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April 25 Thank You, Moira KerrThe music you hear on this site is performed by Moira Kerr from her Celtic Soul CD. The song is Loch Lomond, which you may have heard before, but certainly not as performed by Moira.
I first heard her music at the Glencoe Visitor Center in Scotland. It touched me on a personal level, seeming to capture what I was experiencing during my time in what I now refer to as "my other country" - truly the land of my soul. Dave sensed how this music touched me and purchased the CD while we were there at the Visitor Center. I use it when teaching Reiki classes and we often play it in our home while relaxing.
Moira, if and when you get around to visiting this site...thank you...for your music and your words. Perhaps in reading some of the entries here you will sense a bit of what Scotland means to me and how your work speaks to my soul and personal history...and how Dave can hear one of your songs and be carried back to his beloved homeland.
A link to Moira Kerr's Web presence (http://www.moirakerr.com) can be found on the home page of this site.
Peace, strength, love, and light to all... The Skies around here......can be a sight to behold! Last evening was one of those times. The forecast was for severe storms in the evening; however, the show started in the early afternoon. We have a newly-hired relief manager we are training and we let him go home not long after lunchtime so he could get home safe and snug before the worst weather hit.
Sure enough, in the evening the regular TV programming was interrupted by weather coverage. Seems the media in this part of Texas takes the weather seriously!
 Guess I should quantify that by telling you that we are apparently in a "Tornado Alley" here. There were reports of a twister touching down a bit southwest of here, headed (according to the computerized tracking on TV) right for our doorstep!  Although it was just about dark, we went outside to take a look at the skies. No twister in sight, but still some awesome views. I've converted some of the shots I got to black-and-white and posted them here. We were prepared to duck into the office bathroom...complete with pillows and other cushioning..us and the pooch...but didn't have to seek shelter. Some of our customers today commented that they did indeed spend time in their bathrooms during the worst of the weather. Quite a few folks around here routinely do that when they hear the storm sirens which, by the way, were sounding off quite vigorously at one point.
Dave and I feel thankful that we dodged yet another bullet last night. We have been told by some who have lived in this particular area for a while that the storms/tornados seem to often come from the West and to reform when they get right about to our little area. Wonderful! YIKES!
Just call me Dorothy.
 I'm feeling rather mellow right now, listening to a CD by Enya, and looking forward to a day off tomorrow. Yes, there are a few errands to run, but at least I'm not officially on duty although sticking closer to home most of the day in case our trainee has questions and needs a helping hand.
Have I mentioned the hawks? At first there was one big guy(?) who perched for a week or two on a power line across the street. Morning and afternoon there was my buddy standing watch. Well, perhaps watching for a tasty mouse , truth be told, but still I felt he was standing watch for me as well. He disappeared for a few days and now these days there may be three at a time soaring over our facility or in the near vicinity.
I like the idea that Hawk is standing watch...keeping a sharp eye out. For that I am grateful.
We are trulying enjoying this new stage of our life together. We get a kick out of our job and it's sooooo good to know Dave is around someplace on the facility doing his chores while I'm in the office. At times we may both be working on projects in the office, sharing a quiet componionship. Nice. Very nice.
My thoughts and heart go in a couple of different directions this evening...to all those affected by the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech. There was a day last week when they apparently asked all those in the USA to wear the school colors of orange and maroon to show support. I didn't have anything orange, but I did wear maroon.
My love and hopes for peace go to a sister in survivorship in France who is walking her final journey on this Earth. She will never read these words, but she is a beautiful spirit of Light and has impacted so many with her beauty and strength of Spirit and with her work as an artist. Peace be with you, Kirsti.
Enjoy the photos and give your loved ones a special hug tonight...my Scotsman's waiting for me!
