NEWS AND VIEWS

NEIL BROUSSARD'S VACATION PHOTOS FROM MEXICO...

After viewing the pretty photos that Peggy (Branham) sent, it spurred Neil Broussard to share some of his Mexico vacation pictures. He didn't say exactly where in Mexico these were taken, only that they didn't stay at one of the expensive resorts. Come to think of it, he didn't say if they stayed in the huts you will see in a later photo. I'm assuming the guy in the picture is Neil.

"We also just returned from Mexico, however, we didn't stay in the high cost resorts. No phone (Yeah!) No hot water (Ugh!) No A/C (No problem) Electricity (Sundown til 11 pm) Some bugs and crabs (still no problem) Lots of sand, beautiful beach, beautiful water, good food, great time with son and daughter( from Sweden) and daughter (Houston).

Enjoy the blog and hearing about everyone." (Neil)
Now for a little different scene, taken by Ter Cothran. By the way, Ter has changed scenery pretty drastically in the past two years. He went from the dry Arizona desert around Lake Havasu City, AZ to the piney woods of East Texas in Nacogdoches. He nicknamed his log home and acreage "The Ranch". (below right)

East Texas did not turn out to be his cup of tea, so Ter put his house on the market and moved to Prescott in northern Arizona to be near his son Kelly and daughter Amy, who is moving to Prescott with her husband and family as soon as their house sells in California. In the meantime, Ter's "ranch" sold, and he has bought a new home in Prescott. From the looks of his neighborhood, it is almost in the country.

This is the view from Ter's bedroom window! Needless to say, this was taken in January. The only pictures to rival this are the ones of Gene Routh's home in Colorado. Now that is wayyy too much snow for this Texas gal!



The photo below is Ter Cothran and his pride and joy, grandson Austin.

I am thinking of doing a "web album" (like the ones to the left of the blog post of the reunion, etc.) of everyone's grandchildren. If you think this is a good idea, let me know and start sending me the photos. I can start as soon as I have more than my own! I'll need names and ages.

NEWS: James Hays is doing well. Only eight days after his double coronary bypass he went to a Medical Society meeting at the Country Club in Brownwood with his son who now practices medicine there. He said he looked pretty cute carrying his "heart pillow" to the Country Club. He really is not supposed to drive or ride in a car next to an air bag for a while yet. Bet he could use a telephone call or card!

Peggy (Virden) Sharp had her six month checkup after heart surgery, and she is doing so well that they will take her off all medications except blood pressure meds. She and I went to the Ethnic Festival last Saturday and ran into a couple of classmates. Glenn Smith was gracious and bought me and Peggy french fries, and peach cobbler for dessert! Oh, my. That was delicious. Then Peg and I shopped all the vendors' booths looking for special birthday and Christmas gifts. Too bad the rain cut the festival short the next day.

In the photos are Glenn, Peggy, Bill King, and his friend Betty who is from Knoxville, Tennessee. She has been working at Shannon Hospital in San Angelo and will be there until June. A very pretty lady indeed, Bill.

Then there is Janice Amarine, who was in deep conversation with our newest physician in town, Dr. Mark McKinnon. He seemed to be enjoying the day at the festival, too.


















I hope everyone is getting outdoors and enjoying this beautiful spring weather. I already have some "accidental" sunflowers in my back yard, thanks to the birds and their feeders.

Let the good stuff happen!

Marilyn

HAPPY EARTH DAY AND BIRTHDAY

"Love all God's creation, the whole and every grain of sand in it. Love every leaf, every ray of God's light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love." (Feodor Dostoyevsky)

Earth Day! We've been celebrating this for over thirty years now. Sad that no more has been done to protect this beautiful planet. This year promises to raise the awareness of more and more of us.

I like to think I can simplify my life more than I have, and therefore not contribute to the ongoing "conspicuous consumption" that has threatened to overwhelm our world. I recently bought (they aren't giving them away yet!) recycled bags made from 2-liter soft drink bottles. I was proud to answer "Neither", when asked "paper or plastic?" Now if I can only remember to take them with me when I shop for groceries or other "necessary" items! I'm getting better at it. I only wish I didn't still own my gas-guzzling Jeep. As it is paid for, I don't foresee selling it for enough to buy a more efficient auto in the near future. On my agenda, though!


Now for the birthday. The shy little blond on the left is none other than Irene Piel (Batts), along with her best buds in high school, yours truly and Nancy Thompson (Baker). And of course, today is her birthday. Happy Birthday, Irene! This photo was probably taken shortly after her "sweet 16" birthday.

Good news! James Hays is now home from the hospital. He got home Sunday night. Says he is a little tired, but after this kind of surgery, that's to be expected. Get well soon, James. We need you to officiate!The young man in the tuxedo, second from left is none other than my grandson, Cameron Young, on the set of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" this past Sunday in Dallas. The show was absolutely professional. It was difficult at times to realize these were high school students! Of course, they aren't just any high school students. Booker T. Washington Performing Arts High School is nicknamed "Grammy High", because so many of their graduates go on to win Grammies in the musical industry. Norah Jones is perhaps one of the most recognizable. The high school recently underwent a $40 million dollar renovation, making it a state-of-the-art school. Too bad Cameron is graduating this year and won't get to take advantage of it. However, LSU will more than make up for it as he launches his college opera training.

By the way, we (his family and friends in attendance) thought Cameron was the star of the show! His English accent, gray hair, and perfect comedic timing were delightful. He also had a duet with the female lead that showcased that beautiful bass singing voice of his. And not only did he do all of that to perfection, he also did a tap dance with the sailor chorus that was pretty remarkable considering those size 12 feet! Way to go, Cameron!! Congratulations on a job well done.

