Fall might really come to Texas

Jacob with Kit, our newest neighbor

I think the high today was something like 82—a blessed relief. People have complained long and loud about the endless summer, but to my memory after over fifty years in Texas, September is always hot. We can’t count on it to cool down until the first of October, so if temperatures are dropping now, it’s an early blessing. I notice in the evenings, with my patio door open, there is a refreshing breeze.

Of course, Texas hasn’t escaped weather woes. The flooding in southeastern Texas is a major disaster, much of it in an area just recovering from Hurricane Harvey. I am grateful that daughter-in-law Lisa reports that she and my Tomball grandchildren are high and dry—this morning she said they could get a deluge, but tonight she reports it skipped them. Tomball is far enough northwest of Houston, I guess, that it was spared. But my son Colin is stranded in Atlanta tonight because Houston International Airport is closed. Wish I’d suggested he fly into Dallas/Fort Worth, but I know he’s anxious to get home to Tomball. And I’m glad he’s not on those highways tonight.

We have a new baby girl next door to us, and Jordan got a picture of a smiling Jacob holding her. Yeah, she looks a bit scrunched up, but it doesn’t seem to bother her—she’s sleeping peacefully. Jacob always wanted a baby sister. Once when he was about three, I caught him cradling a crumpled up set of pajamas in his arms. He looked at me and explained, “This is my baby sister.” I guess the Lord never saw fit to give us that little girl. Her name was chosen, and Jacob has been told it’s now his name for his first daughter.

A peaceful, quiet day in the cottage. I got some work done—a blog, some copy for a newsletter, and a rough rough start on an epilogue to my book about the Waggoner ranch and its place in Texas history. That kind of stuff is hard to write. There’s no research in front of you, just the whole body of what you’ve written from which you have to draw conclusions. I had promised my editor the book would have a feminist slant—now I’m not sure that’s working out. She’s terrific though, and I’m looking forward to her comments.

I decided spending days at home is not good for me, although I’ve gotten out every day this week. But just to get out, I took a shirt to the cleaners. Part of the value of that was the driving—my old insecurities about driving have started to come back, but today I was delighted with how comfortable I felt behind the wheel of my 2004 VW convertible. I do love that car, and I can easily make it twist and turn to avoid Jordan’s big SUV parked next to me, the new fence, and the gate in our jiggedy-jogging 1920s driveway. I’m going to keep doing small errands. Besides, the shirt is a favorite and I want it back yesterday! The cleaners, knowing about my walker, gives me cheerful curbside service. People are so nice for the most part.