Hey, Sweet Things!
My man and I are on our way home from cactus land and I thought I’d spend part of it writing to you. And you know what that means: rambling. Any time I just open up my Mac and start writing to you woefully free of all forethought, you can count on a whole lot of words about next to nothing. So, unless you’re bored to oblivion with what you’re doing, you might want to run for your life now and save the headspace.
As I write to you, I’ll keep you posted on where we are. You don’t think you care but, once you hear some of these names, you might feel differently. They’re nearly life changing. For instance, right now we are going through Hext, Texas (I do not know if the area has an ancient history of witchcraft or what. Nor do I know if, once you’ve been hext, you can be un-hext. But I feel like you can.) One good firm turn to the right will take you to London. In just a few hours, you could be in Paris. These are just a few of the reasons why many people here believe that the world ends at the Texas border.
We have now come to Koocksville. This is the street Keith and I may have been born to live on.
It was just across from this very sign that Keith showed me this proud display of dried catfish heads.
On through Mason.
Over Comanche Creek.
It’s Sunday just before noon and we’ve been in Mesquite country since Thursday. The heat index could turn an ox-blooded man to Jesus. It’s too early for this furnace but who am I to say? God is in control of the thermostat and I’ve become convinced He considers the heat an effective evangelism tool. Keith and I have had so much fun. Simple fun. Like long walks in the morning but not without snake boots…
…and long rides in the evening in the old golf cart. The steamy mid part of the day takes us into town to eat at one of two restaurants in the small community. The second day we eat at the one we missed the first day. They are both so incredibly good that we think about them when we’re back home in the food capital of the universe. We’ve made our second home in this land long enough now for some of the locals to talk to us when they see us. Deeply satisfying to two dyed-in-the-wool city souls who long for the country. These folks around here are the salt of the earth sort. They work hard and forego fancy. Impressively, one of the two restaurants has free wifi so, call them small but don’t call them disconnected.
I love being on a road trip with Mr. Ivan Keith Moore, son of Marcell John Moore, the plumbing legend of Houston. My man is a history fiend. He knows where every battle in Texas history was fought and where the cattle were run and who the cowboys were that ran them. I love to hear the story of how the buffalo were taken from the JA Ranch in Palo Duro Canyon (near Amarillo) all the way due north to Wyoming and, every time we’re in that great State and see buffalo, he likes to tell me that those hefty beasts bleed Texas blood. By no means does he disrespect Wyoming. Nay! It is, hands down, his favorite state second only to – put your hand on your heart – the land of his great, great grandfather’s birth.He just somehow thinks that what he loves most about Wyoming is that it reminds him of Texas…but with mountains. Big ones.
While we drive these long roads, Keith tells me stories about men like Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving, cattle ranchers that Keith believes were prototypes of the characters on Lonesome Dove. Loving made Goodnight swear he’d bury him in Texas but wounds from an old fight wouldn’t heal and ended up killing him slowly with gangrene until he gave up the ghost in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. More practical than sentimental, the folks surrounding him when he breathed his last hastened to put his rigid body into the ground before the animals ate him. A man of his word, Charles Goodnight returned from a trip to Colorado, had his friend’s body exhumed and hauled it back to Texas in a pine box packed with charcoal. I don’t suppose you’d want me to also share tales about a man named Shanghai Pierce who went from a stowaway on a ship in New York harbor to owning some million acres in the Lonestar State.
We take these roads to cactus country to get our heads on straight. We go to hear ourselves think. We go to hear what God might say if you shut up and let Him do the talking. We go to see the black night skies light up with ten thousand stars. We go to hear the birds sing and, this time of year, watch dozens of hummingbirds migrate right through our property. I wish I’d been able to capture six of them at once with my i-Phone but they move like lightening.
We go to sleep late…and to sleep good. I planned to work while I was there for four days but I never did. My bones said, “Just sit and smile and rest.” So I did.
