Houston Re-visited

No matter what others may say, Houston has become a mighty romantic place to hang out, if you like art and ethnic food.
Check in and stay for a long romantic weekend at the Hotel ZaZa, smack dab in the center of the Museum District and only a few blocks from all things medical in Houston. Newly renovated, I recommend shopping online for one of the ZaZa’s spacious suites overlooking their sparkling Mediterranean-inspired swimming pool. Check for deals on any ZaSpa packages.
Besides the obvious, like Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts directly across the street from the ZaZa, this international city also has an often-overlooked sampling of art created and collected with a spiritual perspective.
For instance, there’s the Byzantine Fresco Chapel, which was created to rescue a set of stolen and ransomed frescoes. By 1992, the city of Houston and the Menil Foundation had teamed up to become the stewards of the frescoes, which forever belong to the Church of Cyprus. The church is reclaiming them, so they will be going home soon.
Don’t miss the Rothko Chapel, an internationally known draw, with its focus on human rights. If you are traveling with traditionalists, prepare them for the minimalist flavor of the chapel, so they can experience quiet with a meditative heart.
“It has become a pilgrimage for thousands of visitors who are drawn by its importance both as an artistic masterpiece and as a gathering place for people of all religious beliefs,” according to Rothko literature.
I recommend a visit to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, only a few blocks from Hotel ZaZa and the Rothko Chapel. If you are there on a Sunday, visitors are welcome to join worship. On other days of the week, priests are gracious and hospitable about informing respectful visitors about the significance of icons in Greek Orthodox tradition.
If you are a bibliophile, stop by the book store while you are at the church for a thorough selection of all things related to icons and icon painting, along with great choices in Greek heritage and the history of Greek immigration to America.
As long as Greek is on the art tour, why not take in cultural cuisine, too?
Choosing one or two items off the extensive menu at Byzantio Café and Bar is impossible. So, meet friends and order a huge spread to try it all.
Every bite is delicious, from the lamb souvlaki to the hummus to the gyros, and especially the tzatziki sauce.
With neighbors and regulars laughing and greeting each other across the restaurant, Byzantio feels like a great big Greek American family reunion.
And since you are having an art holiday, don’t miss the photography on the walls. Personal and expressive, we especially enjoyed the depictions of the local belly dancers who perform at the restaurant every Thursday night.
Belly dancing; a perfect excuse to start a romantic weekend in Houston early.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.

Mom’s Day Made Easy

What to give Mom for Mother’s day?
Oh that’s easy. Here’s a list of favorite gifts, where to get them, and how much they should cost.
For the Best Lotion, along with lots of other reasonably priced, delightful little treats, shop the Tyler Rose Museum’s Gift Shop. My favorite thing about the shop, though, is the lead salesperson Pat Johnson. For under $20, I walked out with Camille Beckman Rosewater Glycerine Hand Therapy, some rose-themed hand napkins, and a fun rose-shaped lip gloss. Shhh, don’t tell my mom.
For Best Chocolates, along with an ever-changing array of clothing and home fashions, I depend on Potpourri House. Locally owned, Les Elsworth keeps a selection of The Sweet Shop chocolates in a special display case and will wrap even one piece, say, champagne truffle, in a gold bag fit for mom. At less than $3 a piece for a bite of pure decadence, why stop at one?
Best Fine Dining? Well, that’s tough because East Texas has so many great choices, but I like Villa Montez for gourmet flavors, atmosphere, and price.
Best Blackened Catfish to be had, without a doubt, is at Edom Bakery, prepared by Chef Jackson York. Tell him I sent you; it’s not on the menu, but it is oh-so-good.
It’s not Mother’s Day without a Best Picnic. Brookshire’s FRESH wins in this category. I recommend bringing a cooler so you can take sushi, followed by Crème Brulee from their French pastry case. When they offer to melt the sugar crust on top, say yes.
The Best Book I’ve read lately is The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty, the author known for her southern perspective. Not your mother’s genre? I recommend Trudy’s Fireside Books, where under the guidance of Trudy’s friend and successor, James Leath, you are sure to get good advice. Plus, most of his books are gently-loved, so you can pick up a great little bargain. Mom will be so proud of you.
The Best Flower is a magnolia blossom, which could be obtained for free in your yard or from a neighbor. Or Sandra Abbiati of A Wishing Well Florist in downtown Bullard recently delivered some of the prettiest tulips I’ve ever seen.
Deliver any item on this list with a hug - or a phone call if she lives far away - and I guarantee she’ll love it.
That’s an easy guarantee because we all know it’s the hug or the phone call she really wants.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.

