Today I met a new kind of cowboy. Well, not really NEW but considering the MARFAlous life's dictionary says a cowboy is one who works with cattle and horses on a ranch, wears hott jeans, sports boots on a daily basis, and has a sexy southern drawl, NEW will definitely apply here. I was at my yearly doctor checkup (one of FOUR doctor appointments I had today!) and waiting to check out. In front of me, like 3 feet ahead, stood the tall, very attractive, and very famous Troy Aikman. Yes, the man who spent many years and much energy playing for the Dallas Cowboys goes to the same doctor's office as I do. After being informed while his back was to us that the man ahead was, in fact, the famous Troy Aikman, I had a dilemma: a) do I acknowledge that fact that, sir, you are THE Troy Aikman and allow myself proper flustering and blushing time...maybe even snag an autograph?? OR b) do I attempt to be normal and merely wish him good day? In the moments I had to decide, I chose the latter. I figure that he does in fact know that he is THE Troy Aikman and would probably rather get on out of the doctor's office and on with his day.
After a sexy eye contact moment and a brief smile, we quickly wished each other good day.
Marfa means...MY CAR IS FIXED!!!
5.24.2010
5.22.2010
favorite desserts for "on-the-road."
Here is a top 5. After all, it is summertime and everyone needs to treat themselves for making it to this point in the year. Take a hint: go try one :)
5) Wendy's Frosty. Don't go against tradition - stick with the chocolate. It's just blasphemy to order a vanilla frosty.
4) Vanilla Cream Dr. Pepper - not an edible favorite but still delicious. It has the caffeine and sugar to keep you awake after MILE and MILES of interstate pavement, the sweet and undeniable flavor of Dr. Pepper (a texas staple...), and the creaminess of vanilla cream. Plus, we can't forget the famous Sonic Ice used to keep all their drinks lastingly cold and refreshing!
3) Sour Patch Kids. Chewy, tart, and oh so cute. I dare you to "save them for later"...
2) Dairy Queen Dipped Cone. Talk about a STAPLE for summertime sweetness. The expert combination of classic flavors: vanilla soft serve, cake cone, crunchy chocolate shell, and that unique DQ technique used in the cones. Don't worry about savoring or taking your time - it will melt faster than you can eat it!
1) And finally might not be surprising to those who know me...a DQ BLIZZARD!! John and I have tshirts claiming us as the Blizzard King and the Blizzard Queen. It's true - we are passionate and proud of our love for this tasty treat. His flavor: Oreo. Mine: Chocolate Extreme - with extra brownie please! Although, I'm choosing the Ooey Gooey Caramel Brownie more and more these days. Who can refuse the smooth caramel and chewy brownie combo??
5) Wendy's Frosty. Don't go against tradition - stick with the chocolate. It's just blasphemy to order a vanilla frosty.
4) Vanilla Cream Dr. Pepper - not an edible favorite but still delicious. It has the caffeine and sugar to keep you awake after MILE and MILES of interstate pavement, the sweet and undeniable flavor of Dr. Pepper (a texas staple...), and the creaminess of vanilla cream. Plus, we can't forget the famous Sonic Ice used to keep all their drinks lastingly cold and refreshing!
3) Sour Patch Kids. Chewy, tart, and oh so cute. I dare you to "save them for later"...
2) Dairy Queen Dipped Cone. Talk about a STAPLE for summertime sweetness. The expert combination of classic flavors: vanilla soft serve, cake cone, crunchy chocolate shell, and that unique DQ technique used in the cones. Don't worry about savoring or taking your time - it will melt faster than you can eat it!
1) And finally might not be surprising to those who know me...a DQ BLIZZARD!! John and I have tshirts claiming us as the Blizzard King and the Blizzard Queen. It's true - we are passionate and proud of our love for this tasty treat. His flavor: Oreo. Mine: Chocolate Extreme - with extra brownie please! Although, I'm choosing the Ooey Gooey Caramel Brownie more and more these days. Who can refuse the smooth caramel and chewy brownie combo??
my little white car.
I forgot to state that all of this driving, all 1300 miles of it, is not with Lola. I had to leave my beautiful red, Ford companion at home in Marfa with the car-fixer while I travel throughout our Lone Star State. I am currently traveling in a little white Hyundai. I recommend it - GOOD gas mileage, easy ride, very spacious. Granted, it's no Lola. But, not bad.