Driving now through Llano. Beautiful Llano. We were going to stop at Cooper’s BBQ but the line was literally out the door and down the sidewalk. Sure smelled good.
“We’re a third of the way home, ‘Lizbeth.”
Keith always keeps me up on the progress. To my man, a road is not something you take. It’s something you conquer.
Lunch here in Burnet, Texas.
Got to meet a darling young couple that serve at a church in Liberty Hill and their six and a half year-old Savannah who was missing one tooth. I do love me a six year-old girl child about more than anything on this earth. Except a certain five year-old boy and two year-old girl that I am particularly partial to. Can’t wait to get home to them.
Keith can’t get a good country western station to come in right now so he just turned up “Staying Alive” by the BeeGees. Out of the corner of my eye, I’m seeing that college boy I danced with under the disco ball 33 years ago. Just when I think I’ve got the man figured out, he goes 70’s on me. We’ve gotten to the part of the song where Keith doubts the singer’s manhood. “Ahhhhhh-oooooohhhh, I’m going nowhere. Somebody help me…”
Well, my man and I are not going nowhere. We’re going home. No place like home. The best part of going on a road trip. And, lucky for you, I’m almost out of battery. All this rambling means nothing if you don’t have Jesus. He’s life to me whether I’m in the city or the country, in plenty or in want, in pain or so tickled I can’t sit up straight. He’s kept Keith and I ring-fingered for 32 years. He keeps life adventurous for two souls that get bored easy. He keeps our boots on tight and our tires rolling. I love Him so much.
Just a few last shots for anyone who’s hung in here by a thread:
Don’t worry, Keith saved it from becoming Dog Dinner. Me on a long walk. A rancher saw me from afar and hopped in his truck to go tell Keith that my car must be broken down and he’d better go fetch me. He couldn’t fathom that a woman with any sense would just be strolling around out there.
A peek at the gorgeous, grass-green San Saba River really close to our place. Keith and I float on inner tubes in this spot in the summer.
Cucumber Cactus. So shockingly gorgeous amid all the gray and green.
A spider sack attached to our porch screen. More spider babies than you can count will start crawling out of that thing in a few days. Most of them will probably crawl into the house but I’ll deal with that next time we come.
Gentle evenings and maybe the number one reason why we come.
You guys are such great sports. I’m crazy about you. Thanks for chatting me home. I wish every single one of you were in this blue Ford truck with my man, our two hounds, and me. We’d try to show you a good Texas time.
No time to proofread! My laptop is sho-nuff shutting down! Talk to you soon.
I love nothing more than spending time with my man! We have been married almost 7 years, and I can’t get enough of him!!!
Hey, love your sharing- may I ask for a prayer??? I will testify tomorrow at the capitol regarding course work for prospective teachers. This hearing will determine if teachers will receive information about learning disabilities in their college courses. This is a NON financial issue for our legislature and only addresses issues about how students learn differently. Thank you.
My parents were married in Texas and lived there while dad was in the army. I love to hear Texas stories ( they are both gone now ) They loved Texas while they lived there but probably not as much as you and Keith!
Oh Beth!
Thanks so much for the “tour”…it means so much to this Texas girl who’s making her home in MS!!! I miss the dusty roads, big cliffs overlooking winding rivers, highways that stretch out to forever, and all the good eatin’ along the way! You have eased made my homesick heart a little bit with your “ramblin”. Can’t wait to be with you this weekend in Little Rock! Praying!!!!
I can hardly stand dust, and dirt, and the thought of snakes, but somehow when I read your stories about the cactus country, I am always intrigued and interested. 🙂
Cute puppy dog!
Hi, Miss Beth,
I personally love to “hear” your “ramblings” and “travelogues” [sp?]! It is even more exciting when you and “your man” are RELAXING with the Lord . . .
We are all so blessed to have you teach us, but I do not want to have you over-worked and overly tired, either !
