Roving Cooks

January 30-February 6, Hot Springs, Arkansas to Wylie, TX. 273 miles, 4.5 hours

The Dallas area was a good drive point for us, and an opportunity to meet up with Aunt Christine for a couple days. The RV park that we stayed at in Wylie, Tx (Northeast side of Dallas) had a number of families with kids and some open green space running back and forth. Given the warmth (50-70 degree days) and sunshine, we went to a new lovely playground each day. And, these playgrounds were almost eerily empty. Where were all the kids? Most schools were in person, but it was strange to not see a few other families with small kids, especially given the size of the playgrounds and the vast number of homes in the area. Oh well.

One morning we went to Heritage Farmstead to check out turkeys, chickens, pigs, a mule (which is 1/2 donkey, 1/2 horse; I’m finding myself re-learning quite a bit on this adventure) and try out some old farming equipment. Since this experience, Grayson, Madelyn, and Greg have been openly plotting purchasing future live chickens.

We spent wonderful time playing with Aunt Christine’s adorable new puppy, Ludo. More on that another time.

Greg was able to meet up for an outdoor beer with his high school wrestling coach. Menard is an active fisherman, and kindly took Greg and Grayson out on his boat early Saturday morning before we left town. A fun guys’ morning was had; and I’m grateful that fish were caught and released without my personal involvement. Madelyn, Aunt Christine, and I enjoyed a girls’ morning with donuts and coffee.

From here, we head West! While I’m not much of a theme decorator, it felt like the right time to break out the cowboy pillowcases:

On a more serious note, we were out of Texas before the extreme winter cold ravaged it’s way across the country a week ago. Having spent most of my life in northern climates, I’m used to infrastructure that can handle snow, ice, extreme cold. I’ve always lived in homes well-stocked with blankets and had a wardrobe with long underwear, warm socks, multiple sweatshirts. And I’m used to a level of financial privilege as well; when temperatures in New Mexico last week dropped to the teens and our RV water tanks froze, we went to a hotel for a couple nights.

For millions in Texas this last week (even those in traditional homes), basics like warmth and fresh water are not available. If you are so moved and have the ability to help financially, here are a few options (many more great organizations have leapt into action and can use support if these don’t speak to you):

• CrowdSource Rescue – currently focused on getting senior citizens and vulnerable populations warm.
• Feeding Texas, a network of food banks across the state, is accepting donations to help feed and distribute clean drinking water to Texans. 
• The Village Diaper Bank out of Wisconsin started a disaster relief fund to benefit The Houston Diaper Bank. All funds raised will be used to purchase diapers that will be shipped directly to Houston.