Don't Fence Me In

Must I remind you that everything is bigger in Texas. These long horns once roamed here, and so did the people on the other side of the fence. Now they are surrounded by a nifty planned community of restaurants, shops, apartments, and townhomes. I'm sure the developers are just conniving to get their hands on this prime real estate.

Sarah Cook: born in 1793. She lived a month or so past her 96th birthday - so much for modern health care increasing longevity.

Lieut. Henry Cook is at peace (I assume) beneath his new tombstone. Beware: the month after your birthday must be a danger zone.

The final resting place of Daniel Cook, who was the original inhabitant.

Lots of big houses in Texas, but not every family owns their own cemetery. Only descendants are permitted to be interred on this property so don't try to bury all your exes in Texas.

Fa - La - La

It's Santa's favorite elf. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent creating those ornaments or, more importantly, why. I think it must have had something to do with putting together a perfect Christmas .... you know, the one where everything is just-so ...... picture-perfect ...... and the photos are too. The one that is just a few if-onlys out of reach ...... Accomplishing that fantasy is why Santa needs milk and cookies ........ and champagne and lots of wrapping paper. It took me a long time to figure out that the "perfect" Christmas that I was trying to re-create was not just one Christmas -- it was a collage of the best parts of lots of childhood holidays, both real and imagined.

So now that I am older and wiser, but no less fashionable (don't tell me you didn't notice the afro, the uber lip gloss, the scarf, the short skirt?), I realize that Christmas can still be perfect with almost no work at all ....... especially if your children are grown. Fah who for-aze!

Signs of the Season

Everything is bigger in Texas. You didn't really expect one of those dainty table-top trees, did you?

One of Santa's elves has managed to find our temporary abode and get all wrapped up in the customs of the season. I know ..... it's a gift. I can't stop myself.

Christmas is a week away? Dude, how can that be? Sure, the trees are all sparkly and bright, but they're still wearing their autumnal leaves ........ and yeah, I'm wearing a coat. Shoot me.

Bloomin' Holidays

Paper whites are always part of my Christmas decor although I usually plant them myself - it's always fun and a great deal messier.


However, this year we are celebrating in a temporary space and I want to keep time and effort to a minimum. Don't look for me in the kitchen baking cookies.

It shouts holiday spirit, don't you think?

And the magic begins ......

Show Me Your Mussels

I had never even tasted mussels until we went to New Zealand, home of the famous Green Mussels, not to be confused with the famous All Blacks. My favorite daydream/fantasy is sitting at the bar in one of those dark, intimate Parisian cafes with a glass of French wine, a plate of mussels, and, of course, plenty of crusty French bread. Sigh.

Well, OK ..... sitting by the Gulf with a mess of mussels, a glass of California wine, and fresh-baked bread.

OK. OK. In a pseudo sidewalk French cafe .......... with a mountain of mussels, a glass of over-priced French wine, and big bread - in Dallas, frickin' Texas. Hey, it is what it is, people. You gotta love the one you're with.

Let it Snow

Snow on palm trees - it's a sacrilege.

39 degrees in Plano, 41 in Ann Arbor: what's the point of slippin' south of the Mason-Dixon line if it's colder than ..... Michigan?

Global warming indeed.

November Nightfall

Somehow a sunset over the back fence in the Texas 'burbs is not quite so romantic as sundown on the Caloosahatchee from twenty stories up, but this one is a beauty nonetheless. Now, if I could just find that conch shell to announce to the neighbors that day is done.

Putting Up the Christmas Tree

We currently reside on what I call Restaurant Row. I know, I know. It's a dream come true. At any rate, we watched the construction of the Christmas Tree as we dined this week. Surprisingly enough, what they say is true ... if we build it, Santa will come. Let the games begin.

Deja Vu

Ah, yes, the ubiquitous cowboy boot ........ who could live in Big D (the land of denim and diamonds) without at least one pair in her/his closet?

I'll Huff and I'll Puff

Is it me ...... or

This pile of rubble used to be somebody's house.

Throwing the house out with the trash.

Too big to fall. I know. It's a curse.

And not a leg to stand on.

What used to be a house by the sea is now a house in the sea.

When Mama Nature knocks, don't hang around to see what she wants cause she's coming in whether you open the door or not.

No Fishing

People used to hang out at the end of the fishing pier here in Galveston, Texas. Some of them even caught fish. How did they get there? you ask. Well, they didn't walk on water.

You're right. It is a big jump from that one section to the next. This is the entrance to the pier, next to the sea wall, and there is a huge gap between these pilings and the end ones you see in the first photo. And we're talking concrete, people. Ain't no messin' with Mother Nature when she's in a hurricane mood.

Yes, this was a popular hangout a little over a year ago until Ike blustered into town.

Galveston, Oh Galveston

We stayed on Galveston Island for several weeks at the end of 2007. In fact we spent Christmas and New Year's Eve happily ensconced in a charming beach cottage hiding behind the giant dream home looming behind me in this photo. Notice how wide the beach is and observe the dunes in front of the mansion. Your tax dollars at work ..... millions of dollars spent to create and foster those dunes and grasses to protect the beauty of our national coastline. In Texas everyone has access to the beaches. I guess nobody can own Mother Nature - although, Lord knows, lots of people try. How much do you think a beach house like that one is worth?

Not much, as it turns out, after the arrival of Hurricane Ike in September of 2008. It is still standing a little over a year later, however. Many of its neighbors are not. In fact, do you see those dunes anymore or the tons of sand that came up to the paint marks on the supports? A victim of high winds and a strong storm surge, this house is truly on its last legs. The beach is no longer as wide as it once was, leaving the remaining homes a lot closer to the water. Waterfront property - always at a premium.

Meanwhile, I guess you really can't go home again.

Cold Front

Yes, we are wearing jackets ......... but no shoes.

Swimming in the Swamp

Some of you complain that all I do is beach beach beach. Well, if you must know ..... Florida is actually a swamp. It's overrun with alligators and other unfriendly critters, pesky mosquitoes and big ugly bugs, gigantic weeds and horrible humidity.

Are you booking a flight?

Bye Bye Bye

We're leaving town next week. We're packing up and saying our good byes.

Au revoir to our friends .......

Hasta luego to the beaches .......

Sayonara to the dolphins and all the other creatures beneath the sea ......

Arrivederci to our favorite restaurants .......

Dasvidania to the marinas ..............

See ya later, alligators .......

It Only Hurts When I Laugh

The usual ride is under the weather so today we're going topless to the beach. I would prefer a red convertible, but you take whatever the nice man at the car clinic gives you.

I'm also test driving my Halloween costume. Rather clever, don't you think? What? Why, it's the Flying Nun, of course. Seriously windy at the beach, but any day with low humidity is a good day.

Oops. Did I speak too soon?