Swierc Reunion at German Beer Garden in Las Vegas

Roxanne, Sandra, Fred, Austrian Drinking Coach, Darrell, Melinda, and David... notice that all of the Swiercs are leading with the spouses trailing badly. It must be in the genes.
We did have a great time.

Willie?

Poor old "Willie". He has chased his final shiner. I found him today floating near his favorite tree. Lex wrote a short story about Willie when he was in grade school. His teacher apparently thought it was so well written that she never returned it. Anyway, he must have lived a good life because he was a big one. I would have weighed him but he was a little too ripe. Get Lex to tell you his Willie story.

The first cactus flowers, many to come...

These are some of the very first to bloom. The cactus is loaded with what will be many, many more to open.

Rain, rain, and more rain...

We had to go around and come in to the ranch the back way as water was over the county road.

When we get lots of rain the Metate Creek takes a shortcut across this open field and Co. Rd. 427.

This is what I was wanting to see the big stock tank at the ranch filled up. We've had a total of 7.2 inches of rain so far. There are predictions for more to come.

Grandpa Poth's, "Pappa", home in Poth, Texas

Our Grandfather's home in Poth, Texas, that has been restored and now owned by cousin Julianne Poth Semmes. What fun we had in that home after midnight Mass when all of the Poths gathered for a wonderful turkey and dressing with all of the trimmings meal.

A Texas Symbol

Pictured above is "Bevo", Sam and Dianne Syring's longhorn steer. He is a classic. I think he looks more like what a U T Bevo than the real thing. He is some kind of animal. He rules the "roost" if you will overseeing a herd of cattle owned by Mark Erspamer. Believe me, he knows exactly where the tip of his horns are. I took this picture one day when he was watching me open the gate to our ranch.

Nopalitos

Nopalitos, Spanish for "little nopales" or little Prickly Pear leaf, are harvested every year by some of the local Mexican Americans and other locals who know how tasty they are. They taste much like okra when sauteed and then scrambled with some eggs.

Sandra's wildflower pictures

Shot on FM3006 between Hwy 281 and I37. Quite impressive!

Everywhere you look, there is a different combination of prominent wildflowers.

As long as no one mows or shreds the bar ditches AND it rains, this sort of loveliness returns each year!

How many different varieties can YOU count???

It resembles a Robert Wood painting, only THIS is real!

Oops, this is one I shot, not Sandra...it is one of our favorite from McCoy!

Incredible century plant in the midst of pale pink primroses.

Sandra's Mother has been missing seeing this year's wildflowers, so Sandra stopped several times on her way to San Antonio to get some of this year's record 'show' for her. This one shot is located on the west side of I37 near the Loop 1604 intersection. The hills are literally covered with bluebonnets making it appear to be blue water!

Old long beard

The trail cameras captured these wild turkey tom pictures as they stopped by the feeders while out searching for hens to romance.

FM 541 Mc Coy, Texas

Nature's canvas.....