Another year older....

and another year better!  I had a beautiful birthday filled with family, friends, love and some OUTSTANDING pasta :). A very special present appeared as well. I'm not sure who had it before me, but she must have been a very special lady. Ron had some help from a 'special friend' in going through some antique stores in the Hill Country. The silversmithing on this piece is perfect - all the edges are finished and polished. The marcasites shine with radiance, and the stamp on the back means that whoever made it was proud - and rightly so - of their work. I could not be more pleased. It's perfect, rare and special. So is he :)

Beekman 1802

The Mansion:

One of the products:

Josh and Brent:

About a year ago I literally ran into a TV show while surfing called "The Fabulous Beekman Boys". It was a real-life drama about two guys (Josh and Brent) that were from New York City, got lost during a leaf-peeping, apple-picking jaunt in upstate New York, and came across this beautiful mansion that was for sale. Five bedrooms, five baths, seven fireplaces, a swimming pool and a crypt that holds remains of Beekman and his slaves. That is a pic of the mansion above - here are some shots from the inside --- it is TOTAL gorgeousness. The rest is history. They literally bought the farm, got someone to help them with goat raising/milking (Farmer John), got pigs, lambs, chickens, turkeys and a narcissistic llama with some resident cats.

This is Polka Spot the llama with some of the goats

What followed was a project to where Josh would continue working in advertising in the City coming to the farm on weekends and Brent would be full time on the farm and opening a retail store and other assorted marketing ideas where eventually, they could both stay full time on the farm.

The Store

 I was hooked...the show I happened to watch had mother goats having their baby goats and Farmer John in tears as his prize goat, after a lengthy labor, gave birth to Hallelujah...it touched my heart, and started my ideas turning to my own farm -- not as large, or as fancy and certainly not having a mansion, but a farm. With goats and stuff -- you may have read about it here.

This is Farmer John with his goats -


So, when Annie came to stay with me last year while finishing her clinicals, I introduced to her to my new favorite show. She too, was hooked. Since then, we have continued to talk, Skype, reminiscent conversations regarding Beekman. She got John to watch, and Ron watched as well. Then came Christmas, and Annie and each had similar ideas -- though we didn't share them because we wanted our gifts to be a surprise! Well, no one was more surprised than we were when we found we had each ordered the other Beekman DVDs (and ordered one for ourselves). I also got a Beekman 1802 long sleeved tee - worn by Maria the proprietor of the Beekman retail shoppe who sent me a handwritten card thanking me :) You just can't beat farm people...or goat people...

Books, DVDs, tee shirt and Maria's card. We posted this to the Beekman 1802 Facebook page. Yes, Polka Spot, the Llama has her own Facebook Page too. She is very much in love with herself - news lately is that she awaiting her contract from L'oreal :)

After surprising each other we went on their website and ordered some of their goats milk cheese (which we have seen them make on the show)...

This is the goats milk cheese - actually it is 60% goats milk and 40% cows milk. You see, you need the enzymes in the cows milk to curdle the cheese. It is covered with ash (that black stuff) after aging for 4 months. The milk comes from Beekman goats. We (Ron and I) have been researching this....for the future farm you understand. Now, let me tell you ----- it is DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! (and half gone at this point)

And just so ya know, this cheese has been tasted by many people in the know- and has gotten awesome reviews - including this one and others. All I know is that it is very, very tasty indeed.

Also, they make  goats milk soap. Brent tied 1400 of these packages one weekend for shipment during an episode - one soap created for each month of the year, they all smell differently. Aromas from the smells on the farm during that season...they are awesome....

You can find all of this on the Beekman 1802 website.

