Looking Back on July 2010

Mom said she didn't want an elaborate birthday party. She asked for cake and ice cream at the Casa Helotes Senior Center where she spends so much of her time these days. Frosty, Sarah and I joined her there for lunch and she had a grand time showing us off and introducing us. Later that evening, we had a Rudy's Bar-B-Q supper for all the San Antonio family.

While I was in San Antonio I had the privilege of getting Grayson started with his potty training. Oh, the things a grandmother will do. This is an exciting time for Sarah and her family. Sarah is getting ready to start a new job as special education coordinator for a large elementary school. David is loving his new job as special education teacher, Zac is as wonderful as always, and Grayson is now officially wearing big boy pants. In addition to all that, they have decided to put their house on the market and find something larger. I was able to help with Grayson while Sarah and David put the house in top notch condition for showing, but keeping it that way with Grayson around is going to be a full time job. Here's hoping the house sells quickly!

The month came in like an angry lion riding on the back of Hurricane Alex and ended with my return to Parras following Mom's birthday. The strains of Happy Birthday were running through my mind as I watched Mexican scenery roll by from the comfort of my plush seat on a TransAmerican bus. Because of the criminal element that is running rampant through northern Mexico, Stanley and I have started taking the bus on our trips to the United States. It is so much less stressful - especially for the driver and we believe it is safer. Once we are in Parras de la Fuente, we never think about the crime that plagues this beautiful country, but it's hard to ignore when planning a trip.

Mom's Birthday

I went to San Antonio to help my mom celebrate her 80th birthday! We had a great time. My hope is that when I am 80 years old I can be as interested in life as she is, have 1/2 as many friends as she does, and have her desire to be of service to others.

Take care of yourself, Mom! I want to celebrate many, many more birthdays with you!

Happy Birthday, Theodore!

Theodore Ryne Davis is the newest edition to the family and was born via C-section today.  He is the first great-grandchild for Stanley and Dona.  His parents are John and Cassie Davis.


He is very tiny, two months premature, but everything seems to be working. 

Pushacito

With all the devastation just three hours away, it was nice to have a bit of levity. The propane truck got stuck in our drive way. Stanley and I immediately put our heads together, trying to determine how we could best help the guy. Very calmly, the driver told us not to worry. He just needed a "pushacito." It was a new vocabulary word for me, but I grasped the meaning very quickly. The tractor driver here at the hacienda saw the problem and volunteered to do the job. No chains required.


Next time you get stuck - maybe all you need is a "pushacito."

Hurricane Alex

On Thursday, the destructive force of Hurricane Alex struck Monterrey with such power it will take months to clean the city and years to restore it. No matter what the source, the photographs are disheartening and threatening. Our hearts go out to the people of the city and all of northern Mexico.

My friend Estela who lives and works in Monterrey is grateful to be alive, but her home and her school sustained extensive damage. She has no sewer, no potable water, and no gas. With the short summer vacation, she is desperate to bring some order to her life before school starts again on August 23.

Here at Ha. de Perote in Parras, we have received about six inches of rain over a three day period. However, it was nothing compared to the troubles of city dwellers.

Alex

We went up to McAllen to pick up supplies and celebrate our anniversary. Just as we were settling in, Alec churned himself up in the gulf and we started putting things together quickly for a return trip. We got home on Wednesday evening just as the hurricane was nearing landfall. Luckily, although we saw steady, hard rain in northern Mexico and the beginnings of the flood in Monterrey, the trip home was uneventful. Here at the hacienda, we got about four inches of rain. Not enough to do any significant damage, but enough to wash out part of a garden, split the near-ripe tomatoes on the vine and encourage the mosquitoes. All in all, it wasn't nearly as awful as it could have been. More rain is forecast for the next few days, but for us it looks quite manageable.