A Dancing Family

The Barta family might become a "dancing family" if we can do this more often! On Sunday, September 27, we made the short drive to Schulenburg for a Sunday afternoon that was filled with happy music and good times!

One of my Birthday wishes (even though more than two weeks had passed since my Birthday!) was to find a dance that featured a band that played polkas and waltzes and our whole family would go dancing ... kids as well as the adults! It had been a couple of years since we last tried that, and the kids did ask more than once, "When are we going dancing again?!"

My Birthday wish materialized in the form of a drive to Schulenburg's Sengelmann Hall. This was our first trip there and I am sure we will be returning! It seems that the building where it is located has a very unique history and someone has only recently renovated it and put it to good use! The first floor is a restaurant (which we didn't try but have been told is quite good), while the second floor has a very nice dance floor surrounded with adequate seating and tables for around 200 people. The bar was serving several brands of golden brew on tap ... from a dark ale to several light versions.

Central Texas Sounds was the featured band and they had no problem pleasing the crowd of dancers as well as other families that gathered for a Sunday afternoon of happy times! Everyone danced, from little Cody to Granny and Grandpa! Grandpa took turns dancing with our granddaughters as well as our daughters. And I tried my best to teach our grandsons, Ryan, Matthew and even little Cody a few steps, but I've concluded that Clarence is a better dance instructor than I am. Our sons-in-law gave me the privilege of making a few circles around the dance hall with them also. All twelve of us in our family got in on the dancing at one time or another and to say we had a good time is putting it mildly. From polkas and waltzes to a touch of western music occasionally and even a jitterbug number... we danced away the afternoon.

Happy music, cold refreshments, and surrounded by family ... it doesn't get any better than that!! I couldn't help but think, "Now that's the way God meant for Sundays to be spent ... going to church and then spending the time enjoying one's family ... and when you add happy music and dancing to that combination, it can't help but create special memories!!"

Thank you God for the many blessings you have given our fmaily!

Fishing at the Malinovsky's

The Big Ones That Didn't Get Away!

Fishing has always been fun, especially when one can hook onto a few big ones! The weather was hot and humid, but it must have been just right for fishing as the fish were biting at the Malinovsky tank on Sun., Sept. 20, 2009. Peggy caught the first big one which was more than adequate for "keeping" - as it was estimated to be about a 6 pound catfish. Not long after that Emily's line starting bending and she landed another big blue cat. In a matter of minutes, Peggy landed another nice-sized one. Just when it seemed the fish had gotten "fed up" and things started quieting down, my line disappeared from another spot clear across the tank. Was I ever excited!! I had to work the line for several minutes (with a bit of coaching from Clarence of course as well as the grandkids!!) I was so afraid it would "get away!" My arm started tiring after fighting with it for so long, but it was well worth the effort when I finally landed the big one! We didn't weigh it, but the guys thought it was 8 to 10#. The kids were so excited that Granny caught such a big fish! It was fun... and a cold one after all that work sure tasted good! Thanks to Michael for doing the cleaning duties. Anybody for fried fish!!?? I can't wait to try some!!
Hmmm! I hate to say it too loud, but isn't it interesting that the "ladies" were the only ones that caught the big fish that day!!

A Quiet Evening in a Country Setting

A late evening drive to Peggy & Michael's country home under construction on Friday, September 18, 2009, ended up being one of those unexpected enjoyable family times. As we arrived at their farm we spotted our son-in-law Michael and our grandkids, Emily, Ryan, Matthew & Cody on their fishing pier with their camouflaged t-shirts or vests. But no, they weren't fishing as we first thought, but rather dove hunting. Michael handled the shotgun while the kids watched from all directions from the fishing pier near their tank looking skyward trying to spot a dove or two flying over for their Dad to take aim at. "There comes one, Dad!" was heard several times as their voices resounded with excitement. When his aim was successful they were quick to retrieve the game and proudly added it to their collection. After bringing down a few they wanted to know if their Dad was going to make dove stew! Don't know if the stew ever materialized but watching our grandkids enjoy this special time hunting with their Dad was a special treat!
Our daughter Peggy joined us on the pier just in time to watch the sun set and enjoy a cold one with us. The grandkids were quick to want to "show and tell" the fruits of their hunt with their mother! Little Cody graciously handed Mom one of the lifeless birds, but she persuaded him she should bring it to his Dad.
Conversation flowed freely and as I enjoyed the beautiful country setting and the peaceful evening, I couldn't help but be grateful that my dream of living in a country was being lived out by our children and grandchildren. The serenity of this special time of day was all the more awesome when we as grandparents could witness two wonderful parents spending precious time with their children. Sometimes I think parents (in general) try too hard to buy "things" for their children , when one of the most precious gifts they can give them is the gift of spending time with them. And when it's done in God's great outdoors ... it seems all the more special! An evening like this truly makes one appreciate once again some of our most precious gifts we take so for granted - the gift of family and the wonders of God's creation!

Testing...

This is a test! My first real blog message! I accidentally got into this tonight, and I'm still on a roll and enjoying learning something new! Will see how this goes and maybe write something meaningful at a later time!