The San Antonio Botanic Gardens...a Beautiful Piece of God's Green Earth

This morning (Wednesday) at breakfast I finally was able to capture a photo of the Blue Heron(?) that has eluded me these past few days. A nice lady sitting next to us offered to take a photo of us, so you have her to thank!

I had heard so much about the SA Botanic Gardens, that I decided we must go...and I'm glad we did! Although the GPS took us off course, we did arrive before noon. The day was hot and cloudy, but not oppressive.

mesquite

We first visited the Texas Native Trail, which featured plants from the Eastern Piney Woods, with its pine, magnolia and dogwood trees around a lake. Next, it was






SouthWest Texas with its drought tolerant plants, and the Hill Country environment with live oak, Uvalde Maple and mountain laurel.

Near the backside of the gardens were three conservatories which rose from the ground like enormous glass funnels. The desert environment had a variety of cacti, the palm house featured a spiral walkway, and the fern grotto and orangerie sported a two-story waterfall. A reflective pond with lily pads and an unusual pair of ducks was in the center of the ring of hot houses.

Next was the Japanese garden, and an amazing sensory garden for the blind. Not only did the garden have Braille plaques, but sculptures to explore and herbs to crush and savor. A beautiful garden for both the sighted and blind!


We drove back to the hotel, bought Mario a bagel from Einstein's, then Olivia and I took off on foot for the Menger Hotel for lunch. This establishment is the oldest in the city, and is famous for housing Teddy Roosevelt in 1898, when he was recruiting his "Rough Riders" to fight in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. We enjoyed the small display in the lobby with uniforms and the flag that was carried up San Juan Hill.

If you have been following our travel log, which attraction would you like to visit?

Remember the Alamo!

What a monument to the brave men who would not back down, run away, or surrender for the sake of freedom! Here's an account of our day at the Alamo...

We rose bright and early Tuesday, so we could be one of the first in line at the Alamo. Thankfully, most of the Memorial Day crowd was gone. It took us about 10 minutes to walk from the hotel to the tourist site...so strange to see it standing in the middle of a busy downtown area!

We viewed the sound and light diorama first, which gave us a mental image of the complex in the 1800's, and the order of events at the time of the 13 day siege.

Our first stop on the tour was the Mission Church. Its facade is the remaining symbol of the Alamo (which, by the way, means "cottonwood"). It was originally a home for Catholic missionaries and their converts, then, in the 1800's, a cavalry post for Spanish, then Rebel, and finally Mexican forces after their independence. Here the defenders would have kept the powder magazine and positioned the artillery. The inner room of the structure was also where the women and children where hiding, and the last area attacked by Santa Anna's army. A list of the 180 fallen patriots were memorialized on plaques inside. I was surprised to discover they had immigrated from other states, the British Isles and Germany.

Why did they fight against all odds, and what were the events leading up to that fateful day? Here it is in a nutshell:

Mexico, now free from Spain, writes a constitution for their new Republic. Santa Anna promises to honor the constitution and is sworn in as President. To develop the Northern territory of Mexico, Santa Anna invites homesteaders to Texas from the US, British Isles and Europe. The immigrants settle down, and, later, desire to free Texas from the Mexicans. Santa Anna, fearing revolt from the huge number of settlers, revokes their constitution, and installs himself as dictator.

San Antonio city was one half mile from the Alamo, and prime property, so it was desirable to both the Mexican government and the Texians, and thus, worth fighting for. The Revolutionists comprised militia from the surrounding areas, Colonel Wm. Travis, James Bowie (renowned knife fighter), and David Crockett, frontiersman and former Tennessee congressman. The group gather their defenses, and prepare to fight for freedom and the Republic. Travis writes to General Sam Houston and his army, miles away, to ask for reinforcements. He cannot come immediately, and does not understand the gravity of the situation. After four pleas are sent throughout the community, on the 8th day of the siege, 32 men answer the call from Gonzales...but they are still outnumbered: 180 to 3,000.

Before dawn, on the 13th day of March in 1836, Santa Anna's army, after awaking the sleeping patriots with cannon and gun fire, begin to scale the walls of the Alamo. Miraculously, the defenders beat back several attacks. Finally, the Mexican army rushes over the walls and into the compound. They turn the Alamo's cannon against them and blast open the barricaded doors of the church...the last defense. The defenders struggle to the death, but are overwhelmed, and by sunrise all are massacred. The only remaining survivors are Travis's black slave and the women and children hiding in the church, but about 1,100 Mexican soldiers lose their lives....