So why does this intrigue me and make me so happy? Here you have two people who had a dream, followed that dream, did the work, did the research and learned from others,  and now are reaping the rewards in so many ways. So is the town of Sharon Springs, New York. Before the farm was purchased, the post office was getting ready to shut down and many people were leaving - no jobs. Now, Beekman 1802 has opened a store downtown, others have followed suit and the post office has more work than they know what do with . The show has been temporarily discontinued from Planet Green who is going off the air. I have no doubt it will be picked up shortly by another network. In the meantime, Josh and Brent continue to keep their readers updated, as does Polka Spot, through the social media. The cheese and soaps are showing up in 5 star restaurants, stores, bridal recommendations...etc. etc. etc. And many people like myself see how it really can be done....really done. Really.

I think I will go have some of that cheese ....

P.S.
If you are really interested (or even just sorta interested) you can order the Fabulous Beekman Boys seasons 1 &2 on DVD from Amazon.com. The book entitled The Bucolic Plague is Josh (Kilmer-Purcell's) book concerning this story and can be ordered as well. It is funny, open, honest and a bit snarky in places -- you will enjoy.

Journey To Damascus #99

A three day retreat (no computer, no phone, no watch) full of blessings, grace, friendship, fellowship, scripture, laughter, tears and food...all in bountiful amounts. It was amazing--- so amazing. I will always be thankful that, after three bailouts for various reasons, my friend Kathy DROVE me there to make SURE I attended. Thank you Kathy and Elsie for insisting that I go and receive what I needed, when I didn't even realize what was missing....amazing, lifelong memories that will remain forever in my heart.

Real Character

When I recently visited the new alumni building at A&M University, I was struck by these quotes. Engraved on limestone, compelling, thoughtful and - most importantly in my opinion - submitted by A&M Alumni. There are several outside of the building. When I read this one, it struck a genuine chord in my heart....I have thought of it every day since then. I wonder what the world be like if everyone lived in this manner....

Sylvia Earle

She is a phenomenal woman, and we share a deep respect and love for our oceans. This video, recorded in 2009, is even more timely today than it was then. With the tragedy that is unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico, and more devastation to come - - many lessons to be learned. Dr. Earle is coming to our campus at Texas A&M University as she is chair of the advisory board for the Harte Research Institute that is associated with my university. She will be part of a panel discussion regarding the oil spill in the Gulf as we have several oil spill experts in the institute. I plan to be there, but am not expecting the news to be good.


Sylvia Alice Earle (born August 30, 1935 in Gibbstown, New Jersey) is an American oceanographer. She was chief scientist for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1990-1992. She is a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, sometimes called "Her Deepness" or "The Sturgeon General".[1]
Earle received a B.S. degree from Florida State University (1955), M.S. (1956) and PhD. from Duke University (1966). She was Curator of Phycology at the California Academy of Sciences (1979-1986) and a Research Associate at the University of California, Berkeley (1969-1981), Radcliffe Institute Scholar (1967-1969) and Research Fellow or Associate at Harvard University (1967-1981). She led the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970. In 1979, she made an open-ocean JIM suit dive, setting a women's depth record of 1250 feet (381m); she also holds the women's record for a solo dive in a deep submersible(3280 feet, 1000m). From 1980 to 1984 she served on NACOA (the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere).In 1985 she founded Deep Ocean Engineering along with her husband, engineer and submersible designer Graham Hawkes, to design, operate, support, and consult on piloted and robotic sub sea systems. In 1987 The Deep Ocean Engineering team designed and built the Deep Rover research submarine, which operates down to 1000 meters. She left the company in 1990 to accept an appointment as the Chief Scientist for NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration).
In 1992 she founded Deep Ocean Exploration and Research to further advance marine engineering. Today, Earle serves as Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society and the company known as DOER Marine is run by her daughter. The company continues to design, build and operate innovative equipment for the deep ocean and other challenging environments.
Earle has led more than 400 expeditions worldwide involving in excess of 7000 hours underwater in connection with her research.[2] From 1998 to 2002 she led the Sustainable Seas Expeditions, a five year program to study the United States National Marine Sanctuary sponsored by the National Geographic Society and funded by the Goldman Foundation. An expert on the impact of oil spills, she was called upon to lead several research trips during the Gulf War and following the spills of the ships, Exxon Valdez and Mega Borg.

