Welcome home, Alex. Our nephew from Stephenville, Texas got home today from Afghanistan. How great to see him again and for him to be back home out of harms way. The celebration is, as always, tempered by the knowledge of those who have not returned home or who have done so with serious injuries to deal with. They and their families, will continue to be remembered even as we celebrate. While my granddaughter and I were walking in the snow today, yes, it snowed again, in Stephenville, Texas, we thought about how the snow could be confetti from heaven to enhance our celebration. Of course we were in the minority with that sentiment, none the less a fun thought. We walked around for quite a while then went by a small store called Lida's Food Basket. We thought we might warm a bit inside and check out what Lida had cooked up for our eating pleasure. Unfortunately for us, fortunate for Lida I suppose, the store was closed until January the 5th. To help assuage our grief we settled ourselves in the porch swing that was thoughtfully installed there and visited as we watched the snow fall straight as an arrow, to the ground. A thoroughly enjoyable time. I recalled swinging in just such a swing on my grandma's porch as a kid. Gently rocking to and fro while locust called the evening into being. There was no place like grandma's house and no one as warm and comforting as grandma. Falling asleep while she sang about black birds being baked in a pie with that voice that I suspect will never be matched. At least not if my heart is involved in the evaluation. Exploring in the attic and playing with those little animal toys that walk down a slanted board. (what were those called) I wonder if my granddaughter will have fond memories of this time in her life. I sincerely hope so. Home is a great place to be and though the location changes occasionally, the feeling is the same.