Was this a useless loss of lives? It would seem so, but God worked it out for their good!

When the news of the defeat reached the town and beyond, Sam Houston's army was incensed. Preparing for battle in three weeks, and with the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" they destroyed Santa Anna and his army. Texas became a Republic...freedom was won! I can see why Texans are proud of their State, and why they treasure and protect the freedoms they hold so dear.

Another kind of hero is celebrated at the US Army Medical Department Museum, in the Fort Sam Houston Compound. Their motto is, "Service Above Self". The collection includes medical equipment, photos, uniforms, insignias and vehicles from 1777 to the present. Did you know there is a Veterinary division, too? They take care of horses, dogs, and all other creatures that aid in the wars (think: "War Horse"). All medical personnel put their lives on the line for those they serve...this, too, was impressive, but in an entirely different way. They deserve our respect...

What do you hold dear that is worth dying for?

SABBATH REST, A CELEBRATION, and THE PACIFIC WAR MUSEUM

We had a quiet breakfast on the River Walk again this morning...I'm going to miss that part of our daily routine! Then, we headed one hour north to the Hill Country, known for its green, rolling landscape and fresh air to a tiny town named Waring. Boerne Christian Assembly is located there, near a town center smaller than Laura Ingall's "Walnut Grove". It consisted of a general store and the church...that's it. We were late because we "blinked" and missed the turn!

We were blessed by singing the old meaningful hymns, communion at the Lord's Table, and a sermon about the meaning of "Sabbath's Rest", meant for the rejuvenation of the spirit. Afterwards, we shared in a potluck and friendly conversation, centering mainly on life in the San Antonio area.

Soon, it was time to depart, so, on the way back to the center of town, we drove through the booming town of Boerne (pronounced: bornie), a popular place to settle. Evidently, many rich Northerners have changed the flavor of this quaint German community.

Back at the hotel, we freshened up, and walked down the river to Casa del Rio...the oldest Mexican Restaurant in the area, built on a piece of property granted title by the king of Spain in 1777. Originally, it was a hacienda, then, in 1946, Alfred F. Beyer took advantage of the location and developed a business using canoes, gondolas and paddle boats. This use of the property, along with the family restaurant, opened later, helped to create the River Walk of today. It was here I chose to celebrate my birthday with "Chili Rellenos" (Poblano pepper stuffed with cheese and seasoned meat, then deep fried), and my favorite dessert...flan (custard)!

It occurred to me that I hadn't described the RiverWalk in my last post, so, since it's at the heart of San Antonio, here goes. Imagine more than two miles of tall buildings, some hotels, others shops and restaurants, adjacent to each other, on either side of a 20-30 ft shallow, meandering river. The river is flanked by stone walkways, approximately 5 feet wide, that allows a scenic stroll, and access to the lowest level of businesses. There are are 35 bridges at frequent intervals, that allow access to both sides. Occasionally, there will be a stone staircase leading up to the street level, and historic areas of the city, but the river walk is virtually invisible on that level. On a busy day(today!), one is passing shoulder to shoulder with other tourists, each scanning the umbrella covered tables on the river side, full of patrons enjoying their tasty fare, and on the other, the restaurants and shops. Add to this, aged shade trees growing along the path, ducks, birds, and fish in and around the river and at your feet, the sounds of conversation, bustling waitpersons, and commentary from the guides in the flat-bottomed tour boats, and you have a clear picture of this popular destination!

Memorial Day dawned bright, with a little excitement during breakfast. We noticed a pigeon struggling to swim across the river, looking for a landing area low enough to climb up to the stone walkway. His movements looked odd in the water, as it appeared that he was doing the butterfly stroke! I didn't know pidgeons could swim, so I watch the bird's maneuvers closely. I was relieved to know it arrived safely. I've spent my life "rescuing" animals in distress, but as my kids and friend, Marcia remind me, my care does not always result in survival!



Out to the rolling hills we headed, and on to the town of Fredericksburg, where the world class, "National Pacific War Museum" is located. The former Nimitz Hotel, graciously serving travelers and the military in the Victorian Era and beyond, houses the memorabilia and history of Chester Nimitz, Admiral of the Navy in the Pacific during WW2. His grandfather, who opened the hotel, was a great influence on Chester. His values of hard work and determination, stories of the sea and frontier Texas military, formed the boy who would one day be the highest ranking officer of the US Navy.