Yesterday, we had the most delightful visit from Peggy Branham (Krumlinde) on the far left below, who was in town for a family reunion at the June Harris (Koch) home at Bethel. We started with a great lunch at the Main Street Sandwich Shop, to which Peggy insisted on treating us. Those in attendance were Peggy, June, Doris Stokes (White), Nancy Thompson (Baker), yours truly, and the one brave man to join us, Glenn Smith.

From there we came to my house for cake, coffee, and lemonade. Peggy kept us enthralled with tales of her life since Ballinger. We all laughed so hard and so much, Nancy said she wished she had a tape recorder in order to remember it all! Peggy's escapade in high school in Vernon, as she worked in a hospital lab, passing out from cleaning stainless steel counters with ether; being the only licensed female shrimp boat Captain in the state of Texas; and her years of living in the snowladen mountains of Colorado, snowshoeing home with her gun to fight off the coyotes interested in her bags of groceries, as well as the encounters with bears -- as many as five at one time encircling a chokeberry bush... Well, need I say more? Peggy, I really think you should write a book of your life adventures. It was such fun to have her here. Next time she comes for a visit, I'll bet more will show up. In fact, maybe we'll just throw a big party!
Well, everyone, I know this was a long one, but I hope you enjoyed some of it. Most important, I hope some of you feel the passion I feel for our beautiful world, Gaia. She is indeed our Mother Earth, a living, breathing entity. We are charged with the responsibility of nurturing and protecting her, as she has provided for us.

Until next time, make some "good stuff happen"!

Marilyn

(Photo by my son, Matthew Rider)

CLASSMATE VISITS

View of resort swimming pool on Peggy's recent vacation in Mexico.

There are two more of her vacation pictures at the bottom of this blog entry.

I believe these were in Puerto Vallarta

The lovely lady on the right is none other than Peggy Branham Krumlinde. I'm sure you all remember her as one of our class favorites until her family whisked her away before our senior year. Peg and I were neighbors in Albuquerque for a brief time in the early 70s. Peggy was unable to make it to our 50th class reunion, but she will be here this weekend for a family reunion. We thought it would be great fun to all meet somewhere for lunch this next Monday before she returns to New Mexico on Tuesday. I just spoke with the Main Street Sandwich Shop (it's on the corner of Hutchins and the Paint Rock Highway). The gentleman there said if we could come about 11:45 there should be plenty of room for all of us. It would be helpful if you could give me a call (716-1062) or email me that you are attending. If you know a classmate who might like to come who doesn't have email, please let them know about this luncheon. Of course, this is dutch treat. None of us has struck the lottery to my knowledge! And oh, yes, you guys are welcome to join us, too!

As most of you know, James Hays had a double coronary bypass yesterday morning. I talked to his wife Kay, and to James himself just a short time ago. He is out of ICU and now in Room 2016 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. If any of you in the area wish to visit, please remember to keep it a very short visit until he's had more time to regain his strength -- and to get more of the tubes out!

I asked James if he had a message for everyone and he said, "Watch your cholesterol, and don't end up in this condition!" His wife Kay said that they had him out of bed, sitting in a chair, and eating his breakfast when she got there this morning. He may get to go home this Saturday.

More healing prayers and good wishes are being sent to you, James. We want you "fit as a fiddle" for the next homecoming celebration.

Some of us have grandchildren who are graduating from high school. I have two who are seniors this year. As one is in Amarillo (Audrey), and one is in Dallas (Cameron), I found it a little difficult to attend both graduation ceremonies. I left it up to each of them and both wanted me to come to their final performances in high school. Audrey is a ballerina, and Cameron is a singer. Both have received scholarships for college, but I'm not certain where each will go. Audrey has received an academic scholarship to SMU, but has also been accepted into the University of Utah's dance program. She informed me that their dance program is the second most prestigious one in the country. (I forgot to ask which was number one!) Her final high school dance performance will be May 17th.
This weekend Cameron is performing in the musical, "Anything Goes" in Dallas. He's extremely excited that Louisiana State University has granted him a four-year guaranteed scholarship for tuition and residency fees. They have a great opera department (although, I think he is as excited about their football team -- even though he doesn't play), and a local professional opera company wants him to study with them, also. Now if we can come up with room and board, this talented young man will be all set.
I hope you all forgive me my grandmother "bragging rights", but seeing these children thrive gives me so much hope for our future. Both of these seniors are honor students; Audrey also is an award winning violinist; and Cameron is very active in his church as well as in politics. Both their grandfathers were Ballinger High School graduates. Cameron's grandfather is the late Ray Young; and of course, Audrey's grandfather is our fellow classmate Bob Burton.

I will be happy to put your photos, as well as write about your news, on this blog. Just get them to me any old way you can and I'll do my best to figure out how to post them! Which reminds me. Before James had the angiogram that cinched his surgery, he sent me the following news:

JAMES HAYS:

"My youngest son, John, has moved back to Brownwood and joined a medical group as an interventional radiologist in the Imaging Center, reading studies as well as doing a lot of procedures involving x-rays, cat scans, MRI, etc. He lives at Lake Brownwood, and is a 37-year-old bachelor, very eligible. I'm glad to have him nearby finally. His older brother, Jet, is a Lt. Colonel in the National Guard, staying on active duty in Austin but living in Harker Heights. He is divorced and has a 5-year-old son. Their sister, Susan, is a Dallas lawyer.

I'm staying halfway busy, working in the Coleman medical clinic on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which keeps me out of the pool hall part of the time, otherwise going to gun shows, flying, and doing chores around the house."

Needless to say, since James's surgery, the schedule he outlines above may change a little. He may be feeling so much better that he can go full-time to 1) the medical clinic or 2) the pool hall!

You know what? James is living proof that "good stuff happens"!

Marilyn

Beautiful Mexican Coastline (by Peggy)