Winkle, You're a Star

He's big. He's brown. His name is Bullwinkle (or, "Winkle" for short). And, as with all horses, he has a personality all his own. As though his status as a Hanoverian horse wasn't enough to grasp people's attention (Hanoverians are one of the biggest breeds in the horse world), Bullwinkle likes to employ numerous tactics in hopes of attracting attention. Some of these include "cribbing," or gnawing on his wooden stall, and also being very photogenic, as I found him this past Saturday when I last visited him at my riding instructor's barn. Don't you just want to reach out and pet him?

So, what were you doing from 7-9 tonight? If you are like me, you were probably watching Ken Burns' new PBS documentary series "The National Parks: America's Best Idea." I was awestruck by the cinematography, immersed in every historical account, and in agreement with every argument made. For those of you who might have missed it, or would like to learn more about the series, or about the National Parks, here is the link: http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/. Just like the parks themselves, this documentary is something well worth seeing! Have a great week, ~April~

Sunset After the Storm

For the past couple of days, the hills out here in Lago have been blessed with some very-much-needed rain. It is such a relief to see cloudy skies and precipitation again! I dare say this means Fall is officially here. Here are a couple pictures I took of tonight's sunset. There was just enough open sky for the sun to peek through before descending behind the hills and leaving gorgeous hues of orange, pink and purple in its wake. Enjoy! ~April~

I Am a Dreamer!

Hey everyone, I thought I would share one of my new favorite songs with y'all! Click here to watch the music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pym1N2Tmps. The artist's name is Bethany Dillon, and her song is called "Dreamer." I hope that y'all enjoy it as much as I do, and that it brings joy to your day! ~April~

Mary and Me

It's official. The Fall school semester has begun, and with that so have all the homework, presentation, and research paper assignments . You know, all those sheets of paper that, upon getting passed out in class, are met with a sound of silent despair (or, if you're not as quiet as me, audible despair). Yep, all that has begun! It's not that all class assignments are doomed or anything. To the contrary, sometimes they can be interesting, and just as I did today, you might end up making an interesting discovery about your subject that you might not have made if it weren't for that sheet of paper with the ominous due date marked in bold.

So today, I was doing some research on Mary of Bethany (not Mary, mother of Jesus) for my New Testament class. We all have to give a speech/presentation on the biblical character of our choosing (from the NT, of course), and I chose her. So when I stumbled upon this drawing of her (although, nobody knows for sure what she looked like, seeing as she lived around 2,000 years ago), I was reminded of a photo of myself taken not that long ago. I guess this assignment was just meant to be! Mary and Me, that is.

La La Land!

Just when you thought I was done traveling for the summer, I surprise you by jetting off to Los Angeles for a few days. Oh yeah, that's right...there's a new Samantha Brown in town! (Samantha Brown is a TV host for the Travel Channel...I like to watch her shows. You can check out all of her adventures here: http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Samantha_Brown) Unlike my other "adventure" this summer (to Washington), my Mom came with me on this trip. Now, I have officially been to all of the West coast states (with the exception of Alaska)! This was our first trip to La La Land (L.A.), and we were here to see my brother (we'll call him Trent), where he lives, and to check out the place he calls home.
Along the way, we saw and discovered some pretty cool parts of L.A.. From gawking at the palm trees lining Beverley Hills Blvd. to walking on the sandy shores of Santa Monica beach. From attending the symphony performance at the Hollywood Bowl to seeing Hollywood Blvd. (no stars, besides those on the sidewalk, were spotted). From strolling through booths of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables at a local Farmers Market to watching fish swim below a fountain at a hidden-gem of a park named after Will Rogers. From sipping coffee at the Coffee Bean cafe to cruising around in my brothers very sleek Porsche. You could say we have now been to and done L.A., but in reality (i.e. in a city with 21 million people), we've only skimmed the surface. Here are just a few of the photos that I took.

The Palm trees were as gorgeous as the houses they towered beside (or should it be the other way around?).

Two fish in a pond at Will Rogers Park.

Santa Monica Pier and Beach.

The Coffee Bean, and a tree that likes to lean.