Highway 155 Dives

Okay, folks, the lake is calling East Texans.

Yep, the sun is shining and it’s time to drive the byways, take in the wild flower covered rolling hills, and head to the country. If you are going my way, down Highway 155 towards Lake Palestine, here are the places we love to eat.

Starting at Loop 323 and heading for Frankston:

Scooter Pete’s. Browse past all the motorcycle paraphernalia and belly up at owners Denise “Nisee” and Pete Mauk’s Iron Horse Grill for a fabulous breakfast served ‘til 11pm or order the Andre Burger, a cheeseburger topped with a fried egg, all day long, Mondays through Saturdays. You can order it with a side of some of the best hash browns in East Texas. 903.581.0810

Noonday Store. What would we do without our regular fix of their addictive chicken sandwich smothered in grilled green peppers and onions, their Angus beef hamburgers, or one of their daily plate lunch specials? I get cravings for the cobblers. Order ahead and take homemade yeast rolls for parties. 903.534.9498.

Purple Pig. My favorite thing on the menu is the tender slices of slow-grilled turkey breast, but I bet you’ll also love the barbeque beef, pulled pork, or the random nights when owner Shane Swan boils up crawfish. 903.825.6800.

Star Bar-B-Q. Just past the last bridge, as we say in these parts, don’t blink or you’ll miss Lane Mills’ barbeque joint where ribs etcetera share the grill with pulled pork. They just added a new deck, but check out the recliners inside, too. Cigars are welcome and draft beer is served. 903.876.2209

Lake Palestine Marina. Most romantic destination in our area if your idea of a romantic meal out is a steamy cup of coffee accompanied with a perfect omelet, bacon, and hash browns soaked in ketchup. All with a view of the lake. Larry and his wife have years of experience in the resort business and it shows in their hospitality. 903.825.3600.

Maxwell’s Drug Store. Old folks like me remember when the best place to get a chicken salad sandwich was at the soda shop at any small town pharmacy. The problem is, most modern pharmacies no longer have food counters. Unless you are in Frankston, of course. The Soda Shoppe, at he back of Maxwell’s, features daily lunch specials like homemade chicken enchiladas or baked pork chops, but who can resist their chicken salad? 903.876.2323.

If your idea of a dive is icky, dirty, or out of the way, these spots are not for you. Or if you are looking for honky tonks.

I’m defining “dive” here as unexpected, fun, family-friendly, AND definitely clean; or I’d never talk my husband into stopping.

Our family hopes you support these 155 Dives. See ya there!

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.

Less Fat, More life

DIET is a four-letter word.

Imagine the frustration that word is stirring up in the heart of a teenager who was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure; a problem that temporarily bumped him out of the sports he loves and landed him in the hospital. Bummer.

Life is not fair.

His mom happens to have a friend who is a self-trained expert on how to fail at every diet. That would be me. I have a wealth of unwanted experience about trimming the fat and upping the nutritional value of my calories.

In honor of my friend’s son, here are the things that turn out to be kinda easy:

-Google all the fast food restaurants and pick out one item you like on each menu that is less than 300 calories, maybe a little more for guys. That way you’ll have a “safe” choice when you are hanging out with your friends. You’ll be surprised; who knew a small cup of slaw could pack a whopping 600 calories.

-Pick out a sugarless jam or jelly to eat on your toast instead of butter. This can cure a sweet tooth.

-Spread a teaspoon of peanut butter or Neufchatel on a whole-wheat cracker or flat pretzels if you find yourself craving fat. Or choose avocado because it will give you a dose of potassium and you can add onions and tomatoes and have guacamole.

