Tex

I've often wondered how long one must live a place before you feel like that's where you are from.  I've spent three Christmases in Texas and welcomed another child.  I have a library card, a voter registration and a drivers license that all say I'm a Texan. I rub my arms and make an effort to dig out socks when the temperature dips to only 65°. I like to let the ocean be my therapist, the briny water washing troubles from me with every visit. I use "ya'll".  I know that brisket is more than something you corn on St. Patrick's Day and I've tried five different kinds of tamales and seven different bread puddings. But today, I sat down at my computer with a coffee, saw a post from a place I used to work, and heard my first Midwestern accent.

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Occupy Cherryvale Mall, Rockford, IL on Black Friday

Shortly after eating lunch and taking the children to see Santa, we heard people yelling in the town square of Cherryvale Mall.  We stopped just past the elevator and looked around.  A few years back someone lit themselves on fire in protest at the very same mall so of course like a true American I got my camera out.  I was face to face with the Occupy Rockford movement.  People strolled in calling and responding "Occupy Rockford!" They hung a banner from the second floor mezzanine and read a short paragraph just feet from us.  We were unable to discern much over the din of the holiday shoppers, other than "...We are your friends and neighbors!..." Next the police rushed up and confiscated the banner and stood very close to our neighbors who started to sing "This Land is Your Land."  Then I raised a camera to capture what felt sort of patriotic and sweet and this is what happened.

Other full video here.

Way to welcome out of town visitors Cherryvale Mall!

UPDATE: There is nothing in Cherryvale Mall's Code of Conduct that says anything about taking a video.

Wednesday Afternoon

Ethan: "Do donkeys chew bubble gum?" Ella: "Sure they do - with their beaks."

Thanks for inviting us Mike!

I'm still breathing

I'm just breathing the air in Illinois again. Over the weekend Dan and I drove nonstop 19 hours back to Illinois (another story for another day.) We will be here for a couple of weeks tying up loose ends and closing bank accounts, stuff like that. Then back to Texas to start school. So far we have almost every day filled with relatives and activities. Poor kiddo has to get her shots for school while we're here. We'll be going to the Riverhawks tonight with some pals. I've got the dog with me and since it's the Dog Days of Summer at the baseball game we can bring her with us. I'll update after and let you know how crazy I am for attempting a baseball game with a five year old and a dog. Hopefully I can get my camera figured out and post pics.