Sunday, June 22, 2025

NEWS & UPDATES

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HOME & FAMILY  |  EDUCATION & CAREER   |  FAITH & SPIRITUALITY



Property for Sale
3-Acre Property
near Taylor TX
 with 3 Homes!

Large 3BDR/2BA
main house
surrounded by
pecan and oak
awaits you, and
bring the
extended family
to live beside you
in the other
2 homes: 
an adorable
gatehouse and a
classic bungalow.

Or, choose to rent
the other homes
to provide a 
guaranteed
cashflow.

Located near
Taylor's new
Samsung
and
Lake Granger's
Willis Creek
Campground
and
15 min. to
Georgetown!

Please share
with your contacts. 
Property for Sale

MY RECENT WRITINGS






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FRIENDS & FAMILY

If you were to meet me,
you'd hear me talk about ...

My brother & his family

My younger brother Kelly (r.) is a fireman.  

He also has his own real estate firm.  He is my broker for my own

property I have for sale.   

Contact him if you'd like to buy my place - please!

It was great watching what a proud Dad he was in April as we celebrated my niece Lauren’s wedding.

Lauren did an amazing job orchestrating the big event and I’m so very proud of her!

Check out the pics!

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My Friend &
former colleague
Joe

Joe and I, 2010.

Joe and I have been friends for 25 years.  We first met when I arrived in south Austin as part of the founding faculty opening Akins HS.  He was the district supervisor for Social Studies.  After my years in the classroom, I then went to work for him at Central Office.   

Joe and I enjoy seeing movies together - especially epic historical dramas.

We get together often for dining out with our mutual colleague Sharon Kay (my former department chair at Akins).  In April they took me out for my birthday. (pic below)
 

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My friend Chad

Chad and I, 1998.

Chad and I have been friends for 30 years.  We've had a lot of great times together.  Check out a few of our excursions in my Travels section.  Travels aside, my favorite things we do together are at home -- preparing meals in the kitchen together around the holidays or cycling.

Chad & I
H.C.R.A.; 2023.

Brushy Creek Lake Park near Cedar Park north of Austin is a 90-acre park that offers active and natural resource-based recreational opportunities. The bike trail is about 8 miles long and goes over the dam. Chad and I did 16 miles here on a lovely Sunday morning. 

We then headed over to Mama Betty's Tex-Mex y Cantina at 9900 W Parmer Lane. 

Photographer Matthew Lemke (r.) and myself
were graciously invited to the home of our
mutual friend Chad and his mom Linda
this past Thanksgiving.
Following our wonderful meal,
we enjoyed seeing Wicked
at nearby Alamo Theater - Mueller.
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My friend Jan

Jan and I have known each other for 35 years.  She was the campus nurse when I attended Southwestern University. A few years later when I was in graduate school (seminary) doing my chaplaincy internship at Scott & White Hospital, she had started a nursing position there and we found ourselves car-pooling together.

A couple of our recent excursions -- 


I accompanied my good friend Jan Pickett Rich (S.U. Campus Nurse '84-'86, during my attendance at S.U.) to the 

Memorial for S.U. Art Professor
Star Varner 

It was a beautiful tribute to Star [Obituary] held in the Fine Arts Gallery officiated by Southwestern University President Dr. Laura Trombley.  

The service served a dual purpose as it also launched a new special exhibit in the Gallery - a retrospective of Star's amazing art.

 Below, a portrait of Jan done in charcoal
                by Star Varner (in foreground). 

My friend Jan and I 
had a lovely Friday strolling through the wooded grounds of Laguna Gloria on the shore of Lake Austin viewing each of the outdoor art installations.
by sharing Japanese sushi and tempura items at Uchi on S. Lamar.  

Head Sushi Chef Shannon Kennedy led us through a delectable journey beginning with the yellowtail in a sauce of thai chili, ponzu, and orange supreme.

Jan and I also recommend 
the warm kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) with peppers and a rosé gastrique.  

Head Sushi Chef Shannon knows her stuff at Uchi
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My Aunts

Me & Cousin Sherill
with our 3 Aunts
Sandy, Sharon, Debbie
behind us.

