Our hero Skyler!

Skyler is one of several hundred out-of-state crew members sent to Washington to help restore power to the area.  He called Thursday night (January 19, 2012) to say he was in an Asplundh convoy of 10-15 trucks headed north from Portland.  He'll be working 16-hour days for at least 4 or 5 days, stationed in Everett, at the base of Mt. Ranier.  Go Skyler!  Above is a video that tells the story.

Trucks Tedeschi Band

Papa Tom, waiting for the band to take the stage

"How blue can you get?"--B. B. King

Papa Tom and I took in the Trucks Tedeschi Band on Wednesday, January 18.  Derek Trucks is the nephew of the Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks.  He started playing professionally, with the Allman Brothers, as a kid.  The 11-piece band was amazing!  Susan can belt out the blues.  I think they must have raided the Julliard School of Music for their band members.  Each and every one of them could sing and play like nobody's business.

If you have 8 minutes and 41 seconds, you've GOT to check out the Tedeschi Trucks Band video, above.  And yes, the band has two drum sets.  Ryder and Skyler: as bass players, you've got to watch at least as far as the bass solo.  The guy's phenomenal!

Two of my favorite Austin places

Coming up on one year of blues guitar lessons  on February 1st.  I've learned a lot, but still feel the progress is like water dripping on rock.  Moving in the right direction, slowly, slowly.  Someday I'll post myself performing on YouTube.  Someday. . . .

Love, love, love Natural Grocers.  It's as close to our house as Central Market, has everything we want, and best of all, has parking right out front. That isn't our Zoomer in the photo.  Somebody else likes red zippy cars too.

Missing Anjanette and Jade already

Anjanette and Jade were here January 10-20.  We had so much fun!  Missing them already.

Jade won't eat real bananas, but she was intrigued with the plastic banana

I don't think Jade likes the camera flash.  She's sitting in the chair that Ryder's Aunt Jan gave him when he was a baby:  32 years ago!  She stayed with us the summer after he was born.

Love those toofies!  The top ones are starting to come in.

Mya, making consumer choices

What's in your cart, Mya?  Papa Bear is in training too!

Anjanette and Jade are in town!

We met up with Anjanette and Jade and her parents Laura and Jay at Mandola's on Tuesday, January 10,  the day Anjanette and Jade flew in from Portland

Tuckered out!

At Jay and Laura's house on Sunday, January 15, with Jade's great-great-grandfather Carlos

Jade is fascinated with Mommy's red leather jacket. 

Jade on the phone with Daddy

Napkin rings, teething rings.  It's all good!

Jade with Great-Grandma Teri, but somewhat distracted by the Christmas tree

Winter holiday with Emma

Monday, January 9 was Emma's last winter vacation day.  We checked out the chocolate fountain at the Golden Corral in Waco before going to the Blanton Museum on Baylor campus.

Ah, the tea room at the Blanton Museum.  Emma and I were so very proper in our boas.  I really wanted to try the hats on , but they were glued down.  Instead, we imagined that Hubert (must speak with a British accent) had been kidnapped by aliens disguised as unicorns.  We tied ourselves to the table (also glued down) with our boas so the aliens would not be able to abduct us as well.

New Year's Eve at Zilker Park

Inside the Zilker Park Christmas tree.  I wish the iPod photo did justice to how bright it is inside the tree.   You can get an idea from looking at the photo below, showing the tree from the outside.  It made entirely from a metal pole, wires, and lights: no actual tree.

Here's Papa Tom standing in front of the Zilker Park Tree of Lights.

Otis enjoying winter sunshine

LaWanda posted this photo of Otis on FB and I just had to add it to the blog.  There's our guy, smiling and ready to play as always!

Mya's New Year's Day parade

Young artist

Mya says her subject is walking his pet ant

Already a Saints fan!

Ryder and Brandy say River was mesmerized by the Saints game.  Geaux Saints!

Penny Possum

Papa Tom heard a noise under the bathtub.  Sure enough, when he opened the door to the plumbing, Penny Possum was there!  We've seen her at night, balancing along the top of the fence, that great possum and cat highway.  We think she crawls through an opening under the front porch to get under the house.  No telling what parallel universe is going on under there!

Happy New Year!

Otis made the mask.  Thank you, Otis!  I will also wear it for Mardi Gras!