Cricket Walker

Ya think I’m too big for this?

[insert off key singing] I believe I can fly …

Hush mama! I’m looking at sumfin!

Oh yeah! I rock!

Do I look like Oscar the Grouch?

Security? There might be an issue in the Christmas department.

Vroooooom! Vroooooom!

Ruh roh. I think we’re fixing to get kicked out of here.

We are so busted mama.

Ya might wanna put the camera away now.

If we were going to act like tourists in Haley’s hometown, we figured we might as well add HemisFair Park to our list of places to visit.

The little waterfalls throughout the park always catch my attention.

Trying to fit the 750 feet tall Tower of Americas into this shot, was challenging to say the least. Next time I will remember to bring a different lens with me.

The view of San Antonio from the observation deck is stunning.

The wind was definitely giving Haley some trouble with her hair.

At this point, I think she would have paid $100 bucks for a hair tie.

Tying it into a knot was starting to look like a good idea.

Trapping the hair worked for at least a little bit. (You knew dang well I was gonna convert this shot to black and white!)

But through it all, she never lost that killer smile!

After a very long day, it was finally time to call it a night . . .

After a long vacation visiting her daddy, my goofy kid is finally back. And, we are both back home in San Antonio, Texas. Yeeeehaw!

After a quick visit with her oldest brother Michael . . .

She wanted to head straight to downtown San Antonio.

Well, to be more specific, to the Rivercenter Mall . . .

On the Riverwalk . . .

For some serious shopping . . .

And sightseeing . . .

And of course, what visit downtown would be complete, without visiting the Tower of Americas in HemisFair Park?

Yup, this proved to be a very long day for both of us, but it was so nice to be home, we wanted to see everything.

Well, we were gonna see some great shots of Haley sweet talking the new spring calves, but she appears to be a bit preoccupied right now.

So, while Haley is busy texting, let’s take a peek at these gorgeous geese. Okay, I am just a Southern girl, so maybe I have missed something here. Are those Canadian Geese?

Are they lost? Or, do they instinctively prefer life in the South too?

Yup, Haley is still preoccupied but we get this great shot of her knee in her favorite old jeans. Can anyone tell me why we pay so much for jeans that the kids are just gonna rip up?

We had to make a quick stop to visit the horses Haley met last week because she PROMISED she would be back to visit.

As soon as we pulled up they came running in from the field as if the recognized her. She had to take time to sweet talk each and every one of them before she was ready to move on.

So, how did they manage to capture her undivided attention?

The cell phone seems to be out of her thoughts as hunger sets in. Yup, if ya want to get a Southern girl’s attention, just mention barbeque and she will drop most anything.

Except maybe her cell phone. Lord have mercy, hasn’t that battery gone dead yet? How does she do that so fast? It takes me 20 minutes to find the letters to text message 3 words!

Wouldn’t it just be easier to TALK on the cell? Should I be worried when the text messages start making her grin like this?

Okay kid! Close the dang phone, put it down, and let me see you smile. This will only take 5 seconds. I promise!

All that text messaging on a warm Spring day leads to a quick change in hairstyles. How can such a messy ponytail look so dang cute?

Does she still seem preoccupied?

107 text messages later, we had an incredible day!

Hey look y’all! Humans! What do ya suppose they want? Oh crap. One of them has a camera. I bet the dang kid is gonna try to pet us.

Yup! What did I tell ya. Hey! She is kinda cute though!

This blond kid aint the sharpest knife in the drawer, is she? This is like her 100th trip back and forth bringing us dried out grass. Doesn’t she realize we have a whole field of it over here?

Yeah, well the grass is a bit greener over there.

Look how the cool blond kid tricks our brown buddy.

She just keeps on talking to him while she reaches her arm over to sneak us some food too. I wonder if she can teach him to share?

C’mon kid, don’t make me stretch for a little dried out grass.

Am I not the most beautiful mare you have seen in a long time?
I really should be on the cover of a magazine. 

Yeah, keep it coming kid. We are starting to like all the attention.

Any chance I can sneak a little kiss from ya kid?

Hey, the weird camera lady wants us to look at her. Doesn’t she realize the cute blond kid has the food?

