A New Year, New Beginnings

My mother has always said that on New Years Day you should do just a little of every one thing you hope to do during that next year. Of course in our case, that always implies taking a long walk. To me, walks are a form of exploration. You never know what you might find, see, or experience. Recently, I have begun to take pictures on all my walks back home as a way of documenting to remember once I'm back in Texas. You would think that after photographing or exploring the very same subject over and over again, boredom would surely set in. But it seems that the subject of my home and childhood haunts only grows more enticing. My senses in that place intensify rather than dim, its familiarity breeding contentment and deeper understanding.

I've always loved this grand old magnolia tree. When I was little, my parents used to put me up in it to climb. Now I see it growing older, leaves less vigorous, magnolia buds less full in the spring. A mounting fear rises inside me; this tree may not always stand here. But for now, for today, it is still my tree, and I know it so very well.

Besides the beginning of a new year, new traditions have also begun. Jason's mother, Linda, took us on what will hopefully be our first annual family trip together. This year she chose a place in Montana. It was one of the most spectacular places that I have ever been, and now we have so many beautiful memories all together in that place. 

 

  

  

  

 

Thank you Linda, and all of our family and friends, for the lovely experiences you shared with us over the holidays. You are our most precious treasures.

Blur of Holidays Now Passed

So much time has passed since my last post; I'm not quite sure where to begin. I guess it would make sense to start around Thanksgiving and our trip home to Mississippi. Jason and I seem to be growing more proficient at cramming a ton of events into one visit home. We went to Estill to see Robin and Shearer, ate Thanksgiving day lunch at Nanny and Pappy's, Thanksgiving dinner down at Dockery. We visited at Maw's the day after Thanksgiving and took several walks. Jason went hunting many times. Whew! Looking back, it seems like one intense whirlwind from the beginning of November to now, the end of January! And there doesn't seem to be any letting up. Since there is no way for me to do full postings on each topic and get myself caught up in this new year, I am going to post just a few of the best pictures from several of the things we did.

A trip to Estill, Mississippi, and a walk to explore the Indian mounds on family land. 

 

 My daddy and his cherished friend, Mr. Meme.

  

Jason's grandfather, Pappy, carving the Thanksgiving Turkey.

  

After Thanksgiving lunch on the porch.

  

My cousin Kaela standing next to Frank Michael's car before Thanksgiving dinner at Dockery.

  

Narcissus from a walk at Dockery.

  

Robin's roses growing at Highbank.

Huh and I at her brother Allen's wedding reception.

 

Everyone pitches in to load wood, including little Kaleigh and Karson, at my grandparents' in Leakesville, Mississippi.

  

Jason and my daddy after a successful hunt at Fighting Bayou Hunting Club just days before Christmas.

  

My mama playing her brand new Christmas present from my dad.

  

Mary Grace in her dog suit from Santa on Christmas morning.

  

Regina drinking coffee and waiting for fried oysters on Christmas morning.

Jason and his grandmother on Christmas morning.

  

Ebelskivers, Lane Baxter style!

  

Lane and I in the "little mountain town" (Mountain View, Arkansas) on our trip to Jason's grandparent's cabin.

  

One last picture just before heading home.