Finally Friday - A Rant (plus pretty flower pics) About Parking Fees

Yep - I did not sit on any bluebonnets for this picture.  It's a sacred thing in  Texas.  Nothing  was harmed!

 And a wow shot of a field of Indian paintbrush. 

So -the rant.  You do not see me or Ray at the Sugar Ridge Winery and that's a shame. I was ready to sample and  buy some wine,  plus perhaps eat an  overpriced lunch in a pretty setting. BUT - as  we pulled in  it was Valet Parking only for $10.  

NO - that broke my spirit.  They were  taking full advantage of  the Bluebonnet Festival  audience. So they lost a bunch more business. 

It flat out pissed me off.

Parking has become a ridiculous price point in the DFW  area.   I'm curious what you are seeing in your area?

Opening Day baseball  parking  $50.  Regular day of no  consequence - $15.  Weekends  $20

Are you going  to wash our car?  Give us something.........

We are still mad  at Abby's high school graduation at Dickie's Arena in Fort Worth - we were charged money for a freakin' high school graduation............

Enough said. 

That's my rant.   I hope you enjoyed some more pretty flower pics - I'm the thorn in the middle - annoyed at the world! 

Cheers  and have  a super good weekend.   Watch  where  you park.

Whatever Wednesday - Ennis Bluebonnet Trail

Sunday - Ray and I headed southeast  to Ennis - a one hour drive.  Such fun - it's the bluebonnet festival time and we enjoyed a gorgeous adventure.  Kachina Prairie walk - 1/2 mile with a nice bison statue.  

A peak into a field of Indian paintbrush

OMG - glorious

Bluebonnets

 Paintbrush

Yes, you can  be sick of my flower posts,  but you have to understand - this is a fabulous April event in Texas.  The right amount of rain, sun, and  weather conditions allowed all of this to happen. 

Not too cold. Not too hot. Not too dry. Not  too rainy.  

It's a freakin' miracle and I'm sharing  it with you.    Thanks Ray for driving  me around the countryside. He's awesome.  And Mother Nature it too. 

Monday Moments - The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

 Whoa!  The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is truly creepy and awesome and I can't tell you much. 

I just got this from the library and read it in two days.   Obsessive reading. 

Does that say enough?  

Millie, fresh out of prison, manages to get a job in Manhattan with the Winchesters.  Really rich folks - Nina and Andrew.  So, what  could go wrong?  Is Nina certifiably nuts?  Is the very young daughter, Cecelia, wacko?  Is the husband,  so dreamy, too good  to be true? 

Yes, yes,  yes. 

And does the attic bedroom door only lock  from the outside?  Yikes!!!!

That's it.  That's all I can say. 

Read it for yourself and find out what the heck happens....Enjoy!

Finally Friday - Let's Take A Walk

What do you do with a glorious spring day?  Wear shorts. Apply sunscreen. Head to the Colleyville Nature Center. And explore new paths

The last time we visited this place (only a ten minute drive), Ray was recovering from his knee replacement.  Thus, we only hit a teeny part of the park. 

Oh my goodness. There was a whole big loop of ponds we had missed. This  was a delightful revelation. 

The spring greens are so electric this time of year. 

Nothing like a little bubbling creek over some rocks to add to the atmosphere. 

Get up now from your computer. Get outside. Find a park. Unless you take some photos, put away the phone. Walk, listen for birds, nod to fellow trekkers.  Have a super good Friday and weekend. 
 

Wednesday Whatever - Moyes Trilogy Finale

 I've been delighted so far with Jojo Moyes books - Me Before You, After You, and now Still Me. 

With the end of the trilogy, I feel sad saying goodbye to Louisa Clark. But after quite the muddling about and many kerfluffles, our young heroine has hit her stride and shall carry on. When I finished it, I pictured Mary Tyler Moore from her old sitcom, throwing her hat triumphantly in the air. And as the saying goes for New York City, if you can make it there you can make it anywhere. 

So, in Still Me, Louisa arrives in New York but it's tough keeping a long distance relationship alive with Sam still in England. Fifth Avenue is a whole other world and she has to watch herself in this new world. Is her new employer her friend? Lou is still naive and has to learn how to navigate. But her bubbly unique self shines through and a treasure filled vintage clothing store helps her find her way. 

I laughed, I worried, I cared about Louisa (and Sam's) journey. Jojo Moyes writes so smoothly. She does not hit a false note and has created very rich fleshed out characters full of foibles and life. Still Me sums up the saga of Louisa. Very fun and entertaining read. 

(Thanks Linda Hoffman for finding these and passing them on!)

Monday Moments - Let's Review Some Easter Joy

Cute little girls before the chocolate mess on the pretty yellow dress

Dakota is 5 - she just bounced through the day, skipping, talking non-stop, and being adorable

Makyla is 14 - braces off and a cool young lady. She rolls her eyes at her younger sisters and gives more instructions than their mother. Ha!

Ray's family. The whole local herd. Sheer coincidence with all of the blue

The sons - Chris and Kevin. They've turned out darn well.  This was before the wrestling match. They are the reason I had footprints on a ceiling back in the day.  Boys!
 

Finally Friday Random

We were driving in the Hill Country and this contrail pattern caught my eye.  Which direction are you going?

I like this quote. Frankly the view in the above picture is rather magical. 

So look up, look down,  take your time to breathe. Sit on your patio or wherever this weekend and take time to find a secret. 

Cheers all!