-Teenagers always love Rotel dip, but add a can of vegetarian refried beans and at least get a little real food in there with the Velveeta.

-Keep boiled eggs in the fridge. Cut them in half and throw away half the yoke.

-My friend who is a personal trainer tells me that people who are successful at losing weight keep diaries of what they eat each day. I can’t seem to be that organized more than one week at a time, so I just do it every other week. To me, overeating is a lot like when folks quit smoking for a week, that’s still a week less lung pollution or a week of eating for good health. It can’t hurt.

-Find some easy, crock pot recipes, like lo-cal lo-fat soups, so when you walk in your door tired and hungry the smell that greets you will be temptingly healthy.

-Invest in a sturdy, non-stick skillet.

-Experiment to find the changes your family might not notice, like tossing a few tablespoons of bran or oatmeal into your regular baking recipes. Or replacing some of the butter with small amounts of olive oil.

No, there’s nothing earth shaking on this list; just a few easy changes that your family might be willing to swallow, like drinking more water and less soda pop.

Who knows? A few less calories today might mean a longer, healthier life for the whole family.

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.

My Spanish is Embarrassing

I always say, “If you grow up in Texas, you should learn Spanish.”
And I say so in dos idiomas.
With so much mom-pressure, our daughters will finally admit to being functional, though not fluent, in Spanish. I say they are fluent, but how in the world would I know? My Spanish is pitiful.
One day I was torturing our son with vocabulary at the hardware store when a senior gentleman had the nerve to correct me about teaching my son Spanish. His thought, which he emphatically shared with me, was that we live in America where the language is still English.
I guess he didn’t notice that we were already fluent in that language.
‘Scuse me, but I just hate being the dumbest person in a room, I explained to the elderly gentleman. If everybody is talking a language I don’t know, I assume they are talking about me. So, I guess I’m neurotic in more than one language.
The best reason I’ve heard for being serious about keeping English as our sole official language is that it makes it harder for politicians to lie to us if all public discussions take place in one language. We don’t want elected tricky officials making different promises to folks who can’t communicate with each other because of language barriers.
On the other hand, the economic reality in Texas is that retailers are finding it expedient to translate all signs into Spanish.
One of my favorite spots, The Noonday Store, serves up “the world’s best hamburgers” in any language. Their hamburgers are a terrific excuse to practice my Spanish.
Line up with folks from all over the American continents and choose from several daily specials that come with sides and homemade dinner rolls. Save room for dessert because there are always two choices of homemade cobbler.
My favorite part is you can order in two linguas because the owners, Flo and Bill, are as bilingual as you can get. And they are really patient with a middle-aged Angla practicing broken espanol.
Early in my bilingual career, I tried to explain to Flo, as I paid for my hamburger, that I was embarrassed because my Spanish is so bad.
There was a pregnant pause while all the bilingual people around me tried to decipher my Spanish. I felt myself grow uncomfortable as people stared at me with mystified expressions and then began talking rapidly to each other in Spanish, all the while smiling at me and nodding. Clearly, they were more embarrassed than I was.
As so often happens in life, sometimes what we say and what we mean are two entirely different things.
“Yo soy embaracado porque mi espanol es tanto malo,” I tried again.
Translated I think I said something like this, “I am pregnant because my Spanish is so evil.”
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.