Okay fine, we’ll look at ya, but we don’t have to like it. It sure would have been nice if you would have brushed the mud off our faces first.

What the heck is that? It’s a what? You can’t be serious!

Oh my goodness! The gorgoeus mare is a stallion???

Hey kid! Camera Lady! Y’all aint leaving us, are ya?

Oh I really gotta check this old shack out. It’s not like trespassing or anything Mom. The fence was already down.

C’mon! Where’s your sense of adventure? You aren’t scared are ya?

Okay, so maybe it is a bit darker in here than I was expecting it to be.

Hey! Let’s check out the deer stand. Ya think there is anything in it?

What am I gonna do if the sheriff shows up? Is that what you asked me? Well first I am gonna bat my long eyelashes at him . . .

Then I am gonna show him my killer smile! Ya think that will work?

We’re not hunting dang it!

Okay, we may be kind of, sort of trespassing, but not hunting.

Ya know, I may be a blond, but I think someone has been hunting!

Can I finish my Caramel Macchiato now Mom? Oh wait. Too late!

Can I just finish this chapter real quick? It will only take a sec.

Okay, fine . .  I will explore for a bit.

Mom thinks I am looking for snakes, but I am really I wondering if HE is gonna call . . . (The cell phone is in my pocket just in case)

Hold on a second, the world must pause because HE is calling!

Oh yeah! I knew he would call! Okay forget the river Mom. Can we pick him up and and head to the lake? Can we Mom? Can we?

We could just sit here and talk like we are mature individuals . . .

Oh we can say to heck with it and run in the water!

Dang it JJ! You got my hair wet on purpose! Awwww Haley girl . . .

The day started out innocent enough as we headed out to one of my favorite places in the country, but then we realized we had wandered further than we had ever been, and we were pretty sure we had taken a few extra turns.

Turn left Mom. Let’s see what’s up this way!

When we came across this old train track, we had a pretty good idea that we didn’t have a clue where we were, but we were definitely in the mood to do some exploring.

Hey Mom? Where is Calhoun county?

I don’t know Haley. I have never heard of it. Why?

Well Mom, that county road sign over there says Calhoun county.

And Mom? I can’t remember the last time we saw a car.

Ruh roh . . .

I gotta get a shot of this old railroad bridge.

I can already see this old bridge in black and white, so wait a sec.

Umm . . .

Haley? Did you say Calhoun county?

Yeah Mom? I told ya we should have turned right!

Ya say what Haley??

You know dang well if ya don’t smile for the camera it’s gonna be black and white, right?

Hey now Mom! I am the one that found the train tracks!

Yeah, turn left. I remember Haley.

As soon as I mention we need a new pic for Mikey, you suddenly find a huge smile huh? I’ll remember that girl!

So Haley?

Yeah Mom?

Did we bring the cell phone?

Nope Mom. Ya said we wouldn’t need it.

Haley? Ya happen to have an idea which direction home might be?

Go straight Mom. The road has to end up somewhere eventually.

Not in Alabama though, right Haley?

Haley?

Did we happen to pass a gas station?

I love wandering up a trail and coming across a scene like this.

Well, at least I do until Miss Haley starts hissing at me about stuff like private property, trespassing, and the local county sheriff.

Spring is definitely in the air when the daffodils start blooming!

Ya wanna be friends?

Oh yeah, I like the green stuff. Gimme some more!

C’mon! Let me out of here. Ya know ya wanna!

Hey! You aint gonna leave me here. Right?

Just a little bit of winter still hanging around.

My camera and I have a thing about fence posts and barbed wire.

Hey! Do you know where they took my mama?

Now you knew dang well I couldn’t make it through an afternoon in the country without taking at least one picture of a calf. Aint he adorable? Yeah, I know he is just itching to try out those new lil horns of his, but he is gonna have to wait a bit longer yet.

Thanks for sharing our afternoon in the country with us!

The best laid plans don’t always end up the way we expect, but that doesn’t mean things can’t still be good. Haley and I set out to find the signs of Spring that have been popping up all over here.

Since it was a gorgeous sunny day, we knew we were headed straight for the country. In fact we figured it was a perfect day to show you pictures of Taylor, Mississippi.

