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.