Had to Laugh

This morning as John was driving me to work he spied a truck off to the side of the Wal-Mart parking lot. There a gentleman and a young girl had two BT's on their leashes. John pulled over then jumped out of the truck to go visit with the Bostons. I found this funny since he told me when we first met that he did not like little dogs.
After visiting with the man and the two fur kids we learned he was retired from Houston and lives near the Caverns. I also learned that he had recently lost two males to Rattlesnakes.
We said our goodbyes and I headed on into work. After punching the time clock I ran into John as I headed up to the bakery to start my day.
"Did you get the BT guys phone number?" he asked in excitement.
"No but he said he lived near the caverns" I responded wondering why I would get his phone number.
"I just thought maybe Mater should play with his own kind since he doesn't know any other BT's"
I couldn't help but smile at this guy and must say he tugged at my heart a little. I often see him just sitting with Mater in his lap hugging him and talking softly. He tells everyone that Bridget is his because he likes Labs but I know deep down in his heart he has a thing for Mater too.
He told me a few days ago that he just didn't like small dogs.
"Is it a macho thing?" I questioned wondering why he had brought the subject up. You know those Marines have big attitudes.
"No, It's just a preference" he replied as he held Mater in his arms while we sat side by side to watch the sunset.
Today he sent me two text. The first one said remember to drink lots of water. (something I have trouble remembering) and the second was I gave the kids bones and they are happy. I think that Mater and Bridget both have became a big part of his life and John yes you do like small dogs you just need to be a little more mach to admit it.

Remember to Remember

Life takes us down different paths some rocky some narrow. I guess I spent most of my life looking out at the world from what seemed to be a dungeon. Those of you know that in the past two years I have made a few drastic changes in my life. Well I guess you can say that I have actually have a life now. After waking up disgusted with the way my life had turned out I started working my way out of the rut I felt I was in. The first thing I did was get my truck running so I could get a job. I wasn't picky I just took the first job I could get which was working in the Kroger Deli. I stayed there while I wrote my first book Out of the Texas Mist. Once that was in the works to get published I ended up moving over two hundred miles from everyone and everything I knew.
There was two people that gave me a roof over my head until I was able to get out on my own. I will always thank Don and Sharon for that. I was able to rent a little trailer from them until I met this guy who seemed to stir up all kinds of emotions in me. I have been gone from my family for more than a year and I do miss them dearly. I know I sit here silently and ponder where I am headed next and there are times I am so tired from work all I want to do is curl up in a ball and cry.
Yesterday John brought up the fact that I am not the same person he met a little more than six months ago. He said that I had become quiet and sullen. He said that he missed the Cindy that he had met and grown so fond of.
I didn't realize that I had fallen back into those deep dark caverns that I had struggled so hard to climb out of. Heck I still have some of the scars from the fight for freedom. I have problems trusting men and I refuse to believe that I am worthy of any ones love other than Mater and Bridget. I lay in bed last night listening to the night sounds and I realized that I had failed to change the channel when negative thoughts took me over. I had allowed others negativity to rub off on me. I had allowed the circus that most people know as Wal-Mart to suck me under into the dark abyss. This morning as I rode silently to work I made an oath to myself. I promised that I would REMEMBER TO REMEMBER. I had came a long way and I was not going to let a few set backs put an end to my journey. I still do not know where exactly I belong but I do know that a great family has taken me in and made me one of theirs. Jim and Lydia are angels in their own right. I have a place to lay my head and food to nourish my body. John has became a great friend and confidant. I could not think of anyone else I would like to go fishing with. Mater and Bridget are happy here on the ranch and we all feel safe. I need to remember to be grateful with each step I take. I need to be appreciative of all that I have. I need to count my blessings and thank those that I see everyday that add to my life. I have great friends and a great family both here and back in Spring. I will not let those little bumps in the road knock me off course. Back to being positive. Thank you John for bringing the back sliding to my attention. Sometimes it takes a little tough love. Now that I know I was coasting I think it is time I take control of my life once again. I will start by calling my publisher tomorrow to see what the hold up is on Dead X's in Texas. They sent out an email stating the books are on sale for a huge discount. I can start by telling everyone I know to go to http://publishamerica.com and type in my name at the search box to order a copy while it is cheap. Heck it is over a $20 savings from the list price. I will get my butt in gear and really push both books. If I am going to ever escape Wally World I have to be persistent and positive.
Tally Ho

Lazy day on the Llano

Sunday July 5TH John and I got up before the crack of dawn then loaded up the vehicle with necessary fishing stuff along with the kids and the expensive Styrofoam cooler I bought at Wal-Mart. We headed out of the main gate at the ranch and hit the road long before the crack of dawn. John drove as the kids and I watched the beautiful scenery pass through the windows. We arrived at the low water crossing on the Llano just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. The first picture I took was of the beautiful sunrise.

Mater and Bridget was excited that we let them run free to explore and enjoy the riverbed. We figured it would be okay sine there was not another soul in sight. The first thing Bridget did was lay down in the water.

While John was busy fishing Mater and Bridget were giving him fishing tips. I thought John didn't need their tips so I took them exploring. They were like Lewis and Clark sniffing every square inch of the riverbed. Bridget had to lay in the water at every turn. Mater loved being able to roam on his own.

I was amazed at how brave Mater had become. I remember a time when I had taken him walking by a pretty lake and he had made a wide berth from the shore line. I remember having to actually carry his little brown and white butt just so we could get past the water and back to the truck. You would think he was born on the river. He walked out to the waters edge on every rock that led that way. He would look in the water at the little fish and at one time tried to catch a minnow or two. Bridget on the other hand only cared about wading through the shallow places. John called Mater across a wide spans of water that Bridget had swam across and I was so proud when Mater did the same.

Once people started to stir and come out and about the traffic picked up so did we. We had the kids jump in the SUV then we headed off to another low water crossing to try our luck at fishing and exploring. Mater and Bridget were sound asleep in the back. We stopped at the intersection of two country roads and I was thrilled to snap this picture of these beautiful butterflies.

Before the day was over I did get a great picture of Bridget and the love of her life John.