First Moon Landing at Camp Cho Yeh

It sounds pretty lame today, but it was a big deal 40 years ago. I was at Camp Cho Yeh in Livingston, Texas when it was time for the first Moonwalk (not by Michael Jackson, children!) There were no video recorders or TEVO back then . . . if you missed it, you really missed it (except now we can click on the You Tube link above and watch it like it was the first time)! So the camp director plugged in a big black and white console TV in their front yard, and the whole camp came over with sleeping bags to watch the historic moment. I may not have been able to see the TV picture much better than it looks today, but it was pretty awesome to be in the Texas piney woods under a black sky loaded with stars, watching Neil Armstrong take "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Escape Plans

I was really "to my point" today when I received the glad tidings that we WILL be taking a one-week vacation after all. Oh joy and gladness! The good news jogged my memory of a little book that has brought Melinda and me many smiles and fun: How to Draw a Clam: A Wonderful Vacation Planner, by Joy Sikorski. This clever "retro" artist/author announces: "If you believe that one should always be on vacation as a matter of principle . . . This Book Is For You."

Following is a test called "How to know if you need a vacation" . . .

1. Does the sound of a bird singing get on your nerves?
2. Have you recently announced with vehemence, "I don't give a hoot about anybody!"
3. Do you believe that no amount of money can compensate for the sacrifice you make just showing up each day?
4. Do you tend to embellish? Did you say to someone, "There's a terrible storm in the 26th floor conference room?"
5. Does the motto "Revive the Muumuu" stirl longings in your breast?


If more than one is answered YES, you too, need a vacation. . .

Am I My Neighbor's Sprinkler?

My deep bed garden is just starting to produce its first viable vegetables . . . today I'll be making a salad with homegrown lettuce, cucumber, bell pepper and my first big tomato! All my patio veggies seem to be doing okay, but I have to get up every morning and make sure they have enough moisture to make it through another day in the 90's. Most mornings you can find me barefoot, pajama-clad, poking my fingers into the dust-dry dirt . . . but lately, everytime I check on the "big" garden, it's as moist as can be. A few days ago I finally learned why. My backyard neighbor just planted some new grass against the fence we share and he's been turning on the sprinkler every morning before my little visits. Then last night I discovered that he waters a little every evening, too. Jackpot!! I really should walk around the corner and thank him for all the free water, but I wouldn't wanna jinx it, or cause him to stumble with philosophical questions like "Am I my brother's keeper?" I do hope his new grass takes hold sometime in late September . . .