Connections

Julia Cauble Smith

My kin in Midland, Texas.  This incredible woman is a retired professor from the University of Texas and a historian extraordinaire.  She actually wrote parts of The Handbook of Texas, and is currently active in the publication of histories for the Cauble-Rotan family, the Permian Basin, and more.  She is funny, kind and delightfully imperious.  Julia is the only one in the world who serves me warm cookies and coffee for breakfast.  Absolute nirvana.

John David McCleskey

John came for a family reunion and stayed for 2 years!  In his honor, the guest room was fondly renamed “The JDM Memorial Overstay Suite”.  An avid historian and genealogist, John is a wealth of information the Civil War — the best person to visit Kennesaw Battlefield with.  Our common ancestor was born in the late 1700s, but I love John more like a brother instead of an umpteenth cousin.

Maria Divina Patez

Lovely and kind Maria Divina. Mary Divine.  And she was the epitome of friendship.  A friend from Brazil who shared my life ever-so-briefly before having to return to that country.  From Maria, I learned Portuguese — “a mouse is in the dining room”, “I found a dead frog”, and “we must catch the chickmonkey [chipmunk]” — all because of the offerings brought to her by my four cats!  I miss her, and hope to see her again.

Roger L. Nalls, Sr.

He’ll hate this recognition, if he sees it.  Roger is my business colleague,  my absolute most trusted associate and advisor.  He’s a turfgrass farmer, a yacht captain,  an airplane pilot, a photographer, a programmer, and a grandfather.  He’s gruff and demanding and impatient and bossy!  Great fun to work with!  No kidding!