In a Little Place Called Chappell Hill

I have the COOLEST Aunt and Uncle. They used to be known as Jack and Ebby, but now they are Peepaw and Meemaw. Blake decided one more set of granparents was a really good idea, and so did we, and we are glad to have someone else to blame Blake's bad behavior on, so they've been elevated to grandparent status. They live in Houston and weekend in a little place called Chappell Hill, about an hour's drive from their home. They have about 12 - 15 acres or so in this beautiful little spot in the country. (Chappell Hill is known for at least 2 things....their bluebonnet festival (my aunt and uncle have more bluebonnets than they know what to do with) and for Chappell Hill sausage - which is now avaiable at Kroger.) Their very small house-structure (some people woudn't really call it a house - bit it works for them) is at the top of the property facing west-ish where some of the prettiest sunsets in Texas occur. They are big dog people, so they've chain link fenced-in the entire property to help keep their puppies safe. They are also big nature lovers, so lots of the areas are left in a very natural state. They don't even kill snakes. I don't get that part of the deal. When it actually rains in Texas, they have 2 ponds, but most of the time they just have one really nice pond full of the biggest catfish you've ever seen. Fishing is not an option...the catfish are pets...some of them are even named. Going to feed these monster fish is one of the things that is always part of the routine when we go down for a visit. They've had this property for at least 25 years. Our family has made many trips down there. When my Dad was still alive, we'd have working weekends down there trimming up trees and pulling out briers (oh boy!) and clearing what we now call the glades. We started by camping out down there, then for many years we just stayed in the local motel in Navasota, about 20 or so miles away. The last few years, we've stayed in their awesome RV. But - we think something is about to change. I got an email from my aunt yesterday that said starting in April, they would be full-time residents in the country. I've not talked to her today, but am guessing they sold their house in the Heights in Houston (a very neat old part of town) and FINALLY will get to do what they've wanted to do for years which is live full-time out there. I am very excited for them. My guess is they will live in their very small "house" on the property while they build something out there. I can't wait. Whatever they build - I guarantee you it will be unique. I also know they've been wanting to get a donkey....yes....a donkey! Guess they can't wait any longer for that! Some may call them eccentric, and I suppose they might not deny that, but mostly they are just fun! We usually just make one trip down at bluebonnet time and another trip in the Fall, but sometimes we just need the escape of the country more often than that. It's such a peaceful place. Here are a few pictures from down there.

This is the front yard.

There's much work for a young boy with a wagon to do.

Small tractor.

Small tractor with "trailer" made taking a walk extra fun. Look at Gran!

Medium tractor. Vintage tractor that still runs.

Big tractor. Daddy and Blake joy riding!

Here's Gran with Peepaw in one of the glades. Most of the glades have benches or swings or chairs in them. A few of them have exercise equipment...but we don't spend much time in those glades. I think Blake was investigating a bone that someone found. It's such a great place for a little boy to learn about stuff.

They want a donkey on their property, but there are already several dragons. Not so sure how the donkeys and dragons will get along. Actually, my artistic aunt made this thing - cut out of thick metal...one sheet. It is along the edge of the big pond and it's eye lights up at night and you can see it from the house. This is the largest dragon on the property...or at least the largest one that I have found.
Hangin' in the RV - or as Blake calls it - the RB.

I hope all of you have a fun/crazy aunt and uncle. I've decided to be that to my 3 nieces that live in Kansas. I don't think their other aunts have much "crazy" in their blood - so I'm going to fill that void.