Nope, Y’all are not “kooks”; just crazy in love with Jesus, big “sister” ! Although, I must admit, my friend made me laugh so hard once, after listening to your LBY online; she told me “My, oh my, Beth sure is a “fire-cracker” [excited to teach God’s Word] . . .
Love, in Christ Jesus,
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
I just got an iPhone and was SO excited because of the scripture memory app! I am officially a Bible nerd! Thanks for putting the app together!
Sounds just like what I need! So so busy, overloaded right now. Still dealing with some shoulder pain after surgery but doing well and looking forward to my frist “adventure” since surgery, Little Rock this weekend. See you there.
My husband and I are going to have a road trip this weekend. He is taking me to Little Rock! I spent part of my youth near there in Russellville and took many trips to Little Rock. I’ve haven’t been back to Arkansas since I met him. He didn’t want me to go to the conference alone so he sweetly agreed to be my chauffer. When the conference ends on Saturday we will head slowly back toward home and find a place to stay somewhere in Southern Missouri. I love driving cross country with him.
Table Rock Lake around Branson, MO is a sweet place to stay. It’s remote without being too remote. There’s a cute, clean (little) motel for $50 a couple miles or less from Silver Dollar City called Shady Acres (family owned). Lots of other quaint places around there too. The lake is beautiful too!
We are starting a new chapter in our life, home alone with the dog. The first picture is so us. That dog goes with us everywhere. He is my husband’s most faithful companion. I have gained a new appreciation for my husband, my best friend. He and I are looking forward to some grand adventures, with him leading, I really would follow that man anywhere, lol. Famous last words I am sure. Thanks for sharing…Enjoy!
Our Pappy says S TX looks like the country God forgot about. My husband and I just laugh because our little “escape” is as beautiful to us as the rocky mountains.
I learned something new about C. Goodnight. You’d think I would know that since we have a school named after him 4 miles from our home! Can’t wait to tell my dad the correlation to his favorite charachter Gus McCrae.
You are an excellent wife to stand by your man and make his fun your fun. Love that example you set.
Loved your road trip via internet. God bless you and your husband and dogs. I’ve been so blessed by your studies and your love for our Lord. Probably meet you in heaven! Blessings.
I love hearing anything about Texas! My husband and I relocated from Texas to Arkansas with our jobs about 3 yrs ago. Although I am falling in love with the beauty of Arkansas, I do miss my Texas. So keep tapping those keys.
Ivan Keith & Wanda Beth ~ Hope you don’t mind me usin’ them names!
Now you got me singin’ Ramblin Rose by Nat King Cole!!!
I actually enjoyed all your ramblin and the photos!!!!
I love down-home livin!!! THANK YOU for sharing your “GOD CONTROLLED” thermostat lifestyle with 32 years of ring-fingered love,hate,and forgiveness~ they all go hand in hand now don’t they? !!!
People think Dave and I are foo foo’s when they come pullin’ up to our home and then quickly change their minds when they come inside and see we are fun-lovin down-home people!!!
We are right behind in our ring-fingered weddin life. Going on 29 years here!!
He is my BEST FRIEND and we have soooo much fun together.
WE laugh at each other almost daily!!
Especially after spending 3+ years renovating a home together!! WE ARE WEEKS AWAY FROM MOVING IN!! FINALLY!! I think we might write a book called, IF you want to remodel your home, DON’T DO IT!!!
I really appreciate you and your outreach!! I am honored and humbled to be a Siesta in this crazy blog of women (some men too) ~ Look forward to your next ramblin!! Stop and Smell the Roses!!!
With blessings,
Kim Safina “CaliKim”
Like I always say: American by birth, Texan by the grace of God.
I feel my blood pressure just lowered while reading your blog. It made me forget the two loud little girls I have waiting for me to take care of them. If you need a six year old little girl, feel free to borrow mine sometime! Please keep posting about your travels. I love it!
Dear, Sweet Beth!
