𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗬 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗖𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗦

"Now you're telling me

You're not nostalgic

Then give me another word for it

You who are so good with words

And at keeping things vague"

Joan Baez, "Diamonds and Rust"

Jack and Felix Barton; West Brownsville, Gladys Porter Zoo, Washington Park with Sandy Stillman

Yesterday, enjoying a Sunday brunch at the Matamoros version of Hotel El Jardin with the ever-gracious Jerry Danache, I was thinking like an old man, about legacy, something I won't leave, except for the two precocious grandsons pictured above, Jack and Felix.

El Jardin's waiter had started our meal with an actual fresh fruit cocktail, not canned Del Monte, but freshly cut cubes of pineapple, papaya, melons and such, along with a glass of a green concoction that tasted like fruit juices and possibly spinach.

The coffee, obviously not Folger's or Nescafe, served in smallish cups, was rich in flavor and not too hot. (Every time I pass the now "For Rent" Brownsville Coffee Shop on East 13th, I remember my routine in the late 60's, asking the waitress for a small dish of vanilla ice cream for my coffee.)  

After Jerry dropped me off in front of Gateway International, I picked up my car at the parking lot of the city municipal building and drove to West Brownsville to get the top photo above with Jack and Felix.

While my grandsons listened respectfully, they're not in need of my advice, but that doesn't stop me from my role as the world's dumbest grandpa.

"I know you'll both get good jobs and M.I.T. and Texas A&M sounds great, but don't use your money on a Corvette.  Be more frugal as life can change quickly, " I pontificated, stating the obvious.

My daughter-in-law put together a C.A.R.E. package of goodies to take home and I walked, somewhat hesitantly, to my vehicle, wondering how many more times I would make this visit before returning to the dust from which I'd come.