Bluebonnet Gathering

We went to neighbors' A & J's property today for their annual Bluebonnet Gathering.  It's a little early for the full onslaught of bluebonnets.... they're popping up here and there in small patches, but the fields are not yet blazing in blue.  You just never know when the 'peak' is going to be........ depends on the rain, the weather, and (most importantly) Mother Nature.  Sometime between late March and mid-April, all of the bluebonnets decide to come out and play, so we're all still waiting for their celebration.

But today was A & J's celebration, and it was a lot of fun.  Their property backs up to part of our property. From a narrow road running along the creek which separates the two properties, they can see the roof of our house.  J took us for a ride in his ranch buggy this afternoon and showed us the spot where they can see our house.  Nestled in the woods there by the creek, we saw beautiful dogwood trees in full bloom. Apparently, the dogwoods aren't waiting for the bluebonnets.  JS was with us and she took a bunch of pictures with her camera, no doubt worthy of the pages in "National Geographic."  With nearly 100 acres on that property, there was not a shortage of great places to aim her camera.

A had spent the last couple of days making different kinds of BBQ (translation: meats), and everyone else who came brought either a dessert or a side-dish.  We got a tour of her barn (living quarters on the second floor, full kitchen and party area on the main floor), plus we also got to see their new  home which was just completed last year. Lots to see, with so many ranch-country touches sprinkled with love and pride-of-place in every corner.

As we drove around in the ranch buggy with A's husband, we saw all the painted wood signs that A had nailed onto the trees along the dirt road.  She had "Beware of Spiders" on one tree, "Low-flying Bat Zone" on another, and there were even wood tombstones in a hidden corner, left over from the days when A used to host a Halloween party every year.

A's painted signs got me to thinking...... I could easily paint some old wood boards with white paint, and use green or pink paint for the lettering:   "Paris-- 5047 miles"  or  "Rhinestone Way"  or  "City Girls Keep Out."  The possibilities are endless.....