HOWEVER . . .

A few wrong turns, (okay, maybe more than a few) and we discovered the longest possible round about way to end up in Oxford, Mississippi.

It took Haley all of about five seconds to spot the infamous Square Books store, and she was off and running.

Before I knew it, she was already inside, and I had missed the shot of her walking in. Talk about ignoring the camera!

Eventually I found her holed up in a little corner upstairs, peaking through the books. She didn’t have much interest in looking up at me by this point. She was lost in a world of books.

But then I spotted Neilson’s and was instantly drooling all over my camera. My credit card was more than pleased that they were closed.

Haley relaxing on the steps before we move on with our adventure, while at the same time trying to convince her mama of the many reasons she needs a signed copy of the new John Grisham book (The Appeal) in hardcover.

There is something so regal about the Chancery Building in Oxford.

I even convinced Haley to run up to the balcony steps for a quick picture. I love that smirk!

You know there was no way I could leave that shot alone right? I am addicted to cropping and editing snapshots. It’s an affliction of mine!

That same addiction made we wanna see this picture in purple.

Okay, I had to try the shot full length too. Lord, I need help!

Thanks for sharing our day with us!

Thirty minutes away from your work won’t make much difference to your business, but it can make a huge difference to a child. One of the best parts of working for yourself is being able to stop what you are doing when your child wants to share something with you.

Haley was so excited to find a Praying Mantis lounging on my old rocking chair out front that she wanted me to show it to all of you!

I spent 30 minutes trying to get this critter to let me take a picture. Initially, the darn thing would not have anything to do with me.

He was bound and determined to head anywhere, as long as it was as far away from me as possible. (I don’t think he liked me much!)

Then all of the sudden he sat down and looked right at me.

I had a very difficult time trying to focus in on something so small, so I kept trying to get closer and closer to him. Now, if I would have known ahead of time that these guys can capture and eat a humming bird, I don’t think I would have had my face quite so close to his.

We kind of enjoyed out visit from a Praying Mantis. Even more though, we enjoyed this special mother daughter time.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, one interesting fact about the adult female Praying Mantis is that they often kill and eat the male after mating.

I think that maybe we have been feeling a few withdrawal pains from our daily photo journal, so we decided to invite you along for a meal at our favorite Mexican food restaurant on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Haley out front of El Charrito’s. She is definitely ready for some authentic Mexican food.

I love the colors of this restaurant because they are so bright!

Since everyone was eating in the back dining room this afternoon, I figured it would be a great chance to grab a photo up front, so you could see the atmosphere.

The Fundido Skillet is so incredibly good it should truly be illegal. When they bring this to you it is still sizzling! Yummy!

Haley always eats the P3 (a chicken and rice combo).

She found a way to leave room for sopapilla with ice cream though!

We miss the photo journal too much to give it up all together, so we plan to continue with it at least two or three times a week.

Thanks for sharing our Sunday with us!

Day thirty of our photo journey …

The sun was beginning to set on the final day of our photo journey, when I realized that our journey is not coming to an end, but rather it has just barely begun.

We don’t know where the road in front of us will lead, but we do know that we are ready to move forward with our lives.
 
As we headed back to the house, Tim McGraw’s new song, Let It Go came across the radio with perfect timing.

Hearing his voice sing the words, today, I’m gonna keep on walking, I’m gonna hold my head up high, I’m gonna leave it all behind, today, I’m gonna stand out in the rain, let it wash it all away, I’m gonna let it go, I suddenly knew that we were ready to let it go.

We are going to put it all in God’s hands.

Day twenty-nine of our photo journey …

Step #1 – Look at the blown tire and decide that the price of replacing the rim is well worth not walking in 103 degree weather. Drive your car (just the way it is) to the local auto repair shop, even though you are thumping the whole way there.

Step #2 – Kiss the ground the shop owner walks on for being willing to fix your car today, even though he has been working non-stop since 5am and has had about enough for one day.

Step #3 – Immediately following the installation of your new tires, head directly to the Piggly Wiggly. (Stay within the speed limit!)

Step #4 – Go straight to the ice-cream and soda aisle to find the makings for root beer floats. (Pay before you leave!)