After finally making it to Midland to rent the car, I got to spend close to three hours at the sausage fest called Enterprise Rentals. It was me, the boys "working", and NO cars due to a hail storm the night before. But, as promised, I finally got the little white car, said a dieu to my new male friends, and hit the road for the next leg of my trip. Yay for rental cars, yay for good gas mileage, yay for insurance paying :)
***UPDATE: I must correct myself. My time at Enterprise was thoroughly enjoyable. I was well taken care of. The delay was due to a huge hailstorm in town the night before - the damage put all cars out of commission until they could be fixed. As soon as a car with no damage was available, I got it. Sorry for any confusion! The guys and gal of Enterprise took good care of me.
After finally making it to Midland to rent the car, I got to spend close to three hours at the sausage fest called Enterprise Rentals. It was me, the boys "working", and NO cars due to a hail storm the night before. But, as promised, I finally got the little white car, said a dieu to my new male friends, and hit the road for the next leg of my trip. Yay for rental cars, yay for good gas mileage, yay for insurance paying :)
***UPDATE: I must correct myself. My time at Enterprise was thoroughly enjoyable. I was well taken care of. The delay was due to a huge hailstorm in town the night before - the damage put all cars out of commission until they could be fixed. As soon as a car with no damage was available, I got it. Sorry for any confusion! The guys and gal of Enterprise took good care of me.
a taste of texas.
For those of you unaware, I am smack dab in the middle of an extensive texas tour. Only a true Texas lover could spend this much time in the car, see this many places, and actually enjoy each added mile. In 24 hours, I went from Marfa where there are mountains and cowboys to Midland where oil rigs decorate the horizon to San Antonio where there are rolling hills and house after house after house to El Campo where farm land and farmers make up 90% of the scenery. Talk about a day! I then proceeded to Dallas, where I am currently, for my little brother's (though he's hardly my little brother anymore) high school graduation and some family time in the Big D. He looked so sharp in the white tux that the boys wear, sitting on the outdoor stage, and taking that next step to becoming a big kid. Look at how dashing he is (with myself and the parentals):
Naomi (oldest of us three) is currently living the life of a Euro chick in Espana. We have missed her these last six months as our family had many big moments together: Christmas, a death and funeral of a beloved friend, Easter, Zac's graduation, etc. But we know she is living the adventure of a lifetime and that makes her absence a bit easier on everyone. Plus, good thing there is Skype - she joined us on Christmas morning and Valentine's Day from half-way around the world! Anyways, growing up with two domineering sisters means Zac suffered many smooches over the years. However, when I was little, I never actually put my lips to his face - he was my little brother and therefore too dirty for my lips. Here is a customary photo from last night's festivities (hermana, you have your side waiting for you...):
He is just so handsome. Sorry girls - he is very much taken!
So, here I sit in my childhood home full on yummy deliciousness that is only found in Big D. I love the food in Lubbock, I love the food in Marfa. But, coming to Dallas opens SO many doors to the world of culinary arts that are rare for those like me who, sadly, don't care to return to the city all that often. My newest realization: I HATE the city. It is great for shopping, going out to eat, and the cultural scene on occasion. But, it's not a place I need to live...ever. Lubbock is just big enough for me, Marfa just quaint enough. If you know any respectable, single men in the age group of 24-30 that prefer small town life to the city, pass along my name and number. I'm on the lookout and always up for a sneaky matchmaker moment!
Next on my agenda? Quick trip to Midland and then Marfa to pick up my car on Tuesday, San Antonio for Wednesday evening/night, and then Austin for the final grandchild's high school graduation. Weird to all be out of high school and in "the real world"...
Marfa means...a resting place before, in the midst of, and after all this traveling!
Naomi (oldest of us three) is currently living the life of a Euro chick in Espana. We have missed her these last six months as our family had many big moments together: Christmas, a death and funeral of a beloved friend, Easter, Zac's graduation, etc. But we know she is living the adventure of a lifetime and that makes her absence a bit easier on everyone. Plus, good thing there is Skype - she joined us on Christmas morning and Valentine's Day from half-way around the world! Anyways, growing up with two domineering sisters means Zac suffered many smooches over the years. However, when I was little, I never actually put my lips to his face - he was my little brother and therefore too dirty for my lips. Here is a customary photo from last night's festivities (hermana, you have your side waiting for you...):
He is just so handsome. Sorry girls - he is very much taken!
