Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Texas State Flower...

Blue Bonnets


Bluebonnets have been loved since man first trod the vast prairies of Texas.
Indians wove fascinating folk tales around them.

The early-day Spanish priests gathered the seeds and grew them around their missions.

This practice gave rise to the myth that the padres had brought the plant from Spain,

but this cannot be true since the two predominant species of bluebonnets are found

growing naturally only in Texas and at no other location in the world. 



As historian Jack Maguire so aptly wrote,
"It's not only the state flower but also a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and the Stetson hat."


He goes on to affirm that
"The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." 




The ballad of our singing governor, the late W. Lee O'Daniel, goes,
"You may be on the plains or the mountains or down where the sea breezes blow, but bluebonnets are one of the prime factors that make the state the most beautiful land that we know.



This week I’ve discovered Blue Bonnets, not sure what took me so long. 
We are approaching our two year mark of being in Texas.
So naturally I started researching where I could find Blue Bonnets to see them for myself. 
San Antonio has it’s own website and people report where they’ve seen 
Blue Bonnets
But Blue Bonnets grow in the Spring time and don’t last very long. 
I didn’t want to miss out. I love flowers, especially a State Flower.
I discovered a plant farm in Fredricksburg, Texas which is 85 miles away. 
My husband laughed at me "I’m not driving two hours for you to see a flower."
I tried to bargain with him but we’ve always wanted to see the German town with yummy food our friends have raved about.
So Fredricksburg will have to wait but eventually we will go!
Today, my husband texted me a picture of Blue Bonnets from a customer house. 
Yes, I will have to plant some in the future.
When my husband came home he told me let’s go. I think I know where some Blue Bonnets are. So off we went.
As Al drove I noticed some in a field but we decided to keep driving. We found some pretty blue bonnets growing in a different field.
Al became the photographer and I became his model. Ha ha ha


            It feels like awhile since I've given an update on our lives in Texas. 
                                             It’s been a crazy few months. 
Al promised me 2014 would be our year but so far it’s had quite a few bumps.
Surprise's of happiness that turned into heartache and many tears.
I feel so blessed for my friends in my church who have helped me smile and have listened to me.
Mostly, my husband who has given a solid foundation.
So grateful for my wonderful grandparents and parents.
I love that my dad is never too busy and always answers the phone 
when I call. The sweetest words from my dad “It’s ok sweetheart”
We took a BIG step we went to a foster care meeting. 
We’ve always always talked about being foster parents.
We came home feeling a bit overwhelmed and one day we will be 
foster parents.
We feel like currently we just don’t have the right house to make it work.
I’ve been asked to serve as the 1st counselor in our 
church Women’s Relief Society.
It came at just the right time and allowed me not to focus on me but to serve the women in our church.
It’s very new to me but I’m learning.
I applied for graduate school here in San Antonio which is a BIG step for me.
I’ve been accepted to a few schools but it was never the right timing or area to live.
I continue to apply for employment and doing my best to sell myself.
Which I’m not very good at but hoping the right career will find me.
Al is doing great as he continues to sell for his company Vivint.
In his spare time he’s been working on his car and where hoping soon we’ll have a second car once again.
Spring doesn’t last very long in San Antonio so
I’m excited for the summer and all the adventures that will come our way….