Friends

Sat we drove out to the Llano River between the towns of Llano and Mason for Remembering Benny. Seeing his cabin without him helped to accept that he is really gone. The event was a life celebration, greeting longtime old friends and a party.
I especially enjoyed being outside and greeting friends not as patient, but celebrator.

The weather could not have been nicer. It was both sunny and cool. Quiet a change from recent heat waves.

We are all older and some are grandparents. The dogs sort of took the place that the "kid mob" used to at these events. Sort of the knee high level party in the party. Fortunately they were a good lot and well behaved.

I should mention that there were several children - just not the numbers of our younger days.

Roadside flowers included outstanding purple Texas gayfeather ( http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=23065 ) and Maximilian sunflowers (http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=hema2 )

I wish I could have camped out for the evening. A hearty crew had collected enough firewood to burn well into Sunday. It was a victory to be there and maneuvering around the uneven ground successfully. Next time I will be stable enough to visit the river front (requires climbing down a rocky slope).

My first visit there was Benny's house warming. It was warm, too. We took our folding chairs and sat in the river flow under the pecan trees. A Belted Kingfisher (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/lifehistory ) was irritated that we were in his spot. We were just hoping the river flow was more water than upstream cattle pee.

Today I leave for the cattle dog national specialty! More old friends and good dogs for me.