Our pastor and his wife hosted an open house at their home yesterday afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00. It was a come-and-go or come-and-stay Christmas celebration. They thoughtfully hosted the same kind of celebration last year. I remembered being very impressed with their home and their view last year.
They purchased land on Billy Sisson Road four or five years before and built a board and batten farmhouse with an open floor plan and an incredible view. Their home is picturesque and closely resembles what we had planned to build. We could have moved into their home and not changed anything. It is picture perfect.
We wouldn't change anything about the home we subsequently built, but it isn't what we initially wanted. The homeowner restrictions in the subdivision where we built doesn't consider board and batten siding the equivalent of masonry construction. The covenants require the home be 60% masonry construction. Plaster falls into that category. Board and batten does not fall into that category even though it is a cement product. It doesn't make sense to me, but what I think is irrelevant. Consequently, our home is 80% rock with 20% board and batten accents. It may be a stretch, but we describe our home as modern farmhouse.
I was surprised when the General mentioned when we arrived at the party that she had not seen their home before. I failed to remember that she did not accompany me to the party last year. Of course, I should have remembered. She missed a lot over the past 13 or 14 months because of illness. Thankfully, that is now in the past and we're moving on without looking back.
Billy Sisson was the grandson of the rancher who previously owned a large ranch on both sides of "The Park Road". It is the road to Pedernales State Park. The grandfather's name was Edward Fine and he was a deacon at Henly Baptist Church. Of course, when I came as pastor in 1979, Mr. Fine was unable to attend because of health issues. I visited with him in his home several times before he passed and I officiated at his funeral.
We subsequently purchased land in Henly and had a home built. We moved into to our home on Christmas Eve, 1980. Andrea was born on January 2, 1981. Consequently, the General's role was to point and simply say where she wanted things when we moved in. It was a most wonderful time in our lives.
Oleta Sisson, Mr. Fine's daughter lived on the ranch across the road from her parents. She and her mother were in attendance regularly at church. They were gracious and kind people. Oleta telephoned one evening to say that now that we had a new home and of our on, her dad wanted to give us a calf. She said, the calf is loaded in the trailer and I'm heading your way. I was speechless.
It was long after dark when she arrived. She repeated that her dad thought it important that our ten-acre spread have at least a cow. She also added, I want you to have a prayer of dedication for the cow. I remember thinking – holy cow. Like I said, I was both astonished and surprised by Mr. Fine's kindness. I have no idea what I articulated in form of a prayer, but I'm usually pretty good at thinking on my feet. By the way, at the time I owned a gray 1980 El Camino. Overnight I became a gentleman rancher. We named the calf Midnight.
All My Best!
Don
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