Meet the Luckiest Dog Ever

Annie came across this black lab puppy in a WalMart parking lot several weeks ago. She called me - had the dog in her car, what to do with the dog? I suggested the local animal shelter. She calls a bit later, "They're full. Now what?". I suggested the local no-kill shelter. Unfortunately, it yielded the same result.

The puppy came home with Annie. She called everyone she knew to find a home. No luck. She heard from the lady at WalMart that the puppy had been there for two days - eating trash from the dumpster, being friendly and telling everyone hello. He wore a collar, no tags. It was obvious that he had been dumped and was waiting for his former owner to pick him up.

So, Annie took the dog in. Bathed him, took to the vet, had him treated for mange and worms, had him neutered, enrolled him in obedience school. Named him Charlie. Charlie was smart, funny, loved the cats, Audrey and anyone that would pet his head. We all fell in love with Charlie.

Then, the apartment folks got wind of Charlie. Annie was told no pets over 25 lbs...Charlie came in at 40 and is still growing.

We were devastated. Annie tried to find a temporary home with friends, friends of friends, and their friends. No luck. We couldn't bear the thought of taking Charlie to a shelter - some shelter somewhere that wasn't full.

But now, good news. John, Annie's boyfriend, has wonderful parents that have a black lab and were thinking of getting another - some day. That day has arrived. Charlie is flying to Virginia this weekend. He will have a wonderful home until Annie is done with her nursing school this summer and then will have a place that will include Charlie.

My heart is full at the goodness of some people - I don't know them but am so thankful that Charlie will have a great home and people that will care for him. A stray at Walmart is going on a plane ride to a very cozy home. What a lucky dog!!!

working with good folks

Seems like all I've been blogging about lately is work, but that is because that is all I've been DOING lately! Here's a pic from this weekends Ninth Annual Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Symposium - put together by moi. Third and last year in a row to do this monster. It's a plethora of details that need to be tended to from ordering the food, scheduling the venue a year ahead of time, getting the program and abstracts organized and printed, gathering judges (its on a Saturday - who wants to work on a Saturday??) and ...oh gosh. Even the boards that the student's posters are displayed on have to be literally put together every year. And this is around the REGULAR stuff I'm supposed to be doing every day. Anyway...here is me, my colleagues Dave Grise (biology professor - does team learning in a lecture hall of 200 students - awesome), Suzzette Chopin (many, many biomedical and research programs under her direction - just won the President's Award for Mentoring Students - one of eleven that were given across the U.S. this year), Deb Overath (genetics professor, married to Dave, has successfully beaten stage 3 breast cancer) and Dan Solis, Chairman and CEO for the National Organization of Mexican American Rights (superman without a cape - he is AMAZING - you can check out their website here). We are involved in sending undergrads through their National Park Service program.Probably the best thing about my job aside from my students who I sincerely love are the faculty and people I get to work with. Amazing. And the view of the beach from my office isn't too bad either! Back to work....

Meet Allison

A beautiful girl isn't she? She is a Naval pilot - a helicopter pilot like my daughter. Allison had the world by it's tail -- she was smart, a naval aviator, great family, and wonderful future ahead of her. She was going to be married next month. Her fiance and she were very much in love. She was getting ready to be deployed and was aboard the Nimitz off of the coast of San Diego - not that far, really. You see, the pilots and other soldiers do 'work-ups' where they practice their maneuvers and drills and such before they are in harms way. It's like a dress rehearsal. It's all done in a safe territory. Well, as safe as you can be when you are flying in a helicopter... in a night fog, using infrared lenses to make out land from sea. Something went wrong. We don't know what - we may never know.

