Back in McCamey

The "Mix-master" in Fort Worth

We made the long drive back from Georgia today after stopping for the night in Monroe, Louisiana.  It was a nice drive made even better with two stops at Cracker Barrels!

We're happy to be home!

It's a four-state day

Belinda and Heather in Columbus, GA

Cracker Barrel - Montgomery, AL

Crossing the Mississippi River

We had a full day today - checking out of the apartment in Columbus and driving through parts of four states: starting in Georgia, then into Alabama and Mississippi, before stopping for the night in Louisiana.

After futting the finishing touches cleaning the apartment and loading the last-minute items into the truck, we checked-out with Heather at the apartment office.  Such a delightful lady!

We drove through periods of rain throughout Alabama and into Mississippi.  Not too bad, all things considered!  Belinda had a really good day - two Cracker Barrel meals!  A good day for one and all!

Hold on to your sombrero!

We are heading back to Texas today, having finished the packing/cleaning ahead of the rain that is headed this way.  We had a great time at the Bavarian House last night for supper, the last night in Georgia! 

So many good experiences in Columbus, we know that God has something amazing planned for our future so we are holding on to our sombreros and heading west!

Button update!

Charles had a surprise on Thursday: a box from Charles' sister, Jackie,containing among other items, these buttons for his collection!  Charles now has 6,852 buttons in his collection!

171 people have contributed to this collection which was begun in the early 1970's. 

The Top 25 donors (bold print indicate family members):

PLACE	NAME	NUMBER GIVEN
1	Alkula, Charles	1,971
2	Alkula, Dale	1,180
3	Alkula, Belinda	1,043
4	Condell, Joan	673
5	Alkula, Jackie	345
6	Alkula, Joe	273
7	Alexander, Linda	185
8	Swaar, Warren	104
9	Alkula, Jody	99
10	Jungk, Heather	71
11	Alkula, Mom	55
12	Boda, Sandy	49
13	Clark, Judy	31
14	Chase, Gary	26
15	Chang, Helen	24
16	Kelch, Vicki	22
16	Trapani, Tony	22
18	Hammitt, Mo	20
18	Swaar, Dee Dee	20
19	Baumbach, Don	19
20	Hatch, Stacy	18
21	Swaar, Kathy	17
22	Lynch, Julie	15
22	Stickley, Russ	15
23	Herritt, Donna	14
23	Stickley, Lucy	14
25	Barlow, Bob	12
25	Fish, Paulette	12

Badger Baseball!

First pitch of the season!

Pastor David Snodgrass & Andy Andrews enjoy the game

Sunset in McCamey

It was opening day for the McCamey High School baseball team as they took on Fort Stockton in a late afternoon game.  It was rather cool evening, in the low 50s at game time, and it was something of a relief when the game was called after the fifth inning with McCamey on top, 15-5.

Blustery day in west Texas (again!)

Sunrise at the parsonage

just south of Iraan

Thanks to the civic-minded people in McCamey

Easter lily planted in 2010 coming back for the second year

purple and white iris coming in nicely

After rising early this morning, Charles made the drive to Eldorado this morning for a meeting for the San Angelo District (of the Southwest Texas Conference) clergy and other professionals.  Great group and the food the folks at the First UMC prepared was wonderful!

On the way back Charles spotted a ewe and a tiny lamb by the side of the road.  So cute!  Here in McCamey there are many signs that spring isn't that far off.  There are two daffodils poking up in a container on the main street and in our backyard, three Easter lilies can be seen sending up leaves above the ground cover.  We also have heather starting to bloom and the Iris (purple and white) is coming along nicely!

It's official...

It's official - Our District Superintendent introduced the Rev. Ken Houston, Jr. (currently at Island in the Son UMC - Corpus Christi) as the new pastor of the First UMC - Iraan/ First UMC - Mccamey to a joint session of the Pastor-Parish Relation Committee for the two congregations tonight at the church in McCamey. The appointment is effective July 1st.

At this time Belinda and I do not know where we will be come July 1st.  We've enjoyed our time in west Texas and are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us in the next chapter of our lives.

Paver Dedication at the National Infantry Museum

Belinda attended today's pavers' dedication at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia... along the Heritage Walk.  (You can click on "heritage walk" and see more pictures from the day.)  There was a moving dedication ceremony.  Afterwards, attendees located the pavers dedicated to family and friends.  Guides distributed pieces of paper and pencils, so folks could do a "rubbing" of their pavers.  

It was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining, and there seemed to be an atmosphere of reverence and peace about everyone in attendance.  Thanks be to God for people who take the time to honor loved ones' contributions in the service of their country!

A foggy start to the day

We had some moisture in the air this morning in the form of some heavy fog between McCamey and Iraan. It made for an pretty drive to church in Iraan!

A busy week in Texas



Iraan lunch bunch on Tuesday

An Odessa "jackrabbit" on Wednesday

McCamey Convalescent Center coffee on Thursday

United Methodists on the Town in McCamey on Friday

We don't actually have a cat, but if we did, this is what it would have been seeing this morning in McCamey.

"It's been a quiet week in Lake Woebegon, Texas..."

After his trips to San Angelo on Monday (with a couple of icey patches on the road), one to Odessa on Wednesday and one to Midland on Friday, Charles was content to enjoy a WET day in McCamey on Saturday!  The backyard rain gauge showed .8" since last night, a welcome sign to be certain.

This morning in Angelo

This morning, Charles had an appointment in San Angelo and afterwards, he stopped for coffee at Belinda's mother's home.  Belinda and Charles wanted Mo (aka, Sheila Hammit) to have something for Valentine's Day, and so Charles presented Mo with a "lucky bamboo" plant with pretty silk flowers.

Mo showed off her latest creation, a tea-cozy she had knitted for a friend of hers who absolutely loves beading.  The "B" in beehive stands for beading don't you know!

On the way home, Charles spotted a tribe of goats enjoying the pleasant weather.  After the cold and snow of last weekend it is hard to believe it is still winter on a beautiful day like this one!

As seen in McCamey

As Charles was coming out of Benoit's on Thursday following the Lions Club meeting, he spotted something rather unexpected: A chicken!  He would have expected this in Key West, not in McCamey!
At the parsonage, one of the potted plants that had been placed by front door has a pretty yellow bloom.  Outside, Charles moved some cacti away from the house and placed them out by the one we had already moved there.  In the back, the metal flowers were also moved, now these can be seen from the kitchen!

They grow 'em big in Texas!

Charles was in Odessa on Wednesday and took these pictures of some of the jackrabbits that can be found around the city.  Even the bunnies are big in Texas!

Today in west Texas

"Are you looking at me?"



Some of the turbines that can be seen around the Permian Basin

We never know what we're going to encounter when driving in west Texas.  This morning as Charles was driving to Iraan for the First UMC worship service, he spotted a deer standing by the side of the road.  As he slowed down, the deer glanced up with something in its mouth.  It looked like the deer had a red nose, but that could be Charles' imagination!

The buck leaped gracefully over the fence and before disappearing into the mesquite, took a last look at Charles (sans red nose!).

Quick trip to NM

Snow clouds over Albuquerque, NM

VA Hospital - Albuquerque, NM

"Four Chaplains Memorial" - Albuquerque, NM VA Hospital

Roswell, NM

Charles had to make a quick trip to the VA Hospital in Albuquerque, NM yesterday and while the trip was a quick one (in terms of how long he was in NM, not how long it took to get there!), he enjoyed the road trip. 

One small highlight of the trip was driving through Roswell, NM, famous for its connection with alien encounters.  He also took the Lexus over 100,000 miles which isn't bad considering it is 16 years-old!