So, here I sit in my childhood home full on yummy deliciousness that is only found in Big D. I love the food in Lubbock, I love the food in Marfa. But, coming to Dallas opens SO many doors to the world of culinary arts that are rare for those like me who, sadly, don't care to return to the city all that often. My newest realization: I HATE the city. It is great for shopping, going out to eat, and the cultural scene on occasion. But, it's not a place I need to live...ever. Lubbock is just big enough for me, Marfa just quaint enough. If you know any respectable, single men in the age group of 24-30 that prefer small town life to the city, pass along my name and number. I'm on the lookout and always up for a sneaky matchmaker moment!
Next on my agenda? Quick trip to Midland and then Marfa to pick up my car on Tuesday, San Antonio for Wednesday evening/night, and then Austin for the final grandchild's high school graduation. Weird to all be out of high school and in "the real world"...
Marfa means...a resting place before, in the midst of, and after all this traveling!
5.16.2010
a weekend of destruction.
Well, I think it would be safest if I was given the boundaries of my porch, bedroom, and kitchen here at the Marfa house. Today I was asked what's new in my life...let me share with yall what is new since Friday night...
1) There I was driving on the ranch road home from my friend's house. Just wanted to catch up and see him for a bit. And the next thing I know, my car is up on rocks and swerving towards a large hill of earth/rock (picture a cliff that is about 15 feet high and dirt/rock mix)...then I swerve to prevent this large hill...go another probably 15 yards and end up lodged on a very large cement rock/block structure. From the moment it began until that ending atop the infamous rock, it was a good 55-60 yards of fear, panic, and trying to not flip. Actually, the fact that I DIDN'T flip or get hurt anymore than the busted oil pan is a miracle in and of itself. You know that song, "Jesus take the wheel..."?? Well, He did just that on Friday night. After an afternoon with my friend, Sam, of jacking up the car, removing said rock from underneath, and figuring out how to rope her behind his truck, we arrived back in M-town to assess the damage. What should take about 20 minutes on a paved road to get home took over an hour due to driving 10 miles an hour with a little red car behind the big, savior truck. At least Lola was safe and able to be fixed!
2) Then today I was, being the good granddaughter that I am, mowing the lawn instead of hiring someone else to do it. I had gotten into my mowing zone and was solely focused on destroying the large bush of weeds before me. They were at least 3 feet tall and a large amount of them - I thought that surely my strength, determination, and newly established mowing skills could defeat said bush. Well, I did...after busting a sneaky PVC plumbing pipe that was hidden amongst the weeds! It was a spring of fresh, delicious water flowing freely onto the very dry ground of our backyard...only, water is a limited commodity out here and it needed to be rescued, not wasted on pestering weeds! I frantically grabbed my phone and called the only logical person that could help in dire moments: my mother. Well, her being in Dallas and not being a plumber did not help too much...she instructed me to head to Wayne's across the street and then Dan's behind our house. Anyways, after about 30 minutes of the three of us (ok, just them two...I just stood by and watched) digging out the water power nozzle thing, turning off the water, replacing the chopped off top to the pvc pipe, and returning the water on, we (or maybe just they...) fixed it. In reality, it was not a huge deal thanks to my VERY generous and understanding neighbors. But, it was still yet another destructive move of mine, though not on purpose, and another life lesson to add to the books.
So, I have had my share of excitement, stupidity, and fixing problems that were probably easily prevented in the first place. Man, it's exhausting being me! The car is actually not so bad since a oil pan is nothing in comparison to what the damage could have been. The problem there is that I was supposed to leave for Houston on Tuesday for a 12 day drive/adventure throughout Texas for various graduations, family times, and friend seeings. Lola will not be accompanying me on this adventure and I am currently trying to figure out a) can I get a rental car for a decent price that insurance will cover and b) can I get back to Marfa by Saturday night?? These both need to happen as I have no dollars and I work on Sunday morning. Great.