Tyler is Bustling with Fun

Back in the 60’s and 70’s, the young people liked to complain that there was nothing to do in Tyler.
In those days, Tyler wasn’t exactly a one stoplight town, but let’s just say that the street lights went to blink mode after 10:00 p.m. That’s a fact. If you are old enough to remember when small children could safely ride bikes on Loop 323, then, like me, you are getting old, my friend. Even way back then Tyler had two golf courses.
These days, Tyler is bustling. There are so many things to do that it is nearly impossible to list them all. So I put together the eclectic list of things I like best about my old home town.
#1 $2 roses sold by street vendors. Why not buy 10 dozen?
#2 Dance lessons with Sal. Sal Landerus is not paying me for endorsing his lessons, but he really ought to get some benefit from trying to turn a duck into a swan on the dance floor. As I tripped through the lessons my husband gave me for Christmas, I discovered that even if a person never learns to dance just trying is invigorating.
#3 The Freeman’s collection of sculptures. At 1520 Rice Road, Chris Freeman, a dentist by trade, and his wife have created and installed a collection of about twelve pieces. If you have developed an appreciation for contemporary art, you will be thankful for what they have made available to anyone willing to walk to the back of his office.
#4 Water skiing on Lake Tyler. Find some friends with a boat and make them take you skiing because Lake Tyler, now that the drought is over, is once again the prime spot for jumping a wake.
#5 Take a class at TJC. My favorites are Spanish, welding, or anything in the Art Department. Why not come to town one or two nights a week and add a skill to your resume or chase a dream? Anyway, being in town for class gives you a perfect excuse to take in some of the other adventures on this list.
#6 Marvin United Methodist Church. Find your way into the sanctuary downtown and take a moment to savor the beauty of their stain glass windows, not to mention the carved, wooden panels and pews. It won’t cost you a thing, but time and a little reverence.
#7 Scuba. Men love this sport because once they complete the course, they are then required to purchase lots of expensive new gadgets. I suppose this is a good place to mention golf again, speaking of expensive hobbies.
#8 Farm-fresh produce. Aren’t we blessed to live in a place where there is always something fresh from the farms around East Texas? Right now, tomatoes are still on some vines and there are pumpkins to look forward to.
#9 Eat out. With so many restaurants to choose from it seems unfair to name any. Here are my favorites; all locally owned: Potpourri House, The Peking, El Charro, Pico De Gallo, The Tortilla Factory, The Noonday Store, and Bruno’s.
#10 The Obvious. I can’t imagine that there is any child in East Texas who has missed the following fabulous museums and sights, but just in case, be sure to visit Caldwell Zoo, Tyler Museum of Art, Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum and Country Store, Goodman Museum, The Rose Garden, and last, but not least, Discovery Science Place.
With its historic homes, cultural variety, beautiful parks, great restaurants and great shopping, Tyler is a perfect place to take a mini vacation before school starts. Or clip this list and stow it in your dash. Then, next time you have to go to Tyler for business or appointments, let it inspire you to make an adventure out of an ordinary trip to town.
Either way, I hope these ideas will encourage you to take another look at a beautiful East Texas destination.
Now, if my readers will send me their ideas about the courses they love, I will make amends for not knowing a thing about golf, by creating a “Readers’ Favorite East Texas Golf Courses List.”

Favorite Antique Stores in East Texas

Ah…a cool breeze stirs East Texas.
Reminding me that Thanksgiving will be here soon; Thanksgiving being my favorite of all the holidays, in part because no gift-buying is required.
Thanksgiving is also my deadline for Christmas shopping because I refuse to stand in lines or ruin a perfectly delightful Thanksgiving holiday with stress over unfinished shopping.
And since it is still early enough to feel no pressure, now is the perfect time to grab a couple of friends and make a day of shopping.
In Bullard, Darlene McKay offers an ever-changing collection of grandmotherly-type furniture that she finds herself and prices to sell at her store, Remember When, at 202 Main Street. Walking into the old red-brick building in downtown is an experience to stimulate your creativity, mixing china tea-sets and antique collectibles with hand-crafted gifts, like beaded purses or pillows. If you start early you can “Wake up at Jake’s,” the coffee shop across the highway.
In Frankston, stop by Pandora’s Box, at 302 N. Hwy 155. This fabulous store is a maze of decades and styles including a collection of Texas-themed horse décor and another room showcasing china with antique linens. Always unexpected, last time I stopped by, for instance, there were more than a dozen framed Christmas tree mosaics made of buttons and sequins from the 50s. My favorite part is outside, where the owner, Patty Lookabaugh, stocks antique and hard-to-find plants with all variety of garden decor.
Next stop is Ethel’s in Tyler. Just north of downtown at 513 Bois D’Arc Ave, it is worth the drive if you are looking for furniture of any variety because Ethel keeps an extensive collection and she is always ready to sell in order to make room for her next find. She also tends to find great lamps and amateur art, including an impressive collection of amateur portraits of African-american faces. If you need something in particular, it is worth visiting with her.
While you are downtown, don’t wait until the last minute, pick up your tamales now at the Tyler Tortilla Factory at 513 N Border Ave. Call ahead, 903-595-0873 and order my favorite, the chicken ones. Remember to bring a cooler and ice packs for the drive home.
Last stop, Edom, Texas. Allow yourself plenty of time to wander the Blue Moon nursery, where organic gardening meets a very practical philosophy. Here you will find a gift shop to regale any gardener on your list, plus a thousand simple, inexpensive ways to add zest to your own yard, especially perennials.
If you time it right, you can still peek in at The Potters Brown because someone on your list surely deserves a gift of this beautiful art form, hand-crafted locally by the husband and wife team who are nationally-recognized potters.
By now, it is dinner which can mean only one thing: comfort food at The Shed, in Edom. Top of your day and your dinner with a slice of their home-made, meringue-topped delights.
After such a successful day of shopping, you can look forward to a relaxing Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plus, you already have tamales in your freezer.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.