The George H. W. Bush Gallery (which took us 3 solid hours to view), featured the entire story of the Pacific Campaign, using films, memorabilia, photos and narration which chronicled each operation throughout the war, as it dealt with Japanese forces attepting to occupied each island. It was overwhelming to see the casualties and effects the war had on both sides. Power and greed are strong motivators for war, and I wondered if history would be different today if nations would build their empires through influence instead of bloodshed! For an entirely different view of this war, check out the "Uncle Eric" books here.

 

We then visited the combat zone, where an authentic military plane, PT boat and tanks were displayed. For an interactive game and virtual tour of the exhibit click on the link here. 

The day ended with a hearty meal at "Der Lindenbaum" restaurant, a must-do for the Del Boccio clan, since Fredericksburg was originally settled by Germans immigrants!

San Antonio, Home of the River Walk

I am departing from my usual posts this coming week, to use my blog for what it was originally intended...a travel log of our family adventures. Please join us in our journey through San Antonio and beyond, as we discover the history and uniqueness of this charming "corner" of Texas!

We had a lovely breakfast on the terrace alongside the river walk yesterday morning. Olivia and I were presented with a beautiful fruit platter and Mario, with Huevos Rancheros (think of your favorite Mexican meal, and add fried or scrambled eggs). Dan had a San Antonio traditional breakfast, with a chorizo omelet, beans with cheeses, salsas, and tortillas...tempting! But, Olivia and I, due to our restrictions, had eggs and potatoes. No matter...the view down the San Antonio river was marvelous.

As we were eating, pigeons, sparrows and mallard ducks came by to beg a few morsels from our plates. They were fairly persistent, and, when we offered nothing, they attempted to steal from each other. One black bird, a Urraca (similar to a Magpie), took a liking to the pink Sweet and Low packets, grabbing them from the tables!

In the afternoon, we toured our favorite online company, Vision Forum, called so because of their multigenerational vision for the family seen through historic events. We met the staff who produce many of the audio, visual and written materials in their store...they are humble, hard working men. When we noticed the stack of over 75 books that the acquisitions manager was considering for their line of products, Olivia and I both agreed that we'd love that job! Check out their online store here: http://www.visionforum.com/start.aspx

Then, it was on to Castroville, settled by request of the Texas government in the 1800's by Alsatian immigrants (French/German). There are over 50 small, stucco homes still standing from that era, typical of the Alsace region of France. Fascinating!

Soon it was time for dinner, so we headed to "The County Line BBQ" which was recommended by a friend, then enjoyed a swim in the hotel pool. We fell into bed exhausted...

This morning, we toured the artisan village of La Villita, San Antonio's first neighborhood of adobe huts, situated near the Alamo. It was originally a military outpost for Spanish soldiers, then settled by European immigrants after the 1819 flood. Now artsy shops occupy many of the historic buildings.

In the afternoon, we headed towards Brackenridge Park, which contains the San Antonio Zoo, golf course, playground, Sunken Garden Theatre and the Japanese Tea Gardens. We chose the latter, and enjoyed walking the stone trail even though it was in the mid 90's and humid. Actually, we've been surprised at how tolerable it is!

We attempted to visit the Fort Sam Houston museum, located on the military base, but, alas, it was closed for the Memorial Day weekend. All the soldiers were in town with their families to celebrate the holidays, so, we won't see this medical military museum until Tuesday. As they stroll by on the river walk, I thank God for their willingness to serve our country. A few I have verbally thanked in passing.

Back to the River Walk for dinner and fresh guacamole made tableside, then a rest and swim before retiring...Buenas Noches!

The Kreativ Blogger Award

I've been awarded twice for the Kreativ Blogger Award...thank you ladies!

Chris at Kelworth Files who hosted the A to Z "Script Frenzy", and  KS Collier, author of "The Veil" (see her marvelous book trailers) passed it on to me...what a surprise!  Check out their blog links above, and read their answers to the Kreativ questions!


What is involved in receiving the honor?  Here is a rundown:

KREATIV RULES:

1. Thank and link back to the awarding blog.
2. Answer the seven questions
3. Provide ten random factoids about yourself.
4. Last but not at all least, hand this on to seven deserving others.

So, here are my questions (a melding of the two sets given to my predecessors) and Random thoughts:

THE QUESTIONS:

1. What’s your favorite song?

I am drawn to meaningful old hymns: "It is Well with My Soul", "Take My Life and Let It Be", and, "Be Still, My Soul". Here is an excerpt:

"Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain."