On a lighter note and to add some humor to the post (although, both of the former scenarios definitely have elements of humor and ridiculousness...), I had a delicous dipped cone from DQ today. I was working on researching the rental car situation this afternoon when it hit me: I need...I want...I DESERVE a DQ dipped cone! Well, I am currently carless and my legs are tired from today's run and mowing adventure so I proceeded to dig out the bicycles hidden in the garage. After hauling the first to the alley, I realized it had a flat. After hauling the 2nd to the alley, I realized that biking up hill with tired legs is EXHAUSTING! But there was the creaminess of DQ soft-serve, the crunch of the cake cone, and the deliciousness of the hard chocolate shell in my vision pressing me on towards the goal: DQ. Though I am sure I looked ridiculous, I made it to this place of deliciousness and sat on the curb whilst enjoying my sweet, crunchy, chocolatey treat. What a way to end the day...until it started sprinkling and I still had to get home! Oh well. Tammy accompanied on the phone while I pedaled through a light sprinkle...I took the long route home just to avoid the dreaded hill behind the house. Trust me - it was worth the extra .3241 miles that it might have taken me.
All in all, my first weekend here in Marfa was, well, MARFAlous. It had plenty of moments to keep me on my toes, time catching up with friends, and ended with a classic treat from a classic stop. I hope you all were as active and entertained as I was this weekend but maybe a bit less destructive in the process. Happy Sunday and love from the little house on the hill.
Marfa means...small enough to bike for a needed DQ treat when your car is currently out of service.
1) There I was driving on the ranch road home from my friend's house. Just wanted to catch up and see him for a bit. And the next thing I know, my car is up on rocks and swerving towards a large hill of earth/rock (picture a cliff that is about 15 feet high and dirt/rock mix)...then I swerve to prevent this large hill...go another probably 15 yards and end up lodged on a very large cement rock/block structure. From the moment it began until that ending atop the infamous rock, it was a good 55-60 yards of fear, panic, and trying to not flip. Actually, the fact that I DIDN'T flip or get hurt anymore than the busted oil pan is a miracle in and of itself. You know that song, "Jesus take the wheel..."?? Well, He did just that on Friday night. After an afternoon with my friend, Sam, of jacking up the car, removing said rock from underneath, and figuring out how to rope her behind his truck, we arrived back in M-town to assess the damage. What should take about 20 minutes on a paved road to get home took over an hour due to driving 10 miles an hour with a little red car behind the big, savior truck. At least Lola was safe and able to be fixed!
2) Then today I was, being the good granddaughter that I am, mowing the lawn instead of hiring someone else to do it. I had gotten into my mowing zone and was solely focused on destroying the large bush of weeds before me. They were at least 3 feet tall and a large amount of them - I thought that surely my strength, determination, and newly established mowing skills could defeat said bush. Well, I did...after busting a sneaky PVC plumbing pipe that was hidden amongst the weeds! It was a spring of fresh, delicious water flowing freely onto the very dry ground of our backyard...only, water is a limited commodity out here and it needed to be rescued, not wasted on pestering weeds! I frantically grabbed my phone and called the only logical person that could help in dire moments: my mother. Well, her being in Dallas and not being a plumber did not help too much...she instructed me to head to Wayne's across the street and then Dan's behind our house. Anyways, after about 30 minutes of the three of us (ok, just them two...I just stood by and watched) digging out the water power nozzle thing, turning off the water, replacing the chopped off top to the pvc pipe, and returning the water on, we (or maybe just they...) fixed it. In reality, it was not a huge deal thanks to my VERY generous and understanding neighbors. But, it was still yet another destructive move of mine, though not on purpose, and another life lesson to add to the books.
So, I have had my share of excitement, stupidity, and fixing problems that were probably easily prevented in the first place. Man, it's exhausting being me! The car is actually not so bad since a oil pan is nothing in comparison to what the damage could have been. The problem there is that I was supposed to leave for Houston on Tuesday for a 12 day drive/adventure throughout Texas for various graduations, family times, and friend seeings. Lola will not be accompanying me on this adventure and I am currently trying to figure out a) can I get a rental car for a decent price that insurance will cover and b) can I get back to Marfa by Saturday night?? These both need to happen as I have no dollars and I work on Sunday morning. Great.