Day Tripping to Carthage

“East Texas Oil and Gas Blast, Feel the Energy!”
Great line, huh? And what timing, given that all the politicians are talking about energy now that prices at the pump are way up.
Well, we have to give our East Texas neighbors in Carthage credit for doing their part to keep us independent of foreign oil, by celebrating our rich oil and gas history with a festival.
Why not fill up the tank and mosey over to Carthage for the fun?
The Saturday, October 11th event, promises all day entertainment, from 10am to 5pm, including performances by special guests, Tony Booth and Johnny Lee.
The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame is in Carthage, of course, and worth a visit all by itself. But there’s plenty more to do while you are there.
There’s also the Old Jail Museum, built in 1891, featuring restored jail cells on the second floor and the Leila Belle LaGrone Family History Center, an active genealogical research library housed downstairs.
Blast special events will include arts and crafts, a pie contest, a car show, and hourly drawings for prizes.
But each and every Saturday night in Carthage means live music at the Esquire, an old downtown movie theater which is now the home of the Country Music Hayride, where “All shows are geared towards providing good family entertainment,” according to the East Texas Tourism Guide. When there’s a fifth Saturday night in the month, music is usually gospel.
While you’re in town, check out the historic downtown where music chimes all day long, and the streets are lined with boutiques and antique stores.
There’s the Emporium on the Square, at 102 N. Marshal/Henderson, specializing in antiques, sporting a nice collection of rhinestone jewelry.
At Blessings, 110 E. Main St., gifts have a faith-filled message; I bought ribbon-trimmed dish towels and tucked them away for stocking stuffers. Lunch is served daily at quaint tables in the back.
Speaking of lunch, there’s also the Texas Tea Room, 100 E. Sabine, where volunteers serve up fresh sandwiches and soups at reasonable prices in an effort to support the Heritage Museum which is devoted to the history of Panola County. Above the tea room, the museum is a tip o’ the hat to inhabitants of the county, including Native American artifacts, photos of early community leaders, and a history of education in the county.
Save room for desert because the Fudge and More Store, at 106 W. Sabine, serves fresh, buttery fudge to chocolate-seeking customers, prepared after-hours each evening by owners, Dean and Brenda Jones. My favorite was a chocolaty concoction of pecans and toffee filling, but the traditional toffee was good, too.
Carthage is also home to Panola College, where the manicured, park-like campus could even inspire an old person like me to re-enroll for classes.
With so many cafes to choose from, lunch could be just another excuse to come back and visit Carthage again, not to mention the shopping and the museums in this history-loving little Texas town.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.

What to Do First in Romantic Miami?

