Journal

Yesterday we got a great look with binoculars at a bobcat rummaging around about a hundred yards from the deck. The ear markings and stubby tail were easy to see. We had heard rumors of bobcats being around but had never seen one. Unfortunately, the camera wasn't handy, so we didn't get a picture.

Every year the AAUW awards a college scholarship to a young lady in the community. Kentucky Fried Chicken helps in fund-raising by splitting the cost of a breakfast meal with the AAUW on a Saturday morning and the AAUW volunteers work the counter. So yesterday morning I helped pour juice, coffee, wiped down trays and tables. It was amazing the number of people that came in from every walk of life. The other AAUW women there knew a lot of the ones that came - small town life!

We can look out the den window and see the male and female downy woodpeckers pecking at the suet block that Pat attached to the limestone house. They're cute little fellows and fun to watch. It's still cold up here - 9 degrees yesterday morning - so our outdoor activities consist of looking outside from the inside!

Not everyone's cup of chai, but if you would like to see something different try Monsoon Wedding. It has dubbed English, but using the subtitles isn't a bad idea because it was sometimes difficult to understand. It is colorful, full of (I presume) accurate looks of modern middle class Indian life and has the requisite "family skeletons" thrown in.

As most know Mystic Pizza made in 1988 was a major start for Julia Roberts. Guess what other, now very well known, star had a non speaking bit role in the movie. We watched the movie last night and did "Look who that is" when we saw him.

After a work trip to Dallas, I went to Austin on Friday evening and had a great, relaxing weekend. Dale's parents, Joyce and Brian were there. It has been really fortunate that, especially given the long distances, we have gotten to know them as friends and not just as the "parents of our son-in-law". Joyce, as before, brought aniseed balls for Pat which I delivered and which, as before, he was quite pleased to have. Jonathan was wonderful - he's so funny and curious and so easy to be with and has a great sense of humor - hats off to Eliz and Dale. All of Elizabeth's hard work in the yard & garden was evident and sitting on the deck on Sunday was lovely. The goldfinches and Carolina wrens provided watching pleasure. Saturday, Rita, Jennifer and Stepan came over for supper - a really, fun evening. The pasta was good and the homemade ice cream delicious.