How your ramblings make my heart smile! My home is in San Angelo Texas and my heart always will be in the country! Born and raised on a ranch, I consider this town large! A country lifestyle is something that just gets in your bones! When you speak of your husband, I always think to myself what good friends he and my husband would be!! Of course, it might be too much of a fight between them who would tell the most stories! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Patti May
Thanks for sharing. It’s neat to see this side of your life.
Beth & Siestas, quick, rambling prayer request: I accepted a position in Abu Dhabi and leave with my sweet husband (I wrote you a letter last year about how God used LPM and Beth during the David series as we went through some hard times before we got married May 29) next Wednesday, April 20. Please pray God increases my love for the people of this region — Arabs, Indians, Filipinos, and Western expats — because my heart has always been Israel and Jews. I know the Lord is sending us, and my husband is thrilled to bits (he’s wanted to go to UAE since 2002). I’ve been praying to get back overseas for 4 years now; I just expected somewhere else (Africa, Russia, etc.) in a different job. I snagged Beth’s scripture, 1 Cor 15:58, which helps. Lord, give me your love for the Ninevites! I don’t want to be a Jonah! Please pray for me, my sweetheart, and our final, slightly stressful preparations.
Going to miss Houston Connection! Thank you, Beth, for being one of God’s unexpected and glorious surprises while I’ve been in Houston. You and your ladies have blessed me more than you’ll ever know this side of heaven!
I am praying for you right now, Emily! We will miss you but send you forth in this divine adventure with God! Stay close with us through the blog!
Will do! Thanks, Beth and everyone! 🙂
Thanks for the picture of snake boots as I am from IL and have just bought 6 acres and a old trailer by Giddings, love being there, but a little afraid to venture out too much because of the snakes and creepy crawly things I have come to find in TX. Now I can get a pair of boots and enjoy. Love all the stories and beginning to learn and love Texas.
Hello
Just quick note to say I Love reading all yours & Amanda & Melissa blogs. I Love the pictures too.
I don’t usually comment but on this post you spoke about Keith telling you stories on long rides, my husband (a godly man I prayed for in Ct prior to moving to TX 2006 & we married Sept 20, 2008)does the same thing on trips & also when watching movies, tv. My husband also on trips loves to point out land & say we could buy that & do this or that…
Thank you again for all you & your ministry does to share God with others, May God continue to Bless you, your family & the ministry.
Have a Blessed day, Cyndi in Friendswood, TX
Beth, my husband and I just loved, loved, loved the picture of you and your “fur-baby”! Made us smile. Reminds us of all the ‘rides’ we go on with our own “fur-baby”. :0)
Thanks for the history lesson you taught me something about my Grandmother’s family (Ella Loving) that I did not know!!!! Thanks.
OH MY WORD!!! I can’t wait to tell Keith!
This tickled me to death!!!! The only thing my husband loves more than cattle ranch stories, are cattle. We have every book imaginable on Charles Goodnight and never miss an episode of American Rancher with Pam Minnick. He watches alot of other cattle shows, but that is the only one Im willing to watch 🙂 He knew and loved Temple Grandin (and has met her) before I had even heard of her, and he told me all about Ree Drummond and her husband. He even said he would come to Houston with me for the SSMTC if it was during the Livestock show and Rodeo. Is it bad that Im glad it’s not? LOL
ps Last year I got him the Photography book by Bob Moorhouse taken at Pitchfork. We love it!
Beth,
Loved all your comings and goings. Don’t know exactly where you were on along the river, but I was a toddler in the early 60’s when we actually lived in San Saba(for a couple of years). My daddy was a coach there. Been a looong time ago, but I’ve got a few memories, still. Dream come true to have a place like that to escape to. Love to you both!
I love that you show us a glimpse into your life on posts like this! Not only are you an amazing witness even through your hilarious “rambling”, its just another thing that shows us how loved we are by you! Thank you for loving the women you serve!
