Those 70ish Girls

I wrote in last night’s blog that I would tell you about our two days at Livingston State Park. Stopping there on the way back from Galveston was a great idea for a couple of reasons. It breaks up the long trip from Galveston to Mabank, TX. It’s a little less than halfway home. Secondly, it’s beautiful there. It’s the second largest lake in Texas and the campgrounds are really nice. We got water, sewer and electricity for $28.00 a night. We also had a concrete slab which makes leveling easier, and we had a beautiful view of the lake.

It didn’t hurt that the perfect weather we had in Galveston didn’t let us down at the park. It was really refreshing and peaceful. They have all kinds of hiking trails, fishing and even horseback riding. They also have cute little cabins for those who don’t camp.

 

We had intended to stay just one night, but we took our time driving from Galveston and didn’t get to the park until after six. You can’t really do or see anything when you’re camping unless you stay at least two nights.

The first morning we drove to the town of Livingston which was a pretty seven mile drive through the forest. We saw a restaurant that said breakfast and bakery, and since, bakery, is the word that gets Kip’s attention, we went on in. It was not what we expected at all. They had all kinds of coffees and lattes and cappuccinos. I had a cup of Texas pecan coffee. It was so smooth and delicious, I kicked myself today because I didn’t think about buying some to take home. They had bakery items, but Kip had a waffle, bacon, and eggs. His waffle was more like a pastry. It had a rich flavor to it. I had a biscuit with homemade jam, one egg and bacon. The name of the place is Milan Street Bakery.

They had a bookcase full of books, a comfy couch and two chairs on one end. It’s fun to go to places you’ve never been to before and cafes that aren’t chains and you don’t have to unwrap your food.

 

 

The little trailer says, “All who wander are not lost.”

Kip has been interested in looking at tiny homes. Maybe you’ve seen them on HGTV. We went to another little town, Willis, and looked at a few there, and spent time just looking at all the little towns that had neat little shops on their main streets. Livingston has trade days every 3rd week-end.

Now the good part…When we were coming back from our fun day in Willis and Livingstone, we were close to a very tiny town by the name of Security. All of a sudden Kip stepped on the brakes and pulled over. He had seen a little duck struggling on the side of the road. Another lady pulled over and an old man on a bicycle stopped too. The duck was flapping her wings, but couldn’t fly or walk. There was no obvious place such as somewhere that was bleeding to tell exactly how badly she was hurt. The old man on the bicycle went and got a box, and the lady left. I got on the phone and called every place we could think of that might be able to help this poor little duck. The game warden place was closed, none of the vets wanted to take him, the SPCA, Humane Society, and even a lady who rehabs wounded animals like possums had no ideas for us.

We ended up taking her to the park with us. We put her in an animal carrier, gave her some water and put her in the jeep for the night. We didn’t think it wise to put her inside with three dogs and a cat.

The next morning she was still alive and even quacked a little, but she still could not fly and couldn’t get up on her feet. We kept calling places on our way back home, and people kept saying no.

Well, we got all the way back to Mabank and as it happens, we go right past our veterinarian’s office. It was 4:00 o’clock and there were about ten, or maybe six cars outside. We stopped anyway. We finally got in to see the vet who thought Miss Duck was probably just stunned. We negotiated with him and he said he would take her to his place. Oddly enough…this vet doesn’t have dogs, so little Miss Duck would be safe. He said he would do the best he could. She needed salmon or minnows and she needed to swim. The little assistant was going to try her in the bathtub before putting her in the pond.

We paid the $55 office visit and with only a few misgivings, we left. Kip called today and they told him Miss Duck was doing great. She was eating and swimming and loved her new surroundings.

There is a good place in heaven for people like Kip. He has a great deal of compassion for all animals, birds, and some bugs. I can’t begin to guess how many animals we have had as pets in the past thirty-six years. And then there was the six foot iguana. All I can say is, Kip will be much happier surrounded by animals than if he has to go where the people are. I’ll just meet him and Rainbow Bridge where all of the pets meet there humans or visa versa.

(Tomorrow I will show you my new hairdo…maybe.)