Good bye to April and an old friend

The last week of April brought back memories from the past as we said good-bye to the attorney I had worked for many years ago. The memorial service for him was beautiful, and I know he would have been pleased at the things said about him, but I think he might have been a little bit embarrassed hearing them.

After working 18 years as a paralegal for Tommy, he was the standard to which I held future lawyers for whom I worked. He was a man of integrity, no nonsense, and yet, he had a wonderful sense of humor and his laughter often rang out around the office. He loved his family and was proud of them. He was a kind employer and I will never forget the kindness of him and his wife, Susie, to me.

As always, at a sad time like this, it is good to see people you haven't seen for years and how they've changed ... or not changed! One of my friends had put together some photos from the past and I'm sharing the silly one. Since the dress code back in 1980 in a Dallas law firm called for suits, panty hose and pumps, we conspired together to play an April Fool's prank on our bosses and come to work "dressed down."

I'm the tall one with pigtails and the gentleman with the beard and cigar in his mouth was my boss, Tommy. Good times, good memories, good friends! I will never forget the day I began working with these people in 1974 and stayed until 1992. Two of the lovely ladies (front row, left and center) and I have maintained our friendship over the years and are still regular lunch time pals. Ahhh, we were so young back then.

Can't let a week go by without seeing Kate and Jack! 

Kate's artwork. The sun is wearing sunglasses!

Two lovelies!

 Kate and Mommy had a Mother-daughter dinner at church. 

Saturday afternoon and evening at Prestonwood Baptist

for the Gaithers' concert.

 A nice hike on the trail on a gorgeous spring day.

Even the weeds flower and are pretty in the spring.

Paula Deen's pound cake

It is goooooooooodd!

With ice cream, strawberries. Delish!!

The recipe can be found right here.

(And even though I don't like it when reviewers change things up a bunch,

I did take note of some comments and made the following changes:

coconut oil instead of shortening

equal portions of milk and heavy cream

reduced the amount of sugar to 2 1/2 cups.)

 And so now, we welcome the merry, merry month of May!

photo credit