And I want to tell you that as I work in the mornings (from 6 to 9am) I listen to you through online radio or tv. Of course I’m taught and encouraged so very much!! But this morning as you were teaching from Romans, I just couldn’t help but see/hear God on you so very much! It’s SO obvious you have a profound anointing and GIFT from Him to do what you are doing! I mean PROFOUND! Just by your disclaimers alone (which you insert into your messages that have your audience in mind) shows me you gift for what you are doing. I don’t even know if that makes sense! It just seems that everything you teach and put out there is done SO EXCELLENTLY to the great glory and fame of God! Your work ethic and amt of research, your commitment to Biblical truth… just beautiful! I praise God for raising you up as one of the GREAT TEACHERS OF THE BIBLE in seriously all of History!
Thank you for your shocking and profound obedience to Him! Someone who has followed THAT hard, intensely, closely, deliberately, obediently after Him SHOULD be where you are! And that’s exactly WHY you are so trusted. It’s SO clear your teaching comes as an extention of your own intimacy with Him! I’m so glad that I have your example to stir up a DESIRE for the same kind of walk! I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE WITH CHRIST!!! (Only my own version with Him of course).
I love you dearly Beth!
Katie
p.s. I LOVE that you showed us dead catfish heads! HAHA!
That porch swing, even though we can only see your feet looks soooooo relaxing
I loved this post! Like reading a letter from an old friend! Meeting you in person, while we are both on this earth, would be a dream come true for me, especially if at a Starbucks, but if I have to wait until Heaven that will be okay too. Love you!
Beth, you have shown me more good Texas times, than I can shake a stick at. Maybe not in your Ford truck…but PLENTY of good times!
p.s. Wyoming misses you 🙁
Melana
WOW…THINK IT IS TIME FOR MY MAN AND I TO TAKE A ROAD TRIP…BUT FOR NOW, I WILL ENJOY WHAT I CAN OF YOURS..GOD BLESS BETH..AND DONT SPARE ANY FUN!
JUST MEANS, HAVE FUN EXPLORING TEXAS AND MY SPOUSE AND I ARE DUE FOR THE SAME FUN U SEEM TO BE ENJOYING ON THE ROAD WITH HUBEE
Beth,
I love being out in nature and seeing God’s creation. Thanks for posting pictures. You always have great stories to tell.
hugs,
P.S. Nice boots
Miss Beth – thank you sure enough for sharing your road trip with me! I could smell that Texas earth and townies BBQ. I can’t find much solitude in Pasadena, California but I sure do love enjoying it through your eyes.
Miss Beth,
I love these type of posts from you the most. Really. I am so glad you got to have a little weekend getaway with your man. I pray you return refreshed and revived!
Love and appreciate you so much!!!
Kristen in Tennessee
Loved this post. It all sounded so wonderful and then you go to the spiders and I was reminded that, Nope, the country is not for me 🙂
My husband and I do love road trips though. We have shared some of our best moments in our 12 years on long road trips. Made life plans. Shared stories.
Not sure if you’ll have time to answer this question but last night my Bible Study ladies and I wrapped up your Daniel study. LOVED IT! We were talking about Cleopatra and our leader said it the one we think of is Cleopatra the IV. I said, no it says 7th. We figured out my book was more current and did say VII. Now I am curious if there were other differences we missed?
Cara
I wish you would have killed those spiders. O my word…. I didn’t like it when you said I’d deal with them the next time…. Shewwww we sure don’t want our momma being attacked my spiders!!! Anyways I like it when you travel with your man. Ms Beth my heart is so sad for my assistant administrator her 18 yr old son was killed in a wreck last wed he and 4 others were on their way to church when he ran off the road striking a tree. Another girl lost her life as well. Two in the hospital and one guy minor injuries. I cant get her off my mind and at the same time feel like I have no idea what to say to her!! Its just so sad!! I love you and will be going to Israel in 14 days!!