It turns out that Miami is one of my favorite places in the world. Who knew?
I guess I pictured the Miami that Hollywood invented, filled with drug-dealers and scantily dressed floozies.
Turns out Miami is the perfect place to travel with your family. Or, as we recently found out, it’s a great place for a romantic getaway.
Of course, who can argue with any place that features sunshine glistening off of turquoise water and sandy beaches, combined with fun stuff to do, delicious restaurants, and live music?
Here are just a few of our favorite things about Miami:
-The aquarium. Yes, and I am old enough to remember and be impressed by the original set of the TV series, “Flipper.”
-South Beach. The sandy, white beaches are fringed by water so clear you can see for yards and so gentle, that your smallest children can walk out that far without ever getting into trouble. Plus, there is public access through parks that have restrooms and outdoor showers; parks so picturesque that they frequently make the cut as sets in movies and TV shows.
-South Beach shopping. Still in your bathing suit, wander into any of the famous designer stores or, my favorite, choose from all the shoe stores whose windows boast shelves of fancy, colorful shoes and purses at discount prices.
-The Vizcaya. This historic mansion overlooking Biscayne Bay once belonged to the guy who owned American Harvester and sent his decorator all over Europe, furnishing his summer home in layers of history by way of antiques. It is also a self-sustaining, eco-friendly agricultural estate.
-Los Ranchos at Bayside. A Nicaraguan restaurant serving thin-cut steak served with three sauces, my favorite of which is a parsley and garlic sauce. Steaks come with fried green plantains which are crisp like potato chips, fried sweet plantains which are similar to sweet potatoes, and pinto gallo, a traditional way of preparing pinto beans and rice. Don’t miss the Yucca or the Nicaraguan tamales.
-The Café Versailles in Little Havana. A classic Cuban restaurant serving flaky, buttery pastries unique to Cuba that bring to mind Paris but are filled with tropical jellies like mango or guava. Here, elderly Cuban gentlemen dressed in nice slacks and dress shirts line up at the window outside for the Cuban coffee. Inside reasonably-priced Cuban specialties are served on white table clothes. Plan to order in Spanish because the waiters aren’t necessarily bilingual.
-Puerto Sagua on South Beach. Try the fish soup or the pushed Cuban sandwich. Similar to French bread, Cubans make their soft, crusty loaves fresh every day, then fill them so full of ham, turkey and a mild, melted cheese that the sandwich has to be pushed down to hold together.
-Catch an outdoor concert. Walk outside any day of the week in South Beach and you’ll stumble onto a live concert at any of the restaurants where tables spill over onto the sidewalks. Order dinner and enjoy the musical benefits of the local culture. If you are so inclined, you can even smoke one of the other benefits of Miami culture, hand-rolled Cuban-style cigars.
Outside of Texas, there are few places in the world that I want to visit twice. It turns out Miami is on my short list of places to return to again and again. Bienvenidos a Miami!

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at CaeKrafve2@aol.com or http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.

The Normal Boy With Fragile X

Michael Watkins, of Whitehouse Texas, is the father of Austin who was diagnosed with Fragile X as a toddler. Michael and his wife, Amanda, share this story in the hope that it will offer encouragement and information to those who face similar challenges.

