Seven Wonders of Ada

If I were driving you around Ada on your first visit to the town, I might comment on these attractions as we passed them:

1. The Rocket Ship Motel (officially: The Economy Inn). I am told that in one of its reincarnations, it was a restaurant.

2. Southfork, Ada Branch. Remember Dallas? The TV show that was popular in the 80s? I never saw a single episode, but I have seen the opening montage and as I recall, it featured mansions like this one. One of the most remarkable things about this rural community of 16,000 that we call home is the great number of house like this one. The cost of real estate here is not cheap, either. Why? I don't know.
























3. The Innocent Man House. Have you read John Grisham's account of true crime in Ada? I can see the site of the instigating event from the window in my living room.














4. La Boca. This is an inside joke for Argentines. There is a working class barrio in Buenos Aires at the mouth of the Riachuelo that is famous for its colorful, brightly painted houses. Another unique thing about Ada are the number of extremely tiny, one-room houses.











5. The Geodesic Dome (officially: Kerr Dome--named for Robert S. Kerr, an Ada native who was elected to the U.S. Senate three different times--as a Democrat!--in 1948, '54, and '60). At the bottom of the campus hill, across from the football stadium, this is where the graduations happen twice a year and, I am told, basketball games take place here as well, though I have yet to see one. I'm a thick-and-thin football fan (and have seen ECU lose many times on the football field), but I'm a bandwagon basketball guy. If they get really good, or if I get to know a player, maybe I'll go to a game. I probably wouldn't comment on the dome if we were driving by it, but I would make mental note of its resemblance to the Casa Mañana theater in Fort Worth, which used to be a great place for theater (mid-70s), before they abandoned its theater-in-the-round structure. Independent of the dome, ECU has a nice campus.

6. The Water Boy
I am told on good authority that there is a convenience store with a drive-up window in Stuttgart, Arkansas, where I graduated from high school. I am also told that there are drive-thru liquor stores all over Ft. Worth. I believe this. But I do not remember seeing these things in either of these places or anywhere else for that matter, so this is a wonder to me: "The Waterboy," a convenience store with a street running through it. The purpose, I suspect, is not to distribute water, unless you want to make allowances for "firewater." Maybe if I spent more time seeking firewater, I would notice things like this more often.

7. The Wintersmith Express. This magical conveyance moves at incredible speed. It will take you anywhere you want to go--and back--in about five minutes. Price of a ticket: 50 cents.

I am Forty-Three

Recipe for a great 43rd: sleep in late (woo hoo!); birthday-song bed-serenade; hearty hugs from the r-b four before my feet can touch the floor; a carefully chosen (by Emilio) talking birthday card ("te quiero" from the r-b 3); the book I've been wanting (Hitchcock: 52 weeks with the Master of Suspense); an objet d'emi (a hand-painted wooden tiger); a german pancake breakfast at the Ol' South Pancake House (thanks, Aunt Carolyn!); a romp at Tillery Park; quality time with a rehabbing Mom (go Mom!); free shopping time (I get 5 pairs of black socks and one pair of sunglasses whose temples will not leave dents in the sides of my head--now I can be old and undented, woo hoo!); Aunt C's pear cake with candles ("Something's burning!"--see bowling video below); circulation-threatening birthday hats; a living room bowl; Popeye's red beans and rice; take-home chips, hot sauce, and guacamole from Mi Charrito Ray; a four-generation pooling experience (thanks for the company, the card, the cash and the Dad, Grandmom!); calls, e-mail and Facebook shout-outs from New Mexico, Spain, Qatar, Chicago, Wichita Falls and parts unknown from sibs, cousins, in-laws, friends, a niece and an old flame; and a safe drive back to Ada. Thanks to all who cooked this up (especially Mari, the top chef)!

Grab Somebody and Hold on Tight!

It's the Fourth of July and the men are playing with fire!

The fireworks were a little much for Nina, who opted to play indoors when given that option (she declared Grandmom's bed to be "cozy"). Pablo and Emi enjoyed wearing headphones.

Water before the Fire(works)

In the lair of the Dumpling Monster

The last thing I remember before I fell asleep in the park West of the Sonic on Sycamore School Road is that the children were playing together happily (I took some pictures of them, which you can see here). When I awoke from my short nap, I was informed that a hungry, growling monster had appeared out of nowhere. Mistaking our children for dumplings, he captured Nina and Pablo and took them to the merry-go-round, which he believed to be a soup pot, and begin to spin them, thinking that he was cooking them in the process. Fortunately, Mari was able to get some footage of the beast before he disappeared (just seconds before I woke up from my nap), lest you think we made him up. You can see this frightening clip at the bottom of this post. After looking at the clip, we have all noted a strange, disturbing coincidence: his shirt was the same color as mine!

New Swim Gear

Thanks for the jackets, Michelle. And the floaties, Aunt Carolyn. And the Giant Crocodile, Dad.

She Drives!

Two Pollywogs, Two Sea Nymphs, and a Tadpole

This is the second year the kids have enjoyed June swimming classes at ECU with their mama and their swimming instructor, Miss Donna.

Doin' the States

Pablo and Nina accompany their mama to swimming class at ECU on alternate days in June from 5:30 to 6:00. At 6:10, Emilio gets his turn. The twin who is not swimming, joins Emilio and me on a thirty-minute adventure: a trip to the supermarket, the bookstore, the park, or, lately, the children's stacks at the ECU library, where Emilio has begun to take great pleasure in working his way through the books describing each of the fifty states. For Pablo, the pleasure has become infectious.

Bella E's Latest Sensation

The stylists at Bella E present: Pablo!

Dad's Day V

Hablas ingles?

Aunt C's Soul Train

The Great Steak Heist

The Ada Evening News reports on page one: "A burglary was reported in the 400 block of east Eighth Street Saturday." That's our street, six blocks east. "The homeowner told police someone removed a window air conditioner to gain access to the residence. The homeowner said the only thing missing from the home was a steak."