Thank you dear Beth for sharing a piece of your life in Texas with us. I so enjoy living vicariously through your adventures! I love the country; the beach and the mountains vie for my favorite. I have only lived in Texas for 3 years now but I love, love, love it. I especially appreciate the proud spirit of Texans – I don’t think it is the kind of pride that is sinful (grin).
Love and prayers.
p.s. Lonesome Dove has been my husband’s, my son’s and my favorite movie since ever – we have watched it a dozen times! My fav is Gus of course and my husband speaks of Lori Darlin with devotion.
Thanks for sharing. Loved it.
Little Rock this weekend. Can’t wait!!
Beth Moore, You are crazy!!! and I LOVE IT!!!!!! 😉
You are such a great story teller! I wish I could visit warm, sunny Texas. We’re supposed to be getting snow here in MN on Saturday:(
Krista, Minneapolis
Little Rock
Myself & my 2 daughters are going to be in LR. Woo Hoo! We can’t wait!! Dec 09 (Tulsa, I believe) one girl had drill wknd , the other had our 1st grandbaby! So now, after many obstacles, we have hurdled, we are on our way to soak up some of your knowledge you so keenly share with us women. Esther was my first bible study of yours…wow, it was exactly what I needed. Shined so much light on my life! I began to pester the girls to get it bible study, then 1 of the girls did Fruit of the Spirit with me, then her & convinced other daughter to join us. Thank you so much for sharing your life & caring spirit with us.
I am praying for the lady at our church who used to lead these studies…not sure what is going on, God used her to draw us in just as he uses you to teach these classes. Praying for her needs to be met & her to hear God’s voice.
Thank you Beth for all you do!!!
Relationship
co-worker, friend, & church member…this lady was got me started in these bible studies& now she is so negative at work..about Everything…church, work, boss, you name it. Not sure what happened to her, but is difficult to spend any length of time around her. I now bring headphones to work & listen to praise & worship to drowned out all her negativism. I pray for me not to have a judgemental attitude toward her and that God will soften her heart to whatever is eating at her joy. Whew! Life is too short to be that unhappy every single day.
Loved the stories, and esp. the pictures of your pointer. We had to put ours down last week, and still find myself tearing up over it. The day I took her to the vet the last time was thre first time my hubs of 21 years has cried in the last five years.
Our piece of heaven is 3/4 acres in western KY, where we wander about the backyard figuring out where to put the tomatoes, bocce ball court, etc.. No poisonous snakes, just deer, coons, possums, and our other dog. Thanks so much for blessing us with your teachings!
Even on the other side of the world (Australia) I can appreciate the beauty of Texas. Had some great friends come from Paris so know it is one of the best places in the world.
Sounds like men and long distance driving are the same the world over!!! LOL!!! Wouldn’t want to travel in the passenger seat with anyone else but my man!!!!
Thanks for your ‘eyes’ to see the beauty of Texas ….
Okay, this is way off topic and there’s probably a better place to post this, but… I’m doing the Tabernacle study right now and someone just mentioned Kutless’ song “take me in”. Woo, Im not a big alternative Christian music girl, but this one totally gave me goosebumps!!!
I do love your ramblings! I also see a lot of Wyoming in your pictures of Texas, except we don’t have cactus, we have tumbleweeds (thank you Jesus)
Have you had a buffalo burger yet? My favorite!
My step-daddy was from Texas. I loved him like he was blood. Miss him like crazy. What is it about those Texas men?
Hey! Where’s the ‘preview comment’ button?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the ramblin’s!! I so look forward to meeting you someday (probably in heaven) and thanking you for the influence you have had in my life on the LOVE of the WORD!! Because you are so human, I won’t feel so intimidated in coming right up to you and thanking you. (Not so sure I will feel like that meeting the OT patriarchs!!) I do have one comment about that spider egg….that would have had to go……
Blessings for a great weekend in Little Rock…..will be praying for the whole team!!!