Supermoon August 2023

Full Sturgeon Moon

There were 2 full moons this August! 

We started the month with a full Sturgeon Moon. But I only saw it in the morning.

The ducks were unimpressed.

Coolish Mornings

​This was the hottest August, I ever remember in Texas. It was tolerable being outside, very early in the mornings.

I tried to get out for runs before the sun came up. Muggy and 80, but better than 104.

Not So Cool Pool

Most pools in the Houston area became like giant bathtubs.

But it was still refreshing to be able to jump in. Sometimes in my clothes after yard work or running.
​
Pampering Plants

After the big freeze last winter, so many of our plants suffered, or were lost.

I spent a lot of the month trying hard to keep the plants from dying.

Most of our plants aren't used to triple digits. I was proud for every bloom! 

Lucky for Meds

Poison ivy used to be a regular thing, in my childhood summers. 

Weeding led to a huge outbreak. I suffered until I got steroids. No complaining, though. My rash was nothing compared to Don's back issues. Activity was limited for Don in August.

Chores

With lots of home time, I got some chores checked off my list. I thought painting the laundry room would be fun and easy.

I was sloppy and impatient with my brush and little roller. Don to the rescue! He ignored is back pain and fixed my mistakes!

Barbie

We haven't been to a movie theatre since the pandemic. (Seats are much comfier than 3+ years ago!). Barbie was a fun pick for a hot summer day. I ate my weight in popcorn.

My bucket of popcorn was half gone, by the time we got through all the movie trailers! Yep, I got the free refill before heading home!

 
Pool Time

The pool got more use than it has in years. Sometimes, I skipped my run and did laps. And sometimes I just lounged.

I did some reading and floating (with plunging mixed in) and I stared at clouds. Do you see a pig?

On the Road

At the end of the month, we hit the road and headed for Missouri. We picnicked at a park in Corsicana, Texas.

Not far from the giant flag, I discovered an old metal merry-go-round! It brought back good memories.

​Atoka, Oklahoma

We spent one night in a small Oklahoma town.

My mother's family has owned land in Atoka County since 1915. 

Reba's Place

Country music singer, Reba McEntire grew up on a ranch in Atoka County. She recently opened a restaurant/bar, in Atoka's century old Masonic Temple. 

I shopped on Main Street and got a blouse for $4.75 at the hardware store.

We had a grand time eating dinner at Reba's Place and learning lots of inside scoop, from the staff. They were very friendly on that slow night.

We closed down Reba's at 9 pm and wandered the cute little Main Street, under an almost full moon.

Atoka Critters

I met a doggy while shopping on Main Street the day before. I met a longhorn, in the morning.

We spotted the cows when we headed out in search of the family's property in Atoka County.

Reba's Bro

Just after we pulled onto this dirt road, I asked Don to pause so I could take a photo of the sign... Chockie Mountain Road.

A man driving a truck slowed down and greeted. We ended up chatting through our windows for 10 minutes. Turns out he was Reba McEntire's brother, Pake. He said our car was parked where the old  McEntire mailbox used to be.

The Land

After our fun, chatty encounter, we headed down another gravel road and found the 40 acres, that my grandmother's uncle purchased from a Choctaw Chief, over 100 years ago.

My 3 sibs and I now own two thirds of that property. Which means I own about 6.6 acres of Oklahoma property, near the McEntire Family Ranch! Time to build a tiny house!

Tulsa

On nearly the last day of August, Don and I stayed with our old Tulsa neighbors, Kim and Dan. Cheers to about 35 years of friendship!

We only had one night to catch up, but it was a perfect evening! Another full moon night!

We walked up the street to spot the full Blue Moon, through the trees! I absorbed all the warmth and power of that beautiful moon, to let me start the new month! September will begin with a family reunion in Missouri!
​