The Duke is IN THE HOUSE!

Glen Rose was a bevy of activity last weekend. Trick-or-treaters of every age dressed up for the safe trick-or-treating at all the local businesses. My personal favorite were the two "nuns" outside Angels with Attitude, replete with yardsticks. I'll admit, I sat up a little straighter as I drove by....

Fossilmania was also in town. Hundreds of fossil collectors gathers to show, sell or trade their treasures at the Expo Center.

Lord's Acre at the First United Methodist Church was held to great success. The Barbecue was a big hit and the weather was picture perfect- a crisp autumn day under sunny skies with very little wind. For we Texans who just survived the hottest, driest summer in Texas history, the fall atmosphere was all the sweeter. A few of us crooners sang for the crowd during lunch, and then we all headed to the live auction. My sister Linda and her partner Karen arrived ten minutes before the silent auction and walked out of it with arms full. That is the way to get 'er done!!

The evening held a a highly anticipated event. Local artist Robert Summers' John Wayne sculpture is internationally known. It resides at the Orange County airport in California. The steel, Styrofoam and wax sculpture that served as the mold for the final bronze was brought back to Glen Rose and unveiled at the White Buffalo Art Gallery, where it will remain on permanent display.

As I stood with the crowd, I was taken back to a memory of the first time I saw the sculpture, back in 1999. I was in California for business and flew into the Orange County airport. When I spotted the John Wayne sculpture I was immediately struck by its larger than life size and spot on rendition of The Duke's walk. I stared at it in full appreciation for a good long time before heading out to grab my rental car. Here I was now in 2011, 12 years later, chatting with the artist in a crowd of many friends and acquaintances and art lovers, in the town that I have come to call home. I go to church with Robert's sister, Francis. I have met him and his wife several times and am friends with the gallery owner. I belong to the local art league, and my heart has come to belong to this town.

And now, in a small way, I feel like part of The Duke belongs to me.