A Reprise

Freemasonry has been a subject interesting to me since I learned that my first Texas ancestor, Napoleon Storey, was a freemason. So it was with great pleasure that I took the opportunity to enter and photograph a masonic lodge, informed by the local masonic leader about the organization as I did so. This was a composite of famous American freemasons. I was able to look and photograph all I wanted. The masons offered no explanations as to the meaning or use of the objects in the ceremony hall; nor did I ask them. In the center of the hall. The dining hall. This was my favorite place. There was a lingering smell of sandwiches and good country cooking. On the wall are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, a related organization for men and women dedicated to public service. This was the founder of the order in Grand Prairie. His portrait was very high on the wall above my head, and it was difficult to get a good picture. I found his appearance, emblem...

   Beautiful dresses in a shop window. Masonic Lodge. We toured the interior on invitation from two masons standing nearby, one of whom was the local head of the organization.

  We went to Saint Emilion in Fort Worth last Saturday. There was a flat rate for a four course dinner. I had basil pesto, French onion soup, steak and fries and meringue puff with vanilla sauce and caramel for dessert. Everything I tasted was very flavorful. The onion soup was powerful but probably their best menu item. I would love to go again and try some more things.

An inventive method of melting chocolate. The completed boudino. Matt made all parts except the meringue cookies. Nathan and I made those together. The dessert consisted of a thick chocolate mousse covered with home-whipped cream, meringue cookies and chocolate shavings. We piled this concoction on the sugar-covered biscotti to eat.

Sometimes things do not turned out as planned. Instead of the hot, light-filled summer afternoon I expected to find outside of my haven, the sky is gray, the wind is whipping, and the sight makes me feel chill even though I'm sure it is still warm outside. I am drinking from my dwindling supply of PG Tips and reading Victoria, and writing in my journal. I am writing about the elements that compose my creative world and reflecting on how they have expanded. Some things I would like to do this summer are to make a flowered Baroque dress for myself, and sew modern but romantic clothes for my dolls. I wish I could see more soap operas from the 1970's. I also wish that I could hear the early soap operas broadcasted from radio. The new Victoria has begun to increase its material on personal, intimate spaces, and has included at least two articles of writers' habits. While I am a crafting a creative world, writing is no longer the main ingredient. It is as with Jan Karon's wor...

Today I long for the warmth and light of the sun. In my heart I am released for summer holiday to make three months for myself. I will go to the university library and research anything I want, I will fill up my Seattle's Best card with tea services while I write, I will go to River Legacy- with tea, and take pictures. I wish I could be there now. My heart is in ashes, but out of those ashes I can feel myself longing to make something else for myself. I have no hesitation about it. I will go right on, and what I will do now will be even better than before.