UIW Graduation

Graduation Program

University of Incarnate Word had their graduation exercises last Sunday. Guess who was in the program as one of the faculty?!

KODB is in there!

Yep, KODB, aka Bob, was in the program AND he had to be at the event as well. I gave it a pass but he let me take some photos when he got home. Doesn't he look the epitome of a professor?!!!

Professor Kiser

I'm so happy he has found something to do which gives him great satisfaction. I think his students are really fortunate to have such a caring prof.

And just because it turned blustery and chilly today here are some photos to make us feel warm.

Kiser stockings

With all the needlework and fiber I handle you'd think we all had fancy stockings. Nope. They are made from towels and the names are bent chenille wire. Simple and it works for us.

Candles are nice

Candles are always cozy to have on hand as well.









 And guess who just had to come hang out by the fire with me? Here's Marlow just for you Karyn and David. This cat NEVER gives up till he gets whatever he's after!

Marlow

 

Lastly, a surprise arrived today. Yea!! A box from Edible Arrangements! Yum!!!

Edible Arrangements

Here's the tag:

Thanks girls! We're proud to be your parents!!

Blessings,
gk

Main Street Bethlehem, Burnet, TX

Last Friday I went along with five friends on an outing to Burnet, TX ( http://www.cityofburnet.com/ ) which has a population of about 6,000 and calls itself the Bluebonnet capital of TX. Burnet, which I'm told is pronounced Burn it, durn it!, is about 90 miles north of where I live in northern San Antonio.

We left around 3 PM and stopped at the Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. ( http://bluebonnetcafe.net/ ) Oh my, oh my. Talk about good old Southern cooking!! And that fudge pie at the end. You'll just have to go and experience that for yourself!

After that meal our objective was to experience Main Street Bethlehem at the First Baptist Church in Burnet. Main Street Bethlehem was first opened in 1993 and has been up and going every year since. It starts the first Friday of December and runs for two weekends from 6-9 PM. It is obvious right away that this is a true labor of love for the church members. First of all, there is NO CHARGE! They want everyone to come and share in the experience. They dress in costumes and carry on as we suppose folks did at the time of Jesus' birth doing all the ordinary things people might have done in the town of Bethlehem.

Here are the 6 of us with one guy in line behind us sneaking into the picture like we brought him along! The guy behind me is the one brave male who came along with we 5 women!

Our group of 6 

Scenes from Main Street:

Cooking outside

Selling ducks and geese

Making butter and cheese

Bed maker

Tavern

 

Jailer

 

Synagogue

 

Blind beggar

Basket makers

Spinners and weavers

Potter

 

Bread makers gave samples

Grinding corn

Brass items for sale

Children playing a board game

Toolmaker

 

Blacksmith

 

Produce market

Turtledoves for sale

Basket cart

Leather workers

 

Family at dinner

Old couple at home

No room at King David Inn

Getting close to the stable....

Camel

 

Donkeys

 

Cattle were lowing

And the highlight of all of Bethlehem....

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus complete with the bright star!

God's gift to us

 

On our return trip we got to enjoy the Christmas lights along the way that it was too early to see before. WOW! The lights at the power company in Johnson City ( http://johnsoncity-texas.com/ ) were amazing. I tried out the 'take your own photo' thing and did pretty well this time. I keep trying!

Lights in Johnson City, TX

Blessings,

gk

Another Trip to Muleshoe

I went to see my sister June at the end of September. At that time I didn't know if I'd ever see her alive again. It was a pretty tough trip. On November 7 hospice called to let me know that it would be likely that June could die any time. We couldn't get to Muleshoe until November 15th. I guess June was holding on until we could get there because we saw her late on the evening of the 15th and then she died just before midnight that night. So I did get to see her one more time. She couldn't talk to me but I got to talk to her!

The next day, Friday, we had a simple burial. Because of infection issues we wanted to have everything done quickly to minimize exposure to as few as possible. It was just Bob and me, the grave digger and the funeral director and his wife and my friend Tyrone. Tyrone and I were in the same High School class. I didn't know that he had been visiting and praying with my sister regularly. And never did I ever imagine that he would be with me at my sister's burial. Small town life is just wonderful that way in providing close relationships.

 

 

 

A simple burial

That evening we were blessed with a beautiful ending to the day....

Sunset in Muleshoe, Nov. 16

Saturday we worked on plans for a memorial and Bob and I went to my childhood home. Sad to say someone had recently broken into the house. It's been empty for a year now. I'm not sure why now but there you are. Boxes of stuff were upended making a pretty big mess. They took a small TV, a suitcase with a laptop inside, a dresser and a valet. We don't know how much other stuff is gone but my brother and I had already gotten most of what we wanted from the house. I'm looking around in my own house with new eyes. Why do we keep so much useless memorabilia?!

The memorial was Sunday, November 17th. I was happy to find out that there were people visiting my sister all along that I never knew about. I got to meet her hairdresser, fellow sorority sisters, church family and co-workers from Cannon AFB. People stood up and told about my sister. It was very personal. Again, small towns can be a big plus. Folks pitched in to make it a nice memorial.

My brother and me

Now it's just my brother, Clifford, and me left in my immediate family. He lives near Tyler, Texas. All we have left in Muleshoe is a house......and some good friends.

Gray home near Muleshoe

Blessings,

gk

A Belated Welcome Home

Last Wednesday Fort Sam Houston hosted a 'Welcome Home' ceremony for Vietnam Vets who never got any sort of welcome at all. I was fortunate to be able to volunteer with the Military-Civilian Club ladies to assist in the event. Lots of veterans came and family members and friends along with them. It was a great day that warmed my heart. All the units at Fort Sam were represented on the Field.

Staff Post Parade Field

As people began to gather we volunteers worked to get them to their seats and to pass out flags, programs and souvenir medals.

Folks began to gather

 

 

I stood in back during colors so this is what I saw of everyone proudly saluting during the National Anthem.

National Anthem

One guy up in the stands held this flag designed to say 'thank you' to the troops. I have no idea if it is an official design but it did the job in any case!

Thank You Flag

After the requisite speeches and certificate bestowals all the active duty troops and civilian visitors lined up on each side of the street leading to the Quadrangle and we cheered all the Vets along the way. Many had tears in their eyes and I had goosebumps just being there. It was wonderful.

Cheers for the Vietnam Vets

At the Quadrangle there was a planned reception with guest books to be signed for a time capsule. I made doubly sure I got my name in there to mark the day!

Guest Book

I'm so grateful I get to participate in such events. Being a military spouse can be tough at times but events like this make it ALL worthwhile!!

Finally, a proper welcome home!

Blessings,
gk