April 15 A Little R&RToday we had a little R&R and got off the property. A nice relaxed tempo to the morning; we loaded the bikes and gear in the truck and headed off to the Fort Worth Nature Refuge just a bit south and west of here, not far at all by big-city standards. Soon we were amidst trees...aaahhhh......nice. We parked the truck at the Interpretative Center, toured it, and then got the bikes out for a spin on the roads in the park. Not a lot of miles, but very pleasant ones..some shady places, some sun, a few downhills and a few uphills. Sure was nice to get back on the bike for a few miles. I have missed it. It feels better here, riding on Texas roads. Don't ask me why, just does. Bike and I got reacquainted...again, have missed it. After we rode, we walked a trail by the Center for a wee ways and I took a few photos of bluebonnets. Yes, it's springtime in Texas, which means bluebonnets and other wildflowers.
The weather here continues to live up to the old saying of "Don't like the weather here in Texas? Just wait five minutes!" Friday night there was a very severe storm that came through as a cool front. We had the largest hail I have ever seen...slightly smaller than ping-pong ball size. Thank goodness we got the Tahoe under cover just seconds before that started.
As you might have heard on the news, this was a nasty storm, indeed, with tornados wreaking havoc in the area. We were lucky once again and apparently on the edge of the worst of the weather. Interestingly, the tornado warning sirens were blaring like crazy...two or three at once and very close by the volume. Although in traveling through Kansas I had noticed these sirens mounted at different places, but have never lived in a location where they are. It's good and bad, I suppose...nice to have 'em but a bit eerie when they go off and Momma Nature is showing her power. Especially at night....
We had our every other week dinner treat out last night. It was my turn to pick, so we found ourselves back at El Paseo for a Mexican feast. Brought some home and had leftovers for dinner today. YUM! Nothing like Mexican food after a bike ride. Gosh, it's great to be back in Texas! We try to go out to dinner after work every other Saturday as a wee treat to ourselves and take turns picking out a place to try. Next time it's Dave's turn, so we'll see where we end up.
This evening I've got laundry going, we're both on our respective computers doing email or whatever, and in just a little while we'll have a few frames of pool. We certainly have gotten our money's worth out of this pool table. Such fun, and my skill level has improved just in the last month or so.
I talked with Dave's son Paul yesterday and it was sooo good to hear his voice. How I got lucky enough to share life's journey with this amazing man, but to have two stepsons of whom I am so proud and who have welcomed me into the family...well...I dunno... but I count my blessings each and every day!
Guess I'd best post the photos so you'll have something new to look at! Oh! The one of our office/residence with the rainbow in it...just a few seconds before I snapped the photo, you could see the entire rainbow from end to end...and our place was centered right beneath it. Did that have anything to do with my having draped our place in Reiki energy during the height of the storm? Perhaps it's one of those things that makes you go "Hmmmmm....."
Peace, strength, love and light till next time!  April 07 Coming Up For AirHere it is Saturday and we've just finished work. I'll be starting dinner in just a little while. Our office is closed Sundays, so we get a day off! We were supposed to have Monday off too, but that is not going to happen. I have to admit, I'm a little tired..having one day off at a time hasn't let me have a chance to really chill out, rest up, and/or play. By the time we run errands, get groceries, perhaps get one little piece of personal business done related to moving down here...well, the day is gone and then it's back to work. Then there's laundry to do...not to mention go check up on my Mom...
Oh well, all things happen for a reason, and hopefully this pattern won't continue much longer.
Of course, that doesn't leave any time for scheduling Reiki classes, and I've had a few inquiries about that already since being back in Texas. Sure would love to get the rest of the boxes unpacked and a little space in the residence set up for teaching.
We are enjoying the job and the people are great...it's just I feel like I don't really get a break from it. Darn good thing we enjoy it, eh?
So I'm sitting here in the living room listening to the Eagles, grabbing a few minutes of "me" time before I start dinner. It's been a typically Texas day today with regards to the weather...a few days ago we were basking in the warm sun and today it's colder...we even had some snowfall earlier this morning!
Yesterday was National Tartan Day here in the States, so I wore my tartan scarf, Dave wore a Scotland cap, and we had pipes and drum music playing in the office. I sure miss Scotland and I hope we can get back over there later this year. Funny...it's like Scotland and Dave were a part of me before he actually appeared in my life.
