Sunday, May 24, 2009, Burleson, Texas, 7:10 p.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Tank here, Tank Griswald.  I am sitting here, underneath the awning, with my girlfriend, Steffi, and our friends Ryan Teeters, Edwin Gonzales, Yanci Vega, and Portia Williams, trying to dodge the raindrops that are currently falling.

It started out as a nice day; however, as the day got warmer, clouds started building up, and now it's raining.  The weather people say the showers won't last long; they will pop up, rain themselves out, and then disippate.  Nothing severe expected; the most that will happen are brief heavy rain showers, winds gusting up to 40 mph, and cloud to ground lightning.  There may be an isolated severe storm; however, most will remain below that level.

We will wait until the rain showers stop, then continue our game of badminton before the showers sent us duckin' for cover.

We are in Burleson, Texas, which is just south of Fort Worth; we are at a local park there, and we were enjoying a picnic lunch.  We went yesterday, and we may do so again tomorrow, weather permitting, of course.  In addition, we will go to the city's annual Memorial Day parade, then we will visit with veterans at the local VA hospital, to let them know we remember and care for them.

I don't know what we will do after the veterans parade or after we see the hospitalized veterans, probably picnic again.  Nothing really open except restaurants; maybe we will end up going out to eat.  Don't know until it happens, or come to that bridge.

Yesterday we went to a park near the city's golf course/sports complex; we just sat around, talking, and enjoying the people around us.  There was a group of people (all adults, perhaps a few kids, one about twelve, the others, sixteen or seventeen), who were not far from us, and they seemed to be a friendly bunch.  They were talking about weather and other things. 

Then the oldest couple got a call that their child was in a car wreck just up the street; they left, then came back later.  They seemed upset.  We said a quick prayer that their child would be okay.  We left after the couple got back.  It sort of ruined the mood for this group; I felt bad for them.

I had to laugh at two of them: sisters, perhaps, twins.  They looked an awful lot alike.  They were taking pictures of one another, acting silly.  They looked about to be in their middle forties or so; both used walking aids.  Yet they laughed and carried on like schoolgirls.  It was cute to watch.

I had my girlfriend take a picture of one of the sisters.  The one looked like she was threatening the other with her crutch.  I don't know if she was being serious or not; she had a rather mean glare on her sunburnt face!  LOLOLOL  They were adorable! 

Too bad we didn't get to talk to them; I would have liked to have gotten to know this group.  Maybe they were a group of storm chasers; I don't know, but they were obviously interested in the weather, particularly when it thundered a few times.  Heads popped up all over the where, and cameras/computers came out!

I wonder how the oldest couple's child made out after getting in that car wreck; I wish I had a way of calling them, to see how their child was!  I said several more prayers for the parents (as well as the child); I pray God will see them through this situation and that the accident wasn't serious!

In any event, we were enjoying ourselves yesterday, as well as today.  Still are.  Nothing like celebrating a holiday weekend with friends, food, and fun times!

I am going to go now; seems that the rain shower has passed, plus the skies seem to be clearing again; sun's popping out again.  Good!  We can continue our game of badminton!  I will write in here again soon; until then, have a very happy and safe holiday weekend, and remember those who gave their lives, especially those who have passed on!

God bless you too!

~As always, your friend, Tank Griswald.