Beautiful Perennials

Wildflowers, cactus & barbed-wire; a perennial South Texas tradition

Although not intentionally timed, we arrived back in San Antonio for the emergence of the Hill Country wildflowers.  As the South Texas weather began to warm, the reports of wildflower activity began to intensify on various forms of media.  Just like any botanical, some years are better than others, and we had witnessed the last "great" display in 2010.  We set out to travel south of San Antonio, where the temperatures had been more consistent than the more northern areas that had been under winter storm warnings intermittently over the past several weeks.

Wildflowers blanket the children's cemetery at Christ Lutheran Church of Elm Creek

The Boys acting pure as the driven snow

Seasonal colors bring new life to everything

Crimson waves ripple across the South Texas pastures

Although not the spectacular display that we witnessed in 2010, the wildflowers had faithfully turned the normally-brown South Texas landscape into a palette of mixed pastels.  The light breeze made their blooms dance back and forth, creating a depth unattainable by camera as the shadows constantly adjusted their colors.  Some areas were quite mesmerizing.

Nature's kaleidoscopic performance was impressive, but there were even more beautiful perennials for us to experience.  After residing in San Antonio for 12-years, we were blessed to have such a collection of loyal and supporting friends.  These individuals always greet you with a smile, and would give you the shirt off their back.  They are Beautiful friends.  They are also fiercely loyal to their friends; available to help them in time of need 24/7/365.  They are Perennial friends.

The best neighbors we’ve ever had—Eddie & Paula Williams—treated us to an over-the-top dinner at “Eddie’s Place.”  Okay, it’s actually “Cured at the Pearl Brewery Complex,” but Eddie is so well known there that it should have his name over the door; and he’s also the brains/taste-buds behind the Dining With Class & Style website.  Although it had been nearly 5-years since we last spoken in person, it was as if only a day had passed.  The conversation continued to be light & easy; just like it was when we were talking over the fence while doing yard work.  

Reunited after 5-years (L-R: Paula, Wes, Eddie, Kristy) over exceptional food

From Kristy’s professional past came Larry & Mila Kirkpatrick.  Larry was a former First Sergeant who gave Kristy a tremendous amount of support early in her diamond-wearing days, and the support and friendship did not end with the shadowbox presentation.  Speaking of…Larry hand-crafted a beautiful shadowbox for my retirement as well, and Kristy presented it to me at a semi-formal dinner hosted by my parents.  These are easy-going friends who ensured that we had a place to go on Easter, and mutual-friend get-togethers at local venues.  

Reverend (Dr.) Robert & Kim Gibbs came from my past, as he was my Old Testament History professor while finishing my undergraduate degree at Wayland Baptist University.  After graduation we became closer friends, and he has always been a trusted friend and confidant.  He has always been available for us, and even gave the invocation at Kristy’s retirement ceremony.  He and his wife Kim (plus the small pack of quad-peds) also opened their home up to us and ensured that we received a home-cooked feast, and a few meals in-town.  

The most distant (in time) friend that we visited with was John Yevick; a retired Senior NCO who we both knew and socialized with during our dating years in the late-80’s.  John's career had crossed paths with our careers on several occasions, and he has always been a loyal friend to the both of us.  He visited us for a RV-park cookout, then invited us to his beautiful home for dinner and the pay-per-view Mayweather/Pacquiao fight.  

Although it was difficult to say goodbye—again—to those who have been a blessing in our lives, we know that we can always find them growing there; making dull landscapes beautiful, year after year.

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