Last night in Galveston (July 27, 2019)

Tom and I had already left for Austin when the New Orleans contingent enjoyed a sunset walk on a wharf.  I'm assuming Ramzi took the photo?

Lazy river and hot tub (July 25-28, 2019)

Me, Colton, Donna, Destry, Ramzi, and Caroline in the lazy river at Diamond Beach

Ramzi, Colton, Donna, and me in the lazy river at Diamond Beach

Soaking in the hot tub at Diamond Beach.  Destry, Tom, Colton, Donna, me, Ramzi

Diamond Beach in Galveston (July 25-28, 2019)

Donna made us eggs, bacon, and pancakes for breakfast on my birthday.  Thanks, Donna.

Breakfast on the balcony

Colton, Destry, Caroline, and Donna waving up to me on the fifth floor balcony

Playing Phase 10 in the condo living room

The beach at night (July 26, 2019)

Tom and I searched for flounders and found none. 

Somebody's sandcastle

Relaxing at Diamond Beach (July 26, 2019)

Martin, Donna and me in the lazy river.

Ramzi and Martin hanging out on the fifth floor balcony.

The Ocean Star (July 26, 2019)

Behind me and the tugboat is the Ocean Star, an offshore oil rig now a museum in Galveston.  My Dad supervised the crew and Destry and Colton's Dad both worked on the rig when it was in the Gulf.  If you tour the museum, you'll find my Dad's signature in the logbook. Faintly visible above my head are the words "Ocean Star."

Family get-together in Galveston (July 25-28, 2019)

Martin and I celebrated our birthdays with Donna, Destry and girlfriend Caroline, Colton, and Ramzi at Diamond Beach in Galveston.

Happy 63 to Martin and happy 66 to me

July in Portland

Otis spent a week at the Dame Lillard basketball camp.

Micah with ketchup

Micah posted this on Facebook and I had to borrow it for the blog.  Great photo, Micah!

Wash me! (July 21, 2019)

Is there a car under that dirt?  Photo courtesy of Fox.

Counting the days until Asheville (July 16, 2019)

Fox is marking the calendar with August 5th in mind.  That's the day we fly to Asheville.

Fox as baker (July 21, 2019)

Fox and I made a gluten-free chocolate cake with coconut flour and coconut oil.  Had to do chocolate buttercream frosting though. Do you recognize Fox's outfit LaWanda?  She loves the jumpsuit!

Happy 70 to Rob Stewart, Tom's former roommate (July 20, 2019)

We celebrated the 70th birthday of Rob Stewart, holding the coffee carafe, on July 20.  Rob was Tom's roommate at the house of light and joy for many years before we were married.

Fox's Jump camp show (July 19, 2019)

Fox performs at the end-of-week Jump camp show, as recorded by Lala and me.

Old friend's wedding (July 15, 2019)

Tom and Gary Faulkner have been friends for about 40 years.  Gary and Missy were married on July 15, 2019.

Tom, Gary, and Roy worked together on a doctor's ranch outside Austin about 40 years ago.

Gary's brother Jeff, retired U.S. Army surgeon, also worked on the doctor's ranch before med school.

Magic show at neighborhood ice cream social (July 14, 2019)

Our neighborhood association sponsored live music, ice cream, and a magic show at the Violet Crown Social House.  Fox not only got to go on stage with the magician, but he taught her a magic trick after the show.

Violet and Zephyr (July 12, 2019)

Mutual interest

Our Georgetown house on Pine Street

The boys and I lived in this house in Georgetown for about a year before moving to Austin in 1989.

Our sunflowers at night (July 2019)

Bees love the sunflowers.  No monk parrots have shown up yet.

This is for Joyce--and Mother Earth

Joyce saved her Styrofoam egg cartons for us to take to Austin recycling.  No Styrofoam recycling in Waco.

Happy Fourth of July from Austin!

We waited in Zilker Park, on the shore of Lady Bird Lake, for the fireworks.  Next year, we'll take our canoe out for a closer look.

Fire in the sky

Smoke on the water too

Zephyr in a box (July Fourth 2019)

Zephyr likes to nap in a box in my office. 

Beka and Scott are visiting from Seattle (July 3, 2019)

Miles (2), Sadie (7), and birthday girl Lucy, who turned 4 on July 2. As you can guess, Lucy is a Frozen fan: all Elsa all the time.  Birthday twin Jake didn't want to be in the photo.  We'll include you next time, Jake.

Writers League of Texas annual conference (June 28-30, 2019)

I learned a lot and met other writers from around the USA, some published, some of us not yet. I'm humbled and somewhat intimidated by the talent out there, but also inspired to up my game.  Above is a view of downtown Austin from the 17th floor of the Hyatt Regency, where the conference was held.

Flying home too soon (June 22, 2019)

We're gonna miss you so much!

Photo's blurry because of my tears

Bye Otis!

Otis texted us this great photo he took of Mt. Hood as his flight approached Portland.

Basketball and basketball (all week!)

A little dunking practice

Thank you, Otis, for arranging for the New Orleans Pelicans to beat the Golden State Warriors by more than 100 points in the NBA2k game.  Your clever removal of the salary cap and loading up the Pelicans with LeBron James plus, cinched the win!

Octopodes (June 21, 2019)

What has two heads and 16 arms?  Fox and Otis when they're octopuses (preferred English plural) or octopodes (rarely used Greek form).  Using "octopi" as derived from Latin plural form is incorrect; "octopus" is a Greek-derived word.