What did you do this weekend?

Warning! This is a very image loaded post!

This past weekend was Parents' Weekend at Stephen F. Austin State University. So what did we do? We made reservations at the Fredonia Hotel and went to see a football game.

We saw young men painted like this.

We saw the new scoreboard at Homer Bryce Stadium.


We saw football of course.

We saw the sun set behind game.

Sunday we went to the Mast Arboretum.

Why did we do that? Well, the September/October 2007 issue of AAA's Texas Journey ran a story called Lone Star U. The article touted the highlights around the state that are worth your while to investigate if you get the chance. Under the Horticulture section, SFA's Mast Arboretum was recognized. "East Texas plants and flowers are showcased on 10 acres. The start attraction is the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, with 6,500 azaleas, as well as camellias, Japanese maples, hydrangeas, and ornamental trees and shrubs. Free."

We have toured the Mast Arboretum many times over the last four years and we are very fond of it. It has so many areas that I would have to post for days to get all of the scenery in. I will post some other pictures of some of the butterflies later this week after I get them cropped a little better.

Finally, the reason we drive to Nacogdoches on what seems a regular basis: the proud senior, my Munchkin
For those of you that are not familiar with this scene. This is the fountain on campus of Stephen F. Austin. It is in Centennial Plaza. Every year we take the First "Official" school picture of the Munchkin here. It is our tradition and this is my last year to be able to do it. I will post all four of them together later in October so that you too can see how she has changed in her four years at college. It is both a proud feeling and a sad feeling all at the same time.

And one last picture of the Munchkin.....we love you and we are both so very proud of you.

This is what scares parents

As many of you know, I have two daughters. I know that I talk about Munchkin more than I do Trouble, but Trouble is almost 24 and has been out of the nest a lot longer. That doesn't mean I don't worry about her any less. This is what I have been dealing with all day from my office:

Second escapee captured after allegedly killing female guard

Yes, at approximately 10:30 AM this morning I received a breaking news bulletin from our local news that two prisoners from Huntsville State Prison had escaped and killed a female guard. I have been watching the streaming video feeds all day as they have had the entire City on lock down.

Huntsville is a college town as well as a prison town. The campus is just a few blocks away from a portion of the prison grounds. The Walls Unit, where the executions take place, is just three blocks from the end of the campus. Huntsville is the headquarters for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (the only State agency that is not headquartered in Austin) as well as the county seat for Walker County.

While there are a number of other things that the city would like to be known for, such as this 66 foot tall statue of Sam Houston that can be seen from I-45, the truth is that everyone in Texas knows whre the prision is.

To understand why I am also concerned, you must understand that Huntsville State Park and the Piney Woods of East Texas (The majority of the commercial timber growing and wood processing in the state of Texas takes place in the Piney Woods region, which contains about 50,000 km² (12.5 million acres) of commercial forestland. This area includes at least 17 state parks: Atlanta State Park, Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site, Caddo Lake State Park, Daingerfield State Park, Governor Hogg Shrine Historic Site (Quitman) , Huntsville State Park, Jim Hogg Historic Site (Rusk) , Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Lake Livingston State Park, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Martin Dies Jr. State Park (Jasper) , Mission Tejas State Park, Rusk and Palestine State Parks, Starr Family State Historic Site, Texas State Railroad State Park, Tyler State Park, and Village Creek State Park. Four National Forests - Angelina (Angelina County, Nacogdoches County, San Augustine County, and Jasper County) , Sabine, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston (Huntsville) - are found in the "Piney Woods" of East Texas. These National Forests include some 634,912 acres (2,569 km²) in 12 counties.) There are a lot of trees and areas that a person(s) like that could potentially hide in.

Thank goodness that the departments involved are always ready and have the resources to track these people down. It was still very hard to feel so helpless as I watched the streaming feeds from the news helicopters and not worry.

I am glad that they caught him. I feel deeply saddened that the female office on horseback was killed while trying to recapture them. My prayers and sympathy go out to her family as do my thanks for her doing her job.

Yes, I have heard from Trouble twice today and all is well. Soon, I will have pictures from her campus to post as we head north up I-45 to see her soon.

You're a Rainbow Trout!
Believing strongly in the equality of all races and in gay rights,you are a true egalitarian. These stances have made you a target amongst some groups of people, but it's all in a day's work for you. You try not to fall for their schemes hook, line, and sinker, but sometimes it's unavoidable. Some where over you, bluebirds fly.
Take the Animal'>http://bluepyramid.org/ia/aquiz.htm">Animal Quiz at the blue/'>http://bluepyramid.org">Blue Pyramid.

Harlot - Enough Said!

Twisted Yarns did a great job with this event. I believe that there was approximately 300 Harlot fans in attendance. The woman in the last picture wearing the beast cancer tee-shirt drove for six hours from Sedona, Texas to see the Harlot! That is dedication and support! I couldn't get a good picture of this one young man that had a professional series camera . He was wearing a kilt and beautiful Aran socks and he was working on a beautiful piece in grey wool with a braided cable across the edges. He was very charming and had as much fun attending as he did taking pictures. He was captivated by young baby Gus that was seated in front of me with his mother. The high school was a wonderful place. They had a coffee shop that they kept open during the entire event and afterwards and the coffee was only fifty cents a cup. It was flavored coffee too!

Perhaps I will post my pictures of myself with Stephanie later, but for now, enjoy these. And for the record, she told us that she mailed the squirrel home yesterday so we did not get to see it.

Tuesday Temptations

September 18: Houston, Texas
7:00PM @ The Carl Wunsche Sr. High School
900 Wunsche Loop
Spring
Hosted by Twisted Yarns

Yes, today's Temptation is the Yarn Harlot herself. I am so excited.



I have reservations to have her sign my copy of this book too.

What will I take to work on? I will be taking a pair of socks in this yarn (4253 - Fog). Pattern - my own design.

I will also be working on this, as featured on Dances With Yarn's site. I will be using this yarn.

Tomorrow will be a picture heavy post, as I will be taking the camera with me and will do my best to photo-document the event.