I love my Aunts!  My mother was the eldest of nine and I grew up in this large, magnificent, loving maternal family.  Here I am today in my 60s and these girls are still taking care of me -- as they've always done, no matter which crises I was going through in my life's varied chapters.
I don't know what I would have done
without the support of my Aunts
during my Mom and Dad's
final years.
I'm especially grateful to
Angie and Sharon.

We love shopping & dining out
 

3.15.25:
A Special Aunt

Today I stopped into the Assisted Living Center to visit this wonderful lady, my Aunt Marie Ann.  

My mom was the eldest of nine children and Marie Ann was second in that line of siblings. The two were very close and I have special memories of them both.  

Aunt Marie Ann and I shared a love for interior decorating, floral arranging, gardening, fruit salads, and All My Children (secretly, we both wanted to be Erica Kane!  LOL!)

I brought her some chocolates and a lovely yellow calla lily and we reminisced for some time.  

God bless you sweet Auntie!
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March 1, 2025:
A Joyous Reunion

Thanks to a fantastic teacher,

my passion for reading novels and journaling developed in high school.

Throughout my life, I've credited her with bringing me out of my adolescent introverted shell by encouraging me to take the stage in the UIL One-Act Play competition. 

45 years later, Francie Shimaya (I knew her as Mrs. Sires) and I found ourselves at a Memorial service for a mutual friend at the Granger City Brewing Company.  

It filled my heart with gladness and joy to be able to see her again and to have the opportunity to thank her for all she did for me.

And yes, 45 years later, I continue to read a lot of books and binge-listen to audiobooks - one after another - during my daily commute.

My Poetry, Novels, Plays, Family History,
Book Reviews & Recommendations 
are found in my Reading & Writing section.

I also enjoy reading your comments 
on my Monthly Meditations. [Email]  

In this Monthly Meditation
_______________
Book Review
1st Quarter, 2025: 

Abir Mukherjee

is the award-winning author that I am currently enjoying on Audible during my daily commutes to work.

I've now listened to the first three books in his series of crime novels set in Raj-era India featuring Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee.  Each book was fantastic!  

Read my review of this author and his books.


January 1, 2025
Home Pics of
Chad & I
on New Years Day

Terry's Portfolio
including my Short Stories, Poetry, Novels,
Family History,
Book Reviews, and Articles of Interest
can be found in the
Reading & Writing section of
Terry's Library

____ Check out Terry's____
 Meditations!

Top 3 Terry's Meditations
ranked by largest viewership:

November, 2023

Sept/Oct, 2023

April, 2024
Terry's Blooms & Verses

___________
NOVEMBER 2024

NOVEMBER MEDITATION
A Special ALL SOULS DAY Feature Story:
Anton Janyska
Sec. 2; Row 7
machu-cemetery.org

The Mysterious Death
of Anton Janyska

My investigation into the numerous tragedies in Anton Janyska's life developed while I was conducting a survey at my family’s 140-year-old cemetery …

…. there lying beside him is a 2 month old child named Vlasta Janyska.  

His daughter?  If so, isn’t the timing of this man’s enlistment only one month following his child’s death strange?   

Why is there no wife buried beside Anton?   Why would the mother of this child be buried only a year later in a different cemetery rather than here beside this child she bore?

So many questions were churning in my head.  Little did I know how many more questions were to come!

I hope you enjoy reading
my investigation into the life of and
The Mysterious Death of Anton Janyska.


© 2024 Terry Loessin; All Rights Reserved.  Any illegal reproduction of the written works found in Terry's Portfolio at terrys-library.blogspot.com will result in immediate legal action.
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New Short Story 


Terry's Portfolio
including my Short Stories, Poetry, Novels,
Family History,
Book Reviews, and Articles of Interest
can be found in the
Reading & Writing section of
Terry's Library

Terry's Friends

September, 2024

Enjoyed the Austin Mediterranean Festival again this year with friends and want to to thank Ken from St. Elias Orthodox Church for the tickets!
Dwight and I (above)
along with Chad and Vincent (below)
enjoyed gyros, baklava, gelato...
and great Greek music and dancers!

__________________

Terry's Family

Update on
Mom & Dad


An Engagement in Venice!

My niece Lauren,
recent A&M grad,
got a sparkly new
bauble on the final
stop of her European
summer tour. 

