A Great Loss....

A dear Friend died Monday morning. We had been friends for over 15 years. From our first meeting there was a kinship. She called me "Sis" and we were able to finish each other's sentences. Rosalee had a laugh that was contagious and people were drawn to her. I became a default family member and what a wonderful family. Bob and Rosalee had four sons by birth and the house was always busy with them and their friends. For Rosalee, three of the most important things in her life were faith, family and friends.
There is no doubt in my mind that Rosalee touched thousands of lives. Many were in the elementary school where she taught for many years. She also taught pottery classes on Tuesdays. When we went to Indian Pow Wows Rosalee usually had some clay with her and a group of children would be gathered around her learning to make pinch pots.
This little lady, who was just right of five feet tall, seemed fearless. I can't ever remember hearing her say that something couldn't be done. She was ready to tackle almost any project, including building her own studio and kick wheel to smoke tanning deer hide. It was with this attitude and courage that she faced her cancer. After the doctors had done everything they could and a cure was not found, God said "I can make her whole again"
Rosalee will dance to the sound of the drum that is the heartbeat of our Mother Earth. The laughter of "Gentle Wind" will be on every breeze. Her memory will be in my heart and the heart of those who love her.

You Must Have Art

I am very excited about the plans we have made for tomorrow. It will be a day dedicated to museums. First will be the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston. Then to the Health Museum and finally, the Childrens Museum. Since there are no special exhibitions at the MFAH I will be staying with the group. I must admit that the Impressionist exhibit from the Met. filled my soul. I will take a aketch book with me but with 3 girls I don't think I will be stopping anywhere for long.
A friend sent a link about an artist in Utah who paints portrairs of fallen soldiers for the familes who have given up sons, daughters,fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters so that we might be free. What an amazing talent and wonderful gift.

http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=141477&ESRC=army.nl

We will be leaving here Friday morning after 10 wonderful days. Everyone has had a great time and we appreciate the hospitality. I have survived the humidity that comes with Houston in July. It's like trying to breathe under water. I did not get to do any art supply shopping but I will survive. A new Jerry's Artarama opened here but it's about an hour and a half away. It's funny that I don't think much about driving an hour one way to eat dinner in West Texas but think twice about it here.

Day Eight

We have been in Houston for 8 days now. Yesterday we washed and folded a mountain of laundry. The girls added another load by going in and out of the pool several times. Each trip into the water meant another towel and different clothes. They were so tired last night that Emily ASKED for her allergy medicine so she could go to bed.
We went to Lake Charles Sunday and didn't have car trouble so that was a major plus. I enjoyed seeing the kids that have been a part of my life for so many years. Gwynyth, Makayla and Emily got to see their cousins and had a good time. Unfortunately, there has never been a Watson gathering that hasn't ended with hurt feelings. Those who should be closest to us have the power to hurt us the most. Shana was the one hurt by narrow closed minds and stupidity. As so often happens, one has the right to their own opinion as long as it aligns with everyone else.
And speaking of......I just got off the phone with my sister and breathed wrong. I know it's something I do. I will be going along, minding my own business and realize that I am not taking full breaths.....so I do; take a deep breath. I don't mean anything by it. Since that phone call I have noticed that I took a full breath in the car,on the stairs, in the grocery store and no one called me on it or accused me of having a hidden meaning behind it.
(Deep Breath)

Saturday

I am still in Houston and we are staying very busy. Last night it was the Harry Potter Party (say that 5 times) at Borders bookstore. I tried to lurk in the background and hoped that no one would ask me anything since I haven't read any of the books or seen any of the movies. I did manage to find 3 wonderful art books. The girls had fun playing games but it was really late when we got home.
Today we went to see Spiderman 3. After the movie and snacks Shana took the girls to the pool. This is the first day that it hasn't rained since we have been here. Not that a little rain has slowed us down. They must have stayed at the pool 2 hours. It was after 7 when they came in so it was time to eat and take a bath. It seems that so much water really makes kids hungry so they had to eat again before they went to bed.
Tomorrow we are going to Lake Charles so I had better try to get some sleep.

Raining

It has rained every day since we arrived in Houston. Not a heavy rain and not the entire day but enough that we have adjusted our plans. Yesterday an afternoon in the park turned into a trip to the Galleria. We adapt quickly.
The rain started today before we left the house. I has given us a chance to regroup ( laundry) and do something different. We turned off the lights, (it's not dark) Shana lit candles and we took turns making up stories. One person starts the story and passes it to the next. Each adds their twist as it goes around the room. Gwynyth can really add characters. Makayla is good at deciding when it's time to end it. It took Emily a couple of rounds to become confident enough to join.
Having the cousins together is interesting.

Houston

Okay, I know I am not beign as faithful in writing as I should. My granddaughter and I have been in Houston visiting my daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law. We have been here since Monday and haven't stopped since we got here. I am hoping that we will have a chance to to stay home tomorrow but there is so much to see and do.
Maybe I will write more later

HISPANIC LEADERS SPEAK OUT!

