b'After the DelugeB een married to this Llano RiverIts the place where I once foundbeautiful spot to build a home. So 30 years now. She is such a sourcesome broken pieces of an old castclose to the water yet seemingly of wisdom and spiritual healing.iron stove. perched high enough. I am sure The deep and cleansing sense ofthey worked by the sweat of their joy we experienced, in that love- Years ago, a retired woman namedbrows to carve out a living off at-first-sight moment, will neverJudy stopped by the farm office.the land. leave us. Her many shades ofShe introduced herself as a great turquoise blue and sea-foam greengranddaughter of the originalJudy described how that original have flowed by this place we callfamily who settled this land.cabin washed away within their homefor thousands of years. There is still a bronze marker infirst year during a raging flood. the south field stamped with theBut the settlers, thinking that Considering her vast seniority, itswordsLand Patented May 17,would never happen again, rebuilt presumptuous to speak with much1878. in the same spot. As she continues authority about heror any of herwith the family knowledge and sister Hill County rivers, for thatThe neighborly woman gentlyhistory handed down to her, Judy matter. She is the ultimatespun colorful memories of hersays the homestead eventually authority, not me. Sitting hereancestors and this place. This washed away a second time. Then, quietly on her high bank next to a400-year oak tree on the high bankin 1906, her ancestors located 400-year-old live oak.marks the location of their firstanother homesite 2,500 feet back, Contemplating.homestead. I can imagine a youngaway from the river and about 30 pioneering couple choosing thisfoot higher. So far, that reciprocal'