A Blessed Birthday Weekend
This past weekend saw the 2 ½ day appearance of Mark Stubblefield and Amy Inge in the great city of San Antonio. Driving down from the Inge home outside of Fort Worth (where Mark had been visiting the Inge family generally, and Amy particularly) on Friday afternoon, Mark and Amy drove up to my house at around 8:30 p.m. and thus commenced our visit.
Last Friday happened to be my birthday (a fact that did not go unmentioned to Mark in the course of my request for a visit), and so after a brief catching-up session in the Horn Family living room, Mark, Amy, and I departed for the evening to celebrate. (My family had already paid homage to the occasion during dinner, bestowing upon me many wonderful gifts and an awesome meal with my favorite dessert, Death by Chocolate. Thanks, guys!) We three enjoyed a night out together and engaged in various conversations of cultural observation and otherwise. ‘Twas great fun to remember old times with Mark and clue Amy into some of our past history. (Look at the stars, C.S. See how they shine.)
On Saturday, Mark and Amy joining my family for a boat "cruise" on Buchanan Lake and the Colorado River (not that Colorado River) outside of Burnet, TX. Although the day was grey and sometimes misty (more so the closer we drew to the Vanishing Texas River Cruise embarkation point), we collectively braved the elements and thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. Furthermore, yours truly was granted the distinction of being the only passenger on board in short sleeves, an honor befitting a Northern-blooded man.
The Vanishing Texas River Cruise was about 2 ½ hours long, lasting from 2:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. In typical "cruise" fashion we slowly plodded (assuming a boat can actually plod) down the lake/river, followed closely by a flock of seagulls for all 2 ½ hours of our trip. During our voyage we observed all manner of wildlife, including herons, cattle, wild pigs, goats (I would call them mountain goats, but the rocky hills they were climbing did not meet the requisite mountain specifications), and the aforementioned seagulls. Flora included surprisingly green grass along the riverbanks, the requisite Texas cacti, and various trees of all sizes and shapes. We enjoyed the quiet beauty of the river and the sometimes sheer (although low) heights of the river-side hills. Seeing this side of Texas was a welcome relief from my every-day visuals of the state, and I hungrily consumed the scenery like a famished wanderer far from home (or something like that).
Upon our return to dry land, Mark, Amy, Cara and I headed downtown for a night of fellowship with friends from the San Antonio community. Barnes, remember the words of Marcus.
Deciding to modify our original plans for the evening, the five of us headed back to my home to watch Bringing Up Baby. Cara had gifted this longtime film favorite to me earlier that day in generous recognition of my birthday, and we all enjoyed Cary Grant’s and Katherine Hepburn’s screwball comedic exploits on the small screen.
Retiring to our rooms (minus Mr. Barnes, who returned to his own abode), for the second consecutive night Mark and I exercised our mutual prerogative to sacrifice sleep for conversation’s sake and caught up/solved the problems of mankind as we fought heavy eyelids deep into the night. That’s the privilege and blessing of true friendship!
Sunday morning brought with it breakfast and the drive to BCA. Mark enjoyed seeing old friends and introducing/reacquainting them to Amy. I benevolently watched over the two of them, remembering a time not so long ago when Mark’s world and mine were more of the same ilk. Methinks he found a better world. ;>)
So ended my special birthday weekend. Many thanks to my family for a very enjoyable birthday celebration, and much gratitude to Mark and Amy for the gift of fellowship with godly friends.
Following are some photos from Saturday.
Last Friday happened to be my birthday (a fact that did not go unmentioned to Mark in the course of my request for a visit), and so after a brief catching-up session in the Horn Family living room, Mark, Amy, and I departed for the evening to celebrate. (My family had already paid homage to the occasion during dinner, bestowing upon me many wonderful gifts and an awesome meal with my favorite dessert, Death by Chocolate. Thanks, guys!) We three enjoyed a night out together and engaged in various conversations of cultural observation and otherwise. ‘Twas great fun to remember old times with Mark and clue Amy into some of our past history. (Look at the stars, C.S. See how they shine.)
On Saturday, Mark and Amy joining my family for a boat "cruise" on Buchanan Lake and the Colorado River (not that Colorado River) outside of Burnet, TX. Although the day was grey and sometimes misty (more so the closer we drew to the Vanishing Texas River Cruise embarkation point), we collectively braved the elements and thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. Furthermore, yours truly was granted the distinction of being the only passenger on board in short sleeves, an honor befitting a Northern-blooded man.
The Vanishing Texas River Cruise was about 2 ½ hours long, lasting from 2:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. In typical "cruise" fashion we slowly plodded (assuming a boat can actually plod) down the lake/river, followed closely by a flock of seagulls for all 2 ½ hours of our trip. During our voyage we observed all manner of wildlife, including herons, cattle, wild pigs, goats (I would call them mountain goats, but the rocky hills they were climbing did not meet the requisite mountain specifications), and the aforementioned seagulls. Flora included surprisingly green grass along the riverbanks, the requisite Texas cacti, and various trees of all sizes and shapes. We enjoyed the quiet beauty of the river and the sometimes sheer (although low) heights of the river-side hills. Seeing this side of Texas was a welcome relief from my every-day visuals of the state, and I hungrily consumed the scenery like a famished wanderer far from home (or something like that).
Upon our return to dry land, Mark, Amy, Cara and I headed downtown for a night of fellowship with friends from the San Antonio community. Barnes, remember the words of Marcus.
Deciding to modify our original plans for the evening, the five of us headed back to my home to watch Bringing Up Baby. Cara had gifted this longtime film favorite to me earlier that day in generous recognition of my birthday, and we all enjoyed Cary Grant’s and Katherine Hepburn’s screwball comedic exploits on the small screen.
Retiring to our rooms (minus Mr. Barnes, who returned to his own abode), for the second consecutive night Mark and I exercised our mutual prerogative to sacrifice sleep for conversation’s sake and caught up/solved the problems of mankind as we fought heavy eyelids deep into the night. That’s the privilege and blessing of true friendship!
Sunday morning brought with it breakfast and the drive to BCA. Mark enjoyed seeing old friends and introducing/reacquainting them to Amy. I benevolently watched over the two of them, remembering a time not so long ago when Mark’s world and mine were more of the same ilk. Methinks he found a better world. ;>)
So ended my special birthday weekend. Many thanks to my family for a very enjoyable birthday celebration, and much gratitude to Mark and Amy for the gift of fellowship with godly friends.
Following are some photos from Saturday.
posted by Tim at
3/25/2006 02:59:00 AM
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