2. What’s your favorite dessert?

I have always loved ice cream, so, you can see how disappointed I was to discover I am intolerant to dairy!  But, my second choice is baked goods, and I've learned to make some delicious gluten-free versions. My current favorite is a lemon cake made with almond flour...very moist and flavorful.

3. What do you do when you’re upset?

Talk to God, sometimes shed a tear, and often keep it inside so I don't bother anyone.  It depends if it's a "sad" upset or an "angry" upset. I tend to show my feelings more if I am angry.


4. Which is your favorite pet?

We have had so many unusual pets...chameleons, hedgehog, mudskippers to name a few, so it's tough to choose.
Then, there is the dog/cat dilemma.  I've had both, but I must say, that I prefer cats because it's so easy to care for them, and they don't demand anything from you (other than your service to them!). Our two Ragdoll cats, Luciano and Cosette, are opposites, but they each have their virtues.
My childhood pets were two Chihuahuas, Scampy and Geronimo...both whom I loved dearly!

5. Which do you prefer? White or whole wheat?

Ask my children that question, and they will immediately say, "wheat, of course"!  No pasty white "enriched" (with chemicals) Wonder bread that you can roll into a tight spitball-sized orb.  Nope...I want all the natural vitamins that the bran provides (which makes it "whole" wheat), the way God intended it to be eaten.  (I can see my son cringing right about now...enough said!)

6. What is your biggest fear?

Heights, definitely...especially if I am on a mountain, or tall building where there are no protective railings.

7. What is your attitude mostly?

I'm generally even tempered (unless I am sharing a passion or pet peeve of mine, then, look out!), and want to please others.  Hurting other's feelings is a big concern of mine, so sometimes I compromise my standards which I am not proud of!

RANDOM FACTOIDS:

My father was born in The Czech Republic, and my Mother's parents, in Slovakia, so I am truly "Czechoslovakian"!

I took a few months of Japanese lessons when I was in upper elementary school.

I was 17 when I graduated from HS, and only 20 when I received my teaching degree...I went straight through college in three years!

I've travelled to six out of seven continents in my lifetime...some two to three times.

I am a morning person...if I am awakened by an alarm too early, I can't get back to sleep.  Very frustrating for me!

I was a nanny for a Chicago news anchor in the 80's.

My favorite high school subject was etymology...the study of Greek and Latin roots.  I became quite good at it, and was the winner of the "numbskulls" team in our class' "word root" bee!

I refuse to follow the crowd...I like to be unique in every way.  I choose what I like to wear regardless of trends, and don't let the world dictate who I am or what I do.  Only God has that place in my life. It comes, I think, from being an only child.

I am the ultimate in frugality...I refuse to pay full price at resale shops!

In HS, my Driver's Ed teacher called me a "lead foot"...I always engage the cruise control on the tollway, so I don't accidentally exceed the speed limit.

7 AWARDS FOR 7 KREATIV BLOGGERS:

So, I’m passing the Kreativ Blogger award to the following deserving writers:

Pam at 2Encourage
Mandy at Biblical Homemaking
Carrie at "The Slow-DrippedLife"
Brianna at "BibleBloggers"
BJ at "Joy2Journey"
Sue at "Kid Lit Reviews"
Arlee at "A Few Words"

Enjoy, and pass on the torch to others!

Random Acts of Kindness to Writers Award: And the Winner is...

These awards are spurring me on in my attempt to write and design readable posts which inform, instruct and inspire!

This one was begun by the ladies at the Bookshelf Muse, Angela and Becca, who have just released a powerful tool for developing characters in your story.  The best part is....they are giving away a sample PDF file of "The Emotion Thesaurus" for anyone who visits their site! Check it out, here.

This award serves to celebrate those who have supported writers in our craft via critiques, blog posts, reviews,  challenges, or, just as important, words of encouragement.

That brings me to my winner of the RAOK award:  

My good friend, DAISY of "Fresh as a Daisy Soaps"!!!

Although she is not a writer per se, she is gifted with editing skills, which she put to use a few months back on a story of mine.  Her son is a gifted young writer, which is not surprising.  But that is not the main reason for honoring her in this way.

During the A to Z Blogging Challenge in April, Daisy cheered me on with her uplifting comments on each of the 26 posts  (give or take one or two), even though she is a busy homeschool Mom and crafter. What a blessing that was to me, Daisy...I thank the Lord for you!



