Those who don’t know me personally I’d like to share that my mother recently had a birthday. She turned 99 years old. Though it should be 99 years young. She doesn’t really act like an old lady, and I think she’d be upset if we – her children – called her old. But 99 she is. My brothers came home and a few very close friends popped by or called to extend their birthday wishes. And there was great laugher, so it made it a very happy weekend.

Siblings: children of the same parents, each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together. – Sam Levenson

Over that weekend a plan was hatched. Now if you know me you will know that I have a strong work ethic. I don’t sit and read in the store even though I’d like to. There is too much to do: cleaning, sorting, shelving. Trying to keep up with cleaning the store and then some. I really never want to close the store unexpectantly. Sometimes, though, it has to be done and I’m going to do it next week. I’m going along with the family plan. A family adventure with a brother and sister and meeting up with another brother. And of course, it includes our mother.

For various reason, many self-imposed, I’ve missed out on great family adventures: Germany to South Korea, and visiting many U.S. states. I still regret not going to New Orleans. I don’t want to miss out on this one. The time to do things with my mother and siblings is almost gone. And due to the other parts of my life, one just doesn’t know our fate. So, off to Texas I go. Again!

…Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans. – John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America (One of my favorite books)

Store hours week of May 17-23: Sunday/Monday closed as normal; Tuesday-Friday closed. Saturday open 10am-5pm with Hannah holding down the store. Back to normal schedule Tuesday, May 26.