I love the doggie in all of the Texas house photos.

I am having a surprisingly good time here in Kerrville. It's my third time here for HS graduation, and I'll be back next year and the year after! Then all of Ben's kids will be done. But the best part of the trip is just connecting with my cousin despite our being diametrically opposed on just about every political or religious topic. The really good thing about Ben is that he's very smart and has lived all over. He loves history, as does his mom (my Aunt Sharon the missionary), and he teaches me a lot. They do not like our president one bit, and we don't talk a lot about politics, but he's got amazing stories to tell about his times in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last night I asked him if this time around (he was also in Desert Storm), he felt differently about the Iraqi people, because he wasn't remote; he was right there, living amongst them, for nearly two years. And his answer was a definite yes.

And get this: Ben's wife Angela suggested that we go to "The Grape Juice" because I would like it. It's Kerrville's new little cute "wine bar". So my Aunt Sharon the Missionary had sangria (two glasses!!!!), Ben and Angela had beer, and I had a nice Willamette pinot. And we sat on the porch of the place until 1 AM having wonderful discussions about family, war, healthcare, you name it. Thoughtful, calm and intelligent debates and a lot of sharing. It was such a wonderful experience I can not tell you.

Just read that Dennis Hopper has died.

Apparently Dennis Hopper has died.

Apparently Dennis Hopper has died.

Wow.

"Ah, shit, let's drink to something else. Let's drink to fucking. Yeah, say, 'Here's to your fuck, Frank.' "

(Edited for a better quote.)

-t - I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry, -t. What a horrible loss and shock after a hard couple years.

Dennis Hopper did not get cheated on having an interesting life, I'll tell you what.

He had a bit role in Rebel Without a Cause and was close friends with James Dean. One night they took Natalie Wood off to a fancy Hollywood hotel and filled the tub with champagne. She lowered herself into it, all sexy like and leaped out yelping because all the alcohol stung her tender bits.

Hopper was deeply involved with Wallace Berman's circle of beat-era artists, poets, musicians and filmmakers. This is how David Lynch (art student) came in contact with him. Other famous actors in that circle included Russ Tamblyn (Amber's dad), which is how Tamblyn wound up on Twin Peaks.

Dennis Hopper also famously directed Easy Rider and was a great photographer with many shows over the course of his career.

He was also an asshole. And a deeply right-wing, anti-government person for the last 30 or so years.

Edited to change my desciption of Hopper's politics.

And it wasn't James Dean, it was Nick Adams.

Does Target sell swim caps? The "seasonal" aisle at my local drug store was no help, and I don't have any sporting goods stores around here.

yep, that's my mom, with the precious puppy Toby, the Havanese.

Love how your mom is getting the puppy in the pictures. Love the colours. You know I love the teal. I think my LR is a brighter blue, but it's on the northside of the house, so it seems darker. I also love the colour of the guestroom.

Was planting in my garden, and heard a bird squawking the next yard over. Looked and there was Clio with the bird in her mouth! The next few minutes were me frantically yelling, gesticulating and finally banging a trowel against the fence until she dropped the bird and it flew away. I thought she was going to chase it into the busy road. I don't want my cats to be killers. Except most things they find inside the house are fair game.