Autumn cool–I love it–a promise of transformation. Green turns to yellow-gold and then orange to red–old growth giving way to new. Leaves turn shades of red, flutter down and cover grass, once green, now washed to beige.
My neighborhood changes too. Fawns growing into long-legged bucks and does. Their spots fade and they romp in the crisp-cool evenings like teenagers on a Friday night. The herd dances through the pecan trees and leap across winding roads.

In the fall, fashions evolve from summer white into earth tones, wrapping around us to warm our spirits. My city is changing too. Wonderful shops–transfigured with vibrant colors of the season.

Recently I peeked in the Opera House window. The site caught my breath. Like a huge gaping wound, it stood void of its beauty. The ghosts haunting the historic building seemed to flutter through the gutted building. But there’s no mournful sound. It’s a song I hear—joyful and whispering of the glory to come. On the eastside of Granbury’s Square, the old Granbury Live building has an amazing new look. It has been transformed into a huge stage with intimate, theater seating. You have to see it for yourself. Maybe I should say, “You have to hear it for yourself,” because the sound is phenomenal.

 I only watched part of a dress rehearsal for The Secret Garden. It was enough to make me know I don’t want to miss this classic musical. The old stage that the legendary Tom McRea built has been extended to double its size. The center rows, from the fifth row back, have been removed, pulling the audience into the stage area. As a fan who refused to sit in what I called, “the hole,” I stood in amazement at the changes. Every seat now offers a perfect view. How did they think of this?

Scott Young, president of the Historic Merchants Association, explained it like this: “Most of us try to think outside the box. Andrew doesn’t have a box!” I so agree! Andrew Barrus may be one of the most creative people I’ve ever met. However he also has a business-savvy. He’s a dedicated, detail person that seems to center him in the task at hand. Drawing plans for stage and sets, designing, planning and building a community of caring people to support the arts.

My shopping/photo shoot with Dana Vollmer was a treat for me. This is an exceptional young woman. Dana has become an icon for Granbury, Texas and the U.S.A. Her mark on the swimming world has placed a pointer on the world map—annotating Texas, Hood County and Granbury as a place that raises up champions. In November Hood County has an opportunity to set excellence as a goal and provide young swimmers with the tools to accomplish their goals.  How many more champions can we build with an Olympic-size-pool where our youth can train? Don’t forget to vote for the future.n opportunity to set excellence as a goal and provide young swimmers with the tools to accomplish their goals. How many m

Voting has never been more important in our nation. We have a clear choice between candidates on all levels and choices between issues. Read, study and listen. Know before you vote. I also would ask each of you to vote your values, not a party.

Fall Festival happens at the end of the month, ushering in the holiday seasons. Willow and Reagan, the magazine-article-writing cats, can’t join in the Bow Wow Trick or Treat, but you can. Cool weather, cool shops, cool new restaurants and wonderful musicals, our annual local star-search every Thursday night at Shanley Park, murder-mystery theater and live shows…it doesn’t get any better than this.

Enjoy!

Sights and scenes of the “magic valley” expressed in the photos of our readers often describe this land between the rivers far better than words. Some have suggested my term “magic valley” overstates. However, I think it all depends on what the word “magic” means to you. If you like your magic flashy, July 4th and Christmas flash here in a big way; if magic means to you a quiet retreat where peace washes over your soul like waves on a sunlit beach; if magic is the green growth feeding life with God’s love, then this is the magic valley for you, too.

I spent a great deal of my summer on family business and drove my kids and grandchildren to many communities over several states for fun and emergencies. Like Dorothy in Oz I can tell you there’s no place like the magic valley.

My grandson took me camping in the mountains of New Mexico. I admit the mountain temperature is difficult to compete with, but my remote-controlled bed verses an air mattress on rocky cold ground wins after one night. Give me green valleys, cool breezes over sparkling water. Others can keep the hot concrete and crowded hotels of the city, where you are a number, not the Freemans. That is definitely not magical.

