Jackie Howard:  

camel. Since that time my traveling has mainly had to do with family, especially grandchildren. A couple of years after Jan's death, I adopted a young lady from Russia. This involved a trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Julia has just presented me with my 5th grandchild in Philadelphis (a chance for another trip) Her little girl is beautiful having a mixture of African, Russian Caucasian, and Russian Turkish in her. She fits well into our family which includes a Mexican daughter in law and German son in law. One of my grandchildren was born in Germany and is very bilingual in English and German. Two are bilingual in Spanish and English and Im sure my new grandaughter will be bilingual in Russian and English. I, however have only learned a few words in Russian and German, so must have an interpreter when speaking to my children's inlaws. My Spanish does come in handy with my son's inlaws. I am now spending most of my time in New Braunfels, Tx. with my daughter and her family. They are really enjoying the German atmosphere here. The grandson is enjoying being a part of the German Children's choir. When I am back in Dallas, I get to go to Iglesia Vaquera in Red Oak where my son pastors. I still need some interpretation there since Spanish has to be spoken very slowly for me to understand. I am still enjoying some traveling, reading, helping sometimes with my grandson's school, and visiting with my 4 children who are in 4 different cities. At least they are all in the states now. My 6th grandchild will be born in Midland Tx. this year to my one child who married an English speaking young man. They are even Aggies so I don't think you can get much more Texan than this. I do enjoy Texas and the many things it has to see. We have spent much of our lives mixing with people of different cultures and learning about their cultures, but I do always enjoy coming home to Texas.