The family gathers around the table, clasp hands, and bow their heads. As the father thanks Jehovah God for His blessings, including his son’s favorite, pepperoni pizza, Austin Watkins raises the hand of the person next to him and gently caresses his own cheek.
Without a word, Austin communicates a welcome to the new person at the table and communicates the truth about his own tender heart.
A freckle-faced, 10-year-old with a bur haircut and an impish grin, he has bright brown eyes that are alert to every nuance.
His sister is 8-year-old Abigail, a shy little brunette with hazel eyes, an easy laugh, and a sparkly personality.
They dig into the pizza piled high on their plates and the conversation turns to family and friends.
Austin claps with joy as small accomplishments are discussed, his or any one else’s.
And he never says a word.
“Imagine never hearing the voice of your child,” says Austin’s father, 33-year-old Michael Watkins.
For parents of Fragile X children, “normal” takes on a whole new meaning.
For instance, since Austin was late at every stage of the development, when he was finally able to run through the house like a normal boy, it was a cause for celebrating, not scolding.
Austin would run, that is, until he reached the end of the tile and the beginning of the carpet. Then he would stop, raise his foot high in the air and carefully test the new surface represented by the carpet. Once sure of his footing, he would dash off again until the next change of texture caused confusion to his brain’s processing.
Something as simple as an outing to the park represented a thousand challenges for Austin whose brain processes every last bit of information without filtering.
“He would not slide or swing,” says Michael, explaining that children with Fragile X are prone to sensory overload and that even movement or wind can alarm them. The multitude of textures that most people take for granted, like the wood chip ground cover, can trigger panic attacks as the child tries to decipher what the textures represent.
These days, his family is poignantly aware of what a milestone it is for Austin to enter into the pizza restaurant without hesitating or panicking along the way.
“Imagine if you had to listen to all the florescent lights in a restaurant, if you could hear all the silverware clattering, the car doors outside banging, and about seventy-five conversations all at once,” Michael says, explaining how children with Fragile X have difficulty with sounds. “We take for granted our ability to tune it out.”
The folks at CiCi’s Pizza call Austin by name and wait patiently as he presses the screen on his “V,” which then announces that Austin would like pepperoni pizza. V stands for voice and is the latest technology, designed by Dynabox, specifically to allow Fragile X and Autistic children a chance to communicate with words.
Austin’s grandfather, Don Treul, of Breckenridge, Texas, is particularly pleased with this new avenue of communication, claiming that it only proves what he knew all along, that his grandson was a smart boy who was aware of what was going on around him, but hindered by his inability to talk.
Being able to communicate has eased Austin’s frustration level and allowed his true personality to shine out.
“He is the most kind, huggy-kissy kind of kid,” laughs his father.
Michael also credits his wife, Amanda, with bringing a whole new level of behavioral achievements. Amanda loved both Austin and Abigail immediately when their protective father first introduced them.
Amanda saw Austin as an individual who was old enough and ready to do many things for himself.
For instance, his father was still making Austin’s sandwiches in the routine way which included cutting off the crust and dividing them into eight equal portions when he discovered that, lo and behold, Austin was perfectly capable of making his own sandwiches when Amanda was in the kitchen.
Another day, on the way home from worship, Austin communicated that he was hungry. He was instructed that as soon as they finished changing out of their good clothes, the family would make something to eat together.
After changing, on her way to the kitchen, Amanda noticed that Austin’s door was closed.
“He never closes his door,” laughs Michael. Abigail nods in agreement. Something was definitely up.
Poking her head in the door, Amanda saw immediately that Austin had orange cheese-y stuff all around his mouth as he quickly hid the bag of chips behind his back.
She had to go back to her bedroom and laugh out loud before she returned to tell Austin that he had to take a time out because he disobeyed.
“Those moments show the complexity of the person who is trapped within. Its there behind his eyes,” says Michael, tenderly.
It’s another kind of normal.
Every child has their challenges, Michael points out. All children are different and unique.
“We think he’s easy,” laughs his dad, referring to Austin’s loving personality.
Routine is especially crucial in helping children with Fragile X cope with new situations. A trip to the pizza parlor, a morning of worship can happen with preparation and planning, but a wise parent helps the child by taking it in stages.
For instance, when the family decided Austin was ready to join in worship, they took him first to a place just outside the sanctuary where he would not have to see all the people. Next, they brought him into a room with a window.
Now he sits with his family, holding his own Bible or hymnal, and enjoying the experience.
Just recently, Austin laughed out loud for the first time.
The family was sitting in worship, when something struck him as funny and his laughter came bubbling out.
The sound of Austin’s laughter is sweeter than music to his family.

