muse

We went to Steve’s annual family reunion last weekend. There are about thirty people when everyone is together. Even after two years of marriage, I find it a little bit daunting. But I know (mostly) everyone’s names now. The reunion was out at his uncle’s ranch in the piney woods, a really beautiful part of the state. The air smelled so wonderful - hot and evergreen and a little bit dusty, with the occasional whiff of smoke as someone burned piles of brush on their land. And so quiet! It was classic Texas. We had a great and boisterous time. There was actually a few moments late Saturday night where I found myself out on the back porch with the wives of Steve’s cousins. Two of them just got married last year, so we had a fun chat about the boys and the family and what it was like. I would definitely like to do that again. They are all truly lovely ladies, and I am so happy to have them there.

Steve has one “nephew” who has completely captured my heart. I guess it’s because he reminds me so much of myself. He’s starting third grade and just got glasses (which is the same time I got mine, so I know how that goes). He’s sweet and fairly quiet, with this intense air. Smart and curious. And he’s surrounded by girls, so he ends up by himself a lot of the time. We played some games and had some good chats - when he confesses that he beats everyone at this or that board game, it’s with this sparkly conspiratorial air that is just devistating. Turns out we have some imaginary friends in common …

There is talk of renting a cabin in the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee next year. It looks like there is some GREAT hiking, which is tempting. And I’ve never been to Tennessee. But when his aunt said the drive is “only” 13 hours … from Dallas … I dunno.

But those gorgeous mountains …

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