Step #5 – Put the ice-cream and root beer in the first glass you find, and enjoy. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you are smiling again.

Day twenty-eight of our photo journey …

When I am looking at the world through the viewfinder of my camera, I am notorious for being aware of absolutely nothing around me.

I am lost in a world of my own, as everything but thoughts of the scene in front of me slowly begin to fade away. 

I was trying to focus in on this old barn, when something changed.
 
I became aware of a stillness all around me, and had this overwhelming, eerie feeling that someone was watching me.

“Lawd, please tell me that I haven’t trespassed where I don’t belong.”
 
I began to turn toward the direction I had wandered from, just as I felt the sensation of hot breath on my face.

“chit!”

At that same moment, my viewfinder suddenly turned black.

“chit! Chit! CHIT!”

“Oh goodness! What have I gotten myself into now?”

I was a split second from wetting my pants, before I realized that it was a black angus cow right in my face, and not the boogie man.

“I wonder if she knows how bad her breath is.”
 
At first I started laughing so hard that I was still in danger of wetting my britches, but one look in this gal’s face told me that she wasn’t any too happy to see me this close to her new calf.

No worries you butt ugly gorgeous looking, pissed off friendly cow.

See! I’m leaving quietly now.

Did you know you have a fly on your nose?

Yeah, I didn’t reckon you cared.

Shhhh… It’s okay…
 
Good lawd! That was enough wandering for me today.

Maybe I will stick around town tomorrow.

Day twenty-seven of our photo journey …

(Narrated by a precious child having her second birthday today.)

“I wonder when they are going to let me open all those presents!”

“I am too busy playing with my dog to bother with pictures right now.”

“Good grief! Lady, you are really starting to get on my nerves here . . . “

“Okay fine! You have about two seconds to snap this picture lady because I really do want to eat some of that cake!”

Day twenty-six of our photo journey …

I think the heat is definitely starting to get to me, because I am still stuck on shapes.

This sky is almost spooky looking isn’t it?

Okay, so it is Friday night, and I planned on cooking a nice supper.

 But . . .

Well . . .

I stopped at the corner store to pick up a few things, and there was this incredible smell that completely overwhelmed me.

I knew what we were having for supper!

It was sooooooooooo good!

Day twenty-five of our photo journey …

As I listened to the song, tears began streaming down my face.

“Because of you I never stray too far from the sidewalk . . . “

“Because of you, I learned to play on the safe side, so I don’t get hurt.”

“Because of you, I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me. Because of you, I am afraid.”

Lyrics from Because of You (Kelly Clarkson)

But somehow, just for a moment, I had forgotten the power and strength of this little girl . . .

“Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing, let the whole world know, that today is the day of a reckoning . . . “

“Let the weak be strong, Let the right be wrong. Roll the stone away. Let the guilty pay. It’s Independence Day!”

Lyrics from Independence Day (Martina McBride)

She has the strength, intelligence, and power to choose her future and she is not going to let anyone forget that. I am so proud of her!

Day twenty-four of our photo journey …

It was an absolutely perfect day for scenic photos, but instead I found myself drawn to shapes and shadows all around me.

Okay, I realize that my fascination with the shadows falling across the corner of this platform could probably be a case study for a local psychologist, but I just had to take this picture.

I have walked by the old train station about a billion times (well, maybe only a few hundred times) but as I looked back at the platform through my viewfinder, my mind saw this scene as it might have been 100 years ago. I could literally feel the history of it.

I could have been taking some gorgeous scenic shots, but every color, every angle, and every shadow kept showing up in my lens.

I knew I was off the deep end though when even the contrast of the Do Not Enter sign caught my attention, so I decided I might as well take the picture and figure it all out later.

Maybe it is all the days of 100+ temperatures that has done something to my brain. Or, maybe I need to take a geometry class to get past this obsession with shapes.

When I caught myself taking a picture of the clamps and bolts at the bottom of the old train station signal though, I knew it was time to call it a day. Either that or I was in serious need of some coffee.

Maybe next time I will even take a picture of the caboose. Well, if I don’t get hung up looking at the old tracks that is.