TEXAS A WEEK AGO
Midway Intermedita library assistant Jan Duello, me, librarian Judy Payne.
Watching Hurricane Ike do his terrible thing, it’s hard to believe that a week ago today I was enjoying sunny Houston with relatives there.
I started off in Waco at the Midway Intermediate School, spending the day with very enthusiastic fifth and sixth graders. It was my first visit to Waco and Judy Payne, the librarian, was a terrific hostess, making sure I was well-fed, well cared for and even gave me a great tour of Waco and the beautiful Baylor University Campus. Sometimes when I travel, I only see the school and the hotel and don’t get to see the city, but I always like to get a sense of where I am and see the wonders of the area.
On Saturday, I flew to Houston, rented a car and drove out to The Woodlands, a beautiful lushly wooded planned community. I was invited to speak at a school on Monday and took the opportunity to visit my cousin and her family - the first time I’ve gotten to The Woodlands even though they’ve lived there 15 years! I had a relaxing weekend, talking, eating, talking, working, talking. Again, a taste of great Texas hospitality.
Cousins Linda, Sam (the last of three sons still at home), John
With Susan Gerding at John Cooper
Monday, I was at the John Cooper School where I spoke to kindergarteners and up, had a great lunch in their really great cafeteria (I chose the taco bar) and signed a lot of books. Cousin Linda stopped by to check out my presentation (luckily it went well) and Librarian and hostess Susan Gerding made everything move smoothly. There was a very special lunch with students, who got to choose cupcakes by picking their favorite wonder (see below). I got the Humphrey cupcake.
Wonder-full cupcakes!
I was amazed at the wonderful art projects the students had created (school had only been in session a little over a week): Uncle Sam applehead dolls with writing about the Wonders of America … unbelievably detailed clothespin dolls like Aunt Pretty made … and Humphrey drawings and book covers. I took a lot of pictures … and they turned out lousy! I’m so sorry I can’t share them with you but all you’d see was the flash. I may work on them some more.
Now, I’m just watching the news and hoping all my Texas friends and relatives, including my husband’s cousins in Houston who I hope to see in January, and my cousin’s daughter and husband, newly moved to Corpus Christi. Odd that just after a spectacular week falling in love with Cedar Rapids, IA in April they had such devastating floods. Maybe I should stay home!