Clover Autrey

On Tuesday while I was feeling sad about my deceased son's birthday, a dear friend of mine was racing across town to save his daughter from her abusive husband. Said abuser shot Rudy four times, killing him.

It's hard to believe. Things like this don't happen to people like Rudy, not to Rudy.

I met his wife, Sandy, close to 25 years ago when I first moved to Texas, a few months before Pat and I married. We worked together and she became my first real friend out here.

Our families got together every so often and Pat and Rudy, both into music, got along great as well. Rudy had a voice like velvet. He was funny and sweet and you could see how much Sandy was in love with him by how they teased and interacted and how she sparkled when talking about him. I knew how much she cared for him before I ever met him.

He was always a protector. I remember having a conversation about how one of the things he had looked for in a house was that the children's bedrooms were in the back of the house, rather than the front just for added security for his kids against the world.

It doesn't surprise me that one call from his daughter would carry him to her rescue. That's who he was. He lived as a protector. He died as a protector.

I haven't seen Sandy and Rudy for years as our lives had gotten busier. I talked to Sandy right after Chase died. Well, DMed. We even made tentative plans to get together for lunch or something, but when it came time to make those plans, I didn't. I wasn't in a frame of mind to get together with anybody, knowing how frail my hold on emotions were then and I didn't want to reacquaint with an old friend while bawling my eyes out.

Now she's in the same boat and my heart is devastated for her.

The funeral is today. 

Featuring Clean Reads!  Books free from sex, language and gratuitous violence.
Book you can share with anyone without hesitation be it your mother, daughter or bishop's wife. 

I'm giving away my paperback copy of at face value by Emily Franklin, a cute modernized retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac. (My review of it here).  I just ask that you "follow this blog" cuz I'm collecting followers like gumdrops (yeah, yeah, I know it's totally just an ego numbers thing, but, hey... I'm not above that) oh, and leave a comment telling me you followed. That's it. 

We have arrived just outside of Granbury, Texas to drop Tater off at Camp El Tesoro (Treasure of Life).

He attended last year (in the record 112 degree heat) and has been looking forward to it since then.

This is his second year. So many kids wants to go so they limit the amount of times a child can attend to 3.  

Getting his suitcase out for the week. Sheets, pillow, and battery operated fan are stuffed inside there as well as clothes.

No stationery and stamps because from last year we learned T just doesn't write back!!

No food either since ants got all over his bed from the gummy worms I sent with him last year.

Besides, kitchen raids are more fun.

The baggage cart for Redwood cabin.

This year Tot is in Middle camp, roaming where the big guys roam.

He will be doing Archery and Horseback Riding and swimming every day, as well as different activities on the rope courses, the Cowboy Church's rodeo, and seeing the Magician float a table off the ground.

And the end of camp dance, of course.

 We have to cross that dang swinging bridge. T loved it. Of course he's the guy that makes it swing harder. Stay in the middle, keep your head up and just go....  Yeah, that advice doesn't work.




Lice Check. T passes.


Favorite new word from last year:



Confidentiality: What is said in counseling sessions, stays in the cabin.


His group, AKA, the frogs.

Last year he was a Fish in lower camp.

Over the dang bridge again.  There is one other way into camp, but it takes so long and it is so hot, the short trek across nauseousville is worth it.  I think.

Planting the 25th Tree for loved ones lost. Yes, I remembered to wear waterproof mascara.

Chase's Rock for 2012. The big Green C.

Chase's rock from 2011. Time fades paint, not so the hurt.

Chase's rock when it was new a year ago.

Pat and Tater on the balancing board. T said about 30 kids were on here balancing. You can't tell by the picture, but the slab moves.

Tater took the Gold Metal in Archery. 5 bulleyes out of 6 arrows!!!