So, not only can she grab the badge above, and place it on her blog, but, as a thank you, I will be hosting an occasional contest (if you have any ideas, let me know), and will award the winner with their choice of one of Daisy's scrumptiously scented bath products.  She is a master at mixing just the right essence and color to mold many unique  soaps.  See her fragrant offerings here.

Do you know of a person who has helped you along the road to authorship?  Honor them today with the Random Act of Kindness To Writers Award!

A Perfect Pitch...

en.wikipedia.org

The Perfect Pitch...are we talking about musical ability? If so, the ability causes the gifted one extreme anguish when he or she encounters a slightly off-pitch note.

How about Pitchers in the game of baseball?

I'm laughing to myself, because anyone who understands me, knows that am NOT into sports...I don't play or watch them.   In school,  I was the proverbial 'last one to be picked on a team'  because I had two left feet, and was extremely timid. Competition is NOT in my nature, and I hate to let people down.

Or could we possibly be talking about a Writer's Pitch?


Since I have found no clear definition on the Internet, I will give you the "Vickipedia" version:


"to toss out quickly, in one or two tight sentences with a "hook", the plot of a book or article, which piques the editor's interest, causing the work to be considered for publication."

I have found that there are similarities between the writer's and baseball PITCH.  

I asked my husband, a Sox Fan, (his Mom is a Cub's Fan) about the pitcher's position and responsibility.  Here is what I gleaned:

Premier Pitchers are difficult to find: (perfect writer's pitches are not the norm)

Pitchers and catchers work closely together: (so should author/agent or author/editor)

Good pitching always trumps good hitting: (a good story may not be considered if the pitch is not "catchy".)

Then, there are types of pitches:

Fast ball...straight down the middle ( pitch your story straight...don't get off on a tangent.)

Curve balls...puts spin on the ball to deceive the hitter (the first sentence "hooks" the reader into wanting more)
Sliders...slight curve balls (unexpected twist to the story)

Screwballs...opposite way that's expected (doesn't clearly explain gist of the story)

Knuckle balls...no spin; unpredictable (wording is unclear and/or uninteresting)

Sinker balls...drops to ground...tough to hit. (pitch not ready for prime time)

So, why the photo and reference to Baseball?

Susanna Hill, author of many charming picture books, such as "Can't Sleep Without Sheep" and "Not Yet, Rose"  is hosting the Writer's Pitch Challenge on her blog.  Her latest book, "Punxsutawney Phyllis", the tale of a delightful groundhog, is traveling the globe right now.  Keep track of her here.

Since I can't do better than Susanna herself in describing the "Pitch Challenge," here it is in her words:

"Would You Read It" is a weekly feature, posted on Wednesdays.  It is a chance for writers to try out pitches for their Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade, or Young Adult Works-In-Progress.

Not sure if your pitch is ready for that chance meeting with a famous editor?  Or maybe just not sure if you've solidified the point of your book yet?  Wondering if a new idea piques people's interest before you put months into writing it?

Submit your pitch!"

So I did...for a picture book I had written in February for the 12x12 in 2012 Challenge, which I entitled, "Waiting for an Idea." The goal is to write one manuscript (first draft) each month for 12 months.  Julie Hedlund has done a fabulous job of organizing it.  See her blogpost here.

My pitch is up today on Susanna's blog, so, click here to rate it.  I'd love to have you comment on the pitch...does it hold your interest? Are you persuaded to hear more?  Or, is it a "maybe I would read it"?  Even if the answer is "NO...I would not be interested," I would like to know why!

Here it is in full:

Working Title:  Waiting For An Idea
Age/Genre:  PB (ages 6-11)
The Pitch:  Jerry is waiting for an idea to come.  He walks his dog, swings in his backyard, and even goes inside for milk and cookies. hoping to coax one into his head.  But, alas, it's not until he opens Aunt Polly's gift that an idea... well... an avalanche of ideas, spill forth!

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

Susanna goes on to say:

"Writers and readers, teachers, librarians and parents are here to help by giving you some objective feedback from people who know children's books!

Once a month, readers will vote on which pitch was best for that month. The winning pitch will be sent to editor Erin Molta for review and comments!"

So...Be a part of the action, and leave your comment on her blog here, or mine below, if it is easier.

You be the judge...well...the umpire, in this case.  Thanks for being a good sport.  Now, PLAY BALL!