Growing Up in Bandera

I’m beginning to think I need to change the title of my stories to growing old in Bandera. I’m no longer growing up but rather spreading out is a better description. Most all of the pants and shorts in my current wardrobe have an expanding waist. This is a survival tactic as it allows me to breathe while sitting or bending over.

Recently I put the blame of my weight gain on the cold winter weather not allowing me to walk on a regular routine around town. Well it might have something to do with the fact that my son and I use a newly acquired golf cart to make litter picking rounds. I convinced myself I was buying it for my great grandkids entertainment as they love to go hunting for Bigfoot.

Did I mention my son who lives with me now just loves to cook? That’s not helping my weight problem either. He pretty much eats anything that doesn’t eat him first but I prefer a lighter diet. There are a lot more snacks in the house lately too.

We have planted a garden and it is starting to shape up nicely after surviving a mystery varmint problem and a hail storm one night. Thankfully we are getting some much appreciated rainfall during this recovery period so I will be enjoying some healthy vegetables before long. Nothing beats homegrown tomatoes.

Although I haven’t been getting in my walking exercise on a regular basis I have purchased a new push lawnmower and it’s been getting a steady workout thanks to the previously mentioned rain. I bought a new zero turn mower last year that doesn’t fit through any of the 3 gates leading to my front yard and that’s what inspired the new push mower purchase. God works in mysterious ways.

I have almost worn myself out trying to explain to the younger crowd just how important my naps are to me. Not only is it necessary for me to recharge but also for my little dog, Khloe. We have our schedule for that and also for later in the evening when we retire to the recliner in the bedroom to watch tv with our eyes closed. No visitors or phone calls accepted during nap time and no out of town activities will we attend after dark.

As I continue Growing Up In Bandera the days seem to be passing faster all the time. I like to sit on my front porch where I can watch the birds at the birdbath and the feeders. It’s very relaxing until the squirrels show up. Not the ones who chase each other all around my pecan trees and think the bird feeders are actually squirrel feeders. Those I tolerate and enjoy. It’s those squirrels who show up daily to ignore the stop signs that ruin the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.

Editor’s Note: Growing Up in Bandera is available in book form! Call 830796-3718 to secure your copy!