Travelin' Gramma

I have been SO busy in 2008! Started with a trip to the Houston Marathon in January, to WALK the HALF Marathon (have to be clear about how "active" this old girl really is). And I walked the Austin Half in February. I have a good one from Austin, but haven't figured how to scan it and crop it for inclusion here, so this will have to do as my "jock shot." I will be doing some short-distance walks this month, and another half (the "Heels and Hills" in Irving, for women only ... HEELS? HA! Give me my MBT Sandals and thick sox every time. Nerdy, but comfortable).

In between the Half-Marys, I went to an Elderhostel offering in the Hill Country (at Mo-Ranch, my dorm shown here). The study list included Western Art (as in Remingtons, Russells, et al., not "Western Civilization"), Wine-tasting and visits to two Texas Wineries (Texas Hills and Becker's), and . . . the Theology of the Songs of Willie Nelson! Wine, Willie, and Western Art. What could be better??? Good group, great weather, and lotza fun.

Also visited with John, Darby & Eli (we went to a Farmer's Market on a freezing-cold day) and saw Dan & Lisa, but have only this pic of Dan with Eli at J&D's when we gathered for dinner.

Next adventure was to Denver to visit "my people." First, my sister and her dogs (and her horse).

And then on to the "SLAWs" -- that would be Steve, Laura, Alex, and Will. Heh, heh . . . get it? S-L-A-W. Lisa was also visiting at this time, so we made a jolly group. My picture-taking skills are limited, so these will have to do.

And this past Sunday, Max drove down to Katy with me to see Courtney and the girls, while Cliff was on a lo-o-o-ong trip. Max built planter boxes, I helped clean out the laundry room cabinet, and we did a lot of visiting and fun stuff. One highlight was to visit Vivian's Taekwon Do class, where I took several pictures. As usual, the quality is lacking, but I think I captured the spirit of things. She looks so cute in her fighting duds.

The first picture is of Emma and Vivi in the hall before Viv's practice began. The other three are during the lesson.

And now I get to stay at home for a while -- until I do some river kayaking in San Marcos the last weekend in April. Then we depart for Montana in mid-May.