Driving Mizmell

It was just last Saturday that the city-girl daughter drove us both up the mountain to have breakfast at the Peaks of Otter lodge. It's truly beautiful--and about 10 degrees cooler!

After a mediocre breakfast (the food is not worthy of the landscape!) we walked around the lake for some photo ops.

I have photographs of her father holding her--just six weeks old--in this very spot. Were it not for the demands on my time--finishing up the last week of school--I would have dug them out and scanned the pictures for comparison. I know all my readers are highly creative, though. You get the general idea.

The city-girl has re-emerged as a rising tennis star. I was a serious tennis investor when she was in her teens. I'm happy to report that watching tennis is just as much fun (if not more so) when it is NOT highly competitive in nature.

I find it very refreshing these days to look at old things with a new perspective.

And next?

Tomorrow is the last day to meet with the adolescent boys who are my team members on my final project--to be presented on Monday evening. Two exams on Tuesday and I may be finally through.

And yes, there's an awards ceremony tomorrow evening. I should be receiving one for academic excellence... and I learned this evening, another for my networking studies.

Photos?

That's a difficult one, as I am the photographer in the family.

Its All On A Wheel

Trials are but lessons that you failed to learn presented once again,
so where you made a faulty choice before you now can make a better one,
and thus escape all pain that what you chose before has brought to you.

Meditations from A Course in Miracles.

Better Things Ahead

I never planted the hyacinths at the front walk. They appeared once I removed the fence--it had been there so long, the wire had relaxed into the earth and had to be dug from the ground. Once the area was cleaned though, daffodils and random tulips emerged.

When I traded my corporate job and house in the city for a an old farmhouse in the depths of rural America, there were a few who just couldn't manage to keep their opinions to themselves.

I remember.

They spoke their piece. Others merely shook their heads, acknowledging their complete inability to comprehend my choice.

But I was driven by what could be. I had a vision, right down to the last detail.

I've never been one concerned with pleasing the masses. I know that each individual is responsible for their own happiness.

I also know full well, someone will always have something to say. Rather than be upset with the talk, I'm happy to save someone else from the gossip-mongers--even if its only momentarily.

I'm also a very determined person. When I set my mind on something, it becomes a challenge to follow through to the end. I may complain a bit along the way, but I keep plowing along.

Since I went back to school, I've waded through assignments, juggled schedules and books. I've whined about biology but have become more ecologically aware.

And now, with just a few weeks from finishing my degree, I realize the unexpected benefit is I've learned a lot about myself in the process.

The Thrill of the Chase

Inevitably, something catches our eye.

And instinctively, we are in hot pursuit.

All thoughts are on achieving this one thing.

As the ultimate goal comes closer into view, we develop tunnel vision.

No one or nothing can stand in our way now.

All the excitement.
All the surge of emotions--both high and low--
with no thought beyond the chase.

No thought of what's next...

Reaching New Heights

Miss Jeni climbed atop a concrete picnic table
to photograph the Austin skyline.
She's completely enamored with the city.

I guess the old saying is true:
Unless you're at the top of the hill, the view is all the same.

Miss Jeni took this photograph
from a ledge overlooking Lake Austin.