Allison and four other soldiers went down in the sea. The helicopter was shattered as were so many lives. There will be no wedding. There will be five funerals.

I have gotten to know Allison in a vicarious way as my daughter Jen was assigned to bring her home to her family. Jen broke the news to the family, made countless arrangements, and was the soldier that saluted Allison along her transport as she made her way in a flag draped coffin aboard her many aircraft that carried her from San Diego to her hometown in New Orleans. Along her side, there was Jen, in salute. There were transfers along the way, and Jen stood by her, saluting. I asked Jen, "When is your responsibility over?" Through tears, which no one but I know about, she replied, "When she has arrived at the mortuary".

Jen will be at the funeral. Allison's family is blessed by Jen - another female aviator.

How can we ever begin to fathom the loss of lives that continue to happen?

I don't know. I knew Allison through Jen. When Jen sent me the picture, I cried. All of a sudden, there was a person attached to this horrible madness and I can see her.

God bless Allison and all our fallen soldier's and their broken hearted families. The tragedy is beyond comprehension.

And God bless people like Jen who offer to play the piano or otherwise participate at their funerals. Who go above and beyond. They are the angels that the family needs to help during this difficult time. I am as proud of Jen as I am sad for Allison and her family.

This is when you see real character in people.

Sight Seeing In North Carolina

JP and I had a little time to do some sight-seeing in NC - not much, but what we saw was beautiful - and memorable. First, St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock - here is a history. Built in the 1800's, it is rather small but full of relics and artifacts including a cemetery where the slaves and their children were buried - apart from the Caucasian church members. The Slaves Cemetery - the original graves were marked with rocks, but those were later replaced by these simple crosses. Some stained glass windows in the church. Joe giving a sermon from the pulpit. Taken at the church entrance. A beautiful, tree-filled setting.

Next, we went to the home of Poet Laureate Carl Sandburg. Again, another beautiful setting set off of the highway with water, goats and plenty of solitude. One of the tour directors told the story of the typist that Sandburg hired. She had a manual typewriter and did all of his typing while he dictated -- for 20 years. Imagine having that job and being the first to hear and capture the famous works he published!

Back at the ranch, or in this case, The Carolina Village in Hendersonville, I took some pics of things that make Ruth and Joe extra special: Ruth is undoubtedly one of the most talented artists I know - you remember the blog about the horse she painted. She also does china painting - there were dozens of these eggs around their cottage as well as vases, dishes, serving pieces -- all hand painted. She also does needlepoint, embroidery, makes exquisite clothing for her (self-painted) porcelain dolls...and that's just the beginning. There are so many exquisitely crafted items that are changed according to time of year and occasion. All this still being done at 84 years old! It is amazing. Joe knew from the time that he was young that he likes to build things - and he graduated from Virginia Tech with his degree in Mechanical Engineering. After a very successful career as part of the original teams at NASA who sent men to the moon (more stories on a future blog), he found he loves woodworking. He built 30 - yes THIRTY - of these benches that now surround Carolina Village. The walkers are thankful. He also makes a delicious pot of homemade oatmeal!! Since JP and I dated in high school, I knew Ruth and Joe back in the '70's. It has been wonderful to be reacquainted with them again. The best way to get to know a person is to get to know their parents -- it was an awesome trip!

Courtney is a STAR!

Perhaps you remember this post about Annie's really, really good friend (and my practically adopted daughter) Courtney. Well, it turns out that my prediction on her star trajectory is indeed true! She has been nominated for the very prestigous Helen Hayes Award, You can see a video of her work here. Courtney, we love you - you are SO talented and will undoubtedly move on to GREAT things!!!!!!!!!!!

Brush with Greatness

Courtney Pauroso came through town recently. She's on her way to Los Angeles as she is an aspiring - and extremely talented - actor. Annie's known Courtney since they were in high school. Since then, Courtney has graduated from Tulane with her fine arts degree in acting, and has been in several plays in the DC area and has had some awesome reviews. She's gonna be very famous, but we knew her when. We love you Courtney!

