Rushing's Ramblings

After our walk this morning, Paddy and I had breakfast at a nearby restaurant.  It was a convivial atmosphere with other dog owners and the restaurant owner enjoying a beautiful morning together. On the other side of the street, an emaciated young woman was walking her small dog.  On occasion, I had seen the woman going into the park next to my condo with a man following her and other men driving into the parking lot and leaving after a few minutes.  The action happened in the park's bathroom.  When I saw her with the dog, I wondered how she cared for a dog when she couldn't take care of herself.  In a few minutes, she walked into our seating area and tearfully asked the owner if she would take her dog because she was unable to take care of the dog anymore.  She also explained that she was starving and had not eaten in a few days.  Upon hearing this, we were all in tears.  The owner gladly took the dog and fed the woman.   There was love all ...

In November 2015, my father passed from this world.  These are the remarks I  made at my father's funeral: "What I'm about to say today will come as a big surprise to most of you.  To reveal that I'm not religious is not much of a revelation.  The best way to describe it is that my relationship with God is on the quiet side. You might sometimes wonder what Grace and forgiveness mean and how they might enter one's life.  You never know when or if it's going to happen; you just realize that the process you went through was because of God's Grace. Daddy and I had a difficult time when I was young. We were both very headstrong (bullheaded!).  My misbehavior and rebellious attitude often resulted in swift and sometimes severe punishment.  I spent many years working through those painful memories.  Resentfulness was a familiar companion to me.  It wasn't until almost 20 years ago that I had the opportunity to get to know Daddy on an adult lev...

THIS FATHER'S DAY This Father's Day, I won't be searching for just the right card to send (not too mushy and not too funny), followed by a call to wish him a happy Father's Day. This Father's Day, I won't be taking him on that ride in the country I envisioned as soon as I retired and lived closer. This Father's Day, we won't be playing golf on an early Saturday morning like we did many years ago. I won't hear, "Wow, that's a good one!" This Father's Day, he won't read my latest story, tell me how much he enjoyed it, or encourage me to continue writing. This Father's Day, I'll tell him, "I love you, Daddy," and I'll hear him faintly whisper, "I love you, too, sweetheart." This Father's Day, I'll take a ride in the country and place flowers on his grave.

I live in a community with lots of feral cats.  When I first moved here 5 months ago, there were about 15 wild cats.  One of my neighbors, a winter Texan, feeds them twice a day on his front porch and back patio. When I asked who feeds them when he's gone, he responded that they somehow survive but are pretty thin when he returns in November. Most of my neighbors are good-hearted people and love the idea of our feral cats.  They made sure the resident feral cats were all neutered several years ago. They firmly believe that we are devoid of rodents because of them.  When they periodically visit, most of them leave cat food on their patios. I'm one of the few residents living here full-time.  Although I'm not a cat person, I cannot stand the thought of them starving.  I am now the official Cat Lady.  Feral cats are reasonably intelligent and have identified me as the one who provides regular sustenance.  They usually come running as soon as I l...

When Marcy was about 3 years old, she had an imaginary friend named Charlene.  Since we were somewhat enlightened as parents or had some common sense, we knew to play along with her.  After all, she was an only child and probably enjoyed the company of another child, even if it were an imaginary friend. Marcy was adamant that her firstborn would not be an only child because of the suffering she endured as an only child.  Being the center of attention and having a Mother with razor-like focus is challenging.  But I have to admit it; I do adore her. She now has two children. The firstborn does everything he can to ensure he’s the center of attention while his baby sister patiently and with an all-consuming sweetness quietly observes (!) her brother. Unfortunately, when he’s not seeking attention, he gets it anyway because he’s often climbing, aiming his wagon at his sister, or in general, up to no good.  I’m not sure Marcy has accomplished her goal of having...

I should know better after living all these years that you cannot predict who someone really is from appearances and casual conversations over 8 months. And for some, maybe never. At some point, either sooner or later, a person will reveal 'who' they really are. You just have to listen. She is a well-dressed, well-educated, and soft-spoken woman.  She traveled in successful business circles for many years and entertained the upper-echelon crowd in a major Texas metropolis.  Most of her career was spent in start-up companies, where she held roles like Project Manager and Vice President of Marketing. Many of those companies are well known today. She was a successful businesswoman in a man's world.  There weren't too many women in those roles back in the day. I suppose I at someone with a good education, a successful career, well-traveled, and sophisticated meant someone having traits like open-mindedness and tolerance. Boy, was I wrong.  It made me realize that I...

The Hill Country of Texas is filled with all sorts of wildlife, particularly in the area where I live, about seven miles from the nearest town.  We have mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, armadillos, deer, skunks, and feral cats. The small development where I live has 30 townhouses.  We are situated amongst many rolling hills and very few houses.  It’s relatively remote and somewhat rural, although we’re part of the town of Horseshoe Bay.  Horseshoe Bay’s main feature is its fancy resort on the shores of Lake LBJ.  Most houses in Horseshoe Bay are at least a half million dollars, with the ones on the shore into the multiple millions...second homes to the majority.  My modest little development, on the ‘other side’ of the road from the resort, is not in one of THE neighborhoods, but it offers hilltop views of the lake, fewer people, and abundant wildlife. It’s not unusual to walk with Paddy at night and sometimes trip over holes armadillos have dug or enc...