Mother's Day-- I spent the day with The Honey (T.H.)
I didn't see my children...(well I saw both my boys for a few minutes) but that's about it.
I'm TOTALLY OK with that.
Here are my thoughts on Mother's Day.
It's over rated. I'm not that much into holidays or events where the emphasis is mainly obligatory, or dictated by a calendar. I'm confident in my mothering skills. I have only a few regrets, when I reflect upon, how I raised my children. The biggest being ...not teaching 'The Fear of the LORD' to them more soundly. When I do reflect and I begin to dwell on parenting mistakes... I'm reminded that God's Grace abounds much more than my sin (and my ignorance) in that area.
Please don't mis understand. I LOVE BEING A MOTHER AND...I do not think Motherhood is over rated. Parenting children, whether they are your biological children or not OR perhaps someone else had them; and you had a part in raising them, for whatever reason, is both a big responsibility and an honor.
I just think a day set aside for that...is silly. If honor is due them... don't wait for a calendar or Commercial Sales Event to show it.
With all that being said... TH and I planned to be busy on Mother's Day...and we had ourselves a little fun. Without our kids. :)
We took a train ride. We're not train enthusiasists... but we thought it would be fun; and it was!
I took lots of pictures and I even fiddled with the timer and snapped a few pictures of TH and Myself, so the ones of us are from weird angles (like the one below)
This one another lady took for us...we exchanged cameras with her and took pictures of her family too. Sometimes all you need to do is ask.
Before the train departed.
Engine 316
Car #70 (it was open air car...the weather was exceptional)
The ride was about 1-1/2 hours long.
We passed a train coming from Rusk,TX
I had walked to the front of our car to the platform (seen above where the stairs are) in just the knick of time and got the photos below of us passing Engine #300
Once in Rusk we had about another 1-1/2 for lunch and walking around the State Park.
You could take a lunch--but we bought one instead.
The picnic tables looked out over the lake.
The bottom right photo shows a little house across the lake-- on the State Park property.
I could totally live there.
This Cyprus tree was near our picnic table...the Cyprus Knees were poking out of the water.
So cool.
This is after lunch...when I started playing around with the timer on my snap and shoot. I found a window ledge and snapped a couple of photos in between the buildings.
The Historical Marker---telling about the Short Rail Line built by the prisoners and supervised by the state prison system, in the 1880's.
The Engineer and Myself!
I video taped him telling some bystanders all about Steam Engines and how they work.
AND THEN... I accidentally deleted it. Ooops!
That train Engine is HUGE!
Our seats were wooden... I carried a bag with two cushions for us. I think we're the only one that did. You could only have one bag each.
While we sat on our cushions, I had my small bag in the big bag...more room for our feet.
Coming back I snapped a better photo of the TURNTABLE... in Maydelle, TX. The only town we actually traveled through closely.
~"Famous" 1890's Turntable ~
It's for turning an Engine around to head back the other direction.
I didn't see this one in action...
but it does still work.
This train travels through a Texas State Forest and Wild Life Reserve and the train actually travels over The Neches River...it was flowing nicely that day.
The Pine trees were so TALL... so close like you could reach out and touch them!
you're not supposed to stick you hands out the window...but I leaned out anyway.
I took this photo heading back...this time CAR #70 WAS THE CABOOSE.
I love seeing the Engine up there chugging around the bend.
Back at the station...
we pulled up right next to the water tower...with all the bells and lights.
I had a great time.
Totally enjoyed it.
The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ~ Philippians 4:23
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The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13
11 comments:
Very neat train pictures! I agree-- most holidays are overrated. Too much pressure or disappointment... As Charlie Brown said: I know no one likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday to emphasize it?
My husband love to take train rides....I love Mother's day, cuz it is the one day the kids can't make an excuse to come see me....and that is all I want!!
A train ride sounds like so much fun! I haven't been on a train since we moved to Georgia.
wow! what a great day! I think I need to take a train ride. :)
gail
Hi Pat, Your train trip looks like tons of fun! That is something that Ray and I would enjoy.
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cindy
What a great day you had Pat. Love all those pictures and how smart were you to bring cushions to sit on? The railroads are what brought our country together and helped people survive those early years of settling. Wish there were more of them! Ann
Looks like such a fun way to spend the day! Great photos!
it sure DOES look like a fun day and I enjoyed all the photos! :) I am chuckling because I recall one grandma telling me privately in email that since she has to babysit alot as it is, for Mothers Day it would be great if they all just rang the doorbell, left the presents and ran away ...
HA HA HA I loved that / it cracked me up! :)
You and your husband are a cute couple. I went to church camp outside Palestine when I was young but I never road that train. Looks like fun
Debra, that is funny! I almost agree.
Pat, I'm finally getting back around to visiting blogs. Have had some trouble getting to it lately but I've missed reading what you've been up to. This trip looks amazing. There is something so intriguing about a train ride. I love all the shots you took the time to compose. That one from inside when you weren't supposed to stick your hands out is so cool and it is fun getting to see you and your husband out having a day! I'm totally with you on the mother's day thing. "Honor thy Father and Mother", I do believe, is a command for all time, and if we were doing that the special day set aside by a card company would not be necessary. The contrived holidays every other week just put added burdens on everyone to comply.
Liz
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