"Hope Floats"

Love historic dancehalls and how they serve as the heart of communities.  Many movie fans might remember one treasured dancehall (Watterson Hall in Red Rock) from the 1998 film, Hope Floats, staring Harry Conic Jr. and Sandra Bullock.

Last weekend, we followed long, windy roads and discovered this sweet hall nestled far back in the woods. Lights illuminated the dance floor like a blanket of stars, and sweet sights of folks--young and old--shared the same love of live music and dance.  It was a joy to watch, participate, and see our girl fiddlin' and singin' on this historic dancehall stage.  

If you've never seen the movie, I will leave you with this mother/daughter interaction:

• Bernice Pruitt: My dad says that childhood is the happiest time of my life. But, I think he's wrong. I think my mom's right. She says that...
• [Bernice's voice fades as Birdee takes over]
• Birdee Pruitt: [laughing] Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. 
• 
  
• Ella B, don't ever forget what it means to shine and remember to always "give hope a chance to float."

• 
  

G.0.A.T.

I KID you not...we now have a four-day-old, Spanish Boer twin GOAT weighing in at four pounds.  What he lacks in weight, he makes up in spunk.  It all started with a simple text from a neighbor looking for someone to bottle feed an orphaned goat and ended with this mother/daughter duo taking on the every-two-hour feed/potty challenge.  We got this...*yawn/wink*

Ella took his naming seriously and for the past couple of days, she's been searching her heart and observing his spirit to give him the identity he deserves.  The result:  

Junot Tomas Broussard!

The story behind the name...Ella met an amazing fiddler named Keith Junot at the Fiddler's Frolics in Hallettesville when she was maybe eight years old.  They developed an instant bond and--by night fall--he surprised her and invited her on stage to play a cajun song or two with his headliner band.  He stayed in contact with us and constantly imparted his musical wisdom, shared stories, provided guidance, and promoted Ella every chance he got.  

Years later, Keith was diagnosed with cancer.  At that moment, I began to see the real impact his friendship had on her.  They/we chatted often, she visited him when she could, brought him his favorite snacks, and even donated the money from a gig to help when he needed it most. 

In 2022, Keith was inducted into the Fiddlers Hall of Fame as one of the Greatest Of All Time fiddlers.  After the ceremony, he came up to her and told her he had the perfect blue Barkus Berry fiddle he wanted to gift her--and he did.  Not long afterward, Keith passed away, but he stayed in touch until the bitter end.  His earthly struggles are gone, but his spirit lives on in little Junot!

Tomas means twin (and is the name of our dear friend's heavenly son) and well, Broussard means "man of the brush;)" 

Can a mother forget the [kid] at her [udder]
and have no compassion on the [kid] she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 

Isaiah 49:15

#wearefamily

Two Old Goats;)

Jan and I met back in College (1980s).  We were in theatre together, and I swear her confident, outgoing personality was the reason I got a full scholarship in theatre.  She was my partner and made everything on stage bigger and better.  

We've shared a lot in our forty years of friendship, and we also share a birth month:  January (Capricorn Goats).  We're both stubborn and independent--yet sensitive, kind-loving creatures. And dang it, we want things done by sundown:).  

My friend lost her husband this year, so we made it a point to get together over the holidays and celebrate another year of beautiful friendship.  Every day/year is truly a gift.  

Love you friend!  To many more trips around the sun and gorgeous sunsets.  

Christmas Family Fun

For three decades, I've hosted a themed family Christmas the weekend before Christmas. Over the years, we've gone from full houses in Galveston and Friendswood to a few members on the farm.  Some family members have passed on, moved, and others have branched out to start their own traditions.  

Grateful for my niece and great nephew for making this Christmas a fun-filled holiday.  To many more gatherings in celebration of family and...His birth!    

Oh Christmas Tree!

Got a later-than-usual start this year decorating the Christmas tree and almost left it with just its glistening lights.  However, Troy and Ella were off on their annual fiddle festival daddy/daughter trip, when nostalgia hit. 

I've never been a fan of artificial trees, but my hubby is allergic to all things green--except money;).  For me, the decorating part of the Christmas celebration has always been an awakening of the senses, and dried fruit decorations are the holy grail of Christmas crafts.  I love their simplicity and charm and above all...their smells.  

 

Did you know that stringing popcorn can be traced back to 1842 Colonial Williamsburg, VA?

My only real tree of the season;)

A Traditional Balloon Drop, a Gig and a New Year!

...Ringing in 2025 with Grandma and Grandpa...

 

... Risky Liver Band at Harmonie Hall...

...Goofy Grands...

...Gold, Money, Prosperity...

More than balloon drops, music, and symbolic food, the real new year is about our faith journey with God!