I’ve been here for a year now and I’m still having “firsts”. Actually there were two this week. 

The other day we were in the kitchen minding our own business and “BANG”, a bird flew right into the window. Now I know that happens all the time. In fact, that happened in CA too. The difference here is that this was a rather large hawk that was chasing a smaller bird. The small bird managed to duck and hide on the ground, but the hawk was so focused on the hunt that it hit the window at full speed. Im sure it must have seen stars as it flew off! That was one of those “Oh my gosh, did you see that” moments. I guess it was that little bird’s lucky day!

Not that this on my bucket list or anything, but this past week I also had my first encounter with a trapper. Yes, a real, live, genuine trapper. The real deal! We have an intruder on our property that really needs to be removed. It’s causing some grief to the wildlife out there and we’d really like for it to be gone ASAP. 

Now back to the “trapper”…

When JD told me he was calling in a trapper, my mind went into overdrive. A trapper? What does someone that traps wild animals for a living look like? Within seconds I had a mental image of what I thought a trapper should look like. Tall, long hair, beard, muscular, weathered skin, maybe a raccoon skin hat, carrying all kinds of weapons, and of course…traps! Or…have you ever watched Call of the Wildman on Animal Planet? Okay, maybe not not him, but surely a big, burly mountain man looking guy would be in order. 

I was close. Sort of. He pulled up in his truck and ATV, and plenty of weapons (for his own protection, remember he’s a trapper, not a hunter). and lots, and I do mean lots of information. We learned more in 30 minutes than we ever wanted to know about trapping animals. I really didn’t care about how it all works, I just want this particular animal removed from our property – STAT. 

We headed out into the yard to show him where we thought our uninvited guest might be coming in and also showed him some evidence of what had been left behind. “Yup, there’s some fur here, this is probably where he’s gettin’ in.” He was also able to identify some skeletal remains that we’d found. I know we don’t live in the suburbs anymore and I know this is how nature works, but I’d much prefer it take place on the other side of our fence. In the meantime, anyone know where we can get an ACME anvil??? That always seemed to work for the roadrunner!

Oh, just one more first. I have also stepped on my first (and hopefully the last) anthill this summer. Amazing how fast one can remove one’s shoes when necessary! (Thankfully I had shoes on!)

Oh Texas, you’re full of adventures 🙂 

Last week my riding instructor called my and told me she was taking a couple of ladies out riding and asked if I was interested in joining. Well, of course I was! I would never turn down a chance to ride, how else am I going to become a barrel racer?!

The work week was long, busy, crazy, fighting fire with fire, one might say. I don’t think I’d ever been so happy for the weekend to arrive, and finally it was Saturday morning…and it was raining [insert sad face here]. I texted my instructor and asked her if we were still riding. “Yes ma’am” was her response, so off I went. 

It was cloudy when I got there, but not raining. “Not supposed to rain til 1:00, so we’ve got plenty of time”. I didn’t even bother saying it had been raining at our house because, well it didn’t matter! 

Introductions were made, both ladies really sweet, one an experienced rider, one just starting out, so I was in good company! The experienced rider of course, had her own horse. A beautiful Morgan horse, shiny dark coat, black mane and a long black tail that surely must be the envy of all the other horses in the barn!

We saddled up and headed out the gate. I was elated! I’d been wanting to go out on the “nature trail” ever since I started riding. It was exhilarating, the cool air, out on the wide trail, and then – water started falling from the sky. Not just drizzles or sprinkles, but big, huge Texas sized drops. Yep, it’s raining. 

As if we were out on the trail herding cattle, we ducked for cover under some trees. Wow! This is a new one for me! After about ten minutes the rain moved on and out we went. And yes, we were a bit wet. 

I’m not sure what the pecking order is in the horse world, but early on it became clear that my horse did not like Morgan horse…at all. He kept turning around and making creepy faces at him, or would shuffle around if he got too close. I did my best to remind Buddy that I was boss and we were going to all play nicely, but he was just being a brat that day!

We chatted as we rode and I soon found out that the Morgan horse owner had just moved here last month and like me, she moved here from Sourhen Califirnia. No wonder my riding instructor asked if I’d like to join. She must have figured we knew each other, and would give the secret SoCal handshake or something! Or maybe she just thought it was time for me to start making some friends. Admittedly, I’ve not done a good job of putting myself out there.