On a lighter note and to add some humor to the post (although, both of the former scenarios definitely have elements of humor and ridiculousness...), I had a delicous dipped cone from DQ today. I was working on researching the rental car situation this afternoon when it hit me: I need...I want...I DESERVE a DQ dipped cone! Well, I am currently carless and my legs are tired from today's run and mowing adventure so I proceeded to dig out the bicycles hidden in the garage. After hauling the first to the alley, I realized it had a flat. After hauling the 2nd to the alley, I realized that biking up hill with tired legs is EXHAUSTING! But there was the creaminess of DQ soft-serve, the crunch of the cake cone, and the deliciousness of the hard chocolate shell in my vision pressing me on towards the goal: DQ. Though I am sure I looked ridiculous, I made it to this place of deliciousness and sat on the curb whilst enjoying my sweet, crunchy, chocolatey treat. What a way to end the day...until it started sprinkling and I still had to get home! Oh well. Tammy accompanied on the phone while I pedaled through a light sprinkle...I took the long route home just to avoid the dreaded hill behind the house. Trust me - it was worth the extra .3241 miles that it might have taken me.
All in all, my first weekend here in Marfa was, well, MARFAlous. It had plenty of moments to keep me on my toes, time catching up with friends, and ended with a classic treat from a classic stop. I hope you all were as active and entertained as I was this weekend but maybe a bit less destructive in the process. Happy Sunday and love from the little house on the hill.
Marfa means...small enough to bike for a needed DQ treat when your car is currently out of service.
5.13.2010
a few thoughts.
Today I went running after work - I normally go running in the mornings, on a treadmill, and in Lubbock where the land is flat even if I did run outside. Needless to say, the run didn't go so well. I am a bit nervous that if I THOUGHT I was in shape, what out of shape looks like! Granted I haven't worked out in a few days, had a big night out (mmm cold beer) before leaving Lubbock, and ate only a few hours before running today. But still, I hurt more than I normally do. Bummer. But, in the lack of running that I did and the replacement of speed walking, I had plenty of time to think through things. Here is a blueprint of some thoughts from today's workout experience:
- There are a two things in life that I can honestly say I HATE:
1) BIRDS. Don't like them, think they're gross and disease carrying, am annoyed by a bird chirp waking me up, they can fly and I cannot. Yes, I have seen the famous movie, The Birds, but do not attribute that to my extreme dislike and even more extreme fear of the avis race. I have had far too many experiences with birds that are weird, uncanny, and a bit neurotic. I envision them flying AT me and pecking at me. It has happened before - this is not just a freakish issue I have. Today's run brought me passing under a tree as about 15 HUGE and FAT crows decided to leave the limbs and embrace the sky. If only they had waited until I was not UNDER the tree.
2) BARKING DOGS. Especially the little yappy ones. While large dogs are capable of knocking me over and destroying me, little yappy ones are the kind that most often decide to chase running girls with their annoying "yip yip yipping" and could use their extremely sharp teeth to do some serious work on my famous calves. This also happened...TWICE today. Perhaps running from stupid dogs at an extraordinary pace could be the reason I was so much more tired than normal?
- I still really really want to participate in a half-marathon. John, my best friend who is now with Jesus, was an avid runner. He spent his high school and college years planning his days and diet around running - no Dr. Pepper during season! As I got more interested in running (and joined the cross country team in HS for the sole purpose of fulfilling that dreaded sport credit...), we were able to share running stories with each other. Granted, John's mileage more than doubled mine but running is running no matter how far you can, or let yourself, go. Anyways, I would love to run a half-marathon and raise money for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. Maybe more research would have lead to a speedier diagnosis. Who knows. Either way, this is a goal for my life. I have put it off due to a lack of energy that both I and Gabby, my therapist who I love and completely attribute my sanity to, have decided I just don't have as I continue to experience this thing called GRIEF. But, one day, I will be at the point where I can, and will, run the entire 13 miles of a half-marathon. Until then, I will keep training to at least cover the distance - even if it, like today, includes some speed walking :)
I have prematurely restarted many online training coaches - once they tell me to go 6 or 7 miles I say PEACE - solely because it requires more distance than I am ready, or capable, of going right now. New plan: just finish the required mileage. It is a 12 week program - in 12 weeks I will be headed back to the hubcity after a refreshing summer mixed with some big "firsts" without my main man to join in on the fun. It will be good to focus on this. Readers, whoever you are if you are even there, encourage me, please. I want to finish my summer able to go 13 miles - mostly running but a bit o' walking is fine by me. This is more realistic than saying I will run them all and then just quitting out of pure defeat.
