The Great Texas Wildflower Hunt Day One

We leased a Honda Pilot nearly two years ago since it seemed a great vehicle for the traveling Rosemary and I planned for our retirement years. We took the 15,000 miles a year option to accommodate all the driving we were planning. Nearly two years later we barely logged 15,000 miles. It took us two years to drive what we expected to do in one.

You can blame COVID, my unexpected return to the Gachassin Law Firm, or some nagging medical problems, but enough is enough and I was determined to get to the traveling. Our first adventure had to be sufficiently rewarding to coax us on to more and yet not so taxing that the enthusiasm was not beaten out of us. I saw an article somewhere about Bluebonnets in Texas and realized it was nearly the peak time for bloom browsing. My wife was enthusiastic. After a quick glance at my calendar, I noted that the first full week of April was clear… nothing legal and nothing medical, a sure sign from God. We decided to invite Rose’s sister Donnah to come along. Rose said, “she won’t come.” I am not sure if it was a prediction or a wish. In either case, my wife had one of her rare wrong moments, and Donnah enthusiastically agreed to come along.

Therefore, yesterday our adventure began. I wasn’t going to go nuts so planned an overnight in Houston rather than a marathon drive to Fredericksburg, the acknowledged center of Texas Spring Flower activity. Knowing the sleeping patterns of my wife and her sister, I hoped for a noon departure that would get us to Houston before dark. When you hit 70, as all three of us have, frequent stops need to be anticipated.

I was surprised when at 11 a.m. we pulled away from our home. Rose had a bad case of spring planting fever and we bravely left many blooming plants, unplanted. Fingers crossed and assuming a prayerful attitude we left the uncompleted garden work in the hands of the Lord. Flowers are, after all, one of His best ideas.

Since we were already an hour ahead of schedule, I decided it would be good to get a breakfast, brunch/lunch before hitting the road. We headed for Cracker Barrel, one lunch, one breakfast, and one veggie plate later we were ready for adventure. When I opened my wallet to pull out my well-used debit card, it wasn’t there. After some head-scratching, I computed that my last use of the card had been at Walgreens, picking up drugs for the trip. Never trip without drugs. It’s a rule from the 60s. They like to pack your card in an envelope attached to the drugs. I guess they figure drugs and an easy way to spend money should be kept separate. This wasn’t the first time I had forgotten their methods and thrown the card in the trash with the drug packings. We headed back to Broussard to rescue my card, no longer an hour ahead of schedule, but more like an hour behind. As we left Broussard, my wife quipped, “Have we left Lafayette yet?” Which was met by my witty response, “We haven’t gotten there yet.”

The Honda Pilot proved to be everything we hoped for. The back was loaded but the vehicle handled great. We were able to make good time with only minor violations of the state speeding laws. I was streaming some of my favorite tunes through my hearing aids (that’s earbuds for the elderly). The sound isn’t up to Apple standards, but the battery life is great, and young folks can hardly see them and think you are old with Parkinson’s based on the way your lips are moving as you play “air” guitar and simulate dance moves from a sitting position.

I was a disc jockey twice in my life. In my last years of high school and the first couple of years of college, I worked at KSIG in Crowley playing 60s music. It was, after all, the 60s. I still love music from that era. Later I volunteered at Christian radio, KSJY in the afternoons. I love that stuff. So my playlists are a strange combination of Motown, Beatles, Stones, and Mercy Me.

When my wife began to tire of my “I’m listening to music and you can’t hear it attitude.” I suggested she find something on the radio, sorry I mean sound system. It was at this point she admitted she had never been able to figure out how it worked. I offered to show her and after some reluctance, I told her I could turn it to the Beatle channel on Sirius. My wife is the biggest Beatle fan I know. That possibility broke down her resistance and moments later and for the rest of the trip, she and I were singing along to Beatle hits. I think her sister, sitting in the back, was reconsidering the wisdom of her decision to join us. Her music tastes are more Gilbert and Sullivan and less John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

Before we hit Lake Charles I was fighting off sleepiness so we pulled into a MacDonalds. I only half-joking suggested maybe our first overnight should be in Lake Charles rather than Houston. I was met with at least a hint of enthusiasm. I decided to ignore it and press on. The stop at Mickey D’s worked and I was wide awake the rest of the trip.

I believe God works in many ways including modern technology. Our trip through Houston to the Drury Inn near the Galleria took us through the most spectacular residential areas any of us had ever seen. And we once lived in California, so we know Nob Hill and Beverly Hills. Boosted by the Beatle Hits and amazed by the beautiful neighborhoods. We arrived at the motel in a great part of town at a very reasonable price in pretty good spirits.

Our favorite dinner spot in Houston is Maggiano’s Little Italy. It’s one of the reasons we chose this part of Houston for our overnight. We introduced Donoonah (DD) to dinner there and it was a fabulous topper to our day.

We were all exhausted and collapsed into bed. First nights in a new place are difficult and I don’t think any of us slept great. The furnished breakfast here is great and after a couple of compulsory shopping stops, the Container Store and Ikea, we will be taking the “scenic” route from Houston to Fredericksburg, hoping Day 2 is as good as Day 1. Maybe we will replace the Beatles Channel with a good audiobook. There is no limit to the craziness these three might be up to.

Now for the sermon part of this post. You knew it was coming. When we advised family that we had arrived safely in Houston, we got two responses: “I am worried about people your age on the road.” and “Have fun.” Both responses came from a family that loves us greatly. They reflect the delicate balance one must strike when hitting the Golden Years: fun and safety.

Safety: At 70 plus you are not as energetic, strong, and capable as you, hopefully once were. You need to be careful. You need to watch where you walk. Plan your every move. Take good care of your diet. Be wisely active. The human life cycle is designed by God. As we lose our independence with age, God intends to nudge us toward dependence on Him. His plan doesn’t always work. Advanced age can cause depression, frustration, and anger instead of dependence on God. Watch out for that.

Fun. If we are lucky enough to live a full life, the later years are part of a God planned transition into his presence. We have more time to think of Him and enjoy him. We are less distracted and more able to enjoy the beauty of His world and his creations, particularly those Has given us to love. Make sure your life just isn’t long, but that it’s full; that it’s a wonderful transition into the wonders of Heaven. Be safe and wise and fun and loving.