Audrey in her favorite Wall-e shirt


Audrey LOVED riding the motorcycle!

Courtney will be famous someday ... mark my words.

The Battleship Texas - My Dad's project

My nephew-in-law Brett took a Texas Parks and Wildlife video and with his genius, edited and posted it here - you can read more about it on the blog we have created for Edwin Phillips, my father. I am so proud of my Dad, and miss him so -- this was like listening to him in the living room again. Enjoy some Texas history, and a piece of my heritage that I am deeply proud of.

Dalton Sherman - A Call to Teachers et al.

This young man made the keynote speech at the Dallas Independent School District convocation. Heartfelt thanks to my kindred spirit Katrina in Eldorado for sending me this with the message- "An amazing child expressing what every child wants to say and every teacher needs to hear".

Strong Man + Strong Will = Strong Faith

Thank you FP Brewer for sharing this amazing story: You may have seen them on a highway billboard. Here's a little of what's behind the story.A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said 'Yes' too. Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island! Father and son went on to complete the race together. Watch this video:

Jen and her Medals

My oldest daughter has a lot of stories, and some of those stories are wrapped up in these:Here is what they mean, by row and ribbon:
1-1 Joint Service Achievement Medal; 1-2 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement; Medal 1-3Meritorious Unit Commendation; 2-1 Navy 'E' Ribbon; 2-2 National Defense Service Medal; 2-3 Iraq Campaign Medal with Eagle Globe and Anchor; 3-1 Global War On Terror Expeditionary Medal 3-2; Global War On Terror Service Medal; 3-3 Humanitarian Service Medal; 4-1 Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, 2 stars; 4-2 Navy Marksman Rifle; 4-3 Navy Marksman Pistol. And this is the prize - her wings - I was given one when she completed her flight training:
and finally this one: received recently on her last tour in Iraq: The Fleet Marine Force medal. The scale is incorrect -- the latter actually is much larger than her wings - way larger. And deservedly so -- a lot of work, courage and time went into getting the FMF medal.

Here is the thing that blows me away -- I didn't know about any of these awards. Jen's brother, Scott, asked me if I knew Jen had received the "FMF" medal. I had no idea what that was and asked - he told me. He also told me that Jen had four rows of ribbons on her Navy uniform.

Jen isn't one to brag or even talk about herself. She just goes through life with this wonderful attitude, always happy, even when in Iraq on her tours (yes, plural). To her, everything is an adventure. Something to be explored. Challenges are nothing but a minor - and very surmountable - inconvenience. I can't tell you the times I would be worried and Jen would say (and I quote), "oh well, it's no biggie Mom. No worries". Jen going off to the Naval Academy; Jen doing flight training in jets, shuttles and helicopters; Jen taking off in helicopters from ships on convoys all over the world; Jen stationed in a military installation in Iraq; and Jen carrying her electronic piano to play at over 30 Christmas services - through enemy territory. "No worries Mom."

A beautiful character and a woman who has accomplished so much. There are so many stories in those ribbons. I love the woman behind them.

Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture

Professor Randy Pausch - teacher, creator, father of three and a young 47 years old, died today. I should be working, but when a text from JP alerted me about this article, I wanted to take time to post this video. It is not the last lecture - you can buy his book or view entire Last Lecture videos on YouTube. He is exemplary and will long be remembered. And I apologize to my children for not allowing them to freely draw on the walls in their bedrooms. By the grace of God, they manage to grow up in spite of our mistakes and make us proud. Here's to Professor Pausch - may his words continue to inspire us all.

Proactivity with Purpose

Dr. Carole Noon has her Ph.D. in anthropology and is a faculty member at the University of Florida. Her touching story has been seen nationally on CNN on this video (click on CNN). In addition, you can read a report here. One person making a huge difference - a truly inspiring story!!