Along a Central Texas Country Road on an April Afternoon

Driving through an arbor of oaks

The G-man & I really enjoy our drives in the country. The two best times of the year are spring and fall, but I suppose that's true everywhere. The night before we'd had a rain and everything is so brilliantly verdant. All the yellow oak pollen was washed away and the various shades of green sparkle.

Bluebonnets along the road

 Lucky for me the G-man is patient about stopping to let me take photos and sometimes I manage a few good ones... about one for every six I take. This Friday afternoon we were driving back home from a little excursion to Round Top, TX to meet a cousin that I had not seen in about 20 years.

A little plot with bluebonnets

Lunch was nice with Jane & her husband and two other ladies related to the husband. We chatted a lot about nothing in particular. We talked about a few cousins and remarked how humorous our scientist cousin is. Jane is about the youngest of my cousins and she is 8 years older than I. I spent many years running around as the little kid and still have that feeling of being the youngest of the whole Jenkins clan.
 

Having arrived at the age of 66, I am so aware of the limited time that I'll have with those I love. Most of my cousins are in their mid-70s to late-80s and I hope they are in good health and are enjoying their lives.

Mesquite in bloom

 I would like to be able to articulate my feelings about reaching this age knowing that I am on the down side of life. That is not to say that I feel down because I don't. The G-man & I frequently talk about how lucky we are in many ways. Lucky to have found each other, lucky to be retired, lucky to be in as good health as we are and hope that we will be healthy for years to come. We are lucky that we enjoy each other and like doing many of the same things. We're lucky that we have friends to hang out with several times a week. Lucky that the G-man enjoys his golf and his golfing buddies. Lucky to live in a beautiful place with so much diversity in the people and in the landscape. Lucky to have a few little animals to keep us on our toes. Yes, I am lucky.

Bluebonnets in Bloom

 Also, I'm happy that I have two great cameras that allow me to capture some of the beauty that I see. I am thankful for all these things that I am lucky enough to enjoy.

I love my life... Life is good.

Just an old tree stump in the field

Lunch with my Cousin in Round Top, TX

 The G-man & Sprague (my cousin's husband)

It has been 20 years since I last saw or heard from my cousin, Jane.

She lives in the beautiful old Southern city of Savannah, GA.

Jane is the daughter of my father's youngest sister.

 Jane, my cousin

I always remember her being upbeat and full of energy

and nothing has changed... she's still a ball of fire!

Sure we're older... probably wiser... but picked up like we

just saw each other last week.

Jane, Evelyn & Susan

Here we are at Royer's Pie Haven.

Royer's is well known for it's pies and at

$25 per pie I'd say they are darned proud of those pies.

 Royer's Restaurant on the square in Round Top

is famous. There is always a line to get in for 

lunch or dinner.

You can see the "Royer's Story" at this website:

 http://www.royersroundtopcafe.com/

and don't forget to check the "Budisms" on the story page.

This week they are making box lunches for folks

visiting the semi-annual antique event in 

Round Top and the community of Warrenton.

Round Top boasts a population of 90

and Warrenton is just a blip on the road to Round Top.

Link to AntiqueWeekend.

It was fun seeing my cousin and sharing some family remembrances. 

Jane was always the sophisticated one from Savannah

and I was the younger cousin that one tolerates at family reunions.

Funny how that difference in age which seemed so great then

is just a little blip now. 

Thanks Jane for a great afternoon!