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HOME & FAMILY | EDUCATION & CAREER | FAITH & SPIRITUALITY
HOME & FAMILY | EDUCATION & CAREER | FAITH & SPIRITUALITY
| POLITICAL OP-EDs |
Exciting Events this month
include my lovely niece Lauren's wedding on the 25th.
include my lovely niece Lauren's wedding on the 25th.
Not excited to be
turning 62 on the 15th!
turning 62 on the 15th!
Consequently,
I reflect on growing old(er) in verse:
I reflect on growing old(er) in verse:
In April we get more frequent rain and I enjoy gardening on the patio and around my home.
Enjoy a few pics in April's
Monthly Meditation
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A whole lotta fun stuff happened last month
Terry's Gratitude Journal
March, 2025
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| 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. |
Home & Property
3.20.25; First Day of Spring
3.20.25; First Day of Spring
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First days of Spring at my home are marked annually by the appearance of blooms on my trumpet vine. They are beautiful tangerine and pink, and they smell quite pungent. Also at the beginning of Spring, my roses put on quite a show.  |
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3.15.25:
A Special Aunt
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, 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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3.21.25
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.
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| Head Sushi Chef Shannon knows her stuff at Uchi |
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3.18.25;
Alamo Drafthouse Theater (S. Lamar)
Film Review:
Mickey 17
(Terrys gives it:
1 out of 5 stars)
My friend Joe and I went to see
this latest work of Bong Joon Ho, based on the 2022 novel "Mickey7" by Edward
Ashton.
We were barely out of the door
following the film when Joe turned to me and asked for my opinion. Immediately we both gave one another that
scrunched nose and brow look while shaking our heads side to side. Sorry folks, but a definite thumbs down on
this one.
I loved Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” – remember it? A foreign (S. Korean) film that walked away
with four Academy Awards in 2020. If you
haven’t seen it, you should.
the film turned into a trope,
diverting into that
direction all movies about a pair of doubles
inevitably turn:
- they have to hide one another from the rest of the world,
- they’re both in love with the same object of attraction,
- and in more than one of these scenarios I’ve seen before – one always tries to eliminate the other.
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.
The food was excellent - delicious tortilla soup and really large breakfast tacos that are wrapped in a toasty, crispy flour tortilla.
If you have not been to Mama Betty's I highly recommend their Sunday Brunch time. Also, if you're doing the bike trail, it is quite convenient that next to Mama Betty's on Parmer Ln is a Trek bike shop and we enjoyed visiting with Mike there and picking up some spare tubes.
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March 1, 2025:
A Joyous Reunion
Thanks to a fantastic teacher,
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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.
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.
Book Reviews & Recommendations
are found in my Reading & Writing section.
I also enjoy reading your comments
on my Monthly Meditations. [Email]
on my Monthly Meditations. [Email]
In this Monthly Meditation
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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.
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1.29.2025; Southwestern University
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).
by Star Varner (in foreground).
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January 1, 2025
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| 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
Family History,
Book Reviews, and Articles of Interest
can be found in the
Reading & Writing section of
Terry's Library
Terry's Library
____ Check out Terry's____
Meditations!
Meditations!
Sept/Oct, 2023
April, 2024
[Index of Monthly Meditations]
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NOVEMBER 2024
NOVEMBER MEDITATION
A Special ALL SOULS DAY Feature Story:
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| 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?
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
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 Library
Terry's THANKSGIVING
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| Photographer Matthew Lemke (r.) and myself were graciously invited to the home of mutual friend Chad Cotton and his mom Linda who live in the Windsor Park neighborhood. Following our wonderful meal, we enjoyed seeing Wicked at nearby Alamo Theater - Mueller. |
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!
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| Dwight and I (above) along with Chad and Vincent (below) enjoyed gyros, baklava, gelato... and great Greek music and dancers! |
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Terry's Family
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| Update on Mom & Dad |
An Engagement in Venice!
recent A&M grad,
got a sparkly new
bauble on the final
stop of her European
summer tour.
Congrats to Lauren
& fellow Aggie, Will!
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| 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.
niece Lauren [b 2001] and nephew Trevor [b 1999]
grow up together.
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.
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| 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!
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My brother Kelly and his wife Stacey!
My brother Kelly and his wife Stacey!
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60th Birthday? OMG!
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
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
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____Terry's ____
Music Reviews!
Music Reviews!
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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.
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."
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I'm glad you stopped in to browse and,
as always,
Enjoy looking through my Library
Enjoy looking through my Library
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Terry’s “Good Living” Guide:
Body:
Avoid the 3 PsBsSs
Processed Foods, Phthalates, Plastics;
Beef, Butter, Breads;
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!
you’ll be feeling better in no time!
Mind & Spirit:
Avoid the 3 F’s
Avoid the 3 F’s
Manufactured in these mediums are
misinformation, fear, anger and hate!
misinformation, fear, anger and hate!
JOIN ME IN ENSURING AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY!
JOIN ME IN ENSURING AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY!
TERRY's ADVERTISEMENT:
I drink it morning through late afternoon.
I love coffee!
I drink it morning through late afternoon.
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| Best Bean Ever! |
While on vacation in Oregon I fell in love with the many varieties I discovered at Portland Coffee Roasters.