In fact, I didn’t know her at all, but I soon found out we had a lot in common. She told me about this weird transformation that seemed to have taken place since she moved here. She told me that when she lived in Souther California, she wouldn’t have even dreamed of going out without hair, makeup, jewelry, and the perfect outfit. But now, she goes out with no makeup, jeans and tshirt. “Oh my gosh! I experienced that same exact thing” I told her. 

I don’t know if it’s an age thing, an I don’t know anyone here, so it doesn’t matter thing, or if it’s just letting go of the SoCal lifestyle. It doesn’t matter. And I’m pretty sure Buddy doesn’t care what I wear or if my hair and makeup are done!

It rained some more, just as hard, and this time there were no trees to duck under. So we plodded along, soaked to the bone, enjoying the cool air, and as the occasional car went by we’d wave and give a lipstick free smile 😉

After 10 days in CA helping out with the newest addition to our family, it was time to come home. Time to come back to the husband and dogs that were anxiously awaiting my return.

In the interest of saving $70.00, rather than take the afternoon non-stop out of LAX I booked my self on the 6:00am flight. Yes, 6:00am, which meant getting there between 4:30 and 5:00, which in turn meant getting up somewhere in the neighborhood of 3:30. What the heck was I thinking? My son, bless his heart (I’ve lived in Texas for a year now, so I think I’m qualified to use that phrase) said he’d take me to the airport. With a new baby, he’d be up at that hour anyway!

I got to,the airport thinking it would be quiet for a 6:00am flight, but I could not have been more wrong. I walked in and the line not quite out the door, but getting close. Thankfully, because I fly to CA once a week (not really, but almost!) I rapidly achieved A-list status so I marched right past everyone in,line and right up to the counter. 

“Good Morning Mrs. Dodd”, the agent greeted me with the usual Southwest Airlines cheeriness. I asked if it was always so busy this early in the morning and she told there were several large groups flying. Had it not been so early, and if I’d had more than an hour and a half of sleep, the first warning light would have gone off in my head. But – I was tired, sleepy, and possibly just a tad cranky, there was no warning light. Not even so much as a dim glow. I checked my bag and headed to my gate.

It was pretty quiet, I had my choice of seats, so I selected what I thought was the best one. No one there, I could be by myself, charge my phone, etc. it didn’t take long before my airport solitude was disrupted by, oh I’d say an entire family. The were waaaaay too chipper that early. I didn’t want to hear loud voices, or laughing. Good grief, don’t you people know it’s 5:00am? I noticed that some of the women had henna tattoos on their hands, and they all had a pretty impressive collection of bags and purses. I casually kicked my bright pink tote bag under my chair so as not to get it mixed up with their YSL, Furla and Chanel bags. Gradually, the noise level rose to rock concert level and I thought I should move. But wait, if I move will they be offended? I don’t want the, to think I have anything against their culture, so I stayed. After all, only a few more minutes till boarding time.

When I travel, I prefer the aisle. I like to be able to get up rather than have to climb over someone in the event I want to use the in flight oversize bathroom lounge. I watched as everyone boarded. Oh my. Over 50% of this flight is this family! It was pure madness. Once the fasten seat belt sign went off, that entire family was up and out of their searts. Talking, laughing, visiting, going to the bathroom, hitting my are every time they walked by. They didn’t care what time it was – it was party time for them!

It took no time at all before I turned into a grouchasaurus. And  

 I mean, full on. Next the flight attendant announces that the wifi is not working. Now I’m snarling. I’d try and sleep but how can I with a raging party going on? And of all days to have a smooth flight! Maybe we’ll hit some turbulence and they’ll have to sit down. I actually prayed that the fasten seat belt sign would light up. 

What’s this guy doing up here? The flight attendant gets on the loud speaker and announces there is a special guest on the plane. “Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Anup. He and his entire extended family (who are taking up over half of this aircraft) are flying to San Antonio where Anup will be getting married tomorrow. [applause, applause, applause]. We’d like to help him celebrate and we have some gifts for him.” At this point, they pull out the sash made of toilet paper and adorned with swizzle sticks. They then present him with a “cake” made out of a roll of toilet paper with a bottle of wine stuck in the middle, and lastly – a crown, artfully fashioned out of bags of pretzels. 

How could I not smile? How could I not laugh? How could I not snap a photo? And how could I not cheer along with all of the other passengers to congratulate Anup and wish him well. 

Sat what you want about Southwest, but this crew gets an “A” for creativity. And that big family that took up over half the plane? Well, at the rate we’re going, that will soon be my family!!!