Will the last American to leave California please bring the flag???

HISPANIC LEADERS SPEAK OUT!


"They're afraid we're going to take over
the governmental institutions and other
institutions. They're right. We will take them over
. . . We are here to stay." Richard Alatorre, Los
Angeles City Council.


"The American Southwest seems to be slowly
returning to the jurisdiction of Mexico without
firing a single shot." Excelsior, the national
newspaper of Mexico:

"We have an aging white America. They are
not making babies. They are dying The explosion is
in our population . .. I love it. They are shitting
in their pants with fear. I love it." Professor Jose
Angel Gutierrez, University of Texas

"Remember 187--proposition to deny taxpayer
funds for services to non-citizens--was the last
gasp of white America in California." Art Torres,
Chairman of the California Democratic Party,

"We are politicizing every single one of
these new citizens that are becoming citizens of
this country . . . I gotta tell you that a lot of
people are saying, "I'm going to go out there and
vote because I want to pay them back." G loria
Molina, Los Angeles County Supervisor,

"California is going to be a Hispanic
state. Anyone who doesn't like it should leave."
Mario Obledo, California Coalition of Hispanic
Organizations and California State Secretary of
Health, Education and Welfare under Governor Jerry
Brown, also awarded the Presidential Medal of
Freedom by President Bill Clinton


"We are practicing 'La Reconquista' in
California." Jose Pescador Osuna, Mexican Consul
General ,


"We need to avoid a white backlash by using
codes understood by Latinos . . . " Professor
Fernando Guerra, Loyola Marymount University


Are these just the words of a few
extremists? Consider that we could fill up many
pages with such quotes. Also, consider that these
are mainstream Mexican leaders.


THE U.S. VS MEXICO: On February 15, 1998,
the U.S. and Mexican soccer teams met at the Los
Angeles Coliseum. The crowd was overwhelmingly
pro-Mexican even though most lived in this country.
They booed during the National Anthem and U.S. flags
were held upside down. As the match progressed,
supporters of the U.S. team were insulted, pelted
with projectiles, punched and spat upon. Beer and
trash were thrown at the U.S. players before and
after the match. The coach of the U.S. team, Steve
Sampson said, "This was the most painful experience
I have ever had in this profession."


Did you know that immigrants from Mexico
and other non-European countries can come to this
country and get preferences in jobs, education, and
government contracts?

Corporate America has signed on to the idea
that minorities and third world immigrants should
get special, privileged status. Some examples are
Exxon,Texaco, Merrill Lynch, Boeing, Paine Weber,
Starbucks and many more.


DID YOU KNOW?: Did you know that Mexico
regularly intercedes on the side of the defense in
criminal cases involving Mexican nationals? Did you
know that Mexico has NEVER extradited a Mexican
national accused of murder in the U.S. in spite of
agr eements to do so? According to the L.A. Times,
Orange County, California is home to 275 gangs with
17,000 members; 98% of which are Mexican and Asian.
How's your county doing?


Is education important to you? Here are the
words of a teacher who spent over 20 years in the
Los Angeles School system. "Imagine teachers in
classes containing 30-40 students of widely varying
attention spans and motivation, many of whom aren't
fluent in English. Educators seek learning materials
likely to reach the majority of students and that
means fewer words and math problems and more
pictures and multicultural references."



WHEN I WAS YOUNG: When I was young, I
remember hearing about the immigrants that came
through Ellis Island. They wanted to l earn English.
They wanted to breath free. They wanted to become
Americans. Now too many immigrants come here with
demands. They demand to be taught in their own
language. They demand special
privileges--affirmative action. They demand ethnic
studies that glorify their culture.


HOW CAN YOU HELP?: Send copies of this
letter to at least two other people, 100 would be
even better. Help us get the word out.

P.S. from Bobbie:
I believe the word is out. In fact the word was out years

ago and we did nothing. If we look at the history of this land we will

realize that in the beginning the original occupants did very little to

stop the flow of imigrants thinking that they would go away. It didn't work

then and it's not working now. For more informaion read "American Indians in

U.S. History" by Roger L. Nichols. Often at Indian PowWows I have seen

T-shirts and bumper stickers refering to the poor immigration policy of the

Indians in 1492. Is history doomed to repeat itself?

Do you remember hearing about LULAC? It stands for "League of United

Latin American Citizens" and it's purpose is "To advance the economic

condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil

rights of the Hispanic population of the United States. " Notice that there

is nothing said about United States citizens. Oh yeah, did you know that

LULAC was founded in 1929?

The question is, What are we going to do about it?

Bobbie Horn

1938 FM 403

H C 3 Box 60

Brownfield, Tx 79316

My Website www.ofearthandfire.com

My Blog www.westexaswinds.blogspot.com