- With my newly instated running plan, I must incorporate a new eating plan. I am not in Lubbock anymore with hundreds of options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack. No more Fuzzy's or J&M or Spoonful to entice me EVERY DAY of my life. There are plenty of delicious options here in Marfa but eating out is less of a social experience than it is in Lubtown. I can say no and eat at home without feeling like I am missing out on friend time. New eating plan: mostly just fruits, veggies, and whole grains. But I like yogurt and cheese so add that to the mix. New drinking plan: no more than 2 beers in a night. I love me some cold beer (coors light or dos equis, preferrably, but I won't be picky...) but need to know the limit. It's a defeating moment when you realize that you LITERALLY just drank your daily allowance of calories - and that is normally followed after having already eaten your daily allowance of calories...bummer dude. It makes a potentially toned ab-area a bit softer and less...well, toned. What a bummer to work out - to push through the pain and sweat like a pig (do pigs really sweat??) - only to destroy all that you just did and more by drinking! Vodka-soda with lime, PLEASE! Or maybe some gin if I'm feelin' a little bit frisky...
Now that you know my train of thought during my run, I will leave you to enjoy the first of many summer nights ahead of us. Looks like mine will entail a quick trip to the hotel to scope out the scene followed by some porch time with me, Gus and Call (for those who don't know, these extremely attractive men are the main characters of Lonesome Dove - my current and HIGHLY recommended read). I love my life...my Marfalous life (minus the freakin' buzzards flying way too closely to my house...).
Marfalous life means...you wave to a fellow driver as yall pass on the road.
- There are a two things in life that I can honestly say I HATE:
1) BIRDS. Don't like them, think they're gross and disease carrying, am annoyed by a bird chirp waking me up, they can fly and I cannot. Yes, I have seen the famous movie, The Birds, but do not attribute that to my extreme dislike and even more extreme fear of the avis race. I have had far too many experiences with birds that are weird, uncanny, and a bit neurotic. I envision them flying AT me and pecking at me. It has happened before - this is not just a freakish issue I have. Today's run brought me passing under a tree as about 15 HUGE and FAT crows decided to leave the limbs and embrace the sky. If only they had waited until I was not UNDER the tree.
2) BARKING DOGS. Especially the little yappy ones. While large dogs are capable of knocking me over and destroying me, little yappy ones are the kind that most often decide to chase running girls with their annoying "yip yip yipping" and could use their extremely sharp teeth to do some serious work on my famous calves. This also happened...TWICE today. Perhaps running from stupid dogs at an extraordinary pace could be the reason I was so much more tired than normal?
- I still really really want to participate in a half-marathon. John, my best friend who is now with Jesus, was an avid runner. He spent his high school and college years planning his days and diet around running - no Dr. Pepper during season! As I got more interested in running (and joined the cross country team in HS for the sole purpose of fulfilling that dreaded sport credit...), we were able to share running stories with each other. Granted, John's mileage more than doubled mine but running is running no matter how far you can, or let yourself, go. Anyways, I would love to run a half-marathon and raise money for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. Maybe more research would have lead to a speedier diagnosis. Who knows. Either way, this is a goal for my life. I have put it off due to a lack of energy that both I and Gabby, my therapist who I love and completely attribute my sanity to, have decided I just don't have as I continue to experience this thing called GRIEF. But, one day, I will be at the point where I can, and will, run the entire 13 miles of a half-marathon. Until then, I will keep training to at least cover the distance - even if it, like today, includes some speed walking :)
I have prematurely restarted many online training coaches - once they tell me to go 6 or 7 miles I say PEACE - solely because it requires more distance than I am ready, or capable, of going right now. New plan: just finish the required mileage. It is a 12 week program - in 12 weeks I will be headed back to the hubcity after a refreshing summer mixed with some big "firsts" without my main man to join in on the fun. It will be good to focus on this. Readers, whoever you are if you are even there, encourage me, please. I want to finish my summer able to go 13 miles - mostly running but a bit o' walking is fine by me. This is more realistic than saying I will run them all and then just quitting out of pure defeat.