Congrats to Lauren
& fellow Aggie, Will!
Looking forward to
the big event -
April 25, 2025 !!!

So, this is happening. Hmm. 
Uncle Terry is old.

I loved watching my
niece Lauren [b 2001] and nephew Trevor [b 1999]
grow up together.  

Nephew Trevor and his lovely wife Sam
tied the knot over a year ago.

I enjoyed shopping sprees with them at Christmas and Birthday times. And especially loved watching from afar the joy and smiles they provided their grandma and grandpa, my folks.

CLICK HERE
to see
Terry's Family History


It's a wonderful thing witnessing a family's legacy, it's very future, unfolding before you.

I may not be too crazy about the getting older part, but I certainly wouldn't wish Time reversed only to lose these happy chapters in our family's story. 

Cheers to the happy couples!

_______________
____________________

My brother Kelly and his wife Stacey!

___________

60th Birthday? OMG!
Thank you family and friends
who came to my party on
April 16, 2023.


I wanted nothing more than to
be with those who've been
a blessing in my life and made
my 60 years so enjoyable. And,
I wanted to give back to you
in a small way on this special day.

I enjoyed all the wonderful
side dishes you provided
alongside my barbecue!

+ View PARTY PICS
+ View 60-Year walk down Memory Lane!
___________
____Terry's ____
Music Reviews!
_________________________

VACATION in OREGON

Aug. 27 - Sept. 3


Featuring:
the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway, Multnomah Falls, Crown Point's Vista House, Silver Falls, Devil's Punch Bowl, Bridge of the Gods, Bridal Veil, Corvallis, Manzanita, Pittock Mansion, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Tillamook Creamery and much more...

Fleeing the horrid drought and three-digit temps of Texas, Chad and I headed to the lush green trails and refreshing waterfalls in Oregon.  

Portland was home base from which we ventured out each day for our adventures and many thanks to our lovely host there, Christie.  

________
travel down
Terry's Memory Lane 

____________

Recent Comments: 

Thank you Tyler G. for your March 1 note:

"Hello. My name is Tyler and I came across the link to your blog while viewing your LinkedIn profile. I read your Meditation on new beginnings.  I've been worried about a buddy of mine who still struggles from time to time with a dark period he went through in the past. I wanted you to know I sent your essay to him because he needs to hear your words. I hope he takes them to heart and finds a way to move on.  And I wanted to say thanks."

Thank you Brian Z. for your July 4 note:

"God Save Us From Trump, indeed!  Dude, great work, thank you for recording every one of those!  But, you do know they're not listening?  That's how we know it's a cult."

Thank you Crystal C. for your October 10 note:

"This is wonderful Terry!...I love the way you have your blog set up!" 

Thank you Liz J. for your August 2 note:

"Your story about your Mom and the JFK Assassination was beautiful.  My Mom also would often talk about where we were on that terrible day.  Your summation on the significance of that event for our country was also appreciated - [I] can tell you were a good teacher."
_____________

I'm glad you stopped in to browse and, 
as always,
Enjoy looking through my Library

Email: Terry 

______________
Terry’s “Good Living” Guide:

Body:
Avoid the 3 PsBsSs
Processed Foods, Phthalates, Plastics;
Beef, Butter, Breads;
Sedentary activities, Sugars, Salt.
Trust me,
you’ll be feeling better in no time!

Mind & Spirit:
Avoid the 3 F’s
Manufactured in these mediums are
misinformation, fear, anger and hate!

JOIN ME IN ENSURING AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY!

JOIN ME IN ENSURING AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY!

Join me in ensuring an educated citizenry!
BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER TODAY!
___________

TERRY's ADVERTISEMENT:
I love coffee! 

I drink it morning through late afternoon.

Best Bean Ever!

While on vacation in Oregon I fell in love with the many varieties I discovered at Portland Coffee Roasters. 

I recommend both Morning (I love the milk chocolate and cherry finish.)

and Steel (Most popular blend. One taste and you’ll see why: it’s rich, smooth, and full of sweet toffee flavor. It tastes great as both a coffee or an espresso. An instant classic when introduced over 20 years ago.)

Since their founding in 1996, Portland Coffee Roasters has sourced their coffee directly from farmers while building sustainable relationships with them and the communities they support. 

Read more about their Mission & History




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