Friday, May 25, 2012

A Trip to Rosebud

My friend's mother died this past week. 
She lived in Rosebud, a little country town less than two hours away from me, so of course I attended the services to support my friend.

If you've ever driven in Texas, you know how diverse the terrain can be. 
This is where I started early Tuesday morning, in the rolling hills near my house...


...and in little more than an hour, I was here, driving through flat farmland...





I had never driven out that way before.  

My heart just soared to see so much farmland untouched by encroaching housing developments, and horizons that stretched for miles with nothing blocking the view but prairie grass or cornfields.


This little cemetery is where my friend's mom was buried. 




This weekend... as on all Memorial Day weekends for who knows how long... the community will gather here for prayer, a picnic, and a sprucing up of the cemetery. Even family members who have moved away will come back to pitch in. 

Now that's the way to celebrate Memorial Day, don't you think?


These blooms spiked out from a tree at my friend's mom's house - I can't remember what it's called, but I fell in love with it.
(*I finally looked it up - it's called Texas Lilac Vitex.)



 I have a soft spot for old buildings, so before heading home, I stopped on Main Street and snapped a few photos.





This church and cemetery in another small town caught my eye on my way to Rosebud that morning. 
I promised myself that on the way home I'd stop for a photography break.




You have to keep promises to yourself, you know. 
Life's just too short not to.


20 comments:

  1. what a great piece of texas. community, country, township, coming together.

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    1. I agree. Makes me wish I lived someplace like that!

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  2. Such a beautiful landscape Barbara, and those purple flowers are so wonderful.
    Have a fantastic weekend!

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    1. It was more beautiful than my photos show... the light was wonderful! I wish I could remember what that tree is called. If I find out, I'll edit this!

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  3. I've been out your way before with the rolling hills and it always amazes me that Texas has hills at all! Though Abilene sports some, too. You got some great shots of the diversity in the terrain. Love the statue with the missing hand. Kinda eerie. Hope the funeral wasn't too sad.

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    1. Gail, you need to go out to Big Bend. There are actually mountains there! The funeral was sad - it was unexpected and she was still full of life and energy, except her heart didn't cooperate. But at the same time, her daughters had gone through their father's death from cancer several years ago, and they were grateful she hadn't had to suffer as he did.

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  4. I know all about flat land, but not uninterrupted flat land. That's gorgeous! The photo of the stores on Main Street, reminds me of another Main Street, in NC.

    Great photos, as always!

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    1. There was just something so rich and vibrant in this flatness - normally I don't like flat land (hello, Houston!) but this just made me sigh.

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  5. i think that is a great way to celebrate...smiles...some wonderful pictures...especially of the town and the cemetary...

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    1. Isn't it? Truly proves the 'never forgotten' part. Thanks, Brian!

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  6. Thanks for sharing your trip to Rosebud with us and how wonderful it was for you to be there for your friend.❤

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    1. I'm just glad I was able to. Several others wanted to come, but couldn't get away from work. I represented a lot of hearts!

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  7. Thanks for the photos on your way to Rosebud. I love those flowers that were at your friend's mom.

    ♥charlotte

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    1. I finally looked them up - they're called Texas Lilac Vitex. Love them!

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  8. Promises are meant to be kept.

    But this is highly difficult.

    Thus people said promises are meant to be broken.

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  9. Such a beautiful cemetery Barbara. That is so nice that you were able to be there for your friend. That drive through the flat prairie looked like you were in Saskatchewan! ;)
    Have a beautiful day!
    xo Catherine

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  10. Absolutely beautiful. Thank for all you share Barb!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Lynn. I hope you get back to sharing on your blog, too! I miss your thoughtful posts!

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