- With my newly instated running plan, I must incorporate a new eating plan. I am not in Lubbock anymore with hundreds of options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack. No more Fuzzy's or J&M or Spoonful to entice me EVERY DAY of my life. There are plenty of delicious options here in Marfa but eating out is less of a social experience than it is in Lubtown. I can say no and eat at home without feeling like I am missing out on friend time. New eating plan: mostly just fruits, veggies, and whole grains. But I like yogurt and cheese so add that to the mix. New drinking plan: no more than 2 beers in a night. I love me some cold beer (coors light or dos equis, preferrably, but I won't be picky...) but need to know the limit. It's a defeating moment when you realize that you LITERALLY just drank your daily allowance of calories - and that is normally followed after having already eaten your daily allowance of calories...bummer dude. It makes a potentially toned ab-area a bit softer and less...well, toned. What a bummer to work out - to push through the pain and sweat like a pig (do pigs really sweat??) - only to destroy all that you just did and more by drinking! Vodka-soda with lime, PLEASE! Or maybe some gin if I'm feelin' a little bit frisky...
Now that you know my train of thought during my run, I will leave you to enjoy the first of many summer nights ahead of us. Looks like mine will entail a quick trip to the hotel to scope out the scene followed by some porch time with me, Gus and Call (for those who don't know, these extremely attractive men are the main characters of Lonesome Dove - my current and HIGHLY recommended read). I love my life...my Marfalous life (minus the freakin' buzzards flying way too closely to my house...).
Marfalous life means...you wave to a fellow driver as yall pass on the road.
5.12.2010
HERE WE GO!
There is a Spanish saying that goes a little something like this: dinero, amor, salud y el tiempo para gozarles. In English, this translates to: money, love, health and the time to enjoy them. For Latinos, this motto is the foudation of how they live and experience life. Rather than living in the future, constantly trying to make more money or more success for future happiness, the latino culture focuses on the present moment - embracing life as it is right now to gain the most possible. Money is important only because it is used to purchase food, clothing, necessities in life. Love of friends, family, and an intimate relationship are vital to a person's well-being. What is more special than loving life and having someone to share it with? What is more foundational than the relationships with those who share your life and your experiences with you? Health of the mind as well as of the body leads to inner peace, lightheartedness, and an openness to embrace life. For the latino culture, all these things are important in life but it is most important to actually take the time to enjoy them. Without appreciating and embracing these areas of life right now and taking the time to love, be healthy, and use wealth to enhance life, they are wasted.
All this to say, I have found this theory to be true in Marfa. As I unpacked my mountains of STUFF and then walked to the hotel for courtyard drinks, I remembered the slowness of life here. People do not live as much by a schedule or in a frenzy to get from one place to the next. There are responsibilities here, yes, but the main responsibility seems to be relationships. Perhaps it's because in a small town, that's really all you have. Marfa allows for taking the time to enjoy the sunset and meet new friends just because they are sitting next to you. Marfa inspires art of all mediums. Marfa rejuvenates the soul by allowing me to appreciate each moment rather than hurry to the next best thing.
Here I sit on my porch with Patsy Cline crooning through the open windows, the neighbor's horse neighing in the nearby pasture, kids squealing at the playground, and the peaceful breeze rustling through the trees. Already I feel the drug of being where I belong, where I love most, pumping life back into me. After a semester of life changing moments, heavy course load, relationship changes, and overall heartbreak, it is nice to feel and see this opportunity of rejuvenation ahead of me. I am so eager to embrace each moment given to me out here. I know that another summer in Marfa, another summer home, will be just what I need to persevere through my final year of college before making this a permanent move.
All this to say, I have found this theory to be true in Marfa. As I unpacked my mountains of STUFF and then walked to the hotel for courtyard drinks, I remembered the slowness of life here. People do not live as much by a schedule or in a frenzy to get from one place to the next. There are responsibilities here, yes, but the main responsibility seems to be relationships. Perhaps it's because in a small town, that's really all you have. Marfa allows for taking the time to enjoy the sunset and meet new friends just because they are sitting next to you. Marfa inspires art of all mediums. Marfa rejuvenates the soul by allowing me to appreciate each moment rather than hurry to the next best thing.
Here I sit on my porch with Patsy Cline crooning through the open windows, the neighbor's horse neighing in the nearby pasture, kids squealing at the playground, and the peaceful breeze rustling through the trees. Already I feel the drug of being where I belong, where I love most, pumping life back into me. After a semester of life changing moments, heavy course load, relationship changes, and overall heartbreak, it is nice to feel and see this opportunity of rejuvenation ahead of me. I am so eager to embrace each moment given to me out here. I know that another summer in Marfa, another summer home, will be just what I need to persevere through my final year of college before making this a permanent move.
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