Masonic Lodge in Grand Prairie

Freemasonry has been a subject interesting to me since I learned that my first Texas ancestor, Napoleon Storey, was a freemason. So it was with great pleasure that I took the opportunity to enter and photograph a masonic lodge, informed by the local masonic leader about the organization as I did so.

This was a composite of famous American freemasons.

I was able to look and photograph all I wanted. The masons offered no explanations as to the meaning or use of the objects in the ceremony hall; nor did I ask them.

In the center of the hall.

The dining hall. This was my favorite place. There was a lingering smell of sandwiches and good country cooking. On the wall are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, a related organization for men and women dedicated to public service.

This was the founder of the order in Grand Prairie. His portrait was very high on the wall above my head, and it was difficult to get a good picture. I found his appearance, emblematic of the mid-19th century American Romantics, striking.

Since my tour I have noticed several other masonic lodges in my area. Everything I learned before and since confirms much of what sensed, that freemasonry is very much a part of the history of Texas, most prevalent in smaller and once-larger towns. Due to its place in Texas history and undoubted influence on the towns where I have lived as well as my ancestry I want to know much more.

Downtown Grand Prairie, Texas

  
Beautiful dresses in a shop window.

Masonic Lodge. We toured the interior on invitation from two masons standing nearby, one of whom was the local head of the organization.

Saint Emilion

 

We went to Saint Emilion in Fort Worth last Saturday. There was a flat rate for a four course dinner. I had basil pesto, French onion soup, steak and fries and meringue puff with vanilla sauce and caramel for dessert. Everything I tasted was very flavorful. The onion soup was powerful but probably their best menu item. I would love to go again and try some more things.

Chocolate Boudino

An inventive method of melting chocolate.

The completed boudino. Matt made all parts except the meringue cookies. Nathan and I made those together.

The dessert consisted of a thick chocolate mousse covered with home-whipped cream, meringue cookies and chocolate shavings. We piled this concoction on the sugar-covered biscotti to eat.

A clouded evening

Sometimes things do not turned out as planned. Instead of the hot, light-filled summer afternoon I expected to find outside of my haven, the sky is gray, the wind is whipping, and the sight makes me feel chill even though I'm sure it is still warm outside.

I am drinking from my dwindling supply of PG Tips and reading Victoria, and writing in my journal. I am writing about the elements that compose my creative world and reflecting on how they have expanded.

Some things I would like to do this summer are to make a flowered Baroque dress for myself, and sew modern but romantic clothes for my dolls. I wish I could see more soap operas from the 1970's. I also wish that I could hear the early soap operas broadcasted from radio.

The new Victoria has begun to increase its material on personal, intimate spaces, and has included at least two articles of writers' habits. While I am a crafting a creative world, writing is no longer the main ingredient. It is as with Jan Karon's words, life must be lived. Life is big, and short. I long to be "a writer" and I fear to release that dream now with the fear of surrendering my meaning for living, but I have questioned lately if that meaning is in writing, or experiencing that blissful state in myself, whether or not I transmit it to others. Writing down these visions is often a means of experiencing them, but there are other ways now, and I have grown tired of being "a writer." I find I have no ambition to be published or even recognized by others, only to improve myself with each attempt.