Sacred Moments and Fragile X

Occasionally, Life hands us a sacred moment.
The truth is that every moment in life is sacred, but so often we go tripping along without noticing.
This week, in a moment of clarity, I recognized that I was being blessed to witness the fragile, delightful quality of God’s creation expressed in a family circle as they included me at mealtime.
I knew there was something special about this family when the grandfather, Don Treul, was telling me about them recently at a Texas Press Association convention. Don is the editor of the Breckenridge American, but the story of his grandson’s experience as a child with Fragile X was a story he had not been able to tell in his paper. It was too personal.
It was the way Don talked about his son, his daughter-in-law and the grandkids that let me know how proud he is of them all.
I called his son, Michael Watkins, when I got back home and the results are the feature you can read in today’s edition.
According to Michael and Amanda there are many things parents can do to make life better for children who are diagnosed with Fragile X and for their siblings:
-Make your child expand. He’s a regular kid, just with a different approach to life. Don’t be blinded by the label of disability.
-While a routine is a good thing for kids with Fragile X, it can work against the parents, if they fail to stretch the routine to include new challenges all the time.
-Don’t hide your special needs child at home. It doesn’t help him to be isolated, even if it feels like you are protecting him. Plus, being isolated is hard on the other siblings.
-Taking him places is good for others. The community needs to know how to respond to special needs kiddoes; how to be comfortable and patient with uniqueness.
-Don’t take it personally. People often do stare and they can be rude and unkind. Without realizing it, judgmental strangers often make problems worse. For example, Fragile X kiddoes are so aware of everyone else’s emotions that if a stranger sees an anxiety attack and assumes it is a temper tantrum, their comments only serve to make the situation more overwhelming.
-Michael and Amanda can’t help but notice when they see other families out who have a child with special needs. They recommend, if appropriate, saying something encouraging to the parents like, “We’re proud of you.”
My thanks this week to Don Treul for recognizing a story that will bless a lot of folks. And to Michael and Amanda for sharing their experience and hope with the rest of us. And to the Watkins kiddoes, Austin and Abigail, for being a blessing just by being exactly who they are.

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.

Favorite Moments from the 2008 Texas Republican Convention

Drama! Laughter! Heartbreak! Hurrahs!
The Texas Republican Convention 2008 had something for everyone.
We all take our freedom pretty seriously in this state, but it can’t hurt to laugh along the way as we are getting worked into a lather with the Presidential elections drawing near.
As tribute to the hard-working men and women who put on the event with the intention of doing their part in the self-governing process, here’s my list of favorite moments at the convention.
-Favorite Missing In Action Candidate: John McCain who didn’t show up.
-Favorite Gag: The cardboard stand-up of McCain positioned in the aisle in front of the video crew and beamed to the big screens with delegates pretending to pose with the absentee candidate.
-Favorite Honor: Local guy and US Congressman, Louie Gohmert, received the Texas Eagle Forum’s Patriot of the Year award.
-Jazziest slogan: I have no idea what it means but my favorite stickers were the ones that labeled delegates “Red Hot.” Everybody was handing out stickers; some delegates reminded me of those VW vans that travel the world covered in stickers. This one actually said “Keep Texas…” in small font and was sponsored by the Growth, Opportunity and Prosperity PAC whoever they are.
-Favorite New faces on the East Texas Political Scene: William Hughey of Marshall in Harrison County who is running for District Judge, and his wife, Willie. His impromptu comments in the Congressional District 3 Caucus meeting received a long and enthusiastic standing ovation.
-Favorite political ad: The “Big Bad John” video put together by US Senator John Cornyn’s staff; it was the most entertaining of the lot. You can check it out at their website, but bet we won’t see the full version on TV. It’s funny, even if you’re not a Republican.
-Favorite Fashion Statement: People wearing Styrofoam elephants on their heads.
-Favorite New Face at the State Level: Dr. Robin Armstrong, Vice Chairman of the Republican Party. Okay, die-hard Republicans probably know this guy, but he was new to me. He is conservative, articulate, and took the time to listen to folks.
-Favorite Houston Restaurant near the Convention Center: The Grove, less pricey than most with a view of the sculpture garden that doubles as a park.
-Favorite fauxpas: When one of the national delegate nominees said he loved his wife and what she did to him…oops…for him.
Attending a party convention for the first time is an amazing and often bewildering experience. Sometimes it felt like a carnival, sometimes like a country western concert, and sometimes, for instance during the prayer breakfast, it felt like a call to worship.
There is something compelling about the process that has developed out of the foundation our forefathers designed.
No matter whose candidate wins in November, we really do live in a land where liberty is a celebration and a call to thanksgiving.


Cathy Primer Krafve lives and votes in Texas. Comments are invited at CaeKrafve2@aol.com of http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.