Bagpipes have always called to me...there's just something about them. I remember standing outside Dave's flat in Dunfermline and hearing pipes off in the distance. Where else but Scotland can you do that?
As a kid, I always wanted a Scottie dog. Don't know why. Just did.
The summer before Dave entered my life, I bought a pair of new flannel pj's. What design were they? Well, black-and-red plaid, of course, with the top having a wee Scottie dog embroided on it. Must've known somehow Dave was about to show up, eh?
Hard to believe we've only been married a little over a year. Seems like forever and yet so fresh, so new, so fun. I've gotten so lucky. When I mentioned that to my aunt once, she responded that God must've know exactly who I needed in my life. Apparently. I've never known such a man with a big heart, big spirit, and love of life. He is indeed just what I've needed all my life.
Dave and I were talking the other day...about how we'd only been together a total of four days and I agreed to make plans to return to Scotland with him when he came over in the fall of 2005. May seem a wee bit crazy, but by then we knew our lives would merge as one and, you know what? It seemed the most natural thing in the world to put my trust and safekeeping in the hands of this man. I know some of my friends and family must've thought...what on earth is she doing??!?!?!
But you know what, not an instant of doubt ever occurred. It just seemed the only thing to do, the natural flow of what was to be. I guess that's what happens when two twin souls meet.
This is a good album....When Hell Freezes Over. Always have liked the Eagles. I enjoy the music, yes, but also the stories in their tunes...
We've been giving the pool table a good workout lately. It's right here in the living room, readily accessible, and a nice way to unwind in the evenings. I have to admit my skills have improved quite a bit since we first got it and even some over the past few weeks/months. I'm glad...makes it more enjoyable for me and gives Dave a bit of competition, makes it more interesting for him.
Guess I'd best get into the kitchen in a wee while. Hmmmm....some nice fish this evening, I think, with a baked potato. Sounds kinda nice. Perhaps some broccoli with that. Yum, eh?
"If you find somebody you love in this world, you better hang on tooth and nail...the wolf is always at the door..." Words of The Eagles and so true, hmmmm? Life is short, so give your loved ones a good hug and a hand to hold.
Until next time....peace....
April 01 Settling InWe have been here now a little over a month. Yes, we're still enjoying it!
 The job, our separate duties, the facility, and our residence are feeling more like "ours" every day. We still have a lot to learn, and do learn something new just about every day. We've worked a lot of hours the past couple of weeks, but hopefully we'll get a relief person hired and trained soon and will be able to have two days off in a row. It's tough having just one day at a time right now...so much we need to do in the way of personal business and then to have a bit of time just to chill out....well, hopefully that will change soon. We'd like to schedule a camping weekend near Brenham and hook up with friends and get a visit in with my mom...everything happens when it is meant to, of course.We meet so many friendly and interesting people in this work. Makes the day go by quickly. One thing is for sure; we're never bored!
Interestingly, I have had more inquiries about Reiki training in the month since returning to Texas than I had just about the entire time I was living in MN. Go figure, eh? Texas is apparently where I'm meant to be.
We had dinner yesterday after finishing work at Up-N-Smoke, a BBQ place here in Keller. We pass it often and have said "We should try that place sometime." Although our office hours are 9-3 on Saturday, it was well after 5 PM by the time we were finished yesterday. Folks just kept coming into the office right up until, and a wee past, 3 PM. YOINKS! So we decided we deserved a treat of dinner out and had a BRILLIANT BBQ dinner. Such a typically Texas place and the food really was superb. My taste buds are happy to be back in Texas.
We commented that is another place we must take Paul when he comes across next time. Who knows? He might be able to come across in the next few months and that sure would be grand.
We are hopeful we will get back across The Pond this year sometime, probably in the fall. I know how much I miss Scotland, so I can only imagine how Dave must long to see her again. We need to look into booking our trip soon. We talk about it...how we'll be like a couple of kids on the plane, so excited, when we do head back to that Bonnie Land.
Scotland....ahhhh....what a place. Everyone should go there at least once.
Well, it's about time for me to call it a night. Tomorrow will be another busy day.
Take care, hug tightly those you love. Till next time....
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