Even the language here is simple. An example is the night I pulled up to Gexa Pavilion in Dallas to let my daughter, granddaughter and friend out for a boy-band concert. The parking attendant said: “Big time rush.” I said, “No, I’m not in a hurry at all.” He laughed. My granddaughter said, “Nana! That’s the group playing.” I think Elvis has left the building and living somewhere in Granbury or Glen Rose.

I am clicking my ruby-red heels together and shouting there’s no place like home in the magic valley. It’s a virtual vacation.

Last month we celebrated the National Day of the Cowboy for the first time ever in Hood County. I’m so proud to have nominated one of the best cowboys ever–Larry Avery. He puts his talent on the line with his faith everyday and his neighbors are rewarded.

Thanks to David and Kay Moore and Boots Hubbard for their work on this event and the Rio Brazos Music Hall for hosting it. Kay Moore pulled together information and planned the entire Day of the Cowboy event in less than a week. We are blessed to have people like Kay supporting our community. Last month due to a misunderstanding, Kay’s article mentioned Mason Mayne, having been inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Although he wasn’t in that noted group, many thought he should have been. Also in Kay’s article Cissy’s husband is listed as David and that should be Don. Mayne’s death was in 1997.

There is no telling what events and great times will happen in August that hasn’t even been planned yet. As you look to the end of summer, don’t forget the fun things to do in Granbury and Glen Rose. You and your family will love the Labor Day weekend events. I don’t understand how there’s always a new innovative happening here. It’s magic! 

Cupids, bears, hearts, flowers and of course eagles symbolize Valentine’s Day. Yes, I said eagles. I believe the eagle is the ultimate Valentine symbol.

Eagles mate for life. They are extremely committed. Courtship begins when the female flies in a circle and the male chases her. She notices his strong beak and takes note of his beautiful feathers, but the real test comes in his ability to face the storms of life, to manage when fate produces it sharpest decline and soar easily to a higher altitude.

The female gets a small leaf and flies to 10,000 feet or so and drops it. He dives at about 200 miles an hour, catches it and takes it back to her. She ignores him. Then she repeats the procedure with a twig and then a bigger branch. The bigger the branch the faster he has to dive. Then she goes to about 500 feet. If he catches this one, she knows he can catch her babies when they fall. She can trust him. She goes on in the courtship. If not, she continues her search for the male with the right attributes to share life in the wild.

Eagles have been known to lock talons and drop toward the earth. Males and females have also been observed with talons locked. The male will not let go. Even if it cost his life, he will not let her go until she releases. He’s there until death do they part. .

He brings her gifts, green twigs. As they nest he has been seen stroking her feathers. He also brings toys to the nest—he says for the kids—cans, tires and balls of all shapes and sizes. Yes the male species has many traits that are universal.

Romance is abundant in Granbury and Glen Rose, especially in February. This year it’s even better. I definitely plan to attend the Hunks of Hood County. The Valentine Special at Rio Brazos Music Hall and Cantina offers an incredible evening at an amazing price. The more I go to the Rio, the more I’m impressed. Lately, I’ve gone every Thursday to enjoy their great tasting burgers at a special price. It’s first class all the way. Take your sweetie to one of the wonderful restaurants in the valley and enjoy the moonlight on the river.

A few years ago, I gave my niece Carly some Bachelor Buttons seeds to plant and told her the old wives tale about how the little round flower helps you find a husband. The wedding pictures on this page are from Carly and David Livenston’s wedding. You will also notice it didn’t take seeds to help Carly find a husbans; like my sister, she is beautiful. And David could catch any branch before it crashes to the ground. Maybe the secret of the Bachelor Button seeds issthat you have to wait a while to find the one just right for you.

I hope you know you are loved this February. There’s a song, written and performed by the Gaithers, from a few decades ago that expresses why I’ve been married for 48 years, “I am loved. I can risk loving you, for the One who knows me best loves me more.” I firmly believe that we can truly love when we know God loves us…know from having experienced His grace. Because Dickey Freeman and I know how much God loves us, we have stayed together through many differences. It’s that and the fact I told him the first year we were married that I do not believe in divorce; but I believe in murder.”

You are loved!